  Lord! unto Thee are ever manifest My inmost heart's desires, though unexprest In spoken words. Thy mercy I implore Even for a moment—then to die were blest. Oh! if I might but win that grace divine, Into Thy hand, O Lord, I would resign My spirit then, and lay me down in peace To my repose, and sweetest sleep were mine. Afar from Thee in midst of life I die, And life in death I find, when Thou art nigh. Alas! I know not how to seek Thy face, Nor how to serve and worship Thee, Most High. Oh! lead me in Thy path, and turn again My heart's captivity, and break in twain The yoke of folly: teach me to afflict My soul, the while I yet life's strength retain. Despise not Thou my lowly penitence, Ere comes the day, when, deadened every sense, My limbs too feeble grown to bear my weight, A burden to myself, I journey hence. When to the all-consuming moth a prey, My wasted form sinks slowly to decay, And I shall seek the place my fathers sought, And find my rest there where at rest are they. I am on earth a sojourner, a guest, And my inheritance is in her breast, My youth has sought as yet its own desires, When will my soul's true welfare be my quest? The world is too much with me, and its din Prevents my search eternal peace to win. How can I serve my Maker when my heart Is passion's captive, is a slave to sin? But should I strive to scale ambition's height, Who with the worm may sleep ere fall of night? Or can I joy in happiness to-day Who know not what may chance by morning's light? My days and nights will soon, with restless speed, Consume life's remnant yet to me decreed; Then half my body shall the winds disperse, Half will return to dust, as dust indeed. What more can I allege? From youth to age Passion pursues me still at every stage. If Thou art not my portion, what is mine? Lacking Thy favor, what my heritage? Bare of good deeds, scorched by temptation's fire, Yet to Thy mercy dares my soul aspire; But wherefore speech prolong, since unto Thee, O Lord, is manifest my heart's desire? Jehuda Halevi. |
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