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Jewish Prince in Moslem Spain: Selected Poems of Samuel Ibn Nagrela
Translated by Leon J. Weinberger
Of all the Hebrew poets of the 'Golden Age' in Spain, Samuel Ibn Nagrela (993-1056 A.D.) remains perhaps the most fascinating personality. A leading statesman in the kingdom of Granada, he was as successful in court as on the battlefield, maintaining a position of power for several decades while walking a political tightrope. Endowed with great literary talents, he opened up new paths in Hebrew poetry, and his mastery of its metrical intricacies was as consummate as his political and military skill.
Of all the Hebrew poets of the 'Golden Age' in Spain, Samuel Ibn Nagrela (993-1056 A.D.) remains perhaps the most fascinating personality. A leading statesman in the kingdom of Granada, he was as successful in court as on the battlefield, maintaining a position of power for several decades while walking a political tightrope. Endowed with great literary talents, he opened up new paths in Hebrew poetry, and his mastery of its metrical intricacies was as consummate as his political and military skill.
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 1973
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October 19, 2014
The poet leaves Cordova
"Can one restrain himself whose soul is pure and who like the moon labors to rise?
Can one remain still until with her wings, he girds her loins like a man strengthening a rent-cloth;
Until he achieves and his feats are made known, and he continues to increase in reputation like the sea?
....
And I will see together one rim of the desert with another and I will split the sea with every swimming sail.
I will roam until
I ascend and reach the heights that are known unto eternity!" (19-20)
Take this book
"Joseph, take this book that I have selected for you from the choice works in the language of the Arabs.
I have copied it,- while the killing spear was sharpened by our hands and the sword drawn.
And death decrees one army to be exchanged for another, even (life's) time (for it's demise).
But I cease not from teaching you though deaths mouth is opened all about me ,
In order that wisdom may come upon you,- for it is dearer to me than discovering my foes defeated.
Take it and reflect upon it and quit the crowds who deride language and speech.
Know that the man of understanding is like a tree of sweet fruit whose leaves are healing remedies,
While the fool is like the tree of the forest whose limbs and branches will be consumed by fire in the end."
A letter to his son while he is at war. (65)
"Can one restrain himself whose soul is pure and who like the moon labors to rise?
Can one remain still until with her wings, he girds her loins like a man strengthening a rent-cloth;
Until he achieves and his feats are made known, and he continues to increase in reputation like the sea?
....
And I will see together one rim of the desert with another and I will split the sea with every swimming sail.
I will roam until
I ascend and reach the heights that are known unto eternity!" (19-20)
Take this book
"Joseph, take this book that I have selected for you from the choice works in the language of the Arabs.
I have copied it,- while the killing spear was sharpened by our hands and the sword drawn.
And death decrees one army to be exchanged for another, even (life's) time (for it's demise).
But I cease not from teaching you though deaths mouth is opened all about me ,
In order that wisdom may come upon you,- for it is dearer to me than discovering my foes defeated.
Take it and reflect upon it and quit the crowds who deride language and speech.
Know that the man of understanding is like a tree of sweet fruit whose leaves are healing remedies,
While the fool is like the tree of the forest whose limbs and branches will be consumed by fire in the end."
A letter to his son while he is at war. (65)
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