| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| A Flight from Glory |
| | | Eugene Lee-Hamilton (b. 1845) |
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| ONCE, from the parapet of gems and glow, | |
| An Angel said, “O God, the heart grows cold | |
| On these eternal battlements of gold, | |
| Where all is pure, but cold as virgin snow. | |
| Here sobs are never heard; no salt tears flow; | 5 |
| Here there are none to help—nor sick nor old; | |
| No wrong to fight, no justice to uphold: | |
| Grant me Thy leave to live man’s life below.” | |
| “And then annihilation?” God replied. | |
| “Yes,” said the Angel, “even that dread price; | 10 |
| For earthly tears are worth eternal night.” | |
| “Then go,” said God.—The Angel opened wide | |
| His dazzling wings, gazed back on Heaven thrice, | |
| And plunged for ever from the walls of Light. | |
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