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| RABBI BEN JOSEF, old and blind, | |
| Pressed by the crowd before, behind, | |
| Passed through the market place one day, | |
| Seeking with weary feet his way. | |
| The city’s traffic loud confused | 5 |
| His senses, to retirement used; | |
| The voice of them that bought and sold, | |
| With clink of silver piece and gold. | |
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| “Jehovah,” cried he, jostled sore, | |
| Fearing to fall and rise no more, | 10 |
| “Thine angel send to guide my feet, | |
| And part the ways where danger meet.” | |
| Just then a beggar, as he passed, | |
| A glance of pity on him cast, | |
| And, seeing so his bitter need, | 15 |
| Stretched forth his hand his steps to lead. | |
| |
| “Not so,” Ben Josef cried, “I wait | |
| A guide sent from Jehovah’s gate.” | |
| The beggar left, thus rudely spurned | |
| Where gratitude he should have earned. | 20 |
| As day wore on the hubbub rose, | |
| Louder and harsher to its close, | |
| The old man, weary, sought in vain | |
| An exit from the crowd to gain. | |
| |
| Jostled at every turn his feet | 25 |
| Stumbled upon the ill-paved street; | |
| Once more he cried, “Jehovah, where | |
| The answer to thy servant’s prayer? | |
| No angel, swift-winged, from thy throne, | |
| Has hither for the helping flown.” | 30 |
| Then came a whisper, clear and low, | |
| “My messenger thou didst not know. | |
| |
| “For in a beggar’s humble guise | |
| His outstretched hand thou didst despise, | |
| Nor cared beneath his rags to find | 35 |
| The heart that made his action kind. | |
| See now that thou the lesson learn, | |
| Lest he whose face thou canst not see | |
| Should prove a messenger from Me.” | |
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