Page:Poems, Volume 2, Coates, 1916.djvu/143

Rh But the other angel sighed, as lone

The heavenly way he trod,

And came at last to the awful throne,

And fell at the feet of God.

Then spake God's voice:—"What earth-born grief

Dims radiance such as thine?"

The angel sighed:—"I beg relief

For woes that are not mine!—

I plead for them that exiled live.

If grace be of Thy plan,

Have mercy!—ah, have mercy! Give

Some comfort, Lord, to Man!"

The fearful angel waited: came

Long silence, then the Voice:—

Love cannot take from wrong its blame:

Man's woes are of Man's choice;

Yet do thou bear—thy pity's price—

To them that outcast grope

This last, best gift of Paradise—

This key whose name is Hope!"