'
'Even so.'
'And thou believest it?'
'Without doubt.'
'We are doing very justly?'
''Tis a weak word for such a holy purpose.'
'I am most wretched!'
The High Priest and his companion entered the house of Abidan. Jabaster
addressed the already assembled guests.
'Brave Scherirah, it joys me to find thee here. In Israel's cause when
was Scherirah wanting? Stout Zalmunna, we have not seen enough of each
other: the blame is mine. Gentle prophetess, thy blessing!
'Good friends, why we meet here is known to all. Little did we dream of
such a meeting when we crossed the Tigris. But that is nothing. We come
to act, and not to argue. Our great minds, they are resolved: our solemn
purpose requires no demonstration. If there be one among us who would
have Israel a slave to Ishmael, who would lose all we have prayed
for, all we have fought for, all we have won, and all for which we
are prepared to die, if there be one among us who would have the Ark
polluted, and Jehovah's altar stained with a Gentile sacrifice, if there
be one among us who does not sigh for Zion, who would not yield his
breath to build the Temple and gain the heritage his fathers lost,
why, let him go! There is none such among us: then stay, and free your
country!'
'We are prepared, great Jabaster; we are prepared, all, all!'
'I know it; you are like myself.
Pages:
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263