Religion
Before My King
Translated by Israel Zangwill (1923) · From Selected Religious Poems of Solomon ibn Gabirol (1923)
In prayer prone before my King,
I bend to Him my face and knee,
My heart His sacrifice shall be,
My tear His liquid offering.
In waiting for the sun’s caress,
In watching for the morning light
To scatter all my godless night,
My soul consumes in weariness.
Though He delays, shall I not start
To seek His face? Nay, of a sooth
I yet shall find his word of ruth
Bring comfort to my bitter heart.
The promise Zechariah gave,
How sweet it tastes in this our woe!
My soul shall bid my heart to know
I trust the living God to save.
Cite this poem
MLA
Gabirol, Solomon ibn. “Before My King.” Translated by Israel Zangwill. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-gabirol/15/.
Chicago
Gabirol, Solomon ibn. “Before My King.” Translated by Israel Zangwill. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-gabirol/15/.
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