ONCE in my secluded chamber Late at night I read Israel's ancient wondrous story; How he shone and shed Light around him, in his homeland Thriving free and great ... Then my thoughts passed to his later Treacherous, cruel fate: Israel homeless, footsore, captive Into exile goes, And the world has long forgotten What to him it owes. "Gentile world! You have polluted Springs from which you drank!" And in bitter, sad reflections, Tired and weak I sank. ... Stealthily an old man entered My secluded room; On his breast a cross suspended, In his eyes—deep gloom. "Fear not," said he, "vain intruder I am not, you'll find; You accused me, and I came here, Came to speak my mind. "Not defend myself, but tell you Whom you are to blame For your homelessness, your downfall, For your grief and shame. "No, not I, but you polluted Your eternal spring; Home and faith and pride abandoned, And to exile cling. "Kneel and pray to alien altars, Worship alien gods, Even like in cast-off garments Deal in cast-off thoughts. "Gather crumbs at strangers' tables ... No, your pride is gone! For you glory that you have no Table of your own. ... "Faith, and truth, and pride—all treasures You have prized of old; For a lentil-pottage long since You your birthright sold. "You no longer feel the horror Of a slave's disgrace. Do you want me to respect you, Honour such a race? "Once you heroes had and prophets Noble, great and true; How much of their daring spirit Now is left in you? "Grandsons of the Maccabeans! If those heroes came Saw their servile offsprings—they would Die again—of shame! "Dead is all your pride and valour, Silent is your tongue, Tongue of bards, and kings and prophets— You forsook it long. "And your home that waits deserted Do you e'er recall? Where are all your rich and mighty— Mammon's High Priests all? "Like deserters they are sailing Under foreign flagxss, Lackeys that their masters' mantles Wear—to hide their rags. "Crumbs of bread, and night of lodging— Dare no more expect! No, a race that lost its self-pride No one can respect. "This is all I came to tell you Now, good-bye ... I spoke. ..." "Stay!" I shrieked, "I must reply you, Stay"—and I awoke. ... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE BEING by HAYDEN CARRUTH DEEP IN THE QUIET WOOD by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TO WHISTLER, AMERICAN; ON LOAN EXHIBIT OF PAINTINGS AT TATE GALLERY by EZRA POUND OF ANY OLD MAN by ISAAC ROSENBERG IN A BREATH; TO THE WILLIAMSON BROTHERS by CARL SANDBURG BALLAD OF HUMAN LIFE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |