Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

JEHUDAH HALEVI 159

33

TO THE BRIDEGROOM

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth,

And gather the fruit thy joy shall bear,
Thou and the wife of thy youth,

Turning now to thy dwelling to enter there.

Glorious blessings of God, who is One,
Shall come united upon thine head;
Thine house shall be at peace from dread,
Thy foes' uprising be undone.

Thou shalt lay thee down in a safe retreat;
Thou shalt rest, and thy sleep be sweet.

In thine honour, my bridegroom, prosper and
live;

Let thy beauty arise and shine forth fierce;
And the heart of thine enemies God shall
pierce,

And the sins of thy youth will He forgive,
And bless thee in increase and all thou shalt
do,

When thou settest thine hand thereto.

And remember thy Rock, Creator of thee,
When the goodness cometh which He shall
bring;

For sons out of many days shall spring,
And e 'en as thy days thy strength shall be.
Blessèd be thou when thou enterest,
And thy going out shall be blest.