O virgin, mother, why dost thou weep, beautiful Rachel, thou whose countenance delighteth Jacob?
As if the blear eyes of thy aged sister could please him!
Wipe thou, o mother, thy flowing eyes!
How do furrows in thy cheeks become thee? –
‘Alas, alas, alas, why do ye accuse me of shedding tears in vain?
Since I am deprived of a son, who alone would care for my poverty: Who would not cede to my enemy the narrow bounds that Jacob acquired for me: Who too would benefit his stolid brothers, whom, to my sorrow, I have raised in their numbers.’ –
Surely he is not to be wept, who hath acquired a heavenly kingdom?
And who, with frequent prayer, helpeth his wretched brothers before God?
