e:
The one is Joad's, his mother, Josabet;
The other is unknown to me.

{MATHAN.}

But why
Deliberate, Madam, must not both be seized?
You know my moderation, and regard
For Joad, and that I do not seek revenge
For injuries; that equity alone
In all my counsels is the ruling virtue.
But after all, even were it his own child,
Could he one moment let the culprit live?

{ABNER.}

What is the crime for which the boy is fitted?

{MATHAN.}

Heaven's shown him with a weapon in his hand.
Heaven, just' and wise, does nothing fruitlessly.
What do you seek for more?

{ABNER.}

But on the strength
Of a mere dream urge you that we should plunge
Our hands into the blood of blossoming youth?
You know not yet his father, who he is.

{MATHAN.}

He stirs our fears; that comprehends the whole.
If of illustrious parents he is born,
The splendour of his lot must speed his doom.
Should fate have ranked him in obscurity,
What matters it if low-born blood be spilt?
Does this slow justice appertain to kings?
Their safety oft depends on prompt redress.
Let us not pinch them with perplexing cares:
Suspected ones are criminals to them.

{ABNER.}

Mathan, is this the language of a priest?
I, trained to horrid carnage in the field,
The stern executor of royal vengeance,
Must I to the unhappy lend my voice!
And you, who owe to him a father's yearnings,
You, minister of peace in time of wrath,
Now, covering your resentment with false zeal,
Are of opinion blood too lightly flows!
You have commanded me to speak to you
Without concealment, Madam: What is then
This mighty cause of fear? A dream, a child
Devoid of power, that your suspicious eye
Thinks it has recognised, perhaps untruly.

{ATHALIAH.}

I wish to think so, Abner, I may be
Deluded; probably an empty dream
Has too much occupied my spirit. Well,
I must observe that child more narrowly;
His features I must scan at leisure. Let
Them both be brought before me.

{ABNER.}

I fear--

{ATHALIAH.}

What would they fail in courtesy to me?
Of that strange non-compliance, what the cause?
It might produce in me mistrustful thoughts.
Let Josabet, or Joad, I tel