For A Marriage Poem by Shlomo ibn Gabirol

Send to the prince's daughter
Her ruddy, fair-eyed king,
Like a fruitful branch he blossoms,
Transplanted to a spring.

Thy Torah has his worship,
He runs, to taste its charms,
Before Thee like a warrior,
Accoutred in his arms.

I day by day am waiting
Salvation's promised day,
Enquiring how and whence it
Will come to be my stay.

Restore the tortured People
To the friend of her youth divine,
And bring the two together
To the house of joy and wine.


Translated by Israel Zangwill