Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By M. M.Chanukah Lights
A
Upon the darkness with a golden ray—
A little feeble light, but yet it shows
The night has still a fraction of the day.
The friend has won a friend, the light
Has warmed another heart, and through
One fervor, two now pierce the night.
That brilliantly illumes the eve;
Thus ever shall bright constancy
The fruits of faithfulness receive!
How softly, sweetly do they shine.
Their grace on all dark places pour
A reflex of the light divine!
So courage grows in hearts that trust
God’s mercy, who will keep alive
His children, though they be but dust.
To six the little lamps have grown;
In happy company they shed
Their brightness. None need stand alone
Who by the light of God are led.
Thus shall God’s purpose reach its goal.
Behold, the night is as the day!
So can this earth grow like to Heaven,
If men will walk in Heaven’s way.
He lifts man from his low estate
And breathes new hope into his soul.