He bore the signet of the Syrian king,
With all the circumstance of princely pride,
With chariots in their bold emblazoning,
And broidered robes and wealth of gold beside.
Thus was it meet this messenger should ride,
Thus came the captain of the Syrian host,
The counselor in whom did most confide
His royal master, loved and honored most,—
But Naaman was a leper, white as shrouded ghost.
The king had set above his sovereign seal
This haughty mandate to his neighbor king:—
To Israel: I send to thee, to heal,
My servant whom this embassy doth bring,
Naaman the leper—signed with this my ring.
Loud was the king's lament, for, See, he said,
How Syria seeketh cause of quarreling!
Am I a god, to kill, or raise the dead?
And this dark tale throughout the countryside was spread.
When to the priest of God the troubled story,
Low-murmured in the market crowd, was told,
Elisha, reverend seer and prophet hoary,
Sent to the trembling king this greeting bold:—
Why rend thy garments? Lo, thou shalt behold
God is to Israel compassionate.
