Hanukkah Lights

I kindled my eight little candles, My Hanukkah candles, and lo! Fair visions and dreams half-forgotten Were rising of years long ago. I musingly gazed at my candles; Meseemed in their quivering flames In golden, in fiery letters I read the old, glorious names; The names of our heroes immortal, The noble, the brave, and the true; A battlefield saw I in vision, Where many were conquered by few; And mute lay the Syrian army, Judea’s proud foe, in the field; And Judas, the brave Maccabaeus, I saw in his helmet and shield. His eyes shone like bright stars of heaven, Like music resounded his voice: “Brave comrades, we fought and we conquered, Now let us in God’s name rejoice! “We conquered; but know, my brave comrades, No triumph is due to the sword; Remember our motto and watchword, ‘For the people and towns of the Lord.’” He spoke, and from all the four corners An echo repeated each word; The woods and the mountains re-echoed: “For the people and towns of the Lord.” And swiftly the message spread, calling: “Judea, Judea is free! Rekindled the lamp in the Temple, Rekindled each bosom with glee!” * * * * * * * * * My Hanukkah candles soon flickered, Around me was darkness of night; But deep in my soul I felt shining A heavenly, wonderful light.