Brotherly Love

THE RABBI JUDAH, so the scribes relate,

Sat with his brethren once in a warm debate

About those things which each considered best

To bring to earth immunity and rest.

Then said the one requested to begin:

“Rest comes from wealth, if there be peace within.”

The second said: “It springs from honest fame,

And having all men magnify your name.”

The third said: “Rest is being truly great,

Coupled with power to rule some mighty state.”

The fourth said: “Such a rest as we presage

Reach men in only the extremest age,

When wealth and power and fame unite to go

To children—and unto their children flow.”

The fifth said: “All these various things are vain;

Rest comes to those who all the law maintain.”

Then said the Rabbi Judah, grave and old,

The tallest of the group with him enrolled:

“You all speak wisely, but no rest is deep

To him who the traditions fails to keep.”

Now spoke a fairhaired boy up from the grass—

A boy of twelve, who heard these words repass,

And dropped the lilies from his slender hands;

“Nay, father; none among you understands.

True rest he only finds who evermore

Looks not behind, but to the things before;

Who, scorning fame and power and home and pelf,

Loveth his brother as he loves himself.”