Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Judah He-Hasid (Trans. Israel Zangwill)The Hymn of Glory
For Thou art all for which my spirit longs—
And all Thy mystery to understand.
My inmost heart what love of Thee is wrung.
’Tis songs of love wherewith I greet Thy name.
Nor known Thee, yet I image forth Thy ways.
Thou didst Thy sov’ran splendor darkly teach.
The measure of Thy inner greatness too.
Since from Thy work they tried to body Thee.
Behold through all the visions Thou art one.
The grey of eld, the flowing locks of dawn,
The Man of Battles, terrible in war,
And by His hand and arm the triumph led.
His locks of dripping with the drops of night.
My crown of beauty He shall ever be!
Is graven glory of His holy name.
The coronal His people there have placed.
In wealth of raven curls it flows behind.
Ah, may He love His highest rapture less!
A diadem His kingly brow to band.
Thus honored inasmuch as precious found.
And when I call He is not far or dim.
When He from treading Edom’s wine-press goes.
The day he gazed on God’s similitude.
And, shrined in prayer, draw their rapt reply.
The generations pass—O and our quest
And let my psalmody come very nigh.
And let my prayer as Thine incense mount.
As those that to Thine altar did belong.
The breeding, quickening, righteous force of earth.
My choicest incense offered to my God.
For all my being is athirst for Thee.