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It is the quicker way.—And yet, in sooth,
Whence doth this power proceed? God sets a goal,
A single goal for all created beings.
Of living things, whereof the endless chain
All nature doth embrace, all in their sphere,
About their common centre, aye remain.
The beasts know nought of man, nor man of God.
The heavens have their secret, we have ours.
I wonder can the soul from one world look
Into the other?—can it bring the torch
That lights the dead, and set before the living?
Abides it ever on one side the grave?
Hath it the power to come forth from the tomb,
Or hence to find its way within the tomb?
Who knows?—Must we deny what we see not?
Is every earthly bond destroyed by death?
Have not we all seen terrifying things?—
But that mere mortal man should read what's writ
Upon the blazing, pages of the skies!—
Who knows what God doth place within the soul
When he doth fashion it?—But this dog Jew,
This impure knave, assume to expound the world
In its symbolic meaning! to explore
The Holy of Holies with his impious gaze!—
But wherefore not? For all is mystery.
Suppose that to my curious, anxious mind
He could explain the language of my star?
Could tell me where this struggle will conclude
Wherein I am embarked?—But we're alone;
No witnesses at hand.—I'll make the trial.
[Aloud, to Manasseh.
O Jew!
Manasseh [who has been looking at the sky all the while, turns and bows.
O Jew! My lord?