"The Maccabaean"
Our genial poet-friend, Dr. Joseph Friedlander, whose splendid poem on Herzl appeared in the first number of this magazine, read the following poem at THE MACCABAEAN celebration which was held last month.
A full round decade has passed away Since our Maga saw the light of day A sproutling in the world of letters Though not the least among its betters. With modest mein and blushing cheek It made its bow to Jew and Greek, Ran up its colors white and blue And sets its course direct and true. Full clear it raised its voice to tell To Soul-disquieted Israel A message of radiant hope When on the steep and downward slope His fortunes sped and adverse fate All but closed Hope's pearly gate.
Though struggling years and chequereddaysWhen cheques were few and faint waspraiseWhen indifference rose to heights sublimeAnd writers failed to come to time,When unpaid bills were mounting highAnd income funds were running dryWhen Critics joined the mortal choirAnd heaped on top their coals of fire,Its able steer-men brave and trueLipsky, de Haas and Richards tooHeld firmly on and swung The MaccabaeanThrough seas far worse than the Carribean,Through shoals and rocks to the harborslipThey brought their frail but gallant ship.
To-night we gather and rejoiceThat still we have our herald-voiceTo ring its tocsin and proclaimA rendezvous in Zion's name,Like the full-orbed start that roseIn far-off days whose light yet glowsIn Israel's heart, our organs name'Gain recalls the Maccabaean fame.And as we speed it on its courseA second time, may virile forceIncrease with days and Fortune kindFill its Sails with a fav'ring windWhen rising o'er all storm and stress'Twill cleave its way to high Success.