Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/46

Rh Shepherded by the learned Rabbi David, A prince of IsraeL In Babylon The Jews eatablisbed tbeir Academy. Anotber still in Bagdad, from wbose chair Preached the great rabbi, Samuel Harlevi, Versed in the written and the oral law, Who blindfold could repeat the whole vast test Of Miscbna and Gemara. On the banks Of Eden-bom Euphrates, one day's ride From Bagdad, Rasiihi found in the wilderness, Which once was Babylon, Ezekiel'a tomb. Thrice ten perpetual lamps starred the dim shrine. Two hundred sentinels held the sleepless vigil, Receiving offerings. At the Feast of Booths Here crowded Jews by thousands, out of Persia, From all the neighboring lands, to celebrate The glorious memories of the golden days. Ten thousand Jews with their Academy Damascus boasted, while in Cairo shone The pearl, the crown of Israel, ben-Maimuni, Physician at the Court of Saladin, The second Moses, gathering at his feet Sages from all the world. As Raschi spate, Forgetting or ignoring the chief shrine, The Exile's Home, whereunto yearned all hearts, All ears were strained for tidings. Some one "What of Jerusalem? Speak to us of Zion."