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JUDGMENT, by                    
First Line: A dead soul lay in the light of day
Last Line: "for a glorious victory!"


A DEAD Soul lay in the light of day,
Desperate, wan, it had passed;
Oft foiled, it had toiled on its upward way,
Till it perished, spent, aghast,
After a thousand defeats the prey
Of its conquering sin at last.

Said a stranger: -- "Lo, how in shame and woe
Is Satan's seal ever set!"
Laughed a foe: -- "Doth the carrion lie so low?
Death and a coward well met."
Said a friend: -- "His strength was great, I know,
But his weakness was stronger yet."

Moaned his love unwed: -- "Peace to the dead;
And as God shall forgive -- let be!"
But an angel spread o'er the prostrate head
His wings in humility;
As he gazed: -- "Be praised, great God," he said,
"For a glorious victory!"





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