| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1054. In Paradise |
| | | By Arlo Bates |
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| “O PITYING angel, pause, and say | |
| To me, new come to Paradise, | |
| How I may drive one pain away | |
| By penitence or sacrifice. | |
| From deeps below of nether Hell | 5 |
| I hear a lost soul’s bitter cry: | |
| Alas! It was through me she fell,— | |
| What price forgetfulness may buy?” | |
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| The passing angel paused in flight, | |
| Poised like fair stars which first arise, | 10 |
| And looked on that pale suppliant white, | |
| With piercing pity in his eyes. | |
| “Ah, woe!” he said. “Thy joy and peace | |
| Cannot be bought with prayer or price. | |
| For thee that wail will never cease, | 15 |
| Though thou hast won to Paradise!” | |
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