rred only by self-inflicted
scourgings, awe and wonder held them breathless with expectation.
Inhaling that strange fragrance of divinity that breathed from his
body, and penetrated by the kingliness of his mien, the passionate yet
spiritual beauty of his dark, dreamy face, they awaited the great
declaration. Some common instinct told them that he would speak
to-night, he, the master of mystic silences.

The _Zohar_--that inspired book of occult wisdom--had long since
foretold this year as the first of the epoch of regeneration, and ever
since the shrill ram's horn had heralded its birth, the souls of
Sabbatai Zevi's disciples had been tense for the great moment. Surely
it was to announce himself at last that he had summoned them, blessed
partakers in the greatest moment of human and divine history.

What would he say?

Austere, silent, hedged by an inviolable sanctity, he stood long
motionless, realizing, his followers felt, the Cabalistic teaching as
to the Messiah, incarnating the Godhead through the primal Adam, pure,
sinless, at one with himself and elemental Nature. At last he raised
his luminous eyes heavenwards, and said in clear, calm tones one
word--

YAHWEH!

He had uttered the dread, forbidden Name of God. For an instant the
turbaned figures stood rigid with awe, their blood cold with an
ineffable terror, then as they became conscious again of the stars
glittering on, the sea plashing unruffled, the earth still solid under
their feet, a great hoarse shout of holy joy flew up to the shining
stars. "_Messhiach! Messhiach!_ The Messiah!"

The Kingdom was come.

The Messianic Era had begun.

II

How long, O Lord, how long?

That desolate cry of the centuries would be heard no more.

While Israel was dispersed and the world full of sin, the higher and
lower worlds had been parted, and the four letters of God's name had
been dissevered, not to be pronounced in unison. For God Himself had
been made imperfect by the impeding of His moral purpose.

But the Messiah had pronounced the Tetragrammaton, and God and the
Creation were One again. O mystic transport! O ecstatic reunion! The
joyous shouts died into a more beatific silence.

From some near mosque there broke upon the midnight air the solemn
voice of the _mueddin_ chanting the _adan_--

"God is most great. I testify that there is no God but God. I testify
that Mohammed is God's Prophet."

Sabbatai shivered. Was it the cold air or some inde