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| 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: | 5 |
| “Rest comes from wealth, if there be peace within.” | |
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| 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.” | 10 |
| 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.” | |
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| The fifth said: “All these various things are vain; | 15 |
| 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.” | 20 |
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| 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 | 25 |
| Looks not behind, but to the things before; | |
| Who, scorning fame and power and home and pelf, | |
| Loveth his brother as he loves himself.” | |
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