Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

JEHUDAH HALEVI 151

2

ODE TO ZION

Zion, wilt thou not ask if peace's wing

Shadows the captives that ensue thy peace,
Left lonely from thine ancient shepherding?

Lo! west and east and north and south—
world-wide—
All those from far and near, without sur-
cease,

Salute thee: Peace and Peace from every side;

And Peace from him that from the captive's
fount

Of tears, is giving his like Hermon's dew,
And longing but to shed them on thy mount.

I with the jackal's wail have mourned thee
long,

But dreaming of thine own restored anew
I am a harp to sound for thee thy song.

My heart to Bethel sorely yearneth yet,
Peniel and Mahanaim; yea, where'er
In holy concourse all thy pure ones met.