[Footnote 96: A poet and critic of much Note; a native of South
Carolina.]
* * * * *
=_Rosa V. Johnson Jeffrey_=[97] about =_1832-._=
=_421._= ANGEL WATCHERS.
Angel faces watch my pillow, angel voices haunt my sleep,--
And upon the winds of midnight, shining pinions round me sweep;
Floating downward on the starlight, two bright infant-forms I see--
They are mine, my own bright darlings, come from heaven to visit me.
Earthly children smile upon me, but those little ones' above,
Were the first to stir the fountains of a mother's deathless love,
And, as now they watch my slumber, while their soft eyes on me shine,
God forgive a mortal yearning still to call his angels mine.
Earthly children fondly call me, but no mortal voice can seem
Sweet as those that whisper "Mother!" 'mid the glories of my dream;
Years will pass, and earthly prattlers cease perchance to lisp my name;
But my angel babies' accents shall be evermore the same.
And the bright band now around me, from their home perchance will rove,
In their strength no more depending on my constant care and love;
But my first-born still shall wander, from the sky in dreams to rest
Their soft cheeks and shining tresses on an earthly mother's breast.
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