THE REWARD OF CHARITY Then, then in our anguish we fly unto Thee, 271 When the false world is fading like dreams of the night, And the idols to whom we have bended the knee Have fallen to earth and are hid from our sight. And Thou! oh! Thou hearest the suppliant's voice, Whether tossed on the ocean, or wrecked on the earth; And Thy mercy can cause the sad heart to rejoice, Though surrounded by perils and storms from its birth. REBECCA HYNEMAN 123 THE REWARD OF CHARITY A TALMUDIC TRADITION TURNED INTO VERSE In Baba Bathra, on the Talmud page, Of those he loved far better than the priests, E'er vigilant to succor all distress, The meagre funds soon every day grew less, It chanced one day when want and famine spread "I swear, my daughter, by God's holy shrine, "Then with my seven children I must die!" The Rabbi felt no human need was worse, And gave her all he carried in his purse. In course of time he sickened, and he knew "Thou'st said, O Lord," in chorus they appealed, 66 That he who but one single soul did shield Is counted as though he had saved the world. Shall Benjamin the Righteous now be hurled So early to his doom? Who freely gave They waited breathless for the mandate-Word "That man shall live yet twenty-two years more!" * And hence the name of Benjamin is wrote As though he were some great Apocalypt. GEORGE ALEXANDER KOHUT 124 MY KING Ere time began, ere age to age had thrilled, I shall be summoned back before the King. He called the hidden to the light of day, Thou gavest me a light my path to guide, True weight and measure learned my heart from If blessings follow, then what joy for me! If naught but sin, all mine the shame must be, I hasten, trembling, to confess the whole Of my transgressions, ere I reach the goal Where mine own words must witness 'gainst my soul, And who dares doubt the writing of the King? Erring, I wandered in the wilderness, With worldly longings was my bosom fraught, Now conscience-stricken, humbled to the dust, How can a sinner hope to reach the King? SANCTIFICATION Oh! be Thy mercy in the balance laid, 275 To hold Thy servant's sins more lightly weighed, I answer for my guilt before the King. Thine is the love, O God, and Thine the grace, Unheeding all my sins, I cling to Thee! For nothing dare I claim of Thee, my King! O Thou who makest guilt to disappear, MOSES BEN NACHMAN 125 SANCTIFICATION The sixfold wingèd angels cry To Him, who hates iniquity: Holy art Thou, O Lord! Holy art Thou! |