The Poems of Emma Lazarus Volume II Part 33

RABBI JACOB.

Susskind, go forth and beg this grace of them.

[Exit Susskind.]

Punish us not in wrath, chastise us not In anger, oh our G.o.d! Our sins o'erwhelm Our smitten heads, they are a grievous load; We look on our iniquities, we tremble, Knowing our trespa.s.ses. Forsake us not.

Be thou not far from us. Haste to our aid, Oh G.o.d, who art our Saviour and our Rock!

Reenter SUSSKIND.

SUSSKIND.

Brethren, our prayer, being the last, is granted.

The hour approaches. Let our thoughts ascend From mortal anguish to the ecstasy Of martyrdom, the blessed death of those Who perish in the Lord. I see, I see How Israel's ever-crescent glory makes These flames that would eclipse it, dark as blots Of candle-light against the blazing sun.

We die a thousand deaths,--drown, bleed, and burn; Our ashes are dispersed unto the winds.

Yet the wild winds cherish the sacred seed, The waters guard it in their crystal heart, The fire refuseth to consume. It springs, A tree immortal, shadowing many lands, Unvisited, unnamed, undreamed as yet.

Rather a vine, full-flowered, golden-branched, Ambrosial-fruited, creeping on the earth, Trod by the pa.s.ser's foot, yet chosen to deck Tables of princes. Israel now has fallen Into the depths, he shall be great in time.*

Even as we die in honor, from our death Shall bloom a myriad heroic lives, Brave through our bright example, virtuous Lest our great memory fall in disrepute.

Is one among us brothers, would exchange His doom against our tyrants,--lot for lot?

Let him go forth and live--he is no Jew.

Is one who would not die in Israel Rather than live in Christ,--their Christ who smiles On such a deed as this? Let him go forth-- He may die full of years upon his bed.

Ye who nurse rancor haply in your hearts, Fear ye we perish unavenged? Not so!

To-day, no! nor to-morrow! but in G.o.d's time, Our witnesses arise. Ours is the truth, Ours is the power, the gift of Heaven. We hold His Law, His lamp, His covenant, His pledge.

Wherever in the ages shall arise Jew-priest, Jew-poet, Jew-singer, or Jew-saint-- And everywhere I see them star the gloom-- In each of these the martyrs are avenged!

*The vine creeps on the earth, trodden by the pa.s.ser's foot, but its fruit goes upon the table of princes. Israel now has fallen in the depths, but he shall be great in the fullness of time.--TALMUD

RABBI JACOB.

Bring from the Ark the bell-fringed, silken-bound Scrolls of the Law. Gather the silver vessels, Dismantle the rich curtains of the doors, Bring the Perpetual Lamp; all these shall burn, For Israel's light is darkened, Israel's Law Profaned by strangers. Thus the Lord hath said:*

"The weapon formed against thee shall not prosper, The tongue that shall contend with thee in judgment, Thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage Of the Lord's servants and their righteousness.

For thou shalt come to peoples yet unborn, Declaring that which He hath done. Amen!"

*Conclusion of service for Day of Atonement.

[The doors of the Synagogue are burst open with tumultuous noise.

Citizens and officers rush in.]

CITIZENS.

Come forth! the sun sets. Come, the Council waits!

What! will ye teach your betters patience? Out!

The Governor is ready. Forth with you, Curs! serpents! Judases! The bonfire burns!

[Exeunt.]

SCENE IV.

A Public Place. Crowds of Citizens a.s.sembled. On a platform are seated DIETRICH VON TETTENBORN and HENRY SCHNETZEN with other Members of the Council.

1ST CITIZEN.

Here's such a throng! Neighbor, your elbow makes An ill prod for my ribs.

2D CITIZEN.

I am pushed and squeezed.

My limbs are not mine own.

3D CITIZEN.

Look this way, wife.

They will come hence,--a pack of just-whipped curs.

I warrant you the stiff-necked brutes repent To-day if ne'er before.

WIFE.

I am all a-quiver.

I have seen monstrous sights,--an uncaged wolf, The corpse of one sucked by a vampyre, The widow Kupfen's malformed child--but never Until this hour, a Jew.

3D CITIZEN.

D' ye call me Jew?

Where do you spy one now?

WIFE.

You'll have your jest Now or anon, what matters it?

4TH CITIZEN.

Well, I Have seen a Jew, and seen one burn at that; Hard by in Wartburg; he had killed a child.

Zounds! how the serpent wriggled! I smell now The roasting, stinking flesh!

BOY.

Father, be these The folk who murdered Jesus?

4TH CITIZEN.

Ay, my boy.

Remember that, and when you hear them come, I'll lift you on my shoulders. You can fling Your pebbles with the rest.

[Trumpets sound.]

CITIZENS.

The Jews! the Jews!

BOY.

Quick, father! lift me! I see nothing here But hose and skirts.