Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/237

'T is the abbot, great Fra Pedro,
Famous through all Saragossa
For his quenchless zeal in crushing
Heresy amidst his townfolk.

Handsome still with hood and tonsure.
E'en as when the boy Pedrillo,
Insolent with youth and beauty,
Who reviled the gentle Rabbi.

Lo, the level sun strikes sparkles
From his dark eyes brightly flashing.
Stem his voice : "These too shall perish,
I have vowed extermination.

"Tell not me of skill or virtue,
Filial love or woman's beauty.
Jews are Jews, as serpents serpents.
In themselves abomination."

Earnestly the other pleaded,
"If my zeal, thrice reverend master.
E'er afforded thee assistance.
Serving thee as flesh serves spirit,

"Hounding, scourging, flaying, burning,
Casting into chains or exile.
At thy bidding these vile wretches.
Hear and heed me now, my master.