If fortune should ever be passing thy way, To grasp her, forth sally; Don’t build on the summit thy cottage, I pray, But down in the valley. PRINCESS SABBATH. In Arabia’s books of stories Read we of enchanted princes, Who from time to time recover’d Their once handsome pristine features; Or the whilome hairy monster To a king’s son is converted, Dress’d in gay and glittering garments, And the flute divinely playing. Yet the magic time expires, And once more and of a sudden We behold his royal highness Changed into a shaggy monster. Of a prince of such-like fortune Sings my song. His name is Israel, And a witch’s art has changed him To the figure of a dog. As a dog, with doggish notions, All the week his time he muddles Through life’s filthiness and sweepings, To the scavengers’ derision. But upon each Friday evening, Just at twilight, the enchantment Ceases suddenly,--the dog Once more is a human being. As a man, with human feelings, With his head and breast raised proudly Dress’d in festival attire, His paternal halls he enters. “Hail, all hail, ye halls belovèd “Of my gracious regal father! “Tents of Jacob, your all-holy “Entrance posts my mouth thus kisses!” Through the house mysteriously Goes a whispering and buzzing, And the unseen master of it Shudd’ring breathes amid the silence,-- Silence, save the seneschal (Vulgo Synagogue-Attendant) Here and there with vigour springing, As the lamps he seeks to kindle. Golden lights so comfort-giving, How they glitter, how they glimmer! Proudly also flare the tapers On the rails of the Almemor. At the shrine wherein the Thora Is preserved, and which is cover’d With the costly silken cov’ring That with precious jewels sparkles,-- There beside his post, already Stands prepared the parish minstrel, Dandy little man, who shoulders His black cloak coquettishly. His white hand to show the better, At his neck he works, his finger Pressing strangely to his temple, And his thumb against his throat. To himself then softly trills he, Till at length his voice he raises Joyfully, and loudly sings he “Lecho Daudi Likras Kalle! “Lecho Daudi Likras Kalle-- “Loved one, come! the bride already “Waiteth for thee, to uncover “To thy face her blushing features!” This most charming marriage ditty Was composed by the illustrious Far and wide known Minnesinger Don Jehuda ben Halevy. In the song was celebrated The espousals of Prince Israel With the lovely Princess Sabbath, Whom they call the silent princess. Pearl and flower of perfect beauty Is the Princess. Fairer never Was the famous queen of Sheba, Solomon’s old bosom-friend,