Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

80 JEHUDAH HALEVI

isa. 66,11. Sucking the breasts of the daughter of the
vineyards.
I remember thee upon the Mountains of

Separation
Which were but yesterday, through thy
presence, the Mountains of Spices,¹
And mine eyelids are tarnished with tears,
isa. 9,4. And the tears defiled with blood.

I remember thee, and am remembered, in the
days

That we passed, and they were like dreams.

Time, the deceiver of all men, hath given me in
exchange for thee
jer. 9,7: Such as have war in their heart and peace in
Ps.55,22. their mouth.

I speak with them, even though I lind within
their mouth,
Num. 11,5. In lieu of thy manna, leeks and garlic.

My rage and my wrath is upon those foolish
ones

isa. 5,21. Who are wise in their own eyes,
Who call their falsenesses faiths,
And call my faith superstition;
Who sow and reap their ears of corn
And rejoice in them even though they be
blasted.

The exterior of knowledge is as earthenware³

¹ Compare Cant. 2,17 הך^י בתר and 8,14 .הרי בשמים

² Brody had read this obscure passage וצוני ךבר הכמה הרעים•
See, however, his subsequent illuminating note to the

Hebrew text No. 41, line 55, which I have now followed.