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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
RABBI BEN HISSAR, by ANONYMOUS First Line: Rabbi ben hissar rode one day Last Line: "'I thank thee, lord,' was all he said" Subject(s): Clergy;death;fathers & Sons;jews; "priests;rabbis;ministers;bishops;dead, The;judaism; | |||
RABBI BEN HISSAR rode one day Beyond the city gates. His way Lay toward a spot where his own hand Had buried deep within the sand A treasure vast of gems and gold He dared not trust to man to hold. But riding in the falling light, A pallid figure met his sight An awful shapehe knew full well 'Twas the great Angel Azrael. The dreadful presence froze his breath; He waited tremblingly for death. "Fear not," the Angel said, "I bear A message. Rabbi Ben-Hissar, One thing the Lord hath asked of thee To prove thy love and loyalty. Therefore now I am come to bring Thy rarest jewel to thy King." Rabbi Ben-Hissar bowed his head, "All that I have is his!" he said. The angel vanished. All that day He rode upon his lonely way Wondering much what precious stone God would have chosen for his own. But when he reached the spot he found No other hand had touched the ground. Rabbi Ben-Hissar looked and sighed "It was a dream!" he sadly cried. "I thought that God would deign to take Of my poor store for his dear sake. But 'twas a dream! My brightest gem Would have no luster meet for him!" Slowly he turned and took his way Back to the vale where the city lay. The path was long, but when he came Unto the street which bore his name He saw his house stand dark and drear, No voice of welcome, none of cheer. He entered and saw what the Lord had done. Lo! Death had stricken his only son! Clay he lay, in the darkened hall, On the stolid bier, with the funeral pall. The pale death-angel Azrael Had chosen a jewel that pleased him well. Rabbi Ben-Hissar bent his head. "I thank thee, Lord," was all he said. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SITTING BULL IN SERBIA by WILLIAM JAY SMITH TO THE EXCELLENT ORINDA by PHILO PHILIPPA EPIGRAM OCCASIONED BY CIBBER'S VERSES IN PRAISE OF NASH: 1 by ALEXANDER POPE THE GIFT OF THE GODS by JOHN GODFREY SAXE TO CHRISTOPHER NORTH by ALFRED TENNYSON BEAU NASH by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER BEAU NASH AND THE ROMAN, OR THE TWO ERAS by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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