The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-02
Original in THE UNIvERsALIsT.
THE TWO ANGELS.
BY f. o. GALE.


One fle'hess on pale hor e sat, one seeds of
flowers strew
Upon a grave whence mourning friends had re-
Gently withdrew.
"Thus brolher." low the sower spoke, 'sour
tasks are never done,
sow the seeds, you harvests reap,-our work
goes ever on.
Men Call me Lite, they call you Death: bestow
tn ir praise on me.
Viii 9 with upbraid ng and with tears, they ever
think OF thee.
Pull off the mask you always wear. YOUR CLINT
ing scythe cast down,
And will lake my false face off, by which by
man I'm known"
They threw their ms SKIS of calling off they stood
there side by side:
Life shone In all his Ioveliness, and Death stood
in his PRIDE
They stood beside that fresh made grave, In sun
set shadows cold,
Two twins were never more alike, In graces
manifold.
Then Life resumed "wby should mank nd to
us such difference Show
Wild terror feel at your approach, such love on
me bestow?
No ole can now between us cho Sc, we both
same likene bear.
Men flee or fawn by outward signs; Judge us by
CARDS we wear.
Let us awhile exchange our masks, our tasks
renewing then.
And mark who gains the love or hate of all the
tribes of men.
year from now Wen meet again. beside this
hallOwt mound.
As shades of night creep through the vale, we
both ill here be found.
And see If men do hate or love for what our
selves we are,
Or reason fint for doin., so. from symbols we
may bear"
Life took the skeleton of Death, while Death
assumed Lies mask,
And each betook him as before, to his accus.
toned task.
AS Life walked forth among ankind, but in his
bro'her's guise.
Where he before had met with smiles, were now
averted eyes.
While Death assuming Life's bright face, most
gladly was received.
Thus Death was courted, Life was Stunned,
their masks mankind deceived.
They met again as was proposed, beside tie
Powered mound
A finely cbiseled monument adorned the sacred
ground.
The face evinced masters hand; expressed
love serene,
And showed the matchless countenance of the
tender Nazarene.
Death grasped his brothers hand, and said,
lis well meet again,
1 cannot bear Il is base disgulse this playing
false with men.
Tho, tbipIx ~ nj h.,
and their friend,
With smiles they run to welcome me, their
hands in Joy extend.
l cannot masquerade as friend, they've ALWAYS
thought their foe.
Return my true belongings; all that seeing me
they'll know"
But Life rejoicing answer made; "Dear brother
is 1t true
That am ALLY such friend to credulous man
as you?
Should man court life with all the griefs, that
from existence flow?
Bless me. who makes 1t possible for him to sor-
rows know?
No disappointment, crime nor want, no tears
the eyes bedm.
TIL as Life conceive them all, and incarnate
in him,
There's scarce an object of his love his heart is
bound up in.
But what some pang accompanies, from want,
disease or sin,
There's not step that he may take, from be-
ing's dawn. to close,
But Is beset by perils great, from seen or hidden
foes.
And if It's true. as true 1t is in spite of all It's
Ills.
Man welcomes life and clings to it, till the heart
with ruins fills.
Should not as friend he higher rank who rest
and comfort gives.
From all The Ills that man beset, through
every day he lives?
Men do not realize as they should, you're friend
and not a foe,
There's not a cross that he may bear, but YOU
can crown bestow.
There's not pain child may feel mother
would assuage,
grief that comes to middle life, a sorrow to
old age,
No suffering defying skill of mortal to relieve,
But you can fold them in your arms, and perfect
comfort give.
If men as angels think of those who spend their
days and years.
Relieving pain in every form. with smiles sup
plan ing tears.
Why SHOULD he not be reconclled, acknow Wedge
what is best,
Bless you for soothing troubled ones, and the
weary giving rest?
And so my brother it is true. that you, not
should be
The welcome guest to every one with Lies in
trinity.
Whoever went with YOU has found the truth
which all will know,
That Lite is but the seed of Death,-is Death In
embryo.
While Death is LIES transition state, no life
can truly be,
Till Life through Death is brought to life in
Immortality.
Then you retain that garb of mine, and yours
on me bss'ow,
That Death as Life will men greet me, and Life,
In you shall know"
Death de nned Lies beaming counter ance
Life on the pale horse flew,
And since that time they both have been dis
guised their tasks to do
Deep shadows in the valley crept. dampness
touched the air
The setting sun in crimson dyed the clouds on
mountain bare,
And halo cast around the head of loving Naza-
rene,
Who Death in Life, and Lite in Death, for all
mankind has seen.
OAK PARK, Ill.
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