Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Jose ben JoseSupplication
O
For that we hearkened not to Thee
When all the time we knew Thee nigh,
But proud in our prosperity
We went our ways with head on high.
Are like an armless soldier grown;
All that our fathers wrought for Thee
Is nought, and now we stand alone
In shame and dire infirmity.
That no one seeks to gather in
Or load upon the harvest wain—
Consuming fire will purge our sin
And lead us pure to Thee again.
Of yore when in our dire distress
We craved Thy charity divine,
Thou didst us with Thy mercy bless;
O be Thou in this hour benign!
Repent Thee for this human dust.
O cleanse us that we may be pure,
Let all our sins from Thee be thrust—
Thy mercy is for ever sure!