| |
| FULL oft has the ark been opened | |
| And in the sad procession, | |
| Our Fathers bore the sacred Law | |
| Their one most dear possession. | |
| |
| While unto the foe abandoned | 5 |
| To ravish and to spoil, | |
| They left their rich and plenteous store, | |
| The fruits of a life of toil. | |
| |
| And into the regions unfathomed | |
| They bore the precious scroll, | 10 |
| To shield it or to die for it, | |
| To pay the exile’s toll. | |
| |
| Yet in to-day’s pageant procession | |
| Of banner and scroll and light, | |
| The Jew clasps tight the self-same Law | 15 |
| He bore through oppression’s night. | |
| |
| Rejoice then, O Israel! Thy praise | |
| Unto thy Maker give. | |
| No more the Torah bids thee die; | |
| To-day it bids thee live! | 20 |
| |
| To live for it, and to cherish | |
| Each sacred memory, | |
| Which time has woven in a crown | |
| Of glory unto thee. | |
| |
| Let revelry hold its sway, then, | 25 |
| And the hour be given to cheer; | |
| For the cycle of reading is ended | |
| On the happiest day of the year. | |
| |
| And lest the mocker, derisive, | |
| Avow you delight to be through, | 30 |
| Lovingly wind it from end to start; | |
| Begin to read it anew. | |
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