Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO YOUNG ISRAEL, by MAX OSIAS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO YOUNG ISRAEL, by                    
First Line: How cloudy is the sky!
Last Line: "the world's gem."
Subject(s): Freedom; Israel; Jews; Liberty; Judaism


HOW cloudy is the sky!—
And thou, thou askest me
If there's in Heav'n a God,
A God of Liberty.
Oh, child, oh, ask me not!
I couldn't lie.

How cloudy is the sky,
How gloomy is the world
But thou, thou art the same
From land to land though twirled
Thy lips yet spell the name;
"Help, Adonai!"

Don't listen to thy foes!
My child, thy aim is near:
Thou willst not be their prey
Thy deeds are good and clear
They are the thistles, they—
Thou art the rose.

Don't listen to thy foes!
Their Saviour was, too
A son of thine by birth:
Tell them that He—a Jew—
Brought them redemption on earth;
To heaven he rose.

Don't be afraid of them,
They tell the same old lie—
Thou need'st their children's blood—
But, child, they vainly try
To stamp thee in the mud
'Tis but a flam!

Don't be afraid of them,
Jehovah is thy guide;
Thou, tribe of worthy men,
Thou'llst be the nation's pride,
"The world's gem."





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