The Poems of Emma Lazarus Volume II Part 37

When he is awe-struck by approaching doom, Like a dried blade of gra.s.s, so weak, so low The pleasure of his life is changed to gloom.

He crumbles like a garment spoiled with moth; According to his sins wilt thou be wroth?

He melts like wax before the candle's breath, Yea, like thin water, so he vanisheth, Oh, spare him therefore, for thy gracious name, And be not too severe upon his shame!

Almighty! what is man?

A faded leaf!

If thou dost weigh him in the balance--lo!

He disappears--a breath that thou dost blow.

His heart is ever filled With l.u.s.t of lies unstilled.

Wilt thou bear in mind his crime Unto all time?

He fades away like clouds sun-kissed, Dissolves like mist.

Then spare him! let him love and mercy win, According to thy grace, and not according to his sin!

TO A DETRACTOR.

The Autumn promised, and he keeps His word unto the meadow-rose.

The pure, bright lightnings herald Spring, Serene and glad the fresh earth shows.

The rain has quenched her children's thirst, Her cheeks, but now so cold and dry, Are soft and fair, a laughing face; With clouds of purple s.h.i.+nes the sky, Though filled with light, yet veiled with haze.

Hark! hark! the turtle's mocking note Outsings the valley-pigeon's lays.

Her wings are gemmed, and from her throat, When the clear sun gleams back again, It seems to me as though she wore About her neck a jewelled chain.

Say, wilt thou darken such a light, Wilt drag the clouds from heaven's height?

Although thy heart with anger swell, Yet firm as marble mine doth dwell.

Therein no fear thy wrath begets.

It is not shaken by thy threats.

Yea, hurl thy darts, thy weapons wield, The strength of youth is still my s.h.i.+eld.

My winged steed toward the heights doth bound, The dust whiffs upward from the ground; My song is scanty, dost thou deem Thine eloquence a mighty stream?

Only the blameless offering.

Not the profusion man may bring, Prevaileth with our Lord and King.

The long days out of minutes grow, And out of months the years arise, Wilt thou be master of the wise, Then learn the hidden stream to know, That from the inmost heart doth flow.

FRAGMENT.

My friend spoke with insinuating tongue: "Drink wine, and thy flesh shall be made whole. Look how it hisses in the leathern bottle like a captured serpent."

Oh fool! can the sun be forged into a cask stopped with earthly bungs. I know not that the power of wine has ever overmastered my sorrows; for these mighty giants I have found as yet no resting-place.

STANZAS.

"With tears thy grief thou dost bemoan, Tears that would melt the hardest stone, Oh, wherefore sing'st thou not the vine?

Why chant'st thou not the praise of wine?

It chases pain with cunning art, The craven slinks from out thy heart."

But I: Poor fools the wine may cheat, Lull them with lying visions sweet.

Upon the wings of storms may bear The heavy burden of their care.

The father's heart may harden so, He feeleth not his own child's woe.

No ocean is the cup, no sea, To drown my broad, deep misery.

It grows so rank, you cut it all, The aftermath springs just as tall.

My heart and flesh are worn away, Mine eyes are darkened from the day.

The lovely morning-red behold Wave to the breeze her flag of gold.

The hosts of stars above the world, Like banners vanis.h.i.+ng are furled.

The dew s.h.i.+nes bright; I bide forlorn, And shudder with the chill of morn.

WINE AND GRIEF.

With heavy groans did I approach my friends, Heavy as though the mountains I would move.

The flagon they were murdering; they poured Into the cup, wild-eyed, the grape's red blood.

No, they killed not, they breathed new life therein.

Then, too, in fiery rapture, burned my veins, But soon the fumes had fled. In vain, in vain!

Ye cannot fill the breach of the rent heart.

Ye crave a sensuous joy; ye strive in vain To cheat with flames of pa.s.sion, my despair.

So when the sinking sun draws near to night, The sky's bright cheeks fade 'neath those tresses black.

Ye laugh--but silently the soul weeps on; Ye cannot stifle her sincere lament.

DEFIANCE.

"Conquer the gloomy night of thy sorrow, for the morning greets thee with laughter.

Rise and clothe thyself with n.o.ble pride, Break loose from the tyranny of grief.

Thou standest alone among men, Thy song is like a pearl in beauty."

So spake my friend. 'T is well!

The billows of the stormy sea which overwhelmed my soul,-- These I subdue; I quake not Before the bow and arrow of destiny.

I endured with patience when he deceitfully lied to me With his treacherous smile.