, with joy
Embraced each other, blessing God who sent,
And those who tended him, celebrating Joas
With hymns, the son of David come again to life!
Baal in the holy city is in horror!
His temple's doors are shivered Mathan's slain!

{ATHALIAH.}

God of the Jews, Thou conquerest!
Yea, it is Joas, I try deceit in vain;
I see where I did cause him to be struck;
I own the port and mien of Ochoziah;
True, all remind me of the blood I hate;
David's triumphant; Ahab is destroyed.
Merciless God Thou hast o'erruled the whole:
Who, with an easy vengeance flattering me,
Hast made me self-conflicting through the day.
Now, by a child exciting my remorse;
Now, dazzling me with lust of Thy rich treasures,
I feared to give this temple to destruction.
Then let that son be king, Thy care, Thy work,
And that to signalize his new dominion,
Cause him to plunge his knife into my breast!
This is his dying mother's wish towards him.
What do I say? I soothe myself with hopes,
That to Thy yoke unbent, tired of Thy law,
Faithful to Ahab's blood received from me,
In his grandfather's steps, and like his sire,
The hateful heir of David will be found
To abrogate Thy honour, and profane
Thy temple, Venging Ahab, Jezebel,
And Athaliah!

{JOAD.}

Let her at once be taken from the temple,
So that its sanctity be not profaned.
Go, sacred Vengers of our murdered princes,
Stay, by her death, the outcry of their blood.
If any rash adherent take her part,
Let him be given to the sword with her.

_Scene VII._

{JOAS (_having descended from his throne_)}

God, who behold'st my trouble, my affliction,
O turn her maledictions far from me,
And never suffer their accomplishment.
Sooner than Joas forget Thee, may he die!

{JOAD.}

Call forth the people, let them see their king,
That in his power they may renew their faith.
King, people, priests, come, full of gratitude,
Confirm the covenant with Jacob's God:
And, struck with sacred awe at our ill deeds,
Engage ourselves anew to Him with oaths.
Abner, resume your place beside your prince.

_Scene VIII._

{A LEVITE, JOAS, JOAD, AND ALL THE OTHERS OF
THE PRECEDING SCENE.}

{JOAD (_to the Levite_).}

Well,