Chapter 4

You know the signal grace by which God, foiling the designs of a bad woman, Already with her dagger in your breast, He chose, and saved you from amid the carnage. You have not yet eluded all her madness: With the same passion she has ever hungered To lose in you the last child of her son, Her cruelty is fixed to reach your death; Under your name assumed, she hunts you still. But 'neath your standard I have now arranged A people prompt to vengeance and obedience. Come, generous chiefs of sacred families, By turns be honoured by the holy priest.

_Scene III._

{JOAS, JOAD, AZARIAH, ISHMAEL, THREE OTHER LEVITE CHIEFS.}

{JOAD.}

King, here are the avengers on your foes. Priests, here's the king that I have promised you.

{AZARIAH.}

What, is't Eliacin?

{ISHMAEL.}

What! that amiable child--

{JOAD.}

Is true inheritor of Judah's throne, Last born of tristful Ochoziah's children, Reared up, you know it, by the name of Joas. All Israel wept like you the destiny Of this sweet flower, cut down so soon, and thought That with his brother he was wrapt in death. Attacked with the perfidious steel like them: But God knowing how to turn aside the blow, Kept in his heart the life-warmth near extinct, Allowing Josabet to carry him All bleeding in her bosom, and avoid The assassin's vigilance. She having none Except myself the accomplice of her theft, Concealed the child, and reared him in the temple.

{JOAS.}

Alas! for so much love, so many blessings, Father, how shall I e'er acquit myself?

{JOAD.}

For other times reserve this gratitude. Here then behold your king, your only hope! Till now my care has treasured him for you; You, servants of the Lord, must bear it out. Informed that Ochoziah's son still lives, The murderess, Athaliah, soon will rush, To hurry him again into the tomb. Already, without knowing him, she pants To ruin sacred ministers 'tis yours To anticipate her fury; now 'tis time To end the shameful slavery of the Jews, To avenge our princes' deaths, exalt our laws, And make our king be owned by our two tribes. The enterprize is great and dangerous; Attacking on her throne a haughty queen, Who sees a numerous camp of hardy strangers And traitorous Hebrews march beneath her standards! But God's my strength, whose interest guideth me. Think that all Israel lives within this child! Already God the avenger troubles her. Eluding whom, I have assembled you; She deems us armless here, without defence. Let us crown quickly and proclaim Joas king: Then, fearless soldiers of the new crowned prince, March and invoke the Arbiter of battles; And rousing in the people's hearts their faith, Even in her palace, seek our enemy. Then those so long in lazy slumber sunk, Beholding us advance in saintly garbs, Will haste with zeal to follow our example! A king whom in His temple God has nourished: Aaron's successor, followed by his priests, Leading the house of Levi to the combat; And in these hands, by all tribes venerated, The arms of David consecrate to God! The Lord will scatter terror on His foes. Bathe without fear in unbelievers' blood! Strike Syrian, and even Israelite! From those famed Levites do you not descend, Who, when to Nilus' god inconstant Israel Paid in the desert adoration vile, The saintly homicides of their own house, Did dedicate their hands in treacherous blood, And by that awful deed acquired for you The rank of sole presiders at the altar? But now I see you burn to follow me! Swear on this sacred volume, then, Yore all To live, to combat, and to die for him, The king, whom heaven presenteth you to-day.

{AZARIAH (_at the end of the table, laying his hand the sacred book),_}

Yes, swear we, for our brothers and ourselves, To establish Joas upon his father's throne; That we again will not lay down our arms Until avenged upon his enemies: If any' violator break this vow, O may he feel, great God, Thy vengeful wrath! And may with him his children be debarred Thy heritage, as those Thou knowest no more!

{JOAD.}

And to this law, your ever present guide, Will you not, king, swear always to be true?

{JOAS.}

Can I not to that law conform myself?

{JOAD.}

Allow, my son--I still dare call you so-- This tenderness, and tolerate the tears Drawn from my eyes for you with just alarms. Alas! far from the throne instructed, you Are ignorant of the enpoisoned cup; The drunkenness of unrestricted power; The voice of the enchantress flattery. Soon will they tell you that the sacred laws, Which sway the common people, bow to kings; That his own will's the sovereign's sole restraint; That all to his supreme magnificence Is to be sacrificed; that unto tears And toils his subjects are condemned; and that They must be governed by an iron sway; Who soon or late, if not subdued, subdue. And thus from snare to snare, and gulf to gulf, Fouling the lovely chasteness of your morals, At length they bring you to despise the truth By painting virtue in a frightful form; Alas! they have misled the kings most wise! Swear on this book, before these witnesses, That God shall always be your first of cares; Stern to the wicked, refuge of the good: That 'twixt the poor and you the Lord shall judge. Remember you, my son, that in this dress, Like them you were an orphan, like them, poor.

{JOAS (_at the middle of the table, having his hand the sacred book,)_}

I promise to obey the law ordained; God punish me if I abandon you.

{JOAD.}

Come, and anoint him with the holy oil; Josabet, appear: you now may show yourself.

_Scenes IV. and V._

{JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, AZARIAH, ISHMAEL, THREE OTHER LEVITE CHIEFS, THE CHOIR.}

{JOSABET _(embracing Joas)_}.

O king, offspring of David!

{JOAS.}

My only mother! Come, dear Zachariah, Embrace me.

{JOSABET (_to Zachariah_).}

My son, prostrate yourself before your king.

{JOAD (_whilst they embrace._)}

Children, may thus your hearts be always one.

{JOSABET (_to Joas_).}

You know then to what source you owe your life?

{JOAS.}

And also know the hand, which, but for you, Had robbed me of it.

{JOSABET.}

I then can call you by your own name, Joas.

{JOAS.}

Joas will never cease to love you.

{THE CHOIR.}

What! is it--

{JOSABET.}

It is Joas.

{JOAD.}

Let us hear that Levite.

_Scene VI._

{JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, AZARIAH, ISHMAEL, THREE OTHER LEVITE CHIEFS, A LEVITE, THE CHOIR.}

{A LEVITE.}

I know not what design they have 'gainst God; But threatening boldness growls on every side: Amidst their standards they have lighted fires, And doubtless Athaliah joins her forces; Already every path for succour's closed: The sacred mount on which the temple's reared Is quite infested with fierce Tynans; Blaspheming, one of them came forth and said, "Your Abner is in chains, and cannot aid you."

{JOSABET (_to Joas_)}

Dear child, whom Heaven in vain reserved for me, I've done whate'er I could to rescue you: But God no longer knows your father, David.

{JOAD (_to Josabet_).}

What! fear you not to draw His wrath on you, And on this king so dear unto your love? Though God should tear him from your arms for ever, And will that David's house should be extinct, Are you not here upon the holy mount, Where 'gainst his innocent son the Jewish sire, Raised, without murmur, his obedient arm; And, as burnt-offering, on the altar placed The finit of his old age, leaving with God The oversight of bearing out His promise, And yielded up to Him, with his loved son, His house's hope, contained in him alone? Friends let us go. Let Ishmael to his charge, Take all the side that looks unto the east; You take the northern portion, you the west, And you the centre. Let not too much zeal, Betraying my designs, cause priest or Levite To quit his place, and charge before the time; And, finally, let all impelled as one Keep to the death the post I have assigned them. The foe beholding us in his blind rage, As a vile herd reserved for massacre, Thinks but to meet disorder and dismay. You, Azariah, keep beside the king.

_(To Joas.)_

Come, you dear scion of a valiant race, With a new courage fill your champions; Assume the diadem before their eyes, And fall as king, at least, if fall you must.

_(To a Levite.)_

Follow him, Josabet. Give me those arms.

_(To the Choir.)_

Children, to God present your innocent tears.

_Scene VII._

_The Choir sing._

Children of Aaron, go--depart; In never more illustrious cause Battled the zeal of your progenitors. Children of Aaron, go--depart; It is your king, your God, for whom ye fight.

_One voice alone._

Where are those thunderbolts Thou launchest, Great God, in Thy just wrath? Art Thou no more the jealous God? Art Thou no longer the avenger?

_Another,_

Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours? Amid the horrors, that encompass us, Hearest Thou alone the voice Of our iniquities? Art Thou no longer the forgiving God?

_The Choir._

Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours?

_One voice alone._

It is against Thyself that in this strife The armies of the wicked aim assault. Come let us cause to cease, say they, God's festivals upon the earth; And from His tiresome yoke deliver man: Let all His saints be slaughtered; His altars overthrown; That of His name and glory No memory may be left; That neither He, nor Christ may reign o'er us.

_The Choir._

Where are the thunderbolts Thou launchest, Great God, in Thy just wrath? Art Thou no more the jealous God? Art Thou no longer the avenger?

_One voice alone._

Sad remnant of our kings, Dear and last bloom of such a beauteous stem, Ah! 'neath the dagger of a cruel dam Shall we, a second time, behold thee fall? Say, did an angel at thy cradle side, Beloved prince! against thy murderers Defend thee with his care; Or in the darkness of the tomb Did God re-animate thy ashes?

_Another._

Dost Thou, great God, impute the guilty deeds Of father and grandfather unto him? Abandon him without relenting pity?

_The Choir._

Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours? Art Thou no longer the forgiving God?

_One of the daughters of the Choir (speaking)._

Dear sisters, hear you not the sound Of the fierce Tyrians' trumpet?

{SALOMITH.}

I even hear the barbarous soldiers' cries, And I shiver with horror. Come, let us fly to our refuge Under the sanctuary's shadow.

_ACT V.--Scene I._

{ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, THE CHOIR.}

{SALOMITH.}

Dear Zachariah, well! what have you learnt?

{ZACHARIAH.}

Redouble to the Lord your fervent prayers: Perhaps we are approaching our last hour; The order's given for the horrid conflict.

{SALOMITH.}

What is Joas doing?

{ZACHARIAH.}

He has just been crowned: On him the high-priest's poured the holy oil. O heaven, what joy was seen in every eye, Beholding him, the ransomed from the tomb! My sisters, still is seen the dagger's scar. Also his faithful nurse appeared to us, Who guarding that dear charge has had no eye To note her cares but God's and Josabet's. Our Levites wept with joy and tenderness,% And mixed their sobs with shouts of ecstacy. He, midst those transports, courteous, without pride, To one his hand, to others gave his look, And swore to govern by their frank advice, Naming them all his brothers or his sires.

{SALOMITH.}

Think you this secret's spread beyond these walls?

{ZACHARIAH.}

This secret to the temple's still confined; The band of Levi's race, distributed, Have placed themselves all silent at the doors; All are to rush together on the foe, And for the signal cry, "Long live King Joas!" My father wills that Zachariah guard The king, forbidden to expose himself. Meanwhile the queen, with poniard in her hand, Laughs at the feeble check of our brass gates. To crush them she attends the fatal engines, Breathing, in short, but blood and devastation. Some priests, my sister, at the first proposed, That in a secret cave, our fathers' dug, The precious ark at least should be concealed. "O base insulting fear my father cried, The ark which caused so many gorgeous towers To fall, and forced the Jordan's backward course; So many times triumphant o'er the gods Of nations, must it flee at the approach Of insolent woman?" My mother, near The king, in deadly trouble, now her eye Being on the altar, and now turned on him, Silent, and sinking 'neath the weight of dread, Would have extorted tears from eyes of brass. The king from time to time embracing her Consoled her: then she said, "my sisters dear, All follow me, and if our king to-day Must perish, let one fate unite ourselves With him."

{SALOMITH.}

What rugged hand knocks with repeated blows? Why those disordered Levites put to flight? And what precaution makes them hide their arms? Is the temple stormed?

{ZACHARIAH.}

Disperse your fears, God sends us Abner.

_Scene II._

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

{JOAD.}

Must I believe my eyes, Dear Abner? By what way have you been here Conducted, through a camp besieging us? 'Twas said that Ahab's sacrilegious daughter Had loaded with vile chains your generous hands.

{ABNER.}

Yes, sire, she feared my fortitude and zeal. Confining me's the least part of her rage; In horrid dungeon by her orders buried, I was expecting that the temple burnt To ashes, and not satiated yet, With many floods of slaughter, she would come, And rid me of a troublesome life, cut short The days which would a thousand times have swelled The grief of being survivor of my kings.

{JOAD.}

What miracle has brought about your pardon?

{ABNER.}

God only knows what passes in her heart. She sent for me, and with distracted air Said, "see those soldiers quite surround that temple, A vengeful fire's about to make it ashes; Thy God 'gainst mine can not defend Himself. Howe'er His priests--but they must make quick haste, On two conditions may redeem their lives-- That in my power Eliacin be given, With treasures which I know are known to them, Amassed by David, formerly your king, Intrusted to the high-priest's secret care. Go tell them at that price that they may live."

{JOAD.}

What counsel, Abner, think you we should follow?

{ABNER.}

If, in effect, 'tis true that all the gold Of David's secret treasure you preserve, And from the hands of that rapacious queen You may thereby save all that's rich and rare, Why, yield it up. Would you that foul assassins Come break the altar, burn the cherubim, And laying on our ark a violent hand, With your own blood pollute the sanctuary?

{JOAD.}

Would it become us, Abner, from kind hearts, To give to torture an unfortunate child, Whom God Himself confided to my care; And at his life's expense redeem our own?

{ABNER.}

Alas! God sees my heart. O that our God Would make the queen forget an innocent child, And that the blood of Abner would content Her cruelty, and that my death would calm The heavens that torture her! But what avails Your useless tenderness? If you all perish, Is death the less to him? And does our God Bid you to dare impossibilities? Submitting to a heartless tyrant's law, Moses, left by his mother at the Nile, Was seen almost at birth condemned to fall: But God, preserving him beyond all hope, Made e'en the tyrant tend, his infancy. Who knows God's will towards our Eliacin? And, if preparing him like destiny, He has not, the fierce murderess of our kings, Already made susceptible of pity? At least, short time ago, I saw his aspect Move her (which Josabet observed as well), I saw the tempest of her fury fall.

_(To Josabet.),_

Princess! can you be silent in this peril? What, for a boy, who is a stranger to you, Will you allow that Joad shall fruitlessly Leave you, his son, and people to be slaughtered? And that the fire devour the very place Upon the earth where God would be adored? Why, were that tender boy a precious relic Of your ancestral kings, could you do more?

{JOSABET (_aside, to Joad_).}

O wherefore do you not speak out, you see His tenderness for Israel's kings?

{JOAD.}

Princess 'tis not yet time.

{ABNER.}

The time's more precious, sire, than you suppose. Whilst hesitating here to answer me, Mathan, beside the queen, indignant flaming, Demands the signal, panting for the carnage. Must I entreat you at your sacred feet, By the place saintly, closed to all but you, Dread place, where dwells the majesty of God? However hard the task on you imposed, We must but think of warding off the blow. O give me only time to breathe--to-morrow, This very night, I will arrange the means To save the temple and avenge its wrongs. But ah! I see my tears and vain discourse Are arguments too frail to change your mind: Your austere virtue will not be subdued. Well! bring me then my armour, and a sword, That at the portals of the temple, where The foe awaits me, Abner, at the least, May die in combat

{JOAD.}

I yield. You give advice which I embrace: Let us avert so many threatening ills. 'Tis true there is a treasure left by David; To my fidelity the charge was given: It was the melancholy Jews' last hope, Which from the light my vigilance concealed: But since we _must_ expose it to our queen, I'm going to please her. Open wide our gates! Let her, accompanied by her bravest chiefs, Advance, but from our sacred altars, let Her hold at distance the unreasoning fury Of herds of strangers, and protect me from The horror of the pillage of the temple. Would a few priests and children rouse suspicion? With her arrange the number of her suite. As to that child, so feared, so terrible-- Abner, I know the justness of your heart-- I will explain his birth before you both: You'll hear if we should place him in her power, And you shall judge 'twixt him and Athaliah.

{ABNER.}

Ah! now, I take him under my protection. Fear nothing, I return to her who sent me.

_Scene III._

{JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, ISHMAEL, TWO LEVITES, THE CHOIR.}

{JOAD.}

Great God! Thy hour is come, they bring Thy prey! Ishmael, listen. (_Speaks low to him._)

{JOSABET.}

Mighty Master of the heavens! Re-bind on her the veil which wrapt her eyes, When rendering all her crimes abortive, Thou Conceal'dst that tender victim in my bosom!

{JOAD.}

Go, prudent Ishmael, lose not any time, Follow my grave instructions, step by step; And, above all, let everything present To her, upon her entry and her way, The picture of a calm profound. You, children, Prepare a throne for Joas. Let him advance, Accompanied by our sacred combatants; And also cause his faithful nurse to come, Princess, and let your tears cease flowing.

_(To a Levite.)_

You, when the queen with mad presumption drunk, Has passed the threshold of the temple's doors, That she no more be able to return, Take care that instantly the warlike trumpet Shall spread a sudden consternation through The enemy's camp; then call upon the people To the support of Judah's king, and let The marvellous prodigy of Joas preserved Resound upon the ear. He comes.

_Scene IV._

_Joad is followed by a procession of priests and Levites', and the chorus. The high-priest arranges them round their king, and orders them to wait in concealment the expected signal. He seats Joas on the throne, and immediately after Athaliah arrives. At her approach Joad draws a curtain, by which Joas and the Levites are hid from view._

{JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, AZARIAH, TROUPES OF PRIESTS AND LEVITES, THE CHOIR.}

{JOAD.}

Ye saintly Levites, ministers of God, Surround this place, concealed on every side; And, leaving to my charge to guide your zeal, Wait till my voice commands you to appear.

_(They all conceal themselves.)_

King, I believe this hope's allowed your vows; You come to see your foes fall at your feet. That one, whose madness in your infancy Pursued you, now advances towards this place, With hasty step, intent to ruin you; But fear you not, think, that surrounding you, The exterminating angel, stands with us. Ascend your throne, and--but the doors are opening: Allow this screen to cover you a moment.

_(He draws the screen.)_

Princess, you are pale.

{JOSABET.}

Without becoming so Can I behold the temple filled with murderers? What! See you not that numerous escort?

{JOAD.}

I see them close the sacred temple's doors, That everything is safe.

_Scene V._

(_Athaliah enters, and addresses Joad._)

{ATHALIAH.}

Ah! there thou art, seducer! thou Noxious contriver of conspiracies, Who only on confusion feed'st thy hopes; Perpetual enemy of sovereign power! In the support of God thou hast reposed: Art thou yet disabused of thy vain trust? His temple and thy life he yields to me. I ought upon the altar, where thy hand Makes sacrifices, thee.--But with the price They offer me I must content myself. What thou hast promised, see to execute: That boy, that treasure must be given to me. Where are they?

{JOAD.}

Immediately thou shalt be satisfied; I am about to show them both at once.

(_The screen is withdrawn. Joas is seen on his throne; his nurse on her knees at his right; Azariah, with his sword in his hand, is standing at his left; and near him are Zachariah and Salomith, kneeling on the steps of the throne; several Levites armed are ranged around._)

Appear, dear boy, blood worthy Israel's kings! Of our most saintly monarchs, knowst thou, queen, The inheritor? Knowst thou at least these scars Thy dagger made? Behold thy king, thy son, The son of Ochoziah! Abner, you And people recognise king Joas!

{ABNER.}

Heavens!

ATHALIAH (to Joad).

Perfidious wretch!

{JOAD.}

See'st thou that faithful Jewess Of whom, thou knowest well, he drew the breast? Him rescued from thy rage by Josabet, This temple hailed, where God has cared for him, Of David's treasures, see what I have left.

{ATHALIAH.}

Thy treachery, traitor, to that child will be Most fatal. Soldiers, deliver me from That odious spectre!

{JOAD.}

Guards of the living God, defend your king!

(_The bottom of the temple opens, and the Levites rush upon the scene from all sides._)

{ATHALIAH.}