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The Annotated Edition

ORIFEL. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

In this brief poem, an angel named Orifel — the outermost angel in the heavenly host — journeys from the remote, chilly expanses of Saturn to bring one last, precious gift to humanity: Temperance.

Poet
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The PoemFull text

ORIFEL.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Angel of the uttermost Of all the shining, heavenly host, From the far-off expanse Of the Saturnian, endless space I bring the last, the crowning grace, The gift of Temperance! A sudden light shines from the windows of the stable in the village below.

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

In this brief poem, an angel named Orifel — the outermost angel in the heavenly host — journeys from the remote, chilly expanses of Saturn to bring one last, precious gift to humanity: Temperance. The poem concludes with a sudden flash of light from a stable below, clearly signaling the birth of Christ. Longfellow presents the Nativity not as a grand spectacle but as the gentle emergence of self-restraint and balance as the greatest divine gift.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. The Angel of the uttermost / Of all the shining, heavenly host,

    Editor's note

    Orifel introduces himself as the angel standing at the very edge of the heavenly order — the outermost and the lowest in rank or position. The term "uttermost" serves two purposes: it indicates the farthest point out, but also signifies the most extreme or complete. As the final angel, he embodies the concept that what he carries is the ultimate finishing touch.

  2. From the far-off expanse / Of the Saturnian, endless space

    Editor's note

    In medieval cosmology, Saturn represented the furthest known planet, the slowest and most distant sphere in the heavenly system. Longfellow taps into this tradition by positioning Orifel at the very edge of the cosmos. The coldness and vastness of Saturn also bring a particular tone — this isn’t a warm, welcoming heaven but rather an immense, nearly unfathomable distance.

  3. I bring the last, the crowning grace, / The gift of Temperance!

    Editor's note

    After all other gifts and graces have been given, Temperance is recognized as the crowning virtue — the one that completes and oversees all the others. In both classical and Christian moral traditions, Temperance stands as one of the four cardinal virtues, embodying moderation, self-control, and balance. Referring to it as the *last* gift implies that it is both the most developed and the most essential.

  4. A sudden light shines from the windows of the stable in the village below.

    Editor's note

    This prose stage direction moves the poem into a more dramatic or pageant-like tone. The stable, the village, the sudden light — these clearly indicate the Nativity. The light represents Orifel's arrival: the gift of Temperance is being delivered right at the moment of Christ's birth, implying that Christ himself embodies or brings this virtue into the world.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone feels ceremonial and hushed, reminiscent of a voice in a candlelit church. Orifel's speech carries the formal, measured tone of a herald announcing something important, while the last stage direction breaks away from that formality, delivering a sudden and radiant moment. The overall effect is reverent without being too weighty — it genuinely captures a sense of wonder.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

Saturn / Saturnian space
In medieval cosmology, Saturn was seen as the outermost planet — the boundary of the known universe. It represents the farthest point from human existence. Orifel, originating from there, indicates that this gift has journeyed the longest distance to arrive at us.
The crowning grace
A crown rests at the top, bringing together everything below it. Referring to Temperance as the "crowning grace" elevates it above all other virtues and gifts — it is the one that keeps everything else in harmony.
The sudden light from the stable
The light represents the star of Bethlehem and the divine glow of the Nativity captured in one image. Its sudden appearance reflects the angel's announcement — both come unexpectedly, piercing through the darkness.
The stable in the village below
The stable is where Christ was born, yet Longfellow highlights its humble nature — it is *below*, ordinary, earthly. The poem’s main dramatic tension lies in the contrast between Orifel's cosmic journey from Saturn and the modest stable below: the greatest gift arrives in the smallest place.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Longfellow composed this poem as part of a larger dramatic work titled *Christus: A Mystery* (1872), a trilogy he dedicated decades to writing that explores the history of Christianity from the Nativity to the medieval period and into the Puritan era. "Orifel" is found in the Nativity section, where angels present gifts to the newborn Christ. The name Orifel (also spelled Oriphiel or Orifiel) originates from medieval angelology, where he is recognized as the angel associated with Saturn and the end of ages. Longfellow was well-versed in European religious literature, including the works of Dante, and this poem reflects the tradition of linking angels with planetary spheres. Additionally, the poem is influenced by the 19th-century temperance movement in America, which Longfellow supported, infusing the ancient virtue with a contemporary relevance for his audience.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

Orifel (also spelled Oriphiel or Orifiel) is an angel found in medieval Christian and Jewish angelology. He is typically seen as the angel governing the planet Saturn and is linked to the outermost sphere of the cosmos. Longfellow draws on this tradition to depict him as the one who brings the final, supreme gift at the Nativity.

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