"E venni dal martirio a questa pace." PARADISO, XV, 14'. THESE words the poet heard in Paradise, Uttered by one who, bravely dying here In the true faith, was living in that sphere Where the celestial cross of sacrifice Spread its protecting arms athwart the skies; And set thereon, like jewels crystal clear, The souls magnanimous, that knew not fear, Flashed their effulgence on his dazzled eyes. Ah me! how dark the discipline of pain, Were not the suffering followed by the sense Of infinite rest and infinite release! This is our consolation; and again A great soul cries to us in our suspense, "I came from martyrdom unto this peace!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MOTHERHOOD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE BLACK MAMMY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CRITIC AND POET by EMMA LAZARUS TWO POEMS FROM THE WAR: 1 by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH DOMESDAY BOOK: LILLI ALM by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |