Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
August 21, 1856
Southern Christian Advocate
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
A narrative poem depicting angels bestowing beauty, voice, and a pure mind upon a newborn child, who grows beloved until the angel of Death takes her to heaven, granting immortality and sparing her earthly sorrows.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
EARLY LOST, EARLY SAVED.
Within her downy cradle there lay a little child.
And a group of hovering angels unseen upon her smiled;
A strife arose among them—a loving, holy strife
Which should shed the richest blessing over the new-born life.
One breathed upon her features, and the babe in beauty grew,
With a cheek like morning's blushes, and an eye of azure hue;
Till every one who saw her, were thankful for the sight
Of a face so sweet and radiant with ever fresh delight.
Another gave her accents, and a voice as musical
As a spring-bird's joyous carol, or a rippling streamlet's fall;
Till all who heard her laughing, or her words of childish grace.
Loved as much to listen to her as to look upon her face.
Another brought from heaven a clear and gentle mind.
And within the lovely casket the precious gem enshrined;
Till all who knew her wondered that God should be so good
As to bless with such a spirit our desert world and rude.
Thus did she grow in beauty, in melody, and truth.
The budding of her childhood just opening into youth;
And to our hearts yet dearer every moment than before
She became, though we fondly thought heart could not love her more.
Then out-spake another angel, nobler, brighter than the rest.
As with strong arm, but tender, he caught her to his breast;
"Ye have made her all too lovely for a child of mortal race,
But no shade of human sorrow shall darken o'er her face.
"Ye have tuned to gladness only the accents of her tongue,
And no wail of human anguish shall from her lips be wrung;
Nor shall the soul that shineth so purely from within
Her form of earth-born frailty, ever know the taint of sin.
"Lulled in my faithful bosom, I will bear her far away,
Where there is no sin nor anguish, nor sorrow, nor decay;
And mine a boon more glorious than all your gifts shall be
Lo! I crown her happy spirit with immortality!"
Then on his heart our darling yielded up her gentle breath,
For the stronger, brighter angel, who loved her best, was Death!
Within her downy cradle there lay a little child.
And a group of hovering angels unseen upon her smiled;
A strife arose among them—a loving, holy strife
Which should shed the richest blessing over the new-born life.
One breathed upon her features, and the babe in beauty grew,
With a cheek like morning's blushes, and an eye of azure hue;
Till every one who saw her, were thankful for the sight
Of a face so sweet and radiant with ever fresh delight.
Another gave her accents, and a voice as musical
As a spring-bird's joyous carol, or a rippling streamlet's fall;
Till all who heard her laughing, or her words of childish grace.
Loved as much to listen to her as to look upon her face.
Another brought from heaven a clear and gentle mind.
And within the lovely casket the precious gem enshrined;
Till all who knew her wondered that God should be so good
As to bless with such a spirit our desert world and rude.
Thus did she grow in beauty, in melody, and truth.
The budding of her childhood just opening into youth;
And to our hearts yet dearer every moment than before
She became, though we fondly thought heart could not love her more.
Then out-spake another angel, nobler, brighter than the rest.
As with strong arm, but tender, he caught her to his breast;
"Ye have made her all too lovely for a child of mortal race,
But no shade of human sorrow shall darken o'er her face.
"Ye have tuned to gladness only the accents of her tongue,
And no wail of human anguish shall from her lips be wrung;
Nor shall the soul that shineth so purely from within
Her form of earth-born frailty, ever know the taint of sin.
"Lulled in my faithful bosom, I will bear her far away,
Where there is no sin nor anguish, nor sorrow, nor decay;
And mine a boon more glorious than all your gifts shall be
Lo! I crown her happy spirit with immortality!"
Then on his heart our darling yielded up her gentle breath,
For the stronger, brighter angel, who loved her best, was Death!
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Early Death
Angels Blessing
Child Immortality
Heavenly Salvation
Mortal Sorrow
Poem Details
Title
Early Lost, Early Saved.
Key Lines
Then Out Spake Another Angel, Nobler, Brighter Than The Rest.
As With Strong Arm, But Tender, He Caught Her To His Breast;
"Ye Have Made Her All Too Lovely For A Child Of Mortal Race,
But No Shade Of Human Sorrow Shall Darken O'er Her Face.
"Lulled In My Faithful Bosom, I Will Bear Her Far Away,
Where There Is No Sin Nor Anguish, Nor Sorrow, Nor Decay;
And Mine A Boon More Glorious Than All Your Gifts Shall Be
Lo! I Crown Her Happy Spirit With Immortality!"
Then On His Heart Our Darling Yielded Up Her Gentle Breath,
For The Stronger, Brighter Angel, Who Loved Her Best, Was Death!