The Maccabaean

which arose when Turkey became cut off from foreign communications, but financially it was not successful, because its supplies, bought at high war prices, suddenly fell in value. It is not true—as was suggested by one writer—that the Zionist Commission did not support Hamashbir; on the contrary, the latter still owes the Commission a considerable amount. Hamazmin is quite a private undertaking, and will apparently find its chief support among the middle classes, whose incomes have not increased in proportion to the rise in food prices, and who are reluctant to seek aid from the

various relief agencies. This same class is served in another direction by the Loan and Thrift Society, which lends small loans on easy terms and accepts small sums in deposit. The Kuppat Am—an older institution—fulfills the same purpose, but judging from the report of the newer Society there is room for both among the Jewish community in Erez Israel. It is interesting also to note that there is now an Insurance Agency in Jerusalem, with branches in other towns.

(Dedicated to the Memory of Meier Chazanowitch)

Phosphorescent, silv'ry moonbeamsTint the valley "Isra-El;"On its border Mount Gilboa,King Saul's everlasting home,Casts gigantic, ghastly shadowsWhich Gilaad's shadows meet.And in Mount Gilaad's bosomSlumbers village Nazareth.Countless peoples, countless countries,Vanished, traceless, passed away;But these mountains are survivingAnd their shadows are at strife:One gave cover to a warrior,One gave birth to Prince of Peace.Twixt these giants, white, fantastic,Bravely facing "Isra-El,"—Isra-El, a puzzling vastnessFull of frank and crafty foes—Lies the colony Merhavia,Nest of Hebrew pioneers.They have come to plant and build here;They have come to drain the mire;To combat the ruthless demonWith his odious, yellow grin.And the only God they worshipThe God of truthful Peace.But if sly and treacherous neighborsOn their God do dare encroach,With the dauntlessness of lionsThey defend their holy shrine.Phosphorescent, silv'ry moonlightTints the pioneers' abodes,And in care of mounted sentriesIs their precious, silv'ry Peace.Faster than a deer they gallopWhen the silence is disturbed.But if all about is listlessSome of them this ditty chant:

"Oh, Meier, Shomer, you are tall, brave and strong,Unflinching's your arm and hearty your song.Why don't you get you a sweetheart, a bride,A cheering, bright comfort, a dear little pride?"

"My darling, my bride, is my beautiful mare,She's truthful, devoted, deserving of care:In danger, an ally, in battle, a friend,How often she saved me from Fate's heavy hand."

"Oh, Meier, Shomer, when you're ill and asleep,Who'll warn you that Arabs are stealing your sheep?""My mare in her stable will thump, strike and neigh—She's carefully watching by night and by day."

His words came to pass. Seized by fever he lay One black Autumn night. And his true friend did neigh When Bedouins wild, in a sudden attack, Sought plunder and blood, meant to pillage and sack.

Merhavia's in panic. The settlers astir;On means of defense in a rush they confer.But hush! Who dashes forth single-handed and half-bare?That's Meier, Shomer, on his wonderful mare.

"The cattle are in danger! Help save our herd.Don't tarry!" he shouts, and darts off like a bird.We mount our horses. We follow his lead.The enemy's near ext{The cattle are in danger! Help save our herd. Don't tarry!" he shouts, and darts off like a bird.We mount our horses. We follow his lead.The enemy's near—we must rush, we must speed!

Outnumbered tenfold straight we went in the fray Incited by Meier's defiant and terrible way. We saved our homes. But we paid for it dear: God Moloch's reward was the man without fear.

The peak of Gilboa is Meier's domain,A sentinel true he forever remains.He lives in the clouds. From his lofty abodeHe spies every man and he sees every road.

"Oh, Meier, Shomer, how is Dale 'Isra-El'?Is all in good order? Is all safe and well?""Dear sentries, be ever prepared to defend—Look out for your foes and beware of your friends."

In the bosom of Gilaad Sound majestic hymns of Peace. But so many of the singers Worship iron, steel and fire.

Silence reigns on Mount Gilboa:Hymns he hears not, groans he hides;Groans of children of a peopleTruly seeking truthful Peace.

In the pallid, dreamy moonbeamsMutely tower two grand hosts.Will their spectral, haunting shadowsEver cease to be at strife?