King Solomon, before his palace gate <br />At evening, on the pavement tessellate <br />Was walking with a stranger from the East, <br />Arrayed in rich attire as for a feast, <br />The mighty Runjeet-Sing, a learned man, <br />And Rajah of the realms of Hindostan. <br />And as they walked the guest became aware <br />Of a white figure in the twilight air, <br />Gazing intent, as one who with surprise <br />His form and features seemed to recognize; <br />And in a whisper to the king he said: <br />'What is yon shape, that, pallid as the dead, <br />Is watching me, as if he sought to trace_ <br />In the dim light the features of my face?' <br /> <br />The king looked, and replied: 'I know him well; <br />It is the Angel men call Azrael, <br />'T is the Death Angel; what hast thou to fear?' <br />And the guest answered: 'Lest he should come near, <br />And speak to me, and take away my breath! <br />Save me from Azrael, save me from death! <br />O king, that hast dominion o'er the wind, <br />Bid it arise and bear me hence to Ind.' <br /> <br />The king gazed upward at the cloudless sky, <br />Whispered a word, and raised his hand on high, <br />And lo! the signet-ring of chrysoprase <br />On his uplifted finger seemed to blaze <br />With hidden fire, and rushing from the west <br />There came a mighty wind, and seized the guest <br />And lifted him from earth, and on they passed, <br />His shining garments streaming in the blast, <br />A silken banner o'er the walls upreared, <br />A purple cloud, that gleamed and disappeared. <br />Then said the Angel, smiling: 'If this man <br />Be Rajah Runjeet-Sing of Hindostan, <br />Thou hast done well in listening to his prayer; <br />I was upon my way to seek him there.'<br /><br />Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tales-of-a-wayside-inn-part-3-the-spanish-jew-s-tale-azrael/
