Religion
Six Years Were Decreed
Translated by Israel Zangwill (1923) · From Selected Religious Poems of Solomon ibn Gabirol (1923)
Six years were decreed for a slave to wait
When his freedom he sought at his master’s hand,
But the years of my bondage lack term or date,
It is hard, O my Master, to understand.
Why, Sire, should a hand-maid’s son bear sway,
And me with affliction and anguish task?
There cometh no answer, howe’er I pray,
In despite that each day for reply I ask.
What word at the last wilt Thou say, my King?
An Thou findest no ransom, O Lord, take me!
Take me for Thy people as offering,
I will serve Thee for ever and ne’er go free.
Cite this poem
MLA
Gabirol, Solomon ibn. “Six Years Were Decreed.” Translated by Israel Zangwill. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-gabirol/18/.
Chicago
Gabirol, Solomon ibn. “Six Years Were Decreed.” Translated by Israel Zangwill. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-gabirol/18/.
Read this poem with the Codex →