Observations placeholder
Bailey, Philip James - from Festus I - The Guardian Angel's plea for his soul
Identifier
018512
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Festus - I - Philip James Bailey
Guardian Angel. An aching wish to know the world,
I knew lorded, latewhile, his spirit;
ambition, love, eldest of things,
that dawn life of the soul,
Youth's passionate pleasures and frivolities,
all, had thrown cross--lights,
and dazed his once so clear purview of life.
Life's simple aims lacked zest.
God's love seemed lost upon him.
Oh! he grew Heart--deadened.
Watching, warning vain, I fled hither to intercede with
God our Lord to bless him with salvation.
Plead we may
Always for those we love, by leave divine.
And now thou summ'st all bounties, Lord!
in him choosing as test of human faithfulness,
My ward, my charge.
But, Lord! thou knowest the mould of mortals,
and the infinite end the souls Thou savest
are all predestined to in heaven.
So be thy mercy mighty to this soul
Fiend--threatened; nor permit him, who presides
O'er hell's eternal holocaust, too far
To tempt or tamper with man's mutable heart.