Out of the Depths UT of the depths of despair Ου There cometh a plaint and a prayer; "Must I die in the land of the living "I found a world of oppression, "I heard how my people were groaning "And all the reward that I sought for "I am still in the land of the living "Will you praise me and call me a prophet When my bones lie under the sod? If I heed it at all, I shall scoff it "A crust of bread for each flower You are saving to lay on my tomb, Mayhap would yield me the power The song of my youth to resume. ""Tis no marble pillar I task for Out of the depths of despair That ancient and often-told story THE JOSEPH JASIN. As the Stars and the Sands 'HE hills and the valleys are flooded with moonlight, The radiant stars, how resplendent they gleam! Before me lies open the dear, olden volume, On whose pages I ponder and dream. I pore o'er its pages so precious and sacred, When sudden there whispers a voice unto me: "I have promised, O Israel, I have sworn to make you Like the stars of the heavens, the sands of the sea!" O Lord of Creation! what mortal dare question Every deed Thou hast pledged Thou art mighty to do it Each thing in its time, each part in its place. And one thing e'en now Thou hast surely fulfilled it, Mine own eyes behold it, forbidding all doubt; We have become like the sand that is worthless, Trodden and trampled and blown about. Yes, dear Lord, as the sand the pebbles Are we scattered and strewn 'neath contemptuous feet; But the stars-how long, O Lord, ere the stars S. FRUG. (Translated by Joseph Jasin.) Whom You Are to Blame" (Dedicated to "Mentor.") ONCE in my secluded chamber Late at night I read Israel's ancient wondrous story; Light around him, in his homeland Israel homeless, footsore, captive And the world has long forgotten "Gentile world! You have polluted Springs from which you drank!" And in bitter, sad reflections, Tired and weak I sank.. Stealthily an old man entered On his breast a cross suspended, "Fear not," said he, "vain intruder You accused me, and I came here, "Not defend myself, but tell you For your homelessness, your downfall, "No, not I, but you polluted Your eternal spring; Home and faith and pride abandoned, And to exile cling. "Kneel and pray to alien altars, Worship alien gods, Even like in cast-off garments Deal in cast-off thoughts. "Gather crumbs at strangers' tables. For you glory that you have no "Faith, and truth, and pride-all treasures You have prized of old; For a lentil-pottage long since You your birthright sold. "You no longer feel the horror Of a slave's disgrace.. Do you want me to respect you, "Once you heroes had and prophets How much of their daring spirit "Grandsons of the Maccabeans! Saw their servile offsprings-they would "Dead is all your pride and valour, Tongue of bards, and kings and prophets— "And your home that waits deserted Do you e'er recall? Where are all your rich and mighty- "Like deserters they are sailing Lackeys that their masters' mantles Wear to hide their rags. "Crumbs of bread, and night of lodging— Dare no more expect! No, a race that lost its self-pride No one can respect. "This is all I came to tell you! Now, good-bye. . . I spoke. . . .” "Stay!" I shrieked, "I must reply you, Stay" and I awoke.. Side by Side P. M. RASKIN. EW and Christian, side by side, JEW They rest in the cool earth's bosom wide- In the heart of the great green sea they sleep! While a sadness thrills in the Springtide air. |