Selected Poems (Engelse vertaling)

27 JEHUDAH HALEVI

I have exchanged mine abode for a shadow of
shrubs,

And for a hedge in the thicket my strong bars;

And my soul is sated with the chief spices,

And the scent of the thorn-bush is mine now
for perfume;

And I have ceased to walk with my face
bending to the ground¹

But have set my paths in the heart of the
seas—

To the end that I may find the footstool of
my God,

And there pour out my soul with my thoughts,

And stand at the threshold of His holy
mount and set open

Towards the doors of Heaven's gates, my
doors,

And suffer my spikenard to flower by the
waters of Jordan,

And put forth my shoots by Siloah.—

The Lord is with me. How shall I fear or
dread,

Since the angel of His mercy beareth my
weapons?

I shall praise His name while yet I live,

And thank Him unto all eternity.

¹  In forced servility to man.