Joseph Mayor Asher

DEEP be thy sleep, brave Prophet-Priest of God!

Thy spirit-wars are waged, and tranquil now—

The laurel of our homage on thy brow—

Thou dreamest; whilst we whisper overawed,

And name thee in our hearts, and deep and low

Say Kaddish o’er thy cerements of snow.

Thine be the peace of God, great, restless heart!

No more shall wound thee Israel’s native woe;

No more shall strive against thee friend or foe;

Thou art our stern-eyed seer—the counterpart

Of Amos and Elijah, blent in one.

Our kindred sense perceives thee, and we trace

The Saintliness of Ages on thy face,

Now that thy work is gloriously done.