thundered his demand for admission. He entered the scene of desolation. Delegates were weeping, others sitting in mourning, and others hurling imprecations at him. I write from my notes of the scene:
"He neither cowed, nor threatened, nor pleaded. The leader unbosomed himself. He told the story of his Zionistic life. How he had thought of the needs of his children, and determined, for their sake, to recast the life of Jewry, since he could not separate the lives of his children from that of all the Jews.
“He told then of that forcing of his individuality upon the current world by which the current of Jewish life had been changed. He did not ask them to return to the congress. But he told them that he would go on with his work with those who remained loyal. If he were deserted he would still go on, if only six remained firm he would continue his task, if he stood alone he would still remain loval to the cause.
N ee en Er PD eh Be br en ne” Dee A A ne Bi ee, “He drew a picture of what he had seen in Russia, and asked whether he had the right to answer Kishineff with words and phrases. He spoke only of himself, and his children, closing with these words: ‘I have impressed my personality on the world for the sake of my own people and kin, go you and do likewise, in any manner that seems good and right to vou.’”
It was 2 A. M. He had entered at bay, he came out in triumph, the bolters decided to come back.
The end of that congress, owing to the Sabbath eve, came quite suddenly. In the gloaming Herz! arose for the last time. -Across the bitterness and battle of that congress, with his unfailing sense of ıhe dramatic, he sent a brilliant ray of light. He painted a brief picture of the future and then, with wonderful grace and gesture, repeated the old oath in Hebrew: “If I forget thee, or Terusalem, let my right hand for-
get its cunning." It was his final public pledge of loyalty, that he would reach Zion through East Africa.
The next forty-eight hours were the last I saw of Herzl. He was again serene. News had come to hin: that his diplomacy, the only coin he had to barter, was winning. Early on the Sunday following the congress sessions, he entered my bedroom and demanded the date of the next Passover. After I gave it to hin he asked me to ascertain as quietly as possible whether the Casino, in which the congress was held, would be available for that purpose prior to Passover. With the East African offer accepted by congress he felt that he would have Zion in his control before Passover, and it would be in keeping with Jewish history that the Geulah should be announced on the festival of the Exodus.
So he dreamed that day to me, as we worked steadily through a session of the Greater Actions Comite. At nightfall I walked the length of the platform with him, and saw him to his compartment. As we stopped at the car entrance he suddenly turned, embraced me and kissed me. And as he held me so he whispered: "Remember, next Passover we meet in Basle."
* * *
I have told neither the history of Zionism, nor the life-story of Herzl as I know it, but I have set down that which perhaps makes the Herzl I knew in all his moods clear to you. Maurice Duparc, of the London "Jewish Chronicle," said of him: "He looks as kings should look, but never do."
I still flush at the memory of that last embrace, and he stands before me the graceful, athletic figure, slightly bowed by the pressure of his burdens, the lambent eyes full of far-off visions, his whole frame strong with purpose, and on his lips the appointment that meant confidence and conauest.
Two Thrones(To the Memory of Dr. Theodor Herzl)
"Is is true, O dearest mother,What in Cheder I was told:That there are two thrones in Heaven,One of tears and one of gold.
"That the throne of gold by GentilesGiven was for God to use,And the throne of tears—unused yet—Is the humble gift of Jews.
“But one day, when great Jehovah Will our throne ascend in might, All our tears will turn to diamonds And will shed a wondrous light.
"Then Messiah, long-awaited,Will forsake the gates of Rome,And will lead his exiled PeopleBack to its ancestral home.
Long the boy stood deeply musing,While he muttered: Is it true?Then exclaimed, his eyes enkindled—"Mother, I will forge the screw!"
"But the throne of tears is vacant,For, alas, it lacks a screw . . .Darling-mother, what a pity!Prithee, tell me, is it true?"
"True,, my child, the mother answered, What you were in Cheder told, But that screw must be, O darling, Nor of tears, nor yet of gold.
"Love and Courage are its metals,And its foundry is a heart,But, alas, we find no smithyWhere to forge the missing part.
"Thus our gift of tears is useless,And throughout the endless years,We are adding, ever addingBurning, true, but hopeless tears . . ."