Classic Poem

A SENTINEL angel, sitting high in glory,
Heard this shrill wail ring out from Purgatory:
" Have mercy, mighty angel, hear my story!

" I loved, — and, blind with passionate love, I fell.
Love brought me down to death, and death to Hell;
For God is just, and death for sin is well.

" I do not rage against His high decree,
Nor for myself do ask that grace shall be;
But for my love on earth who mourns for me.

" Great Spirit! Let me see my love again
And comfort him one hour, and I were fain
To pay a thousand years of fire and pain. "

Then said the pitying angel, " Nay, repent
That wild vow! Look, the dial-finger's bent
Down to the last hour of thy punishment! "

But still she wailed, " I pray thee, let me go!
I cannot rise to peace and leave him so.
O, let me soothe him in his bitter woe! "

The brazen gates ground sullenly ajar,
And upwards, joyous, like a rising star,
She rose and vanished in the ether far.

But soon adown the dying sunset sailing,
And like a wounded bird her pinions trailing,
She fluttered back, with broken-hearted wailing,

She sobbed, " I found him by the summer sea
Reclined, his head upon a maiden's knee, —
She curled his hair and kissed him. Woe is me! "

She wept, " Now let my punishment begin!
I have been fond and foolish. Let me in
To expiate my sorrow and my sin. "

The angel answered, " Nay, sad soul, go higher!
To be deceived in your true heart's desire
Was bitterer than a thousand years of fire! "