Page:Chapters on Jewish literature (IA chaptersonjewish00abra).pdf/119

Rh greatest Jews of the Middle Ages, was born in Toledo before 1100. He passed a hard life, but he laughed at Ins fate. He said of himself:

If I sold shrouds,

No one would die.

If I sold lamps,

Then, in the sky,

The sun, for spite,

Would shine by night.

Several of Abraham Ibn Ezra’s hymns are instinct with the spirit of resignation. Here is one of them:

I hope for the salvation of the Lord,

In him I trust, when fears my being thrill,

Come life, come death, according to his word,

He is my portion still.

Hence, doubting heart! I will the Lord extol

With gladness, for in him is my desire,

Which, as with fatness, satisfies my soul,

That doth to heaven aspire.

All that is hidden shall mine eyes behold,

And the great Lord of all he known to me,

Him will I serve, his am I as of old;

I ask not to be free.

Sweet is ev’n sorrow coming in his name,

Nor will I seek its purpose to explore,

His praise will I continually proclaim,

And bless him evermore.