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Cui Bono?
(Monologue of a Talmudical student.)
WHAT’S the meaning of the rainstorm? | |
| What’s the story that it tells me? | |
| On the window panes the rain-drops | |
| Roll, a turbid stream of tears. | |
| And the boots are worn and tearing, | 5 |
| And without ’tis muddy, stormy; | |
| Winter, too, will soon be coming | |
| And I have no wrap to warm me. | |
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| What’s the meaning of the taper? | |
| What’s the story that it tells me? | 10 |
| The tallow downward drips and trickles, | |
| Faintly flaring, dying slowly. | |
| Like a taper weak and weary, | |
| ’Lone within this hut I wither, | |
| Till some day in sullen quiet, | 15 |
| Dying they will bear me thither. | |
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| What’s the meaning of the old clock? | |
| What’s the story that it tells me? | |
| Its dial quaint and faded yellow, | |
| Each weird stroke resounding heavy. | 20 |
| ’Tis a lifeless, soulless object, | |
| Merely striking at each hour, | |
| Lacking spirit, lacking feeling, | |
| Slave to another’s will and power. | |
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| What’s the meaning of my being? | 25 |
| What’s the story that it tells me? | |
| Days of youth are vegetating | |
| Waxing old so prematurely. | |
| Days of fast and tears a’plenty, | |
| Bony knuckles for a pillow, | 30 |
| Sacrificing all life’s pleasures | |
| For a life that is to follow. | |
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