Ben Karshook's Wisdom

"Would a man 'scape the rod?" Rabbi Ben Karshook saith, "See that he turn to God        The day before his death."

"Ay could a man enquire        When it shall come!" I say, The Rabbi's eye shoots fire— "Then let him turn to-day!"

Quoth a young Sadducee: "Reader of many rolls, Is it so certain we       Have, as they tell us, souls?"

"Son, there is no reply!" The Rabbi bit his beard: "Certain, a soul have I—       We may have none," he sneer'd.

Thus Karshook, the Hiram's-Hammer, The Right-hand Temple-column, Taught babes in grace their grammar, And struck the simple, solemn.

[, April 27, 1854]