The Tears of a Grateful People

A Hebrew Dirge and Hymn, chaunted in the Great Synagogue. St. James' pl. Aldgate, on the Day of the Funeral of King George III. of blessed memory. By Hyman Hurwitz of Highgate, Translated by a Friend.

  1. 1Dirge
  1. 2Oppress'd, confused, with grief and pain,
  2. 3And inly shrinking from the blow,
  3. 4In vain I seek the dirgeful strain,
  4. 5The wonted words refuse to flow.
  1. 6A fear in every face I find,
  2. 7Each voice is that of one who grieves;
  3. 8And all my Soul, to grief resigned,
  4. 9Reflects the sorrow it receives.
  1. 10The Day-Star of our glory sets!
  2. 11Our King has breathed his latest breath!
  3. 12Each heart its wonted pulse forgets,
  4. 13As if it own'd the pow'r of death.
  1. 14Our Crown, our heart's Desire is fled!
  2. 15Britannia's glory moults its wing!
  3. 16Let us with ashes on our head,
  4. 17Raise up a mourning for our King.
  1. 18Lo! of his beams the Day-Star shorn,
  2. 19Sad gleams the Moon through cloudy veil!
  3. 20The Stars are dim! Our Nobles mourn;
  4. 21The Matrons weep, their Children wail.
  1. 22No age records a King so just,
  2. 23His virtues numerous as his days;
  3. 24The Lord Jehovah was his trust,
  4. 25And truth with mercy ruled his ways.
  1. 26His Love was bounded by no Clime;
  2. 27Each diverse Race, each distant Clan
  3. 28He govern'd by this truth sublime,
  4. 29'God only knows the heart--not man.'
  1. 30His word appall'd the sons of pride,
  2. 31Iniquity far wing'd her way;
  3. 32Deceit and fraud were scatter'd wide,
  4. 33And truth resum'd her sacred sway.
  1. 34He sooth'd the wretched, and the prey
  2. 35From impious tyranny he tore;
  3. 36He stay'd th' Usurper's iron sway,
  4. 37And bade the Spoiler waste no more.
  1. 38Thou too, Jeshurun's Daughter! thou,
  2. 39Th' oppress'd of nations and the scorn!
  3. 40Didst hail on his benignant brow
  4. 41A safety dawning like the morn.
  1. 42The scoff of each unfeeling mind,
  2. 43Thy doom was hard, and keen thy grief;
  3. 44Beneath his throne, peace thou didst find,
  4. 45And blest the hand that gave relief.
  1. 46E'en when a fatal cloud o'erspread
  2. 47The moonlight splendour of his sway,
  3. 48Yet still the light remain'd, and shed
  4. 49Mild radiance on the traveller's way.
  1. 50But he is gone--the Just! the Good!
  2. 51Nor could a Nation's pray'r delay
  3. 52The heavenly meed, that long had stood
  4. 53His portion in the realms of day.
  1. 54Beyond the mighty Isle's extent
  2. 55The mightierNation mourns her Chief:
  3. 56Him Judah's Daughter shall lament,
  4. 57In tears of fervour, love and grief.
  1. 58Britannia mourns in silent grief;
  2. 59Her heart a prey to inward woe.
  3. 60In vain she strives to find relief,
  4. 61Her pang so great, so great the blow.
  1. 62Britannia! Sister! woe is me!
  2. 63Full fain would I console thy woe.
  3. 64But, ah! how shall I comfort thee,
  4. 65Who need the balm I would bestow?
  1. 66United then let us repair,
  2. 67As round our common Parent's grave;
  3. 68And pouring out our heart in prayer,
  4. 69Our heav'nly Father's mercy crave.
  1. 70Until Jehovah from his throne
  2. 71Shall heed his suffering people's fears;
  3. 72Shall turn to song the Mourner's groan,
  4. 73To smiles of joy the Nation's tears.
  1. 74Praise to the Lord! Loud praises sing!
  2. 75And bless Jehovah's righteous hand!
  3. 76Again he bids a George, our King,
  4. 77Dispense his blessings to the Land.