Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

10 JEHUDAH HALEVI

5

EQUIPPED FOR FLIGHT

Wilt thou yet pursue youth after twoscore

years and ten
Since thy days are equipped for flight?
And wilt thou flee from the service of God
And long for the service of men?
And wilt thou seek the face of many

Ps. 111,2. And forsake the face of One sought out for
all delight?

jos. 9,12. And art thou too slothful to take provision
for thy way,
And wilt thou sell thy portion for a mess of
pottage?

Prov. 30,15-16. Saith not thy soul yet unto thee, 'Enough',

Ezet. 47,12. But reneweth her desire month by month?

Incline from her counsel to the counsel of God,

And turn aside from the five senses;

And make thyself acceptable to thy Creator

for the rest
Of thy days which press on and hasten;

Ps. 12,3. And seek not with a double heart for His
favour

Num. 24,1. And go not to meet good omens,