Classic Poem

To the memory of Dr. Theodore Herzl

" Is it true, O tell me, mother,
What I was in Cheder told —
That there are two thrones in heaven
One of tears and one of gold?

That the gold throne — gift of Gentiles —
Has for ages been in use,
While the throne of tears — unused yet —
Is the humble gift of Jews.

But one day when great Jehovah
Will ascend our throne of tears,
All the drops will turn to diamonds,
To illume the saddened years.

Then Messiah, long awaited,
Will escape the gates of Rome,
And will lead his exiled people
Back to their ancestral home.

But, alas, our throne is useless,
For, they say, it lacks a screw —
Mother, mother, what a pity!
Is it, prithee, really true? "

" True, my child, are all the stories
That you are in Cheder told;
But that screw must be, my darling,
Not of tears, and not of gold.

Nay, it must be forged of courage
In the bravest Jewish soul,
And till then, child, we shall never,
Never reach our destined goal.

And till then we shall be exiled,
Mankind's God-forsaken Cain;
And till then we shall be weeping,
Ever adding tears in vain. "

Eye-lit stands the boy and pensive
Still he murmurs, " Is it true? " —
And exclaims with childish fervor:
" Mother, I shall forge the screw! "