Is it because your sable hair <br />Is folded over brows that wear <br />At times a too imperial air; <br /> <br />Or is it that the thoughts which rise <br />In those dark orbs do seek disguise <br />Beneath the lids of Eastern eyes; <br /> <br />That choose whatever pose or place <br />May chance to please, in you I trace <br />The noblest women of your race? <br /> <br />The crowd is sauntering at its ease, <br />And humming like a hive of bees- <br />You take your seat and touch the keys. <br /> <br />I do not hear the giddy throng; <br />The sea avenges Israel's wrong, <br />And on the wind floats Miriam's song! <br /> <br />You join me with a stately grace; <br />Music to Poesy gives place; <br />Some grand emotion lights your face. <br /> <br />At once I stand by Mizpeh's walls: <br />With smiles the martyred daughter falls, <br />And desolate are Mizpeh's halls! <br /> <br />Intrusive babblers come between; <br />With calm, pale brow and lofty mien, <br />You thread the circle like a queen! <br /> <br />Then sweeps the royal Esther by; <br />The deep devotion in her eye <br />Is looking "If I die, I die!" <br /> <br />You stroll the garden's flowery walks; <br />The plants to me are grainless stalks, <br />And Ruth to old Naomi talks. <br /> <br />Adopted child of Judah's creed, <br />Like Judah's daughters true at need, <br />I see you mid the alien seed. <br /> <br />I watch afar the gleaner sweet; <br />I wake like Boaz in the wheat, <br />And find you lying at my feet! <br /> <br />My feet! Oh! if the spell that lures <br />My heart through all these dreams endures, <br />How soon shall I be stretched at yours!<br /><br />Henry Timrod<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/la-belle-juive/
