Athaliah | Page 7

at times, Shamed of my fears, have thought it but the effect Of sombre melancholy; but my soul, Possessed by this remembrance, in my sleep, Has twice beheld that spectre terrible: Twice my sad eyes have had upon them traced The picture of that boy always prepared To spring on me. At length, quite wearied out, With horrors that pursued me, unto Baal I went to ask protection for my life, And at his altars look for some repose: What cannot terror do in mortal mind? An instinct forced me to the Jewish temple, And I conceived the thought to appease their God: Some offerings, I believed, would calm His rage, And make that God, whate'er He be, more gentle. Pontiff of Baal excuse my feebleness! I entered; but the sacrifices ceased, The people fled; the high-priest furiously Rushed towards me; whilst he spake, O terrible surprise! I saw that selfsame child, my menacer, Such as my frightful dream had fashioned him. I saw him; even his air, his linen garb, His gait, his eyes, his lineaments entire: It was himself. He walked beside the high-priest: But soon they caused him to avoid my sight. This is the trouble that arrests me here, And touching which I long to question both. Mathan, what does this prodigy forebode?
{MATHAN.}
This dream, and this resemblance seem to me Quite terrible.
{ATHALIAH.}
But, Abner, have you seen that fatal boy? What is he? Of what blood, and of what tribe?
{ABNER.}
Two children at the altar lend their service: The one is Joad's, his mother, Josabet; The other is unknown to me.
{MATHAN.}
But why Deliberate, Madam, must not both be seized? You know my moderation, and regard For Joad, and that I do not seek revenge For injuries; that equity alone In all my counsels is the ruling virtue. But after all, even were it his own child, Could he one moment let the culprit live?
{ABNER.}
What is the crime for which the boy is fitted?
{MATHAN.}
Heaven's shown him with a weapon in his hand. Heaven, just' and wise, does nothing fruitlessly. What do you seek for more?
{ABNER.}
But on the strength Of a mere dream urge you that we should plunge Our hands into the blood of blossoming youth? You know not yet his father, who he is.
{MATHAN.}
He stirs our fears; that comprehends the whole. If of illustrious parents he is born, The splendour of his lot must speed his doom. Should fate have ranked him in obscurity, What matters it if low-born blood be spilt? Does this slow justice appertain to kings? Their safety oft depends on prompt redress. Let us not pinch them with perplexing cares: Suspected ones are criminals to them.
{ABNER.}
Mathan, is this the language of a priest? I, trained to horrid carnage in the field, The stern executor of royal vengeance, Must I to the unhappy lend my voice! And you, who owe to him a father's yearnings, You, minister of peace in time of wrath, Now, covering your resentment with false zeal, Are of opinion blood too lightly flows! You have commanded me to speak to you Without concealment, Madam: What is then This mighty cause of fear? A dream, a child Devoid of power, that your suspicious eye Thinks it has recognised, perhaps untruly.
{ATHALIAH.}
I wish to think so, Abner, I may be Deluded; probably an empty dream Has too much occupied my spirit. Well, I must observe that child more narrowly; His features I must scan at leisure. Let Them both be brought before me.
{ABNER.}
I fear--
{ATHALIAH.}
What would they fail in courtesy to me? Of that strange non-compliance, what the cause? It might produce in me mistrustful thoughts. Let Josabet, or Joad, I tell you, bring them \ I can, when time requires, speak like a queen. Abner, to you I may indeed declare, Your priests have reason to be satisfied With Athaliah's kindness. Still I know That on my conduct and against my power How far they bear the license of their speech: They live, however, and their temple stands. But soon, I feel, my gentleness must end. Let Joad put bridle on his savage zeal, Nor wound me with a second outrage. Go.

Scene VI.
{MATHAN.}
At length I have the liberty to speak; I can expose the truth to open day. Some monster's rising in that temple reared! Queen, do not wait the bursting of the cloud. Abner, attended by the high-priest Joad, Was there before the break of day: You know His passion for the offspring of their kings. And who can say that Joad does not intend, In place of them, to substitute the boy By which heaven threatens you. It may perchan Be his own son.
{ATHALIAH.}
Mine eyes are opened: I begin to see Clearly into the warnings of the heavens. I wish, however, to be free from doubt: A child is little fit to