Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FAST OF TEBETH, by JOSEPH BEN SAMUEL BONFILS First Line: Lo! I recall the siege which fell on me Last Line: "who saith: ""ye waves, but so far shall ye come." Alternate Author Name(s): Tob Elem, Joseph Bar Samuel Subject(s): Affliction; Jews; Sin; Judaism | ||||||||
LO! I recall the siege which fell on me: Within this month He struck me; He destroyed With three blows;cut me down and left me void; Now He hath made me weary utterly. He silenced on the eighth day all my throng; (Have I not for three things a fast proclaimed?) The King bade; write the law in Greek; they maimed, They ploughed on me; they made their furrows long. Upon the ninth daywrath, disgrace, and shame! Stripped off was my fair robe in honor worn; For he who gave sweet words was surely torn: Ezra the scribeyea, he of blessed name. The tenth day; then the seer was bidden: "Yea Write thee within the book of vision; write This for remembrance; now shalt thou indite For them despised and crushed this self-same day." Counting the months, within the tenth the woe And wail he wakened; but the sorrow's smart Its onward way was branded on my heart When one came saying: "The city is struck low." For these things I have scattered o'er me dust; O that a shaft had pierced mine heart that day! For such woe I would dig my grave;but nay, I wrought rebelliously: the Lord is just. I call Thee, Thou Who hast repentance nigh For mine affliction; lo! my praying heed; Hear my beseeching; my salvation speed; Hide Thee not at my sighing, at my cry. O moon of Tebeth! exceeding is my sum Of pain therein, when His face changed for me. Yet, though I sinned, His goodness I shall see, Who saith: "Ye waves, but so far shall ye come." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD A LITTLE HISTORY by DAVID LEHMAN FOR I WILL CONSIDER YOUR DOG MOLLY by DAVID LEHMAN JEWISH GRAVEYARDS, ITALY by PHILIP LEVINE NATIONAL THOUGHTS by YEHUDA AMICHAI SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 2. ANGEL ... by MARVIN BELL |
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