Grief.
A Sonnet.
There came to meet me, on Life’s toilsome way,1
An angel form, in sable garments clad,2
With eyes that shone through tears—serenely sad—3
And met my glance unheeding, thoughtless, gay.4
‘ My son,’ he said, and softly touched my hand,5
‘ Walk not in idle paths of unbelief.6
God’s messenger am I—my name is Grief ;7
I know the things thou canst not understand.’8
He showed me secrets strange of Death and Life,9
The mysteries of sorrow and of strife,10
High, holy things I had not dreamed of yore ;11
And when he left me—sorrowful, alone—12
Earth seemed another Earth than I had known,13
But God was nearer than He seemed before.14