THE ANGEL OF THE JASMINE WREATH



(From a picture by Botticelli, of the Madonna
and Child with A gels,- in the Borghese Gallery)


I NEFFABLE angel, with the jasmine
      wreathed,
    Wherefrom the sweetness over brow and lips,
And luminous white eyelids tremulously slips,
A visible essence from thy beauty breathed,-
The pure and pensive marvel of thy face is
          sheathed
In tresses softer than the bloom of night,
Wherefrom the dampness on thy forehead drips
With dews from out God's meadows infinite,-
Thy face, itself, a lily filled with light:-
Thyself the youngest of God's angels and most
          fair,
Bearing His latest breath and blessing on thine
          hair,
Thou comest fresh from looking on thy Lord;
And all is well, and all is filled for thee
With eloquent, mute wonder of His Word.
Oh, lean a little forth thy lips to me,
For I am fain of peace amid this earthly strife,
And I would drink, a spent soul, thirstily,
From out thy never-failing cup of life.