The Youth and the Angel

Once on a time, when Immortals
To earth came visibly down,
There went a Youth with an A_ngel
Through the gates of an Eastern Town:
They passed a Dog by the roadside,
Where dead and rotting it lay,
And the Youth, at the sickening odour,
Shuddered and turned away:
He gathered his robes about him
And hastily hurried thence;
But nought annoyed the Angel's
Clear, pure, immortal sense.

By came a Lady, lip-luscious,
On delicate tinkling feet:
All the place grew glad with her presence;
The air about her sweet;
For she came in fragrance floating;
Her voice most silverly rang;
And the Youth, to embrace her beauty,
With all his being sprang.
A. sweet, delightsome Lady!
And yet, the Legend saith,
The Angel, while he passed her,
Shuddered and held his breath.