Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

JEHUDAH HALEVI 157

8

ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM

Beautiful height! O joy! the whole world's
gladness!

O great King's city, mountain blest!
My soul is yearning unto thee—is yearning
From limits of the west.

The torrents heave from depths of mine heart's
passion,

At memory of thine olden state,
The glory of thee borne away to exile,
Thy dwelling desolate.

And who shall grant me, on the wings of
eagles,

To rise and seek thee through the years,
Until I mingle with thy dust belovèd,
The waters of my tears?