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1850–1919

COMPASSION

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

He was a failure, and one day he died. Across the border of the mapless land He found himself among a sad-eyed band Of disappointed souls; they, too, had tried

And missed their purpose. With one voice they cried Unto the shining Angel in command: ‘ Oh, lead us not before our Lord to stand, For we are failures, failures! Let us hide.’

Yet on the Angel fared, until they stood Before the Master. ( Even His holy place The hideous noises of the earth assailed. ) Christ reached His arms out to the trembling brood,

With God's vast sorrow in His listening face. Come unto Me,’ He said;‘ I, too, have failed.’

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COMPASSION · Ella Wheeler Wilcox · Poetry Cove