Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By P. M. RaskinChanukah Lights
I
My Chanukah-candles—and lo!
Fair visions and dreams half-forgotten
To me came of years long ago.
Meseemed in their quivering flames
In golden, in fiery letters
I read the old glorious names,
The noble, the brave, and the true,
A battle-field saw I in vision
Where many were conquered by few.
Judea’s proud Syrian foe;
And Judas, the brave Maccabæus,
In front of his army I saw.
Like music rang out his strong voice:
“Brave comrades, we fought and we conquered,
Now let us, in God’s name, rejoice!
No triumph is due to the sword!
Remember our glorious watchword,
‘For People and Towns of the Lord!’”
An echo repeated each word;
The woods and the mountains re-echoed:
“For People and Towns of the Lord!”
“Judea, Judea is free,
Re-kindled the lamp in the Temple,
Re-kindled each bosom with glee!”
Around me was darkness of night;
But deep in my soul I felt shining
A heavenly-glorious light.