Part 21 (2/2)

CLXXII

He hath kindled against me his wrath, And looketh on me as one of his foes.

His troops throng together on my way, And encamp round about my tent.

CLXXIII

He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are estranged from me; My kinsfolk stay away from me, And my bosom friends have forgotten me.

CLXXIV

They that dwell in my house, and my maids, As an alien am I in their eyes.

I call my servant, and he giveth me no answer, I must supplicate unto him with my mouth.

CLXXV

My breath is irksome to my wife, And my entreaty to the children of my body.[228]

Yea, mere lads despise me: When I arise, they talk about me.

CLXXVI

All my cherished friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me; My skin cleaveth to my bones, And my teeth are falling out.

CLXXVII

Have pity, have pity on me, O my friends!

For the hand of G.o.d hath smitten me.

Why do ye persecute me like G.o.d, And are not satiated with my flesh?

CLXXVIII

Oh would but that my words, Oh would that they were written down!

Consigned to writing for ever, Or engraven upon a rock!

CLXXIX

But I know that my avenger liveth, Though it be at the[229] end upon my dust; My witness will avenge these things, And a curse alight upon mine enemies.

CLx.x.x

My reins within me are consumed, Because you say: ”How we shall persecute him!”

Fear, for yourselves, the sword, For ”wrath overtaketh iniquities.”

CLx.x.xI

ZOPHAR:

It is not thus that my thoughts inspire me, Nor is this the eternal law that I have known.[230]

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