otect me from
The horror of the pillage of the temple.
Would a few priests and children rouse suspicion?
With her arrange the number of her suite.
As to that child, so feared, so terrible--
Abner, I know the justness of your heart--
I will explain his birth before you both:
You'll hear if we should place him in her power,
And you shall judge 'twixt him and Athaliah.

{ABNER.}

Ah! now, I take him under my protection.
Fear nothing, I return to her who sent me.

_Scene III._

{JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, ISHMAEL, TWO
LEVITES, THE CHOIR.}

{JOAD.}

Great God! Thy hour is come, they bring Thy prey!
Ishmael, listen. (_Speaks low to him._)

{JOSABET.}

Mighty Master of the heavens!
Re-bind on her the veil which wrapt her eyes,
When rendering all her crimes abortive, Thou
Conceal'dst that tender victim in my bosom!

{JOAD.}

Go, prudent Ishmael, lose not any time,
Follow my grave instructions, step by step;
And, above all, let everything present
To her, upon her entry and her way,
The picture of a calm profound. You, children,
Prepare a throne for Joas. Let him advance,
Accompanied by our sacred combatants;
And also cause his faithful nurse to come,
Princess, and let your tears cease flowing.

_(To a Levite.)_

You, when the queen with mad presumption drunk,
Has passed the threshold of the temple's doors,
That she no more be able to return,
Take care that instantly the warlike trumpet
Shall spread a sudden consternation through
The enemy's camp; then call upon the people
To the support of Judah's king, and let
The marvellous prodigy of Joas preserved
Resound upon the ear. He comes.

_Scene IV._

_Joad is followed by a procession of priests and Levites',
and the chorus. The high-priest arranges them round
their king, and orders them to wait in concealment the
expected signal. He seats Joas on the throne, and
immediately after Athaliah arrives. At her approach
Joad draws a curtain, by which Joas and the Levites
are hid from view._

{JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, AZARIAH,
TROUPES OF PRIESTS AND LEVITES, THE CHOIR.}

{JOAD.}

Ye saintly Levites, ministers of God,
Surround this place, concealed on eve