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 Athali