O HEART, who art a fable, new and true; O soul, a legend strange and sweet as joy; Lover, whose love has built, not razed a Troy; Akiba, whom heaven and angels taught to woo. Lover, and lawyer, all Israel's sceptred mind, Who luminous mists hast orbed into a sun Of Oral Law, and logic's praises won; A shepherd's crook you left, a wand to find, Our blameless Lancelot of lists of lore, Who made Romance a theme for cherubim; And love, God's Song of Songs, His heavenly hymn; And law, a mine where mercy digs for ore. God's patriot, who heaven with life hast sought, And Holylands in Holyland hast known; Thou art a part of heaven, thou hast shown, Thou art a part of "Torah" thou hast taught. What wonder you have traversed Paradise, It was your gentle spirit's element; What wealth to heaven, what penury hell, you sent; Courage and wisdom hailed you brave and wise. And virtue named you saint, and greatness, great; Patriotism, patriot; and knowledge, sage. And love, a lover; your heart, its golden page. And holiness rejoiced to own you, mate. What, though the foe your frame with fires shod? What, though he drained the wine-vats of your veins? He only precious made like gems, your pains; Aye, kissed by God, your feet on crowns have trod. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FUN HOUSE FABLE by KAREN SWENSON IN A BURYING GROUND by SARA TEASDALE RAIN-SONGS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR PHILOMELA by JOHN CROWE RANSOM THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 72. THE CHOICE (2) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE LONG HILL by SARA TEASDALE |