The Poems of Emma Lazarus Volume II Part 31

What! are we Jews and are afraid of death?

G.o.d's chosen people, shall we stand a-tremble Before our Father, as the Gentiles use?

REUBEN.

Shall the smoke choke us, father? or the flame Consume our flesh?

SUSSKIND.

I know not, boy. Be sure The Lord will temper the shrewd pain for those Who trust in Him.

REUBEN.

May I stand by thy side, And hold my hand in thine until the end?

SUSSKIND (Aside).

What solace hast thou, G.o.d, in all thy heavens For such an hour as this? Yea, hand in hand We walk, my son, through fire, to meet the Lord.

Yet there is one among us shall not burn.

A secret shaft long rankling in my heart, Now I withdraw, and die. Our general doom, Liebhaid, is not for thee. Thou art no Jewess.

Thy father is the man who wills our death; Lord Henry Schnetzen.

LIEBHAID.

Look at me! your eyes Are sane, correcting your distracted words.

This is Love's trick, to rescue me from death.

My love is firm as thine, and dies with thee.

CLAIRE.

Oh, Liebhaid, live. Hast thou forgot the Prince?

Think of the happy summer blooms for thee When we are in our graves.

LIEBHAID.

And I shall smile, Live and rejoice in love, when ye are dead?

SUSSKIND.

My child, my child! By the Ineffable Name, The Adonai, I swear, thou must believe, Albeit thy father scoffed, gave me the lie.

Go kneel to him--for if he see thy face, Or hear thy voice, he shall not doubt, but save.

LIEBHAID.

Never! If I be offspring to that kite, I here deny my race, forsake my father,-- So does thy dream fall true. Let him save thee, Whose hand has guided mine, whose lips have blessed, Whose bread has nourished me. Thy G.o.d is mine, Thy people are my people.

VOICES (without).

Susskind von Orb!

SUSSKIND.

I come, my friends.

Enter boisterously certain Jews.

1ST JEW.

Come to the house of G.o.d!

2D JEW.

Wilt thou desert us for whose sake we perish?

3D JEW.

The awful hour draws nigh. Come forth with us Unto the Synagogue.

SUSSKIND.

Bear with me, neighbors.

Here we may weep, here for the last time know The luxury of sorrow, the soft touch Of natural tenderness; here our hearts may break; Yonder no tears, no faltering! Eyes serene Lifted to heaven, and defiant brows To those who have usurped the name of men, Must prove our faith and valor limitless As is their cruelty. One more embrace, My daughter, thrice my daughter! Thine affection Outs.h.i.+nes the h.e.l.lish flames of hate; farewell, But for a while; beyond the river of fire I'll fold thee in mine arms, immortal angel!

For thee, poor orphan, soon to greet again The blessed brows of parents, I dreamed not The grave was all the home I had to give.

Go thou with Liebhaid, and array yourselves As for a bridal. Come, little son, with me.

Friends, I am ready. O my G.o.d, my G.o.d, Forsake us not in our extremity!

[Exeunt SUSSKIND and JEWS.]

SCENE II.

A Street in the Judenga.s.se. Several Jews pa.s.s across the stage, running and with gestures of distress.

JEWS.

Woe, woe! the curse has fallen!

[Exeunt.]

Enter other Jews.

1ST JEW.

We are doomed.

The fury of the Lord has smitten us.

Oh that mine head were waters and mine eyes Fountains of tears! G.o.d has forsaken us.

[They knock at the doors of the houses.]

2D JEW.

What, Benjamin! Open the door to death!