THE Rabbi Ishmael, with the woe and sin <br />Of the world heavy upon him, entering in <br />The Holy of Holies, saw an awful Face <br />With terrible splendor filling all the place. <br />'O Ishmael Ben Elisha!' said a voice, <br />'What seekest thou? What blessing is thy choice?' <br />And, knowing that he stood before the Lord, <br />Within the shadow of the cherubim, <br />Wide-winged between the blinding light and him, <br />He bowed himself, and uttered not a word, <br />But in the silence of his soul was prayer <br />'O Thou Eternal! I am one of all, <br />And nothing ask that others may not share. <br />Thou art almighty; we are weak and small, <br />And yet Thy children: let Thy mercy spare!' <br />Trembling, he raised his eyes, and in the place <br />Of the insufferable glory, lo! a face <br />Of more than mortal tenderness, that bent <br />Graciously down in token of assent, <br />And, smiling, vanished! With strange joy elate, <br />The wondering Rabbi sought the temple's gate. <br />Radiant as Moses from the Mount, he stood <br />And cried aloud unto the multitude <br />'O Israel, hear! The Lord our God is good! <br />Mine eyes have seen his glory and his grace; <br />Beyond his judgments shall his love endure; <br />The mercy of the All Merciful is sure!'<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rabbi-ismael/
