<h2><SPAN name="page150"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>THE CHOSEN</h2>
<p class="poetry">They stood before the Angel at the gate;<br/>
The Angel asked: ‘Why should you enter
in?’<br/>
One said: ‘On earth my place was high and great;’<br/>
And one: ‘I warned my fellow-men from
sin;’<br/>
Another: ‘I was teacher of the faith;<br/>
I scorned my life and lived in love with death.’</p>
<p class="poetry">And one stood silent.
‘Speak!’ the Angel said;<br/>
‘What earthly deed has sent you here
to-day?’<br/>
‘Alas! I did but follow where they led,’<br/>
He answered sadly: ‘I had lost my
way—<br/>
So new the country, and so strange my flight;<br/>
I only sought for guidance and for light.’</p>
<p class="poetry">‘You have no passport?’
‘None,’ the answer came.<br/>
‘I loved the earth, tho’ lowly was my
lot.<br/>
I strove to keep my record free from blame,<br/>
And make a heaven about my humble spot.<br/>
<SPAN name="page151"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>A narrow
life; I see it now, too late;<br/>
So, Angel, drive me from the heavenly gate.’</p>
<p class="poetry">The Angel swung the portal wide and free,<br/>
And took the sorrowing stranger by the hand.<br/>
‘Nay, you alone,’ he said, ‘shall come with
me,<br/>
Of all this waiting and insistent band.<br/>
Of what God gave, you built your paradise;<br/>
Behold your mansion waiting in the skies.’</p>
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