Angels and Women (1924)

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50 ANGELS AND WOMEN
lineament like men, though far more stately
and beautiful, but whose faces filled me with
dismay.
Upon each royal brow gleamed a star
luminous as their eyes, and the trailing garments
were of a shape and texture I had
never before seen. From the taller and
grander of these figures emanated the lightning
flash which had awakened me. The
look of admiration he fixed upon my mother,
whose transcendent beauty reflected the unnatural
light, was almost as dreadful as the
scowl that alternated upon his features when
he turned toward my father. I was certain
that they were Devas, the incarnate celestials
of whose existence I had recently become
aware. He who was tall and bright at
length spoke in words I had never before
heard, but which, by some new perception
of sound, I well understood.
"More beautiful than Eve, and as true to
her lord. The man must die. Prince of the
West, send forth your baneful fire." The