That he might wander forth a waif, like sheep astray?
Or was thy look’s intent, so dreadful to behold,
His soul to separate from its corporeal fold?”
To him replied the angel: “King of sprites and men!
His fancy him misled; he’ll ne’er do so again.70
’Twas not in anger then that I did look on him;
’Twas wonder him to see here, looking hale and prim.
For God had me commanded: ‘Go this very day,
And take his soul in Hindūstān, his debt to pay.’
In wonder, then, I said within myself: ‘Had he