Classic Poem

I

When Lucifer was lowliest in Heaven,
There was a Spirit with no name at all
Nor any work to do, before the Fall.
But God had said to her there should be given
Two names more beautiful than Morn or Even,
For time and for eternity. They call
Her Pain because on earth she wears a pall —
A horrid cloak of piercing colors seven —
More feared by men than the black robe of Death;
And Pain appears, at the first, gasping breath;
Wrapping her cloak of many and many a fold
Round man; nor can be bought with tears or gold.
To men on earth her face she may not show;
She is too beautiful for earth below.

II

Pain is her name; her face she may not show,
But covers up her eyes serene and bold;
Eyes of a child, which fairyland will hold;
Eyes of a sage, which all experience know;
Eyes of a mother, clear and gray, as flow
Down a clean mountain rock, snow-cold
And fresh and pure, snow-waters. I am told
Her mouth is sweeter than one sees below.
So close she lived to God when up above,
And to the Son of God when He was Man,
She has led multitudes to God, who well,
Had quite forgotten God, as vigor can,
She has the place of Lucifer who fell —
Her name, through all the ages, shall be Love.