Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/62

AN EPISTLE.

FROM JOBHUA IBN VIVES OF ALIOEQUI TO HIS FORMER MASTER, SOLOMON LEVI-PAUL, DE SANTA-MARIA BISHOP OF CARTAGENA CHANCELLOR OF CASTILE, AND PRIVY COUNCILLOR TO KING HENRY III. OF SPAIN.

In this poem I have done little more than elaborate and verify the account given in Graetz's History of the Jews (Vol VIII, page 77), of an Epistle actually written in the beginning of the 15th century by Joshua ben Joseph Ibn Vives to Paulus de Santa Maria—K.L.] (I)

I.

Master And Sage, greetings and health to thee,
From thy most meek disciple! Deign once more
Endure me at thy feet, enlighten me,
As when upon my boyish head of yore,
Midst the rapt circle gathered round thy knee
Thy sacred vials of learning thou didst pour.

By the large lustre of thy wisdom orbed
Be my black doubts illumined and absorbed.

IL.

Oft I recall that golden time when thou,
Born for no second station, heldst with us
The Rabbi's chair, who art priest and bishop now
And we, the youth of Israel, curious,
Hung on thy counsels, lifted reverent brow
Unto thy sanctity, would fain discuss