has done a deed which——’     

       ‘The ark, the ark! I gaze upon the ark!’ ‘The slumberer speaks; the words of sleep are sacred.’ ‘Salvation only from the house of David.’ ‘A mighty truth; my life too well has proved it. ‘He is more calm. It is the holy hour. I’ll steal into the court, and gaze upon the star that sways the fortunes of his royal house.’     

       The moonbeam fell upon the fountain; the pavement of the court was a flood of light; the rocks rose dark around. Jabaster, seated by the spring, and holding his talisman in his left hand, shaded his sight with the other as he gazed upon the luminous heavens.     

       A shriek! his name was called. Alroy, wild and panting, rushed into the court with extended arms. The Cabalist started up, seized him, and held him in his careful grasp, foaming and in convulsions.     

       ‘Jabaster, Jabaster!’     

       ‘I am here, my child.’     

       ‘The Lord hath spoken.’     

       ‘The Lord is our refuge. Calm thyself, son of David, and tell me all.’     

       ‘I have been sleeping, master; is it not so?’     

       ‘Even so, my child. Exhausted by his flight and the exciting narrative of his exploit, my Prince lay down upon the couch and slumbered; but I fear that slumber was not repose.’     

       ‘Repose and I have naught in common now. Farewell for ever to that fatal word. I am the Lord’s anointed.’     

       ‘Drink of the fountain, David: it will restore thee.’     

       ‘Restore the covenant, restore the ark, restore the holy city.’     

       ‘The Spirit of the Lord hath fallen upon him. Son of David, I adjure thee tell me all that hath passed. I am a Levite; in my hand I hold the name ineffable.’     

       ‘Take thy trumpet then, summon the people, bid them swiftly raise again our temple. “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with marble.”        Didst hear that chorus, sir?’     

       ‘Unto thy chosen ear 

 Prev. P 29/247 next