| Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917. | | | | “Above the grief of Israel soars a voice” | | By Ida Goldsmith Morris |
| | (“God’s finger touched him and he slept!”)
ABOVE the grief of Israel soars a voice | |
| Rebuking him who weeps; | |
| Bidding the righteous for his sake rejoice, | |
| Who, clothed with honor, sleeps. | |
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| The victor, bearing home unsullied spoil, | 5 |
| The leader, whom God led, | |
| Sleeps ’neath the laurels of completed toil, | |
| That crowns his hoary head. | |
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| As Moses, through the wilderness of old, | |
| His people led aright, | 10 |
| So he, from worn-out creeds and forms grown cold, | |
| Led on to warmth and light. | |
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| And as old shackles fell from Israel’s feet, | |
| And broader visions rose, | |
| He rested not, until life’s task complete | 15 |
| Had earned Death’s sweet repose. | |
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| The tired hands upon his breast are crossed, | |
| The noble heart is stilled! | |
| Yet think not that God’s promise shall be lost | |
| Which he so long fulfilled. | 20 |
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| His mantle shall descend, in God’s own time, | |
| Unto some worthy one | |
| Who portions Israel heritage sublime | |
| From sire to son. | |
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| Our leader sleeps; his spirit through the age | 25 |
| Shall live uncramped and free; | |
| While angels wrote his name upon the page | |
| Of immortality! | | | | |
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