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| WHERE is the modern Judah Maccabee? | |
| He of the dauntless soul in warrior guise, | |
| To lead anew the world’s hope of the free, | |
| While silent nations Israel’s claim denies; | |
| Shall tortured hearts by hands tyrannic slain, | 5 |
| Throughout long years bear martyrdom in vain? | |
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| Where dwells that silent, kingly soul unknown? | |
| Predestined champion of illustrious race,— | |
| His portion more than splendors of a throne; | |
| To bear aloft the Lion standard’s grace; | 10 |
| With human voice of God’s authority, | |
| To summon all the hosts of Liberty! | |
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| It may be ’neath compulsion’s daily toil, | |
| Eating the bitter crusts of poverty; | |
| A trembling exile, on a foreign soil, | 15 |
| Our New Deliverer finds that destiny | |
| Has wrought misfortune for Life’s higher aim, | |
| And the world’s freedom in God’s holy name. | |
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| It may be, that by song and music lulled | |
| Into the selfish life’s forgetfulness, | 20 |
| The heart thornless flowers of beauty culled, | |
| Feels the quick throb of pitying helpfulness; | |
| The wakened conscience, for the needs of Time, | |
| Fashions the hero unto acts sublime. | |
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| In Israel’s glorious past transcendent shone | 25 |
| The reverent daring of the Woman-soul; | |
| Fair Esther proved her birthright to a throne; | |
| Great names adorn eventful centuries’ roll, | |
| With trumpet-blast of battle;—silent deed, | |
| Of noblest service to a world in need. | 30 |
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| May not the wise, omnipotent decree | |
| Of the All-Merciful, Eternal One, | |
| Find ’mid the multitude of brave and free, | |
| Some modern Judith? in ascendance won | |
| For Freedom’s holiest cause; to light the way | 35 |
| Unto the Tyrants’ overthrow, To-day! | |
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| How sweet the peace of blest security! | |
| As ’gainst all warfare hearts humane declaim; | |
| That is no righteous use of liberty, | |
| That blends with Freedom’s breath a despot’s name. | 40 |
| By force and fraud, and cruel wrong assailed, | |
| With sheathed sword, Justice keeps her pure eyes veiled! | |
| And Force and Fraud, hand linked with Bigotry, | |
| Form the Chief Guards of Russia’s sovereignty. | |
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| Where is the modern Judah Maccabee? | 45 |
| Welcome the Conqueror in whatever guise! | |
| Life is but living death when liberty | |
| Beneath Oppression’s stifling process dies. | |
| Rise valiant daughters of the prophet line. | |
| Rise, Jewish warriors with the rage divine, | 50 |
| That scorns subjections! better honored graves, | |
| Than longer be the blood-stained Tyrant’s slaves. | |
| The world that should espouse your cause is still— | |
| Arise! Arm! Strike! do Freedom’s holy will! | |
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