They recoiled when their shining light sank into the earth,
and the clods of earth knew not what they hold.
They hold a princely man,
a good man, blameless, upright,
a God-fearing man, discreet and wise.
translated by T. Carmi
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Into my eyes he lovingly looked,
And in the mirror of my eyes,What but his image did he find?Upon my dark-hued eyes he pressedHis lips with breath of passion rare.The rogue! ‘Twas not my eyes he kissed;He kissed his picture mirrored there.
When Fortune’s shield protects you, then beware —
Her gift, an eaglet’s pinion — now your flight,Anon, the lethal arrow — to upbear!Based on the translation by Solomon Solis-Cohen that’s reproduced on page 377 of A Treasury of Jewish Poetry: From Biblical Times to the Present, edited by Nathan and Marynn Ausubel (Crown Publishers, 1957).
O Lord, my life was known to Thee
Thy spirit ever dwells in me.Could I, cast down by Thee, have gainedA standing place, or, if restrainedBy Thee, go forth with feet unchained?Hear me, Almighty, while I pray;My thoughts are in Thy hand alway.Be to my helplessness a stay!O may this hour Thy favour yield,And may I tread life’s battle-fieldEncompassed by Thy mercy’s shield.Wake…
Lord, Your humble servants hear,
Our Father, from Your children’s pleaTurn not, we implore You!Lord, Your people, sore oppressed,From the depths implore You;Our Father, let us not, this day,Cry in vain before You.Lord, blot out our evil pride,All our sins before You;Our Father, for Your Mercy’s sake,Pardon, we implore You.Lord, no sacrifice we bring,Prayers and tears implore You;Our Father, take…
Time-servers are the cowering slaves of slaves,
Each soul shall win the gift that it most craves;Seek God, my soul — God shall your portion be!Based on the translation by Solomon Solis-Cohen that’s reproduced on pages 376-377 of A Treasury of Jewish Poetry: From Biblical Times to the Present, edited by Nathan and Marynn Ausubel (Crown Publishers, 1957).