The Poems of Emma Lazarus Volume II Part 17

SCENE III.

Evening. A crooked byway in the Judenga.s.se. Enter PRINCE

WILLIAM.

PRINCE WILLIAM.

Cursed be these twisted lanes! I have missed the clue Of the close labyrinth. Nowhere in sight, Just when I lack it, a stray gaberdine To pick me up my thread. Yet when I haste Through these blind streets, unwishful to be spied, Some dozen hawk-eyes peering o'er crook'd beaks Leer recognition, and obsequious caps Do kiss the stones to greet my princeship. Bah!

Strange, 'midst such refuse sleeps so white a pearl.

At last, here shuffles one.

Enter a Jew.

Give you good even!

Sir, can you help me to the nighest way Unto the merchant's house, Susskind von Orb?

JEW.

Whence come you knowing not the high brick wall, Without, blank as my palm, o' the inner side, Muring a palace? But--do you wish him well?

He is my friend--we must be wary, wary, We all have warning--Oh, the terror of it!

I have not yet my wits!

PRINCE WILLIAM.

I am his friend.

Is he in peril? What's the matter, man?

JEW.

Peril? His peril is no worse than mine, But the rich win compa.s.sion. G.o.d is just, And every man of us is doomed. Alack!

HE said it--oh those wild, white eyes!

PRINCE WILLIAM.

I pray you, Tell me the way to Susskind's home.

JEW.

Sweet master, You look the perfect knight, what can you crave Of us starved, wretched Jews? Leave us in peace.

The Judenga.s.se gates will shut anon, Nor ope till morn again for Jew or Gentile.

PRINCE WILLIAM.

Here's gold. I am the Prince of Meissen--speak!

JEW.

Oh pardon! Let me kiss your mantle's edge.

This way, great sir, I lead you there myself, If you deign follow one so poor, so humble.

You must show mercy in the name of G.o.d, For verily are we afflicted. Come.

Hard by is Susskind's dwelling--as we walk By your good leave I'll tell what I have seen.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE IV.

A luxuriously-furnished apartment in SUSSKIND VON ORB'S house.

Upon a richly-spread supper-table stands the seven-branched silver candlestick of the Sabbath eve. At the table are seated

SUSSKIND VON ORB, LIEBHAID, and REUBEN.

SUSSKIND.

Drink, children, drink! and lift your hearts to Him Who gives us the vine's fruit.

[They drink.]

How clear it glows; Like gold within the golden bowl, like fire Along our veins, after the work-day week Rekindling Sabbath-fervor, Sabbath-strength.

Verily G.o.d prepares for me a table In presence of mine enemies! He anoints My head with oil, my cup is overflowing.

Praise we His name! Hast thou, my daughter, served The needs o' the poor, suddenly-orphaned child?

Naught must she lack beneath my roof.

LIEBHAID.

Yea, father.

She prays and weeps within: she had no heart For Sabbath meal, but charged me with her thanks--

SUSSKIND.

Thou shalt be mother and sister in one to her.

Speak to her comfortably.

REUBEN.

She has begged A grace of me I happily can grant.

After our evening-prayer, to lead her back Unto the Synagogue, where sleeps her father, A light at head and foot, o'erwatched by strangers; She would hold vigil.

SUSSKIND.

'T is a pious wish, Not to be crossed, befitting Israel's daughter.

Go, Reuben; heavily the moments hang, While her heart yearns to break beside his corpse.

Receive my blessing.

[He places his hands upon his son's head in benediction. Exit Reuben.]

Henceforth her home is here.

In the event to-night, G.o.d's finger points Visibly out of heaven. A thick cloud Befogs the future. But just here is light.