| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 224. The Two Angels |
| | | By John Greenleaf Whittier |
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| GOD called the nearest angels who dwell with Him above: | |
| The tenderest one was Pity, the dearest one was Love. | |
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| “Arise,” He said, “my angels! a wail of woe and sin | |
| Steals through the gates of heaven, and saddens all within. | |
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| “My harps take up the mournful strain that from a lost world swells, | 5 |
| The smoke of torment clouds the light and blights the asphodels. | |
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| “Fly downward to that under world, and on its souls of pain | |
| Let Love drop smiles like sunshine, and Pity tears like rain!” | |
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| Two faces bowed before the Throne, veiled in their golden hair; | |
| Four white wings lessened swiftly down the dark abyss of air. | 10 |
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| The way was strange, the flight was long; at last the angels came | |
| Where swung the lost and nether world, red-wrapped in rayless flame. | |
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| There Pity, shuddering, wept; but Love, with faith too strong for fear, | |
| Took heart from God’s almightiness and smiled a smile of cheer. | |
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| And lo! that tear of Pity quenched the flame whereon it fell, | 15 |
| And, with the sunshine of that smile, hope entered into hell! | |
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| Two unveiled faces full of joy looked up-ward to the Throne, | |
| Four white wings folded at the feet of Him who sat thereon! | |
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| And deeper than the sound of seas, more soft than falling flake, | |
| Amidst the hush of wing and song the Voice Eternal spake: | 20 |
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| “Welcome, my angels! ye have brought a holier joy to heaven; | |
| Henceforth its sweetest song shall be the song of sin forgiven!” | |
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