Explore "THE BIRTH OF MAN. A Legend of the Talmud" by Emma Lazarus on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I. When angels visit earth, the messengers / Of God's decree, they come as lightning, wind: / Before the throne, they all are living fire. / There stand four rows of angels -- to the right / The hosts of Michael, Gabriel's to the left, / Before, the troop of Ariel, and behind, / The ranks of Raphael; all, with one accord, / Chanting the glory of the Everlasting. / Upon the high and holy throne there rests, / Invisible, the Majesty of God. / About his brows the crown of mystery / Whereon the sacred letters are engraved / Of the unutterable Name. He grasps / A sceptre of keen fire; the universe / Is compassed in His glance; at His right hand / Life stands, and at His left hand standeth Death.
II. Lo, the divine idea of making man / Had spread abroad among the heavenly hosts; / And all at once before the immortal throne / Pressed troops of angels and of seraphim, / With minds opposed, and contradicting cries: / "Fulfill, great Father, thine exalted thought! / Create and give unto the earth her king! " / "Cease, cease, Almighty God! create no more! " / And suddenly upon the heavenly sphere / Deep silence fell; before the immortal throne / The angel Mercy knelt, and thus he spoke: / "Fulfill, great Father, thine exalted thought! / Create the likeness of thyself on earth. / In this new creature I will breathe the spirit / Of a divine compassion; he shall be / Thy fairest image in the universe."