Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BEN KARSHOOK'S WISDOM, by ROBERT BROWNING


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BEN KARSHOOK'S WISDOM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Would a man 'scape the rod?'
Last Line: And struck the simple, solemn.
Subject(s): Jews; Judaism


I

"WOULD a man 'scape the rod?"
Rabbi Ben Karshook saith,
"See that he turn to God
The day before his death."

"Ay, could a man inquire
When it shall come!" I say.
The Rabbi's eye shoots fire --
"Then let him turn to-day!"

II

Quoth a young Sadducee:
"Reader of many rolls,
Is it so certain we
Have, as they tell us, souls?"

"Son, there is no reply!"
The Rabbi bit his beard:
"Certain, a soul have I --
We may have none," he sneered.

Thus Karshook, the Hiram's-Hammer
The Right-hand Temple-column,
Taught babes in grace their grammar.
And struck the simple, solemn.





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