Pearls of wisdom in our Talmud, Gems our sages' lore affords; Thou shalt taste of prayer's first sweetness Ne'er forget thou art a Hebrew ! That thy mother used to tell! EZEKIEL LEAVITT Translation from the Russian by Alice Stone Blackwell 153 A PSALM OF LIFE WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID Tell me not, in mournful numbers, For the soul is dead that slumbers, Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Not enjoyment and not sorrow Art is long, and Time is fleeting; And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world's broad field of battle, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time! Footprints, that perhaps another, Let us, then, be up and doing, HENRY W. LONGFELLOW 154 CHARITY O Charity-thou queen of virtues all,— With thy sweet promptings teach the child in play Deep misery lies broadcast through the land; Which reaches out fraternally to those Thou Child of Heaven with the love-lit eyes, DEBORAH KLEINERT JANOWITZ 155 THE MYSTIC TIE There is a mystic tie that binds The children of the Hebrew race In bonds of sympathy and love, Which time and change cannot efface. When, 'mid the world's abuse and scorn, And though to-day the Hebrews dwell Go to the North, where Polar stars Go where, in sunny tropic climes, Go to the countries of the East, And there, in reverent tones, is heard "O Israel, hear! our God is one; Blest be for aye His holy name!" This is the mystic tie that binds The children of the Hebrew race; Which time and change cannot efface. MAX MEYERHARDT 156 PRAISE YE THE LORD Praise ye the Lord! for it is good Break forth, O Israel! into song; Praise ye the Lord! 157 PENINA MOÏSE THE SOUL There is a vital spark of heavenly flame That fills and permeates the mortal frame, Which He with sacred thoughts doth oft inspire, Who filled Isaiah with poetic fire. |