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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WANDERING JEW, by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER First Line: Christian! A cup of water fetch Last Line: Never, never! Subject(s): Wandering Jew | |||
Christian! a cup of water fetch For the faint pilgrim at thy gate: I am the Wandering Jew, poor wretch! Whirled onwards evermore by fate. I age not, though by years opprest, The world's end is my only dream; Each eve, fresh hopes inspire my breast But still to-morrow's sun will beam. Ever, ever, The earth spins round, and resteth never, Never, never! For eighteen hundred years, alas! O'er Grecian and o'er Roman dust, O'er countless empires quenched, I pass, By fearful whirlwinds onward thrust. Good I have seen that failed to thrive, While lustier evil throve and grew; And I have watched two worlds survive The ancient world, from Ocean's blue. Ever, ever, The Earth spins round, and resteth never, Never, never! God changed me, that he might chastise— To all that perishes I cling— But, when some shelter open lies, The tempest sweeps me on its wing. How many starvelings in each land Ask aid that I would fain supply! They have no time to clasp the hand I love to stretch while passing by. Ever, ever, The Earth spins round and resteth never, Never, never! If e'er beneath some leafy trees, On cool green turf, beside the wave, I seek my wretchedness to ease. Forthwith the vengeful whirlwinds rave. Oh! why should Heaven begrudge my grief A fleeting moment of repose? Eternity itself were brief To soothe my agonizing woes! Ever, ever, The Earth spins round, and resteth never, Never, never! How oft have children, pure and bright, Called up the phantoms of mine own! But, while I feast upon the sight, On by the whirlwind I am blown. O aged mortals! wherefore lust That age may be prolonged awhile? My weary foot shall stir the dust Of those sweet babes on whom I smile. Ever, ever, The Earth spins round, and resteth never, Never, never! I scan dim traces of the home, Where, ages since, I had my birth: The whirlwind mutters, "Onward roam! Thy steps must traverse all the earth. Such is the penance for thy sin Till the spent universe expires: For thee no place is kept within The crumbling vault that holds thy sires." Ever, ever, The Earth spins round, and resteth never, Never, never! I taunted with inhuman jest The Man-God, as he breathed his last! Since then my feet have had no rest— Farewell! I travel with the blast. Ye who sweet charity disown. Behold my pain that none can cure: 'Tis not for Godhead scorned, alone, But outraged manhood I endure! Ever, ever, The Earth spins round, and resteth never, Never, never! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WANDERING JEW by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE WANDERING JEW by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE WANDERING JEW by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER THE WANDERING JEW by E. LYTTLETON FOX THE WANDERING JEW by DAVID LEVI THE WANDERING JEW by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE WANDERING JEW; A BALLAD by JOHN GODFREY SAXE THE WANDERING JEW by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY MY BALD HEAD by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER |
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