Chapter 2

My sire, the high priest, having offered up, According to the law, the sacred bread Of the new harvest, to the God that fosters Mankind, appearing still with gory hands Fresh from the reeking entrails of the victim; Close to his side the young Eliacin Assisting, like myself, in linen vests; The priests, meanwhile, with sacrificial blood Besprinkling the assembly and the altar; A murmur indistinct arose; at once The astonished people turn aside their glance,-- A woman--can I name her and not curse?-- A woman--It was Athaliah's self!

{JOSABET.}

Heavens!

{ZACHARIAH.}

In one of the church courts, reserved for men, This haughty woman enters, with proud mien, And even prepares to overpass the bounds Of the enclosure sacred, which alone Is open to the Levites. Terrified The people fled in every way. My father-- Ah! what resentment kindled in his eye! Moses to Pharoah seemed less formidable: Queen! go! said he, and quit this awful place, From which thy sex and vices banish thee: Dost thou come here to brave the majesty Of the Eternal God? At which the queen, Casting on him infuriated glance, Her mouth was opening, doubtless, to blaspheme: I know not if the angel of the Heavens Appearing showed to her a flaming sword; But instantly her tongue and lips were frozen, And all her over-boldness was abashed; As if her eyes were awe-struck, they were fixed; And, above all, Eliacin appeared To amaze her.

{JOSABET.}

What! Has Eliacin been seen by her?

{ZACHARIAH.}

We both of us beheld that cruel queen, Who with an equal horror struck our hearts: But very soon the priests surrounded us-- They caused us to withdraw. Of all the rest I'm ignorant, and I returned to tell You of this woeful uproar.

{JOSABET.}

She came, no doubt, to tear him from our arms; Her fury came to seek him at the altar! Perhaps, the object of so many tears Is at this moment--God, who seest my grief, Do Thou remember David!

{SALOMITH.}

What is the reason of your flooding tears?

{ZACHARIAH.}

Ah! Is Eliacin's life in danger?

{SALOMITH.}

Has he attracted Athaliah's rage?

{ZACHARIAH.}

What! does she fear a child without support, And fatherless?

{JOSABET.}

Ah! here she is. Come, let us go: we must Avoid her.

_Scenes III and IV._

{ATHALIAH, AGAR, ABNER, SUITE OF {ATHALIAH.}} {AGAR.}

Why, Madam, do you linger in this place? Here all the objects wound and anger you. Unto the priest, who dwells within it, leave This temple, flee this tumult, and go calm Your agitated spirit in your palace.

{ATHALIAH.}

No, no, I cannot: my perplexity And weakness thou behold'st. Give my commands That Mathan instantly must hasten hither. Happy if I can find, by his assistance, The peace I seek--that's always shunning me!

{ATHALIAH, ABNER, SUITE OF ATHALIAH.}

{ABNER.}

Your pardon, Madam, if I dare defend him: Joad's zeal should not have struck you with surprise: Such is the eternal order of the God We serve: His temple and His altar He, Himself, forbade to us; to Aaron's sons Alone, His sacrifices were committed; He marked the Levites' office and their place, And, above all, to their posterity forbade All intercourse with other gods. Indeed, both wife and mother of our kings, Are you in this respect a stranger to us? Do you not know our laws? Must I to-day-- Here is your Mathan; I will take my leave.

{ATHALIAH.}

Abner, your presence here is requisite. No more of Joad's rash violence; of all That heap of superstition, which bars out All other nations from your sanctuary; A subject more momentous stirs my fears. I know, from infancy brought up to arms, That Abner has a noble heart; that he Can render, when necessity demands, His duty to his God, and what he owes Unto his queen. Remain.

_Scene V._

{ATHALIAH, MATHAN, ABNER, SUITE OF ATHALIAH.}

{MATHAN.}

Great queen! is this a fitting place for you? What trouble agitates you--fear congeals? What do you come to seek amidst your foes? Dare you approach this temple of profaneness? Have you cast off that hatred so intense--

{ATHALIAH.}

List both of you attentively: I wish not here to call to mind the past, Nor render an account of blood that's flowed; I do not take a hasty crowd for judge; In what its violence has dared put forth, To justify me, heaven itself has cared. The great achievements of my rooted power Have made my name respected to both seas: By me Jerusalem's a calm profound; Jordan no longer sees the vagrant Arabs', Nor proud Philistines' constant ravages, Lay waste her banks, as in your sovereigns' times; The Syrian treats me as a sister queen; At length the treacherous scourger of my house.

{ATHALIAH.}

Who was to drive his cruelty on me, Jehu, the haughty Jehu, in Samaria Is trembling; pressed by potent neighbours On every side, whom I have found the means To raise against that murderer; and I Am left the royal mistress of those lands; In peace the fruit of my sagacity Enjoying. But, some days ago, there came A sleepless trouble to arrest the course Of my prosperity. A dream (why should a dream Disquiet me?) feeds in my heart a pang That wrings it; everywhere I try to shun it; But everywhere it follows me. It was During the horror of the night profound, My mother, Jezebel, before me stood, Apparelled gorgeously, as on the day Of her decease; misfortunes had not crushed Her dignity; and even she had still That borrowed tint, with which it was her care To bloom and ornament her countenance, In order to repair the ravages Of years irreparable. 'Tremble, daughter, Thou worthy of myself,' to me she said; 'The cruel God of Judah over thee Will certainly prevail: I pity thee, My daughter, falling into His dread hands.' These fearful words completed, towards my bed Her shadow seemed to bend itself, and I Held out my arms in order to embrace it; But only found confusion horrible Of mangled bones and flesh dragged in the mud, And tatters soaked in gore, of hideous limbs, That dogs, devouring, fought for with each other.

{ABNER.}

Great God!

{ATHALIAH.}

In this disorder came before mine eyes A tender boy, in radiant robes arrayed, As one beholds the Hebrew priests attired. My sunken spirits rallied at the vision; But when recovering from my deadly trouble, His sweetness, noble air, and modesty I was admiring, all at once I felt A homicidal steel, plunged by the traitor Deep through my breast.--Of objects so diverse The strange assemblage, seems to you perhaps A work of chance; and I myself, 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 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 twice twenty sons of kings: And wherefore? To avenge some nameless prophets Whom she had punished for their senseless frenzy: And I, cold queen, and daughter without love, Slave of a cowardly and frivolous folly, Shall even not return to this blind rage Insult for insult, death for every death, And shall not treat all David's progeny As Ahab's wretched remnant were by them! Where should I be to-day, had I not had A tenderness for my torn, strangled mother; And, conquering my weakness, with my hand Shedding in torrents my own people's blood, Had not repressed your plots by that fierce blow! At length, the inflexible vengeance of your God, Betwixt our houses all alliance breaks: David of me's in horror; and his sons, Though of my blood, are strangers unto me.

{JOSABET.}

In all you have succeeded. Let God see And judge.

{ATHALIAH.}

That God, a long time past, your only refuge, Of what effect will be His prophecies? Let Him produce that King, told to the nations, That Son of David, your support, your hope-- But we shall meet again. Adieu, I go, Quite satisfied. I wished to see: I have seen.

{ABNER (_to Josabet_).}

I promised you; and I return the charge That you committed to me.

_Scenes VIII and IX._

{JOAD, JOSABET, JOAS, ZACHARIAH, ABNER, SALOMITH, LEVITES, AND THE CHOIR.}

{JOSABET (_to Joad_).}

My lord, Did you o'erhear that haughty queen?

{JOAD.}

I heard the whole, and I bewailed your anguish. To lend you aid, these Levites and myself, Were close at hand, resolved to die with you.

(To Joas.) May God watch over you whose courage, child, Has just returned this noble testimony Unto His name! I recognize, dear Abner, This important service: bear in mind The hour when Joad expects you. We, whose sight This inpious, murderous woman has defiled, Whose prayers has interrupted, will return: And let immaculate blood, shed by my hands, Cleanse to the marble what her steps have touched.

{THE CHORUS.}

_One of the daughters of the Choir._

What star has burst upon our sight? What will that marvellous child one day become? He braveth pompous haughtiness, And will not let himself be lured By any of her dangerous baits.

_Another._

Whilst each to Athaliah's god With incense to the altar runs, A child unfearing publishes That God alone eternal is, And speaks as once Elijah spoke Before the other Jezebel.

_Another._ Who will reveal to us thy secret birth Dear child? Art thou some holy prophet's son?

_Another._

And thus the lovely Samuel was seen To grow beneath the tabernacle's shadow; Become the Hebrews' hope and oracle. May'st thou like him console our race!

_Another sings._

O blessed, a thousand times, The child that loves the Lord, Who early hearkens to His voice, Whom God, Himself, doth deign to teach! Far from the world he, nurtured, is adorned By all heaven's blessings from his birth; And the contagious company of the bad Doth alter not his innocence.

_All the Choir._

O happy, happy is the child That God instructs and vindicates! _The same voice alone._ So, in a secret vale upon the banks Of a pellucid stream, Beneath the shadow of an oak, A tender lily bloometh, nature's love. Far from the world arising, 'tis adorned With all heaven's blessings from its birth; And the contagious company of the bad Doth alter not its innocence.

_All the Choir._

O blest, a thousand times, the child That God doth render docile to His laws.

_One voice alone._

My God, how can a growing virtue walk Amongst so many dangers with sure step % What obstacles are found to his designs Who seeketh Thee, and wisheth innocence What enemies make war on him! Where can Thy saints conceal themselves? The evil-doers overspread the earth.

_Another._

O David's palace, and his cherished city, Famed mount, where even God a long time dwelt, Why hast thou from the heavens drawn down His wrath? Sion, dear Sion, what sayest thou, When thou, alas! beholdst upon the throne Of thine own kings, an impious stranger sat?

_All the Choir._ Sion, dear Sion, what sayest thou, When thou, alas! beholdst upon the throne Of thine own kings, an impious stranger sat!

_The same voice continues._

Instead of David's pleasing strains, In which he poured his holy raptures, And blessed his God, his Father and his Lord: Sion, dear Sion, what sayest thou, When thou dost hear them laud the strangers' god, And curse the name thy princes have adored?

_One voice alone._

How long, O Lord, and yet again how long Shall we behold the wicked rise 'gainst Thee? They come into Thy temple braving Thee: The people who adore Thee, treat as frenzied. How long, O Lord, and yet again How long Shall we behold the wicked rise 'gainst Thee?

_Another._

Wherefore, say they, this sombre piety? Why flee the use of many joys so sweet? Your God does naught for you.

_Another._

Come laugh and sing, exclaims this impious band; From flower to flower, from sweet to sweet, Let us give air to our desires, In the insensate future who confides? Doubtful the number of our fleeting years: Then let us haste to-day to relish life; Who knows if we shall be to-morrow?

_All the Choir._ O let them weep, my God, and groan for fear, The miserable, who will not see The eternal splendour of Thy holy city. But we must chant, to whom Thou dost reveal Thy everlasting light; Of all Thy gifts and grandeur we must sing.