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One 20th-century poet, not without reason, found the Rachel/Leah struggle a hopeless dilemma, which she describes with sadness and satire:1
My father came and bid me stay, Enjoined the women bar my way. And dumb to all entreaty, led My sister Leah in my stead. Where Jacob waited for his bride. I heard the revelry subside, The guests depart. I slept alone, Dreamt Leah slept beneath a stone.
My father came and bid me stay,
Enjoined the women bar my way.
And dumb to all entreaty, led
My sister Leah in my stead.
Where Jacob waited for his bride.
I heard the revelry subside,
The guests depart. I slept alone,
Dreamt Leah slept beneath a stone.
My father did it to be kind, And I who knew the dark was blind. Who loved in silence, hoped, believed, But Jacob mocked me, Rachel grieved. And kinsmen turned away in scorn. I grazed the flock, I shucked the corn. Fled Jacob’s wrath. Fulfilled, reviled, When autumn came, I bore his child.
My father did it to be kind,
And I who knew the dark was blind.
Who loved in silence, hoped, believed,
But Jacob mocked me, Rachel grieved.
And kinsmen turned away in scorn.
I grazed the flock, I shucked the corn.
Fled Jacob’s wrath. Fulfilled, reviled,
When autumn came, I bore his child.
