| Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917. | | | | I saw a Maiden Sweet and Fair | | By Rufus Learsi |
| | | I SAW a maiden sweet and fair | |
| Of an ancient wand’ring nation, | |
| Her simple garb the signs did bear | |
| Of poor and humble station. | |
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| Knew she some other clime but late, | 5 |
| This meek and gentle maiden? | |
| Methought I marked her people’s fate, | |
| On her black tresses laden. | |
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| I looked into her great dark eyes, | |
| Demure and sparkling tender; | 10 |
| They gazed serene as May-day skies, | |
| In calm and cloudless splendor. | |
| |
| Yet oft some inner mood would cast | |
| A sadness o’er her glances, | |
| As flits a swallow’s shadow past | 15 |
| A brook where sunlight dances. | | | | |
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