Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/142

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124

THE DANCE TO DEATH.

Flame leap there from my heart, then flying back,
Leave it cold-bathed with deathly ooze — my soul
In silence took her supreme vow of hate.

FRIOR.

Praise be to God that thou hast come to-day.
To-morrow were too late. Hast thou not heard
Frederick sends Schnetzen unto Nordhausen,
With fire and torture for the Jews ?

NORDMANN.

So ! Henry Schnetzen
Shall be the Jews' destroyer ? Ah !

PRIOR.

One moment.
Mayhap this box which Susskind sends the Prince
Reveals more wonders.

[He brings forth the Casket from the Cabinet^ opens it, and discovers a golden cross and a parchment which he hastily overlooks.

Hark ! your word 's confirmed
Blessed be Christ, our Lord ! (reads).

" I Susskind von Orb of Nordhausen, swear by the unutterable Name, that on the day when the Castle of Salza was burned, I rescued the infant daughter of Henry Schnetzen from the

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