Michael the Archangel

By Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (1826–1887)

A festival in the Anglican and Roman Churches celebrated on Sept. 29.

MICHAEL, the leader of the hosts of God,

Who warred with Satan for the body of him

Whom, living, God had loved—If cherubim

With cherubim contended for one clod

Of human dust, for forty years that trod

The gloomy desert of heaven’s chastisement,

Are there not ministering angels sent

To battle with the devils that roam abroad,

Clutching our living souls? “The living, still

The living, they shall praise Thee!”—Let some great

Invisible spirit enter in and fill

The howling chambers of hearts desolate;

With looks like thine, O Michael, strong and wise,

My white archangel with the steadfast eyes.