Textarchiv - Emma Lazarus
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus
American poet. Born July 22, 1849 in New York City, New York. Died November 19, 1887 in New York City, New York.
deIn the Night
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/in-the-night-0
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>Unto the house of prayer my spirit yearns,<br />
Unto the sources of her being turns,<br />
To where the sacred light of heaven burns,<br />
She struggles thitherward by day and night.</p>
<p>The splendor of God's glory blinds her eyes,<br />
Up without wings she soareth to the skies,<br />
With silent aspiration seeks to rise,<br />
In dusky evening and in darksome night.</p>
<p>To her the wonders of God's works appear,<br />
She longs with fervor Him to draw anear,<br />
The tidings of His glory reach her ear,<br />
From morn to even, and from night to night.</p>
<p>The banner of thy grace did o'er me rest,<br />
Yet was thy worship banished from my breast.<br />
Almighty, thou didst seek me out and test<br />
To try and to instruct me in the night.</p>
<p>I dare not idly on my pillow lie,<br />
With winged feet to the shrine I fain would fly,<br />
When chained by leaden slumbers heavily,<br />
Men rest in imaged shadows, dreams of night.</p>
<p>Infatuate I trifled youth away,<br />
In nothingness dreamed through my manhood's day.<br />
Therefore my streaming tears I may not stay,<br />
They are my meat and drink by day and night.</p>
<p>In flesh imprisoned is the son of light,<br />
This life is but a bridge when seen aright.<br />
Rise in the silent hour and pray with might,<br />
Awake and call upon thy God by night!</p>
<p>Hasten to cleanse thyself of sin, arise!<br />
Follow Truth's path that leads unto the skies,<br />
As swift as yesterday existence flies,<br />
Brief even as a watch within the night.</p>
<p>Man enters life for trouble; all he has,<br />
And all that he beholds, is pain, alas!<br />
Like to a flower does he bloom and pass,<br />
He fadeth like a vision of the night.</p>
<p>The surging floods of life around him roar,<br />
Death feeds upon him, pity is no more,<br />
To others all his riches he gives o'er,<br />
And dieth in the middle hour of night.</p>
<p>Crushed by the burden of my sins I pray,<br />
Oh, wherefore shunned I not the evil way?<br />
Deep are my sighs, I weep the livelong day,<br />
And wet my couch with tears night after night.</p>
<p>My spirit stirs, my streaming tears still run,<br />
Like to the wild birds' notes my sorrows' tone,<br />
In the hushed silence loud resounds my groan,<br />
My soul arises moaning in the night.</p>
<p>Within her narrow cell oppressed with dread,<br />
Bare of adornment and with grief-bowed head<br />
Lamenting, many a tear her sad eyes shed,<br />
She weeps with anguish in the gloomy night.</p>
<p>For tears my burden seem to lighten best,<br />
Could I but weep my heart's blood, I might rest.<br />
My spirit bows with mighty grief oppressed,<br />
I utter forth my prayer within the night.</p>
<p>Youth's charm has like a fleeting shadow gone,<br />
With eagle wings the hours of life have flown.<br />
Alas! the time when pleasure I have known,<br />
I may not now recall by day or night.</p>
<p>The haughty scorn pursues me of my foe,<br />
Evil his thought, yet soft his speech and low.<br />
Forget it not, but bear his purpose so<br />
Forever in thy mind by day and night.</p>
<p>Observe a pious fast, be whole again,<br />
Hasten to purge thy heart of every stain.<br />
No more from prayer and penitence refrain,<br />
But turn unto thy God by day and night.</p>
<p>He speaks: "My son, yea, I will send thee aid,<br />
Bend thou thy steps to me, be not afraid.<br />
No nearer friend than I am, hast thou made,<br />
Possess thy soul in patience one more night."</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/in-the-night-0" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="In the Night" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:10:10 +0000mrbot12014 at https://www.textarchiv.comInfluence
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/influence
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>The fervent, pale-faced Mother ere she sleep,<br />
Looks out upon the zigzag-lighted square,<br />
The beautiful bare trees, the blue night-air,<br />
The revelation of the star-strewn deep,<br />
World above world, and heaven over heaven.<br />
Between the tree-tops and the skies, her sight<br />
Rests on a steadfast, ruddy-shining light,<br />
High in the tower, an earthly star of even.<br />
Hers is the faith in saints' and angels' power,<br />
And mediating love — she breathes a prayer<br />
For yon tired watcher in the gray old tower.<br />
He the shrewd, skeptic poet unaware<br />
Feels comforted and stilled, and knows not whence<br />
Falls this unwonted peace on heart and sense.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/influence" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Influence" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 30 Jul 2019 21:19:28 +0000mrbot12015 at https://www.textarchiv.comYouth and death
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/youth-and-death
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>What hast thou done to this dear friend of mine,<br />
Thou cold, white, silent Stranger? From my hand<br />
Her clasped hand slips to meet the grasp of thine;<br />
Her eyes that flamed with love, at thy command<br />
Stare stone-blank on blank air; her frozen heart<br />
Forgets my presence. Teach me who thou art,<br />
Vague shadow sliding 'twixt my friend and me.<br />
I never saw thee till this sudden hour.<br />
What secret door gave entrance unto thee?<br />
What power is thine, o'ermastering Love's own power?</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/youth-and-death" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Youth and death" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 29 Jan 2019 21:10:09 +0000mrbot11585 at https://www.textarchiv.comLonging for Jerusalem
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/longing-for-jerusalem
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>O city of the world, with sacred splendor blest,<br />
My spirit yearns to thee from out the far-off West,<br />
A stream of love wells forth when I recall thy day,<br />
Now is thy temple waste, thy glory passed away.<br />
Had I an eagle's wings, straight would I fly to thee,<br />
Moisten thy holy dust with wet cheeks streaming free.<br />
Oh, how I long for thee! albeit thy King has gone,<br />
Albeit where balm once flowed, the serpent dwells alone.<br />
Could I but kiss thy dust, so would I fain expire,<br />
As sweet as honey then, my passion, my desire!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/longing-for-jerusalem" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Longing for Jerusalem" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 29 Jan 2019 21:10:02 +0000mrbot11583 at https://www.textarchiv.comLove Song of Alcharisi
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/love-song-of-alcharisi
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>I.</p>
<p>The long-closed door, oh open it again, send me back once more my fawn that had fled.<br />
On the day of our reunion, thou shalt rest by my side, there wilt thou shed over me the streams of thy delicious perfume.<br />
Oh beautiful bride, what is the form of thy friend, that thou say to me, Release him, send him away?<br />
He is the beautiful-eyed one of ruddy glorious aspect — that is my friend, him do thou detain.</p>
<p>II.</p>
<p>Hail to thee, Son of my friend, the ruddy, the bright-colored one! Hail to thee whose temples are like a pomegranate.<br />
Hasten to the refuge of thy sister, and protect the son of Isaiah against the troops of the Ammonites.<br />
What art thou, O Beauty, that thou shouldst inspire love? that thy voice should ring like the voices of the bells upon the priestly garments?<br />
The hour wherein thou desireth my love, I shall hasten to meet thee. Softly will I drop beside thee like the dew upon Hermon.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/love-song-of-alcharisi" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Love Song of Alcharisi" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:10:10 +0000mrbot11580 at https://www.textarchiv.comMeditations
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/meditations
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>Forget thine anguish,<br />
Vexed heart, again.<br />
Why shouldst thou languish,<br />
With earthly pain?<br />
The husk shall slumber,<br />
Bedded in clay<br />
Silent and sombre,<br />
Oblivion's prey!<br />
But, Spirit immortal,<br />
Thou at Death's portal,<br />
Tremblest with fear.<br />
If he caress thee,<br />
Curse thee or bless thee,<br />
Thou must draw near,<br />
From him the worth of thy works to hear.</p>
<p>Why full of terror,<br />
Compassed with error,<br />
Trouble thy heart,<br />
For thy mortal part?<br />
The soul flies home —<br />
The corpse is dumb.<br />
Of all thou didst have,<br />
Follows naught to the grave.<br />
Thou fliest thy nest,<br />
Swift as a bird to thy place of rest.</p>
<p>What avail grief and fasting,<br />
Where nothing is lasting?<br />
Pomp, domination,<br />
Become tribulation.<br />
In a health-giving draught,<br />
A death-dealing shaft.<br />
Wealth — an illusion,<br />
Power — a lie,<br />
Over all, dissolution<br />
Creeps silent and sly.<br />
Unto others remain<br />
The goods thou didst gain<br />
With infinite pain.</p>
<p>Life is a vine-branch;<br />
A vintager, Death.<br />
He threatens and lowers<br />
More near with each breath.<br />
Then hasten, arise!<br />
Seek God, O my soul!<br />
For time quickly fiies,<br />
Still far is the goal.<br />
Vain heart praying dumbly,<br />
Learn to prize humbly,<br />
The meanest of fare.<br />
Forget all thy sorrow,<br />
Behold, Death is there!</p>
<p>Dove-like lamenting,<br />
Be full of repenting,<br />
Lift vision supernal<br />
To raptures eternal.<br />
On ev'ry occasion<br />
Seek lasting salvation.<br />
Pour thy heart out in weeping,<br />
While others are sleeping.<br />
Pray to Him when all's still,<br />
Performing his will.<br />
And so shall the angel of peace be thy warden,<br />
And guide thee at last to the heavenly garden.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/meditations" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Meditations" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Fri, 18 Jan 2019 21:10:09 +0000mrbot11582 at https://www.textarchiv.comLong Island sound
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/long-island-sound
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>I see it as it looked one afternoon<br />
In August, — by a fresh soft breeze o'erblown.<br />
The swiftness of the tide, the light thereon,<br />
A far-off sail, white as a crescent moon.<br />
The shining waters with pale currents strewn,<br />
The quiet fishing-smacks, the Eastern cove,<br />
The semi-circle of its dark, green grove.<br />
The luminous grasses, and the merry sun<br />
In the grave sky; the sparkle far and wide,<br />
Laughter of unseen children, cheerful chirp<br />
Of crickets, and low lisp of rippling tide,<br />
Light summer clouds fantastical as sleep<br />
Changing unnoted while I gazed thereon.<br />
All these fair sounds and sights I made my own.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/long-island-sound" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Long Island sound" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:10:02 +0000mrbot11584 at https://www.textarchiv.comSeparation
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/separation
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>And so we twain must part! Oh linger yet,<br />
Let me still feed my glance upon thine eyes.<br />
Forget not, love, the days of our delight,<br />
And I our nights of bliss shall ever prize.<br />
In dreams thy shadowy image I shall see,<br />
Oh even in my dream be kind to me!</p>
<p>Though I were dead, I none the less would hear<br />
Thy step, thy garment rustling on the sand.<br />
And if thou waft me greetings from the grave,<br />
I shall drink deep the breath of that cold land.<br />
Take thou my days, command this life of mine,<br />
If it can lengthen out the space of thine.</p>
<p>No voice I hear from lips death-pale and chill,<br />
Yet deep within my heart it echoes still.<br />
My frame remains— my soul to thee yearns forth.<br />
A shadow I must tarry still on earth.<br />
Back to the body dwelling here in pain,<br />
Return, my soul, make haste and come again!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/separation" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Separation" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Sun, 13 Jan 2019 21:10:07 +0000mrbot11578 at https://www.textarchiv.comWine and grief
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/wine-and-grief
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>With heavy groans did I approach my friends,<br />
Heavy as though the mountains I would move.<br />
The flagon they were murdering; they poured<br />
Into the cup, wild-eyed, the grape's red blood.<br />
No, they killed not, they breathed new life therein.<br />
Then, too, in fiery rapture, burned my veins,<br />
But soon the fumes had fled. In vain, in vain!<br />
Ye cannot fill the breach of the rent heart.<br />
Ye crave a sensuous joy; ye strive in vain<br />
To cheat with flames of passion, my despair.<br />
So when the sinking sun draws near to night,<br />
The sky's bright cheeks fade 'neath those tresses black.<br />
Ye laugh— but silently the soul weeps on;<br />
Ye cannot stifle her sincere lament.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/wine-and-grief" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Wine and grief" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:10:08 +0000mrbot11586 at https://www.textarchiv.comSympathy
https://www.textarchiv.com/emma-lazarus/sympathy-0
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:text content:encoded"><p>Therefore I dare reveal my private woe,<br />
The secret blots of my imperfect heart,<br />
Nor strive to shrink or swell mine own desert,<br />
Nor beautify nor hide. For this I know,<br />
That even as I am, thou also art.<br />
Thou past heroic forms unmoved shalt go,<br />
To pause and bide with me, to whisper low:<br />
"Not I alone am weak, not I apart<br />
Must suffer, struggle, conquer day by day.<br />
Here is my very cross by strangers borne,<br />
Here is my bosom-sin wherefrom I pray<br />
Hourly deliverance — this my rose, my thorn.<br />
This woman my soul's need can understand,<br />
Stretching o'er silent gulfs her sister hand."</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author"><a href="/emma-lazarus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="schema:name" datatype="">Emma Lazarus</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-releasedate field-type-number-integer field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished">1889</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/emma-lazarus/sympathy-0" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Sympathy" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 09 Jan 2019 21:10:09 +0000mrbot11579 at https://www.textarchiv.com