Letter from R. E. S. to Isaac Leeser;March 11, 1855

Title: Letter from R. E. S. to Isaac Leeser;March 11, 1855
Author: R. E. S.
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 11 March 1855
Location(s): Heidelberg; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).; Letter
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3b27qb6h/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3b27qb6h
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Wax Seal; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: The Angel & the Child
“Thou art too beautiful & good,
     Too full of sacred mirth,
Too pensive in they gayest mood,
     Dear child for this cold earth.”

Thus spake an angel to a child
     And fanned with softest breath
His tender cheeks, and eyelids mild,
     That angel's name was Death.

The angel with his folded wings,
     And torch inverted stands
And whispers to the child & sings
     And holds its little hands.

The children by the cottage door
     See not the wondrous sight
But think their brother's eyes before
     Have never looked so bright.

Oh! Herbert darling! Herbert love!
     What is it thou doest see?
Why dost thou smile & look above
     And move from off my knee.

My brother dearest, let me go,
     My brothers sisters dear
Detain me not, nor weep with wo
     There is no cause for fear.

Oh! Didst thou not, my mother, see
     The Messenger divine
That took me gently from thy knee
     And said I was not thine.

He spake of all the flowers that bloom
     Like glittering stars above;
of wondrous things beyond the tomb
     But most he spake of Love.

He said it was the brightest thing
     That shone in that bright sphere,
That, from the seraphs harps one string
     Still vibrates even here.

“Thou dearest child what heavenly light
     Is beaming round thy face
What anguish will be mine this night
     To see thy empty place”.

Oh! Mother, if thou couldst but see
     Thy angel by my side
How lovingly his clasping me
     Thy tears would soon be dried.

Oh! if thou couldst but hear his voice
     So gentle and so mild,
Just now he whispered me “rejoice,
     Rejoice thou blessed child”.

For thou to Paradise doest go,
     Yes, thou hast reached that goal
Before one pang of earthly woe
     Has touched thy sinless soul.
—————— R. E. S.
Heidelberg
I hope you will be able to decipher this—my pen & ink were not good which is excuse for bad writing. Can you tell me why we do not keep our New Year in April? Exodus XII. 2. & 18. also Leviticus XXIII.5.
Will you be so kind as to explain this to me & please also to tell me if you have yet met with much success in the disposal of your Bible.
I continue writing my Prayers—

I had almost forgotten to tell you, my dear friend, that I sent a copy of my Poems to His Majesty the King Bavaria, who is himself a Poet—& I received by return of Post a most polite answer with many expressions of thanks—I am sure you will be pleased to hear this.
Voie d'Angletore
Paid
The Revd I. Leeser
371 Walnut Street
Philadelphia
America
March 11th
1855

The above text refers to Occident Volume 13 No. 1 pages 36 through 38. Click here to view.
Identifier: LSDCBx2FF2_14
Date: 1855-03-11

Part of Letter from R. E. S. to Isaac Leeser;March 11, 1855

R. E. S., “Letter from R. E. S. to Isaac Leeser;March 11, 1855”, 1855-03-11, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69362