Their
fiery and excited visages proved at once their courage and their
faith. The sceptre of Solomon was paraded throughout the camp in solemn
procession. On the summit of a huge tumulus, perhaps the sepulchre
of some classic hero, Esther, the prophetess, surrounded by the chief
zealots of the host, poured forth her exciting inspirations. It was a
grand picture, that beautiful wild girl, the groups of stern, devoted
warriors, the red flame of the watch-fires mixing with the silver
shadows of the moon as they illumined the variegated turbans and
gleaming armour of her votaries!
In the pavilion of Alroy, Jabaster consulted with his pupil on the
conduct of the morrow.
'This is a different scene from the cavern of the Caucasus,' said Alroy,
as the high priest rose to retire.
'It has one great resemblance, sire; the God of our fathers is with us.'
'Ay! the Lord of Hosts. Moses was a great man. There is no career except
conquest.'
'You muse.'
'Of the past. The present is prepared. Too much thought will mar it.'
'The past is for wisdom, the present for action, but for joy the future.
The feeling that the building of the temple is at hand, that the Lord's
anointed will once again live in the house of David, absorbs my spirit;
and, when I muse over our coming glory, in my fond ecstasy I almost lose
the gravity that doth beseem my sacred office.
Pages:
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185