Sweet pledge of joys departed! as I lay
Wrapt in deep slumber, I beheld thee led
By thy angelic mother, long since dead —
Methought upon her face such smiles did play
As gild the summer morning. A bright ray
Of lambent glory stream'd around her head.
I gazed in rapture; love had banish'd dread,
Even as light the darkness drives away.
Silent awhile ye stood — I could not move,
Such sweet delight my senses did o'erpower;
When, in mild accents of celestial love,
Thy guardian spoke — " Cherish this opening flower
With holy love; that so the future hour
Shall re-unite our souls in bliss above. "