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How long, O Lord, shall I of violence cry,

My heart dissolve with woe?

How many years, without a gleam of light,

Has thraldom been our lot, our portion pain!

With Ishmael as a lion in his might,

And Persia as an owl of darksome night,

Beset on either side, behold our plight

Betwixt the twain.

Wherefore wilt Thou forget us, Lord, for aye?

Mercy we crave!

O Lord, we hope in Thee alway,

Our King will save!

Is this thy voice?

The voice of captive Ariel's woe unhealed?

Virgin of Israel, arise, rejoice!

In Daniel's vision, lo, the end is sealed:

When Michael on the height