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accept the small gift with pleasure. The touching relation of a father
towards his children may never be shown more elevated than when
he, already being partially transfigured, gives his fatherly blessing to
them; therefore I thought I might give this to you; it is little, of course,
but coming from a son's most cordial love nd accompanied by his
true endeavour to see tears already flowed-flowed over his Soul
once to be changed into tears of joy. Then this may get a fatherly
reception."9 Even in this letter young Gundert is full of the epic
language and expresses himself in the poetic art of folk literature.
The poem deals with narrations taken from chapter 49 of
Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The book of Genesis is also
called the first book of Moses, because in olden days Moses was
thought to be the author of the first five books of the Bible. Gundert's
poem runs thus:
Jacob bidding farewell to his sons
Bright in the sky the sun's warming disc emerged
From the clouds and irradiated the earth's turmoil.
Bright also it became in the heart of the old man sturdily
Rising from bed, and speaking in highly prophetic spirit:
"Oh flesh of my flesh, oh bone of my bones ! 5
All those begot by Jacob surrounding me, listen to that
What Israel, Your father, speaks; I know the deeds of the past.
What the veil of future covers, Israel's heart knows.
Clear are the old man's eyes and God Jehova's intimate looks up
Brightly, you hear him speak in Israel who is blessing, 10
Fathom him, who omnisciently understands the hidden thoughts of the
dumb
And the dark in the heart of him who does not speak!
Reuben! My eldest son, vigor lot those born to Jacob,
Priestly king! what is it that tempted your swerving heart?
Alas, your heart revolted, the firstlings of the field became 15
Chaff, for the father's bed you polluted with offence
And his bed your rising foot ravished.
Simeon, Levi! you, too? The cry of revenge of the murdered pushes
Its way to the father's ears and Swords clanking is rumbling !
