| |
A Jewish Apologue
IN schools of wisdom all the day was spent; | |
| His steps at eve the Rabbi homeward bent, | |
| With homeward thoughts, which dwelt upon the wife | |
| And two fair children who consoled his life. | |
| She, meeting at the threshold, led him in | 5 |
| And with these words preventing, did begin: | |
| “I, greeting ever your desired return, | |
| Yet greet it most today; for since this morn | |
| I have been much perplexed and sorely tried | |
| Upon one point, which you shall now decide. | 10 |
| Some years ago, a friend unto my care | |
| Some jewels gave—rich, precious gems they were; | |
| But having given them in my charge, this friend | |
| Did afterward not come for them, nor send. | |
| But in my keeping suffered them so long, | 15 |
| That now it almost seems to me a wrong | |
| That he should suddenly arrive today, | |
| To take those jewels, which he left, away. | |
| What think you? Shall I freely yield them back, | |
| And with no murmuring? so henceforth to lack | 20 |
| Those gems myself, which I had learned to see | |
| Almost as mine for ever, mine in fee!” | |
| |
| “What question can be here? your own true heart | |
| Must needs advise you of the only part; | |
| That may be claimed again which was but lent, | 25 |
| And should be yielded with no discontent; | |
| Nor surely can we find in this a wrong, | |
| That it was left us to enjoy it long.” | |
| “Good is the word,” she answered; “may we now | |
| And evermore that it is good allow!” | 30 |
| And, rising, to an inner chamber led, | |
| And there she showed him, stretched upon one bed, | |
| Two children pale, and he the jewels knew, | |
| Which God had lent him, and resumed anew. | |
| |
