And there are men who coveted you

Joseph Ibn Sahl

Early 12th Century

To one of the great men of the generation.

And there are men who coveted you, and they are in the depths, and you are far above,

And how can a camel be noble as an eagle, and a son of a donkey like children of the crane?

Gallop and prosper, my leader, for galaxies and zodiacs are lashed to your chariot,

And those who love you rejoice in your glory, like a night of joy of those redeemed from sadness,

And indeed their sleep is not replete at night when they don’t see you in their dreams,

And your cities are like grateful friends, for you have no foes or assailants,

And how reward those leaders who praise you, for the law they create to save their souls?

And if the poem is a jewel to all the leaders— your praises are like a ring in the nose of the poem!

Lord of my soul, my soul is sutured to you with an awl of grace and youth.

And I have naught but tongue and heart that I give to you, like confiscated fields.

With this, I shall sing a song of amity—and this, I will sacrifice in the fire of love,

And the expression of the face shall tell you if the heart is false or innocent and pure

And reveal [it], with his words, to him who knows if his tongue is false or true—

May the Rock be the redeemer and deliverer and provide for you like an entire river,

And the name of that star which arises from you shall be greater than yours many times over!

Translated by Karen Alkalay-Gut.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.

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