An angel stooped down from the hill-side; He was holding a golden thread All strung with the jewels of promise, Just swaying above my head. Of love there were blood red rubies, And the pearls of peace were there. As I reached for the gems in my rashness, Spake a voice, "Beware, beware." "But one canst thou choose," said the angel, "Nor again shall I pass this way." And I clasped a single treasure; But it burnt with a changeless ray. In my hand I gathered this jewel That blazed beyond all compare; And I laughed and I wept as I held it, For the heart of a friend lay there. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE PROPOSAL TO ERECT A MONUMENT IN ENGLAND TO LORD BYRON by EMMA LAZARUS THE DAY OF THE DEAD SOLDIERS; MARY 30, 1869 by EMMA LAZARUS FROM THE AGES WITH A SMILE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TO A MAN WORKING HIS WAY THROUGH THE CROWD by MARIANNE MOORE ABU SALAMMAMM - A SONG OF EMPIRE by EZRA POUND LINES ON LEAVING THE BEDFORD STR. SCHOOL HOUSE by GEORGE SANTAYANA |