Classic Poem

SCENE III. Evening. A crooked byway in the Judengasse. Enter PRINCE WILLIAM.

PRINCE WILLIAM.
Cursed be these twisted lanes! I have missed the clue
Of the close labyrinth. Nowhere in sight,
Just when I lack it, a stray gaberdine
To pick me up my thread. Yet when I haste
Through these blind streets, unwishful to be spied,
Some dozen hawk-eyes peering o'er crook'd beaks
Leer recognition, and obsequious caps
Do kiss the stones to greet my princeship. Bah!
Strange, 'midst such refuse sleeps so white a pearl.
At last, here shuffles one.

Enter a Jew.

Give you good even!
Sir, can you help me to the nighest way
Unto the merchant's house, Susskind von Orb?

JEW.
Whence come you knowing not the high brick wall,
Without, blank as my palm, o' the inner side,
Muring a palace? But — do you wish him well?
He is my friend — we must be wary, wary,
We all have warning — Oh, the terror of it!
I have not yet my wits!

PRINCE WILLIAM.
I am his friend.
Is he in peril? What's the matter, man?

JEW.
Peril? His peril is no worse than mine,
But the rich win compassion. God is just,
And every man of us is doomed. Alack!
HE said it — oh those wild, white eyes!

PRINCE WILLIAM.
I pray you,
Tell me the way to Susskind's home.

JEW.

Sweet master,
You look the perfect knight, what can you crave
Of us starved, wretched Jews? Leave us in peace.
The Judengasse gates will shut anon,
Nor ope till morn again for Jew or Gentile.

PRINCE WILLIAM.
Here's gold. I am the Prince of Meissen — speak!

JEW.
Oh pardon! Let me kiss your mantle's edge.
This way, great sir, I lead you there myself,
If you deign follow one so poor, so humble.
You must show mercy in the name of God,
For verily are we afflicted. Come.
Hard by is Susskind's dwelling — as we walk
By your good leave I'll tell what I have seen.
[Exeunt.]