the grief of the Jewish people driven forth from its native land and
forsaken by its God.

"'Alas for my affliction! I must roam about abandoned since I
left the shelter in the cleft of my rock. Around me rages the
storm, alone and forsaken I fly to the forest to seek safety in
its thickets. My Friend has abandoned me! His anger was kindled,
because faithless to Him I permitted the stranger to seduce me,
and now my enemies harry me without respite. Since my Friend
deserted me, my eyes have been overflowing with tears. Without
Thee, O my Glory, what care I for life? Better to dwell in the
shadow of death than wander o'er the wide world. For the
oppressed death is as a brother in adversity.

"'Yonder two birds are billing and cooing, and tasting of the
sweets of love. They live at ease ensconced in the branches of
the trees, nestling amid green olive vines and garlands of
flowers. I, only I, am exiled! Where shall I find a refuge? My
rock-shelter is hedged about with prickly thorns and thistles....
E'en the wild birds of prey mate happily, only I, poor mourning
dove, alone among all beings alive, dwell apart. E'en those who
gorge themselves with innocent blood live tranquil in their home
eyries. Alas! only the righteous must weep, only the poor are
stripped of all hope!...

"'Return, then, my Life, my Breath! Return, my Comforter! Hear my
bitter wail of woe, lead me back to my home. Have pity on my
loneliness! Restore Thy love to me, bring me once again
to the cleft of my rock, and let me hide myself in the shadow of
Thy wings.'