Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

JEHUDAH HALEVI 173

But how shall I all humbly seek the Lord ?
Oblation once I gave

Within His house—and "From the grave"
He said, "I yet will lift them at My word,
And I will be a father to the sons I save."

But strange are all the lands;
One cannot bring a gift without alloy.
Rebuild the chiefest city! Find Thy joy
As once from holier hands.

Wisdom is withered that abode in state
In hearts exceeding wise,
For all they thought and did devise
Is other than He knoweth; yea, too great,
Too many are His works for sight of wisdom's
eyes.

His wonders manifold
Bring daily marvels new in fruitful throngs.
These give to Him, unceasing, only songs,
In numbers all untold.

Behold, clear witnesses enough are Thine!
All mountains under Heaven
They fill; on every form is graven
The seal of God; and all about them shine
The kindred lights in heaven and earth of
stars twice seven.

For seven in the height
There shine the seven lamps in earthly guise,
Given to so illume the earth-dimmed eyes
To look upon His light.