Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/333

Rh Degraded, lopped from off the fellowship Of Christians like a rotten limb, proclaimed The bastard that he is. She shall go with him, Linked in a common infamy, haled round, A female Judas, who betrayed her father, Her God, her conscience, with a kiss. Her shadow Shall be my curse. Cursed be her sleep by night, Accursed her light by day her meat and drink ! Accursed the fruit of her own womb the grave Where she will lie ! Cursed Oh, my child, my child !

Mine honored sir

Surely you mock me, signer. Honored ! Yes, honored with a rifled home, A desecrated hearth, a strumpet child. For honors such as these, I have not stinted Sweat, blood, or spirit through long years of toil. I have passed through peril scathless ; I was spared When Naples was plague-stricken ; I have scaped Mine enemies stiletto fire and flood ; I have survived my love, my youth, my self,