The
thunder, when it broke over the cavern here, and shivered the peak,
whose ruins lie around us, was but a feeble worldly sound to this
almighty music. My cheek grew pale, I panted even for breath. A
flaming light spread over the sky, the stars melted away, and I beheld,
advancing from the bursting radiancy, the foremost body of a mighty
host.
'Oh! not when Saul led forth our fighting men against the Philistine,
not when Joab numbered the warriors of my great ancestor, did human
vision gaze upon a scene of so much martial splendour. Chariots and
cavalry, and glittering trains of plumed warriors too robust to need a
courser's solace; streams of shining spears, and banners like a sunset;
reverend priests swinging their perfumed censers, and prophets hymning
with their golden harps a most triumphant future.
'"Joy, joy," they say, "to Israel, for he cometh, he cometh in his
splendour and his might, the great Messiah of our ancient hopes."
'And, lo! a mighty chariot now appeared, drawn by strange beasts whose
forms were half obscured by the bright flames on which they seemed to
float. In that glorious car a warrior stood, proud and immovable his
form, his countenance. Hold my hand, Jabaster, while I speak; that
chieftain was myself!'
'Proceed, proceed, my son.
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