To happiness ! life was too beautiful —
That was the dream — how soon we are awake !
Ah, we have that within our hearts defies
Their fiercest flames. No end, no end, no end !
JEW.
God with a mighty hand, a stretched-out arm,[1]
And poured-out fury, ruleth over us.
The sword is furbished, sharp i' the slayer's hand.
Cry out and howl, thou son of Israel !
Thou shalt be fuel to the fire ; thy blood
Shall overflow the land, and thou no more
Shalt be remembered — so the Lord hath spoken.
[Exeunt omnes,
SCENE III.
Within the Synagogue. Above in the gallery, women sump,
tuously attired ; some with children by the hand or infants
in their arms. Below the men and boys with silken scarfs
about their shoulders,
RABBI JACOB.
The Lord is nigh unto the broken heart. [2]
Out of the depths we cry to thee, oh God !
Show us the path of everlasting life ;
For in thy presence is the plenitude
Of joy, and in thy right hand endless bliss.
