Of something there unknown, which men call death.

Meanwhile the Angel stayed without, and cried,

"Come back!" To which the Rabbi's voice replied,

"No! in the name of God, whom I adore,

I swear that hence I will depart no more!"

Then all the Angels cried, "O Holy One,

See what the son of Levi here has done! The kingdom of Heaven he takes by violence,

And in Thy name refuses to go hence !" The Lord replied, "My angels, be not wroth;

Did e'er the son of Levi break his oath?

When he awoke, it was already night; The church was empty, and there was no light,

Save where the lamps, that glimmered few and faint,

Lighted a little space before some saint. He started from his seat and gazed around,

But saw no living thing and heard no sound.

He groped towards the door, but it was locked;

He cried aloud, and listened, and then knocked,

And uttered awful threatenings and complaints,

And imprecations upon men and saints. The sounds re-echoed from the roofs and walls

As if dead priests were laughing in their

stalls!

And vanished like a spectre from his

sight.

And all the vaulted chamber roar and ring

With the mock plaudits of "Long live the King!

Next morning, waking with the day's first beam,

He said within himself, "It was a dream!"

But the straw rustled as he turned his head,

There were the cap and bells beside his bed,

Around him rose the bare discoloured walls,

Close by, the steeds were champing in their stalls,

And in the corner, a revolting shape, Shivering and chattering sat the wretched

ape.

By letter summoned them forthwith to

come

Is an impostor in a King's disguise. Do you not know me? does no voice

within

He beckoned to King Robert to draw nigher,

And with a gesture bade the rest retire: And when they were alone, the Angel

said,

"Art thou the King?" Then, bowing down his head,

King Robert crossed both hands upon his breast,

And meekly answered him: "Thou knowest best!

My sins as scarlet are; let me go hence. And in some cloister's school of penitence,

Across those stones, that pave the way to heaven,

Walk barefoot, till my guilty soul is shriven !"

The Angel smiled, and from his radiant face

A holy light illumined all the place, And through the open window, loud and clear,

They heard the monks chant in the