20
SONGS OF EXILE
Yea, and behold me of the seventy-one!
O Prophet! know: the 'one' is Abraham;
'Three' be the fathers; verily in me
Behold the third, God's messenger of peace;
The 'twelve' I show thee be the tribes of God,
Six hundred thousand of redeemèd men;
And their Sanhedrin wrought of seventy-one."
"List to my counsel: O return! repent!
Since thou art thus endowed, so proud in state,
'Tis fitting that thou shouldst exultant rise,
To glory in the good awaiting thee;
'Backsliding Daughter!' cast that brand of shame!"
"Can I rejoice, or lift my voice in song?
Behold my children given to the foe!
My prophets martyred, yea, their life-blood spilt!
My kings, my princes, and my holy priests
