ord!
remember Miriam. It is the only worldly thought I have, and it is pure.'

'Still of his sister! Calm thyself, my son.'

'Holy master, thou dost remember when I was thy pupil in this cavern.
Thou hast not forgotten those days of tranquil study, those sweet, long
wandering nights of sacred science! I was dutiful, and hung upon each
accent of thy lore with the devotion that must spring from love.'

'I cannot weep, Alroy; but were it in my power, I would yield a tear of
homage to the memory of those days.'

'How calmly have we sat on some high brow, and gazed upon the stars!'

''Tis very true, sweet child.'

'And if thou e'er didst chide me, 'twas half in jest, and only for my
silence.'

'What would he now infer? No matter, he grows calmer. How solemn is his
visage in the moonlight! And yet not Solomon, upon his youthful throne,
could look more beautiful.'

'I never told thee an untruth, Jabaster.'

'My life upon thy faith.'

'Fear not the pledge, and so believe me, on the mountain brow watching
the starry heavens with thyself, I was not calmer than I feel, sir,
now.'

'I do believe thee.'

'Then, Jabaster, believe as fully I am the Lord's anointed.'

'Tell me all, my child.'

'Know, then, that sleeping on the couch within, my sleep was troubled.
Many dreams I had, indefinite and broken. I recall none of their images,
except I feel a dim sensation 'twas my lot to live in brighter days than
now rise on our race. Suddenly I stood upon a mountain tall and grey,
and gazed upon the stars. And, as I gazed, a trumpet sounded. Its note
thrilled through my soul. Never have I heard a sound so awful. The
thunder, when it broke over the cavern here, and shivered the peak,
whose ruins lie around us, was but a feeble worldly sound to this
almighty music. My cheek grew pale, I panted even for breath. A
flaming light spread over the sky, the stars melted away, and I beheld,
advancing from the bursting radiancy, the foremost body of a mighty
host.

'Oh! not when Saul led forth our fighting men against the Philistine,
not when Joab numbered the warriors of my great ancestor, did human
vision gaze upon a scene of so much martial splendour. Chariots and
cavalry, and glittering trains of plumed warriors too robust to need a
courser's solace; streams of shining spears, and banners like a sunset;
reverend priests swinging their perfumed censers, and prophets hymning
with their golden harps a most triumphant future.

'"J