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18
Latter-Day Psalms
Thou hast made me to love. Surely she is thy daughter whose home is my heart, for she is like to thee.
Wherefore hast thou blessed me thus beyond measure? What am I that I should be singled out for joy?
I have no merit beyond my brother. Have I stolen my brother’s blessing?
He has no respite from labouring all the day long, and the fruit of his labour he shall not use.
The fruit of his labour is my beatitude. Because of him I have leisure to seek beauty.
His eyes are blinded with toil. He is cursed because of me.
Why dost thou not destroy me in anger? Hast thou no vengeance terrible enough for me?
Dost thou lie in wait for me till the cup of joy be full; to dash it from me?
Rather thou hast poisoned it with shame and self-despising. I drink to my soul's death.
Shall I renounce beauty? Shall I blind myself that I may be as my brother
Shall I withdraw me from pollution for my own soul's sake, and deny myself selfishly?
Wherefore hast thou blessed me thus beyond measure? What am I that I should be singled out for joy?
I have no merit beyond my brother. Have I stolen my brother’s blessing?
He has no respite from labouring all the day long, and the fruit of his labour he shall not use.
The fruit of his labour is my beatitude. Because of him I have leisure to seek beauty.
His eyes are blinded with toil. He is cursed because of me.
Why dost thou not destroy me in anger? Hast thou no vengeance terrible enough for me?
Dost thou lie in wait for me till the cup of joy be full; to dash it from me?
Rather thou hast poisoned it with shame and self-despising. I drink to my soul's death.
Shall I renounce beauty? Shall I blind myself that I may be as my brother
Shall I withdraw me from pollution for my own soul's sake, and deny myself selfishly?
