| |
| SWIFT as birds of prey, they darted | |
| On our helpless men and women, | |
| Making martyrs of our people. | |
| But they slew the body only, | |
| And the soul escaped uninjured. | 5 |
| They assailed us with false pretexts, | |
| Yea, with wrongful accusations— | |
| “For the festive season,” said they, | |
| “Ye have slain a Christian infant!” | |
| Yet, withal, they promised pardon, | 10 |
| If our faith we would relinquish. | |
| None of the believers faltered! | |
| First was Samuel executed; | |
| Next his wife, and then his daughter, | |
| Son’s wife, brothers, and their offspring. | 15 |
| Simchah bent his head in prayer; | |
| Joseph and his race we honor, | |
| For he went to death in triumph. | |
| Moses stood in fire encircled, | |
| Followed by his son and daughter; | 20 |
| Who, entwined, would join their father. | |
| Israel’s tears in streams were flowing; | |
| Nor could tears the flames extinguish. | |
| Also Shabtai and his consort, | |
| Who would not their faith abandon, | 25 |
| Were consumed to dust and ashes. | |
| Gracious Lord, behold these victims, | |
| Who in death the truth attested, | |
| “God is One, there is no other!” | |
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