Page:Meir Ezofovitch a novel, from the Polish of Eliza Orzeszko.djvu/33

Rh When Herez was ushered into the nobleman's house and fitood face to face with the great deputy, he bowed very low and began slowly and earnestly,—

"I am ITeraz Ezofovitcii, a merchant from Szyhow, and descendant of Michael Ezofovitch, who was Elder over the Jewish nation, called Senior by the order of the king. I have come from a far-away country. And why did I come? I came to see the great deputy, to speak with the great I writer, whose words fell upon my eyes as the rays of the Bun. The light, though dazzling, did not blind my eyes; but like the plant which climbs round the mighty oak, my thoughts climbed up and twined around your great thoughts, so that both should grow and spread over the I world and there should be no more dissensions and no [ more darkness."

The deputy replied in a few courteons words.

Hersz went on.

"The illustrious deputy said there was to be everlasting peace between the two nations, who, of the same country, yet do not hold to each other?"

"Yes, I said it," affirmed the deputy.

"The illustrious Pan said if the Jew had the same rights B the Christian in everything, he would do no harm anymore?"

"Yes, I said it."

"The illustrious Pan also said if the Jew became a Polish citizen he would have to send his children to national schools, abolish certain customs and superstitions that are neither good nor useful, and that he would have the right I to acquire landed property?"