Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/160

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THE DANCE TO DEATH.


Where with audacious brows, and steadfast mien.
They enter, bold as innocence. Now listen,
For we shall hear brave falsehoods.
Enter Susskikd yok Orb and Rabbi Jacob.

TETTENBORN.

Rabbi Jacob,
And thou, Susskind yon Orb, bow down, and learn
The Council's pleasure. You the least despised
By true believers, and most reverenced
By your own tribe, we grace with our free leave
To enter, yea, to lift your voices here,
Amid these wise and honorable men.
If ye find aught to plead, that mitigates
The just severity of your doom. Our prince,
Frederick the Grave, Patron of Nordhausen,
Ordains that all the Jews within his lands,
For the foul crime of poisoning the wells,
Bringing the Black Death upon Christendom,
Shall be consumed with flame.

RABBI JACOB {springing forward and dattping his hands),

T the name of Gtod,
Your God and ours, have mercy !

SÜSSKIND.

Noble lords.
Burghers, and artisans of Nordhausen,