For, from the day I snatched that child from death,
Into your hands I've placed the care of him;
Dreading the violence of my love, I have,
As much as possible, e'en shunned his sight,
For fear, when seeing him, some foolish grief
Should bring to light my secret with my tears.
But, above all, I have believed it good
To consecrate three days and nights entire
To tears and prayers. However, may I ask
Of you to-day, What friends have you prepared
To second you? Will Abner, the brave Abner,
Come to defend us? Has he taken oath
To show himself beside his king?

{JOAD.}

Though we can be assured of Abner's faith,
He even knows not yet, we have a king.

{JOSABET.}

To whom do you confide the care of Joas?
Obed or Ammon does that honour favour?
The benefits showered on them by my sire--

{JOAD.}

To Athaliah they have sold themselves.

{JOSABET.}

Whom, then, do you engage against her guards?

{JOAD.}

Have I not said? Our Levites and our priests.

{JOSABET.}

I know that under your foreseeing care
Their numbers are redoubled, secretly
Assembled near you; that full of love
For you, for Athaliah boundless hate,
A solemn oath anticipating, binds
Them to the son of David, when revealed;
But with that noble fire with which they burn
Can they, alone, avenge their prince's cause?
For such great object is their _zeal_ sufficient?
Doubt you that Athaliah, at the word
First spread abroad--that Ochoziah's son
Is here concealed--will fail her barbarous troop
Of strangers to collect about the temple,
And violate its gates? Will it suffice
'Gainst them to place your sacred ministers,
Who never scattered but their victims' blood;
Who, raising to the Lord their harmless hands,
Can only groan and pray for our offences?
Perhaps, when in their arms, Joas pierced with wounds--

{JOAD.}

Then count you God for nought who fights for us!
God, who protects the orphans' innocence,
And in their weakness testifies His power;
God, who hates tyrants, who in Jezreel
Swore Jezabel and Ahab to uproot;
God, who smote Joram, husband of their daughter,
And even to his son pursued their house;
God, whose avenging arm, awhile withheld,
Is always threatening o'