ted by the
river; and the left, under the Sultan of Roum, was posted upon the
advantageous position of some irregular and rising ground. Thus proud
in the number, valour, discipline, and disposition of his forces, Malek
awaited the conqueror of Persia.

The glittering columns of the Hebrews might even now be perceived
defiling from the mountains, and forming at the extremity of the plain.
Before nightfall the camp of the invaders was pitched within hearing of
that of Malek. The moving lights in the respective tents might plainly
be distinguished; and ever and anon the flourish of hostile music fell
with an ominous sound upon the ears of the opposed foe-men. A few miles
only separated those mighty hosts. Upon to-morrow depended, perhaps, the
fortunes of ages. How awful is the eve of battle!

Alroy, attended by a few chieftains, personally visited the tents of
the soldiery, promising them on the morrow a triumph, before which the
victories of Nehauend and Nishapur would sink into insignificance. Their
fiery and excited visages proved at once their courage and their
faith. The sceptre of Solomon was paraded throughout the camp in solemn
procession. On the summit of a huge tumulus, perhaps the sepulchre
of some classic hero, Esther, the prophetess, surrounded by the chief
zealots of the host, poured forth her exciting inspirations. It was a
grand picture, that beautiful wild girl, the groups of stern, devoted
warriors, the red flame of the watch-fires mixing with the silver
shadows of the moon as they illumined the variegated turbans and
gleaming armour of her votaries!

In the pavilion of Alroy, Jabaster consulted with his pupil on the
conduct of the morrow.

'This is a different scene from the cavern of the Caucasus,' said Alroy,
as the high priest rose to retire.

'It has one great resemblance, sire; the God of our fathers is with us.'

'Ay! the Lord of Hosts. Moses was a great man. There is no career except
conquest.'

'You muse.'

'Of the past. The present is prepared. Too much thought will mar it.'

'The past is for wisdom, the present for action, but for joy the future.
The feeling that the building of the temple is at hand, that the Lord's
anointed will once again live in the house of David, absorbs my spirit;
and, when I muse over our coming glory, in my fond ecstasy I almost lose
the gravity that doth beseem my sacred office.'

'Jerusalem; I have seen it. How many hours to dawn?'

'Some three.'

''