Description

Excerpt from Songs of Grief and Gladness, and Deborah

The author’s spirit is intensely nationalistic. He is not only an idealist, but distinctly and fervently a Hebrew idealist. Wherever his body may be, his soul dwells in Zion. Over and over again, in different forms occurs the exhortation with which he closes A Zion ist Marseillaise.

The invincible passion with which the poet clings to this idea is very, well expressed in his lines, They Tell Me.

The poems are profoundly mournful, as is to be expected of songs written under the shadow of the greatest tragedy of modern times – the Jewish persecutions in Russia. Many of them breathe the discouragement of an ardent spirit that started out with sanguine hopes of the speedy triumph of right and freedom throughout the world, only to become convinced by sad experience that the complete victory is still far in the future.

The author is deeply imbued with the history of his race, a history so interesting and so wonderful that it is impossible for any Open-minded person to read it without feeling his heart swell with pride over the achievements of the old Jewish heroes and heroines. This feeling is of course tenfold stronger in those who share the same ancient and heroic blood. Mr. Leavitt’s poetical gift attains some of its highest flights in descanting upon the old glories of Israel, as in his remarkable poem To My Nation.

The poet is indefatigable in urging his people to live up to their record.

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Author: Leavitt, Ezekiel

Topic: Poetry
Media: Book
ISBN: 484631144
Language: English
Pages: 86