Classic Poem

Man hath two attendant angels
Ever waiting at his side,
With him wheresoe'er he wanders,
Wheresoe'er his feet abide;
One to warn him when he darkleth,
And rebuke him if he stray; —
One to leave him to his nature,
And so let him go his way:

Two recording spirits, reading
All his life's minutest part,
Looking in his soul, and listening
To the beatings of his heart;
Each, with pen of fire electric,
Writes the good or evil wrought; —
Writes with truth that adds not, errs not,
Purpose — action — word, and thought.

One, the Teacher and Reprover,
Marks each heaven-deserving deed;
Graves it with the lightning's vigour, —
Seals it with the lightning's speed;
For the good that Man achieveth —
Good beyond an angel's doubt —
Such remains for aye and ever,
And can not be blotted out.

One (severe and silent Watcher!)
Noteth every crime and guile,
Writes it with a holy duty,
Seals it not, but waits awhile;
If the Evil-Doer cry not —
" God, forgive me! " ere he sleeps,
Then the sad, stern Spirit seals it,
And the gentler Spirit weeps.

To the Sinner if Repentance
Cometh soon, with healing wings,
Then the dark account is cancelled,
And each joyful angel sings;
Whilst the Erring One perceiveth —
Now his troublous hour is o'er —
Music, fragrance, wafted to him
From a yet untrodden shore.

Mild and mighty is Forgiveness,
Meekly worn, if meekly won;
Let our hearts go forth to seek it,
Ere the setting of the sun!
Angels wait, and long to hear us
Ask it, ere the time be flown;
Let us give it, and receive it,
Ere the midnight cometh down!