Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IV. The Higher Life. 1904. | | | | VII. Death: Immortality: Heaven | | The Ministry of Angels | | Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599) |
| | From “The Faërie Queene,” Book II. Canto 8.
AND is there care in heaven? And is there love | |
| In heavenly spirits to these creatures base, | |
| That may compassion of their evils move? | |
| There is:—else much more wretched were the case | |
| Of men than beasts: but O the exceeding grace | 5 |
| Of Highest God! that loves his creatures so, | |
| And all his workes with mercy doth embrace, | |
| That blessèd angels he sends to and fro, | |
| To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe! | |
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| How oft do they their silver bowers leave, | 10 |
| To come to succour us that succour want! | |
| How oft do they with golden pinions cleave | |
| The flitting skyes, like flying pursuivant, | |
| Against fowle feendes to ayd us militant! | |
| They for us fight, they watch, and dewly ward, | 15 |
| And their bright squadrons round about us plant; | |
| And all for love, and nothing for reward; | |
| O, why should heavenly God to men have such regard! | | | | |
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