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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WANDERING JEW; A BALLAD, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE Poet's Biography First Line: Come list, my dear Last Line: "nor spurn the saviour who bore the cross!" Subject(s): Wandering Jew | |||
COME list, my dear, And you shall hear About the wonderful Wandering Jew, Who night and day, The legends say, Is taking a journey he never gets through. What is his name, Or whence he came, Or whither the weary wanderer goes; Or why he should stray In this singular way, Many have marveled, but nobody knows. Though oft, indeed (As you may read In ancient histories quaint and true), A man is seen Of haggard mien Whom people call the Wandering Jew. Once in Brabant, With garments scant, And shoeless feet, a stranger appeared His step was slow, And white as snow Were his waving locks and flowing beard. His cheek was spare, His head was bare; And little he recked of heat or cold; Misfortune's trace Was in his face, And he seemed at least a century old. "Now, goodman, bide," The people cried, "The night with us, -- it were surely best; The wind is cold, And thou art old, And sorely needest shelter and rest!" "Thanks! thanks!" said he, "It may not be That I should tarry the night with you; I cannot stay; I must away, For I, alas! am the Wandering Jew!" "We oft have read," The people said, "Thou bearest ever a nameless woe; Now prithee tell How it befell That thou art always wandering so?" "The time would fail To tell my tale, And yet a little, ere I depart, Would I relate About my fate, For some, perhaps, may lay it to heart. "When but a youth (And such, in sooth, Are ever of giddy and wanton mood), With tearless eye I saw pass by The Saviour bearing a hateful rood. "And when he stooped. And, groaning, drooped And staggered and fell beneath the weight, I cursed his name, And cried, 'For shame! Move on, blasphemer, and meet thy fate!' "He raised his head, And, smiling, said: 'Move on thyself! In sorrow and pain, When I am gone Shalt thou move on, Nor rest thy foot till I come again!' "Alas! the time That saw my crime, -- 'T was more than a thousand years ago! And since that hour Some inward power Has kept me wandering to and fro. "I fain would die That I might lie With those who sleep in the silent tomb; But not for me Is rest, -- till He Shall come to end my dreadful doom. "The pestilence That hurries hence A thousand souls in a single night Brings me no death Upon its breath, But passes by in its wayward flight. "The storm that wrecks A hundred decks, And drowns the shuddering, shrieking crew, Still leaves afloat The fragile boat That bears the life of the Wandering Jew. "But I must away; I cannot stay; Nor further suffer a moment's loss; Heed well the word That ye have heard, -- Nor spurn the Saviour who bore the Cross!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WANDERING JEW by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE WANDERING JEW by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE WANDERING JEW by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER THE WANDERING JEW by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER THE WANDERING JEW by E. LYTTLETON FOX THE WANDERING JEW by DAVID LEVI THE WANDERING JEW by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE WANDERING JEW by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY DEATH AND CUPID; AN ALLEGORY by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |
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