AL-MUZAWWIR! the "Fashioner!" say thus; Still lauding Him who hath compounded us: When the Lord would fashion men, Spake He in the Angels' hearing, "Lo! Our will is there shall be On the earth a creature bearing Rule and royalty. Today We will shape a man from clay." Spake the Angels "Wilt Thou make Man who must forget his Maker, Working evil, shedding blood, Of Thy precepts the forsaker? But Thou knowest all, and we Celebrate Thy majesty." Answered Allah, "Yea! I know What ye know not of this making; Gabriel! Michael! Israfel! Go down to the earth, and taking Seven clods of colors seven, Bring them unto Me in Heaven. Then those holy Angels three, Spread their pinions and descended; Seeking clods of diverse clay, That all colors might be blended; Yellow, tawny, dun, black, brown, White and red as men are known. But the earth spake sore afraid, "Angels! of my substance take not, Give me back my dust and pray That the dread Creator make not Man, for he will sin and bring Wrath on me and suffering." Therefore, empty-handed came Gabriel, Michael, Israfel, Saying, "Lord! Thy earth imploreth Man may never on her dwell; He will sin and anger Thee, Give me back my clay!" cried she. Spake the Lord to Azrael, "Go thou, who of wing art surest, Tell my earth this shall be well; Bring those clods, which thou procurest From her bosom, unto Me; Shape them as I order thee." Thus 'tis written how the Lord Fashioned Adam for His glory, Whom the Angels worshipped, All save Iblis; and this story Teacheth wherefore Azrael saith "Come thou!" at man's hour of death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HALF-WAKING by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM OUR CHRIST by HARRY WEBB FARRINGTON OUR BIRTH-CORD by KOFI ANYIDOHO EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 18. HARD TO BE PLEASED by PHILIP AYRES WEDNESDAY IN Y' HOLY WEEK by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |