Lop from my life the excrescence, never fear!
"At me thou lookedst, markedst me! Assign
To me that privilege of granting life—
Mine, mine!" Then he: "Be patient! I combine
"The needful portions only, wage no strife
With Nature's law nor seek to lengthen out
The Rabbi's day unduly. 'T is the knife
"I stop,—would eat its thread too short. About
As much as helps life last the proper term,
The appointed Fourscore,—that I crave, and scout