Hear, O Israel! my people -- to thy goodly tents do I return with unstained hands. Like as the harts for the water-brooks, in thirst, do pant and bray, so pants and cries my longing soul for the house of Jacob. My tears have unto me been meat, both in night and day: And the crimson and fine linen moulders in the dark tents of the enemy. With bare feet and covered head do I return to thee, O Israel! With sackcloth have I bound the hem of my garments. With olive leaves have I trimmed the border of my bosom. The breaking waves did pass o'er me; yea, were mighty in their strength -- Strength of the foe's oppression. My soul was cast out upon the waters of Sin: but it has come back to me. My transgressions have vanished like a cloud. The curse of Balaam hath turned to a blessing; And the doors of Jacob turn not on their hinges against me. Rise up, O Israel! for it is I who passed through the fiery furnace seven times, and come forth unscathed, to redeem thee from slavery, O my nation! and lead thee back to God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEWEY IN MANILA BAY [MAY 1, 1898] by RICHARD VORHEES RISLEY REJECTED ADDRESSES: THE BABY'S DEBUT, BY W. W. by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) THE ANNOYER by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 23 by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE AUTHOR'S PARTING ADDRESS TO THE MUSE by BERNARD BARTON I'M SADDEST WHEN I SING by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY JACK FROST AND THE CATY-DID by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |