r,_

Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours?
Amid the horrors, that encompass us,
Hearest Thou alone the voice
Of our iniquities?
Art Thou no longer the forgiving God?

_The Choir._

Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours?

_One voice alone._

It is against Thyself that in this strife
The armies of the wicked aim assault.
Come let us cause to cease, say they,
God's festivals upon the earth;
And from His tiresome yoke deliver man:
Let all His saints be slaughtered;
His altars overthrown;
That of His name and glory
No memory may be left;
That neither He, nor Christ may reign o'er us.

_The Choir._

Where are the thunderbolts Thou launchest,
Great God, in Thy just wrath?
Art Thou no more the jealous God?
Art Thou no longer the avenger?

_One voice alone._

Sad remnant of our kings,
Dear and last bloom of such a beauteous stem,
Ah! 'neath the dagger of a cruel dam
Shall we, a second time, behold thee fall?
Say, did an angel at thy cradle side,
Beloved prince! against thy murderers
Defend thee with his care;
Or in the darkness of the tomb
Did God re-animate thy ashes?

_Another._

Dost Thou, great God, impute the guilty deeds
Of father and grandfather unto him?
Abandon him without relenting pity?

_The Choir._

Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours?
Art Thou no longer the forgiving God?

_One of the daughters of the Choir (speaking)._

Dear sisters, hear you not the sound
Of the fierce Tyrians' trumpet?

{SALOMITH.}

I even hear the barbarous soldiers' cries,
And I shiver with horror.
Come, let us fly to our refuge
Under the sanctuary's shadow.

_ACT V.--Scene I._

{ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, THE CHOIR.}

{SALOMITH.}

Dear Zachariah, well! what have you learnt?

{ZACHARIAH.}

Redouble to the Lord your fervent prayers:
Perhaps we are approaching our last hour;
The order's given for the horrid conflict.

{SALOMITH.}

What is Joas doing?

{ZACHARIAH.}

He has just been crowned:
On him the high-priest's poured the holy oil.
O heaven, what joy was seen in every eye,
Beholding him, the ransomed from the tomb!
My sisters, still is seen the da