Hear me, my
friend. What my feelings be unto this royal lady, but little matters.
Let them pass, and let us view this question by the light wherein you
have placed it, the flame of policy and not of passion. I am no traitor
to the God of Israel, in whose name I have conquered, and in whose name
I shall rule; but thou art a learned doctor, thou canst inform us.
I have heard no mandate to yield my glorious empire for my meanest
province. I am Lord of Asia, so would I have my long posterity. Our
people are but a remnant, a feeble fraction of the teeming millions that
own my sway. What I hold I can defend; but my children may not inherit
the spirit of their sire. The Moslemin will recognise their rule with
readier hearts, when they remember that a daughter of their caliphs gave
them life. You see I too am politic, my good Jabaster!'
'The policy of the son of Kareah[67], 'twas fatal. He preferred Egypt
to Judah, and he suffered. Sire, the Lord hath blessed Judah: it is
His land. He would have it filled by His peculiar people, so that His
worship might ever flourish. For this He has, by many curious rites and
customs, marked us out from all other nations, so that we cannot, at the
same time, mingle with them and yet be true to Him.
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