Australian and Other Poems/To a Jewish Girl

by Roderick J. Flanagan

 

TO A JEWISH GIRL WHOM THE WRITER SAW AT AN ASSEMBLY.

In every feature of that glowing face,
Where all the maiden charms do harmonize,
Where all those graces we as beauty prize
Are found combined, how well the eye may trace
What speaks thee one of Judith's, Esther's line!
As fair that presence as was hers who slew
The Assyrian lord who would her race subdue;
Nor is the light which fills those eyes of thine
Less radiant than the light of hers who led
Ahasuerus' will enthralled, and shared his throne.
Methought, while bright 'mid brightest maidens shone
That spell-diffusing form, full well was paid
Thy people's faith in this we still may see,
While 'mongst their virgin throng they number such as thee.