pe, but when her leader speaks, Israel will not be slack.'

'The Moslemin in council! We know what must come next. Our national
existence is in its last agony. Methinks the time is very ripe, Abidan.'

'Why, so we think, great sir; and say the word, and twenty thousand
spears will guard the Ark. I'll answer for my men. Stout Scherirah looks
grimly on the Moabites. A word from thee, and the whole Syrian army will
join our banner, the Lion of Judah, that shall be our flag. The tyrant
and his satraps, let them die, and then the rest must join us. We'll
proclaim the covenant, and, leaving Babylon to a bloody fate, march on
to Zion!'

'Zion, his youthful dream, Zion!'

'You muse!'

'King or no king, he is the Lord's anointed. Shall this hand, that
poured the oil on his hallowed head, wash out the balmy signet with his
blood? Must I slay him? Shall this kid be seethed even in its mother's
milk?'

'His voice is low, and yet his face is troubled. How now, sir?'

'What art thou? Ah! Abidan, trusty, stanch Abidan! You see, Abidan, I
was thinking, my good Abidan, all this may be the frenzy of a revel.
Tomorrow's dawn may summon cooler counsels. The tattle of the table, it
is sacred. Let us forget it; let us pass it over. The Lord may turn his
heart. Who knows, who knows, Abidan!'

'Noble sir, a moment since your mind was like your faith, firm and
resolved, and now----'

'School me not, school me not, good Abidan. There is that within my mind
you cannot fathom; some secret sorrows which are all my own. Leave
me, good friend, leave me awhile. When Israel calls me I shall not be
wanting. Be sure of that, Abidan, be sure of that. Nay, do not go; the
night is very rough, and the fair prophetess should not again stem the
swelling river. I'll to my closet, and will soon return.'

Jabaster quitted the gallery, and entered a small apartment. Several
large volumes, unclasped and open, were lying on various parts of the
divan. Before them stood his brazen cabalistic table. He closed
the chamber with a cautious air. He advanced into the centre of the
apartment. He lifted up his hands to heaven, and clasped them with an
expression almost of agony.

'Is it come to this?' he muttered in a tone of deep oppression. 'Is it
come to this? What is't I have heard? what done? Down, tempting devil,
down! O life! O glory! O my country, my chosen people, and my sacred
creed! why do we live, why act? Why have we feeling for aught that's
famous