Two Prayers.
A woman knelt in prayer and bowed her head,
And to her guardian angel softly said:
“O angel! tell me have the fates above
Decreed that I’ll be blessed in my love?
I love so dearly and I fain would learn
If he I love doth love me in return.”
The angel paused, then gently breathed a sigh
As in soft, pitying tones he made reply.
“Even as you love him so doth he love thee,
But Fate decrees that you must parted be.”
She sighed, then murmured, “Still my life is blest,
If he but love me I can bear the rest.”
Another woman prayed with drooping head:
“Oh Angel! will my love love me?” she said,
The Angel’s tears fell fast like summer rain
As soft he answered her, “Thy prayer is vain;
He loves another and can never be
More than a true and faithful friend to thee,”
And then she slowly raised her drooping head
And smiling through her tears she softly said:
“He may not love me other than a friend,
But I love him and will unto the end
Of time, aye, and through all eternity
And that alone is heaven enough for me.”
