 | The Poetical Works of (Richard Monckton Milnes) Lord Houghton |  |
188
VIII. MOHAMMED AND THE BLIND ABDALLAH.
[_]
Referred to in chap. 80 of the Kuràn. Abdallah Ebn Omm Maktoun seems to have been a man of no rank or importance, but was treated with great respect by the Prophet ever after this adventure. It is interesting that Mohammed should make his own faults and the divine reproofs he received a matter of revelation, and a stronger proof of his sincerity and earnestness could hardly be given.
The blind Abdallah sought the tent
Where, 'mid the eager listening croud,
Mohammed gave his wisdom vent,
And, entering fast, he cried aloud—
“O Father, full of love and ruth!
My soul and body both are blind;
Pour on me then some rays of truth
From thine illuminated mind.”
Where, 'mid the eager listening croud,
Mohammed gave his wisdom vent,
And, entering fast, he cried aloud—
“O Father, full of love and ruth!
My soul and body both are blind;
Pour on me then some rays of truth
From thine illuminated mind.”
Perchance the Prophet heard him not,
Or busied well, seemed not to hear,
Or, interrupted, then forgot
How all mankind to God are dear:
Disputing with the great and strong,
He frowned in momentary pride,
While through the jeering outer throng
Th' unnoticed suppliant crept aside.
Or busied well, seemed not to hear,
Or, interrupted, then forgot
How all mankind to God are dear:
Disputing with the great and strong,
He frowned in momentary pride,
While through the jeering outer throng
Th' unnoticed suppliant crept aside.
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But, in the calm of that midnight,
The Voice that seldom kept aloof
From his blest pillow spoke the right,
And uttered words of stern reproof:—
“How dost thou know that poor man's soul
Did not on thy regard depend?
The rich and proud thy moods controul;—
I meant thee for the mourner's friend.”
The Voice that seldom kept aloof
From his blest pillow spoke the right,
And uttered words of stern reproof:—
“How dost thou know that poor man's soul
Did not on thy regard depend?
The rich and proud thy moods controul;—
I meant thee for the mourner's friend.”
Deep in the Prophet's contrite heart
The holy reprimand remained,
And blind Abdallah for his part
Kindness and reverence then obtained:
Twice, after years of sacred strife,
Within Medeenah's walls he ruled,
The man through whom Mohammed's life
Into its perfect grace was schooled.
The holy reprimand remained,
And blind Abdallah for his part
Kindness and reverence then obtained:
Twice, after years of sacred strife,
Within Medeenah's walls he ruled,
The man through whom Mohammed's life
Into its perfect grace was schooled.
And, from the warning of that night,
No one, however humble, past
Without salute the Prophet's sight,
Or felt his hand not held the last:
And every one was free to hear
His high discourse, and in his breast
Unburden theirs without a fear
Of troubling his majestic rest.
No one, however humble, past
Without salute the Prophet's sight,
Or felt his hand not held the last:
And every one was free to hear
His high discourse, and in his breast
Unburden theirs without a fear
Of troubling his majestic rest.
190
Thus too, when Muslim Muslim meets,
Though new the face and strange the road,
His “Peace be on you” sweetly greets
The ear, and lightens many a load:
Proclaiming that in Allah's plan
True men of every rank and race
Form but one family of man,
One Paradise their resting-place.
Though new the face and strange the road,
His “Peace be on you” sweetly greets
The ear, and lightens many a load:
Proclaiming that in Allah's plan
True men of every rank and race
Form but one family of man,
One Paradise their resting-place.
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