Page:Songs of exile (IA songsofexile00daviiala).pdf/26

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Carried away to harsh captivity?

And woe unto the son in exile chained,

When at his father's board his place is void!"

"Prophet! arise, depart!" the vision bade:

"Call now the sleeping fathers from their rest;

And Moses, yea, and Aaron shall arise;

O let the shepherds peal to Heaven a wail,

For lo! the wolves of night have torn the lamb!"

The Prophet's voice with mighty yearning swelled,

And shook with heaving sobs Machpelah's cave:

"O glorious sires! lift up your voice and weep:

Your sons have erred; behold them captives bound!

If they, weak mortals, have transgressed the bond,