He drew the blood from his strong arm, And wrote the marriage writ; But soon the news to Solomon The Eunuchs did transmit. Upon his magic mantle he With awful speed was borne, And soon he came enwrapped in flame To vent his wrath and scorn. III. “Now where’s the knave who dared decoy My own, my dearest child? Bring forth the shameless wretch who hath Her innocence beguiled.” “Oh father dear, reproach but me,” The trembling princess prayed, “Some godly power did join our hearts Which he and I obeyed. “A power that naught can quench or drown That rules us from above,— Didst thou not sing, my royal sire, That strong as Death is love?” The king confused to hear his words Against himself applied, Addressed the youth who proudly stood His pleading wife beside. “Now who’s thy sire and where’s thy home?” The monarch asked with a frown, “The son of Altamar am I, Who dwells in Acco town.” “What!” the startled monarch cried, His gaze did wide expand, “Art thou the son of Altamar, The poorest of the land?” “Not poor is he, oh father dear,” The bride did swift reply, “Didst thou not sing that all the wealth Pure love can never buy?” The king he saw the high decree, And humbly bowed his head, “’Tis true a stronger power than mine Has joined your hearts,” he said. “And now, my children, take from me The blessing of your sire, And may the love that lights your lives Never, never expire!”
AN EXPERIENCE
FROM my early childhood I was considered a very promising lad, and at the age of thirteen I was already known as the "Illui" among the old folks of my native town. Even the Rabbi held out wonderful prospects for me and he looked upon me as upon a future great Jew. Whenever I passed the alley that led from our home to the synagogue, the mothers gazed at me intently and would clasp their hands together in prayer that God might grant them such children.
I soon became conscious of my superiority and, although somewhat small in stature for my age, I renounced all associations with my fellows, seeking the companionship of the students and scholars of the
synagogue. My thirst for learning would have been satisfied but for the fact I was still being called by all “Shelomka,” instead of "“Shelomo,” and so when our neighbor Leibel, “a mender of bad _ soles,” would bid me “good-morning” and always add the epithet of “Rabbi” to my sur- name, I felt greatly elated, a feeling of gladness and delight passed then through me. I realized that he was the only man who did not hesitate to bestow upon me the title I was worthy of, and I therefore began to love him.
Leibe was a man of about fifty, tall, muscular with thickly grown hair, heavy beard, and bushy eyebrows which overhung his dark sharp eyes. He was famous for his