The Poems of Emma Lazarus Volume II Part 10

XIX.

For some (I write it with flushed cheek, bowed head), Given free choice 'twixt death and shame, chose shame, Denied the G.o.d who visibly had led Their fathers, pillared in a cloud of flame, Bathed in baptismal waters, ate the bread Which is their new Lord's body, took the name Marranos the Accursed, whom equally Jew, Moor, and Christian hate, despise, and flee.

XX.

Even one no less than an Abarbanel Prized miserable length of days, above Integrity of soul. Midst such who fell, Far be it, however, from my duteous love, Master, to reckon thee. Thine own lips tell How fear nor torture thy firm will could move.

How thou midst panic nowise disconcerted, By Thomas of Aquinas wast converted!

XXI.

Truly I know no more convincing way To read so wise an author, than was thine.

When burning Synagogues changed night to day, And red swords underscored each word and line.

That was a light to read by! Who'd gainsay Authority so clearly stamped divine?

On this side, death and torture, flame and slaughter, On that, a harmless wafer and clean water.

XXII.

Thou couldst not fear extinction for our race; Though Christian sword and fire from town to town Flash double bladed lightning to efface Israel's image--though we bleed, burn, drown Through Christendom--'t is but a scanty s.p.a.ce.

Still are the Asian hills and plains our own, Still are we lords in Syria, still are free, Nor doomed to be abolished utterly.

XXIII.

One sole conclusion hence at last I find, Thou whom ambition, doubt, nor fear could swerve, Perforce hast been persuaded through the mind, Proved, tested the new dogmas, found them serve Thy spirit's needs, left flesh and sense behind, Accepted without shrinking or reserve, The trans-substantial bread and wine, the Christ At whose shrine thine own kin were sacrificed.

XXIV.

Here then the moment comes when I crave light.

All's dark to me. Master, if I be blind, Thou shalt unseal my lids and bless with sight, Or groping in the shadows, I shall find Whether within me or without, dwell night.

Oh cast upon my doubt-bewildered mind One ray from thy clear heaven of sun-bright faith, Grieving, not wroth, at what thy servant saith.

XXV.

Where are the signs fulfilled whereby all men Should know the Christ? Where is the wide-winged peace s.h.i.+elding the lamb within the lion's den?

The freedom broadening with the wars that cease?

Do foes clasp hands in brotherhood again?

Where is the promised garden of increase, When like a rose the wilderness should bloom?

Earth is a battlefield and Spain a tomb.

XXVI.

Our G.o.d of Sabaoth is an awful G.o.d Of lightnings and of vengeance,--Christians say.

Earth trembled, nations perished at his nod; His Law has yielded to a milder sway.

Theirs is the G.o.d of Love whose feet have trod Our common earth--draw near to him and pray, Meek-faced, dove-eyed, pure-browed, the Lord of life, Know him and kneel, else at your throat the knife!

XXVII.

This is the G.o.d of Love, whose altars reek With human blood, who teaches men to hate; Torture past words, or sins we may not speak Wrought by his priests behind the convent-grate.

Are his priests false? or are his doctrines weak That none obeys him? State at war with state, Church against church--yea, Pope at feud with Pope In these tossed seas what anchorage for hope?

XXVIII.