Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Laura ElizabethRichards1030 A Song of Two Angels
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(White and soft is a mother’s breast!)
Stayed them both by the gate of Heaven;
Rested a little on folded wings,
Spake a little of holy things.
(In Heaven alone is perfect rest!)
Heaven’s castled and golden steeps;
Under them, depth on depth of space
Fell away from the holy place.
Glad and joyful must take my way,
Down to the realm of day and night;
Down to yon earth that rolls so bright.”
Sad and silent, am thither sent.
Let us together softly wing
Our flight to yon world of sorrowing.”
Swiftly sped through the shining air,—
This one bright as the sunset’s glow,
That one white as the falling snow.
Tell me your joyful errand now!”
“A little new soul must wake on earth,
And I carry the blessing for its birth.”
Dear white angel, what task is yours?”
“To bear a soul back to Heaven’s height,—
A mother, whose child is born to-night.”
Loath to leave her baby and go?”
“Hush, dear angel! she will not know.
God in His mercy wills it so.”
Seek its mother, and weep forlorn?”
“Hush, dear angel! we may not know.
God, knowing all things, wills it so.”
Swiftly sped through the dusky air;
Trod the dim earth with noiseless feet;
Softly stole through a village street.
Stayed them both at a cottage door,—
This one bright as the sunset’s glow,
That one white as the falling snow.
Dear white angel, we here must part!
For this low door I must enter by.”
“Alas! and alas! so too must I!”
(White and soft is a mother’s breast;)
Lingered and looked in each other’s face;
Then folded their hands in silent prayer,
And so together they entered there.
(In Heaven alone is perfect rest.)