O TRIBE of ancestry, be dumb, thy parchment roll review! What is thy line of ancestors to that which boasts the Jew? The ancient Briton, where is he? The Saxons, who are they? The Roman is a fleeting shade—a thing of yesterday. But he may boldly lift his eyes and spread his hands abroad, And say, "Four thousand years ago my sires on Canaan stood." O, who shall dare despise the Jew, whom God hath not despised, Nor yet forsaken in His wrath, though long and sore chastised? From many a distant land the Lord shall bring His people forth, And Zion be the glory yet and wonder of the earth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO THE BROWN PAPER BAG by JAMES GALVIN LETHE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SORROW SINGERS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 3. TEESTAY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON IRELAND; WRITTEN FOR THE ART AUTOGRAPH DURING IRISH FAMINE by SIDNEY LANIER DOMEDAY BOOK: JOHN CAMPBELL AND CARL EATON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |