Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/161

Rh Wise, honorable, just, God-fearing men, Shall yo condemn or ever ye have heard ? Sore, one at least owns here the close, kind name Of Brother — unto him I torn. At least sit among yon who have wedded wives, Bear the dear title and the precious charge Of Husband — unto these I speak. Some here, Are crowned, it may be, with the aacred name Of Father — unto these I pray. All, all Are ions — all have been children, all have known The love of parents — unto these I cry ; Have mercy on us, we are innocent, Who ore brothers, husbands, fathers, sons as ye I Look you, we have dwelt among yon many years, Led thrifty, peaceable, well-ordered lives. Who can attest, who prove we ever wrought Or ever did devise the smallest harm, Far less this fiendish crime against the State ? Rather let those arise who owe Hie Jews Some debt of unpaid kindness, profuse alms, The Hebrew leech's serviceable skill. Who know our patience under injury. And ye would see. if all stood bravely forth, A motley host, led hy the Landgrave's self, Recruited from all ranks, and in the rear. The humblest, veriest wretch in Nordhausen. We know the Black Death is a scourge of God. la not our flesh as capable of pain.