Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

103 JEHUDAH HALEVI

50

A LAMENT

Lam. 2,15. How is she that was wholly beautiful dis-

guised to the eyes of all flesh—
jer. 15,9. Her sun gone down while yet it is day, the
desire of her eyes removed!
Her Lord hath rebuked her and set her in
bonds,

Hos. 3.4. Without king and without prince.

Hotly have foes pursued her, have wakened
against her with hatred,
jer. 38,22. Have sunk her feet in the mire: she hath
isa. 50,11. lain down in sorrow.

Ezek. 26,17. And the lauded city is left waste like the wilder-

ness,

Hos. 3,4. Without sacrifice and without pillar.

isa. 25,5. Branches of the terrible ones are gathered to
Ps. 40,15. sweep her away;

Ezek. 8,17. Her seasons change, her sorrows are changeless.

Lions have torn her, her griefs are laid bare,
Hos. 3,4. Without Ephod and Teraphim.

Thou, only One, give rest to her, that a
remnant may be left in her,
11 Kings 19,3. For children are come to the birth, but there
18a. 37.3. is no strength to bring forth.

Be a shield about them in thy mercy, Almighty
Ruler!