Sonnets written chiefly during a tour through Holland, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Hungary. By Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley |
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SONNET.
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67
SONNET.
JEWISH CEMETERY SEEN FROM THE BOSPHORUS.
A heap of stones up yon steep mountain's side,And cresting its rough brow, thus thickly crowned,
Marks out the ancient Hebrew burying-ground.
Death surely there hath chosen, with deep pride,
His seat of strength,—reared o'er this purple tide—
A royal robe flung at his feet!—fair bound
With sunshine's burning gold, resplendent round!—
So brightly doth the sparkling river glide!
Ye banished of your brethren!—Life and Death
Find ye an exiled separated race!
In banishment ye draw your living breath!
Go down in exile to man's resting-place!—
Your presence, Earth's pollution!—ev'n beneath
Your dust with other dust, dares mix not in embrace.
Constantinople.
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