Venice masks

Wednesday 29 January 2020

Confidence - Max Nordau

Said the State to the prelate your pay we will withhold.
Smiled the priest in reply, I scorn your pow’er and gold,
You use your godless might with heavy cruel hand,
But back your gifts I fling, nor care for your command,
Nor need our Church fear want; aye, money will be found.
And free ’twill be given—since rich Jews do here abound.

Max Nordau (1849 - 1923) Hungary
Translated by Joseph Friedlander
Source: The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. Joseph Friedlander, comp., Dodd, Mead and Company, 1917

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