WHERE lie buried the ruins of Sodom,

In the depths of the dead salt sea,

On the banks of the Dead Sea waters,

There groweth a wondrous tree;

Well waxen with leaves and branches,

But canker lies at the root,

And thereon are strange fair apples,

And this is the ‘Dead Sea fruit.’

Whoso shall eat of these apples,

Which appear so fair and sweet,

In his mouth they shall turn to ashes;

Ah! woe to him that shall eat.

Yea, woe to him that touches

E’en this forbidden fruit,

Of the tree so fair and goodly,

But with canker at the root.

Ask not, if thou know'st not already,

What manner of tree this be

Which grows on the ruins of Sodom,

On the banks of the dead salt sea.