The sweet Sabbath eve has drawn near, The curtains of dimity white Are drawn o'er the pane; and within Is the holiest quiet and light. Near the rose-bush that blooms on the shelf, The seven-branched wax candles stand; And in thankfulness, prayer and rest A mother has folded her hands. She is sheltered, at least for a day, From cankering trouble and care; And she utters a sigh of relief, As she smoothes down her silvery hair. See the table, all damask and glass, And an old silver pitcher for milk, And the goblets for wine, and the bread, Covered o'er with a napkin of silk. Ah, the little ones! Eager were they In time to be washed, combed and dressed; For when father comes home from the SCHUHL, Each ringletted head must be blessed. So each rosy-cheeked, shadow-eyed child With "Israel" stamped on its brow, As it stands in the fire's soft gleam, Is a biblical picture, I trow. Hush! Is that the creak of the door? Hark! Is father's step on the stair? O where are his slippers and gown! And what has become of his chair? A slender and dark-eyed young girl Glides out from the shades of the room; Ah, time has turned back in his flight, Rebecca has stepped from the tomb. Then footsteps are heard to approach, The father, the son, and — guest; But why has the maiden her face 'Mid the clusters of pink rosebuds pressed? Ah, why! but as mother is gone, Her snowy-haired father she meets TAPHILLAS and TALETHES takes, And shyly the stranger she greets. The kisses and blessings bestowed, Benediction is followed by prayer; The candles are blessed, and SCHEMA JISRAEL. Floats out on the soft evening air. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A CHILD DANCING IN THE WIND: 2 by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TO IMAGINATION (2) by EMILY JANE BRONTE BIANCA AMONG THE NIGHTINGALES by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A TRUE HYMN [HYMNE] by GEORGE HERBERT GYPSY MAN by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES A GENTLE ECHO ON WOMAN (IN THE DORIC MANNER) by JONATHAN SWIFT |