Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

106 JEHUDAH HALEVI

As though we had not been a People, nay,
had not been more wonderful than any
People;

As though we had not seen the day of Sinai,
nor had drunken the waters of the rock,
And Thy manna had not been in our mouth,
and Thy cloud about us!

They ask the way to Zion—they pray toward

her—

The children exiled from her border, but which
have not stript themselves of their adorn-
ment.

The beautiful adornment for which they were

praised, for this they are slain and defiled—
The treasures they inherited at Horeb, whereby

they are justified and proud;
Slaves bear rule over them, but they will never

cease to call Thee
Until Thou turn our captivity and comfort our
waste places.

We stand upon our watch to keep Thy right-

eous judgments—
And even if our splendour be ruined, and we

be thrust forth from Thy bosom,
And an handmaid be our mistress, and those

far off from Thee rule over us,
Yet do we hold fast to our crown, the diadem

of Thy statutes,
Until Thou gather our company into the house

of Thy choice and Thy desire,
Our holy place, our glory, where our fathers
praised Thee.