22
SONGS OF EXILE
Carried away to harsh captivity?
And woe unto the son in exile chained,
When at his father's board his place is void!"
"Prophet! arise, depart!" the vision bade:
"Call now the sleeping fathers from their rest;
And Moses, yea, and Aaron shall arise;
O let the shepherds peal to Heaven a wail,
For lo! the wolves of night have torn the lamb!"
The Prophet's voice with mighty yearning swelled,
And shook with heaving sobs Machpelah's cave:
"O glorious sires! lift up your voice and weep:
Your sons have erred; behold them captives bound!
If they, weak mortals, have transgressed the bond,
