Thou Art a Jew

THOU art a Jew, and all is said

That need be said, fore’er to bar the way,

To where doth linger the exclusive ray

Of social sunshine; here the dead

And foolish issues of the past

Are born again, and bigotry appears

And dares to sit in judgment on his peers,

A race immortal, ancient, vast.

Thou art a Jew, and by that name

Alone, thou’rt judged; thy virtues play no part;

Thy graces, strength of mind, or depth of heart,

All lost in the consuming flame

Of ignorance. Through eyes of love

They look not at thee, fearing they may find

Some merit, toward which they were ever blind;

Some soul, some grandeur from above.

Though here and there, a hollow tree

Doth stand among the mighty tow’ring pines,

Still is the forest beautiful. And mines

Of dazzling riches we could see

If we but delved beneath the clay.

Below the surface we must seek to find

True worth, true greatness, and the master mind;

Beyond the darkness, lingers day.

The social barrier that stands

Grim sentinel between the faiths to-day,

Is prejudice; it knoweth but the way

Its father, ignorance, demands

To judge the many by the few.

Amid the weeds the dainty wild flower grows,

Great good ’mid evil often may repose;

But as for thee, thou art a Jew.

Thou art a Jew; then let thy ways

Not dim the lustre of thy fathers’ creed.

Let honor be thy star; thy every deed

Reflect its brightness on thy days.

Be faithful, patient, noble, true;

Kindness and justice in thy heart abide;

Live thus and thou wilt feel a worthy pride

When it is said, thou art a Jew.