glisten!

Thus again my songs I sing thee, Now the spell is broken; Brothers, yet again I bring thee Of my love the token. Of my joy and of my sorrow Gladly, sadly bringing,— Summer not a song would borrow!— Winter sets me singing.

 Liberty

When night and silence deep Hold all the world in sleep, As tho’ Death claimed the Hour, By some strange witchery Appears her form to me, As tho’ Magic were her dow’r.

Her beauty heaven’s light! Her bosom snowy white! But pale her cheek appears. Her shoulders firm and fair; A mass of gold her hair. Her eyes—the home of tears.

She looks at me nor speaks. Her arms are raised; she seeks Her fettered hands to show. On both white wrists a chain!— She cries and pleads in pain: “Unbind me!—Let me go!”

I burn with bitter ire, I leap in wild desire The cruel bonds to break; But God! around the chain Is coiled and coiled again A long and loathsome snake.

I shout, I cry, I chide; My voice goes far and wide, A ringing call to men: “Oh come, let in the light! Arise! Ye have the might! Set Freedom free again!”

They sleep. But I strive on. They sleep!... Can’st wake a stone?... That one might stir! but one! Call I, or hold my peace, None comes to her release; And hope for her is none.

But who may see her plight And not go mad outright!... “Now: up! For Freedom’s sake!” I spring to take her part:— “Fool!” cries a voice. I start... In anguish I awake.

 A Tree in the Ghetto

There stands in th’ leafless Ghetto One spare-leaved, ancient tree; Above the Ghetto noises It moans eternally.

In wonderment it muses, And murmurs with a sigh: “Alas! how God-forsaken And desolate am I!

“Alas, the stony alleys, And noises loud and bold! Where are ye, birds of summer? Where are ye, woods of old?

“And where, ye breezes balmy That wandered vagrant here? And where, oh sweep of heavens So deep and blue and clear?

“Where are ye, mighty giants? Ye come not riding by Upon your fiery horses, A-whistling merrily.

“Of other days my dreaming, Of other days, ah me! When sturdy hero-races Lived wild and glad and free!

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