University of Virginia Library

NO ADMITTANCE.

AN ORIENTAL TALE.

A wealthy Syrian—Abdallah by name—
Fell ill and died; and when his spirit came
Before the gate of heaven, the angel there
(Who stands with awful and majestic air
To guard the Elysian portal) softly said,
“Whence comest thou?” The Syrian bowed his head,
And answered, “From Aleppo.” “Very well,—
What wert thou?” asked the heavenly sentinel.
“A merchant.” “True; but tell me all the rest,”
Replied the angel, “all,—the worst and best;
From me—reflect—no act can be concealed!”
Whereat the merchant all his life revealed,
And nothing hid of aught that he had done:
How he had sailed beneath the Indian sun,
In quest of diamonds, and for yellow gold
To Northern Asia; how he bought and sold
By the Red Sea, and on the wondrous Nile,
And stormy Persian Gulf; and all the while
Had bravely striven to keep his conscience clear,
Though always buying cheap and selling dear,
As merchants use,—“And so I throve amain,”
He said, “for many a year,—nor all in vain
For public benefaction, since I gave
Freely for charity,—content to save
Enough for me and mine,—a handsome store,—
And that is all.” “Nay, there is something more,”
The angel said. “Of thy domestic life
Thou hast not spoken,—hadst thou not a wife?”
“Yes,” said the Syrian, with a sigh that spoke
Of many a groan beneath the marriage yoke.
Whereat the angel said, “By God's rich grace,
Come in, poor suffering soul! and take thy place
Among the martyrs, and give Heaven thanks!”
Now, as he entered the celestial ranks,
Another soul approached the golden door,
Who, having heard all he who came before
Had spoken, and observed him entering in
The open portal, thought himself to win
Easy admittance; for when he had told
His history, like the other, he made bold
To add, “All this, Good Angel, is most true;
And, as for wives, I 've had no less than two!”
“Twice married!” said the angel, with a face
Of wrath and scorn,—“unfortunates have place
In heaven's blest mansions; but, by Reason's rules,
(So get thee hence!) there is no room for fools!”