Alas! alas! for Israel! We
have long fed on mallows; but to lose the vintage in the very day of
fruition, 'tis very bitter. Ah! when I raised thy exhausted form in
the cavern of Genthesma, and the star of David beamed brightly in the
glowing heavens upon thy high fulfilment, who could have dreamed of a
night like this? Farewell, sire.'
'Stop, Jabaster! earliest, dearest friend, prythee, prythee stop!'
The priest slowly turned, the prince hesitated.
'Part not in anger, good Jabaster.'
'In sorrow, sire, only in sorrow; but deep and terrible.'
'Israel is Lord of Asia, my Jabaster. Why should we fear?'
'Solomon built Tadmor in the wilderness, and his fleet brought gold from
Ophir; and yet Alroy was born a slave.'
'But did not die one. The sultans of the world have fallen before me.
I have no fear. Nay, do not go. At least you will give some credence to
the stars, my learned Cabalist. See, my planet shines as brightly as
my fortunes.' Alroy withdrew the curtain, and with Jabaster stepped out
upon the terrace. A beautiful star glittered on high. As they gazed, its
colour changed, and a blood-red meteor burst from its circle, and fell
into space. The conqueror and the priest looked at each other at the
same time.
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