'
'A dreamer, sire! Believe me, a true son of Israel, and one whose faith
is deep.'
'Good Jabaster, we are all true sons of Israel. Yet let me have
men about me who see no visions in a mid-day sun. We must beware of
dreamers.'
'Dreams are the oracles of God.'
'When God sends them. Very true, Jabaster. But this Abidan and the
company with whom he consorts are filled with high-flown notions,
caught from old traditions, which, if acted on, would render government
impracticable; in a word, they are dangerous men.'
'The very flower of Israel! Some one has poisoned your sacred ear
against them.'
'No one, worthy Jabaster. I have no counsellor except yourself. They may
be the flower of Israel, but they are not the fruit. Good warriors, bad
subjects: excellent means, by which we may accomplish greater ends.
I'll have no dreamers in authority. I must have practical men about
me, practical men. See how Abner, Asriel, Ithamar, Medad, see how these
conform to what surrounds them, yet invincible captains, invincible
captains. But then they are practical men, Jabaster; they have eyes
and use them. They know the difference of times and seasons. But this
Abidan, he has no other thought but the rebuilding of the temple: a
narrow-souled bigot, who would sacrifice the essence to the form.
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