| |
| CRUEL foes with hate inflamed, | |
| Aimed at us their fatal blow; | |
| Guileless was the man they seized; | |
| And when savagely they slew him, | |
| Angels came and bade him welcome; | 5 |
| Took his soul in charge, and blessed it. | |
| O’er him Zion’s daughter weepeth, | |
| Israel for Elijah mourneth, | |
| With the Holy One communing. | |
| |
| “Throughout the kingdom of the nations, | 10 |
| Who can be equalled to Thy people? | |
| They followed Thee through flame and flood | |
| As none on earth have followed Thee.” | |
| Alas! our hearts within us melted, | |
| And all our pride sank into ashes. | 15 |
| Elijah rose in fire to heaven, | |
| And round the pile the congregation | |
| Gazed with amazement at the hero. | |
| |
| The pride of Israel, precious gems, | |
| Were given over to the brute, | 20 |
| As undefended by their chief, | |
| Baptizing tyrants seized on those | |
| Who were the noblest of my race. | |
| It was the month when blossoms fresh | |
| Are ripening into golden fruit: | 25 |
| My flowers had their perfume spread, | |
| When wicked men with fiery rage | |
| Did carry off the helpless prey. | |
| They all, as one, resolved to die. | |
| No ransom would the priest accept, | 30 |
| But harshly pressed them with his creed. | |
| They all who pined in prison’s night | |
| Were vainly tortured all the day; | |
| As once, at Sinai, one in mind, | |
| They swore allegiance to their faith. | 35 |
| Well would they die, but not rebel; | |
| They dreaded none, but Judah’s God. | |
| “To Him,” said they, “our troth is pledged, | |
| Away with gods, the works of stone!” | |
| To test the fearless heroes’ strength | 40 |
| There stood prepared the funeral pile; | |
| And they with joy awaited death, | |
| Like those whose bridal-day has dawned. | |
| |
