THE BLACK ANGEL

No one can know the origin of evil
who has no grasped the truth about
the so-called Devil and his angels
                      -Origen (186-255)



He that hath wife and children,
hath given hostages to fortune...
                    -Francis Bacon, Essays (1625)


But thee and me  he never can destroy, 
change us he may, but not o'erwhelm; we are
Of as eternal essence, and must war
With Him if He war with us...
                     -Lord Byron,
                       Heaven and Earth: A Mystery (1821)



I tell them there is no forgiveness
and yet there is always forgiveness
                      -Michael Collins
                         (1890-1922)


Through these years I've seen days
that I won't miss at all,
but then God knows I've been
As high as the Sun.
Through it all you kept me warm,
holding my hand,
but now you're on your own.
                      -Pinetop Seven, "Tennessee Pride"