IN quaint old Talmud's pages, Where speak the Jewish sages, I found this pearl tonight: Behold it, fair and white! For, as the rabbins say, Two angels guard the way Of him on Sabbath eve Who turns his homeward feet Off through the busy street, The synagogue to leave. And if the lamps are lit, If there the maidens sit With the mother by their side; If there the youths abide At the quiet eventide— Then speaks the spirit blest— "Here let all blessing rest! May every Sabbath be Like this one unto thee; Peace to this dwelling, peace!" And he of little ease, The restless demon, then, Mutters a rough "Amen!" But if the darkness there Obscures the evening prayer; If matron and if maid Show worldliness displayed; And if the youths have place In regions low and base— Then sneers the evil one: "Be all thy blessings gone! Make every Sabbath be Like this one unto me!" And, with his head bent low, The other in his woe, Must weep and utter then His sorrowful, "Amen!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WORDS INTO WORDS WON'T GO by CLARENCE MAJOR THE FUTURE LIFE by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE PATH-FLOWER by OLIVE TILFORD DARGAN SONNET TO A NEGRO IN HARLEM by HELENE JOHNSON CORINNA TO TANAGRA, FROM ATHENS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR BEREAVED by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY CASTLES IN THE AIR by JAMES BALLANTYNE |