THE FEAST OF LIGHTS

KINDLE the taper like the steadfast star,

Ablaze on evening’s forehead o’er the earth,

And add each night a lustre till afar

An eightfold splendour shine above thy hearth.

Clash, Israel, the cymbals, touch the lyre,

Blow the brass trumpet and the harsh-tongued horn;

Chant psalms of victory till the heart takes fire,

The Maccabean spirit leap new-born.

EMMA LAZARUS.