Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/193

Much as I have loved my pupil,
Can I save him from death’s sting?”
“Oh, Rabbiner,” said the woman,
“You are learned and very wise,
And Jehovah loves, your master,
He will listen to your sighs.”
“Woman! for the good of Israel
Will you sacrifice your son?”
But the woman started backward,
Clasping to her heart her son.
“’Twas revealed me in a vision,”
The learned Rabbi sadly said,
“For the crying sins of Israel,
See our little ones are dead.
’Twas revealed me in a vision,
All our dearest ones must die,
Till some woman gives her darling,
Gives him up without a sigh.
To the graveyard they must lead him,
Leave him there amidst the graves;
He will see strange sights and visions,
Hiding where the tall grass waves;
He will see the children dancing,
Dancing in their shrouds of lawn;
In and out amidst the stone heaps,
They will dance their dance forlorn.
He must creep, and creep still onward,
Till he nears the dancing band;
Then with fearless heart unshaking,
Seize a shroud with skillful hand,
Seize a shroud and bring it to me,
Then the pestilence will cease.
Woman, is thy heart so holy
Thou canst give thy son in peace?”
Weeping from the Rabbi’s presence,
Went that mother stricken sore.
“Oh, Johovah, spare my children;
Spare the little son I bore!”
When the evening shadows lengthened,
Lo, a girl died in her arms,
And the morrow found her weeping,
Her dead baby’s little charms.