Classic Poem

I

" Would a man 'scape the rod?"
Rabbi Ben Karshook saith,
" See that he turn to God
The day before his death."

" Ay, could a man inquire
When it shall come!" I say.
The Rabbi's eye shoots fire —
" Then let him turn today!"

II

Quoth a young Sadducee:
" Reader of many rolls,
Is it so certain we
Have, as they tell us, souls?"

" Son, there is no reply!"
The Rabbi bit his beard:
" Certain a soul have I —
We may have none," he sneered.

Thus Karshook, the Hiram's-Hammer,
The Right-hand Temple-column,
Taught babes in grace their grammar,
And struck the simple, solemn.