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JEREMIAH AND ISRAEL
19

The Prophet Jeremiah and the Personification of Israel

By Kalir


FULL in her glory, she as Tirzah fair
Hath sinned and fallen; lo! the angels weep
There at the threshold of her sanctuary.
Forth from the Temple, over Zion's mount
Wandered Hilkiah's son, and chanced to meet
A woman, beauteous, but with grief distraught.
"Appalled I ask, in name of God and man!
Art thou dread phantom? Art thou human form?
For while thy beauty mouldeth woman fair,
Awe shadoweth spirit from the vast unknown!"

"I am no phantom nor vile clay of earth;
I shall be known when I return in rest.
Lo! of the one am I! of three am |!

Lo! of six hundred thousand, and of twelve!