[RABBI]
Young was Rachel, and tender with beauty favored
And Jacob saw and loved her

[JACOB]
Like a dream thou comest, Rachel
Bringing in a vision mild
Far-off days when first I saw thee
Queen and shepherdess and child

[RACHEL]
Rememb'rest thou, beside the waters
Faithfulness and love we vowed?
With a kiss that said "Forever"

[JACOB]
Rememb'rest thou I wept aloud?

[RACHEL]
Rememb'rest thou the bitter service
Thou wert made for me to pay?

[JACOB]
Seven years like days they vanished—

[RACHEL]
Vanished?
[JACOB]
Love made each a day

[RACHEL]
But that night came—

[JACOB]
Night accursed wherein, broken and defiled
Of the payment long awaited
I was by a trick beguiled!

[RACHEL]
Now dear is my sister to thee

[JACOB]
Many sons she bore to me

[RACHEL]
Jacob!

[JACOB]
To thee my heart is given
And to Joseph born of thee

[RACHEL]
Dost thou measure what I suffered
Through the hopeless barren years?
When the Lord refused to answer
Thy imploring, and my tears
Shattered on the earth before thee
Like a beggar I did lie
"Give me children," I besought
"Make me fruitful, or I die"
[JACOB]
Still that cry of anguish echoes
Like a torment in my ear
And I answered thee with harshness
Speaking cruel words to hear

[RACHEL]
Cruel wert thou not, my Jacob
Tender wert thou, full of light

[JACOB]
Healed we are redeemed, O Rachel
For the Lord beheld our plight

[RACHEL]
Once more by the spring I see thee—

[JACOB]
In my soul its murmurs dwell

[RACHEL]
There my heart received its master
Jacob dearest, stay, farewell

[JACOB]
Must thou go?
[RACHEL]
Yes, I must leave thee

[JACOB]
Is thy sojourn far from me?

[RACHEL]
It is near that gate of sorrow
Which from sorrow sets us free

[JACOB]
Dark the words are that thou speakest

[RACHEL]
Though in mystery I dwell
By command of the Eternal
I shall love thee, Israel