Two angels came through the gate of Heaven.
(White and soft is a mother’s breast!)
Stayed them both by the gate of Heaven;
Rested a little on folded wings,
Spake a little of holy things.
(In Heaven alone is perfect rest!)
Over them rose the golden steeps,
Heaven’s castled and golden steeps;
Under them, depth on depth of...
Where helen sits, the darkness is so deep,
No golden sunbeam strikes athwart the gloom;
No mother’s smile, no glance of loving eyes,
Lightens the shadow of that lonely room.
Yet the clear whiteness of her radiant soul
Decks the dim walls, like angel vestments shed.
The lovely light of holy innocence
Shines like a halo round her...
Oh! little loveliest lady mine,
What shall I send for your valentine?
Summer and flowers are far away;
Gloomy old Winter is king to-day;
Buds will not blow, and sun will not shine:
What shall I do for a valentine?
I ’ve searched the gardens all through and through
For a bud to tell of my love so true;
But buds are asleep, and...
