Study Desk

But, now, they who are of fewer days than I, have poured derision upon me; whose fathers I refused - to set with the dogs of my flock.

Even the strength of their hands, wherefore was it mine? Upon them, vigour was lost;

In want and hunger, they were lean, - who used to gnaw the dry ground, a dark night of desolation!

Who used to pluck off the mallow by the bushes, with the root of the broom for their food;

Out of the midst, were they driven, men shouted after them, as after a thief;

In the fissures, of the ravines had they to dwell, in holes of dust and crags;

Among the bushes, used they to shriek, Under the bramble, were they huddled together:

Sons of the base, yea sons of the nameless, they were scourged out of the land.

But, now, their song, have I become, Yea I serve them for a byword;

They abhor me - have put themselves far from me, and, from my face, have not withheld - spittle!

Because, my girdle, he had loosened and had humbled me, therefore, the bridle - in my presence, cast they off;

On my right hand, the young brood rose up, - My feet, they thrust aside, and cast up against me their earthworks of destruction;

They brake up my path, - My engulfing ruin, they helped forward, unaided;

As through a wide breach, came they on, with a crashing noise, they rolled themselves along.

There are turned upon me terrors, - Chased away as with a wind, is mine abundance, and, as a cloud, hath passed away my prosperity.