Athaliah Part 11

{JOAD.}

Where am I? Am I looking at Baal's priest?

What, David's daughter speaking to that traitor?

And will you tolerate his speech with you?

Do you not fear that a profound abyss Will yawning open underneath his feet, So that its flames at once will compa.s.s you?

Or that these walls will crush you fallen on him?

What wants he? Wherefore comes, this enemy Of G.o.d, to taint the air we here inhale?

{MATHAN.}

This violence gives evidence of Joad.

Yet he would show more prudence to respect His sovereign, and not outrage one that she Has deigned to charge with her commands.

{JOAD.}

Well, what's the ill she bids you to announce, What frightful charge may such an agent bear?

{MATHAN.}

To Josabet I have made known her will.

{JOAD.}

Then quit me, monster of iniquity, Go fill thy measure of all horrid things.

G.o.d rules to join thee with the perjured race, Achitophel, Abiron, Doeg, Dathan t The dogs which tore the limbs of Jezebel, Waiting to show their fury upon thee, Already, at thy gates, demand their prey.

{mathan (_agitated_).} Before this day expires--it will be seen Which of us---- He shall be forced--

_(To Nabal.)_

But, Nabal, let us go.

{NABAL.}

Where wander you? What wildering chaos is The master of your senses? That's your way.

_Scene VI._

{JOAD, JOSABET.}

{JOSABET.}

The storm has burst!

The queen, enraged, demands Eliacin.

Already of his birth, and your designs They have begun to pierce the mystery: Mathan but failed to name to me his father.

{JOAD.}

To the perfidious Mathan who has told it?

Has not your agitation said too much?

{JOSABET.}

I did whate'er I could to curb myself.

Howe'er, believe me, peril presses, Sir; For happier times let us reserve that child.

Whilst wicked ones deliberate with each other, Before he is surrounded, torn from us, Allow me to conceal him once again; To him are open yet the doors, the gates.

Shall we convey him to the wildest desert?

I am prepared, I know a secret way, By which myself and he, still unperceived, The torrents of the Cedron pa.s.sing over, May go into the desert, where in tears, And seeking safety, like ourselves, in flight, David escaped his rebel son's pursuit.

I shall, on his account, fear wild beasts less;-- But why do you not favour Jehu's aid?

Perhaps good counsel I may offer you; Let us make Jehu guardian of this treasure, We could to-day conduct him to his kingdom, For short the road is leading to his court.

Jehu has not a wild, relentless heart; The name of David's honoured in his eyes.

Alas! is he a king so callous, cruel, Unless his mother was a Jezebel, That he would not commiserate the fate Of such a suppliant? Is not his cause The common one of kings?

{JOAD.}

Dare you propose to me such timid counsels?

What can you hope in Jehu's countenance?

{JOSABET.}

Does G.o.d forbid all care and all prevision?

Will not an over-confidence offend Him?

Employing human means to sacred ends, Has He Himself not Jehu's arm equipt?

{JOAD.}

Jehu, on whom I see your hopes are built, Paying His gifts with thankless thoughtlessness, Jehu in peace leaves Ahab's hideous daughter; Following the course profane of Israel's kings, Of Egypt's worthless G.o.d he saves the temples; Jehu, at length, dares offer on the heights An incense rash which G.o.d can not allow: His heart's not just enough, nor pure his hands, To serve His cause--to avenge His injuries.

No, No, 'tis G.o.d alone we must engage.

Far from concealing, let us show the boy, And let the diadem surround his head: I even will urge on the expected hour, Before vile Mathan's complots can be formed.

_Scene VII_

{JOAD, JOSABET, AZARIAH, THE CHOIR, AND SEVERAL LEVITES.}

{JOAD.}

Well, Azariah, is the temple closed?

{AZARIAH.}

The gates have all been made before my eyes

{JOAD.}