Only a Jew

NOBODY cares, for he’s only a Jew,

Crush him with vengeance in sight of the cross!

All of his allies are feeble and few,

Vice is his jewel and virtue his dross.

Only a Jew, like the prophets of yore,

Bearing with patience his burdens and wrongs;

Leader of liberty, maker of law,

Singing with David the sweetest of songs.

Only a Jew, with his epics and art,

Charming the ages with music divine;

Ravage his fireside and shiver his heart,

’Till he partakes of the bread and the wine.

Only a Jew—like the loved Nazarene,

Full of forgiveness and pity for all;

Giving them alms with a hand that’s unseen,

Lifting the weak when they totter and fall.

Only a Jew in the reign of thought,

Winning his way in the ranks of the great;

Marvels of beauty his genius has wrought,

Cannot be blighted by passion or hate.