16
SONGS OF EXILE
From the earth upwards;
Shall I restrain Me,
Seeing the slaughter
Of Zechariah?
And then spake he with learning deep endowed,
His form with shame and bitter sorrow bowed:
"My little ones I reared with holy care,
How are they caught within the fatal snare!
Ah! dearly have I paid a thousandfold
My erring children's debt of guilt untold."
Thus spake the faithful shepherd in his woe,
Covered with ashes and in dust laid low:
"My tender sheep in genial shelter reared,
Lo! how are they before their season sheared!
Ah! where is now Thy promise made of old:
'There shall not be one widowed in the fold'?"
With grievous voices all the air is rent;
With sobs doth Leah to her despair give vent,
