Athaliah | Page 8

flourish thoughts, Yet one may make us judge of great designs. I must, dear Mathan, see him--question him. But go yourself, without exciting fears, And cause my Tyrians to arm themselves.

Scene VII
{JOAS, JOSABET, ATHALIAH, ZACHARIAH, ABNER, SALOMITH, TWO LEVITES, THE CHOIR, SUITE OF ATHALIAH.}
{JOSABET (to the two Levites).}
You, servants of the Lord, upon those children So dear, so precious, keep a fixed regard.
{ABNER (to Josabet).}
Princess, have courage, they are in my care.
{ATHALIAH.}
O heaven! the more I look at him, the more I scrutinize--'Tis he! my faculties Again are seized with horror! Josabet Is that your son?
{JOSABET.}
Who, he, Madam?
{ATHALIAH.}
He.
{JOSABET.}
His mother I am not. This is my son.
{ATHALIAH (to Joas.)}
And you, my boy, who is your father then? Come child reply.
{JOSABET.}
Heaven till to-day--
{ATHALIAH.}
Why do you hurry to reply for him?
{JOSABET.}
From such a tender age can you expect Much information?
{ATHALIAH.}
That age is artless, its ingenuousness Does not as yet pervert the simple truth. Let him explain the whole concerning him.
{JOSABET.}
Great God, O place Thy wisdom in his mouth!
{ATHALIAH.}
What is your name?
{JOAS.}
Eliacin.
They say I am an orphan, Cast from my birth into the arms of God, And who my parents were I never knew.
{ATHALIAH.}
Have you no parents?
{JOAS.}
They abandoned me.
{ATHALIAH.}
How? And how long ago?
{JOAS.}
At my birth.
{ATHALIAH.}
Do they, at least, not know your native country?
{JOAS.}
This temple is my country; none I know Besides--
{ATHALIAH.}
Your father?
Where is it said that chance discovered you?
{JOAS.}
Among the cruel wolves, their helpless prey.
{ATHALIAH.}
Who placed you in this temple?
{JOAS.}
An unknown woman, never looked on since, Who did not say her name.
{ATHALIAH.}
But who took charge of your most early years?
{JOAS.}
Does God e'er let his children want in vain? He gives the smallest birds their nourishment, And over all His works extends His goodness. Each day I call on Him. His care paternal Nourishes me with gifts presented at The altar.
{ATHALIAH.}
What strange event again perplexeth me? The sweetness of his voice, his youthful grace, Cause my aversion imperceptably To be succeeded--I could be inclined To pity.
{ABNER.}
Is this, then, Madam, that terrific foe '? The fraud of your false dreams is manifest: Unless 'tis sympathy that touches you, It is that fatal blow which makes you tremble.
{ATHALIAH (to Joas and Josabet).}
Are you going?
{JOSABET.}
His story you have heard: His further stay would be importunate.
{ATHALIAH.}
No, No, return. What do you every day?
{JOAS.}
Adore the Lord; they train me in His law, They teach me how to read His sacred book, And now I copy it with mine own hand.
{ATHALIAH.}
How does that law instruct you?
{JOAS.}
That love is what the Lord desires; that He Sooner or later will avenge His name, His holy name blasphemed; that He protects The timid orphan, that He breaks the proud, And punishes the murderer.
{ATHALIAH.}
I understand. But what do all the people Enclosed within that place?
{JOAS.}
They praise, and bless the Lord.
{ATHALIAH.}
And does He wish that one should always pray And meditate.
{JOAS.}
All deeds profane are banished from His temple.
{ATHALIAH.}
What are your pleasures, then?
{JOAS.}
Sometimes unto the high priest I present Either the salt or incense at the altar: I hear them sing of God's unbounded greatness, I see the sumptuous order of His rites.
{ATHALIAH.}
Alas! have you no pastimes more delightful? I pity the sad fate of one like you. Come to my palace, see my splendour there.
{JOAS.}
I! I should lose the memory of God's blessings!
{ATHALIAH.}
No. I would not constrain you to forget Him.
{JOAS.}
You do not pray to Him.
{ATHALIAH.}
But you can pray to Him.
{JOAS.}
But I should see another god invoked.
{ATHALIAH.}
I have my god to serve, and you have yours. They both are powerful gods.
{JOAS.}
Mine must be feared, for He alone is God, And yours is nothing, Madam.
{ATHALIAH.}
Pleasures, near me, will seek you out, in crowds.
{JOAS.}
The blessings of the wicked pass away, As doth a torrent
{ATHALIAH.}
The wicked! Who are they?
{JOSABET.}
Pray, Madam! excuse a child.
{ATHALIAH}
I like to see how you are training him. At length, Eliacin, you have amused me; You're, doubtless, not an ordinary child. You see I am a queen, without an heir: Cast off these garments, quit this menial trade, And all my riches I will share with you. Try the conclusion of my promises: Beside me at my table, everywhere, I promise you shall sit as my own son.
{JOAS.}
As your own son?
{ATHALIAH.}
Yes, would it please you?
{JOAS.}
Ah what a father I should leave, and for--
{ATHALIAH.}
Well!
{JOAS.}
What kind of mother!
{ATHALIAH.}
His memory's faithful; and in all he says I recognise your animus and Joad's. Behold, how here, corrupting simple youth, You both employ the peace I leave you in! Their hate and fury you already foster: Only with horror you pronounce my name To them.
{JOSABET.}
Can we conceal the history of our wrongs? All know it, and you boast of it yourself.
{ATHALIAH.}
Yes, of my righteous rage, and I am proud To avenge my parents on posterity. My father and my brother saw I slaughtered; My mother from her palace window hurled; And even in one day murdered at once-- Dread sight!--more than