Thus closed the tale of guilt and gloom, br That cast upon each listener's face br Its shadow, and for some brief space br Unbroken silence filled the room. br The Jew was thoughtful and distressed; br Upon his memory thronged and pressed br The persecution of his race, br Their wrongs and sufferings and disgrace; br His head was sunk upon his breast, br And from his eyes alternate came br Flashes of wrath and tears of shame. br br The Student first the silence broke, br As one who long has lain in wait, br With purpose to retaliate, br And thus he dealt the avenging stroke. br 'In such a company as this, br A tale so tragic seems amiss, br That by its terrible control br O'ermasters and drags down the soul br Into a fathomless abyss.