Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

87 JEHUDAH HALEVI

43

BEFORE THEE IS MY WHOLE DESIRE

O Lord, before Thee is my whole desire—
Yea, though I cannot bring it to my lips.

Thy favour I would ask a moment and then
die—

Ah, would that mine entreaty might be granted!

That I might render up the remnant of my

spirit to Thine hand,
Then should I sleep, and sweet my sleep
would be.

When far from Thee, I die while yet in life;
But if I cling to Thee I live, though I should
die.

Only I know not how to come before Thee,
Nor what should be my service nor my law.

Show me, O Lord, Thy ways!

And turn me back from bondage of my folly;

And teach me, while there yet is power in me
To bear affliction; scorn not mine abasement

Ere yet the day I grow a burden on myself,
The day my limbs weigh heavy each on each;