She did not know that she was dead, But, when the pang was o'er, Sat down to wait her Master's tread Upon the Golden Floor, With ears full-co*k and anxious eye Impatiently resigned; But ignorant that Paradise Did not admit her kind. Persons with Haloes, Harps, and Wings Assembled and reproved; Or talked to her of Heavenly things, But Dinah never moved. There was one step along the Stair That led to Heaven's Gate; And, till she heard it, her affair Was--she explained--to wait. And she explained with flattened ear, Bared lip and milky tooth-- Storming against Ithuriel's Spear That only proved her truth! Sudden--far down the Bridge of Ghosts That anxious spirits clomb-- She caught that step in all the hosts, And knew that he had come. She left them wondering what to do, But not a doubt had she. Swifter than her own squeal she flew Across the Gla**y Sea; Flushing the Cherubs every where, And skidding as she ran, She refuged under Peter's Chair And waited for her man. . . . . . . . There spoke a Spirit out of the press, 'Said:--"Have you any here That saved a fool from drunkenness, And a coward from his fear? "That turned a soul from dark to day When other help was vain; That snatched it from Wanhope and made A cur a man again?" "Enter and look," said Peter then, And set The Gate ajar. "If know aught of women and men I trow she is not far." "Neither by virtue, speech nor art Nor hope of grace to win; But godless innocence of heart That never heard of sin: "Neither by beauty nor belief Nor white example shown. Something a wanton--more a thief-- But--most of all--mine own." "Enter and look," said Peter then, "And send you well to speed; But, for all that I know of women and men Your riddle is hard to read." Then flew Dinah from under the Chair, Into his arms she flew-- And licked his face from chin to hair And Peter pa**ed them through!