William Blake

The Angel

I dreamt a dream! 
What can it mean?
And that I was a maiden Queen
Guarded by an Angel mild:
Witless woe was ne'er beguiled! 

And I wept both night and day,
And he wiped my tears away;
And I wept both day and night,
And hid from him my heart's delight. 

So he took his wings, and fled;
Then the morn blushed rosy red.
I dried my tears, and armed my fears
With ten thousand shields and spears. 

Soon my Angel came again;
I was armed, he came in vain;
For the time of youth was fled,
And grey hairs were on my head.

From Songs of Experience