| |
| “GOOD sir, thou didst me order | |
| To lead thee through this border, | |
| To view this very place; | |
| But through this archway Roman | |
| With free will passeth no man | 5 |
| Of all my suffering race. | |
| |
| “See! with its decoration, | |
| This arch derides my nation, | |
| By Titus scourged and slain! | |
| It pictures his achievements, | 10 |
| And all of our bereavements; | |
| Its sight fills me with pain. | |
| |
| “Then, sir, do not command me, | |
| Indeed, I would withstand thee, | |
| The custom I’ll not break! | 15 |
| Alone go through the gateway, | |
| While I around and straightway | |
| Will meet thee,” thus he spake. | |
| |
| “My faithful guide, know thy way | |
| Is parallel with my way,” | 20 |
| I forthwith made remark; | |
| “I hate the chariots gory, | |
| But love Judea’s glory— | |
| The Candlestick and Ark.” | |
| |
| Whereat he gazed in wonder | 25 |
| Upon my face,—and under | |
| His eyelids teardrops stole, | |
| He touched my hand then quickly, | |
| Half doubtfully, half meekly, | |
| And said, “Sh’ma Yisroel!” | 30 |
| |
| Of course, my tears descended, | |
| While I the greeting ended, | |
| “Adonoi Echod!” | |
| Around the archway turning, | |
| The past within us burning— | 35 |
| “Jehovah is our God.” | |
| |
