Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

105 JEHUDAH HALEVI

51

MY SHAME IS MY GLORY

With all my heart, in truth, and with all my
might,

Have I loved Thee. In open and in secret

Thy name is with me: how shall I go alone?

(Yea, He is my belovèd: how shall I sit
solitary?

And He is my lamp: how shall my light be
quenched?

And how shall I halt, since He is a staff in
my hand?)

Men have held me in contempt, knowing not

That my shame for Thy name's glory is my
glory —

O Fount of my life! I will bless Thee while
I live,

And sing Thee my song while being is mine.