Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 77. AL-MUTAHALI, by EDWIN ARNOLD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tis written in the chapter 'of the cave' Last Line: Exalted art thou past our ken. Variant Title(s): Moses And The Angel Subject(s): Angels; Bible; God; Islam; Jews; Moses; Judaism | ||||||||
Praise Him, Al-Mutâhâli! Whose decree Is wiser than the wit of man can see. 'Tis written in the chapter "of the Cave," An Angel of the Lord, a minister, Had errands upon earth, and Moses said, "Grant me to wend with thee, that I may learn God's ways with men." The Angel, answering, said, "Thou canst not bear with me; thou wilt not have Knowledge to judge; yet if thou followest me, Question me not, whatever I shall do, Until I tell thee." Then they found a ship On the seashore, wherefrom the Angel struck Her boards and brake them. Moses said, "Wilt drown The mariners? This is a strange thing wrought?" "Did I not say thou couldst not bear with me?" The Angel answered"be thou silent now!" Yet farther, and they met an Arab boy: Upon his eyes with mouth invisible The Angel breathed; and all his warm blood froze, And, with a moan, he sank to earth and died. Then Moses said, "Slayest thou the innocent Who did no wrong? This is a hard thing seen!" "Did I not tell thee," said the Minister, Thou wouldst not bear with me? Question me not!" Then came to a village, where there stood A lowly hut; the garden-fence thereof Toppled to fall: the Angel thrust it down, A ruin of gray stones, and lime, and tiles, Crushing the lentils, melons, saffron, beans, The little harvest of the cottage folk. "What hire," asked Moses, "hadst thou for this deed, Seeming so evil?" Then the Angel said, "This is the parting betwixt me and thee; Yet will I first make manifest the things Thou couldst not bear, not knowing; that my Lord 'Exalted above all reproach'be praised. The ship I broke serveth poor fisher-folk Whose livelihood was lost, because there came A king that way seizing all boats found whole; Now have they peace. Touching the Arab boy: In two moons he had slain his mother's son, Being perverse; but now his brother lives, Whose life unto his tribe was more, and he Dieth blood-guiltless. For the garden wall: Two goodly youths dwell there, offspring of one That loved his Lord, and underneath the stones The father hid a treasure, which is theirs. This shall they find building their ruin up, And joy will come upon their house! But thou, Journey no more with me, because I do Nought of myself, but all by Allah's will." Al-Mutâhâl! Maker of men, Exalted art Thou past our ken. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD A LITTLE HISTORY by DAVID LEHMAN FOR I WILL CONSIDER YOUR DOG MOLLY by DAVID LEHMAN JEWISH GRAVEYARDS, ITALY by PHILIP LEVINE NATIONAL THOUGHTS by YEHUDA AMICHAI SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 2. ANGEL ... by MARVIN BELL |
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