,illustration3 ,by ,frederick ,goodall4 ,,mary ,,and ,,the ,,infant ,,saviour4 ,,mary3 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,david ,,and ,,mother ,,of ,,jesus4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,her ,,life4 ,,gabriel4--8,hail1 thou that art highly favored1 the ,lord is with thee3 ,blessed art thou among women40 ,,mary4--8,all generations shall call me blessed40 ,,by ,,rev4 ,a4 ,,stewart ,,walsh1 ,d4,d4 ,,with ,,an ,,introduction ,,by ,,rev4 ,t4 ,,de ,,witt ,,talmage1 ,d4,d4 ,,illustrated4 ,,published ,,exclusively ,,by ,a4 ,s4 ,,gray ,,co4 ,,successors ,,to ,,central ,,publishing ,,house ,,and ,,keystone ,,publishing ,,co4 ,,pittsburgh1 ,,pa4 #ahhi4 ,,copyright ,,by ,h4 ,s4 ,,allen1 #ahhf4 ,,copyright ,,owned ,,by ,a4 ,s4 ,,gray4 #ahhi4 ,,argyle ,,press1 ,,printing ,,and ,,bookbinding1 #bfe #bfg ,,cherry ,,st41 ,n4 ,y4 ,,to ,,womankind ,,throughout ,,the ,,world ,,this ,,story ,,of ,a ,,life ,,most ,,beautiful1 ,,beneficent1 ,,and ,,inspiring ,is ,dedicated ,,by ,,the ,,author4 ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,david4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,t4 ,,de ,,witt ,,talmage1 ,d4,d4 ,i have been asked to open the front door of this book4 ,but ,i must not keep you standing too long on the threshold4 ,the picture-gallery1 the banqueting hall and the throne-room are inside4 ,all the fascinations of romance are1 by the able author1 thrown around the facts of ,mary's life4 ,much-abused tradition is also called in for splendid service4 ,the pen that the author wields is experienced1 graceful1 captivating1 and multipotent4 ,as perhaps no other book that was ever written1 this one will show us woman as standing at the head of the world4 ,it demonstrates in the life of ,mary what woman was and what woman may be4 ,woman's position in the world is higher than man's2 and although she has often been denied the right of suffrage1 she always does vote and always will vote--by her influence2 and her chief desire ought to be that she should have grace rightly to rule in the dominion which she has already won4 ,she has no equal as a comforter of the sick4 ,what land1 what street1 what house has not felt the smitings of disease8 ,tens of thousands of sick beds6 ,what shall we do with them8 ,shall man1 with his rough hand1 and heavy foot1 and impatient bearing1 minister8 ,no2 he cannot soothe the pain4 ,he can not quiet the nerves4 ,he knows not where to set the light4 ,his hand is not steady enough to pour out the drops4 ,he is not wakeful enough to be watcher4 ,you have known men who have despised women1 but the moment disease fell upon them1 they did not send for their friends at the bank or their worldly associates4 ,their first cry was1 8,take me to my wife40 ,the dissipated young man at the college scoffs at the idea of being under home influence2 but at the first blast of typhoid fever on his cheek he says1 8,where is mother80 ,i think one of the most pathetic passages in all the ,bible is the description of the lad who went out to the harvest fields of ,shunem and got sunstruck2 throwing his hands on his temples1 and crying out1 8,oh1 my head6 my head60 and they said1 8,carry him to his mother40 ,and the record is 8,he sat on her knees till noon and then died40 ,in the war men cast the cannon1 men fashioned the muskets1 men cried to the hosts 8,forward1 march60 men hurled their battalions on the sharp edges of the enemy1 crying 8,charge6 charge60 but woman scraped the lint1 woman administered the cordials1 woman watched by the dying couch1 woman wrote the last message to the home circle1 woman wept at the solitary burial1 attended by herself and four men with a spade4 ,men did their work with shot and shell1 and carbine and howitzer2 women did their work with socks and slippers1 and bandages1 and warm drinks1 and scripture texts1 and gentle soothings of the hot temples1 and stories of that land where they never have any pain4 ,men knelt down over the wounded and said1 8,on which side did you fight80 ,women knelt down over the wounded and said1 8,where are you hurt8 ,what nice thing can ,i make for you to eat8 ,what makes you cry80 ,to-night1 while we men are soundly asleep in our beds1 there will be a light in yonder loft2 there will be groaning down that dark alley2 there will be cries of distress in that cellar4 ,men will sleep and women will watch4 ,no one as well as a woman can handle the poor4 ,there are hundreds and thousands of them in all our cities4 ,there is a kind of work that men cannot do for the destitute4 ,man sometimes gives his charity in a rough way1 and it falls like the fruit of a tree in the ,east1 which fruit comes down so heavily that it breaks the skull of the man who is trying to gather it4 ,but woman glides so softly into the house of want1 and finds out all the sorrows of the place1 and puts so quietly the donation on the table1 that all the family come out on the front steps as she departs1 expecting that from under her shawl she will thrust out two wings and go right up to ,heaven1 from whence she seems to have come down4 ,o1 ,christian young woman1 if you would make yourself happy and win the blessings of ,christ1 go out among the poor6 ,a loaf of bread or a bundle of socks may make a homely load to carry1 but the angels of ,god will come out to watch1 and the ,lord ,almighty will give ,his messenger hosts a charge1 saying1 8,look after that woman1 canopy her with your wings1 and shelter her from all harm40 ,and while you are seated in the house of destitution and suffering1 the little ones around the room will whisper1 8,who is she8 is she not beautiful80 and if you will listen right sharply1 you will hear dripping through the leaky roof1 and rolling over the broken stairs1 the angel chant that shook ,bethlehem3 8,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace and good will to man40 ,can you tell why a ,christian woman1 going down among the haunts of iniquity on a ,christian errand1 seldom meets with any indignity8 ,i stood in the chapel of ,helen ,chalmers1 the daughter of the celebrated ,dr4 ,chalmers1 in the most abandoned part of the city of ,edinburg2 and ,i said to her1 as ,i looked around upon the fearful surroundings of that place1 8,do you come here nights to hold a service80 8,oh1 yes10 she said2 8,i take my lantern and ,i go through all these haunts of sin1 the darkest and the worst2 and ,i ask all the men and women to come to the chapel1 and then ,i sing for them1 and ,i pray for them1 and ,i talk to them40 ,i said1 8,can it be possible that you never meet with an insult while performing this ,christian errand80 8,never10 she said2 8never40 ,that young woman1 who has her father by her side1 walking down the street1 and an armed policeman at each corner is not so well defended as that ,christian woman who goes forth on ,gospel work into the haunts of iniquity carrying the ,bible and bread4 ,some one said1 8,i dislike very much to see that ,christian woman teaching these bad boys in the mission school4 ,i am afraid to have her instruct them40 8,so10 said another man1 8,i am afraid too40 ,said the first1 8,i am afraid they will use vile language before they leave the place40 8,ah10 said the other man1 8,i am not afraid of that2 what ,i am afraid of is1 that if any of those boys should use a bad word in her presence1 the other boys would tear him to pieces--killing him on the spot40 ,woman is especially endowed to soothe disaster ,she is called the weaker vessel1 but all profane as well as sacred history attests that when the crisis comes she is better prepared than man to meet the emergency4 ,how often have you seen a woman who seemed to be a disciple of frivolity and indolence1 who1 under one stroke of calamity1 changed to be a heroine4 ,there was a crisis in your affairs1 you struggled bravely and long1 but after a while there came a day when you said1 8,here ,i shall have to stop20 and you called in your partners1 and you called in the most prominent men in your employ1 and you said1 8,we have got to stop40 ,you left the store suddenly2 you could hardly make up your mind to pass through the street and over on the ferry-boat2 you felt everybody would be looking at you and blaming you and denouncing you4 ,you hastened home2 you told your wife all about the affair4 ,what did she say8 ,did she play the butterfly2 did she talk about the silks and the ribbons and the fashions8 ,no2 she came up to the emergency2 she quailed not under the stroke4 ,she helped you to begin to plan right away4 ,she offered to go out of the comfortable house into a smaller one1 and wear the old cloak another winter4 ,she was one who understood your affairs without blaming you4 ,you looked upon what you thought was a thin1 weak woman's arm holding you up2 but while you looked at that arm there came into the feeble muscles of it the strength of the eternal ,god4 ,no chiding4 ,no fretting4 ,no telling you about the beautiful house of her father1 from which you brought her1 ten1 twenty1 or thirty years ago4 ,you said1 8,well1 this is the happiest day of my life4 ,i am glad ,i have got from under my burden4 ,my wife don't care--,i don't care40 ,at the moment you were utterly exhausted1 ,god sent a ,deborah to meet the host of the ,amalekites and scatter them like chaff over the plain4 ,there are scores and hundreds of households to-day where as much bravery and courage are demanded of woman as was exhibited by ,grace ,darling or ,marie ,antoinette or ,joan of ,arc4 ,woman is further endowed to bring us into the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,it is easier for a woman to be a ,christian than for a man4 ,why8 ,you say she is weaker4 ,no4 ,her heart is more responsive to the pleadings of divine love4 ,the fact that she can more easily become a ,christian1 ,i prove by the statement that three-fourths of the members of the churches in all ,christendom are women4 ,so ,god appoints them to be the chief agencies for bringing this world back to ,god4 ,the greatest sermons are not preached on celebrated platforms2 they are preached with an audience of two or three and in private home-life4 ,a patient1 loving1 ,christian demeanor in the presence of transgression1 in the presence of hardness1 in the presence of obduracy and crime1 is an argument from the throne of the ,lord ,almighty2 and blessed is that woman who can wield such an argument4 ,a sailor came slipping down the ratlin one night as though something had happened1 and the sailors cried1 8,what's the matter80 ,he said1 8,my mother's prayers haunt me like a ghost40 ,in what a realm is every mother the queen4 ,the eagles of heaven can not fly across that dominion4 ,horses1 panting and with lathered flanks1 are not swift enough to run to the outpost of that realm1 and death itself will only be the annexation of heavenly principalities4 ,when you want your grandest idea of a queen you do not think of ,catherine of ,russia1 or of ,anne of ,england1 or ,maria ,theresa of ,germany3 but when you want to get your grandest idea of a queen you think of the plain woman who sat opposite your father at the table or walked with him1 arm in arm1 down life's pathway2 sometimes to the ,thanksgiving banquet1 sometimes to the grave1 but always together2 soothing your petty griefs1 correcting your childish waywardness1 joining in your infantile sports1 listening to your evening prayer1 toiling for you with needle or at the spinning wheel1 and on cold nights wrapping you up snug and warm2 and then1 at last1 on that day when she lay in the back room dying1 and you saw her take those thin hands with which she had toiled for you so long1 and put them together in a dying prayer that commended you to the ,god whom she had taught you to trust--oh1 she was the queen6 ,the chariots of ,god came down to fetch her1 and as she went in1 all heaven rose up4 ,you can not think of her now without a rush of tenderness that stirs the deep foundations of your soul1 and you feel as much a child again as when you cried on her lap2 and if you could bring her back to life again to speak1 just once more1 your name as tenderly as she used to speak it1 you would be willing to throw yourself on the ground and kiss the sod that covers her1 crying1 8,mother6 mother60 ,ah1 she was the queen6 ,home influences are the mightiest of all influences upon the soul4 ,there are men who have maintained their integrity1 not because they were any better naturally than some other people1 but because there were home influences praying for them all the time4 ,they got a good start4 ,they were launched on the world with the benedictions of a ,christian mother4 ,they may track ,siberian snows1 they may plunge into ,african jungles1 they may fly to the earth's end1 they can not go so far and so fast but the prayer will keep up with them4 ,oh1 what a multitude of women in heaven4 ,mary1 ,christ's mother1 in heaven4 ,elizabeth ,fry in heaven4 ,charlotte ,elizabeth in heaven4 ,the mother of ,augustine in heaven4 ,the ,countess of ,huntingdon is in heaven--who sold her splendid jewels to build chapels--in heaven2 while a great many others who have never been heard of on earth1 or known but little of1 have gone into the rest and peace of heaven4 ,what a rest4 ,what a change it was from the small room with no fire and one window1 the glass broken out1 and the aching side and worn out eyes1 to the 8house of many mansions40 ,heaven for aching heads4 ,heaven for broken hearts4 ,heaven for anguish-bitten frames4 ,no more sitting up until midnight for the coming of staggering steps4 ,no more rough blows on the temples4 ,no more sharp1 keen1 bitter curses4 ,some of you will have no rest in this world2 it will be toil and struggle all the way up4 ,you will have to stand at your door fighting back the wolf with your own hand red with carnage4 ,but ,god has a crown for you4 ,he is now making it1 and whenever you weep a tear1 ,he sets another gem in that crown2 whenever you have a pang of body or soul1 ,he puts another gem in that crown1 until after a while in all the tiara there will be no room for another splendor2 and ,god will say to his angel1 8,the crown is done2 let her up that she may wear it40 ,and as the ,lord of righteousness puts the crown upon your brow1 angel will cry to angel1 8,who is she80 and ,christ will say1 8,i will tell you who she is2 she is the one that came up out of great tribulation and had her robe washed and made white in the blood of the ,lamb40 ,and then ,god will spread a banquet1 and ,he will invite all the principalities of heaven to sit at the feast1 and the tables will blush with the best clusters from the vineyards of ,god and crimson with the twelve manner of fruits from the tree of life1 and water from the fountains of the rock will flash from the golden tankards2 and the old harpers of heaven will sit there1 making music with their harps1 and ,christ will point you out amid the celebrities of heaven1 saying1 8,she suffered with me on earth1 now we are going to be glorified together40 ,and the banquetters1 no longer able to hold their peace1 will break forth with congratulation4 8,hail6 hail60 ,and there will be a handwriting on the wall2 not such as struck the ,persian noblemen with horror1 but with fire-tipped fingers writing in blazing capitals of light and love and victory3 8,god has wiped away all tears from all faces40 ,and now ,i leave you in the hands of ,dr4 ,walsh1 the author of this book4 ,he will show you ,mary1 the model of all womanly1 wifely1 motherly excellence--the ,madonna hanging in the ,louvre of admiration for all ,christendom1 and for many millions in the higher ,vatican of their worship4 ,t4 ,,de ,,witt ,,talmage4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,i4--,,the ,,queen',s ,,portrait4 8,a form beloved comes again0--,inspired painters in a voyage of discovery--,tributes to ,mary1 honoring all womankind--,guido's wish--,madonnas of many climes4 ,raphael's 8,transfigured ,woman0--,savonarola's bonfire--,st4 ,luke's picture of the ,virgin--,the ,vandal spirit4 ,page #bi ,,chapter ,,ii4--,,the ,,pilgrim1 ,,crusader ,,and ,,virgin4 ,life a pilgrimage--,pilgrims of many faiths--,a struggle for holy places between the ,pilgrim-,crusaders and ,moslem--,the harem and the home--,the rise of ,chivalry--,the ,knights and 8,our ,lady0--,the results of the ,crusades4 ,page #cf ,,chapter ,,iii4--,,armageddon6 8,,the ,,key ,,and ,,sickle40 8,the wandering hermit wakes the storms of war0--,acre and ,esdrlon1 the 8,armageddon0 or 8,mountain of the ,gospel0 of the ,scriptures--,the battle-field of nations--,the ,city of ,jeanne d',arc4 ,the jewel in the sickle-haft--,prince ,edward1 the ,crusade leader--,sultan ,kha-tel--,the sacking of ,acre--,actors introduced4 ,page #dh ,,chapter ,,iv4--,,sir ,,charleroy2 ,,the ,,soldier ,,of ,,fortune ,,and ,,knight ,,of ,,saint ,,mary4 ,the flight from ,acre to ,nazareth--,the born-leader--,life estimates with ,death holding the scales--,a prince honors1 a bishop blesses1 and a mother loves--,an epitome of paradoxes4 ,page #ec ,,chapter ,v4--,,nazareth4 ,nazareth1 the place of ,mary's nativity--,the choice of a leader--,the coward king--,the ,virgin's ,fount--,english songsters--,the ,knights' mountain ,litany--,longings for home and mother--,nain and ,endor's lessons4 ,page #fa ,,chapter ,,vi4--,,the ,,fugitives4 ,a night bivouac amid sacred scenes--,the 8,knight of the ,holy-,sepulcher0 who fled on 8a white charger with black wings0--,the funeral at dawn--,mary's palm-bearing angel-guard--,the twelve knights separate into two parties--,will-makings and farewells--,by ,endor to oblivion4 ,page #gd ,,chapter ,,vii4--,,ichabod4 ,sir ,charleroy's band approach ,shunem1 the ,city of ,elijah--,the surprise--,sir ,charleroy the captive of ,azrael the ,mameluke--,the ,mohammedan heaven depicted--8,a hair1 the bridge over hell0--,the odoriferous houris--,a gorgeous charnel-house blasted--,the prodigal becomes the herald of purity--,the ,knight of ,saint ,mary and the ,jewish ,spy--,adversity makes the ,knight and the ,jew friends--,the ,knight instructing ,ichabod--8',till ,shiloh comes0--8,the true1 refined and final ,judaism0--8,the east and the west embracing2 truth leading40--,an honest doubt is a real prayer4 ,page #hb ,,chapter ,,viii4--,,from ,,jericho ,,to ,,jordan4 ,the radiant proselyte--,climbing to glory--,the ghostly forms hovering over submerged ,sodom--,jordan's sweetening--,siddim-angels among the willows and oleanders by the ,dead ,sea--,summonsed to fight for the ,crescent or go to the slave mart--,nourahmal 8,the light of the harem0 becomes the disciple and friend of ,ichabod--,a debate concerning women--,a rarity and a wonder--8,i told her women had souls2 she laughed like a monkey0--,the flight from ,jericho by night--,the lightning--,god's torch--8,canst thou dance rocks into camels80--,a mummy's flight1 and the burial of a live man--8,unclean0--,the solemn passage of ,jordan4 ,page #ic ,,chapter ,,ix4--,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,rose4 ,a breakfast of lentils and barley in the wilderness--,the gloom of the ,knight and the joy of the ,jew--,sermons on fate and songs in flowers--,the poetry of ,ichabod--,celibacy a reward at ,rome--,kneph 8,the father of his mother0--,the heathen and the ,christian 8,feast of the ,rose0--,the summary of the events in ,mary's life and in the life of ,jesus--,the ,egyptian ,rosary--,neb-ta the maiden sister--,the egg and the cross1 ancient signs of immortality--,the ,copt priest--,the insights of the ,egyptians symbolized by the ,sphinx4 ,page #aac ,,chapter ,x4--,,after ,,eve1 ,,esther ,,or ,,mary8 ,by ,jabbock1 in the native place of ,ichabod--,israelitish maidens keeping the feast of ,esther--,religious love1 filial love and lover's love--,the poetic ,jew's rhapsody concerning affection--,god's voice in the ,garden--,the ideal women of the ,old ,testament and of the ,new--,the ,jew's cry for mother--,vacillating ,sir ,charleroy--8,echo's ,magic0--,jewish customs4 ,page #ace ,,chapter ,,xi4--,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,purim4 ,a night-scene by ,jabbock--,harrimai the priest1 and his daughter ,rizpah--,the religious ceremonial and the revel--,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah as 8,ahasuerus and ,esther0--,the ,knight's secret discovered--,conquest of a woman's heart through pity--8,of what metals ,jewish maidens are40 ,page #aeb ,,chapter ,,xii4--,,astarte ,,or ,,mary8 ,the ,knight of ,saint ,mary enslaved by a ,hebrew beauty--,the journey toward ,bozrah--,the ,mameluke attack--,the hand to hand fight--,sir ,charleroy wounded and ,ichabod slain--,rizpah's heroism in peril--,espousal in the face of death--,a wonderful vision4 ,page #agj ,,chapter ,,xiii4--,,from ,,ramoth ,,gilead ,,to ,,damascus4 ,teacher and pupil become patient and nurse--,perilous relations--,delights1 assurances1 fears and clouds--,harrimai's discovery and his malediction--,love's debate and decision--,elopement by night--the ,knight and the ,jewess wedded at ,damascus4 ,page #ahb ,,chapter ,,xiv4--,,the ,,theater ,,of ,,the ,,giants4 ,the death of ,harrimai--,a honey-moon in the 8,eye of the ,east0--,to ,bashan with the ,mecca chaplet-seekers--,nature1 art and desolation--,lejah's black lava-sea--,the frenzies of ,gerash's passion-flower--,reaction after exaltation--8,a camel voyage in-sea0--,rizpah's challenge--,jealous of ,sir ,charleroy's love for ,mary--8,illusion0--,the church of ,saint ,george at ,edrei--,recrimination--,ridicule costly to pride--,neither ,christian1 ,jew nor ,pagan--,a woman with unsettled faith--,a babe poisoned by its mother's passion--,the lamp and the palm-trees--,the ,knight's appeals--,omens--,a beacon needed--,fleeing the ,lejah--,to ,bozrah4 ,page #aie ,,chapter ,,xv4--,,the ,,revels ,,of ,,men ,,and ,,the ,,rites ,,of ,,their ,,goddesses4 ,kunawat at the ,city of ,job--,the ,shrine of ,astarte--,the ,cyclopean image--,questioning the ,soul1 ,time and ,god--,hugeness1 greatness2 littleness1 caricature--,the naked worshipers of the golden calf--,sins exposed--,purity's vision--,phallic mysteries--,khem--,female deities--,dualism--,immortality by progeny and by regeneration--,the fire-worshiper's mystic number eight1 and the ,jewish covenant number seven4 ,page #bab ,,chapter ,,xvi4--,a ,,battle ,,of ,,giants ,,at ,,bozrah4 ,houses forty centuries old--,the old stone-house of an ancient giant becomes the home of the knight and his wife--,how circumstances change people--,recriminations and reconciliation--8,the gall taken from animals offered to ,juno1 goddess of marriage0--,rizpah's temper that seemed brilliant before wedlock1 afterward seems to ,sir ,charleroy very like that of a virago--,the charming nonsense of those for the first time parents--,shall she be named ,davidah1 ,angela1 ,marah or ,mary8--,the ,christian and ,jewish faith battle about the cradle--,the separation of husband and wife1 in anger--,the sick child and the desolated1 deserted wife--,rizpah longs for a mother1 such as ,mary of ,bethlehem4 ,page #bbd ,,chapter ,,xvii4--,,rizpah ,,the ,,ancient ,,mother ,,of ,,sorrows4 ,after many years1 ,rizpah dwells in ,bozrah with her three children--,rizpah of ,bozrah fascinated by ,rizpah of ,gibeah--,miriamne the daughter of ,rizpah--,the daughter appalled by her mother's mysterious hallucinations--,the wonders of mother-love--,the story of the ancient1 ,jewish 8,mother of ,sorrows0--,the omen of the bat and the parable of the stars4 ,page #bde ,,chapter ,,xviii4--,,the ,,queen ,,proclaimed ,,in ,,the ,,giant ,,city4 ,the old and the young ,jews--,the old ,christian priest and his ,jewess proselyte--,attacked by ,mamelukes--,the 8,old ,clock ,man0--,the ,balsam ,band--,miriamne1 the ,jewess proselyte1 questions concerning the queen of the old priest's heart--,the miraculous picture of ,mary at ,damascus--,silver hands and feet--,crown jewels4 ,page #bfd ,,chapter ,,xix4--,,the ,,story ,,of ,,mary',s ,,childhood4 ,page #bhb ,,chapter ,,xx4--,,the ,,wedding--,,the ,,birth ,,and ,,the ,,flight4 ,the birth of ,jesus and the flight to ,egypt--,miriamne reads to her mother a ,christian account of ,mary's espousal--,rizpah curious but doubtful4 ,page #bic ,,chapter ,,xxi4--,,the ,,queen ,,and ,,her ,,family ,,in ,,egypt4 ,father ,adolphus and ,miriamne converse of the ,holy ,family's sojourn in ,egypt--,heliopolis and the ,temple of the ,sun--,fire-worshipers--,at ,memphis1 the shrine of ,apis the sacred bull--,the red heifer of ,israel--,the ,holy ,family rescued in ,egypt by a robber who afterward died on the cross next to the ,savior--,the legend of a gipsy's prophecy concerning ,jesus--,zingarella won by the ,virgin4 ,page #cab ,,chapter ,,xxii4--,,the ,,shadow ,,of ,,the ,,cross4 ,rizpah dreading heresy yet charmed by the story of the 8,girl ,wife0--8,behold my mother and brethren0--,christ's message to his widowed mother--,the 8,church of the ,terror0--,rizpah's vision of 8,glad ,tidings40 ,rizpah of ,bozrah allured from ,rizpah of ,gibeah--,a hot-chase after an old love--,the sword that pierced ,mary--,the shadow of the cross horrifies ,rizpah--,the faith of the ,nazarene denounced--,miriamne driven from home by her mother4 ,page #cbb ,,chapter ,,xxiii4--,,the ,,miserere ,,and ,,the ,,easter ,,anthem4 ,miriamne alone at night in the giant city--,a refuge at the ,christian priest's--,the midnight ,miserere--,penitents--,easter at ,bozrah--,finding the mother-love in ,god's heart4 ,page #ccg ,,chapter ,,xxiv4--,a ,,heroine',s ,,pilgrimage4 ,the convert's yearnings--8,go and tell0--,when parents oppose each other which shall the child follow8--,a child of the kingdom in a new family circle--,jesus1 ,mary and the elect--,miriamne's two great ambitions--,living apart may be as sinful as actual divorcement--,father ,adolphus encourages and ,rizpah opposes ,miriamne--,rizpah recounts to ,miriamne the story of her love for ,sir ,charleroy1 his madness and her own futile visit to ,london in the effort to win him back--,the curse of heredity--8,i'll disown thee with tears in my voice and kisses in my heart40 ,page #cea ,,chapter ,,xxv4--,,consolatrix ,,afflictorum4 ,miriamne's welcome by the ,london ,palestineans--,the daughter meets her father in a mad-house--,disappointment--,the flight--,the search--,the ,white ,madonna of the ,asylum ,park--,love the remedy of minds perturbed by hate--,pallas-,athene the virgin of the heathen--,miriamne's letter to her mother and its grim answer4 ,page #cfg ,,chapter ,,xxvi4--,,the ,,wedding ,,at ,,cana4 ,sir ,charleroy giving signs of recovery under ,miriamne's ,ministries--,a remarkable service in the chapel of the ,palestineans--,the knight interested in the story of ,cana--,the address of ,cornelius1 on 8,home0 and 8,marriage0--8,is this ,london or ,bozrah80--,sir ,charleroy's sudden relapse--,miriamne's adroit ministries--,memories that awaken hopes--,the clouds again lifting--,mary's life motto4 ,page #cha ,,chapter ,,xxvii4--,,the ,,star ,,of ,,the ,,sea4 ,sir ,charleroy1 partially restored1 with ,miriamne and ,cornelius journeying toward ,syria--,passing ,cyprus--,olympus--,a storm rising on the ,mediterranean--,cornelius presses his love suit on ,miriamne--,miriamne pledges love1 but pleads her mission as a barrier to marriage--,conflicts below1 tempests aloft--,a dream2 ,venus's court and ,mary's triumph--,sir ,charleroy in frenzy defying the billows--,an hour of peril--,the 8,lightning ,song0 of the sailors--,the twin stars--8,mary1 ,star of the ,sea0--,the victims of fabricated consciences--,parting4 ,page #cig ,,chapter ,,xxviii4--,,the ,,queen ,,in ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,sorrows4 ,father and daughter at ,acre--,the mysterious ,hospitaler--,from ,acre to ,joppa--8,the myths are as full of women as the women are full of myths0--,the wars of men about women--,at ,jerusalem--,the wonderful words of the ,knight-,hospitaler1 turned preacher--,the ,via ,dolorosa--,the ,valley of ,jehosaphat--,the mountain outlook--8,soldiers ,speed the ,cross0--,mary1 the sun of women1 rising in moral grandeur above the women of the grove-shrines--,the panorama of the ages1 passing before ,mary's mind4 ,page #dai ,,chapter ,,xxix4--,,two ,,dead ,,hearts ,,uniting ,,two ,,living ,,ones4 ,from ,jerusalem to ,bozrah--,the tomb of ,ichabod--,sir ,charleroy argues against meeting ,rizpah--,miriamne's strong argument in behalf of the lasting obligations of marriage--,a husband reaching the climax of revenges--,joseph by kindness kept ,mary in sweet mood and so blessed the unborn ,christ--8,miriamne1 ,i am a bundle of contradictions60--,the news-rider--,a plague at ,bozrah--,de ,griffin's twins nigh death--,miriamne meets her mother--,reconciliation--,a strange funeral2 only two women as mourners and pall-bearers4 ,page #dcg ,,chapter ,,xxx4--,,the 8,,knight ,,of ,,saint ,,mary0 ,,and ,,rizpah ,,at ,,the ,,grave ,,of ,,their ,,sons4 ,father ,adolphus and ,sir ,charleroy--,a ruined temple and a ruined man--8,a woman1 a woman leading in religion60--,jesus and ,magdalena--,the twelve appearings of the lingering ,christ--,the ,savior's love-letter from heaven to ,his mother--,lucifer's attempt at suicide--,the kiss befouled by treason--,the meeting of ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah--8,the tomb of giant-love grown to mad-hate40 ,page #dec ,,chapter ,,xxxi4--,,the ,,rose1 ,,queen ,,of ,,hearts ,,in ,,bozrah4 ,a scene of domestic happiness--,love the vassal of the will--,neb-ta in the 8,judgment ,hall of ,truth0--,the lambs that are offered by sectarian hates--,the ,arcana of glorious wedded love--,rizpah transformed--,miriamne's public profession of ,christ--,cornelius ,woelfkin again appeals for union in wedlock--,an inner and an outer ,miriamne--,the coronation of love--,the solemn espousal4 ,page #dfg ,,chapter ,,xxxii4--,,the ,,queen ,,and ,,the ,,grail-,,seekers4 8,the gold of my heart to the man that piloted me to happiness0--,miriamne yearns for a world in sin--,has the ,church or ,god failed8--,a revolutionary reformer--,the story of the grail quest--,the quest of a heavenly cure for human ills--,the triumphant ,adam and ,eve--,the queenly women of patriarchal times--,the mother of the ,savior as the wife of a carpenter--,what kept her young heart from breaking--,miriamne's farewell to ,bozrah4 ,page #dhd ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4--,,the ,,hospitaler',s ,,oration4 ,the secret meeting of the ,knights at the house of ,phebe--,swords bent sickle-like and spears crossed--,after war1 social victories--,sunrise at midnight--,each career determined by the life that gives life--,the girdle of ,venus--,next after ,god1 ,mary chiefly instrumental in giving the world a ,savior4 ,page #dih ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4--,,memorials ,,at ,,bozrah4 ,the death of ,dorothea--,the priest of the wayside--,the wedding of ,cornelius and ,miriamne--,a pilgrimage to the tombs of ,adolphus1 ,charleroy and ,rizpah4 ,backlook1 and outlooks4 ,page #eaj ,,chapter ,,xxxv4--,,the ,,sisters ,,of ,,bethany4 ,the ,missioners at ,bethany--,the site of the ,home of ,jesus--,miriamne's ideal society--,the miracle age--,a home1 not a throne1 the place of ,ascension--,will ,jesus so return8--,the angel bivouac4 ,page #ebb ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4--,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,david4 ,the ,knight's ,pentecost--,in the upper room of ,joseph of ,arimatha--,mary's title and realm--,luke1 the word-painter--,the smoke side and the fire side of ,pentecost4 ,page #ebi ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4--,,the ,,coronation ,,of ,,the ,,queen4 ,the ,hospitaler deemed a prophet at ,bethany4 ,the legitimacy of ,jesus as the 8son of ,david0 assured through ,his mother--8,the reign of blood0--,first born--,pagan ,rome made sponsor for ,mary's son--,doomsday books and royal charters4 ,page #ech ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4--,,the 8,,light ,,of ,,the ,,harem0 ,,in ,,the 8,,temple ,,of ,,allegory40 ,the old church at ,bethany--,a dedication--,the wonders of symbolism--,idolatry and ,mariolatry4 ,page #edh ,,chapter ,,xxxix4--,,crown ,,jewels4 ,the ,hospitaler warns the ,missioners of the ,sheik of ,jerusalem's designs--,the son of ,azrael--,immunity purchased--,the wedding of ,beulah1 ,nourahmal's grand-daughter to a ,jewish convert--,the wedding address--,juno-,moneta--,crown jewels of maidens and mothers--,mary sounding the depths of woman's miseries--,a malediction for lust--8,knights of the ,white ,cross0--,the lost woman dreaming of how it seems to have a mother's arms infolding her--,the ,virgin's potent example4 ,page #efh ,,chapter ,,xl4--,,the ,,queen',s ,,vision ,,of ,,the ,,age ,,of ,,gold ,,and ,,fire4 ,nourahmal wed to the ,druse camel-driver--the ,druse converted--,the ,hospitaler's message--,ezekiel prophecies fulfilled at ,olivet--,the 8,mother's pillow0--,gabriel1 the 8,angel of ,mothers and of ,victories40 ,page #eha ,,chapter ,,xli4--,a ,,chime ,,and ,a ,,dirge ,,at ,,christmas-,,time4 8,motherhood priced0--8,thou shalt be saved in child-bearing0--,sylvan gods of ,rome--8,the ,miriamites10--8,in ,rama1 weeping and great mourning0--,joachim's bleating lamb slain--,woman's supreme hour--,maternity's crucifixion--8,the ,csarian ,section0--,the ebbing tide and the stranded wreck1 at midnight4 ,page #eie ,,chapter ,,xlii4--,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,sorrows ,,triumphant ,,at ,,last4 ,the funeral of ,miriamne--,the ,hospitaler tells the traditions of ,mary's death and assumption--,what the ,druse convert said to his camel--8,the beatings of mighty wings0--,the tomb of ,miriamne in ,gethsemane4 ,page #faa ,,chapter ,,xliii4--,a ,,coffin ,,full ,,of ,,flowers1 ,,and ,a ,,girdle ,,with ,,wings4 ,cornelius and his son at ,bethany--,changed scenes--,under the lights and shadows of ,chemosh--,a widower's grief--,azrael's putative son razes to the ground ,miriamne's home and temple--,the legend of ,mary's coffin and girdle--,the last of the new grail-knights--,a sad and dramatic tableau4 ,page #fah ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,i4 ,,mary ,,and ,,the ,,infant ,,jesus1 ,frontispiece 7,the original painted by ,,goodall47 ,,page ,,ii4 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,mary #fj 7,the original painted by ,,murillo47 ,,iii4 ,,rizpah ,,defending ,,the ,,dead ,,bodies ,,of ,,her ,,relations1 #bej 7,the original painted by ,,becker47 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,education ,,of ,,mary1 #bhb 7,the original painted by ,,carl ,,muller47 ,v4 ,,the ,,marriage ,,of ,,mary ,,and ,,joseph1 #bid 7,the original painted by ,,raphael47 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,shadow ,,of ,,the ,,cross1 #ccb 7,the original painted by ,,morris47 ,,vii4 ,,jesus ,,at ,,the ,,age ,,of ,,twelve ,,with ,,mary ,,and ,,joseph ,,on ,,their ,,way ,,to ,,jerusalem1 #cej 7,the original painted by ,,mengelburg47 ,,viii4 ,,the ,,youth ,,jesus ,,yielding ,,to ,,the ,,wishes ,,of ,,his ,,mother1 #cff 7,the original painted by ,w4 ,,holman ,,hunt47 ,,ix4 ,,the ,,wedding ,,at ,,cana1 #chj 7,the original painted by ,,paul ,,veronese47 ,x4 ,,mary ,,and ,,st4 ,,john1 #dcc 7,the original painted by ,,plockhorst47 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,david ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,queen',s ,,portrait4 8,and breaking as from distant gloom1 ,a face comes painted on the air2 ,a presence walks the haunted room1 ,or sits within the vacant chair4 ,and every object that ,i feel ,seems charged by some enchanter's wand4 ,and keen the dizzy senses thrill1 ,as with the touch of spirit hand4 ,a form beloved comes again1 ,a voice beside me seems to start1 ,while eager fancies fill the brain1 ,and eager passions hold the heart40 ,master1 we would see a sign from ,thee1 was the cunning challenge of the ,scribes and ,pharisees4 ,they were certain that1 in this at least1 the hearts of the people would be with them4 ,a sign1 a scene1 a symbol1 were the constant demand and quest of the olden times1 as of all times4 ,even ,jehovah led forth to victory and trust1 as necessity was upon ,him in leading human followers1 8with an outstretched arm1 and with signs and with wonders40 ,the ,jews1 seemingly so doubtful and so querulous1 after all articulated the longings of the universal humanity4 ,the longing stimulated the effort to gratify it1 and forthwith the artist became the teacher of the people4 ,presentments of ,mary1 as she might have been1 and as she was imagined to have been by those most devout1 were multiplied4 ,piety sought to express its regard for her by making her more real to faith through the instrumentality of the speaking canvas1 but beyond this there was the desire to embody certain charms and virtues of character dear to all pure and devout ones4 ,these were expressed by pictured faces1 ideally perfect4 ,they called each such 8,mary02 and if there had never been a real ,mary1 still these handiworks would have had no small value4 ,who can say that those consecrated artists were in no degree moved by the ,spirit which guided ,david when 8he opened dark sayings on the harp10 and rapturously extolled that other ,beloved of ,god1 the ,church8 ,music and painting--twin sisters--equal in merit1 and both from ,him who displays form1 color and harmony as among the chief rewards and glories of ,his upper kingdom4 ,these also meet a want in human nature as ,god created it4 ,the artists did not beget this desire for presentments through form and color of the woman deemed most blessed2 the desire rather begot the artists4 ,stately theology has never ceased truly to proclaim from the day ,christ cried 8,it is finished60 that 8in ,him all fullness dwells20 but no theology1 has been able to silence the cry of woman's heart in woman and woman's nature in man which pleads through the long years1 8,show us the mother and it sufficeth us40 ,it has happened sometimes that gross minds have strayed from the ideal or spiritual imports of ,mary's life and fallen into idolizing her effigies4 ,that was their fault1 and must not be taken as full proof that nothing but evil came from the portrayings of our queen4 ,the facts are conclusively otherwise4 ,the painters that made glorious ideals shine forth from the canvas unconsciously painted the shadows largely out of the conditions of all women4 ,before this second advent of the ,virgin1 the paganish idea that women were the 8weaker sex10 the inferiors of men1 at best only useful1 handsome animals1 prevailed4 ,the renaissance of ,mary1 as the ideal woman1 was an event seeded with the germs of revolutionary impulses socially4 ,like sunrise it began in the ,east1 at first dimly manifest1 then it became effulgent and quickly coursed westward along the pathways of ,christianity's conquests4 ,like sweet1 grateful light then there came to the hearts of men the braver true persuasion1 that the woman who not only bore the ,christ but won ,his reverent love must have been morally beautiful and great4 ,in the track of this persuasion1 and as its sequence1 there came the conviction that the sex1 of which ,mary was one1 had within it possibilities beyond what its sturdier companions had dreamed4 ,after this it came about that the painters1 often the interpreters of human feelings1 began to represent all goodness under the form of a ,madonna4 ,not knowing the contour of ,mary's face they began gathering here and there1 from the women they knew1 features of beauty4 ,they combined these in one harmonious presentment4 ,they set out to represent the ideal woman1 but had to go to women to find her parts4 ,it became a tribute to womankind to do this4 ,it was like a voyage of discovery1 and the artist voyagers depicted not only the best things in womankind1 but by putting these things together illustrated what woman could be and should be at her best4 ,it was thus that ,guido produced a picture of the ,madonna which enravished all that beheld it4 ,once he had said1 8,i wish ,i'd the wings of an angel to behold the beatified spirits1 which ,i might have copied40 ,after1 here and there1 he picked out fragments of color and form on earth2 then put them into one ideal composition4 ,it was a heart-expanding work2 the work of a prophet1 since it told of what might be in woman wholly at her best4 ,then he said1 8the beautiful and pure idea must be in the head0 of the artist4 ,it was a deep saying4 ,given the ideal1 and the worker will need only proper ambition to present a grand composition1 whether on canvas or in the patternings of the inner life4 ,the presentments of the ,virgin rose in fineness when priests turned from their exegesis to kneel and paint for men4 ,the great ,saint ,augustine1 held in high honor by ,christians of every name1 redeemed from a youth of darkest sinning1 revered as his guiding star two lovely women1 ,monica1 his mother1 and ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus4 ,he argues1 in stalwart polemics1 that through the acknowledgment of ,mary's pre-eminence all womankind was elevated4 ,her presentment1 so as to be fully comprehended1 was in the beginning a blessing to every soul in being an inspiration to purer1 sweeter living4 ,so far as such presentment now conserves the same results the work is worthy and profitable4 ,in all times the representations of the ,virgin1 whether by the historian or the master of the studio1 varied2 but the piety they awakened always seemed to be of one type1 and that lofty4 ,thus we have 8the stern1 awful quietude of the old ,mosaics1 the hard lifelessness of the degenerate ,greeks1 the pensive sentiment of the ,siena1 the stately elegance of the ,florentine ,madonnas1 the intellectual ,milanese1 with their large foreheads and thoughtful eyes1 the tender1 refined mysticism of the ,umbrian1 the sumptuous loveliness of the ,venetian2 the quaint1 characteristic simplicity of the early ,german1 so stamped with their nationality that ,i never looked round me in a room full of ,german girls without thinking of ,albert ,durer's ,virgins2 the intense1 life-like feeling of the ,spanish1 the prosaic1 portrait-like nature of the ,flemish schools1 and so on40 ,each time and place produced its own ideal1 but all tried to express the one thought uppermost2 pious regard for the ,queen and model4 ,all seemed to feel that in this devotion there was somehow comfort and exaltation--and there generally were both4 ,the writer of the foregoing quotation1 a woman of widest culture and admirable good sense1 attested the need that many feel by her own rapturous description of the ,madonna of ,raphael in the ,dresden ,gallery4 8,i have seen my own ideal once where ,raphael--inspired1 if ever painter was inspired--projected on the space before him that wonderful creation40 8,there she stands1 the transfigured woman2 at once completely human and completely divine1 an abstraction of power1 purity and love2 poised on the empurpled air1 and requiring no other support2 with melancholy1 loving mouth1 her slightly dilated sibylline eyes looking out quite through the universe to the end and consummation of all things2 sad1 as if she beheld afar off the visionary sword that was to reach her heart through ,,him1 now resting as enthroned on that heart2 yet already exalted through the homage of the redeemed generations who were to salute her as blessed4 ,is it so indeed8 ,is she so divine8 or does not rather the imagination lend a grace that is not there8 ,i have stood before it and confessed that there is more in that form and face than ,i have ever yet conceived4 ,the ,madonna di ,san ,sisto is an abstract of all the attributes of ,mary40 ,the foregoing representation marked a step forward in things spiritual4 ,before ,raphael1 painters numberless1 under the influence of the luxurious and vicious ,medici1 had filled the churches of ,florence with painted presentments of the ,virgin1 characterized by an alluring beauty which seemed next door to blasphemy4 ,then came that ,luther of his times1 ,savonarola4 ,he thundered for purity1 simplicity and reform2 aiming his blows at the depraving1 sensuous conceptions of the grosser artists4 ,he made a bonfire in the ,piazza of ,florence1 there consuming these false madonnas4 ,he was1 for this1 persecuted to death by the ,borgia family4 ,they could not bear his trumpet call to ,florentines1 8,your sins make me a prophet2 ,i have been a ,jonah warning ,nineveh2 ,i shall be a ,jeremiah weeping over the ruins2 for ,god will renew ,his church and that will not take place without blood--0 ,art heard his voice1 the painters became disgusted with their meaner handiwork1 the rude1 the obscene1 the mischievous was obliterated2 finer1 more spiritual and loftier concepts of the ,virgin appeared as proof of a reformation of morals4 ,and ,raphael1 later on1 seeing these productions1 felt the influence that begot them1 and then produced that masterpiece4 ,tradition says ,saint ,luke painted a picture of the ,virgin from life4 ,the picture1 reputed to have been so painted1 was found by the ,turks in ,constantinople when that city fell into their conquering hands4 ,they despoiled it of its princely jewel-decorations1 then tramped it contemptuously beneath their feet4 ,the latter act was typical1 and the ,turk still lives to trample in contempt on honest efforts to portray with amplitude and finished details this splendid character1 whose outlines alone are presented by the ,gospels4 ,but though the ,vandal spirit survives1 there survives also the strong yearning for the representation of that woman beyond compare1 and some will still revel amid the ideals of painters1 and some will be gladdened still more by truth's complete presentment which words alone can make4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,pilgrim1 ,,crusader ,,and ,,virgin4 8,there is a fire-- ,and motion of the soul which will not dwell1 ,in its own narrow being1 but aspire ,beyond the fitting medium of desire2 ,and but once kindled1 quenchless ever more1 ,preys upon high adventure1 nor can tire ,of aught but rest40--8,childe ,harold40 ,there is something very fascinating about the contemplation of life as a continuous pilgrimage1 and the fascination grows on one as the conviction of the truth of the conception is deepened by study of it4 ,the course of our race has been a series of processions from continent to continent1 from age to age1 from barbarism to refinement1 from darkness toward light4 ,whether measuring the little arcs of individuals from birth to dust1 or following along the mighty marches of our universe with all its grouping hosts of whirling constellations1 we have before us ever this constant truth2 man moves willingly or unwillingly onward1 as a pilgrim amid pilgrims4 8,move on0 is the constant mandate and necessity of being4 ,man's course is mapped2 onward from the swaddling clothes to the shroud1 from life to dust2 then onward again2 while all the mighty planet fleets of which the earth-ship is but one1 move along their courses1 over trackless oceans1 toward destinations1 all unknown1 yet concededly in a grand as well as in an inexorable pilgrimage4 ,partly because the motions of his earth-ship makes him restless1 partly because he is a being that hopes and so comes to try to find by distant quests hope's fruitions1 and more largely because he is of a religious nature1 which impels him to seek things beyond himself1 the man becomes a pilgrim4 ,he that is content as and where he is1 always1 is regarded as a fool playing with the toys of a child1 by wise men2 by religionists1 lack of holy restlessness is ever adjudged to be a sign of depravity4 ,hence almost all religions1 whether false or true1 have given birth to the pilgrim spirit4 ,the zeal to express and to utilize this spirit has been often pitiful to behold4 ,multitudes1 failing to grasp the fact that life itself is a pilgrimage1 have invented other pilgrimages and gone aside to useless1 needless miseries4 ,but all the time they attested human nature seeking something beyond itself1 better than its present4 ,so the tribes that lived in the lowlands nourished traditions of descent from gods or ancestors who abode on the mountains1 and they inaugurated pilgrimages to seek inspiration or a golden age 8on high places1 far away40 ,the chosen people of ,god thus constantly were allured from the worship of the ,everywhere and ,one ,jehovah by the enthusiasm of the heathen devotees who flocked to the mountain fanes4 ,turn which way one will in the night of the ages and the spectacle of the pilgrim is before him4 ,ancient ,hinduism1 followed by that of to-day1 witnessed annually1 pilgrims counted by hundreds of thousands to the temple of murderous ,juggernaut1 the ,ganga ,sagor1 or isle of ,sacred ,ganges4 ,the ,buddhists journey to ,adam's ,peak in ,ceylon1 and the ,lamaists of ,thibet travel adoringly to their ,lha-,isa2 the ,japanese have their pilgrim shrines amid perilous approaches at ,istje1 while the ,chinese1 who claim to be sons of the mountains1 clamber with naked knees the rugged sides of ,kicou-hou-chan4 ,the pilgrimages of the ,jews occupy many chapters of ,holy ,writ1 for all their ancient worthies 8not having received the promises1 but seeing them afar off 444 confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers40 ,christ confronted the pilgrim spirit perverted in the person of the woman of ,samaria1 at the eastern foot of ,gerezim4 ,she and her people rested their hopes in pilgrimages to their supposed to be sacred places1 but the ,saviour declared to her by ,jacob's well1 truths1 both grand and revolutionary1 in these words3 8,the hour 444 now is when the true worshiper shall worship the ,father in spirit 444 not in this mountain nor in ,jerusalem40 8,go call thy husband and come hither4 ,whosoever drinketh the water ,i shall give shall never thirst40 ,there were volumes in the golden sentences and they plainly said no need to travel far to find the ,everywhere ,god ,who ever comes where men are to satisfy their every thirst4 8,go call thy husband40 ,go to thy home and find the water of life through doing ,god's will2 it is better to be a missionary than a pilgrim unless the pilgrim be also missioner4 ,but the truths of that hour have found tardy acceptance among many4 ,the children of ,jacob are pilgrims throughout the earth1 and the disciples of ,christ1 since ,his departure1 have gone pilgriming often1 as did their fathers before them4 ,constantine1 the ,roman emperor1 and his mother1 ,helena1 by example and precept1 urged ,christendom to re-embark in such pious journeys1 and at the end of the first thousand years of its existence1 ,christianity had hosts of disciples actuated by the same old passion that sent religionists everywhere to seek shrines1 fanes and blessings4 ,then the belief began to be held everywhere among ,christians that the millennial period was at hand4 ,multitudes abandoned friends1 sold or gave away their possessions1 and hastened toward the ,holy ,land1 where they believed ,jesus ,christ was to appear to judge the world4 ,here two pilgrim tides1 utterly opposed to each other1 met2 the ,christian and the ,mohammedan4 ,the followers of the ,false ,prophet1 like other men1 were imbued with the pilgrim spirit4 ,some of these thought perfection could be attained only within the precincts of ,babylon or ,bagdad1 and others sincerely believed that they could find peculiar nearness to heaven about the stone-walled ,kaaba of ,mecca4 ,it was held to be not only a privilege but a duty1 incumbent upon all1 to take these religious journeys2 hence men and women1 young and old1 undertook them4 ,even the decrepit were under the obligation1 and they must either undertake the work1 though failure by death were certain1 or hire a proxy to go in their behalf4 ,so was rolled up stupendously the numbers of pilgrim graves which have marked this earth of ours4 ,the ,christian pilgrims for a time thronged toward ,palestine1 first as a small stream1 then as a torrent4 ,europe at large was aroused1 and all impulses converged toward the ,holy ,sepulcher4 ,the soldiers of the ,cross soon added swords to their equipments2 the flashing of spears outshone the altar lights1 and almost before they realized it the priests and pious pilgrims were transformed to mailed knights4 ,there was a root to the impulse1 and that the universally felt need of ideals1 patterns1 personages of heroic mold in all goodness1 to show men how to live4 ,the pilgrims turned their eyes to the worthies of the past1 and soon came to believe that they could best imbibe their spirit amid their tombs and former abodes4 ,like most religionists they grew to believe ,god their especial friend1 and they therefore soon came to feel that1 against all odds1 ,he would help them to victory4 ,then they easily grew to believe that death in their crusades would merit the martyr's crown4 ,their courage was unbounded1 for many went out with a passion to die in the cause they had embraced4 ,the following crusades were marked by conflicts between ,moslem and ,christian1 filled with fanatical and merciless fury1 though both the opposing hosts claimed to be doing all they did in ,god's name and under his especial direction4 8,deus vult10 8,god wills it10 was the war-cry of a mighty army1 each of which bore on his banner and on his breast the sign of the ,cross1 the emblem eternally exalted by the ,prince of ,peace1 who willingly died that others might live2 but these soldiers were bent on slaying those they could not convert4 ,they were in a transitional state1 passing from being pilgrims to being missionaries1 but the course was a bloody one4 ,they promoted their self-complacency by persuading themselves that it was a heaven-offending wrong to continue to suffer heretics to occupy the places made sacred by the ,saviour when in the world4 ,then multitudes of ,christian priests taught that the pious needed free course to visit the holy places of the ,east1 that they might upbuild their faith and their grasp of theological abstractions by beholding objects associated with the tenets they had adopted4 ,the ,moslems had no interest in these proceedings beyond a desire to thwart them4 ,the ,christians1 to be sure1 had the moral disadvantage of being invaders1 but then censure of them is mitigated by the fact that ,syria was stolen property to the ,turk4 ,the latter held it by the stern title deed of the sword4 ,the reader of this summary will be chiefly advantaged by remembering that this conflict was one of the mightiest efforts in the direction of missionary work ever attempted by man1 and that being attempted by force it failed utterly4 ,now the ,crusaders were believers in ,christ and devoted to ,mary4 ,these facts awaken questions as to how1 since the spirits of these twain are finally to conquer all hearts1 their champions were so defeated8 ,the ,crusaders desired to promote the glory of the ,man of men and the woman of women1 but sought it by aims only weakly worthy1 and means often atrocious4 ,it never matters to ,christ's kingdom who possesses ,his grave if ,he only possesses all hearts4 ,the ,crusaders1 beginning with a warm sentiment of respect for the ,virgin1 suffered their sentimentality to run mad1 and mad sentiment is ripe for folly and defilement4 ,an opal1 they say1 will change its color when its wearer is sick2 so a man wearing a priceless virtue on the sleeve of his creed1 will find its luster bedimmed when evil sickens his heart4 ,the ,crusaders had grand banners1 mottoes1 war-cries and ideals1 but they did not know how to honestly and truly apply them4 ,their efforts and results well serve to emphasize the truth that moral advances are made with grander forces than those of the sword2 that in the end the heroes and heroines of the world's regeneration will appear potent and regnant solely in the sweetness1 truth and exaltation of personal character4 ,crusader and ,moslem1 at heart1 were each desirous of making the world better1 but they each1 in fact for a time made it fearfully worse4 ,probably the followers of the ,cross and the followers of the ,crescent would have been glad to have bestowed all kindness each on the other1 if only the one would have accepted the creed of the other4 ,but the humanity and charity of each were as to the other eclipsed utterly by a zeal for theories4 ,there was need to both that there arise a harmonizing ideal4 ,it would seem as if ,providence suffered these opposing pilgrims to peel each other until each in sheer disgust was driven to seek some better way4 ,an able historian affirms that the ,crusades did not 8change the fate of a single dynasty1 nor the boundaries and relative strength of a nation0--but they did leave a history1 the contemplation of which affords rare thought-food4 ,the conflict ended in the utter route and flight of the ,christians4 ,the tragedy ended at ,acre1 but there were left some things that took shape in men's thinking1 and the world was made thereby better4 ,the populations and properties of ,christian ,europe had been squandered to a startling degree in these religious wars1 and it was fitting that there be some return to compensate4 ,the result of all others1 that grew out of the ,crusades1 and was indeed also a leading cause of their vigor1 was the rising of the spirit of chivalry4 ,the dawn of chivalry first begat brave fighting1 but in time the chivalrous discovered a theater for their activity amid the amenities of peace4 ,chivalry was a rebound from the rugged1 barbarous belief of the semi-civilized1 whose trust was in brute force and whose constant dictum was1 8,might makes right40 ,men became impressed with a spirit of tenderness1 and1 little by little the duty and beauty of the strong's helping the weak dawned upon humanity4 ,to be chivalrous1 by the unwritten laws of custom1 became the obligation of every man who sought popular respect4 ,chivalry was in the creed of the noble and brave1 and men delighted to become the companions of lone pilgrims1 patrons of beggars1 protectors of children and defenders of women4 ,toward the gentler sex1 the spirit of chivalry finely expressed itself by not only defending helpless females amid physical perils1 but by according to womankind distinguished courtesy1 refined politeness1 and all those proper respects that so appropriately garnish and ornament the social intercourse of the sexes in properly cultivated societies4 ,before the advent of this chivalric time1 women had been deemed as generally every way inferior to men2 chiefly desirable as ministers to the necessities or appetites of their lords2 useful as mothers1 but worthy of very little respect1 confidence or lasting admiration4 ,the dawn of this new and fine gallantry was a step toward woman's disinthrallment4 ,chivalry tried to express itself in the ,crusades2 defeated1 its ardor still burned1 and ,europe felt its beneficent glow long after the conflict for ,syrian sepulchers had ceased4 ,and here it is of the utmost importance that the reader forget not the key fact1 that before the advent of the attractive spirit of chivalry1 men's minds in ,christian communities were profoundly penetrated and wondrously incited by a deep and new regard for the ,queenly woman ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus6 ,she had been almost rediscovered4 ,by a common consent1 ,christian pulpits had begun sounding her praises1 as the ideal woman2 a woman worthy of the veneration and emulation of all4 ,the various religious communities vied with each other in doing her honor4 ,the ,cistercians declared her purity by wearing white1 the ,servi wore black to commemorate her touching sorrows1 and other bodies elected as their distinguishing badges1 various garbs or signs solely to proclaim their allegiance to their ideal woman4 ,a popular moral coronation of ,mary resulted4 ,the ,crusaders outran all others in their adulation of1 and committal to1 the wondrous woman4 ,they were the first to call her 8,our ,lady40 ,she was ,,the ,lady of the hearts of all4 ,these chivalrous soldiers to her spoke their pious vows1 from her besought holy favors1 and in her name1 with sacred oaths1 committed their all to effort to wrest all ,palestine from the enemies of ,mary's ,son4#a ,now these millions of men were not mad1 nor in pursuit of a phantom4 ,it was all very real to them4 ,they desired to express a long pent-up natural feeling1 and they found an object all satisfactory in ,mary4 ,the ,crusaders returned finally and for good from battling with ,moslem2 they returned thoroughly1 disastrously defeated3 but with their love for ,mary all aglow4 ,when they first called her 8,our ,lady10 there may have been an admixture of irreverence and dilettante in the thought of many2 they were purged of these in the hurricane of battle and in the terrors of that inhospitable land of their pilgrimages4 ,amid trials1 far away from his home1 often in severe want1 frequently confronting slavery and death1 the ,christian knight while adding 8,ave ,marie0 to his 8,patre ,nostre10 learned to think of the ,madonna as his mother4 ,missing the latter keenly1 worshiping the other unfeignedly1 woman took a high throne in his esteem4 ,sword conquest began to seem to the war-wearied soldier very insignificant as compared to a ministry of comfort1 peace and good will4 ,the defeated ,crusaders returned to scatter through all ,europe a new gospel of humanity4 ,they exalted the ,queen of ,david's line and forgot to recount the fortunes of war in the ,east in expounding the dawning beauties of the woman that entranced them and the queenship this ideal had gained over their minds4 ,so they prepared multitudes of the sterner sex for a lasting belief in the worthfulness of true womanhood at its best4 ,the ,christian world was ripe for such a revival1 when the priests began to thunder 8,on to ,jerusalem60 but men needed not so much war as conversion2 not so much relics and tombs as loving principles exemplified4 ,it is wonderful how conversion womanizes some men4 ,that is a triumph of the spiritual over the sensual1 the beautiful over the gross4 ,it will make a man of brutal1 selfish fiber1 in time1 as tender as a mother toward her child and as self-denying as a maid toward her lover4 ,the ,crusaders started out to rescue the tomb of the dead ,saviour from unbelievers and failed1 but they returned to herald the renaissance of ,mary1 the disenslaving of woman2 to call the state1 the home and individuals to all the refinements which the exaltation of such an ideal of necessity offered4 ,toward this advening the rising spirit of chivalry was bending the finest hearts when the clarions of war1 sounded from altar and baptistry1 summoned all to raise the red banner against the ,moslem4 ,right here it is worthy of notice that ,god's providence presented other1 though allied1 principles in the conflict against the ,orientals4 ,two pilgrim hosts1 thinking to choose their own ways1 were wisely led to better goals than they knew4 ,the ,turk presented the throng of the harem as his family2 the ,christian was committed to the union of only two in holy wedlock4 ,one party presented a banner with a ,cross1 forever the emblem of self-sacrifice2 the other the ,crescent1 emblem of youthfulness increasing1 a hint ever of the hope of endless lust1 whether borne of the master of a harem or by the heathen follower of the ancient moon-horned ,astarte4 ,the last at ,acre1 by the ,syrian border of the ,mediterranean ,sea1 the ,saracen hugged victory and the ,cross-bearers were utterly routed4 ,so reads human history1 but in truth the defeat was only apparent and local4 ,the followers of the ,crescent1 holding the creed of lust and making pleasure of sense their end came surely toward their destruction when successes encouraged them in their courses2 the followers of the ,cross1 on the other hand1 had within some germs of truth1 life-giving in themselves and too beautiful to be suffered to die from the earth4 ,trial and defeat watered these germs and the knightly hosts returned to ,europe by thousands to proclaim finer doctrines than those by which the priest had incited them to war4 ,the returning soldiers were transformed from pilgrims to missionaries1 from being taught to teaching1 from restorers of ,palestine's graves to restorers of ,european society4 ,of the 8,teutonic ,knights of ,saint ,mary10 a fine and representative order1 an impartial historian writes3 8,they defended ,christianity against the barbarians of ,eastern ,europe40 8,after many bloody encounters introduced ,german manners1 language and morals40 ,of the ,knighthood1 as a whole1 says another1 8the institution that could breed such characters as these1 obviously rendered an enduring service to humanity4 ,its spirit lives on1 offering examples which the young still welcome in their joyous1 dreamy days4 ,the ideal still remains1 purified by time1 freed from its frailties1 and aids in fashioning modern sentiment to the conception and admiration of the ,christian gentleman40 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,armageddon2 ,,the ,,key ,,and ,,sickle4 8,from the moist regions of the western star1 ,the wandering hermits wake the storm of war2 ,their limbs all iron1 their souls all flame2 ,a countless host the ,red ,cross warriors came40--,,reginald ,,heber4 ,as a traveler climbs the mountain to see the sunrise1 so he that would overlook the past or present must needs clamber to some lofty point of vision in a significant era or historic location4 ,there are two plains in ,syria2 one lying along the ,mediterranean1 the other jutting out from the base of the former toward ,jordan2 the two together1 in shape very like a sickle1 have witnessed events wonderfully instructive and determinate to the student of the philosophy of time's course4 ,these two plains are known respectively as ,esdrlon and ,acre4 ,the sea and the mountains give these plains their sickle shape1 and the geographical outlines are constantly suggestively before the mind as one remembers these plateaus not only as the highways but the battle-fields of the ancient nations4 ,for while1 as one says1 8the face of nature smiles0--8no spot on earth more fertile10 he also says 8no field on earth was so fattened by the blood of the slain40 ,there the ,philistines1 the ,ptolemys1 ,antiochus1 the ,maccabees1 ,herod1 ,baldwin1 ,king of ,jerusalem1 ,salah-ed-din1 ,cur-de-,lion1 ,melek-,seruf and ,napoleon1 each in turn1 put their ambitions and their beliefs to the stern arbitrament of swords4 ,there the kingdom of the ,house of ,david struggled for life2 there the splendid dream of the ,crusaders ended as a nightmare4 ,as a jewel in the haft of the sickle1 at the northerly end of the plain by the sea1 sits the city of ,acre4 ,this city compels the attention of the preacher and student of history and gives theme to him who blends symbol into song4 ,acre gave its name to its adjacent country round about1 and though both city and plain witnessed many a change of master in the past1 those changing masters1 to gratify their whims or strengthen their policies from time to time1 giving the places various names4 ,the ,knights of ,saint ,john made it their elect city1 honoring it as ,saint ,jean de ,acre1 the martyr maid of ,france4 ,from the city itself one may look out over the sea-highway of nations2 from the drear and lofty mountains of its surrounding country one may look over many memorable places4 ,acre was often called the 8,key of ,palestine0 by the soldier strategists and by the chroniclers of events4 ,to their testimony is added that of the inspired writers and prophets who made it their key and mountain of outlook frequently4 ,these plains1 dotted all about by sacred places1 memorable for two great victories2 ,barak over the ,canaanites and ,gideon over the ,midianites2 and two great disasters1 the death of ,saul and the death of ,josiah1 became to the ,jews the symbol of the conflict of right and wrong4 ,prophetically1 and in the serene hope that righteousness at last would prevail1 the plain was called ,armageddon1 8the ,mountain of the ,gospel40 ,we hear the rapt ,zechariah thus descanting3 8,the ,lord also shall save the glory of the house of ,david and the house of ,david shall be as ,god40 8,and it shall come to pass in that day1 that ,i will seek to destroy all the nations that come against ,jerusalem4 ,and ,i will pour upon the house of ,david1 and upon the inhabitants of ,jerusalem1 the spirit of grace and of supplications2 and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced1 and they shall mourn for him1 as one mourneth for his only son1 and shall be in bitterness for him1 as one that is in bitterness for his first-born40 ,the prophet looked forth to the ,pentecostal day of salvation and the assured victories of ,david's great successor4 ,following this ancient seer1 ,john the beloved1 in the ,visions of the ,apocalypse repeats1 these oracles4 ,during the wars of the ,crusaders1 ,acre was sometimes in their possession and sometimes held by their ,turkish foes4 ,in the year #aaia ,richard the ,lion ,heart wrested it from the infidel leader ,salah-ed-din4 ,the ,christians held it firmly until #abia1 the time when the last wave of the ,crusader advance ebbed1 in bloody defeat1 from the shores of the ,holy ,land4 ,for two hundred years the believer of the ,west and the ,moslem grappled with each other in deadly conflict2 war's fortunes often changing1 but the awful price in human misery and human blood was inexorably exacted at every stage of the conflict4 ,acre was the focus toward which the eddying tides ever and anon moved2 therefore it saw not only the end but the worst of the ,crusades4 ,our story begins ,a4 ,d4 #abia at ,acre1 the ,key of ,palestine1 in ,armageddon1 8the mountain of the ,gospel40 ,the situation may be briefly depicted3 ,acre was filled with a mixed and un-homogeneous population4 ,there were the ubiquitous ,galilean traders1 without politics2 shrewd to the last degree in traffic and courtly as a ,parisian2 there some secret1 sullen1 silent enemies of the ,christian invaders1 awaiting the coming end2 there hundreds of those camp-following nondescript 8good lord and good devil0 characters1 and there the remnants of the ,crusader armies4 ,the latter were not only diminished as to numbers but greatly degraded in moral tone4 ,their warfare had been belittled to a defense and a retreat4 ,the adventurers were uppermost2 courts-martial1 intrigues and fanfaronade were their occupation daily4 ,prince ,edward1 the ,christian leader1 had made a sworn treaty with the ,moslems long before this time2 but his pious followers had quickly1 wickedly violated it4 ,thereupon the ,sultan1 ,kha-tel1 had made an irrevocable treaty with himself1 sealed with the most awful oath he could register1 that he would never tire until he had exterminated the last of the ,western invaders now circumscribed and besieged in ,acre4 ,with #bjj1jjj dusky followers the ,sultan besieged the last stronghold of the ,crusaders4 ,the hearts of the defenders sank within them1 and scores sought safety in homeward flight1 loading down every vessel bound for ,europe4 ,among the first fugitives was the chief leader1 ,hugh de ,lusignan1 who wore the phantom title1 8,king of ,jerusalem40 ,he preferred the safety of distant ,cyprus to the doubtful regality which was overshadowed with nearing death4 ,only #ab1jjj were left to represent the ,crusade cause which once mustered millions4 ,may #ah1 #abia1 the devoted city was stormed by the ,turks2 an entrance was effected and a murderous carnage1 heaping the streets with the dead1 and redding the foam of the moaning sea1 followed4 ,but there was no easy victory to the ,moslem1 for the steady1 vigorous1 brilliant1 desperate fighting of the knights1 laying low piles of their foes for every one of themselves that fell1 compelled the respect of the ,sultan's host4 ,the ,turks attempted to gain a surrender by offering bribes2 these failing1 terms were offered4 ,the latter1 which included permission for the ,crusade remnant to depart the country in peace1 were accepted4 ,but the ,sultan1 taught1 if he needed the lesson1 by the perfidy of ,prince ,edward's ,christian truce-breakers1 quickly broke his promise of safe conduct4 ,though the retreating band was in no way party to the wrong he sought to avenge1 they were mercilessly ambuscaded4 ,there followed another struggle to the death1 a handful against a host and but few succeeded in cutting their way through the cordon of death4 ,history has often recounted the preceding events up to the point2 from this point it is proposed to lead the reader along the career of a fragment tossed out of the foregoing whirlpool of disaster4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,sir ,,charleroy2 ,,the ,,soldier ,,of ,,fortune ,,and ,,knight ,,of ,,saint ,,mary4 8',tis quickly seen1 ,whate'er he be1 'twas not what he had been2 ,that brow in furrowed lines had fixed at last1 ,and spoke of passion but of passion past40 444 8,chained to excess1 the slave of each extreme1 ,how woke he from the wildness of his dream8 ,alas6 he told not1 but he did awake1 ,to curse the withered heart that would not break40--8,lara40 ,the course of the knights fleeing from ,acre was turned toward ,nazareth4 ,there being but one way open to them1 they took that way quickly and with one accord4 ,the fugitives from ,acre represented various knightly orders1 but they were disorganized1 without any definite destination and without an authorized leader4 ,among them was ,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin1 a knight famed for valor1 a central and commanding personage2 one that would have attracted attention in almost any assembly of men4 ,as he went1 so went the rest of the fleeing ,christians1 and when he reined in his panting steed1 after a time1 at the top of a fir-crested knoll not far from ,nazareth1 the knights following him did likewise4 ,then they drew around him in a semi-circle1 without command1 and simultaneously1 as if to solicit his direction4 ,they had followed the course he took because he took it1 and now with one accord they halted because he had done so4 ,there is to some a subtile influence that makes them leaders of men2 so the disorganized ,crusaders1 by an unvoiced but fully expressed concession1 admitted the leadership of this dashing horseman4 ,some may designate this a triumph of personal magnetism1 but be that as it may1 it was a fact that ,sir ,charleroy was chief4 ,sir ,charleroy1 just at the time of the foregoing incident1 presented an admirable study for the philosopher or painter4 ,from his saddle he was able to overlook leagues of bright landscape1 but he could not claim the protection of a foot of it2 for the first time in his life he yearned for home1 now a spreading sea1 and a wall of death shut it out from him apparently for ever2 by circumstances absolute sovereign almost of the men about him1 but doubt and danger were confounding all his ability to give commands4 ,he fell into a train of thought1 leaving his comrades to converse with their pawing steeds and to questionings within themselves as to the future4 ,sir ,charleroy had reached an eminence in life1 one of those points of out-look where a man's past meets him and demands review1 that it may explain the present4 ,he believed that he had reached very nearly the end of his career1 and in that belief he began to weigh it for what it was worth4 ,in imagination he saw one writing the story of his life4 ,sir ,charleroy1 the refugee1 began faithfully to review ,sir ,charleroy1 the wayward youth1 pleasure-seeker and reckless man4 ,the former dictated mentally to the imaginary scribe3 8,write1 ,charleroy de ,griffin was the son of a stalwart ,french ,baron1 used to duels and trained to war4 ,the boy inherited from his father a splendid physique1 of which he was unduly proud1 and a restless disposition that he never sincerely asked ,god to control4 ,by the death of the baron1 his son1 an infant1 was left to the sole tutelage of his ,english mother4 ,the latter was of high birth1 by nature a noble woman1 and in every way worthy of a better son than the one whom he had turned out to be4 ,she had idolized her brawny spouse in his lifetime1 and when she had recovered from the shock his death caused1 her yearning heart1 little by little1 turned from the idol in the tomb to the child he had left her4 ,ere long she lived again in the rapture of a love all absorbing1 all bestowing1 all ruling4 ,she lavished her affection on the youth1 not because he was particularly lovable1 for he was not1 but because he was the only one left her to love1 and she was so constituted that she must love2 the necessity of loving to her made it easy4 8,then there were many things in the features and form of her son that reminded her of the man who1 in brighter days1 had won entirely her maiden heart and her young wife love4 ,the child was wont to wonder why his mother embraced him as she did sometimes1 with a wondering1 startled1 wild1 passionate embrace2 but when he got older he discerned the meaning of these outbreaks4 ,he knew that the mother-heart was having a vision of past wifehood1 memory's grace-given solace of widowhood4 ,besides this the embraces were her appealings or warnings to death2 her heart suddenly seizing as if to shelter and save her last and only idol2 for the thought would sometimes come with shadows deep enough1 that perhaps the boy might also die4 ,such love would have been a prized wealth and blessing to some2 but in this case1 on the one hand1 it unfitted this mother for the proper disciplining of this son1 and this son though1 sometimes1 when his conceit permitted it1 realizing that the love was given1 not won1 began to expect it as his due or despise it for its lavishness4 ,in due time he entered the period expressively designated1 #8,the monster age4' ,this is the time when expanding young life has outgrown the tenderness of infancy and failed of putting on manly and womanly graces2 a time when there is a mighty ambition to put on the characteristics of adult life and a mighty lack of ability gracefully to wear them4 ,at this period1 perhaps1 the majority of youths of both sexes1 are interesting chiefly for what they have been1 or what it is hoped they will be4 ,they feel1 conscious of their growing powers1 great self-conceit1 and with their growth comes an expansion of their capacities and wants4 ,the plenitude of their wantings makes them avaricious1 hence parsimonious toward others of every thing1 especially of gratitude4 ,reverence for elders1 respect for fathers1 holy regard for mothers1 tenderness toward women1 chief charms of youth1 are buried in the tomb of other virtues by great1 selfish1 ugly demons of desire4 ,the monster age came to ,charleroy in its full virulence1 but his mother discerned little of his monstrosity2 what she did discern1 all unasked1 she condoned4 ,she believed all things1 hoped all things good of him1 although seldom comforted by an expression or act of gratitude on his part4 ,she was to be pitied2 but it may be said that the lad was to be pitied almost as much as herself4 ,it was the old story over2 she unconsciously went about destroying her own happiness and though she would have willingly died if need be in his behalf1 she harmed him beyond estimate by her indulgent loving4 ,then the youth was surrounded by those who sought the favor of the baroness by constantly sounding in her ears1 and in the ears of the boy1 praises of the dead baron4 ,they told of his daring1 they descanted upon his adventures1 his powers1 his wisdom4 ,he was the widow's idol1 and the incense was grateful to her1 but the worst of it was that they befooled the lad by continually assuring him that he was the image of his father1 and surely destined to equal1 if not surpass1 his sire in deeds of valor4 ,a dangerous burden is wealth2 whether it come as great name or great intellect1 great physical strength or as much gold1 it is a fateful load which few can gracefully support4 ,the youth had wealth in all the foregoing directions2 if he had had a mother whose love loved wisely enough to save1 if it need be by pain1 he might have been saved2 but her love infatuated her4 ,the youth's folly brought him frequently into shameful entanglements2 but she extricated him each time4 ,nobody ever heard of her even rebuking him2 as to chastising him1 that were a thing abhorrent to her thoughts4 ,his face always bespoke his pardon in advance with her4 ,she would have smitten her husband's corpse1 as it lay in its coffin1 as soon as she would have smitten the one whose features constantly reminded her of him her heart had held most dear4 ,then she hoped1 with a mother's large-hearted faith1 that each escapade would be the last4 ,but as the youth grew older his acts were bolder4 ,again and again1 without notice and with heartless inconsiderateness1 he left his home to pursue some adventure1 and again and again1 mother's love followed him1 ever to find him at last in some sore plight1 and then quickly to forgive him4 ,by the time ,charleroy had reached his majority1 the family fortune had been severely tried and depleted in paying the penalty of his follies4 ,he himself had become an old young man1 with too many gray hairs and too much experience for one of his years4 8,at that time1 a few enthusiasts having determined to make one last effort to secure the ,holy ,sepulcher1 ,charleroy de ,griffin ardently enlisted in the pre-doomed enterprise1 allured largely by its very desperateness4 ,the crusade spirit was then a fitful dying flame throughout ,europe4 ,england and ,france were left practically alone to furnish the men and the money for the last crusade4 ,prince ,edward of ,france was its leader1 and ,de ,griffin1 having in his veins the blood of both of the supporting nations1 a ,french name1 a splendid physique1 together with a fearless1 dashing temperament1 was enthusiastically hailed to the enlistment and pushed forward to leadership4 #8,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin6' smilingly called out ,prince ,edward1 the day of review1 before the one set for departure4 ,the young man's comrades1 many of whom had been his associates in former days of wassail1 hearing the ,prince's word1 shouted out with one accord1 #8,knighted6 ,the prince has knighted de ,griffin6 ,hurrah for ,sir ,charleroy6' ,the day following ,sir ,charleroy bowed his head1 as he stood on the quay ready to embark1 to receive the benediction of a bishop4 ,as the sacrist laid his hands on the young man's head1 the latter1 throwing back his cloak1 reverently touched the cross he had attached to his bosom with his jeweled sword-hilt4 ,the young knight for a little while was very complacent2 for he was enjoying a sentimental emotion of virtue1 arising from sophistries with which his mind toyed4 ,some way he felt he had become a soldier of the holy ,christ1 and somehow it seemed to him he was making atonement for past follies by now placing himself side by side with the pious and noble4 ,though in reality only bent on seeking excitement1 adventure1 change1 he looked forward to the rewards of conscience belonging alone to the penitent1 and to a possible public canonizing as one going forth to die for ,god4 ,a little piety paralleling one's own desires is often made to do great service in silencing the clamors from within4 ,his proud1 tearful mother was by his side4 ,passionately she kissed his cross1 then his brow1 then his eyes and then his lips2 leaving on the brow the glistening1 dewy jewels that told the story of the heart which bade him stay1 yet go4 ,the young knight was for once in his life very serious1 but tearless4 ,after all this1 in rapid steps1 followed the disaster at ,acre2 the desperate struggle outside the city2 the flight toward ,nazareth4 ,sir ,charleroy finally stands between the sea and the city1 a mother's idol ready to be broken2 at twenty-five1 near the apparent apex and end of a life1 having had great opportunities1 now1 with all lost1 he stands there an epitome of paradoxes4 ,he had made life a pursuit of pleasure only to find the pursuit ending in misery2 he had enlisted to serve the ,prince of ,peace1 but that service he had undertaken with the sword2 he had championed1 as he said1 the cause of ,christ1 the all-conquering1 but he meets utter defeat4 ,he had taken for his patron saint ,mary1 after years of libertinism4 ,he elected ,mary1 he said1 because his mother was so like her4 ,but ,sir ,charleroy's mother demoralized her son by over-indulgence1 while ,mary1 though informed by ,gabriel that her offspring was divine1 followed her child as a true mother1 with the divinely appointed authority of a mother1 serenely1 constantly directing his career up to the feast of ,jerusalem1 where he began to reveal his divine commission4 ,even then1 motherhood affirmed its rights in the very presence of ,god manifest1 in the question3 #8,son1 why hast thou dealt thus8' ,nor was the right challenged1 for #8he went down and was subject to' father and mother60 ,at this point ,sir ,charleroy ceased mentally tracing his own career1 and lifting his eyes looked intently toward ,nazareth4 8,ah10 he said1 but so that none could hear his words1 8my mother loved as many another1 in part selfishly1 for the joy of abandoned love1 and ,i squander that patrimony like a spendthrift1 to my harm4 ,mary's love for her son was like his for the world1 a constant self-abnegation4 ,that love survives as an inspiration to the world4 ,by these contrasts ,i explain my failure in life1 and the present is the natural sequence of the past40 ,illustration3 ,by ,murillo4 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,mary4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,nazareth4 8,this is indeed the blessed ,mary's land1 ,virgin and ,mother of our dear ,redeemer6 ,all hearts are touched and softened by her name2 ,alike the bandit with the bloody hand1 ,the priest1 the prince1 the scholar and the peasant1 ,the man of deeds1 the visionary dreamer1 ,pay homage to her as one ever present40--,,longfellow--8,golden ,legend40 8,i walked along the top of the hills overlooking ,nazareth4 ,a glorious scene opened on the view4 ,the air was perfectly serene and clear4 ,i remained for some hours lost in contemplation of the wide prospect and the events connected with the scene4 ,one of the most beautiful and sublime prospects on earth40--,,robinson',s ,biblical ,researches4 ,the avenging ,turks easily persuaded themselves that they could serve ,god better by participating in the sacking of fallen ,acre than by pursuing the conquered1 fleeing ,christian knights2 so they let the latter escape inland1 while they themselves returned to the pillage4 ,ere long1 by stealth1 good fortune and ,providential leading1 the fugitives arrived unmolested at the top of a hill1 overlooking the little city of ,nazareth1 forever memorable as having been once the earthly abiding place of ,jesus and ,mary4 ,on the way thither scarcely a sentence had been spoken1 for each felt that murmuring would be harmful1 mirth inopportune4 ,they chose their course indifferently1 all following ,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin because he rode bravely and onward4 ,the fugitives paused1 partly sequestered by the shrubbed hillock1 forgetting for a time all else in admiration of the outspreading panorama in view4 ,heaven and earth were smiling at each other2 thousands of leagues of sky were filled with the raptured songs of larks1 while as echo and challenge of the songs from above1 the thrush and robin of the grass knoll and thicket responded4 ,from the plains of ,el ,battaf on the north to ,esdrlon on the south ,nature1 ,god's flower queen1 had decked the earth everywhere with blossoms of pinks1 tulips and marigolds4 8,those dusky cowards10 spoke ,sir ,charleroy1 8though numbering ten to one1 will not seek us here2 they'll wait an opportunity to ambuscade us40 8,we've broken our knight's pledge1 never to flee more than the distance of four ,french acres from a foe1 and yet methinks we've made them respect our swords2 that's something to say1 though we've not made them respect our creed40 ,it was a ,knight of the ,golden ,cross that spoke4 ,sir ,charleroy continued1 while his eyes turned toward the city3 8,i thirst for the waters of a fount in ,nazareth as did ,david once for one in ,bethlehem40 8,for all of our getting at it1 ,nazareth's water might as well be in ,ethiopia10 spoke a ,hospitaler4 8,i've a yearning that comes near to sending me on a charge into the city40 8,that would be a hot pursuit of death surely40 8,a fair one1 then1 since death has been long pursuing us40 ,after a moment's pause ,sir ,charleroy continued3 8,ah1 death6 ,none can escape1 none overtake him2 see we are his prisoners now1 yet he tantalizes us by a show of immunity4 ,as a sarcophagus is let down by suspending ropes in tedious stages1 with jogglings and pauses1 into the grave1 so passes each through perils and sickenings from life to death4 ,no1 no1 an undue fear of death intoxicates us until phantasmagoria possess the brain4 ,we call these hopes2 they are delusive6 ,but will any of you follow for a charge down to the ,virgin's fountain8 ,we can not more than die2 that we must soon1 in any event4 ,i think ,i could die more complacently1 having cooled my thirst where she was wont to cool hers40 8,ugh10 exclaimed the ,templar1 with a shudder of disgust1 8the fountain flows out through an old stone coffin6 ,by my plume6 while drinking there ,i'd be fancying that the ghost of the one robbed of his last house were leering at me and reveling in the thought that ,i'd soon be poor and thirstless as he4 ,verily the flavor of a drink depends much on the goblet60 8,we may have plenty of miserable fancies1 if we only court such2 for me1 ,templar1 ,i prefer to comfort myself by cheerier thoughts2 while ,i drank there1 ,i'd think of the coolings of death's streams2 of her1 that at this fountain slaked her body's thirst and from the chalice of death drank serenely at last4 ,my sword1 the gift of my king1 after having shed torrents of blood1 hangs uselessly at my side4 ,it seems cruel as powerless2 ay1 'tis hateful6 ,my mother gave me1 on my departure1 better gifts by far2 tears1 kisses1 undying love1 and the charge to call on ,mary if ever evil befell me4 ,the latter ,i know not how to do2 but still my weak faith1 methinks1 would be helped to cry #8,mother' to ,god1 if ,i could only stand where that mother stood who won the first love of the infant ,jesus1 the last anxious thoughts of the ,god man40 8,sir ,charleroy is unusually pious to-night2 but alas1 though ,i've been taught to say our church's ,litany1 calling on #8the ,virgin most faithful1' #8,virgin most merciful1' #8,help of the ,christian1' #8,lady of ,victories1' ,i can not use those phrases here4 ,where's the help1 the mercy1 the victory now8 ,the ,litany1 belongs to ,england60 8,we are in our present plight because we have won heaven's neglect through having more vices than graces1 probably40 8,whatever the cause1 the mocking disappointment is apparent4 ,it is nigh thirteen hundred years since the ,holy son and ,his mother began proclaiming and exemplifying the ,white ,kingdom here4 ,now in all this land of theirs1 we thirteen1 fateful number1 alone are left of those who openly own ,his cause4 ,yea1 and the city where ,he grew in favor1 these nature-blessed plains whose flowers gave ,him picture sermons1 are all filled with burrowing monsters eternally at war with ,him and ,his40 8,faith will rest until assured that the ,promiser is dead1 and that can never be1 ,sir ,knight40 8,my faith staggers at the sights of ,nazareth4 ,chief1 look yonder40 ,the knights all now called ,sir ,charleroy chief1 when addressing him4 8,at what80 8,the ruins60 8,ah1 all that's left of our ,crusader church4 ,they say it was built on the very spot where ,mary fell fainting1 when she saw the ,nazarenes in wrath dragging her son away to cast him down from the precipice to death4 ,but ,he escaped1 though the church since built did not60 8,true2 therefore it seems to me that the hand on time's dial turns backward4 ,this city is filled with creatures having hearts as hard as the limestone walls of the cave-like houses they fittingly inhabit4 ,if ,christ and ,his ,mother were again on earth as before1 mercy's ministers1 the present inhabitants of ,nazareth would surpass ,his ancient persecutors in the zeal with which they would drag not only ,him but ,his mother to the cliffs40 8,over the door of yon ruined church1 some hand of faith carved the word #8,victory6' ,the word is there yet1 and though the hand that carved it is dead1 the faith which prompted it hath victory assured it40 8#8,victory1' in ruins6 ,a meaningless boast1 as it seems to me1 ,sir ,charleroy4 ,such victory as ours2 shadowy and very distant60 ,at that moment one of the ,templars1 who had been secretly praying behind a cactus hedge1 drew near and the ,hospitaler addressed him3 8,brother1 any token80 8,praise ,jehovah6 yes1 of peace40 8,how came it80 8,in my communings1 ,god brought to my mind how the wondrous ,deborah1 not far from here1 pushed the pusillanimous ,barak from his refuge among the pistacas and oaks1 from waverings to courage and to glorious victory over ,god's foes40 8,a happy thought2 #8the stars on their course fought against ,sisera6'0 8,barak was called the #8thunderbolt1' but ,deborah was the #8lightning4' ,the lightning gave force to the bolt and ,god to the lightning40 ,sir ,charleroy1 catching the last sentence1 joined in the debate3 8,gentlemen1 there is another lesson on the brow of that history2 it is1 that women1 having more trust1 cleave closer to ,god in peril than do men4 ,men are in a panic when their devices fail2 women have fewer devices to fail1 hence are less easily confounded4 ,for that reason ,god sent out our race in pairs40 8,hermon's breast holds the last ray of the setting sun10 remarked the ,golden ,cross4 8,and the ,transfiguration of ,christ is recalled6 ,i think some angel of ,god is holding the sunlight there for our instruction1 now10 exclaimed the chief4 8,our instruction80 queried the ,templar4 8,i do not discern its meaning2 campaigning ,i fear has dulled my brain40 8,the ,son of ,mary1 on yon mount1 met ,elijah1 representative of the prophets1 ,moses1 representative of the law2 both called from the deathless land to proclaim the fulfillment of all prophecy and law through ,his coming passion40 8,and still ,i question how this applies to us80 8,a ,knight of the ,red ,cross should easily discern that suffering unto death for truth's sake is the way1 all prophecy declares that a reign of law transforming things to spiritual splendor shall at last come to earth40 8,ah1 ,sir ,charleroy1 the interpretation is entrancing1 but why did the glory need to fade into night1 and to be followed by ,gethsemane and ,calvary80 8,life is but a series of temporary glimpses of the glory that shall be revealed4 ,night and cloud come and go1 yet the sun never dies40 8,but1 ,sir ,charleroy1 was it not hard that the loving ,immanuel should be forced to bide these pangs though ever pursuing true righteousness80 8,yea1 ,templar1 but the glory of the ,transfiguration came to all that group while ,jesus prayed2 as the angel hastened to minister when ,gethsemane was darkest4 ,these things teach that heaven watches its own1 with succor according to want2 great light at hand to baffle great darkness and royal answers for anxious prayers60 8,you mean1 ,sir ,charleroy1 that we few1 surrounded by a sea of enemies1 in an inhospitable land1 far from home1 should despise each despairing thought80 8,good ,templar1 ,i am certain of this1 anyway3 ,suffering for the right has full reward1 for after passion as ,christ's1 so to ,his followers there comes the ascension40 8,amen10 fervently ejaculated several surrounding knights1 and ,sir ,charleroy felt the glow that he felt that time the ,english bishop blessed him4 ,as they thus communed1 the sun had quietly sunk down into the far-off ,mediterranean1 flooding the west with light like molten gold4 ,doubtless one thought came to each at the sight2 for all smiled sadly when one remarked3 8,the ,west is very beautiful to-night60 ,they thought with deep yearnings of home4 ,but the darkness quickly drew over the scene and the song of the baleful nightingales began to start forth here and there from thickets which1 in the darkness1 appeared like plumes of mourning on acres of black velvet4 ,one knight1 for a while entranced by the grim1 gloomy spectacle1 shuddered2 then looked up as if to say3 8,when will the moon rise8 the darkness is oppressive60 ,another tried to cheer his comrades by crying3 8,england's songsters know us and come to sing us into hopefulness60 8,men1 to rest2 you'll need it40 ,it was ,sir ,charleroy who spoke4 ,responsibility made him motherly4 8,let us revel awhile in memories of better days10 replied the ,templar4 8,but listen2 do you not hear afar off something like the moaning of the winds before a storm80 8,what of it8 ,a storm could add little to our misery40 8,the sound you hear is the cry of jackal and wolf2 our omens4 ,forget now all unnerving thoughts of home and steel yourselves to meet hard fortune4 ,for a while rest4 ,rest is now our wisdom2 night1 our mother2 for a time in safety she will swaddle us within her black garments4 ,and then----0 8,even so1 good ,sir ,charleroy1 and ,i'm thinking this is her last visit to us4 ,she has come1 ,i guess1 to lead us to the portals of eternal day40 8,when ,i say good-night to you1 comrades1 it will be with the expectation of next saying good-morning where the wicked cease from troubling10 solemnly said the ,golden ,cross4 8,but10 interrupted the ,hospitaler1 8while the pulse beats we have a mortgage on time and a duty to plan to live40 8,bravely said2 now tell us how to plan10 exclaimed several knights4 8,merge all our orders into one1 for the present2 elect a leader1 and----0 ,the ,hospitaler paused1 for he could not guess the needs or course of the future4 ,but the knights quickly acquiesced in the unity of action proposed4 8,who shall lead80 was the next question4 8,i nominate10 shouted the ,hospitaler1 8the one whom we all believe must be under the especial care of the good angels of these places sacred to all revering mother ,mary40 ,the knights1 with one voice1 responded1 8,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin1 ,teutonic ,knight of the ,order of ,st4 ,mary60 ,the little band dared their danger for a moment by a spontaneous cheer4 8,we have no priest to anoint the chief of the ,refugees1 but with ,god to witness1 let each who would ratify the choice place hilt to shield1 as an oath of service and defense40 ,every hilt rang against ,sir ,charleroy's shield1 as the ,hospitaler ceased speaking4 8,comrades10 said ,sir ,charleroy1 8,i thank you for your confidence in this hour when the issue is life or death4 ,let us seek the ,god of battles40 ,the knights formed a hollow square about their leader1 and all kneeled upon the earth4 ,their wondering steeds seemed to catch the spirit of their riders1 and1 drawing near1 drooped their heads4 ,for a few moments there was awing silence1 and then in deep measured tones the ,hospitaler began chanting1 8,kyrie ,eleison0 7,lord have mercy74 ,the companions responded1 8,christi ,eleison40 ,then1 amid those scenes of sacred history1 the kneeling soldiers1 together1 and without command1 with only the stars for altar-lights1 solemnly chanted a portion of the sublime ,litany of their church4 ,galilee never before1 nor since1 heard a more sincere orison3 8,pour forth1 we beseech ,thee1 oh1 ,lord1 ,thy grace into our hearts1 that we to whom the incarnation of ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 was made known by the message of an angel1 may by ,his passion and ,his cross be brought to the glory of ,his resurrection1 through the same ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,amen40 ,as they arose1 a ,templar spoke3 8,companions1 if it so please you1 put a seal1 the seal of the ,red ,cross ,knights1 upon our act40 ,so saying1 the knight crossed his feet1 then spread out his arms horizontally2 similitude of the crucifixion4 ,all reverently imitated the action1 meanwhile1 their swords being in hand with blades crossing1 forming a fence of steel4 8,comrades10 spoke ,sir ,charleroy1 with emotion1 8,i accept the trust1 and vow by ,him that gave the single-handed ,elijah on yonder far-off wrinkled ,carmel1 sign by fire1 that confounded ,baal and its regal hosts1 to lead you to liberty and home or to glorious graves40 8,in hoc signo vinces1 living or dead10 was the chorused response4 ,just then the rising moon flooded their interlaced swords with light1 and1 as they glittered1 the knights took it for an omen that there was a blessing in the union of their swords4 8,sir ,charleroy1 ,i proclaim thee king of ,jerusalem2 what say you1 comrades80 exclaimed a hitherto silent ,knight of ,st4 ,john4 ,once more every knight's sword touched the leader's shield4 8,nobly proclaimed60 remarked the ,templar4 8,when ,de ,lusignan deserted us1 ceasing to be kingly1 he ceased to be king40 8,have charity1 men10 interrupted their chief2 8it takes a world of courage to fall with a falling cause when a way of escape is open40 8,oh1 we'll have charity2 the same that ,tancred had for that brave preacher and craven soldier1 ,hermit ,peter2 the latter ran from peril and ,tancred raced him back4 ,we can not reach ,lusignan to whip him to duty1 but we can vote him dethroned and dead4 ,all cowards are dead to the brave40 8,but1 companions1 ,i must decline the presumptuous title and phantom throne4 ,jerusalem shall have1 to us1 but one king2 the ,son of ,mary4 ,for the future1 to you1 let me be simply ,sir ,charleroy4 ,now let us be moving40 8,whither80 anxiously inquired several knights in a breath4 8,over the valley to the cactus hedges against the limestone cliffs before us1 where runs along the great highway from ,damascus to ,egypt4 ,we shall not need the route to either point1 probably2 but those hills are full of caves for the living and tombs for the dead40 ,all obeyed4 8,why so thoughtful80 said the ,hospitaler to the ,knight of the ,golden ,cross1 who marched along with his cloak partly shielding his face4 8,i'm living in the past10 he sententiously answered4 8,the past8 ,ah1 to make up by a back journey for an expected briefing of thy future80 8,no1 raillery here1 ,hospitaler4 ,i was just wishing that since we are so near ,endor1 ,saul's witch would call up some saintly ,samuel to tell us where we shall be this time to-morrow40 8,oh1 ,golden ,cross1 know we can best bear the good or evil of the future by seeing it only as it comes2 for me1 ,i prefer to think of another place1 near us1 but having a more helpful incident for the memory of such as we40 8,dost thou mean ,nain80 8,the same4 ,there a dead only son was raised from the bier to comfort a widowed mother40 8,well said1 ,hospitaler10 responded ,sir ,charleroy1 8and let us not forget that it was a mother's tearful prayers that won the working of the miracle40 8,alas1 knight10 sighed the ,templar1 8we have no mothers to so petition for us here1 if we be quenched ere long40 8,some of us have living mothers who never cease to pray for us1 nor will until their breath ceases4 ,in this land1 where ,god appeared through motherhood1 ,i have a strong confidence that our mothers' prayers1 re-enforced by our appealing but unvoiced needs1 will move the motherhood of ,god1 if such ,i may call ,his tenderest lovings4 ,i'll trust to-night my mother's prayers1 reaching from ,england to ,heaven and from thence to here1 further than all the sympathy forgetful ,europe will vouchsafe us4 ,a nation cheered us to battle1 and yet it will never seek for the fragments defeat has left2 but the man never lived1 no matter what his ill deserts1 whom true mother love and eternal ,god love ever forgot40 ,after this long address1 ,sir ,charleroy again felt the glow within and the approvings that he felt on the quay when the bishop's hands were on his head4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,the ,,fugitives4 8',tis not in mortals to command success2 ,but we'll do better1 ,sempronius2 we'll deserve it40--,cato4 ,the fugitives slept1 some in the obliviousness of complete fatigue and others restlessly1 their minds perturbed by dreams of their impending perils4 ,dawn summoned all to renewed activity1 but its coming was not greeted joyfully by the knights4 8,sir ,charleroy10 mournfully spoke a ,hospitaler to the former1 as they met at the outskirts of the camping place1 8our comrade1 the ,knight of the ,holy ,sepulcher1 made good his escape from this woeful country during the early morning1 before dawn1 as our comrades were sleeping60 8,why1 impossible60 questioningly responded the chief4 8,alas1 'twas rather impossible for him not to go60 8,i'm in no humor for such petty jesting6 ,see1 his steed is there yet10 and ,sir ,charleroy turned on his heel impatiently as he spoke4 8,pardon1 companion1 he that departed was borne away by the white charger with black wings60 8,dead80 8,mortals say #8dead' of such1 but it were better to say he is free40 8,peace to his soul10 fervently spoke ,sir ,charleroy4 8,ah1 knight1 thou canst not imagine the peacefulness of his going60 8,but why were we not summoned8 ,we might have consoled him at least2 perhaps we might have healed4 ,what was his malady80 8,a poisoned arrow wounded him in the retreat from ,acre4 ,he did not realize his peril until the agonies of the end were wracking his body4 ,then he said1 #8,too late2 it's useless to attempt resistance of the inevitable4'0 8,now this is pitiful--a humiliation of us all4 ,heavens1 ,hospitaler6 there's not a knight among us who would not have periled his life in effort in the dying man's behalf40 8,but he cautioned me against disturbing any one on his account4 #8,poor men1' he said1 #8they'll need all the rest they can get for the struggles of the day to come4' ,only once did he seem to yearn for a remedy1 and that time he spoke mostly as one dreaming4 ,i remember his every word--#8,i wish ,i could bathe these hot and bleeding wounds in the all-healing nards said to exude exhaustlessly from the image of the ,virgin ,most ,merciful at ,damascus4' ,i roused him1 then1 with an appeal for permission to summon thee1 but he forbade me40 8,thou shouldst have overridden all protests of his6 ,by my tokens6 ,i'd have emulated faithful ,elenora1 who sucked the poison from the dagger stab given her spouse1 our knightly ,prince ,edward1 by the would-be assassin at ,acre40 8,i could not resist him2 his face shone in the moonlight with heavenly brightness2 mine was covered with tears4 ,oh1 chief1 the dying man spoke like an angel4 ,once he said3 #8,it is sweet to go out here1 nigh where the resurrection angel1 ,gabriel1 gave ,mary the glad tidings that her humanity was to join with the ,good ,father to bring forth ,one capable of sounding each human sorrow here and hereafter4 ,he overcomes the dread last enemy of all our race6' ,i watched as he fixed his dying gaze upon the golden cross he wore2 his last words still fill and inflame my soul3 #8,brother1 good-night--say this to each for me4 ,i feel great darkness creeping in to possess this broken1 weary body4 ,it comes to stay1 but my soul moves forth out of its dungeon4 ,i see gates most lofty1 all glorious1 and oh1 so near6 ,they open to an eternal day4' ,then he breathed his last1 murmuring tenderly3 #8,i'm going2 good-night2 good-morning6'0 ,the ,hospitaler ended his recital with a great sob1 then burying his face in his cloak1 was silent4 ,presently the knights formed a hollow square about an old tomb in the hillside4 ,the ,hospitaler supported tenderly the head of the dead comrade in his lap4 ,on the naked breast of the corpse lay the many-pointed golden cross of the ,knights of the ,sepulcher1 while round the body was wrapped a ,templar's banner1 with its significant emblem1 two riders on one horse2 symbol of friendship and necessity4 8,let the one who received the dying prayer of our brave companion speak10 said ,sir ,charleroy4 ,the knights all knelt1 and the ,hospitaler still reverently supporting the head of the dead1 spoke4 8,knight of ,christ1 sleep2 the clamors of war shall no more disturb thee4 ,the dead at least are just and merciful4 ,israelite1 ,mohammedan and ,christian may lie together in these vales1 reconciled at last4 ,they that would not share a loaf to save life to one another1 in death share quietly all they have1 their beds4 ,the ashes of the long sleepers have no contentions2 here are no crowdings of each other2 no misunderstandings2 no alarms4 ,sleep1 soldier1 thy worthy warfare finished2 thy cause appealed to the ,judge of ,all6 ,sleep and leave us to battle on 'mid perils and pain4 ,sleep thy body1 while thy soul fathoms the mysteries to us inscrutable4 ,rest now1 and leave us here a little longer to wonder why it is that human creatures must needs inhumanly oppose and slay each other for the enthroning of ,truth1 the friend1 the quest of all6 ,sleep1 and leave us to wonder why death and conflict are the openers of the gates of life and peace40 ,some of those kneeling wept1 but they were too much depressed to speak4 ,quietly they laid the body within its resting place2 quietly they sealed up the tomb's entrance4 ,then they mounted their steeds at their chief's command4 8,there are but twelve of us left2 a lucky number4 ,perhaps the breaking of the fateful spell believed to follow the number thirteen1 was death's beneficence60 ,it was the ,templar who so spoke4 8,it is said1 ,templar10 responded ,charleroy1 8that our ,mary1 in her girlhood1 was escorted ever by an invisible heavenly guard1 a thousand strong4 ,in the guard there were twelve palm-bearing angels of rare splendor1 commissioned to reveal charity40 8,a worthy companionship1 chief60 8,i'm inclined to pray heaven to send again to these parts the beautiful twelve1 to assure us good fortune and victory40 8,surely the prayers of us all join thine1 ,sir ,charleroy2 but methinks we have forgotten how to pray aright1 or heaven has forgotten to answer us4 ,we have been praying and fighting for months only to find at last that our prayers and our battlings are alike vain4 ,i fear there are no palm-bearing angels at hand40 ,the horsemen slowly wended their way back to the hill-top1 overlooking ,nazareth1 on which they first paused the night before4 ,again they halted to admire the prospect1 as well as to look for a route of safe retreat4 ,nazareth was astir4 ,the little band on the hill could hear the morning trumpeters calling the ,moslem to worship4 8,gentlemen10 said the leader of the band on the hill1 8it is wisdom to divide into two parties1 and make for the sea by different routes4 ,at ,csarea we may find some vessels with which to leave these to us fateful shores4 ,if we meet the foe anywhere1 the odds against us now are so great that death or enslavement must be the result4 ,perhaps if there be two parties one may escape40 ,the knights paused about their leader a few moments in affectionate debate2 all opposing at first the plan that was to scatter them1 but all1 finally1 convinced that it was the highest wisdom to go on their ways apart4 ,lots were cast by the eleven1 ,de ,griffin not participating4 ,four were grouped in one party and seven in the other by the result4 8,i'll join the weaker party1 remembering the five wounds of ,jesus10 said ,sir ,charleroy1 reining his steed to the smaller company4 ,a moment after he continued3 8,now1 good souls1 away with grief2 part we must2 here and now4 ,may ,god go tenderly with the seven1 a covenant number4 ,now make your wills2 then a brief farewell2 then use the spur40 8,wills80 said a ,templar1 and they all smiled in a sickly way at the word4 8,we knights1 boasting our poverty1 our holding of all we have in community1 know nothing of will-making40 8,true1 the pelf we each have is small enough2 a few keep-sakes1 our arms and such like2 but our love is something4 ,let's will that1 and if we've aught to say before we die1 we'd better say it now4 ,there is work ahead1 and plenty of it4 ,there will be no time for ante-mortem statement when we meet the cimeters of the ,crescent40 ,so spoke ,sir ,charleroy4 ,he continued1 8,my slayer will take good care of my jewels40 ,he commenced writing upon a bit of parchment1 using for rest the pommel of his saddle4 ,in a few moments he paused4 8,wilt thou read thine1 that we may know how to make ours1 chief80 inquired one near him4 8,a message to my mother2 that's all40 8,enough2 that's sacred40 8,yes--but--no4 ,misery has knit us into one family4 ,i feel to confide40 ,so saying1 he read his writing1 omitting only the portion that recited their recent vicissitudes3-- 8,and now1 beloved mother1 we turn from ,nazareth toward the sea with only a forlorn hope of reaching it4 ,i long to meet thee1 but the longing must1 ,i fear1 content itself in reaching out my heart's best love across the distant ocean toward thyself4 ,it is all ,i can give in return for the mysterious consciousness that thine is a constant presence4 ,my memory teems with records of my life-long ingratitude toward thyself1 that gave me birth and all a loving heart could bestow1 and now ,i'm tasting bitterest remorse for all those selfish days of mine4 ,i wish ,i could recall their acts4 ,take these words as my request for pardon4 ,i shall bind this little parchment scrap in my belt in a vague hope that some way1 some time1 it may reach thee4 ,if it do1 remember it is sent to bear to thee1 beloved mother1 the assurance that thy once wayward boy remembers now1 as he has for months1 as the brightest1 best1 most exalting and blessed things of all his life1 thy loving words1 thy patient trust in him and all thy pious exhortations4 ,i thank ,god now for all my trials and perils4 ,they have brought me to full prizing of thy goodness and near to the religion thou dost profess40 ,the reader paused1 and the companion knights at once began begging him to inscribe messages for them each1 he being the only one in all the company having the priestly gift of the pen4 ,most of them said1 8,to my mother0 or 8,to my sister1 write20 but one blushed as he said1 8,i've no mother nor sister40 ,his comrades rallied him at once3 8,name her1 the other only woman60 8,a heart as brave as thine1 knight10 said the ,hospitaler to the blushing youth1 8has a queen on its throne1 somewhere40 ,the youth blushed more and drew away a little4 8,only a lover10 said the ,templar4 8,lovers1 absent1 assuage their pinings by new mating6 ,they forget2 mothers never do4 ,write for us1 ,sir ,charleroy40 ,the blush of the youth deepened to anger1 evincing his heart's high protest against any hint of doubt being aimed at his queen2 but he was self-restraining1 silent4 8,i'll not reveal her by defense even10 was his whispered thought4 ,the writing was finished4 8,farewell6 ,forward40 ,the chief suited the action to the commands1 and soon his steed was dashing swiftly away with its rider1 followed by the others of his party4 ,the seven departed toward ,nain2 perhaps it was an ominous choice1 for their route led them toward the cave of incantation1 where ,endor's witch called up for ,saul the shade of ,samuel4 ,most likely the words of the dead prophet to the haunted warrior1 8,to-morrow thou shalt be with me10 would have told the fate of the seven that morning fittingly1 for they were never heard from by any of their earthly friends4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,ichabod4 8,oh1 that many may know ,the end of this day's business1 ere it come2 ,but it sufficeth that the day will end1 ,and then the end is known40--,julius ,csar4 ,a tedious ride brought the five knights nigh ,shunem1 the ,city of ,elijah4 8,we'll find no prophet's chamber here for such as we10 remarked ,sir ,charleroy4 8,perhaps10 said a comrade1 8we may by force or cajoling find a breakfast2 a cake or cruse of oil40 8,anyhow10 replied the chief1 8we must try for a little food4 ,we can neither fight nor flee with gaunt hunger on our flanks4 ,who knows1 after all1 but that we may happen on a humane being in these parts40 8,well1 good captain1 if we should find a ,shulamite1 black1 but comely1 she might be as loving to thee as that one of old was to ,solomon1 although----0 ,the sentence was broken off by the interrupting command of ,sir ,charleroy1 8,men1 quick to cover2 to the lemon-tree grove on the right60 ,a glance back revealed a host of armed men behind the knights4 8,all saints defend60 cried the ,templar1 as the little band wheeled toward the refuge4 ,the tale of the battle to the death that ensued1 is quickly told4 ,sir ,charleroy1 though he had fought with reckless bravery1 as one hotly pursuing death1 alone survived4 ,a bludgeon blow felled him2 when he recovered consciousness1 he beheld standing by his side a gorgeously bedecked ,moslem4 ,the clangor of the conflict was over2 the blood in which he weltered1 and the vicious eyes that watched him1 were all that reminded the knight of what had recently transpired4 ,presently the latter addressed the one that stood guard3 8,why is the infidel so tardy in finishing his work80 8,is the ,crusader in a hurry to reach night80 sententiously replied the man of gorgeous trappings4 8,he would like to stay long enough to execute a murderer--the chief of thy horde40 8,my horde8 ,thou knowest me80 8,oh1 yes1 #8,azrael1 ,angel of ,death1' thy minions call thee2 but ,i defy thee as ,i loathe thee40 ,the chief's brow darkened2 his sword rose in air1 and he exclaimed3 8,hercules was healed of a serpent bite1 ages ago1 at ,acre2 ,islamism in the same place recently2 ,i must finish the hydra by cutting off thy hissing head1 ,christian40 ,sir ,charleroy steadily met his captor's gaze1 eye to eye1 and was silent4 ,the chief paused2 then lowering his sword1 toyed its point against the cross on the prostrate man's breast4 8,bitter tongue1 thou dost worship a death sign2 dost thou so love death80 8,death befriends those who wear that sign in truth2 this is my comfort standing now at the rim of earth's last night40 8,thy bright red blood and unwrinkled brow bespeak youth1 the power to enjoy life4 ,youth and such power is ever a prayer for more time2 thou liest to thyself and me by professing to seek thy end40 8,how wonderful6 ,the #8,angel of ,death' is a soul-reader as well as a murderer60 bitterly rejoined ,sir ,charleroy4 8,well1 then1 refute me6 ,here's thy greasy1 blood-stained sword2 now go1 by thine own hands1 if thou darest1 to judgment40 8,trusting ,god1 ,i may defy thee2 yet not hurry ,him60 8,i like the ,christian's metal4 ,i might let him live40 8,life would be a mean gift now2 a painful departure from the threshold of ,paradise1 to renew weary pilgrimages40 8,i may be merciful40 8,i do not believe it40 8,thou shalt40 8,when ,i believe in the tenderness of jackals and tigers1 in the sincerity of transparent hypocrisy1 ,i'll praise the mercy of ,azrael40 8,our holy ,koran reveals a bridge finer than a hair1 sharper than a sword1 beset with thorns1 laid over hell4 ,from that bridge1 with an awful plunge1 the wicked go eternally down2 over it safely1 swiftly1 the holy pass to happiness4 ,art ready to try that bridge80 8,ready for the land of forgetfulness2 no swords nor crescents are there40 8,no1 thou wouldst only reach ,orf1 the partition of hell1 where the half-saints tarry2 thy bravery merits that much2 but ,i'll teach thee to reach better realms40 8,turk1 ,mameluke1 'tis fiendish to prejudge a dying soul2 leave judgment to ,god1 and share now all that is within thy power1 my body1 with thy fit partners1 the vultures60 8,a living slave is worth more to me than a dead knight2 ,i've an humor to let thee live40 8,oh1 most merciful hypocrite6 ,i did not think thou couldst tell the truth so readily2 but let me1 ,i beseech thee1 be the dead knight40 8,what if ,i save thy life1 teach thee the puissant faith of ,islam1 give thee leadership1 and with it opportunity to win entrance to that highest ,paradise1 whose gateway is overshadowed by swords of the brave8 ,there thou mayest dwell forever with ,allah and the adolescent houris40 8,enough2 unless thou dost aim to torture me6 ,i'm a ,knight of ,saint ,mary1 and thou full well knowest the measure of my vows2 how throughout this land my ,order has warred against thy hateful polygamy1 thy gilded lusts here1 thy ,harem heaven hereafter6 ,ye thrive by luring to your standards men aflame now with the fire that burns such souls at last in black perdition4 ,i tell thee to thy teeth1 thou and thine are living devils4 ,but ye war against the wisdom of the world and the law of ,god2 though triumphing now1 ye will rot amid your riots and victories40 ,the chief's face grew black as night for an instant1 but recovering himself1 he continued1 sarcastically at first1 then with the zeal of a proselyter3 8,speak low1 thou1 last dying vestige of a wan faith6 ,thou mightst make my solemn followers yell with ridiculing laughter6 ,i tell thee of life and of a faith as natural as nature herself4 ,listen2 there is for the brave and faithful a ,paradise whose rivers are white as milk as odoriferous as musk4 ,there are sights for the eye1 fetes most delicious and music never ceasing to ravish2 these lure the brilliantly-robed faithful to the black-eyed daughters of ,pleasure4 ,one look at them would reward such as we for a world-life of pain2 and the children of the prophet's faith are given the eternities to companion these splendid creatures whose forms created of musk know no infirmity1 but survive1 always1 as adolescent fountains4 ,the heaven of ,islamism is eternal youth1 eternally luxurious40 8,it befits the ,angel of ,death to gild a deformed hell with bedazzling words4 ,thou and thine glorify lust1 and thy heaven1 like thy harem1 is but a brothel after all4 ,now let me blast thy gorgeous charnel-house with the lightning of ,god's ,word3 #8,blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see ,god6'0 ,sir ,charleroy had raised himself up as he was speaking2 now he fell back1 exhausted4 ,he again felt the glow in his heart that he felt on the quay when the ,english bishop blessed him2 but it seemed more real now than then1 and the approvings of conscience some way came with rebukes that caused tears to flow4 ,he felt something akin to real penitence for a life that had not been always up to the ideal that this debate had caused him to exalt4 ,as he fell back he closed his eyes and turned his face from his captor2 the act was a prayer to be helped to shut out of his mind the picture of gilded lust depicted by the false teacher that stood by4 ,for a few moments the wounded man was left to his own thoughts1 and then his heart went out toward home crying like a sick or lost child in the night1 for 8,mother60 ,once more he returned to that duality of existence which comes when one enters into personal introspections4 ,there seemed to be two ,sir ,charleroys1 one writing the history of the other1 and the writer was recording such estimates as these3 8,as he lay there1 nigh death1 he drew near to ,god4 ,he had once been a rover1 seeking the wildest pleasures of the ,european capitals2 but meeting passion1 presented as the ultimate of life1 for all eternity1 his soul recoiled from it and he became the herald of purity4 ,once he had friends1 wealth and physical prowess2 but he squandered them as a prodigal2 when he lay bleeding1 powerless in body1 amid strangers1 a slave1 he rose to the majesty of a moral giant40 ,the ,sir ,charleroy that was thus reviewed was comforted1 and he stood off from the picture in imagination to admire it1 as one standing before a mirror4 ,just then he thought of his mother and ,mary1 his ideal1 standing on either side of him1 before the same presentment4 ,it might have been a dream2 but he believed they smiled through tears1 pressed their beating hearts to his and upheld him by their arms with tenderness and strength4 ,his captor left him for a few moments only1 undisturbed4 ,at a sign from ,azrael1 he was soon carried away by a guard2 the parley was ended and he that had so bravely spoken doomed to confront that that is to the vigorous mind the worst of happenings1 uncertainty4 ,for months the captive mechanically submitted to the fortunes of the ,sheik's caravan2 in health improving2 in spirit depressed1 numbed4 ,the knight had constantly before him three grim certainties1 escape impossible2 rebellion useless2 each day hope darkened by further departure from the sea4 ,the captive's treatment from the ,sheik was not unkind4 ,the latter met him by times with a sort of courtly condescension1 varied only by an occasional penetrating1 questioning glance4 ,they had little conversation1 yet the ,sheik's looks plainly said3 8,when thou art subdued1 sue for favors2 they'll be granted40 ,de ,griffin nursed his pride and firmness and prevented all familiarity on ,azrael's part4 ,the latter was puzzled sometimes1 sometimes angered2 but he was too polite to show his feelings4 ,for months the only conversation between the two alert1 strong men might be summed up in these words on the ,sheik's part3 8,slave1 freedom and heaven are sweet40 8,knight1 ,allah knows only the followers of the ,prophet as friends40 ,on the knight's part a look of scorn or an expression of disgust was the sole reply4 ,in the ,sheik's retinue was another captive1 a ,jew4 ,he was constantly near the knight2 for being more fully trusted than the latter1 the ,sheik had made the ,israelite in part the custodian of the ,christian4 ,the knight discerned the relationship very quickly2 though both ,jew and chief endeavored to conceal it4 ,sir ,charleroy1 at the first1 treated his companion captive with loathing and resentment1 as a spy4 ,after a time1 the 8sphinx1 eyes open1 mouth shut10 as ,azrael described ,sir ,charleroy1 deemed it wise and politic to make the ,jew his ally4 ,the resolution once formed1 he found many circumstances to aid in bridging the gulf that separated the captive and his guard2 the cultured ,teutonic leader and the wandering ,israelite4 ,they both hated the same man1 their captor2 both loathed the religion he was covertly aiming to lure them to2 both were anxious for freedom4 ,they gave voice to these feelings when together1 alone1 and ere long sympathy made them friends4 ,the next step was natural and easy2 the stronger mind took the leadership of the two1 and ,sir ,charleroy became teacher2 his keeper became his pupil and protg4 ,the twain one day1 after this change of relation1 walked together conversing1 on a hill overlooking ,jericho1 by which place the ,sheik's caravan was encamped4 8,ichabod1 thou wearest a fitting name40 8,i suppose so1 since my mother gave it4 ,but why say so now80 8,ichabod1 #8glory departed1' thou art like thy people--despoiled40 8,oh1 ,lord6 how long80 piously exclaimed the ,jew4 8,till ,shiloh comes60 8,verily it is so written10 was the ,jew's reply4 8,but ,he has come1 ,israelite60 8,where80 the startled ,jew questioned1 drawing back as if he expected his1 to him mysterious1 companion to throw back his tunic and declare3 8,i am he60 8,in the world and in my heart40 8,ah1 ,sir ,knight1 ,israel's desolation refutes all that40 8,jew1 thine eyes are veiled4 ,i'll teach thee to see ,him yet40 ,the ,jew was puzzled4 ,the twain fell into prolonged converse1 and then in that lone place the ,crusader waxed eloquent1 preaching ,christ and ,him crucified to one of ,abraham's seed4 ,when the two captives descended to their tents1 each was conscious of a new1 peculiar joy4 ,one had the joy of having proclaimed exalted truth1 faithfully1 to the almost persuading of his hearer2 the other was moving about in the growing delight and wonder of a new dawning faith4 ,at frequent intervals ,ichabod besought the knight to take him 8to the mountain40 ,each visit thither was a delight to the new inquirer4 ,on such a journey one day spoke ,ichabod3 8,christian1 ,i am consumed with anxiety to hear thy words and another anxiety lest they do me harm4 ,i am thinking1 thinking1 by day1 and1 what little time my thoughts permit sleep1 ,i'm filled with wondrous dreams6 ,i fear to lose my old faith1 and yet it becomes like ,dead ,sea apples under the light of this new way4 ,so new1 so infatuating4 ,none ,i've met1 and ,i've met many1 ever so moved me4 ,why1 knight1 ,i've traversed half the world2 sometimes as wealth's favorite1 sometimes of necessity in misfortune2 ,i've seen the faiths of ,egypt and ,india in their homes1 and walked amid the temples of great ,rome1 but with abiding contempt for all not ,israelitish4 ,not so this creed of the knight affects me40 8,and for good reason2 ,i offer thee the true1 new1 refined and final ,judaism60 8,it seems so1 and yet ,i tremble4 ,i dare not doubt2 that's sin2 but here's the puzzle that harasses me3 ,what if1 in doubting these things ,i'm now told1 ,i be doubting the very truth1 the ,jewish faith60 8,ichabod1 thy heart has been a buried seed awaiting the spring4 ,it has come40 8,oh1 knight1 ,i'm trusting my dear soul to thee4 ,as a dog his master1 a maid her lover1 so blindly ,i follow thee4 ,i can not go back3 ,i can not pause nor can ,i go onward alone4 ,i'm in the misery of a joy too great to be borne1 almost1 and yet too much my master to be given up4 ,oh1 knight1 thou art so wise1 so strong6 ,steady me2 hold me up6 ,i can only pray and adjure thee to be sincere with me2 only sincere2 that's all2 as sincere as if thou wert ministering to the ills of a sick man battling death40 ,the child of ,abraham1 with a sudden movement1 flung his arms with all vehemence about ,sir ,charleroy4 ,the ,east and the ,west embracing1 truth leading1 love triumphant4 8,poor ,ichabod1 if thou hadst no soul1 thy clingings and yearnings would bind me to thee faithfully4 ,thou hast tried to give me charge over that that is immortal4 ,a ,higher ,being has it in loving trust2 were it not so1 ,i'd turn in dread from thy confiding60 8,is mine so bad a soul1 master80 8,indeed1 no4 ,its preciousness to ,him that created it1 is what would make me dread its partial custody40 8,thou'lt help me1 master1 now80 8,for three objects ,i'll willingly die2 my mother2 our lady1 and the soul of one who abandons himself1 as thou1 to my poor pilotage40 8,then1 thou strangely lovest me4 ,oh1 this but more persuades me that thy faith is right2 it makes thee so good to a stranger1 a slave1 a hated ,jew60 8,but then we are so apart and so unlike each other60 8,no1 ,jew1 ,i want to show that humanity is one4 ,the very creed ,i'm trying to teach thee and would fain have all thy race1 ay1 all mankind fully understand1 is full of love1 joy1 peace4 ,these follow it as naturally as the flower the stem1 the humming the flying wing made to fly and be musical40 8,oh1 my dear light1 with thee ,i'm in joy and wilderment4 ,thy presence seems to bring me hosts of crowned truths1 all seeking to enter my being4 ,i feel like a tired runner ready to faint when thou'rt absent1 but when thou talkest the tired runner is plunged into a cooling ocean1 whose circling waves1 as it were charged with the stimulus of tempered lightnings1 glowing with a million rainbows1 overwhelm1 lift up and rest him4 ,i'm floating thereon now60 8,thy strange fancies make me wonder1 ,ichabod40 8,wonder2 why my strength dies from over wonder4 ,i was ill for hours yesterday4 ,light to my sweat-blinded1 feverish eyes1 all calm and healing1 comes when ,i yield to thy will2 but still all my joy is haunted by ghosts which rise in day-mare troops1 pointing rebukingly to labyrinths into which ,i seem to be pushed4 ,i sometimes wonder if ,i'm seeing real spirits or going mad40 8,dost pray1 ,jew80 8,i dare not live without praying60 8,then tell the ,all ,pitiful what thou hast this day told to me4 ,he loves the sincere1 down to the deepest hell of doubt1 and from it all1 at last1 will lead tumulted souls safely4 ,an honest doubt is a real prayer1 well winged2 quickly it reaches heaven1 at whose portal it dies to rise again all peace40 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,from ,,jericho ,,to ,,jordan4 8,through sins of sense1 perversities of will1 ,through doubt and pain1 through guilt and shame and ill ,thy pitying ,eye is on ,thy creature still40 8,wilt ,thou not make1 eternal ,source and ,goal1 ,in thy long years life's broken circle whole1 ,and change to praise the cry of a lost soul80--,,whittier4 ,jew and ,crusader came to love each other after the manner of ,david and ,jonathan1 and they were both made stronger and happier men on account of this loving4 8,sir ,charleroy1 a year gone to day1 thou and ,i climbed to glory40 8,thou hast a prolific imagination or ,i a poor memory4 ,i have no remembrance of either climbing or glory of a year ago40 8,i may well remember the greatest day of my life2 the day thou tookst me up yon hill over against ,jericho2 ,i saw1 as ,elisha1 in the presence of his great master ,elijah1 the mountains1 that day1 full of the chariots and angels of ,god40 8,but1 ,jew1 the chariot separated ,elijah and ,elisha2 we were1 in thy #8great day1' made one40 8,true1 but ,i got the prophet's insight and power4 ,oh now ,i see ,shiloh coming in the redemption of ,jew and ,gentile40 8,radiant proselyte1 give ,god1 not me the glory40 8,i'll call thee1 knight1 ,jordan--my ,jordan40 8,the ,jew rambles amid strange conceptions4 ,why am ,i like that mighty stream80 8,its bed and banks1 ,god's cup2 they nobly serve1 catching the pure waters of mountain springs and heaven's clouds1 to bear them1 mingled with sweet ,galilee1 to the black burning lips of ,sodom's plains below4 ,i was a dead sea1 alive alone to misery2 nothing to me but my historic past1 and that sin-stained4 ,i'm now refreshed and purified2 sometime there'll be life growing about me60 8,the highlands of ,galilee gather from heaven1 oceans of sweet1 pure water1 which ,jordan1 year after year1 night and day1 hurries down to the ,asphalt sea2 but still that sea remains lifeless and bitter4 ,even so1 the clean1 white truth comes to some1 life-long1 yet vainly4 ,i think ,i'm little like ,jordan1 but much like that sea40 8,and yet1 knight1 all is not vain that seems so4 ,i learned this once1 long ago1 in the vale of ,siddim1 by the sea of ,lot4 ,as ,i entered that place of desolation ,i thought of ,gehenna6 ,the lime cliffs about1 all barren and pitiless as the walls of a furnace1 shut out the breezes1 and intensified the sun's scorching rays4 ,a solemn stillness1 unbroken by wind1 wave or voice of life1 was there2 suffocating1 plutonic odors ladened the air1 and a fog hung over that watery winding sheet of the cities of the plain4 ,i watched that overhanging cloud until my heated brain shaped it into a vast company of shades2 the ghostly forms of the overwhelmed denizens of those accursed habitations1 now in mute terror and confusion1 holding to one another desperately2 fearing to go to final judgment4 ,once ,i thought they were together trying to look down into the depths1 perchance to seek for vestiges of their ancient1 earthly habitations4 ,these fancies grew and grew upon me1 mad dreamer that ,i was1 until ,i was nigh to desperate fright2 but ,i found some little angels on the shore who comforted40 8,angels at ,sodom80 8,even so4 ,the first was light and liquid silver2 it sang a bar of nature's tireless1 varied melody by my footsteps4 ,ah1 the little1 fresh spring that burst forth through the rim of the crystalline basin1 was an angel to me4 ,then ,i found others here and there4 ,at first ,i was glad1 then ,i began to pity them1 and to wish ,i could change their courses4 ,they all wended their ways to the desolate sea1 and their sweet currents were swallowed up in the yawning gulf of death4 #8,vainly1' ,i said at first4 ,then ,i saw other angels in the forms of bending willows1 and gorgeous oleanders4 ,just then it all came to me2 the springs1 though small and few1 were not in vain4 ,the oleanders and the willow1 whose roots kissed their fresh life1 were evidences that the springs had been for good4 ,aye1 more1 the flowers rejoiced me in those desolations more than could the rose gardens of the ,temple in days of happiness4 ,yea1 knight1 thou hast been a rivulet to ,ichabod in a day when he wandered as among arid mountains and dead seas40 8,blest child of ,abraham1 thy faith is great1 though ,i be but a pitiable guide2 yet ,i'll adopt thy similes4 ,be thou and ,i1 to each other1 ,jordan1 rivulet and flower by turn2 the fresh current gives life to plant and blossom1 while plant and blossom both shade and beautify the streams4 ,with both it shall be well1 if we well learn to seek deep for the hidden springs of the life that can never die4 ,already thou hast blessed me very greatly1 gathering truths ,i failed to find4 ,thou return'st to me multiplied all ,i bestow40 8,would ,i could gather for all2 for my race1 so blinded6 ,oh1 it is a tristful thought that the nearer ,i get to ,god1 the further ,i get from them ,i love next after ,him4 ,even my mother was wont to say to me1 when1 as a questioning boy1 ,i inquired beyond the traditions of the ,rabbis1 that she'd disown me to all eternity as a heretic4 ,my belief has made me an outcast to her1 and yet the thought of her hating me tears my heart40 8,i'll love thy orphaned heart40 8,me8 ,love me2 so far beneath thee and with such pauper power of payment80 8,thy desolation makes thee rich2 having none other to love1 thou canst love me the more4 ,thou know'st this open secret of loving2 its selfishness demands all2 getting that it gives all4 ,fear not ,ichabod1 but that thou'lt find the hunger of thy heart well fed4 ,it is as natural for us to love those we have helped as to hate those we have harmed4 ,thou know'st how men wonder that the ,infinite can love the finite1 but they forget1 or never realized1 that one may love because he has loved4 ,so is it with ,god4 ,he loves1 and that ,he loves becomes therefore rich and worthful to ,him40 ,the morning after the betrothal1 shall we call it1 of these two men to each other1 long before dawn the knight was wakened by a cautious step on the stone floor of his sleeping place4 ,sir ,charleroy was at once all alert and leaped from the couch1 sword in hand1 expecting to confront some gipsy thief1 for there had been a band of these wanderers hovering near the day before4 8,who's there80 sternly he demanded1 advancing1 on guard meanwhile4 8,ichabod1 ,ichabod60 with trembling voice and in a half whisper4 ,it was the ,jew4 8,i did not mean to fright thee10 he hurriedly explained1 when he had recovered from his fear of being thrust through1 8but ,i've news2 bad news that would not wait60 8,what is the bad8 ,is it near80 8,oh1 knight1 speak low--the news is bad enough and the ill1 though not on us1 close after us60 8,thou art excited1 my friend2 sit down and then unfold the matter4 ,meanwhile ,i'll light a faggot40 8,in truth1 ,i can't sit1 and ,i've reason to be nervous40 ,then the man spread out his arms and his fingers as if he would stand all ready to fly2 his eyes wide open1 staring as he talked4 8,our ,sheik leaves ,jericho to-morrow2 summoned by the sheriff of ,mecca4 ,the sheriff is supreme to ,moslem4 ,the command is for war toward the east4 ,blood1 blood2 when will the world be done shedding blood60 8,well1 my loving alarmist10 replied ,sir ,charleroy1 coolly1 8that's not very bad news4 ,if the ,sheik leaves us1 we'll be free2 if he takes us1 there will be a change and for that ,i could almost cry #8,blessed be ,allah6' ,i am sickened1 crushed1 dry-rotted by this hum-drum life2 this slavery2 dancing abject attendance on a gluttonous master1 whose sole object seems to be eating or dallying about the marquees of his harem40 8,oh1 ,sir ,charleroy1 the change has dreadful things for us60 8,why80 8,i heard that the runner bringing the mandate from ,mecca brings also command that all prisoners1 such as we1 must be made to embrace ,islamism1 enlist to die1 if need be1 in this so-called holy war1 or be sent to the slave mart40 8,this is a carnival for the furies6 ,why1 ,ichabod1 the latter is burial alive2 the former death with a dishonored conscience60 8,sir ,charleroy1 ,i prefer the slavery40 8,well1 ,i prefer neither4 ,is the mandate final80 8,yes2 ,i've an order to commence packing at sunrise2 by noon we will be enlisted or in chains40 8,who gave thee these state secrets1 so in detail8 ,perhaps 'tis only camp-fire gossip recounted for lack of novel ghost stories40 8,ah1 'tis too true4 ,i'd swear my life on it60 8,rash1 credulous2 but which now1 comrade1 ,i can not tell40 8,master1 ,i had this from one that loves me as ,i love thee2 the young ,nourahmal1 light of the harem1 favorite of the ,sheik40 8,well1 now it seems to me that this light of the harem is thy favorite rather than the ,sheik's40 8,she adores me40 8,doubtless6 ,where a woman unfolds her mind there she brings all else an offering easily possessed4 ,she seals her change of allegiance by scattering the secrets of the dethroned to the enthroned lover4 #8,nourahmal'8 ,is she as charming in form as in name80 8,hold1 now6 ,if thou lov'st me thou will'st not continue thus to wound4 ,i love that girl1 but not the way thou meanest60 8,so8 ,is there an elopement pending80 8,unworthy gibe6 ,say no more like it1 but answer this3 ,is it not possible for a man and woman to be knitted together in soul1 as ,i and thou have been1 without the shadow of a remembrance that they are animals of different sexes80 8,possible8 ,really ,i do not know4 ,it may be possible1 but so very rare that ,i have failed to hear of any such relationship40 8,then thou shalt hear of it now in ,nourahmal and me40 8,i'll take both to ,paris6 ,another wonder of the world6 ,but explain further40 8,my ,nourahmal is a captive2 hates the man to whom she must submit as we hate him1 and loves me with the new love that you have revealed to me1 because ,i've shown her that ,i love her that way2 so different from any thing she ever knew before40 8,well1 there are many women yoked to men for whom they feel no great affection1 yet they glorify womanhood by their unfaltering loyalty4 ,loyalty is woman's glory2 the hope of society4 ,if the women be traitors1 then1 alas60 8,nourahmal is not a wife6 ,the man that parcels out his heart to a dozen favorites buys but scraps in return4 ,a woman in misery's chains1 without the bands of the confiding1 utter love of her lord1 will talk2 she must talk1 or go mad4 ,i tell1 thee1 knight1 such gossip is the panacea of suicidal bent4 ,there's many a woman kills herself for lack of a confidant60 8,thou hast learned much philosophy going around the world1 ,jew1 but perhaps not this bitter truth2 the woman who is traitor to one man will be to another4 ,thou mayst be the next4 ,what if she set us fleeing for the sake of laughing at our forced return80 8,impossible1 knight2 she reveres me truly2 even as she does ,god2 just as ,i did ,sir ,charleroy when he brought me light and rest4 ,i was to her what thou art to me4 ,one day ,i told her women had souls1 as dear to heaven as the souls of men6 ,she laughed at me like a monkey1 at first1 and reminded me that were ,i a true disciple of ,islam ,i'd know that only young and beautiful women go to heaven1 and they even there have a lowly place4 ,thou knowest these infidels believe that the large majority of hellions are women40 8,not strange ,jew2 they treat women as pretty or useful animals1 and so degrade1 not only themselves1 but these very women4 ,a woman so demeaned does not become heavenly1 to say the least4 ,but ,i think1 if ,i were a ,turk1 ,i'd keep only argus-eyed eunuchs to guard my harem2 in faith1 ,i'd even have the tongues out of those guards40 8,there1 now1 thou dost jest again40 8,well1 go on1 in seriousness4 ,tell us the pipings of this seraglio beauty40 8,i've won her over completely40 8,this is not strange4 ,poets are always valiant1 victorious orators with women4 ,the female heart is emotionally moved up to belief with little logic1 if the speaker be fair1 or musical1 or brave60 8,i was none of these2 ,i told her of the #8,friend of ,publicans and ,sinners2' that fed her soul4 ,i do not believe there is a woman on earth that can resist that story40 8,oh1 well1 ,i'm not going to forget that the first woman outran her mate in evil1 nor that she exchanged the ,all ,beautiful for the snaky demon40 8,it would be nobler for a knight1 truer for all1 to judge1 if judge they will1 by wider circles4 ,do not remember the sin of one1 or a few1 to the disparagement of all60 8,eve1 the best made of all1 fell2 then her weaker sisters are more likely to follow in her way10 said the knight4 8,she found a sin and fell3 thousands of her daughters have fallen by sins that men invented and thrust on them4 ,thou knowest that most women who go wrong1 go in ways they would not without the temptings of the stronger will4 ,the sin that ruins most is that to woman's nature abhorrent1 until honeyed over by the tongue of man40 8,dexterous lance1 art thou1 ,jew2 but1 anyway1 some women are born bad40 8,no2 ,i'm not able for one so wise as the knight1 unless ,i've the strength of truth4 ,i've heard that our wise men say that if we could trace the ancestry of any one evil1 from birth1 we would find somewhere1 up the line1 a father1 preminent in wickedness4 ,say1 women are weak to resist evil2 then1 say men are strong to propagate it4 ,now1 which way turns the scale80 8,oh1 ,i say always1 dogmatically1 if need be1 in man's favor40 8,let me see3 ,eve's humanity that sinned was out of the finest part of ,adam's body1 and the serpent which betrayed her was a male40 8,i'll parry the thrust by asking why the ,holy ,writings reveal no female angels8 ,i think there are none40 8,i've a wiser reason1 knight4 ,it is this3 ,man has so foully dealt with the angels in the flesh that ,god's mercy reserves their finer spiritual counterparts for the sole companionships of heaven1 which justly appreciates these holy1 pure and tender creations4 ,heaven would not be perfectly beautiful without them and1 methinks1 can not spare one for a moment60 8,not even to minister to a needy world80 8,woman's life is here1 generally1 all service1 all ministry2 her return to earth after death would be a work of supererogation4 ,god sends back the male spirits to help restore the world their sex did most to ruin40 ,then both the debaters laughed out as heartily as they dared1 but there was in the tones of the knight's laughter a part-confession of defeat4 ,after a time ,sir ,charleroy spoke again3 8,thou art calm now1 after this diversion1 ,ichabod2 proceed with thy story of danger40 8,well1 ,nourahmal----0 8,oh1 yes1 begin again with ,nourahmal4 ,samson was a pretty good man for a giant1 but he had a betraying ,delilah60 8,true enough2 but he had also a noble mother4 ,remember the better1 rather than the worse40 8,i remember her peers1 ,mary and my mother40 8,so1 then1 when sweepingly condemning all the sex1 please except the mothers1 at least of those who may be thy hearers40 8,good ,jew1 ,i'll not wound thee60 8,no pity for me2 pity thyself4 ,such thoughts as thou hast spoken wound thine own soul4 ,we ,jews have an order called #8,tumbler ,pharisees2' they affect humility1 shuffle as they walk and stumble on purpose that they may not seem to walk with confidence4 ,akin to them we have the #8,bleeding ,pharisees2' they walk with shut eyes1 lest they should see a woman1 and1 stumbling against many a post1 are soon covered with their own blood1 receiving real harm in flying from imaginary dangers40 8#8,maya1 ,maya1' ,ichabod10 laughing aloud1 exclaimed ,sir ,charleroy4 ,the latter1 catching the knight's arm1 hoarsely whispered3 8,hush6 ,thou mayst be heard4 ,what dost thou mean by #8,maya'80 8,perhaps1 ,nourahmal6 ,maya was the reputed wife of the supposed god ,brahm of the ,hindus4 ,it is reported that she was in form like unto fog and her name means #8illusion4' ,a subtle truth1 ,jew2 even a god1 in love1 is near a fog bank60 8,thou dost not know ,nourahmal and dost discredit her2 that's slander2 thou dost know me and ridiculest me2 that's--but--,i'll not say it40 8,i'd not pain my ,ichabod40 8,nor discredit ,nourahmal80 8,no2 but did this angel1 or ,syren of thine1 having shown the peril1 present a map to a city of refuge80 8,ah1 poor1 helpless girl6 she has none for herself1 much less for us4 ,she just told me all and wept and kissed me a farewell1 praying me to flee4 ,i could think of no question in the delight of hearing her say1 she hoped ,i'd meet her in ,heaven1 in peace away from ,moslem and wars4 ,only think of her faith6 ,all new2 just a little while ago she did not know there was a heaven for women4 ,i felt ,i could die then in peace4 ,i've taught one woman that she is more than a pretty animal60 8,then1 ,jew1 to thee1 life is worth living80 8,oh truly6 ,oh1 if this light could only spread over ,egypt and all my own ,syria60 8,thy desire is akin to that of ,mary's son and noble4 ,certain it is that we can not spread that light by fighting to sustain the fateful ,crescent40 8,by the glory of ,god1 ,i never will40 8,nor ,i1 son of ,abraham2 so let's decline40 8,and go to the slave mart80 8,oh1 no1 not while ,i've a sword1 ,ichabod40 8,then to flee is the word80 8,the eastern campaigning with the sheik1 would be a little longer route to ,paradise80 8,perhaps not2 ,i am assured that we are needed of ,god by the use ,he has recently made of us4 ,he will keep us in our flight from bloody persecuting war1 and possible apostacy40 8,i hate the last word6 ,a knight enchanted of ,mary can never become a renegade2 not ,i1 at least4 ,i was born ,october ninth4 ,tradition says that the holy ,st4 ,john ,damascene1 having had his hand cut off by the ,saracens that day1 was by ,our ,lady miraculously made whole1 and lived long after to wield a powerful1 facile pen in her behalf4 ,i'll trust my head and saber hand1 used for her1 to her protection40 8,and ,i'll trust ,him that led the wandering hosts of ,moses2 for #8in all their affliction1 ,he was afflicted with them1 and the angel of ,his presence saved them2 and ,he bore them and carried them all the days of old4' ,oh1 master1 ,i've comfort ,i can not tell1 when ,i feel orphaned1 by thinking of my ,maker1 not only as a ,father1 but as a ,mother6 ,god is our ,mother when we1 bereft of mother-love1 most feel our need of it4 ,so thou toldst me in the mountains40 8,true2 but shall we try our escape now80 8,nay1 we had better wait till a little before dawn2 the camp patrol is then withdrawn2 then we'll embrace freedom40 8,the ,jew seems very confident40 8,oh1 ,i spent the hour after ,i met ,nourahmal 7,god keep her71 amid the palms for which ,jericho is fitly named1 and got a token40 8,a token80 8,my eyes were touched in the darkness40 8,sweet ,nourahmal followed thee80 8,no1 but ,he that opened the eyes of blind ,bartimeus near here40 8,what didst thou see80 8,elisha healing the streams about this palm city1 type of ,god healing the floods of bitterest fates2 after that ,i saw ,jericho's walls falling at the blasts of ,joshua's trumpets1 and remembered that his ,god then is ours now40 8,didst thou see two poor men fleeing in the dark from peril to peril1 pursued by a hundred horsemen1 who saber-lashed them2 a little further two corpses1 one of a ,christian the other of a ,jew1 on which fed fighting jackals80 8,i saw no such horror6 ,i saw two led forth from their captors1 as ,peter from his dungeon2 the angels that blinded the eyes of the monstrous men1 who of old sought to defile ,lot's house1 blinded the eyes of the pursuers of the two2 and the angel of ,peter gave them guidance and light4 ,but come1 the night-guard has retired2 between now and the call to morning prayers is our opportunity40 ,out of the old stone stable silently knight and ,jew glided1 threading their way amid splendors they believed to be1 but could not see4 ,the ministering spirits were over and around them1 their path was through the ,kelt1 the sublimest waddy of ,palestine2 but night shrouded the latter2 their weak faith dimly discerned the other4 8,can't thou see any way-marks1 ,jew80 8,i discern but few4 ,yet1 what matter8 ,it is enough that ,he who leads us sees80 8,the night is getting blacker and blacker2 the omen makes my heart shiver as it beats40 ,as the knight spoke there came a terrific crash of thunder and a succession of blinding lightning flashes4 ,sir ,charleroy clasped the ,jew's arm and in startled voice questioned3 8,dost thou not fear these80 8,why should ,i8 ,the angel guides swing the torches of the unchangeable ,father to give us glimpses of our way4 ,all is well2 ,i saw by the lightning flash that we are passing safely the camp lines of our captors40 ,a few miles were over-past4 ,the storm had abated a little1 and the first streaks of dawn1 like spears1 were rising in the east4 8,would ,god1 good ,jew10 said the now wearied ,sir ,charleroy1 8that the ,prophet of the ,moslem1 who1 near by here1 is said once by a stamp of his foot to have brought forth from the rock a camel1 were present to dance for us now40 8,he is not here1 so we must help ourselves1 knight40 8,ah1 my dear man1 canst thou dance rocks into camels80 8,no1 but there are houses nigh1 and each thou knowst has it's stable-yard in front40 8,but there is the thorny nubk tree1 surrounding the herds40 8,i've faith to try my faith when all ,i have is faith40 8,what for2 to steal a camel80 8,oh1 no2 ,i'd not steal a camel but ,i'd borrow a couple of them4 ,two2 for ,i'm not one of the knights who exhibit poverty1 by riding double1 thou dost know40 8,borrow8 ,well so be it2 the black infidels owe us for two years' service4 ,they borrowed us60 8,it's pious to take the beasts2 for we pay so honest debts of these heathens and shorten the list of their souls' sins by removing from them1 in our escape1 the opportunity for our murder40 8,if this be sophistry1 ,ichabod1 it is so sweet that it is taken as delightful truth40 8,thou art persuaded80 8,no man can out run me1 be he rabbi or priest1 in condemning vices1 if they be such as ,i do not care to practice1 and ,i am a profound believer in every creed that's sweet to my desires4 ,here action treads the heels of persuasion40 99 99 99 99 99 ,on beasts1 borrowed without formality1 the fugitives hurried toward ,jordan1 only there to find a barrier to their progress in the angry torrent swelled by the recent storms4 ,it was clearly futile to attempt a passage1 and to tarry1 waiting the ebb of the waters1 was to bring certain detection4 ,they turned the heads of their borrowed camels toward their master's homes and waited the sunrise1 meanwhile moving about to find some means of safety4 8,well1 my comrade1 ,i think it will not be long until those ,turks will give our souls an ,elijah-like ascension except that there will be no chariot4 ,the morning shimmering on his mountain makes me think of this1 ,ichabod40 8,the tracks of our returning camels in the wet earth will guide our pursuers40 8,suppose we climb a tree as ,zacchaeus1 since we can not have a chariot4 ,by my plume6 which ,i've not seen for a year1 ,i think that would be safety2 the ,turks never look up except in prayer1 and the wolf ,azrael seldom prays4 ,but ,god pity us6 there they are coming40 8,to the tombs1 master6 ,on the left40 8,refuge for jackals80 8,yes1 but also for the miserable1 living and dead6 ,now haste60 ,sir ,charleroy obeyed quickly1 but recoiled with a groan of disgust as he suddenly pushed against an entombed body4 ,he touched his hilt1 as if determined to abandon attempt at flight1 and then1 overcoming the rash impulse to confront the pursuers1 turned about1 seized the corpse1 and dragging it from its place1 hurled it over the river bank into the torrent4 ,he was in the dispoiled nich in an instant4 ,a cry from the pursuers drew him forth4 8,see1 ,ichabod1 the ,turks are running along the river banks watching the mummy bobbing along in the torrent4 ,see1 it sinks4 ,ah1 the brutes1 how they shout6 ,they think that body alive1 and that one poor slave is hounded to death40 8,jehovah ,jeireh1 now help us2 they'll soon be back10 cried ,ichabod4 8,ah1 ,i forgot2 they'll remember there were two of us40 8,calm1 ,sir ,knight1 #8,by this sign ,i conquer1' quoting thy words of another4 ,i'll go forth2 the only one left2 at least so they'll think40 ,sir ,charleroy turned and looked at the ,jew1 and was amazed to see him binding in front of himself a board having the ominous words1 8,unclean0 upon it4 8,what2 thou1 a ,jew1 and touch that foul thing1 worn to festering death by some leper60 8,better night and a clean soul1 though in a body burned by the cursed leprosy1 than life in ,moslem slavery40 8,but what if the disease cleave to thee1 and we escape80 8,sir ,knight1 thou wilt live to tell others that a once hated ,jew was led of thee to truth1 and after died a living death1 that his benefactors might survive4 ,i think such deeds cause noble lights to glow in human souls40 8,god bless and pity thee1 ,ichabod40 8,ah1 he does2 even now4 ,i see the scarlet line of ,rahab1 and it binds the pestilence that walketh by noonday40 ,the furious pursuers spurred their steeds up toward the tombs1 but as they beheld the solitary man1 sitting in painful attitude with beggar-like palm extended and wearing the dread sign1 they rapidly wheeled their steeds about and galloped away4 ,the ,moslem had heard that a ,jew would suffer any torture rather than ceremonial pollution2 hence judged that the object before them could not be the refugee they sought4 8,i wonder not that the demoniac cut himself madly when among the tombs1 good ,jew4 ,sure it's like going to glory to get out once more4 ,methinks freedom is only sweet when taken with fresh air6 ,well1 we are out and the enemy thwarted40 8,methinks1 master1 that the leper that died here1 leaving no legacy but the sign of his death1 did some good in unknowingly making me his heir40 8,and the corpse ,i disposed of so unceremoniously left me a house of safety1 though small and musty4 ,i've a bitter thought40 8,so1 ,sir ,charleroy1 tell it me1 perhaps ,i can sweeten it40 8,i1 the heir for a little time of that soulless clay1 am like it40 8,not much being here and alive40 8,i rather think like it4 ,see me tossed about by strangers1 robbed of my rights1 helpless to resist fate's tides1 begrudged the room ,i occupy1 and not one who once knew me to weep over my besetments40 8,sir ,knight1 the miracles of our frequent preservation should make our murmurings dumb40 ,in the evening ,jordan ebbed a little and the two wanderers passed over4 ,nor did they regret the consequent immersing in its flood4 ,no word was spoken as they passed through the current1 for1 before they entered1 having remembered that at this ,bethabara ford man's ,savior was baptized1 they were each busy with his own meditations4 ,when they stood on the other shore1 ,sir ,charleroy reverently said3 8,comrade1 ,i prayed as we passed that we might have the dove of peace henceforth above our souls at least40 8,i prayed on my part that ,god would accept the act as the ,christian's typical burial to the world and separation from its sins40 8,how like death and birth is that beautiful type4 ,they level all life40 8,are our lives leveled8 knight40 8,henceforth2 and we are brethren40 8,and our ,king and ,savior was baptized here by the herald of ,his ,kingdom1 ,john80 8,yea2 here the new ,judaism was formally inaugurated4 ,tradition says also that ,jesus baptized his mother afterward at this ford40 8,how filial2 how beautiful2 how expressive6 ,he was her ,god1 yet her son1 she his mother and disciple2 and each by all ties and forms bound together in a fellowship of helpfulness40 8,the ,jew's an interpreter40 8,sir ,charleroy sweetens my trust as ,jordan sweetens the bitter waters of ,bahr ,lut40 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,rose4 8,they arise now like the stars before me ,through the long1 long night of years2 ,some are bright with heavenly radiance1 ,and others shine out through our tears4 ,they arise1 too1 like mystical flowers1 ,all different and all the same-- ,as they lie on my heart like a garland ,that is wreathed around ,,mary',s name10 8,good morning and a blessing1 comrade40 ,it was the greeting of the ,jew to the knight who lay asleep under a palm the day after the flight4 ,the sleeper slowly rising1 murmured3 8,i'm half vexed at thee1 ,ichabod2 thou hast dissolved a dream filled with sights of home and mother40 8,i've brought lentils1 barley1 and grape-clusters2 they are better than dreams when the sun is up40 8,to those sad when awake1 joyful dreams are welcome40 8,there are real joys just before us40 8,real joys1 just before us8 ,grim sarcasm2 a sorry jest1 ,jew60 8,no2 oh1 no4 ,i'm telling thee the smiling1 clean-faced truth4 ,we'll be safe at ,jabbock's city by sun set60 8,safe8 safe8 ,i'm unused to that word2 almost afraid of it4 ,what does it mean in this country80 8,oh1 these cavalrymen6 always on the charge2 now here1 now there4 ,thy thoughts go by habit1 sometimes racing forward1 sometimes retreating4 ,a while ago thou wert as full of faith as ,gideon1 now thou art as timorous as ,canaan's spies40 8,my habits have grown fat by feeding on piebald experiences40 8,experience is a lying prophet1 when it counts without reckoning ,god40 8,i can not see a step ahead4 ,that's certainty to me1 though thou callest it doubt4 ,i know not how to hang rainbows upon the ghostly brows of the future when ,i've no power to lay hand on the ghostly form and have no rainbows40 8,he that lifted the burdens of the past from off us holds the changing winds of the future in ,his fists4 ,one second of life goes ever with only one second of care4 ,i learned this of ,sir ,charleroy long ago4 ,now he forgets his own teachings4 ,shall ,i call him ,reuben1 never excelling because unstable as water80 8,call me slave3 ,uncertainty's slave6 ,thou didst waken me from a dream of home1 to the shock of remembering again that ,i was homeless1 dead to all that once made life worth living4 ,the gorgeous hopes of thy fertile mind are mocked by stern present facts40 8,odd talk from one just dreaming of his mother2 a good woman didst say8 then very hopeful2 all good women are4 ,then remember how thou didst lift me to the very gates of heaven yesterday4 ,thou canst not see a step ahead8 ,well1 then look back2 miles2 years4 ,was not our ,god in thy battles in the thickets2 in the mountains2 in ,jordan8 ,my poor reasoning tells me that ,he has wrought too much for us to drop us now4 ,he must get ,his reward in keeping us to the end40 8,some of the past makes me shudder1 ,ichabod40 8,pick out the best1 not the worst4 ,we escaped the very ,gehenna at ,jericho1 following murderers1 the storm1 slavery2 now free1 fed1 rested1 the eastern air washed and sunned to a tonic4 ,i'm drinking lotus balm out of it40 8,there it is2 the sun's in thy brain1 poet-preacher40 8,no1 ,i'm only giving thee back some of thine own sermons4 ,i draw from my own heart no monster memories4 ,if ,i've fought hard battles it sufficeth that ,i have fought them once4 ,i'll not recall their bloody sweat and tears for the sake of refighting them4 ,no1 ,i'm going back to the sweet1 happy hours of babyhood2 for ,i tell thee1 knight1 there is a world of joy to a man1 scorched by stern experience1 to forget himself sometimes back to the lullabys and warblings of the days of his innocence40 8,i can't do it40 8,i can't help doing it1 especially in this place6 ,my whole being feeds on a present scent of home40 8,thou knowest the country hereabouts80 8,my soul laughs in friendly converse with these crocuses1 pinks1 and asphodels1 turning the velvet1 grassy plains to palace carpets4 ,i'm saying to myself these blossoms must know me1 their bowing heads and offered odors being my reward for nursing their mothers when ,i was a boy40 8,well1 flowers are sincere friends2 they never change and are all charitable4 ,that's why they are deemed fit presents to those in prison1 or proper offering to be laid on the breast of the dead ,magdalene40 8,ah1 dead ,magdalene2 for even the symbol of a broken promise2 born to be a queen of love1 by perverted love dethroned6 ,woman1 man's ward1 by man betrayed2 the guide star setting in black night2 the savior of human purity befouling all purity6 ,given the power by which ,eve was to crush the serpent's head and using it to breed all serpentine ills4 ,this is ,eve turning a volcano upon ,eden4 ,put flowers upon her once passionate1 now dead1 heart1 in awful contrast6 ,nature at her worst is intensified anguish2 at her best an ocean of joy1 an universe of light and song4 ,so ,i learn of nature under man4 ,listen to nature's perfumed throb now3 these thousands of feathered songsters1 millions of lesser creatures1 whose melody is larger than themselves and more perceptible4 ,hear the humming1 thrumming1 buzzing1 trumpetings4 ,oh1 this is life as the ,all-,saving tuned it to utter joy6 ,it widens1 deepens1 thickens2 getting sweeter1 louder1 happier all the way4 ,a tempest1 set to music1 knight4 ,i'm caught in its whirl and join in its praisings4 ,it comes over me as an insight of what nature really is4 ,god cares for it all and made it thus1 to throb and exult60 ,ichabod paused in transport4 8,but ,i sometimes think there's a great waste of these things2 there is so much in places where there is no human ear or eye to hear or see40 8,reuben is narrow-viewed just now4 ,man is not all6 ,god makes happiness because ,he is so full of goodness ,he must4 ,our rabbis call ,him #8,the ,fountain4' ,there is no waste6 ,he makes these things for ,his own joy1 and1 methinks1 looks down from the circle of the heavens to say to what is in the desert or wilderness1 #8,very good4' ,then1 beyond this1 ,i've sometimes thought ,he kept the processions of joy and beauty moving along2 coming1 going1 dying1 living1 ending and beginning again1 as a sort of practice2 by action keeping all fresh and new4 ,he causes things of beauty and power to pass through ,his divine alchemy from one glory to another1 as the general causes his squadrons to move through the evolutions of the battle before the conflict4 ,the ,father is awaiting man's hour1 man's return from sinning2 the time for millennial advent2 then all delights1 as if fresh born1 all goods newly harvested1 will appear to be multiplied1 intensified1 transfigured4 ,that will be the beginning of hereafter40 8,oh1 ,israel1 the sun is in thy brain4 ,i forget all logic of contention1 charmed out of words1 by feasting on thy orisons1 ,go on1 ,jew40 8,then ,i'll say 'twas ,god1 not chance1 nor fate1 that brought us to wander alone with nature4 ,read well nature's book that lies open in the lap of the ,great ,teacher6 ,only stand close to ,him and ,he will hold the torch1 turn the pages and give the sure interpretations of the sweetness that feeds quiet1 the picturesqueness which evokes smiles and the stately grandeurs which beget faith40 8,israel1 thou climbest the sun-ladder to rhapsody60 8,whether soaring1 climbing1 or creeping1 ,i know not2 but this ,i know1 ,i'm tasting in these wanderings ,god's kisses4 ,they are in the flowers2 my spirit rests on ,his as my body on the balm of the fresh breezes4 ,then1 animate nature seems so contented and happy6 ,why1 ,i've been ravished by the songsters2 as ,i've said to myself1 they echo the angelic anthem of heaven1 peace4 ,had any such doubt as haunts thee1 come to me1 since passing ,jordan1 it would have been sung out of countenance by the winged warblers or dragged from my heart captive in floral fetters by ,him that hath two staves1 beauty and bands40 8,oh1 ,ichabod1 do not pause4 ,go on1 ,i pray thee40 8,then thou art glad to hear that nature is not a beautiful widow mourning her dead bridegroom through the ages80 8,i love to listen to thee40 8,listen to a wiser4 ,see those stately heliotropes4 ,they stand above all of their kind with shining faces2 great in aspiration1 great in devotion4 ,all day they turn toward the sun and when their blossoms fade they leave a hardy seed4 ,the winter may bury it1 but it springs forth in vernal days1 strong in the life it won by loving the summer sun40 8,ichabod1 ,i'm charmed6 ,let's abide here always amid these joys of nature40 8,what1 be hermits80 8,yes2 life's troubles are made by its people2 the fewer people the fewer troubles40 8,while sharing their troubles may we not lessen them4 ,no man may live to himself2 we're wedded to each other40 8,yes1 wedded to life4 ,a royal phrase2 since ,i've been constantly either hating or loving it2 fearing to live and then fearing to die4 ,wedded6 ah1 ha1 ha2 the wedded are those who most madly love and then most bitterly hate40 8,say sometimes2 then thou'lt be like the stopped horologue1 telling the true time once in twenty-four hours1 at least40 8,thy poetry runs into caustic quality4 ,what hast thou been lunching on since morn80 8,at least not on ,dead ,sea apples1 fair without1 ashes within4 ,my poetry1 if ,i have any1 always sings in accord with the company it keeps40 8,how many more arrows in thy quiver1 hast thou80 8,only one1 and that a question2 does my master intend to foreswear marriage himself8 ,he ridicules it40 8,i have already done so40 8,well1 'tis well thou didst not live in ,rome1 for its citizens that dared to live amid the temptations and soul-crampings of voluntary bachelorhood were highly taxed for their disregard of the claims of society and the state40 8,yet even the ,romans ever deemed bachelorhood a blessing4 ,in this opinion royal ,claudius decreed that the sailors who brought to ,rome a ship loaded from the wheat granaries of ,egypt in the time of ,agabus's famine1 should be as a reward permitted to remain unmarried4 ,if ,i were a ,roman and a sailor ,i'd pray for a famine and a ,claudius40 8,a world without wives8 ,what a world60 ,so saying ,ichabod caught up a stick and began marking on the earth4 8,how now1 ,israel2 some sorcery80 8,no--yet1 may be1 yes4 ,i'll picture a world without women40 ,the ,jew outlined the ,egyptian deity1 8,kneph40 8,what have we1 man or beast80 8,truly1 ,i think partly both4 ,the knight has described his ,elysium and ,i have here pictured a fit king for it4 ,behold thy god1 sworn celibate4 ,egypt's adored ,kneph4 ,is this hideous enough80 8,a god6 well he's not handsome2 a ram's head2 four horns2 two up1 two down2 armed as both ram and goat80 8,both were sacred to him in ,egypt2 also the horned snake with which ,cleopatra put out her life2 poor1 unfortunate man-wrecked beauty40 8,but1 ,jew1 thou dost dawdle6 ,what of this play80 8,oh1 nothing1 only ,kneph would do well for a sailor1 at ,rome1 under ,claudius1 in famine time60 8,my poet wanders1 but yet stings40 8,so8 ,kneph was a god that boasted1 or rather his spokesmen did1 that he was the father of his mother4 ,what economy6 ,no need to be grateful to or love a mother2 no need to wear a wife on the heart4 ,the folly of a dark age by folly darkened in the mad attempt to lift up man without his purer better part40 8,how strange1 ,jew1 whenever we touch a new belief1 or an old one1 new to us1 we find peoples following an idea or ideal4 ,there has been a crying through the world ever for a some one for pilgrim man to follow4 ,how passing strange2 our century wails the self-same cry2 and somehow it always happens that this matter has something to do with woman4 ,see2 #8,kneph' was the monstrous birth of those who thought man superlative1 and greatness to be by being all man4 ,how sharply the devotion to the ,madonna cuts across this6 ,she was mother of the noblest1 and man in the begetting left out4 ,oh1 my head's full of thoughts1 but they tumble along toward my lips without system or leader4 ,i talk like a madman1 though ,i think like a ,seraph40 8,i think1 ,sir ,charleroy1 that a healthy son of ,adam sneering at all women1 publicly1 reproaches himself as being one who never knew a true one40 8,more javelins6 ,i'd swear1 anyhow1 that if ,i'd been ,adam1 no winged serpent of gaudy colors and honey tongue could have lured me from ,paradise1 ,eve or no ,eve60 8,if thou hadst been there thou wouldst have been lonesome with the speechless herds2 finding the new woman1 would have loved her like the boy who mates just to see how it seems40 8,oh1 likely60 8,then if thy ward or angel attempted to elope with the devil thou wouldst have gone along1 too1 from curiosity1 as lad to a hippodrome1 just to see the finish2 or as thousands of men since ,adam1 tied to wayward women1 have gone down with them to darkness1 preferring hell with their idols to heaven without40 8,i suppose so4 ,oh1 how strangely are the fates of men and women interwoven40 8,then thou dost not now elect to live a hermit1 without the companionship of the frail1 fair and faithful sex which are said to double our joys80 8,yes and multiply our sorrows60 8,i suspect thou'lt change thy late creed very soon40 8,why so80 8,i expect ere long that we'll meet some living blossoms40 8,by my token1 that's good news1 ,ichabod40 8,so1 then1 thou art ready to recant80 ,evening came1 and the pilgrims supped on the meager meat they were able to procure in the fields4 8,now poet of the ,palm ,land mellow my dreams by possessing me of thy meditations4 ,what fixes thy gaze80 8,the monarch of the sky2 after a day such as this has been1 he seems to me to take his departure with a peculiar sort of triumphal sweep of his trailing splendors40 8,horus exulting over prostrate ,set40 8,but night1 not the green-colored son of ,osiris1 conquers now1 master40 8,night never conquers4 ,it merely lives by sufferance2 often routed by the invincible spears of the sun4 ,darkness creeps forth here because the golden charger in masterful strategy has gone elsewhere to rout other armies of the dark kingdom4 ,lay this to thy heart1 good ,jew40 8,i do1 as precious ointment to a blister4 ,enlarge me40 8,there1 ,jew2 see the fleecy clouds over ,jordan4 ,how grand60 8,yea1 as ,i've often seen them2 some like alabaster thrones1 and others like ships on fire1 while others are like silver castles1 banded with cornelian and gold1 with here and there hyacinthian shields hung on their battlements1 all fresh as the stones in heaven's foundation walls6 ,how they career and float along the empurpled ocean of the west6 ,i forget myself even now into their midst4 ,oh1 knight1 such pictures1 such visions make my soul shout in peals of holy laughter40 8,my ,israel1 the sun which woos the earth into making love to him with flowers never sets in thy brain2 thou livest in the poet's constant noon40 8,but we both are changing4 ,even the knight gets mellow4 ,hardship1 the sun and faith are working in us both for good40 8,getting to be8 ,no2 thou wert and art poet1 painter and singer2 all in one4 ,if the world does not hear thee the ,seraphim will1 by and by40 8,i've noticed that souls unbent from some long1 twisting pain1 run1 aspire and play4 ,it is mercy's rest1 reward40 8,god fits some especially to catch passing joys1 ,ichabod40 8,yea1 and it all comes from a serene faith that all is very good as ,he made it4 ,i'm just opening to the ,sun ,eternal1 at whose right hand are pleasures evermore4 ,i love thy wakening touch1 my guide40 8,ah1 ,i'm a bungling player on the harp of thy soul1 but ,i love thy melody4 ,child of nature1 speak more and more to me40 8,i can but ill tell all4 ,i'm dumb amid the waves of peace which enhalo1 the hopes that thrill1 the views of truth that fill my being40 8,i believe thee on my soul1 ,jew4 ,i'd stop now to remember a little1 perhaps to sleep1 since so ,i can follow dreams that would craze me to contemplate awake2 but if we now sleep1 pray ,god our day-dreams go on and on4 ,i think we are pilgrims following spiritual truths4 ,they'll lead us on high2 let's not miss their direction40 8,one may sleep1 master1 when he can not think2 for me1 now1 ,i'd rather court1 awake1 my mind's guests1 for a time1 meanwhile gainsaying the lullabys of cricket and nightingale now floating out from every bush40 8,so be it4 ,how shall we proceed to pass the time80 8,can we set up an ,ebenezer8 ,god hitherto hath helped us40 8,i have it2 we'll to the feast40 8,well1 we have what some great kings have not1 and so shall find joy in a feast4 ,we have appetite60 8,thou dost miss my meaning1 though thy point is prime4 ,we seldom think to thank the ,giver for the power to enjoy as well as for the enjoyable4 ,i knew a ,french prince1 once1 who said he'd give his birthright for one good dinner1 and he was no ,esau1 either4 ,he had dinners and dinners1 but what were they along with premature decay gnawing at his vitals like a rat1 while he himself could eat less than a babe80 8,i see2 the knight would have us thankfully commemorate to-day's enjoyment of nature40 8,just so2 ,i think1 in loving nature1 because we begin to understand her1 we will be on our way to all the natural joy of which she is ,god's interpreter40 8,but our feast80 8,the stars are out on the blue2 their queen will soon come up from the sea1 then ,i'll induct thee into the feast of the #8,rose4' ,the rose is the queen of flowers1 and flowers the thoughts of ,god60 8,the feast of the ,rose6 ,i've heard it was a licencious1 heathen orgy60 8,it was then a shameful misnomer4 ,my ,mary found it2 transformed it4 ,out of it1 through reverence of her1 comes a beautiful observance4 ,see here1 ,jew40 ,so saying1 the knight took from his bosom a string of precious stones and arranged them1 as they glowed under the moonlight1 on the ground heart-shaped4 ,the knight then questioningly observed the ,jew4 ,the latter shook his head and remarked3 8,i've seen such often among the ,arabs4 ,they have a prayer for each bead to be said the night after the death of one of their number1 believing the shade departs not to ,hades 'till the prayers are said4 ,thou dost not practice their enchantments80 8,bah6 ,never4 ,my gemmed circle has a deeper1 holier significance4 ,each pendant is to recall to mind some virtue or event in the saintly ,mary's life4 ,then there are guilds called1 #8,brothers of the ,rosary4' ,i belong to one such2 each member is sworn to pray for all the others wherever scattered4 ,the ,turks may have had a praying string1 but the ,crusaders have appropriated and applied it to nobler uses40 8,tell me more of it1 if there be more40 8,there are but fifteen in my brotherhood40 8,only fifteen1 no room for me80 said the ,jew4 8,fifteen2 to suggest the fifteen great events in ,mary's life2 namely1 the ,annunciation2 ,gabriel announced to ,mary that she was to be the ,mother of ,jesus2 the ,visitation2 ,mary in the ,gospel spirit went quickly to tell her kinswoman of her promised favor2 the ,birth of ,jesus1 this was the crowning joy2 then here is the gem that recalls the ,presentation of ,jesus in the ,temple4 ,thou knowest1 ,jew1 thy fathers often wondered how1 after all1 a lamb1 an animal1 could stand between offended ,deity and man4 ,jesus in the ,temple was the fulfillment or explanation of the mystery60 8,yea1 truly1 ,i've seen this4 ,oh1 that all my people could also see it60 8,then1 here is the jewel that reminds us of the #8,scourging at the pillar' of ,him #8by whose stripes we are healed4'0 8,israel reads ,isaiah with darkened mind1 my loving guide4 ,i've seen this4 ,oh1 that my people could40 8,here is the jewel that recalls the #8,crowning with thorns' of ,him that hath to give1 at ,his right hand1 #8pleasures forever more4' ,he wore that thorny coronet that ,his redeemed should return with singing1 crowned with everlasting joy40 8,i've felt it2 feel it now4 ,hallelujah60 8,this one is to commemorate #8,jesus bearing the ,cross2' this one #8,his crucifixion1' and this #8,his resurrection4'0 8,the hope of hopes by our ,saducees denied60 8,then we have here another to remind us of our ,saviour's #8,ascension1' with ,his pregnant promise of a royal return to take at last ,his children home40 8,come1 ,lord ,jesus1 even so1 quickly60 cried ,ichabod4 8#8,wait patiently for ,him and ,he will give thee the desire of thy heart1' oh1 heir of faithful ,abraham60 8,i weary sometimes1 my loved teacher40 8,so do we1 of our brotherhood2 but here is a thought of rest2 this bead recalls #8,pentecost4' ,we are led of the ,spirit1 which guides to all truth and comforts by the way40 8,but what has all this to do with ,mary80 8,oh1 here are two beads2 one reminds us of her #8,assumption' into heaven1 the other of her #8,crowning4'0 8,was she crowned80 8,yea1 in heaven1 for the ,son of ,mary promised to ,his faithful ones this exaltation2 #8,i appoint unto you a ,kingdom as my ,father hath appointed unto me1 ye which have continued with me in my temptation4' ,surely1 she that followed him from the pains of parturition1 as an outcast1 to the ,cross and the sepulcher1 ,,continued60 8,i would ,i could have been there to enter the race for such crowning40 8#8,he hath made us kings and priests unto ,god2 if we suffer we shall also reign with ,him1' ,jew40 8,hallelujah6 would ,i could shout it to heaven2 no1 ,i do2 but rather to all ,jewry60 exclaimed the ,israelite4 8,john was only a #8voice crying in the wilderness1' as he thought1 but he was heard at the palace and down the ages4 ,even now ,i voice his words in this lone place40 8,thou didst not tell me of the meaning of that black and red pendant10 said ,ichabod1 interrupting4 8,oh1 ,gethsemane1 ,jesus1 the intercessor for the world1 #8who ever lives to intercede4' ,the black sign is of that40 8,then ,i've a ,saviour in glory praying for me4 ,oh1 this is balm and water to me6 ,why do ,i dare to think of myself as a poor ,jew6 ,god pity2 no1 forgive me6 ,i1 repining sometimes and yet defended in glory2 honored by royal adoption1 elected of ,god1 called to kingship60 8,how we do go up and down2 sometimes thou1 sometimes ,i4 ,now ,i'm leading1 awhile ago 'twas thou4 ,yea1 we are all dependants2 but this is healthful meditation1 ,ichabod1 and thy confession rebukes me as well40 8,is this all of the feast80 8,oh1 no4 ,here are some tokens to remind us of ,mary's life2 so brief1 so useful4 ,see1 here1 five gems that remind us of the wounds of her son2 her wounds as well1 for the sword that pierced ,him pierced through to her soul also4 ,at each of these emblems we #8,rosary ,brothers' repeat the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,last of all1 reverently clasping this crucifix1 we sacredly repeat the ,apostle's ,creed1 the same as ,i taught thee at ,jericho40 8,i remember1 as ,i do the water courses1 when thirsty40 8,what think'st thou of all this formality8 ,is it like the ,arabic mummeries80 8,no1 they are mocking devils1 are they not80 8,i am not to judge of their sincerity1 nor their needs1 nor art thou40 8,master1 ,i wish ,i could be a ,rosary ,brother4 ,methinks it would help my ambling faith sometimes1 if ,i could touch a token40 8,he above is all tender of baby faiths that can do no better than amble4 ,remember the words of thy own ,hosea3 #8,i drew them with cords of a man1 with bonds of love1 ,i taught ,ephriam to go2 taking them by the arms2 just as a mother teaches her babe to walk1' is it not80 8,even so4 ,does the ,rosary help some to walk80 8,i believe it does40 8,tell me more about it40 8,the ,crusaders were the first to call ,mary #8,the ,rose4' ,to almost all mankind that flower has ever been the emblem of pure1 unselfish love1 and when the soldiers of the ,cross grew to understand the character of her that gave the world its ,saviour1 they could think of no title more fitting for that queenly woman40 8,i've an ,egyptian rosary1 knight4 ,see1 ,i wear it on this golden chain1 next my heart1 for its safety----0 8,to ward off witchcraft80 8,bah6 ',tis a toy in usefulness4 ,i keep it1 thinking it may work incantation with the money-lender1 and so save me sometime from starvation40 ,then the ,jew laughed aloud at his own wit4 ,it seemed very ridiculous to him to liken his talisman to the real rosary or its saint4 8,wouldst thou let me examine it1 ,jew80 ,the latter handed to the knight a chain and image4 8,egyptian80 8,an image of ,neb-ta1 sister of ,isis1 the wife of the ,sun ,god ,osiris4 ,it was given me by a ,copt priest1 whom ,i saved from drowning in the ,nile40 8,a ,copt80 8,a ,copt4 ,he was a professed ,christian2 but1 like some of the ancestral ,egyptians1 sought to be right by being a little of every thing4 ,he was very superstitious1 though he thought himself very broad-minded4 ,he was quite certain that ,coptic ,christianity was true1 though not equally certain that his pagan ancestors were in faith all false4 ,he thought he'd be on the safe side by mixing a little of all creeds with his own1 and so he prayed in ,christ's name and also ,neb-ta's40 8,a pretty fool1 ,jew40 8,yea4 ,he had a story about the goddess1 very pretty when not absurd1 running somehow thus3 ,when ,osiris was cut to pieces by ,set1 a type of day slain by night1 ,i think1 ,neb-ta went round the world with her widowed sister1 ,isis1 to gather up the fragments of her spouse4 ,isis is the moon above2 below1 reproduction4 ,she is pictured in ,egypt1 as all the female deities1 with two eggs and a half-circle at the side1 to express the latter idea4 ,isis has in her hand also this sign--a cross supporting an egg1 to typify immortality4 ,the old ,egyptian priest told me this sympathetic ,neb-ta1 if ,i trusted her1 would reward me for saving his life1 by defending my case in ,hades4 ,there is a good deal of mysticism in all this1 but ,i rather prize the gift1 since it reminds me that ,i once saved a man40 8,but1 ,nourahmal8 ,since thou knew of ,mary thou hast saved a woman1 ,jew40 ,the ,jew was silent4 ,the knight continued3 8,these philosophic1 inseeing1 sign-writing1 symbol-making ,egyptians were pilgrims1 too2 a nation of graal-seekers2 after an idea1 example4 ,i see always the huge ,sphinx coming before me when ,i think of them40 8,the ,sphinx6 ,well1 that's strange4 ,i'd never think of that1 unless ,i happened upon something very big and very meaningless60 8,no1 no2 the people that rocked the cradle of religions in their infancy1 wrought all their theology into that one mighty symbol1 to endure and challenge compare with all that man should find beside40 8,i do not see how60 8,the ,sphinx faces the ,east--light60 8,true60 8,it can not reach that light toward which it looks1 neither could the ,nubians40 8,all true40 8,it was part man1 part beast2 but the upper part was man1 and this is what we think we know1 and all of man80 8,oh1 knight1 ,phthah1 the #8beautiful-faced1' #8secret-opener' of the ,nile gods has touched thee40 8,the ,sphinx was like man's thought2 too great for words2 at least such words as men can now fit to their lips40 8,i see2 it's all coming into my mind1 master40 8,it sat still and was silent1 but the world went on2 the thought it expressed reached hearts after the men that formed the image had passed away4 ,the truth lives ever1 and can not die until it completes its purpose40 8,thou art a magician1 who pleases1 astonishes1 excites1 instructs1 and at the same time plays with me as if ,i were a pigmy60 8,it's not ,i1 but the truth4 ,the ,sphinx again6 ,its hugeness1 truth expressed1 appears mighty when placed by our sides40 8,tell me where ,i am6 ,shall ,i fling ,neb-ta away as a bauble1 or beg its pardon for hanging so much meaning to a fool's neck80 8,vehement6 ,the sun is in thy head60 8,but shall ,i sit and look as a ,sphinx1 or run mad because ,i can't80 8,be calm1 and let me tell thee that the dwellers by the mighty ,nile plagued themselves with lasting darkness when they banished the people whose leader's face shone from communion with ,jehovah4 ,they clung to some half truths1 left them by the progeny of ,joseph1 but the half was dimmed by courted lusts40 8,but my people had no ,neb-ta1 no women divinities to leave in ,egypt40 8,no1 yet ,egypt1 aiming to exalt the tender1 the beautiful1 the mother1 incarnated certain virtues1 and lo1 a woman deity6 ,it was an effort to find the #8,rose4' ,the nation was in a vast1 serious pilgrimage through all their dynasties after an idea1 a pattern2 an opportunity to reach and to express the best things4 ,i tell thee1 ,jew1 the heathen nations sit in darkness2 this side and that1 along the track of time1 holding here and there a torch1 waiting through the night whose hours are tolled off at century intervals1 for something1 ,some ,one4 ,there have passed before them like phantoms1 gods and gods2 man invented1 man evolved2 but none of these tarried1 none satisfied4 ,oh1 #8the ,isles wait for thee1' ,jesus1 ,thou ,ideal ,man1 and also for the true conception of ,mary the ideal woman60 8,for two ,gods8 ,is ,mary divine80 8,did ,i say that8 ,nay1 as the child ,jesus was subject to her1 so she was subject to the ,christ1 at last4 ,christ was the ,word1 ,mary ,his blessed echo2 ,christ the ,sun1 ,mary the ,moon that reflected that light1 showing its beauty in woman's life60 8,but now1 what shall ,i do with my beautiful fright1 ,neb-ta1 ,sir ,charleroy80 8,put her away1 in mind1 amid the galaxies of woman deities2 mythical in all but the pitiful sincerity of the adoration of their devotees and in the greatness of the truths they vaguely articulated4 ,see1 ,i'll interpret3 ,isis going round the world to gather up the fragments of her dismembered husband4 ,woman's ministry2 the restoration of man2 wife consecration to an only love4 ,then there was not only beautiful widowhood1 second only to beautiful wifehood1 but also the spinster sister4 ,hail ,egypt6 ,thy ,sphinx saw further than our peoples of boasted civilizations4 ,at our best we never rose so near to a just altitude as to attempt the deification of the maiden sister1 the omnipresent angel1 who mothers other people's children as if they were her own4 ,egypt worshipped motherhood1 perhaps grossly1 in adoring the earth's fructifications1 but she did not overlook those pious souls who in a glorious self-abnegation play waiting-maids to the real queens of earth1 the child-bearers4 ,i'd never tire praising the child-bearers1 or all who love them1 for they that bring forth a life are greater than the greatest kingly man-slayer on earth4 ,the world is upside down2 no religion is wholly false that aids to right it in any degree4 ,hail1 creeds of ,egypt1 or any other land1 that seek to efface from fame's pages the names of life-destroyers that thereon may chiefly shine the names of those who give or save life40 8,oh1 oscillating ,sir ,charleroy1 thou art just and courtly now40 8,praise me1 then6 ,mankind would average better by far than it does if all were right half the time40 8,would ,i could gather all the threads of to-day's blessed communings into a golden band to support over my heart faith's breastplate40 8,i can give thee its summary3 ,god1 a beauty ,creator1 out of all things hideous in ,his good ,providence will emerge the fine1 tender and loving4 ,neb-ta1 ,egypt's ideal1 carried the lotus1 the flower of unrestrained pleasure1 as her scepter2 ,neb-ta-like the influences that sway most human hearts to-day2 but the ,rose of the world has blossomed4 ,mary1 the flower of women4 ,they that love and serve1 as that warm1 red-hearted woman1 shall at last reign in eternal bliss within the ruby walls of the ,new ,jerusalem40 8,i'm with the knight1 to proclaim thy ,rose60 8,a good profession6 ,it will be well if we remember that woman is as essential to religion as religion to women4 ,as for man he needs the one as the interpreter of the other4 ,therefore1 it was that ,god sent to earth a flower that could talk40 ,illustration ,,chapter ,x4 ,,after ,,eve1 ,,esther ,,or ,,mary8 8,still slowly passed the melancholy day1 ,and still the stranger wist not where to stray3 ,the world was sad--the ,garden was a wild2 ,and man1 the hermit1 sighed--till woman smiled40--,,milton4 ,the ,israelites1 along ,jabbock1 were all aglow with preparation for celebrating one of their feasts4 ,sir ,charleroy and his comrade journeying along1 in the early morning1 were apprised of the advent of the festivities by the passing near them of a company of maidens1 marching and chanting4 ,the pilgrims drew apart and sequestered themselves behind a clump of nubt trees that they might observe1 themselves unobserved1 the graceful procession of singers4 8,well1 my poet1 didst thou conjure up these fairies1 or have we come on the musk-born houri80 ,sir ,charleroy spoke in an absent-minded manner1 perhaps1 with an affectation of a lack of very much interest4 ,in fact1 long privation of the presence of women had somehow rusted from his bearing1 in their vicinage1 most of the confident courtier4 ,in a word1 he was now bashful in their presence4 ,he spoke with a small witticism to subdue1 his own embarrassment4 ,his words were unheard1 for the ,jew was all engaged in contemplating the passing women4 ,in truth1 the latter made a striking picture2 garbed as they were1 in holiday attire2 all young1 oriental in beauty1 and fresh in face1 form and action4 ,they were rural maidens and that says all4 ,it had been a long time since either ,ichabod or ,sir ,charleroy had met such types of womanhood2 all free from affectation2 all natural and graceful in motion2 a band of women1 as sisters1 bent to one purpose and that a lofty one1 the proper observance of a joyous1 pious1 religious ceremonial4 ,presently ,ichabod drew a long breath and rapturously exclaimed3 8,praise be to the ,patriarchs1 my people60 8,i'd rather say1 ,ichabod1 praise the ,patriarch's daughters1 if these be human60 8,ha1 ha6 flesh1 indeed6 ,our ,hebrew maidens celebrating the ,feast of ,esther60 8,are they praying ,god for ,adams1 so that each ,esther and ,vashti may have one all to herself8 ,if so1 we are part answers to their prayers40 8,hush such jest6 ,these be holy maidens1 now honoring our ,esther4 ,thou knowest about her80 8,certainly2 she was my heroine before ,our ,lady dethroned in my heart all others4 ,i was wont to wish ,i'd been about in ,haman's time4 ,i'd have aroused that old dotard1 ,ahasuerus1 right quickly4 ,by the sackcloth of ,mordecai1 if ,i'd been the king1 the hanging would have put the ,haman family into mourning long before it did40 8,oh1 how like angels6 ,it's years since ,i saw a woman other than as deflowered by harem life4 ,heavens1 what a spoiler man is at his worst60 8,dost forget ,nourahmal8 ,but no matter2 ,i admire1 and wonder that some roving band of ,arabs1 with less piety1 or more force than we1 does not swoop down upon these innocents for seraglio prizes4 ,perhaps these have the liveried angels about1 that are said ever to guard saintly purity40 8,doubtless2 and besides them1 with all the practical providence which belongs to the ,jew1 thou mayst be sure that the groves1 not far away1 are full of fathers1 brothers1 lovers40 8,i wish ,i were a brother to some of them40 8,then thou'dst be a ,jew40 8,i'd forget that in being a lover to the others40 8,thou wouldst not change thy faith for a woman80 8,now1 ,i'd swear ,i would not4 ,if like most men1 and in love1 ,i'd swear ,i would2 and then1 having gotten my new priestess1 in a little while1 backslide and drag her with me1 or make her heart weep4 ,my comfort in the last estate being my consistency1 if not my constancy4 ,what a mad rout it is when religion and love1 born twins1 cross purposes80 8,that's a very true1 yet bitter speech4 ,i'll tell the ,hebrew maidens to beware40 8,better tell me to beware1 now4 ,it's the beginning that makes the trouble4 ,no beginning1 then no after folly40 ,the procession glided past and the pilgrims followed at a distance4 8,we are within an arm of dear old ,jabbock10 remarked ,ichabod1 as they came to a river-bank1 later4 8,ah1 ha6 my chartless pilot1 does the current whisper its name to thee1 in ,hebrew8 ,i'd not wonder if it did1 since every thing is clannish in this country4--,i hope there is no more swimming for us to do40 8,its tumbling waters are full of voices to me1 blending with echoes of things of the past2 but one who spoke a thousand times more tenderly than ever spoke murmuring waters1 told me its name1 knight40 8,nourahmal8 ,no6 rather some one of those pious beauties we passed not long ago4 ,oh1 roguish ,ichabod1 ,i remember thou wert away a long time in the morning after our breakfast of peas and grapes4 ,but1 dear ,ichabod10 continued ,sir ,charleroy1 feigning rebuke1 8didst thou so soon forget thy little convert of ,jericho8 ,i wonder if thou lifted up thy voice and wept when thou kissed the maid that told thee the river's name8 ,come1 confess1 and ,i'll call thee ,isaac40 8,raillery of prime quality1 knight2 but raillery and ridicule1 though keenly pointed1 are generally bad arrows for long range40 8,well1 no matter4 ,i'm glad thou knowest the place1 if thou dost know it4 ,who told thee the name of this water80 8,one with a voice to me sweeter1 kinder than that of any betrothed lover's ever can be40 8,very1 very eloquent thou art4 ,indeed1 if we were in ,italy1 ,i'd guess 'twas a syren had communed with thee2 in ,france1 a ,crusader troubadour2 in ,rhineland1 the water sprite1 ,lurline2 but1 being in this wondrous country of revelations1 apparitions1 prophets1 angels and the like1 ,i can only as a catechumen1 ask thy dulcet informer's name80 8,how oddly thou dost talk when thou talkest as a double man2 half sneering infidel2 half ,christian preacher40 8,a truce1 ,ichabod4 ,that may be a home-thrust well aimed1 but it's enough that one of us be bitter4 ,it's sometimes natural to me1 but not to thee40 8,a bee-sting will redden the high priest's brow40 8,well1 ,i'll not sting thee4 ,who gave the name of the river80 8,master1 one to me alone of all the world an angel1 my mother4 ,i was born near here1 and the memories of a youth made happy by one all patient1 all loving1 rises above and survives all changes40 8,my noble friend1 forgive my repartee4 ,i'm glad1 truly1 that we are so lucky as to have this knowledge40 8,lucky8 ,then all is not fate2 there is some chance1 if no ,providence80 8,pardon more2 the bee-sting is still on thy brow4 ,ichabod1 ,i can not help my feelings1 which sometimes make me think that only ,god can tread the hidden1 narrow line between stern fate and happy accident4 ,they say the ,sybil wrote her prophetic decrees upon leaves and flung them recklessly to the inconstant winds4 ,just so we're in decreed courses1 swirled by chance gusts40 8,yet we two are getting on well together40 8,so do chance and fate2 the pity is to the waif that falls between them40 8,i wonder how here1 in ,holy ,land1 thou canst think of any control but ,providence40 8,wonder8 ,so do ,i4 ,i'm a bundle of wonderings40 8,listen to ,jabbock40 8,i do1 more attentively than ,jabbock to me4 ,what of it80 8,grander rivers are forgotten2 why is it so remembered80 8,we're forgotten1 meaner men remembered40 8,this river sings through the centuries of history the song of a fugitive of pale heart1 who in sheer desperation1 long1 long ago1 seized a fleeting hope and became a prince1 having power to prevail with ,god40 8,ah1 ,jacob1 who worked fourteen years to win a woman4 ,it was1 ,i'm sure1 the woman that nerved him to attempt greatness4 ,such a woman6 ,had she been like our moderns she would have jilted him1 or eloped with him1 before the end of one of the fourteen years40 8,i'll not tilt with thy sarcasms4 ,it were much better to remember that he1 a pigmy1 the night in his soul1 as that about him1 black as ,erebus1 grappled with the mighty1 unknown1 unseen apparition to find he was holding ,deity4 ,the mysteries of crossing fates and chances are as open nut-bur compared to that of all weakness prevailing with ,omnipotence1 my good master1 ,i think40 8,but ever after that joust1 ,jacob was a cripple60 8,oh1 but remember1 as he halted on his thigh the sun rose over ,penuel1 #8the place of seeing ,god1' by interpretation4 ,he was stronger for his laming60 8,a very #8,timor-lame1' this prince of great chances and mean ways40 8,time and trial repaired ,jacob's spotted soul40 8,there was much room for the mending1 ,i do vow40 8,his weightings bespeak some charity4 ,think2 a weak mother1 one designing wife1 and plenty of wealth60 8,well1 'tis true1 these were enough to have undone ,st4 ,anthony1 if the devil had only thought to have tried them all at once upon him60 8,sir ,charleroy swings back to his old bitterness toward women2 did he never love one80 8,no1 not as a lover4 ,i was never tried except by designing coquetries that nauseated finally40 8,perhaps1 like most solitary men1 thou so revered thyself by habit that there was no room for other person in thy heart40 8,i never met one ,i deemed perfect and available40 8,better to have loved some one far from perfect than none4 ,if thy heart-fount had been once touched it would have set thy imaginations to weaving halos about the one touching4 ,thou wouldst have enthroned her by a love that would have transformed both4 ,she would have become in time what she was in love's young dream2 while thou wouldst have grown by the experience to be twice the man thou hadst been--or art40 8,the sun in thy head is settling down into thy heart1 ,jew40 8,is that so1 ,charleroy80 8,yes1 but not to harm2 heart sunsets ripen heart fruits2 that's the reason the autumn suns run low2 the low suns ripen4 ,but after all1 ,i'm not so very miserable in heart4 ,i've loved some women2 mother and my ,mary----0 8,filial love1 religious love6 somewhat akin and blessing him that feels their mellow1 exalting influences2 but1 oh1 ,sir ,charleroy1 they do not fill completely the heart's temple4 ,there are places there for the expression of ruddy1 glorious lover's love4 ,the three make up an all-comprehending trinity1 and fill the man as ,deity the universe4 ,i see religious love in adoration of ,god's ,fatherhood1 mother love in the tender leading of the ,spirit1 lover's love in the priceless self-surrender of our ,saviour4 ,that made the angels sing1 and in the being of each of our race there is room1 aye need1 of the melody which only the experiencing of this passion in full can produce4 ,in love-mating is a wondrous thrill which can be but faintly voiced even by those who have experienced it4 8,there are other passions which ebb with time1 or1 being well fed1 wax gross2 not so with this one4 ,inspired by the potencies of life1 which lie at the very core of being1 it wells up in rills1 rivers and torrents of pleasurable sensations4 ,out from the heart it goes to the remotest members1 only to double on its courses and dash again through the beating heart1 heating its flame by its doubling and hasting1 making the beatings wilder by its hastings1 and then hasting more because of the wilder beatings4 ,of all emotions love is the most tireless4 ,it increases by giving1 grows stronger by action and proclaims the secret of its heavenly birth1 its immortality1 by the way in which it deepens and ripens with every movement of its life4 ,aye1 more1 it proclaims itself the power of the resurrection by the way it transforms the lives it possesses4 ,a man may be a lout1 ever so crude in fiber1 but this musical flame passing through his being1 burns up his dross1 making him all brave1 courteous1 tender1 poetic1 religious6 ,yea1 religious6 ,if it do not utterly redeem a sinner possessed by it1 it will take him nearer to salvation than any other power known on earth1 except the ,spirit of ,grace4 ,it is as the opening of the eyes of the blind man1 for it opens the doors of a new sense to the realizing of a world as new as delightful4 ,as the thrummings on the harp-strings someway leave a lasting sonorousness and tenderness in the supporting woods about the lyre1 so leaves this passion1 through the beatings of every wave of it1 wealth4 ,its devotee by it is inducted into exhaustless new realms and possessions1 unalterably secured to him1 and at the same time beyond all computation4 ,he ever gathers treasures1 as a prince from incoming fleets1 and is made affluent beyond all counting4 ,he surpasses all in wealth-getting1 and yet is infinitely apart from the littleness of avarice4 ,it is to him the advent of charity's full-orbed day4 ,it may be fancy in him1 but it's to him very real2 the world about1 as if having learned his secret1 seems to be dressing for the wedding feast1 while all things appear to be coming very confidentially to him to whisper the divine mandate1 #8marry and multiply4' ,he is trusted1 yet trusts2 leads1 yet follows4 ,he is proud to display1 a little1 his conquest1 but does so with a sort of alert charming selfishness1 which gives notice to the world that he alone is to wear the chosen one upon his heart4 ,he realizes the paradox of giving all and receiving all2 the mystery of two lives merged into one by an utter surrender1 each to each1 which leaves both infinitely richer than the sum of all their ownings could make either if possessed by the one apart from the other4 ,oh1 how almost imperiously each demands that the other shall surrender all and then how great the joy each feels in leading the chosen mate to surprises at the munificence and completeness of the giving up of all by the one who just now demanded all4 ,i do not know the woman's heart1 but can readily believe it far surpasses the man's in its consecration1 enjoyment and aspiring4 ,i know the man's1 but my words are ragged in description4 ,i know that this grand passion makes him wondrously weak and wondrously strong4 ,sometimes these inner feelings come nigh overwhelming him2 sometimes they fall upon his life like the musical ebb-waves on resonant shores4 ,i can not word it all1 nor is it strange1 since ,i am speaking of a life of heavenly flights1 and best expressed by voiceless signs1 embraces4 ,in love's hour the man realizes1 as never before1 his lordliness and his pride and ambition are fed by a growing conviction that all the world is small beside himself and his2 proud as a conqueror of untold wealth1 he yields to the tender ties that unrelentingly bind him and crucifies his native roughness that he may be more like1 more worthy her he rules and obeys4 ,he is made finer2 she stronger4 ,has she virtues1 he appropriates them2 at the same time1 by the homage implied by his appropriation1 makes them to shine more brightly on the brow and heart of his queen4 ,he touches the fires on the altar she has erected within herself to love alone1 and the altar-fires blaze until her whole being is illuminated as a temple on fte days4 ,she puts on his best parts1 and then he revels in delight as he beholds his virtues refined and so beautifully framed4 ,there are times when1 like a mighty anthem1 his passion passes over and through him4 ,then is he nigh to madness1 being in the mood to slay himself1 or another doing aught to check the rapture of the mighty swellings of the music that pours over every nerve from head to heart1 to limb4 ,then it is he embraces and kisses and embraces again2 as an inspired artist of music1 exhausting himself to prolong this joy1 almost materialized4 ,indeed1 ,i saw one who said #8this is tangible music4 ,i feel it2 taste it2 see it6' ,it seems to thicken the air until ,i rise unwinged1 and yet in a flight that seems to me as free and brilliant as that of the golden oriole's4 ,if the enchanted enchanter be pure and true1 she leads her captive king1 made tender and yet more manly by his captivity1 surely upward from tumultuous passion's sway to the ambrosial table-lands of higher affection where both may reign tenderly1 bravely1 hopefully1 forever4 ,i tell thee1 knight1 the finest spectacle on earth is a man in his prime1 creation's lord at his best1 sincerely1 completely in love with a queenly woman4 ,next after getting ,god into a man's heart1 the greatest blessing is the getting of a woman of genuine parts therein40 8,oh1 child of the sunny palm land1 thou hast imbibed wondrous eloquence4 ,but thou sayest truly4 ,now1 for the women that are so to queen us men4 ,no woman that ,i ever knew of could so intoxicate1 transform and translate me40 8,one like ,eve1 the gift of ,god80 8,the first woman1 like the first man1 was pure without virtue1 until tried2 then she fell4 ,i think of her chiefly as being a splendid animal1 yet1 as ,adam was not left for man's example1 neither was she4 ,i still think ,eve passed by in history to be only what she was full proof that love which rises no higher than to give all to and for that which was like the fruit of the tempting tree1 good for food and pleasant to the eyes1 is not like the love that at last hung on the tree of ,calvary4 ,oh1 child of ,abraham1 ,i hear the #8voice of ,god walking in the garden in the cool of the day1' saying to a world of flitting1 false ideals1 and those yearning for pilots and patterns1 #8,where art thou8' ,i don't know1 for one1 exactly where ,i am1 but ,i'm going forward and upward someway40 8,sir ,charleroy thou dost dazzle me by thy correspondences and insights1 if ,i do thee by my pictures4 ,we are quits40 8,but we'll not quit4 ,this pilgrim idleness has value4 ,i never knew what ,i believed until1 thus flung out of life's hurly burly1 ,i had little company but my thoughts4 ,there was method of reason in ,god's taking ,his prophets to lone places1 to fit them for understanding the rapturing visions with which ,he filled them40 8',tis so1 true2 but what thinks the knight of ,esther1 the beautiful ,queen8 ,she's the idol and ideal in ,israel in all times and places40 8,wondrous woman6 ,a girl1 petted1 ill-trained1 from poverty suddenly exalted1 surrounded by the skilled intriguants of court1 a jealous1 exacting1 conceited1 harem-demoralized old king for a spouse1 she was then burdened with the salvation of a nation4 ,i've so pitied her that ,i've forgotten to admire how well she did in her trying lot40 8,can the world ever have a finer figure or presentment of all that is womanly8 ,i do not challenge thy ,mary1 but may ,i not put the two side by side80 8,israel has two great women in their way4 ,the one1 ,esther1 exemplifying all sweetness and the mild strength of a suddenly developed woman1 doing grandly in one emergency when great peril and great love aroused her from only being an entrancing1 petted beauty1 to be the heroine of an hour4 ,but she was not tried by the searching test of a lifetime4 ,she never meets the needs of mothers seeking an ideal4 ,rizpah1 your other grand woman1 was the mother1 even the mother of sorrows1 of the ,old ,testament4 ,it takes these two to make an ideal1 and yet the pattern is incomplete4 ,god walks yet in the garden where men live1 with only these two before them1 and ever and anon they hear the unanswerable1 #8,where art thou8'0 8,why1 my mentor1 master1 thou hast touched our ,scriptures with the rod that budded2 the whole opens to me as if for the first time4 ,methinks1 if ,i were permitted to lay hands now upon one of our sacred volumes1 ,i'd be fairly overcome by the light that would break out on me from within it40 8#8,the entrance of the word giveth light1' ,ichabod40 8,i'm moved1 master1 along lines ,i can not turn from1 to the one woman of all1 ,mary4 ,she is thy ideal queen of hearts80 8,i'm a pilgrim and follow her1 seeing none better40 8,then thou wouldst be willing to wed such as ,mary80 8,hold6 ,this is sacrilegious6 ,i'll not think of ,mary in any such comparison4 ,leave my patron saint upon her high pedestal4 ,i save her for my soul's health1 as every man should save some noble woman1 for an inner enshrining1 to be all that woman may be at her best1 his beloved1 his inspirer1 and yet touching no spring of his life save such as responds to things of moral grandeur40 8,ah1 master1 ,i've not yet been enamored fully of this woman4 ,i feel a stranger to her1 but ,i feel the meaning of the finer things thou hast just spoken4 ,i have the need of which thou dost speak1 and my life1 like a babe1 often now goes out crying1 #8,mother1 mother4' ,as we lay1 yesterday night1 beneath the quiet firmament1 ,i gazed up and asked a sign of ,god in prayer4 ,it was a baby cry ,i know1 but ,i saw one star that staid and staid above me4 ,it seemed to be warmed with reddish tintings1 and ,i thought that its glitterings were proof that it was taking part in some anthem of the morning stars4 ,then ,i dreamed that my mother was in the star all luminous1 holy1 happy1 looking down in constant guardianship of her outcast boy6 ,oh1 can a child ever be outcast utterly to mother8 ,can it be that she1 who so loved me and so loved ,god1 can hate me now1 loving her and loving ,god as ,i do8 ,god knows my heart6 ,will he not tell her all8 ,her constant mandate to me was1 #8keep a loyal heart1 an undefiled conscience4' ,i've tried to do both1 but then her soul loathed apostacy4 ,does she loathe me for leaving ,israel's fold8 ,my heart all torn1 cries to-day1 #8,mother1 mother6' ,i'm sure she can not hate me4 ,to-morrow ,i hope ,i shall pray at her grave40 ,then the vehement ,israelite fell on the ground in an ecstasy1 utterly unconscious of his companion1 and1 kissing the earth as if already he was by that parent's resting place1 wildly called1 8,mother6 my mamma6 oh1 ,i'm so lonely1 so unhappy6 ,let me come6 ,god1 ,god1 let me go to mother6 ,mother1 ,i did it as thou saidst4 ,i'm no leper4 ,i'm not a heretic6 ,i love thee4 ,i love ,god4 ,i've kept pure4 ,i've trusted ,god's care in all my trouble4 ,mamma1 my mamma1 let ,ichabod embrace thee60 ,exhausted and quivering he there lay4 ,the knight was silent4 ,it was holy ground1 and the whole thicket about seemed to be glowing with the fire that burns without consuming4 ,the travelers were encamped again under the sky1 and it was now night4 ,a shooting star sped through the constellation of ,orion and fell down toward the ,dead ,sea4 8,an omen1 ,jew40 8,explain1 brother knight40 8,life2 bright1 short1 ending in gloom40 8,look at the fixed stars40 8,they preach fate40 8,perhaps1 but they have the majority4 ,few fall2 ,i think1 too1 ,someone holds them40 8,thy hopefulness colors thy faith40 8,thy murmurings run toward final madness1 knight2 the ,rabbis1 good men1 so taught me40 8,if one star falls may not all8 ,if ,providence hold them1 why does one escape80 8,thou hast heard that the giant ,orion having lost his eyes1 afterward regained his sight by turning his sockets toward the rising sun2 that meteor we saw shot through the constellation ,orion4 ,look up40 8,a happy simile and pungent thrust1 ,jew40 8,he that sent the lightnings to show us our way out of dread ,jericho1 most likely now commissioned some angel to swing a meteor across the sky as a torch or beacon for our guidance4 ,the trail of flame teaches me that ,god is writing ,his royal signature on some great message40 8,this world is too vast and too thronged with insignificants1 such as we1 for such especial carings on ,god's part4 ,there are too many kings1 too many shepherds1 too many follies for ,him to constantly watch any one or two40 8,backward1 forward2 now good1 now bad4 ,what a charging1 changing knight6 ,pray ,god to get thee right and then fix thee40 ,their converse was interrupted by a prolonged trumpet blast1 echoing from hill to hill4 ,sir ,charleroy sprang to his feet and clasping his sword hilt1 cried eagerly1 8,we're ambuscaded60 8,no1 by the glory of ,god1 'twas the temple call6 ,how grand it sounds away in this wilderness60 8,no1 no1 ,jew1 ,i've heard that call2 this one had six responses40 8',twas echo's magic6 ,didst thou not notice how the sound spread as it traveled in a sort of sheet of melody8 ,then it rose and fell from low hill to high4 ,one blast2 seven responses4 ,nature proclaiming against fate and chance2 the covenant number40 8,i'm not so confident that it's a miracle2 what if it were some ,mamelukes or ,druses1 planning one of their pious immolations of heretics with us for the victims80 8,nay1 brother1 ,it's #8,purim'2 that feast is now due1 and always begins at early starlight4 ,i know it4 ,come1 ,i'll put it to the proof40 8,hold2 poets are more rash than knights in a charge1 but not so skillful in retreat6 ,whither wouldst thou80 8,i'll spy out the trumpeters and report40 8,not alone4 ,i'll go1 too4 ,this camp will care for itself if they beyond be friends2 if enemies1 why then1 without consulting us1 they will care for all we have4 ,but this10 said the knight1 toying with his sword1 8was blessed by a priest to preach to infidels40 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,purim4 ,stealthily ,ichabod1 followed by ,sir ,charleroy1 approached the place from which the trumpet call had sounded4 ,the foliage was dense1 the necessary way somewhat winding1 and these circumstances1 together with the fact that it was expedient to move with great caution1 made the progress of the explorers very slow4 ,the last ray of day had faded1 sung away by the evening bird and insect chorusers1 whose concert strains1 like the vanishing notes of olian harps swept by dying breezes1 were now blending1 without a line to mark the place of transition1 into the lull of the night4 ,nature's lullaby to tired1 drowsy life4 ,it was a witching hour in the woods1 and the scene that lay just beyond the pilgrims in an opening by ,jabbock was an enchantment4 ,the river1 reflecting the moon rays and the lights of torches borne by many intermingling feasters1 flowed silently along like a stream of mingled silver and fire1 while tree and shrub along its sides1 as green as green could be1 bore as fruits lights of many colors4 ,in the opening1 surrounded by beacons1 banners and the lamp-bearing trees1 the beauty as well as the center of all was a magnificent patriarchal tent1 made of costly materials4 ,about the pavilion were mounds of earth1 elevated upon high tripods1 seven in all1 in symbols of the seven temple candle-sticks4 ,on each mound there blazed a fire fed by resinous faggots1 and the lights of the fires falling upon the folds of the tent1 caught up here and there by bands of blue and gold1 made the whole glisten like jeweled silk4 8,hallelujah10 with suppressed joy1 exclaimed ,ichabod1 8the tabernacle of ,god with men60 8,hush1 rash man1 and watch60 rebukingly replied ,sir ,charleroy4 8,watch8 ,why1 my soul is in my eyes4 ,i'm as one famished for years smelling a feast60 ,as they looked on the beautiful scene1 they perceived that the front of the pavilion was lifted up and stretched forward as a canopy over an altar1 richly decorated with twined olive branches and blood-red blossoms4 ,a little way off1 and yet partly encircling the altar1 were little walnut trees1 each tree having on its branches glistening lamps1 half hidden by wreaths of hollyhocks and asters4 ,the moon sank behind the hills2 the night darkened1 but the fires and lamps burned still more brightly4 8,it's like fairy-land1 ,jew10 after little1 spake ,sir ,charleroy4 8,more beautiful1 knight4 ,wait and see40 ,there was a burst of music1 instantly followed by the entrance of youths and old men2 some singing1 others vigorously playing ugabs1 reed-flutes1 and tambourines4 ,somewhere near1 though unseen by the watchers1 were happy women2 they recognized their voices in refrains1 choruses1 and merry peals of laughter4 8,well1 this is not warlike1 but what is it1 ,jew80 queried ,sir ,charleroy4 8,wait a little40 ,there came a commanding trumpet blast4 ,its tones died away in the melody-waves of a score of viols1 managed by unperceived musicians4 ,then silence2 presently the huge blue curtain that hung across the tent1 just back of the outstretching front canopy1 parted1 and there emerged an aged man of stately form1 wearing an ,aaronic mitre and priestly robes2 rich as well as ample4 ,he paused before the altar a moment1 as if in prayer1 and then suddenly the air far and wide quivered with a sound like a cyclone hail4 ,there were also cornet blasts mingling therewith4 8,heavens1 ,jew1 explain60 8,selah6 ,these the drums and waking clappers2 the signal to be given4 ,now for #8,purim' in earnest40 ,the groves about seemed to be alive and moving1 for from every direction toward the center gathered men and boys1 bearing palm branches and torches2 these1 as they advanced1 moved with speeded pace1 presently they were in a perfect maze1 the music of every kind growing louder and louder1 then seeming to die away4 8,they're carrying the edicts of ,ahasuerus to the ,jews to defend themselves1 master40 8,a fine play1 ,jew60 ,now the blue curtain parted again1 and from the pavilion emerged another stately form1 in all except that he lacked priestly robing1 the very counterpart of the aged man first at the altar4 8,glory to ,shaddah6 again ,i see the holy brothers1 ,harrimai10 cried ,ichabod4 ,the second patriarch motioned silence2 all in the assembly bent their heads in breathless attention and the patriarch spoke3 8,brethren of ,israel1 hearken and give ,god all the glory who this hour permits us1 ,his chosen people1 to celebrate in peace1 with joy1 our glad ,purim feast4 ,this day1 ,jehovah granted me the most wholesome comfort of hearing from a pashaw of our scourge that the last of the armies of the ,moslem1 beaten by want and internal discord1 were melting out of our land like fog banks before the rising sun4 ,he certified to me for a handful of barley 7for which he had come to stand in need7 that those hated cross-bearing invaders1 the knights1 were gone1 never to return4 ,so ,god has worked in our behalf as in the days of ,esther1 setting our enemies to destroying one another and then compassing the slinging out of ,his holy places1 the abominable remnants4 ,so may ,his thunders1 as of old1 forever beat on the heads of all who lift themselves against our ,israel60 ,there was a murmur of applause2 first like the buzz of the noonday insects of the groves1 then like a careering hurricane4 ,the applause swelled up1 drowning all sounds1 causing the fires to flicker and flame1 making the pavilion's sides sway and wave as if all were feeling the joy present4 ,the musical instruments quickly now caught up the strain of the cheery voices1 and all was in a perfect whirl of excitement with one thought1 #8praise4' ,it was free and fluent1 because it came from hearts practiced in the ultimate swings from joy to sorrow and then from sorrow to joy4 ,for half an hour nearly1 the rhapsody continued1 nor did it temperate until sheer exhaustion fell on the revelers4 ,presently1 after an interval of comparative quiet1 there came a flourish of cornets and a roar of the rattling clappers4 ,it was a signal followed by the uplifting of the old priest's hands as if in benediction4 ,all heads were bowed2 some of the congregation knelt1 and then he spoke in sonorous1 yet soothing voice1 words of benediction3 8,blessed art thou1 ,oh ,lord our ,god1 ,king of the ,universe1 who hath wrought all miracles for our fathers and also for us1 at this time40 ,then the people stood up1 and the second patriarch1 advancing to the front of the altar1 began reading from the holy ,kethubim of the ,jews1 the story of the ,purim4 ,at each mention of ,esther's name the congregation murmured 8how beautiful is goodness20 at each mention of ,haman's name all in the congregation stamped their feet1 also making gurgling noises with their throats1 to imitate the false prince's strangling2 the whole being made more hideous by the shriek of discordant cornet notes and the springing of rattles4 ,the foregoing scene suddenly changed2 a procession of maidens1 in graceful evolutions1 emerging from the surrounding groves1 presenting a living picture1 really entrancing4 ,they were all richly robed in garments of graceful flow1 caught round their waists by flowered girdles4 ,some wore sashes of jassamine1 while others were crowned with lilies or asters or violets4 ,their arms and ankles were clad only with circlets from which pendant bells gave forth music at every motion4 ,seven of the foremost maidens bore lamps2 behind each of these followed one with a harp2 behind each harper two with tambourines and cymbals4 ,seven times this maiden train1 with a step in time1 half march1 half dance1 waltzed around the canopied altar4 ,then were given seven cornet blasts1 the procession leaders waving their lamps with each blast1 after which there was perfect silence4 ,now the old priest moved forward a little toward the procession2 the congregation meanwhile gathering in a semi-circle1 just outside of all1 and he addressed the assembly3 8,brethren and children1 ,i would speak to you a little of the #8,virtuous ,woman4' ,daughters of ,israel1 hearts of homes to be1 hopes of the nation looking for a ,deliverer and deliverers yet to be born2 hear me6 ,israel knows no queen of all womanly perfections like unto ,esther1 the beautiful4 ,evermore take her for your meditation by day and your dreams by night4 ,then shall you all realize to yourselves1 your fathers1 brothers1 husbands1 all that the holy ,proverbs of our ,kethubim declares of the true woman4 ,then the priest taking the parchment1 solemnly and in mellow tones1 read the last chapter of the book1 #8the birth-day chapter1' a verse prophetic for every day of the longest month1 as the ,jews believe40 ,when the reader ceased1 the encampment was dim1 many of the lights having been quenched4 ,then the congregation joined in chanting a soft-aired ,jewish hymn4 8,the devotions are ended2 now for the sports20 so spoke ,ichabod2 the first words spoken between him and the knight during their observation of the last part of the proceedings before the pavilion4 ,he had scarcely made the announcement when the second patriarch appeared1 dressed in somber black1 leading by the hand a maiden of wondrous beauty1 wearing also black1 in heavy trails2 on her head a golden crown4 ,as they appeared the applause as at first burst forth1 but now blended with distinguishable cries of 8,hail ,esther60 8,hail ,mordecai60 8,it's the play1 knight4 ,watch that pair40 8,no fear1 ,jew1 such a wondrous beauty6 ,had ,i been ,haman and she ,esther1 ,i never could have crossed her4 ,heavens1 ,jew1 it is well said the people of promise produce the most beautiful women of earth4 ,that's why ,deity elected one of them1 through whom to be incarnate1 ,i think40 8,i think ,i heard the knight say1 awhile ago1 that the revolution of all religions was to come when men's admiration for women rose far above rapture over outward form4 ,is it not so80 8,ah1 it's thy remembering and my forgetting that keeps us crossing each other6 ,but no matter2 am ,i looking at an angel or not80 8,that's the priest's only daughter2 his idol1 ay1 the idol of every youth in all these parts of ,israel4 ,no nation can be dead while it produces such flowers40 ,suddenly the camp blazed with re-illumination1 and then began a carnival4 ,games and dancers were everywhere4 ,some1 evidently men1 were dressed as women1 and others1 evidently women1 were garbed as men4 ,for one season1 ,purim1 the command against the interchange of garments between the sexes1 was suspended4 ,each reveler carried a little box4 ,if he asked a favor or a question1 the reply was a challenge to try lots4 ,partners were so chosen1 tasks given and predictions made4 ,laughter was everywhere1 and wine was flowing4 8,ichabod1 ,i haven't tasted wine since ,acre6 ,why dost thou not introduce me yonder80 8,wait2 they will all be mellow1 soon4 ,they may be1 too1 for it's a law that a ,jew is not deemed drunk at #8,purim' so long as he can discern between a blessing for ,mordecai and a curse for ,haman40 8,heavens6 how they do imbibe40 8,it's natural for doves to twitter after a thunder storm4 ,they remember the past troubles40 8,ay2 but ,i fear they will consume all the beverage before we are with them4 ,we have had plenty of trouble2 now take me in to twitter with those doves40 ,ichabod started1 as if to lead the way1 and then drew back and moaned1 8no1 no2 it cannot be4 ,i'm forever anathema here1 to them6 ,i could bear their hate1 not their contempt4 ,they may call me renegade1 but never spaniel nor hypocrite6 ,if ,i appeared among them they would soon know1 if they do not already1 that ,ichabod is changed4 ,then they'd sneer and tell me that ,i tried to play double1 or thinking my people's faith not good enough for me1 ,i yet hungered for their feasts4 ,no1 no2 it must not be6 ,to-morrow1 ,i hope to pray at my mother's grave4 ,i'd choke then if ,i had to remember ,i'd done aught that she1 living1 would have thought mean40 8,now1 ,i'll not persuade thee1 ,jew1 but go alone40 8,that's reckless6 thou mayst regret it4 ,they may become riotous1 being half drunk1 and beat thee as a ,haman4 ,no1 stay away40 8,no dissuasion1 ,jew1 but just change garments4 ,it's the fashion to-night40 ,the ,jew complied1 remarking as he did3 8,will the knight wear this leather thong80 8,heavens6 no1 nor the brand on thy neck40 8,christian knights commanded me to wear one1 and burned into my flesh the other years ago2 they deemed it necessary to mark all ,jews for hatred40 8,dear ,ichabod1 ,i never counseled branding any man60 8,i believe it4 ,i have forgotten all bitterness about these marks and have borne them as my cross4 8,but1 ,sir ,charleroy1 don't wear thy cross in their sight60 8,for once1 ,i'll cover it40 ,so saying he hid the emblem4 ,the comrades parted1 and ,sir ,charleroy quickly found himself by the maiden who personated ,esther4 ,he approached unnoticed until he pleasantly said3 8,queen of ,shushan1 a man out there behind a clump of ,sharon roses1 played me a game of lots4 ,i lost the game1 and he has put it on me to come to the ,queen to fix the forfeit ,i shall pay40 ,the maiden turned her head haughtily and examined the speaker from head to foot with repelling gaze4 ,it was her way of freezing off the amorous swains who constantly aimed to pay her court4 ,but when her eyes met those of the self-possessed stranger1 she gave a little start4 ,perhaps she caught sight1 by some omen1 of her fate2 perhaps she felt the magnetism of the strong will which for the first time presented itself4 ,in any event1 it was the first time she had ever been alone1 face to face1 with such as he2 a stalwart man1 all reverential1 yet all self-possessed4 ,they were well matched1 and they both felt it1 intuitively1 instantly4 8,who art thou80 8,a child of ,god40 8,of ,israel80 8,by faith1 most holy of ,abraham's seed10 responded ,sir ,charleroy4 8,thy speech bewrayeth thee as lacking our shibboleth40 8,i've been a life long wanderer4 ,thou wouldst not reject one whom involuntary exile had robbed of tokens80 8,but ,i can not be free with an uncertified stranger4 ,i'm afraid ,i err in tarrying here 'till now40 8,hospitality is the boast of pious ,hebrews who obey ,him that #8loveth the stranger in giving him food and raiment4' ,thou hast the ,great ,father's law3 #8,love ye therefore the stranger1 for ye were strangers in the land of ,egypt4' ,some have by hospitality unawares entertained angels1 thou knowst40 8,i'd like to entertain an angel2 are they ever so human-like as thou80 she smiled4 8,had ,i known the ,esther of to-night long enough to convince her that my freedom was sincere1 ,i'd say that she was a fine example of the union of the angelic in the human40 ,the maiden laughed4 ,the incense was agreeable1 and the freedom of this feast-time justified her acceptance of this novel1 bold flattery4 ,your proud1 daring woman is very vulnerable to such assaults4 ,the world often wonders why such women so often1 after all1 surrender2 but that's because the world does not appreciate the dexterity in such jousts of such skilled men of the world as ,sir ,charleroy2 or how grateful to self-admiring beauties the admiration of superior intellects is4 8,well1 will thou give me thy name80 8,certainly4 ,for to-night1 ,ahasuerus80 8,a presumptious jest1 sir40 8,no1 for ,i admire and respect ,esther1 that's here40 8,and then80 8,i plead for help2 gain me admittance to the festivities1 and escape from inquiry further1 as to my identity40 8,and afterward1 be called by my people brazen by thee1 a little fool60 8,art thou driven from right1 the claim of hospitality1 by fear of a lie80 8,what if thou wert a ,bedouin spy1 or a hated cross follower80 8,thou art a noble hearted maiden40 8,ah1 who told thee so80 8,thy face40 8,what is that to thee1 if true80 she blushed a little4 8,could'st thou drive from thy bosom a fleeing kid1 there seeking refuge from pursuing lions80 8,i do not know 'till tried4 ,thou art at any rate no kid2 there is no lion4 ,if thou desirest refuge1 see the path of departure is the one by which thou cam'st hither40 8,well1 then1 farewell40 ,the knight made as if he would go1 but he knew he would not4 ,the motion gave him excuse for looking sad1 and he knew that next to a handsome face a sad one most easily conquers a woman4 8,tarry a moment 'till ,i think4 ,can ,i trust thee80 she was hesitating4 8,i've trusted thee1 and that's ever the best proof of fidelity40 ,women like to think they are especially trusted4 8,well----but1 see1 my father comes2 there's no time for argument2 let me speak60 ,as the aged priest drew near1 ,esther saluted him1 and said1 8,father1 let me take this ,galileean stranger to the youths and their games8 ,he claims our hospitality40 ,the priest1 wont to be on the alert1 was disarmed by the magic word hospitality2 then1 too1 for a long time before1 having been wifeless1 he had been wont to put his daughter forward1 according large confidence to her2 hence his reply3 8,if thou knowest him1 ,rizpah40 8,i do40 8,welcome1 brother1 what is thy name80 said ,harrimai4 ,rizpah1 his daughter1 quickly made reply1 8,ahasuerus1 and ,i've laughed at the coincidence until he has been ashamed to repeat it40 8',tis strange1 surely1 and not like a ,jewish one4 ,i must examine the family rolls to-morrow4 ,peace be unto thee1 son10 and the old man turned toward his pavilion4 ,esther plucked a lily from her crown and handed it to ,sir ,charleroy saying3 8,here1 king1 a token40 8,of what80 8,shushan2 in our tongue1 the name of the flower signifies #8surrender4'0 8,they say1 ,esther1 that ,judith wore a crown of lilies when she assassinated ,holophernes4 ,is there any danger to me impending80 8,thou hast a lily4 ,it is said to ward off enchantments1 too40 8,i am enchanted4 ,i do not want to awaken4 ,in ,egypt they call this the lotus1 flower of unrestrained pleasure40 8,for now then1 we'll call it lotus40 8,all gods1 even ,osiris1 bless thee1 ,esther40 ,so the twain were charmed comrades1 till watch fires were dim and the palm shadows were creeping in1 like funeral attendants1 to carry away the spirit of the dying revel4 ,here and there was heard anon the voices commending this one and that to pleasant slumbers4 ,the stars were withdrawing behind dawn's feathery curtains1 and over all1 at intervals1 was heard the voice of the chanticleer1 triumphantly proclaiming the coming day4 ,charleroy and ,rizpah were left alone with each other at the end of the last game4 ,the maiden gave a coy1 furtive glance and tardily drew away from the knight4 ,the language of the drawing-room of the day1 is as old as the centuries1 and that maid of the wilderness used it as finely as a queen1 to say without words1 8it's time we part2 please say so first1 nor leave to me1 the hostess1 the first suggestion of a wish to have thee go----0 ,still the knight spake not4 ,he was delighted and averse to breaking the first pleasure spell of years4 ,the ,jewish maiden1 with fine courtesy1 renewed the subject3 8,king1 methinks1 thou art anxious to exchange the grove for the palace40 8,i can never think of weariness when restful ,esther is nigh40 8,but thy life is precious to thy subjects2 care for it1 and go with freshness to to-morrow's cares of state40 8,ah1 queen1 ,i too keenly realize that with thy departure my kingdom fades to nothingness40 8,a truce1 my liege40 8,granted1 and any thing else1 to the half of my kingdom40 ,rizpah startled the birds in the shrubbery to premature morning song1 with a merry laugh4 ,it was a finishing charge1 that laugh1 by which she carried her point1 for the knight quickly questioned 8,why this80 8,i was only thinking how odd thou wouldst appear if thou didst wear away my pepelum4 ,thy subjects would think their king mad1 if he met them veiled as a woman40 8,pardon1 queen1 ,i've been so absorbed1 ,i forgot myself--0 ,so saying1 he gracefully transferred from his shoulder to hers the shawl she had permitted him for the night to wear4 ,as the maiden adjusted it1 something fell out of its folds1 glittering to her feet4 8,findings keepings20 she laughed1 and stooped to pick up the object4 ,as she arose she turned it slowly toward the setting moon the better to inspect the find4 ,the knight was alarmed1 but it was too late to prevent her examination now of his ,teutonic cross and chain4 ,at a glance1 ,rizpah saw it was an emblem1 of all others1 hated by her people1 and with a low1 startled cry she made a motion as if to hurl it from her1 but she checked herself with a powerful effort2 suddenly turning her black1 piercing eyes upon her companion she took a step back4 ,she stood there the embodiment of an imperative question4 ,the knight quietly said3 8,be calm1 dear maid40 ,over her countenance passed a cloud which to the man all too plainly said3 8,how darst thou use such terms to me80 and then the face hardened again to imperative interrogation4 8,thou trustedst me four hours ago1 under the lotus1 try now my sincerity by any sterner test40 ,turning her eyes full on his1 with a voice without a quaver1 but in deep1 measured tones indicative of suppressed emotion1 she questioned as she held out toward him his emblem1 8,what's this80 8,concealment from thee1 having trusted me as thou hast1 would be futile not only1 but hateful2 thou knowst the meaning of the sign40 8,who art thou then80 8,a ,christian knight60 8,an enemy of my people everywhere2 a spy here60 she exclaimed4 8,no1 never a spy6 a true ,christian knight never was such6 ,our warfare is open and equal4 ,i'm degraded by the defense from such an odious charge60 8,why debate thy methods2 'tis enough for me to know thou art a foe to me and mine40 8,no enemy of thine1 but rather the friend of all humanity1 woman40 8,bloody friends ,i've heard60 8,no6 ,each one of my order is sworn1 by awful vow1 to protect the traveler1 the poor1 the weak and woman with our last drop of blood6 ,if we two were all alone here and one of our lives must be forfeited to save the other's1 mine would joy to go first40 8,words are cheap1 and thou can'st use them finely1 knight40 8,thou knowst1 maiden1 to what that cross alludes40 8,the ,nazarene ,imposter60 8,his followers revere ,him80 8,like madmen1 they follow their phantom60 8,didst ever hear of one wearing that sign1 being untrue to it80 8,no1 it's their dread black-art40 8,wouldst thou trust me if ,i swore by it80 8,i might2 but ,i'd fear that devils would flock out of the airy deep to witness thy vowing4 ,spare me that horror60 8,maiden1 thou'lt craze me by thy distrust and wild words4 ,in ,god's name tell me what to do60 8,swear1 but wave back the evil spirits1 if thou art wont to have them40 8,that sign is their lasting terror2 but the silent palms and the stars alone shall witness1 ay1 the ,god of all1 as well4 ,here1 make thou the words as thou wilt4 ,now1 ,i kiss the cross ,i love1 and am ready4 ,he suited the action to the words4 ,the maiden drew near to him1 looking down into his eyes searchingly and seemed assured by their serene frankness40 8,go on1 ,rizpah1 ,i'll bind my soul with any words coined1 and1 remember that ,i believe that perjury would consign me to misery untold here2 eternal woe hereafter60 8,i'll trust thy solemn asseverations2 they say that a superstition on the right side will make even a ,philistine bearable4 ,repeat1 #8,i swear never to harm any of ,rizpah's kin or clan1 except in self-defense4'0 ,he complied4 8,again1 #8,i swear to depart peacefully at once1 and no more seek companionship with the people this night met4'0 ,he complied1 but murmured 8cruelty40 8,and how80 she questioned4 8,wilt add a little80 8,add what80 8,add this #8except by permission of the one ordaining my vow4'0 8,it is so fixed40 8,i then swear it all40 8,well1 now go10 and she pointed to the hills4 8,i obey1 but yet plead delay40 ,she hesitated and fell from being master to being mastered4 8,why1 what benefits delay80 8,oh1 woman1 ,i yearn as only a lonely heart can1 to enjoy a little while the fellowship and hospitality of thy people6 ,for years homeless2 for months friendless1 ,i've come to feel worthless4 ,this is the first bright hour in my life for many a day4 ,perhaps1 maiden of ,israel1 thou mightst make life worth living to me40 ,it was a charge on her sympathy1 and he knew it would succeed4 8,a ,crusader1 #8one of the armies of ,god1' boasting a divine call to conquer and convert the world1 so talking80 8,our armed crusades are ended forever2 my occupation's gone40 ,she had hesitated1 now she pitied the man1 and woman-like1 again surrendered while she protested4 8,i do not think there could come great harm from thy staying until sunrise repast40 8,bless thee1 the nine sun gods bless thee1 ,esther40 8,heathen60 8,well2 an ,egyptian-,christian-,jew taught me to say this when too cheerful to be solemn1 and pious enough not to be frivolous40 8,an ,egyptian-,hebrew-,christian6 ,he must have been an ,arab4 ,that name means the #8mixed4' ,but go to the men's tents2 to-morrow ,i'll have more wisdom4 ,peace and grace to thee2 good night1 ,christian-,heathen-,hebrew-,arabic-,egy ptian60 ,she laughingly spoke and the unbending made the knight1 bold4 ,he addressed her3 8,i'd sleep in perfect peace1 if ,rizpah would give me a token40 8,i8 what80 and the maiden drew back1 offended4 ,her innocency remembered no token then1 but such solicited by her maiden friends1 or given at times to her father1 a kiss4 8,place thy hand in mine1 ,rizpah40 ,she quickly complied1 glad she was mistaken1 as to her suspicion and blushing within1 as she thought how strangely1 easily1 her mind had had the thought1 8,well1 now what1 knight80 8,promise me that while ,i'm permitted to tarry among thy people1 ,i shall have thy heart's friendship2 as freely1 as loyally bestowed as if ,i were thy brother40 8,canst trust me1 a woman1 a girl1 almost a stranger80 8,i trust thy woman's heart as ,joshua's men of old trusted ,rahab1 a wreck1 but still a woman4 ,thou art infinitely more noble than she40 8,but men think us weak1 fitful1 garrulous40 8,responsibility makes the weakest of thy sex heroines and pity is the gateway to their hearts4 ,thou hast my life and my happiness as thy responsibility2 dost pity me80 8,yes3 go now4 ,a ,gentile hater of my people shall see of what metals ,jewish maidens are40 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,astarte ,,or ,,mary8 8,who could resist2 who in the universe8 ,she did breathe ambrosia2 so immerse ,my existence in a golden clime1 ,she took me like a child of sucking time1 ,and cradled me in roses4 ,thus condemned ,the current of my former life was stemmed3 ,i bowed a tranced vassal40--,,keats4 ,the ,teutonic ,knight of ,saint ,mary1 through all his changing fortunes from the time of his knighthood's vow1 preserved his moral integrity1 his loyalty to the lofty pattern of life set forth by the ,queenly exemplar1 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus4 ,crusader days had so far improved his life as to make him the outspoken denouncer of all impurity of life4 ,he thought his creed and his committal thereto complete4 ,a change came over him4 ,he that1 in the storm of battle1 had often cried as his law and his delight 8,deus ,vult10 8,god wills10 now feared to seek to know1 much less to do1 that will4 ,the intoxications of a new love were upon him2 unconsciously he was suffering his queen to be veiled1 eclipsed2 and he yielded to the tide that swept him toward the ,jewish maiden4 ,sometimes his conscience smote him1 but he parleyed with it1 called it a fool1 or placated it by the assurance that this whole matter could be stopped any time at will4 ,like many another man1 forgetting all else except that he was a refined animal1 he passed away from the beacons of ,bethlehem to the chambers of ,imagery1 the gods of ,egypt4 ,in chains of roses1 though with many fine ,christian sentiments on his lips1 he went heart first1 head first1 into an utter committal of all his being to the possession of his enchanter4 ,he expected to regard the laws of the land and society1 but nothing more4 ,he was led by his tempting spirit to ,ramoth ,gilead1 now sometimes called ,gerara or ,gerash4 ,there it was that ,rizpah's family took up its abode4 ,with them1 and of them1 was ,sir ,charleroy1 a welcome guest1 his welcome secured by his own personal efforts to please1 in part2 but more through the finesse of ,rizpah1 who having promised to be a sister1 was permitting her mind to wonder what he might become if only her friend were a ,hebrew4 ,such day dreams were sinless1 but impolitic if she really meant to keep herself free and painless1 when the parting time came4 ,but it so happens that the questions and problems of the heart are thrust ever on life when most responsive1 least experienced4 ,the wonder is not that so many decide them ill1 but that youth so pressed1 so ardent1 so callow1 as a whole decide so fairly well the master social problem4 ,the life of ,harrimai and his following was very ,jewish at ,gerash4 ,there was an unusual amount of national pride evinced in that locality for the times4 ,sir ,charleroy was interested deeply in the place because of its splendid ruins1 he said1 but as need not be explained1 chiefly on account of its natural beauties amid which ,rizpah was peerless4 ,the ,israelitish colony revered the place for its ancient part in ,jewish history1 and because they believed no ,moslem invader had ever defiled the place4 ,the knight and the ,jewish father and daughter were in frequent companionship4 ,they were becoming very intimate1 meanwhile gaining power each to make the other eventually very miserable4 ,rizpah was pushing out in a new experience to her4 ,if she were enamored she did not fully know it4 ,she only knew that the knight's companionship was very delightful4 ,if she had any misgivings as to the propriety of her course she silenced them by saying to herself3 8,sir ,charleroy has sworn to leave us forever when ,i say he shall4 ,i can end this matter any time40 ,she thought she could1 but the shield of her safety was already too heavy for her4 ,she could not have said go1 had she tried4 ,time deepened the perplexity by multiplying the enmeshings of the trio4 ,the knight and ,rizpah were much in each other's society4 ,they spoke of this as being a happy circumstance1 as youths usually do4 8,we shall understand each other so well--too well to misunderstand40 ,some of the ,jewish young men were jealous and made some very natural remarks1 under the circumstances1 though the remarks were rather bitter with jealousy4 ,the older people1 some of them1 anxious for an alliance by marriage with the rich and powerful ,harrimai family1 took up the undertone complaints of the young people of their race4 ,of course1 the murmurings were cloaked with declarations that they were all for the sake of righteousness6 ,harrimai1 in heart far from assured1 was yet compelled to defend the two secretly loving1 in order to defend his daughter's fair fame4 ,the two young people wore the armor of teacher and pupil2 the young woman constantly bepraising the knight's wondrous knowledge of the antiquities1 etc41 of all the out-of-the-way places they visited4 ,so the meshes multiplied1 though the caviling was in part silenced4 ,as teacher and pupil they went on1 and ,harrimai knew1 as did ,sir ,charleroy1 that the relationship had its peril1 as it existed between a man and woman who could love yet ought not to love4 ,rizpah did not at first know how easily a woman's heart surrenders to a man to whom she is accustomed to look upward4 ,in fact she drifted in a delight in all pertaining to the knight2 her only outlook and watchfulness being toward her father4 ,the way the latter at times keenly1 silently observed her and the knight made her uneasy4 ,she knew intuitively that not far away there was impending on her father's part an investigation4 ,she determined to delay1 if not prevent it4 ,one day she bounded into her father's presence1 aglow with enthusiasm over the wonders unfolded to her by ,sir ,charleroy during a visit to the ruins of ,gerash's temple of the sun4 ,the old man was charmed by her description1 and when she declared her intention to pursue her investigations beyond their city he hesitated to forbid4 8,and now1 father1 ,i'm going to that old city of the ,giants1 ,bozrah40 ,the father1 with an effort at firmness1 dissuadingly replied3 8,we may all go there1 but not now4 ,it is better to bide here quietly1 until we learn that the perils of receding war have left assured peace40 8,why1 father1 ,i'm not afraid60 8,i know it2 so much the more need for me to be3 these over-daring daughters need over-careful guardians4 ,some of us aged ones are suffered to tarry long from paradise1 in order that we may see our darlings in the right path thither40 8,give me my swift white dromedary and two attendants and ,i'll defy the miserables who ambuscade along the way40 ,just then1 there dashed toward them1 over the oleander-fringed road which passed due north along the little river and across the city1 a rider on panting steed4 8,it's the news runner60 said the patriarch4 8,shall we signal him80 she questioned4 8,no1 daughter1 we will meet him yonder1 where the two great streets cross4 ,he will await me40 ,when the father and daughter arrived1 a crowd had already gathered about the horseman4 ,some pressed him for news1 but he looked straight ahead at his horse1 now slaking its thirst1 and merely snapped out1 8,news8 ,my beast is thirsty60 ,when ,harrimai drew near the rider saluted him and at once unfolded his budget3 8,father1 ,i'm this day from ,bozrah4 ,its ruins are not ruined4 ,all around there1 and from there to here1 the herds sleep in the shade1 and the carrion birds that have so long been hovering around us for human food have fled back to ,egypt and ,europe and ,hades60 8,praised be the ,father of ,israel6 ,i shall live then1 as ,i prayed ,i might1 to see the infidels slung out of our holy places60 ,so spoke the priest1 and as he affectionately embraced some aged ,israelites who gathered about him1 the horseman responded3 8,god reigns and ,israel has peace40 ,he put spurs to his horse then1 and dashed away across the river to spread to other hamlets the glorious news4 ,next morning ,rizpah1 having carried her point1 was ready to depart for ,bozrah4 ,she had taken silence on her father's part for consent1 and pursued her preparations as if it were so ordered4 ,all things being ready she silenced protest by a good-by kiss4 8,but daughter6 ,what escort80 8,ah10 she thought1 8victory6 ,i can go if well attended40 ,she continued aloud2 8,perhaps ,sir ,charleroy's ,egyptian might attend me1 since our servants are busy in the groves40 ,the maiden called to her ,ichabod1 who had found a home in ,harrimai's establishment1 his identity hidden under the assumed name ,huykos1 a name from the ,nile land1 meaning 8,shepherd ,king40 8,i'll take it10 said ,ichabod1 one day to ,sir ,charleroy1 8that all unknown ,i may follow my pilgrim comrade and perhaps honor my new found #8,shepherd ,king4'0 8,one will be a meager escort daughter10 interposed ,harrimai4 8,oh1 fear for me nothing1 father4 ,i'll quickly be at ,bozrah1 where there are ,israelites not a few who will be proud to aid thy daughter40 8,no1 daughter it must not be4 ,i'll call the young men from the vineyard1 if thou must go40 8,another victory10 her heart whispered2 then quickly turning to ,sir ,charleroy she exclaimed1 8,my father must not call the workmen from their tasks2 what sayst thou8 ,wilt serve us both by joining my body-guard1 ,ahasuerus8 ,come1 to please my father80 ,the knight had hoped for and expected the summons1 so needed no urgency and was instantly preparing for the start4 ,harrimai was not pleased by the arrangement1 and yet he was forced to thank the knight for consenting4 ,his native courtliness compelled this much1 and ,rizpah's genius had precluded all gainsaying on his part4 ,and so they rode away1 ,rizpah in a delight1 which she could not clearly define2 ,sir ,charleroy blinded already by the cry that at last led to giant ,samson's blinding1 namely3 8,get her for me40 ,ichabod masked under his name1 ,huykos1 followed after1 knowing that the knight was captive to the maid and feeling very happy over the circumstance4 ,as he rode1 his mind ran forward to the wedding1 and he laughed again and again at the witty things he imagined himself saying at that wedding4 ,suddenly the scene changed from one of careless delight to one filled with the frights of impending peril4 ,at a turn in the road1 from behind a wall1 there rose up a company of ,mamelukes4 ,rizpah saw them the instant her companion did and exclaimed1 as she half turned her camel3 8,let's race back to ,gerash60 ,but four dusky sentinels were behind them4 ,they were surrounded4 8',tis fight or flight1 the latter futile10 whispered the knight4 ,they paused1 and ,ichabod joined them4 ,sir ,charleroy drawing his sword again spoke3 8,comrade it's a desperate chance2 a dozen to two2 but we have taken such before together60 8,let the knight say a dozen to three10 exclaimed ,rizpah1 as she drew from the folds of her garments a saber before unseen and touched the edge expert-like with her thumb4 8,oh1 brave1 pure girl6 ,i don't fear death2 ,i'd court it for thee1 but0--,sir ,charleroy paused and looked unutterable misery2 then instantly recovering and emboldened by the danger that threatened to soon end all1 he exclaimed3 8,rizpah1 thou rememberest my knight-vow at ,purim2 thou shalt see how ,i'll keep it2 if ,i perish1 remember ,i have loved thee as ,i never loved any other being40 ,the words were very vehement1 but probably very true4 ,rizpah blushed1 brushed a tear from her eyes and then1 in the frankness that such an hour engenders1 replied3 8,and ,i thee--0 the rest was drowned in the wild shout of the ,turks as they close about the three4 ,but they had not counted upon such a reception as those two men and that one woman gave them4 ,ichabod fought like a roused mastiff1 without a thought of fear for himself4 ,he struck vehemently1 but a calm settled smile was on his countenance4 ,sir ,charleroy saw it and years after said1 recalling the incident1 8amidst the greatest perils there's a wondrous peace to one who feels he is striking for ,god1 close to the portals of death and judgment40 ,the knight himself fenced with the rapidity of lightning4 ,again and again by ones and twos and threes1 the enemies charged down upon him1 but he fought with the prowess of a crusader1 the fire of a lover4 ,those parts had never before witnessed such splendid swordsmanship4 ,as the attack had been sudden1 so was its ending4 ,two ,turks fell beneath ,sir ,charleroy's weapon in quick succession1 and a third fell under his own horse1 which was desperately wounded by a sweeping blow from the knight4 ,at the same1 instant1 almost1 ,ichabod and one of the foemen1 whom he was engaging1 fell in significant silence1 while another struggled to drag ,rizpah to his steed that he might make her captive4 ,sir ,charleroy1 wounded and faint1 dealt the latter miscreant a staggering blow and the maiden1 plucking a small dagger from the folds of her garment1 finished with a single thrust her captor's earthly career4 ,those of the marauders that were able1 in fright took flight1 wheeling away more quickly than they had come4 8,rizpah1 wilt thou go to ,ich--,huykos8 ,i can't10 softly called out ,sir ,charleroy4 ,the maiden flew to the ,jew's side1 but quickly started back1 crying3 8,oh1 knight1 come quickly6 ,he's dead60 ,just then1 looking back1 a sudden horror fell upon her1 for she saw ,sir ,charleroy half reclining against a rock1 bleeding and pale4 ,like lightning she thought3 8,both dead2 ,i alone2 home miles away2 the ,turks hovering near40 ,but the thought of her own peril was only momentary1 and after it there came more rapidly than can be written the thought that one dear as her life was dead1 dead for her sake4 ,instantly1 on feet that seemed winged1 she was at ,sir ,charleroy's side4 ,all her being merged into one great1 instant impulse to save her lover4 ,over him she bent1 and with passionate sorrow tried with her garments to staunch the flow of blood4 ,in the sincerity and frankness that the presence of death ever brings1 she arose above all prudishness and impulsively kissed the cold lips of the knight4 ,his eyes opened1 and he faintly murmured3 8,i'm so happy1 dear ,rizpah4 ,i know now it is well40 ,a little later he murmured3 8,flee now for home4 ,thou'lt reach it by sun down4 ,leave me4 ,to tarry is to court a harem prison40 8,hush10 impatiently responded she2 8see this dagger80 and she held it close to his half-closed eyes4 8,my pious father gave it me when ,i was but a girl4 ,he told me it might some time save me from dishonor4 ,it did so to-day1 once4 ,if those black demons return1 sure as my name is ,rizpah1 it will do so again1 even though ,i turn it toward my own heart40 8,better flee1 my love40 8,not 'till thou can'st go1 too40 8,i may die40 8,then1 ,i'll go into the shadow land with thee40 ,the knight was silent4 ,the pain of his wounds was forgotten in the joy of that lone companionship4 ,but1 after all1 his mind1 perturbed by the shock1 the pain1 the dangers1 was unable to rest4 ,he tried to say to himself the prayer of the dying crusader1 but the words were confused4 ,he could not remember many of them2 those he remembered1 seemed to be unwilling to go heavenward for mercy4 ,some way in the clearness of judgment as to simple right and wrong that comes to a mind on the confines of death1 he found himself condemned4 ,he was haunted by a vision that came to his mind first the day he decided against conviction1 at all hazard1 to follow the family of ,rizpah and ,harrimai to ,gerash4 ,the vision was that of the false prophet ,zedekiah1 making himself horns of iron1 and with them appearing before the wicked ,king of ,israel1 ,ahab1 to proclaim1 not the things of ,god1 but the things the prophet knew would meet the desires of his royal master4 ,the wounded often fall asleep2 it's nature's way of recovering from a shock and of chaining pain in forgetfulness4 ,sir ,charleroy knew not whether he was sleeping or not2 but the vision passed in painful vividness over his mind4 ,he heard the prophet's voice saying3 8,go up to ,ramoth ,gilead1 and prosper40 ,then he saw a true prophet of ,god standing nigh1 with sorrowful countenance1 and the face was that of the ,madonna4 ,the latter moaned in his ear1 warningly2 8,who shall persuade1 that he may go up and fall at ,ramoth ,gilead8 ,then there came forth a spirit and said1 ,i will persuade40 ,the spirit was black-garbed1 in a blood-spotted garment1 and wore1 as ,sir ,charleroy seemed to see the apparition1 a scarlet crescent1 and the knight thought of ,astarte4 ,he heard in his vision the beatings as of mighty wings1 rising to flight1 and tried to turn and see who the departing one was4 ,it seemed as if the spirit of ,astarte-like countenance transfixed him with a gaze1 so he could not turn2 but a loneliness and darkness1 almost palpable1 came over him1 and he knew it was the ,madonna-faced prophet that had departed4 ,the knight started up as if to rise1 but1 awakening1 found ,rizpah's restraining arms about him4 8,stay10 she soothingly said4 8,thou art feverish1 and too weak to rise4 ,thou'lt be better presently2 the blood has ceased flowing40 8,oh10 he groaned2 8,i had such a dream60 ,just then ,rizpah beheld coming in the distance1 from toward ,gerash1 a horseman1 at rapid pace4 ,her first thought1 8,the enemy returns40 ,her second brought her hand swiftly to her reeking dagger1 as she soliloquized3 8,he's only one1 and ,i'm one2 if but a woman40 ,the rider drew nearer1 and she was almost overcome with the revulsion from fear and despair2 for the comer was ,laconic1 the 8news runner40 ,he knew the maiden1 and wheeling his steed to her side with his usual brevity1 cried out3 8,why1 didst thou kill both80 8,shame on thee2 'twas the ,arabs60 8,i thought so4 ,i met two horsemen and two riderless steeds1 galloping away down the road4 ,i knew they'd been at some devilment40 8,good runner1 in the name of ,god1 speed thee to ,bozrah1 or somewhere1 for help1 and bring it quickly40 8,bring8 not so2 send4 ,i come not 'till my set day60 8,any thing2 but hurry60 8,hurry6 ,yes1 hurry6 ,i love hurry40 ,he was away like an arrow1 in his course4 ,his steed leaped over one of the dead miscreants and ,laconic shouted back3 8,carrion dinners6 ,thank ,god60 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,from ,,ramoth ,,gilead ,,to ,,damascus 8,daughters of ,eve6 your mother did not well3 444 ,the man was not deceived1 nor yet could stand3 ,he chose to lose for love of her1 his throne1-- ,with her could die1 but could not live alone40 8,daughters of ,eve6 it was for your dear sake ,the world's first hero died an uncrowned king3 ,but ,god's great pity touched the great mistake ,and made his married love a sacred thing2 ,for yet his nobler sons1 if aught be true1 ,find the lost ,eden in their love of you40--,,jean ,,ingelow4 ,for many days ,sir ,charleroy lay wounded at the house of the ,patriarch ,harrimai1 and she for whom he had periled his life was his constant attendant4 ,he sorely needed her services1 and all ,gerash1 the priest included1 conceded the fitness of ,rizpah's rendering the aid she was able to render4 ,the maiden was all willing to minister1 and as she ministered her interest in the man deepened4 ,when she began to look up to him as her teacher before the battle with ,mamelukes1 she began a sort of worship2 when she saw him fighting to the death in her behalf1 her worship became an engrossing adoration4 ,if there had been any thing more required in order to enlist all the affection of which her being was capable1 these opportunities of administering to her suffering lover furnished it4 ,as ,god loves because ,he has helped a needy one1 so a woman's heart easily flows out toward the object for whom she has performed pious services4 ,on the other hand1 ,sir ,charleroy was more and more enchanted1 for there is life and charm beyond all description to the touch of the queen of a man's heart when he is in trouble or pain4 ,rizpah1 in woman's most queenly garb1 the one appointed her at her creation1 that of 8help-mate10 was beautiful indeed1 and queenly indeed1 to the man whose heart had enthroned her4 ,when alone1 they treated each other with the frank1 earnest tenderness1 fitting as well as natural1 to the betrothed4 ,though they did not admit it even to themselves1 they had fully determined to be one1 at all peril1 in spite of any opposition1 reason approving or disapproving4 ,they often said to one another1 8,our betrothal taking place at the very gates of death was therefore a very solemn one that nothing on earth can annul40 ,the sentiment was perfect and very agreeable2 and with them a beautiful and agreeable sentiment became as controlling as if it were a revelation from heaven4 ,in this1 they were perfectly human4 ,they even persuaded themselves of ,god's favor1 thanking ,him for what they were pleased to call ,his ,providence1 namely the peril and long sickness leading to the betrothal and days of love-life together4 ,they were right in conceding that ,god's hand was in the battle2 but they were impious in interpreting ,his ,providence to be fully in accord with their desires4 ,in this1 too1 they were very human4 ,but there were shadows about them2 for while at times they drifted along on prismatic tides of ,lethean delights1 there were other times when they remembered that there was to come a day of explanation1 with probable following storms4 ,both were glad and sorry at once1 in view of each day's improvement of the knight's physical condition4 ,convalescent1 they both realized1 meant a great change in their relationship2 perhaps a long separation4 ,their anxiety was deepened by a change in the demeanor of ,rizpah's father4 ,his eyes no longer questioningly followed the young people2 but his words1 uttered in tones of steelly coldness and very deliberately1 bespoke discovery1 conviction1 conclusion and determination4 ,one sentence often addressed to the lovers1 was to them like the rumblings of an approaching1 gathering storm4 8,our friend is improving1 and ,i'm very glad that he will be able soon to go to his own dear people40 ,the lovers discerned a peculiar emphasis on the words 8,i'm glad0 and 8his own dear people40 ,the politic priest1 having read1 as from an open book1 the heart-secret of the young people1 was awaiting with self-confidence an opportunity to confound them utterly4 ,the crisis came one ,sabbath morning1 just after the morning meal of the convalescent4 ,harrimai had paid his usual visit and uttered his steelly sentences4 ,this time the words seemed especially cruel to ,rizpah1 for she was nervous1 indeed ill2 the prolonged services and anxieties she had experienced of late were telling on her strength4 ,as ,harrimai departed1 she gave way to a flood of tears4 ,rizpah was not wont to weep1 nor was ,sir ,charleroy skilled in comforting2 but both he and she were lovers1 hence it seemed very natural to her frankly to pillow her head on the knight's shoulder1 and very natural to him to seek to comfort with a tenderness all new to him4 ,had one asked ,rizpah if she were going back to babyishness1 or forward toward heaven1 she could not have answered4 ,had one asked the knight if he were becoming motherly1 or turning priest1 he could not have answered4 ,he felt very tender1 and his work of comforting seemed like an act of high piety4 ,both were glad of the tears which brought the joy of comforting and being comforted1 then1 there and that way4 ,they were passing into a superb mood when quite unexpectedly to them1 but quite expectedly to himself1 ,harrimai suddenly re-entered the apartment4 ,he expected to surprise them and he did so1 thoroughly4 ,the scene following was exciting1 dramatic and decisive4 ,rizpah1 with a slight scream1 disengaged herself from ,sir ,charleroy's embrace1 and hid her face in her hands4 ,the eyes of the knight and priest met2 neither quailed2 both remained for a few moments silent2 but their fixed gaze said plainly enough1 each to each1 8,we must have a settlement here and now60 ,harrimai spoke first1 addressing himself to his daughter3 8,young woman1 this conduct is immodest and disgraceful6 ,in a ,hebrew maiden1 heaven defying6 ,i'll speak to thee further of this presently4 ,now1 begone1 and leave me to deal with this man60 ,harrimai made arrogant by his profession and the implicit obedience he had been wont to receive from his followers1 expected to fill the young people with dismay by the suddenness of his assault4 ,but ,rizpah1 though young1 was no tongue-tied spring1 and ,sir ,charleroy of ,gerash was still ,sir ,charleroy of ,acre4 ,the words 8dishonorable10 8immodest10 stung the maiden2 sullenly1 defiantly almost1 she settled back in her seat and leaned toward the knight1 as if to say1 8,i cast my lot with this man40 ,her eyes plainly1 angrily said to the man whom all her life hitherto she had reverently obeyed1 8,now do thy worst40 ,it was impious1 passionate1 love going headlong from filial duty and religious instruction to the shrine of ,astarte4 ,the parent was chagrined at this unexpected repulse1 but with his usual adroitness pretending not to notice it1 he turned to the knight4 8,stranger1 this outrage excuses abruptness on my part2 who art thou80 ,sir ,charleroy arose from his hammock1 the excitement and shock of the rencounter finishing his recovery1 by rousing all the machineries of his system into normal activities4 8,sir ,priest1 ,i've nothing to conceal4 ,i love the truth and this maiden too well to lie--,i am a ,christian knight40 8,i knew it2 but thy confession shortens our parley4 ,now1 #8,christian knight1' tell me why thou didst attempt to allure to thyself the affections of a mere girl2 a ,jewish maiden whom thou canst never hope to wed8 ,dost thou so pay our hospitality2 setting at defiance parental authority and our ,jewish laws8 ,dost thou under the favors of this house intrigue to quench all its light80 8,thou brandst that girl and me with the epithet #8dishonorable2' and thou a priest6 ,men of thy holy calling should never slander1 especially not their own kin and strangers40 ,the knight was livid1 but not with fear4 8,can an ,israelite slander ,crusaders8 these professors of high religion1 these followers of an impostor1 these enemies of my people1 these practicers of intrigues1 races1 jousts1 gluttonies and drunkenness2 men whose sole serious business is murderous war8 ,tell me80 ,the knight's face flushed a little1 but with complete self-control he replied3 8,some of my comrades have been unworthy men1 'tis true2 but some ,jews have fallen to every crime and violence4 ,have all fallen8 ,thou hast not1 perhaps6 ,shall all be maligned for the few8 ,what says ,harrimai80 8,thou art of those1 who come to thrust us out of our land and thrust in here a hated creed60 8,i am of those who live to serve the needy and erring40 8,to the proof2 ,i've heard from thy clans only of bloodshed40 8,our order sprung up four hundred years ago1 under the stirring appeals of religionists as pious and humane as thou2 or any of thy kind since ,aaron4 ,we were begotten in a time when grim famine made the well-fed wondrous kind4 ,those hours that make men universally akin40 8,go on2 #8,christian knight1' ,i'd like a lesson of that sort40 8,then remember ,noah's covenant of peace4 ,on our banners often we have our spirit expressed by a dove flying toward a tempest-tossed ark2 in the messenger's beak an olive branch2 around the whole the bow of promise40 8,well what of all this80 8,the ark is the world2 the rest is plain40 8,oh1 a charming theory10 sarcastically responded ,harrimai4 8,i wear it next my heart20 so saying the knight threw aside his cloak and drew from around his body a banner he had hitherto concealed4 8,see here1 #8chastity1' #8temperance1' #8courtesy4' ,our mottoes in peace or war6 ,women1 children and pilgrims1 in a word the needy the world around1 are the wards of all true ,christian knights60 8,mottoes6 words6 ,oh1 yes1 words6 ,but then the ,crusaders have used swords6 ,their words ,i'll meet with words to their confounding1 nor while ,i live will ,i forget their cruel weapons40 ,so saying the priest swept out of the sick chamber in manifest rage4 ,he returned in a moment1 and with the self-command of wrath1 conscious of power1 said3 8,thou wouldst make all men akin6 ,thou and thine are dreamers1 the world thinks2 to-day it laughs to scorn this bootless pursuit of a chimera4 ,leave us forthwith and in the peace that thou foundst here4 ,when the kinship is reality1 thou mayst come to us for further talk2 'till then remember thou art a ,christian1 ,i a ,jew60 8,thou art religious6 ,heavens6 what a tender shepherd40 ,harrimai was very much angered1 but he retorted with self-control2 8,oh1 yes1 and the ,god of all hath seven garments4 ,in creation1 honor and glory2 in providence1 majesty2 as lawgiver1 might and whiteness2 of spotless light when he appears as a ,saviour4 ,he is clad with zeal when he punishes1 and with blood red when ,he revenges4 ,i would be like ,him4 ,by the glory of ,god6 thou follower of ,nazereth's ,impostor1 sooner than suffer thy blood to contaminate my family lines1 ,i'd hew thee to pieces as ,agag was hewn6 ,rizpah1 thou knowest me2 wed him and thou'lt be widowed1 though carrying the unborn2 though widow-hood broke thy heart4 ,i'd rather a thousand times see thee lying dead by thy true ,jewish mother than----40 ,the priest1 in a tumult of fanatical passion mingled with the grief of offended pride1 lacked for words to express the climax of his feelings2 so covering his tearless eyes1 as one weeping1 he rushed out from those he had assailed4 ,he persuaded himself that he had spoken all for the glory of ,god2 the lovers thought of their solemn betrothal and their love which they were certain was as fine as any earth ever knew1 and they felt that they were martyrs4 ,both sides appealed to ,god and in a spirit very ungodly1 but very human1 braced themselves for opposing war4 ,when the maiden became somewhat calm1 ,sir ,charleroy found words to question3 8,harrimai cannot find heart to blast his idol's happiness6 ,he does not mean all he said80 8,alas1 he does4 ,it's part of the ,patriarch's religion to hate such as thou1 as he does4 ,he means more1 if possible1 than he spoke4 ,our people unveil the bosom and cover the mouth2 thine cover the bosom and unveil the mouth4 ,ye talk1 we burn40 8,has pure love like ours no sanctity in his sight80 8,alas1 he can not believe any love pure that is between ,gentile and ,israelite4 ,he was sneering at ours a few evenings ago1 when he remarked as we were looking at the stars1 #8,hyperius or ,venus of the evening is mistakenly called the star of love4 ,lucifer of the morning is the true emblem of most young love4 ,it rises in maddening brightness1 but fades out of sight very soon4'0 8,grim omen6 ,we took ,venus for our betrothal star2 they say it is so bright at times that it casts a shadow4 ,i feel its shadow now10 said the knight1 meditating4 8,yes1 shadows and shadows60 exclaimed ,rizpah1 with a flood of tears1 and she swayed back and forth as she wept4 ,she was driven by tempests of fear that made her ready to flee1 and held by anchors of passionate loving that made her ready to brave all fears2 therefore the swaying and weeping4 ,at intervals the two communed and debated concerning the one all-engrossing theme1 their future course4 8,rizpah10 comfortingly spoke the knight1 8when in the greatest peril of our lives1 we were drawn1 by danger1 closer to each other40 ,there was a glance of entreaty in her eyes as if to say1 8,go save thy life and let the ,jewish maiden die alone20 but the knight drew her to his bosom1 and she responded by an embrace of passionate clinging4 8,i go from ,rizpah only at her command or death's10 said the knight solemnly4 ,the maiden shuddered1 and again passionately clung to her lover4 ,he interpreted her action1 and again comfortingly spoke3 8,fear not2 earth has somewhere a refuge for us until death call us60 8,somewhere8 ,what1 go away80 8,yes4 ,it is that or separation40 ,she knew that full well4 ,but to flee from home with the knight1 the alternative presented to her mind1 startled her4 ,at first thought it seemed a reckless1 perilous1 unfilial1 ,god-defying act2 then it seemed attractive because so daring4 ,a tumult of arguments questionings1 fears and yearnings mingled in her mind4 ,she had never learned to arrange arguments1 pro and con1 judicially4 ,what woman whose feelings were aroused ever did that8 ,he pressed on her flight1 enforcing each reason presented with an affectionate embrace2 her tongue spoke not1 but her embraces replied to each of his4 ,she had a conscience1 and it asserted itself until she placated it by a half formed resolution to be very prudent and do nothing rashly4 ,the resolution comforted her at first2 then she began to follow it1 mentally1 to its sequence4 ,she thought of her father praising her piety as her purpose was disclosed4 ,something within1 coming like a voice from her heart1 mockingly whispered 8,go on40 ,she pursued the meditations1 and heard1 in imagination1 her neighbors praising her as a martyr of love for faith's sake4 ,again the mocking inner voice said1 8,go on40 ,again her thoughts moved forward until she saw that conscience was driving her to separation from ,sir ,charleroy2 in a word1 making her walk in a funeral procession1 her own dead heart on the bier4 ,the thought made her shudder and recoil2 then the knight's arms encircled her more closely than before4 ,again and again she took the foregoing mental journey1 again and again recoiled1 shuddering from the alternative of separation from her lover1 and at each recoil felt his grateful embrace4 ,each time she traversed the mental course the journey toward duty by the privation of love seemed more onerous4 ,distaste was followed by repugnance2 then utter weariness4 ,at last1 utterly wretched1 her purposes and perceptions fell into hopeless confusion1 and she exclaimed 8,charleroy1 ,charleroy1 save me60 ,the knight was at a loss to divine fully her meaning1 yet tenderly he answered3 8,save ,rizpah8 ,she knows ,i'd do that in death's teeth60 8,oh1 ,charleroy1 'tis not death1 but life1 that ,i fear4 ,how shall ,i live80 ,quickly he ejaculated3 8,with me1 forever1 and safe60 ,the maiden remembering many an admonition she had heard concerning the inconstancy of lovers1 yet driven forward by the all-abandoning love of her woman's heart1 gave voice to all she felt and feared in one vehement interrogation3 8,oh1 ,charleroy1 if ,i forsake all for my love of thee shall ,i ever be discarded by----80 ,the knight interpreted her meaning in advance1 and answered by an embrace that was all-assuring4 ,he was rejoiced beyond words1 for he knew full well that hesitation and questionings like hers were on the rim of full surrender4 ,suddenly he became very serious and felt that peculiar glow that came over him the day of his departure from ,england when the bishop blessed him4 ,he appreciated in a measure the responsibility following such a committal of another's life to himself as ,rizpah was making1 and he embraced her with an anxious reverence1 such as a pietist feels clasping an ideal of his ,god4 ,it was well for both that the man was thus impressed by the committal of that maiden of her soul and body to his pilotage4 ,pity the woman who reaches the extremity ,rizpah had reached if her conqueror be not white-souled and sincere4 ,rizpah an incarnation of passion1 a wreath of lotus flowers on a sea of delight1 tossed by the winds1 borne by the tides1 surrendered all thoughts that might disturb1 that she might enjoy what she had embraced as her fate to the full4 ,sir ,charleroy constantly prayed within himself1 8,my mother's ,god help me to deal as purely with my sacred charge as ,i would with the ,virgin ,patron of my knightly order1 were she here now to seek my knightly services40 ,the prayer was effectual1 for the ,knight sincerely sought to make it so4 ,decisive action followed this interview between the lovers4 ,that very night they fled together from ,gerash1 and with only one trusty servant2 after many vicissitudes they reached ,damascus4 ,for a time ,rizpah placated her conscience by asserting that she would not consent to the wedding ceremonial until it could have her father's approval1 or that of some ,jewish ,rabbi4 ,finding it impossible to obtain these1 she irresolutely suggested the advisability of delaying until some change1 quite vaguely apprehended1 might come4 ,but there were two ,rizpah's--one that wanted to be a faithful ,jewess1 and one that wanted only and constantly a darling idol4 ,sir ,charleroy sided with the latter2 it was two to one1 and the one surrendered4 ,ere long a ,christian missionary at ,damascus sealed the vows4 ,they confided their story to him1 as if to ask his advice as to what they had best do1 but with the impetuosity of lovers they had decided their course before they asked advice1 and did not even ask it until they had pledged their vows before this priest4 ,but it was a balm to conscience to ask advice4 ,and the ,sacrist answered them briefly3 8,venus and ,mercury1 fabled deities of love and wisdom4 ,they are much alike in the firmament1 and revolve in orbits in accord with the earth's4 ,methinks it is wisdom to love in the earth4 ,but1 children1 ,venus sets sooner than ,mercury2 see to it that you make it your wisdom to love as long as you go round with the world40 ,then they both said 8,amen40 ,for a moment ,sir ,charleroy heard within him that impressive sound as of the beating of mighty1 departing wings4 ,he dragged his attention quickly from the introspection to gaze into the eyes of his bride4 ,he was glad that a ,christian priest had prayed for a blessing upon himself and her1 but all sophistry aside1 the truth remained4 ,astarte's was the presiding spirit at that wedding4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,theater ,,of ,,giants4 8,once more we look and all is still as night1 ,all desolate6 ,groves1 temples1 palaces ,swept from the sight and nothing visible1 444 ,save here and there ,an empty tomb1 a fragment like a limb ,of some dismembered giant40 8,og1 the ,king of ,bashan1 came out against us to battle at ,edrei1 and the ,lord said unto me1 ,fear him not3 for ,i will deliver him1 and all his people1 and his land1 into thy hand4 ,and we took 444 three-score cities of the ,kingdom of ,og1 in ,bashan40--,deut4 iii4 8,bashan is the land of sacred romance40 8,his mission ,paul's1 ,gal41 #a3 #ae to ,bashan seems to have been eminently successful4 ,heathen temples were converted into churches1 and new churches built in every town40 8,in the fourth century nearly the whole of the inhabitants were ,christian40 8,the ,christians are now nearly all gone40 8,nowhere else is patriarchal life so fully exemplified40 8,bashan is literally crowded with towns1 the majority of them deserted1 but not ruined40 8,many are as perfect as if finished only yesterday40--,,porter',s 8,giant ,cities40 ,for a brief period the delightful seasons1 the famed rivers1 the stately surrounding mountains1 the paradisiacal plains1 the antiquities1 the pleasure gardens and palaces of the city of ,damascus1 whose name by interpretation is 8change10 offered sought-for gratification to the knight and his bride4 ,harrimai died suddenly after the elopement of his child1 the only person on earth whom he truly loved1 the only one that had ever successfully defied his mandates4 ,he had purposed disinheriting her for her act1 but before he could execute that purpose1 death disinherited him4 ,some said that he died of a broken heart2 the physicians said he was taken off by a fit2 ,sir ,charleroy said he died because his proud will was crossed4 ,rizpah inherited a fortune that helped both her and her husband to forget the old priest's maledictions by enabling them to enjoy all there was to be enjoyed in ,damascus1 8the eye of the ,east40 ,they gave up unreservedly to pleasure1 and centered the world more and more in themselves4 ,sir ,charleroy did this easily1 reasoning that1 having had so many pains1 he was entitled to compensating pleasures4 ,he heard from ,england2 and the news was to the effect that there had been changes and changes in his native land4 ,many of those he once knew1 including his mother1 were dead2 and he himself was forgotten as dead4 ,sententiously1 bitterly he summed up his feelings3 8,they thought me dead1 and1 my mother and her fortune being gone1 did not care to find out whether ,i was dead or not2 therefore let them think as they thought40 ,rizpah feared the lashings of conscience1 and1 having given up every thing once dear to enter the life she had1 courted forgetfulness of the past1 pleasure for the present4 ,the two had within themselves exuberant youth1 a wealth of possibilities of happiness2 the elements that1 like the abundance of the volcano1 paints the sky gorgeously when rising heavenward2 like it1 in the downward course1 followed by darkness and disaster4 ,the two1 differing in almost every thing but fervor of temperament1 were in accord in pursuit of change2 they persuaded themselves that they were growing to be like each other1 when they were only exalting the one thing1 love of excitement1 in which they were alike4 ,damascus1 naturally1 in time1 became uninteresting and vapid to them both4 ,they wore it out2 they wanted new scenes4 ,they heard that a caravan of ,mohammedan pilgrims was to pass through their city on the way to ,mecca to procure besim balm and holy chaplets1 and promptly determined to journey with it2 but not to ,mecca4 ,the caravan was to pass through ,bashan1 and the two excitement-seekers desired to visit the latter land of wonders4 ,they readily garbed themselves as ,mohammedans1 though once they would have loathed such garbing as a defilement4 ,they desired company toward ,bashan1 and since the time they defied their consciences in order to be wedded to each other1 their consciences had been wont to be very submissive in the face of their desires4 ,they explained to themselves the absence of qualms of conscience in the face of a pretense of being ,moslems1 as the result of a growth toward liberality on their part4 ,the explanation made them comfortably complacent1 although the fact was that they had passed far beyond liberalism toward nothingism4 ,passing ,musmeth and ,khubat of the ,argob1 they tarried after a time at ,edrei1 just inside the shore line of that mysterious black1 lava sea1 the ,lejah4 ,they were in a country where nature1 art and desolation had done their greatest4 ,following a passing impulse seemed to them to have brought them thither1 but one believing in ,god's constant providence will readily believe that they were led thither as to a school4 ,there were omen and prophecy confronting them4 ,these fervent souls had gone from hymen's altar filled with romancings1 under a glow of prismatic auroras1 never pausing to perceive that from each wedding time there winds a troop of serious years burdened with many a commonplace duty4 ,their love had been volcanic1 their impulses ecstatic1 their aims toward things filled with commotion4 ,the wine in their cup was to leave dregs2 after the fire there was to be ashes1 and it was fitting that they contemplated a specimen of great desolation and dreariness1 the result of great fires and great storms4 ,so they were within that wonder of the world1 three hundred and fifty square miles of awful plain1 filled with ruined towns and cities4 ,heaved up here and there by jutting basalt rocks1 the plain seemed filled with black ice-bergs2 ridged at intervals the plain suggested an ocean wave-tossed4 ,therein is many a cave and cranny place1 fit abode for the wild beast or robber2 fit abode for ghosts1 if one seeks to believe there are such4 ,but therein were only a few green spots1 oases1 to bid the traveler welcome4 ,ere long the knight and his consort wore out the ,lejah1 and1 in so doing1 in part1 wore out themselves4 ,they had a fullness of the pleasure of the kind which lacks recreation4 ,as it was1 they stayed there longer than it was well for them to stay4 ,rizpah1 the passion flower of ,gerash1 experiencing the supreme exaction of womanhood now1 began to droop4 ,months spent in pursuit of excitement1 the great change in her manner of life1 as well as the oppressive desolations of her surroundings1 had drawn heavily upon her resources physically4 ,reaction after exaltation1 and nervous discord after nervous tension are natural results1 always4 ,the knight discerned the change of temper1 and as an anxious novice went about correcting the matter4 ,he knew little concerning woman1 except that love of her intoxicates2 delighting in the intoxication he sought to stimulate ,rizpah's flagging energies by pushing her onward into the feverish brilliancy that was so delightful to himself4 ,it was an attempt to cure physical impoverishment by the renewal of its causes4 ,she was at times complacent1 because incompetent to resist2 passive1 because enervated4 ,he was most selfish1 though not realizing the fact1 when trying to be most tender4 ,in fact1 the twain were on the rim of a test period in their married life and being unskilled in its common places1 unfitted to stand the test4 ,sir ,charleroy had recourse to the only physician he deemed adequate2 one whom on account of his dress he called 8,old ,sheepskin40 ,this was a guide1 with a motly group of ,druses assistants1 and an unpronouncible name4 8,come1 ,rizpah1 #8,old ,sheepskin ,jacket' has put on his red tunic and leathern girdle to carry us a camel voyage in-sea2 if we do not give the man a job he'll fall to stealing again40 ,rizpah languidly shook her head4 8,but we must patronize the man to keep up what little honesty he has1 and he has some4 ,he told me but yesterday he'd rather work than rob--though the pay be less1 so is the danger less40 ,the knight was telling the truth as well as trying to be facetious4 ,again ,rizpah replied with a weary shake of the head1 her hands rising deprecatingly1 then falling into her lap as if almost nerveless4 8,but1 ,rizpah1 while we are here we ought to fully explore the changeless cities of this dead1 black1 lava sea4 ,there are none other like this on earth6 ',tis nature's desperate effort to outrun phantasmagoria40 ,rizpah shook her head and waved her hands2 this time vehemently1 as if to repel a horror4 8,what8 ,a fixed no80 8,no more excursions into this counterpart of hades for me40 8,well1 so be it to-day1 at least10 with surrendering tones1 the knight replied4 8,to-day8 ,all days6 ,oh1 ,god1 remove me from this nightmare60 ,so exclaiming1 the woman covered her eyes1 shuddered and wept hysterically4 ,sir ,charleroy was almost overcome with sudden amazement4 ,the tears1 the terror1 the complete change before him1 were beyond his comprehension4 ,after a time he again spoke3 8,why1 this is a sudden freak or frenzy4 ,i thought ,rizpah fascinated here60 8,i've had my notice from the dread spirits that infest the place to go6 ,didst thou note what dark and threatening clouds dipped down like vultures upon me when we were last there80 vehemently ,rizpah replied4 8,i only saw a threatening of rain that came not4 ,it seldom rains in the ,lejah40 8,there was rain enough in my poor1 shivering1 weeping heart60 8,but1 ,i wonder1 ,rizpah1 thou didst not tell me of these feelings before60 8,i could not confide then2 ,i was too jealous60 8,jealous8 ,what a word6 ,but of whom1 me80 8,i can never forget that thy union with me has made thee alien to thy people and in part neglectful of the faith for which thou didst once fight bravely4 ,i can not forget that the ,teutonic knight was the devotee of a bepraised ,lady ,mary4 ,i thought of this that black day1 and ,i felt as if those dry1 grim clouds were her frowns4 ,it was thou1 my ,christian husband1 who named the ,lejah1 #8,tartarus1' and it has been such for some time to me4 ,its sight has constantly burned me with remorse6 ,that day it seemed to me thy ,mary pitied thee and blamed me6 ,i writhed under the thought6 ,i1 for a moment1 hated her4 ,i felt like climbing some height1 and1 club in hand with defiant curses1 challenging her right to have a finer care of thee than ,i have4 ,i'd have done it1 if thou hadst not been here to laugh at the folly of my frenzy4 ,ah1 husband1 if she is or was all that thou dost depict her1 she can not love me1 and thou must contrast us to my disparagement4 ,i can not forget that thou wert a ,christian soldier2 sworn to war for her and her son2 now thou art wedded to me1 a daughter of her and ,his persecutors60 8,why1 ,rizpah1 thy changing moods are appalling2 thou dost beat the magicians who conjure up the dead1 since thou dost create out of nothing the most hideous ghosts to haunt thyself--,maya6 ,maya60 8,oh1 yes1 ,i know #8,maya1' wife of ,brahm1 by interpretation #8illusion4' ,a myth1 as a gibe1 has a sharp point1 effective because so difficult to parry4 ,but1 alas1 ridicule1 though it easily tear to pieces delusion1 is powerless to disperse the gloom that sits in a soul as mine40 8,i'll not ridicule my ,rizpah1 but ,i would bring her light40 8,ah8 ,that is1 resurrect the peace thou didst murder80 8,show me one wound my hand has made and ,i'll abjectly beg all pardons1 attempt any atonement60 8,dost thou1 knight1 remember the ruins of the ,christian church of ,saint ,george1 at ,edrei80 8,certainly40 8,and thy conversation there80 8,yes1 that ,saint ,george was ,england's patron saint famed for having slain the dragon which imperiled a king's daughter40 8,more thou didst say2 thou didst expatiate on the princess1 saying her name was ,alexandra1 meaning1 #8friend of mankind'2 further1 thou saidst there was a queenly woman by name1 ,mary1 daughter of the ,king of ,kings1 friend beyond all women of humanity1 for whom every true knight was willing to be a ,saint ,george40 8,true enough2 but to what purport now is this reminiscence80 8,thou saidst ,saint ,george was loyal to the death to his faith1 and died a martyr60 8,true again4 ,what of it80 8,was the ,teutonic knight thinking of himself as a martyr because wed to a ,jewess8 ,i followed thy thoughts1 though they were not all spoken4 ,how naturally that day thou didst tell me of thy visions which thou hadst between ,gerash and ,bozrah when wounded nigh to death4 ,the ,english saint1 knight1 very loyal to creed1 rebuked in his dreams1 by the beating of mighty wings1 the departing of his heart's rose6 ,oh1 why didst thou not tell me this before it was too late6 ,i would have helped thee escape the ingenuous ,jewess ,thou didst awaken then with dread bleeding1 to find thyself pillowed upon the bosom of a simple-hearted loving girl2 ,i now awaken1 wounded indeed1 but with none to staunch the wounding6 ,why1 de ,griffin1 didst thou keep this secret so long8 ,why unfold it now80 8,i'd be the ,saint ,george of ,rizpah and slay her dragon1 gloom40 8,poor comfort to offer since the gloom is beyond thy powers6 ,flout my mood as thou mayst2 what use8 ,i vainly denounce it4 ,thou hast had thy dream2 now ,i'm having mine4 ,i'll not mock thy insights2 thou canst not by bantering jeer change mine4 ,my ,lejah omens assure me that ,i'm to have a rain of tears and more2 some way thy ,mary will be their cause40 8,rizpah errs2 the queen ,i revere was a living epistle of good will2 her character the joy and inspiration of all women1 especially of those in tribulation4 ,but enough6 ,rizpah1 being a ,jew1 should abhor the necromancy of omens60 8,jew6 ,ah1 yes2 ,i was once6 ,but the valiant ,english knight lured me into his ,christian love and my race's hate4 ,i had once the luxurious faith of a pious girl2 all feeling1 all flowers2 too young to reason1 but young enough to love the good and beautiful unto salvation4 ,the knight poisoned the blossoms before they ripened by the acids of ridicule6 ,there is a loss beyond repair and a bitter memory1 that of a broken promise2 under our love-star thou didst swear thou wouldst never lightly treat my believing4 ,venus has set1 ,mercury is rising2 but wisdom brings a burning glare4 ,the promise that the knight failed to keep was made when ,i was1 he said his idol2 now ,i'm only his wife60 8,rizpah exchanges the glory of the rose for the bitter gray of the wormwood40 8,i'm thy handiwork2 now mock the result1 if to do so comforts thee40 8,my handiwork60 8,yes1 fool60 8,these words are awful40 8,i think so and ,i hate them2 though ,i can not check them4 ,i hate my temper and even myself when in such present moods4 ,de ,griffin1 pray as thou didst never pray before1 that ,i do not learn to hate thee4 ,i pity thee1 because ,i've some love left40 8,pity80 8,yes1 when ,i imagine thee wriggling beneath the malignant detestation of which ,i know ,i shall soon be capable40 8,my wife1 in ,god's dear name1 banish these moods6 ,they are impious1 unnatural2 the crisis of thy being falsely accuses thy heart4 ,be calm60 8,calm8 #8,be calm6' ,very good2 calm me1 please1 if thou canst4 ,oh1 why didst thou make me thus80 8,the ,god of all peace forgive me if ,i did1 ,rizpah40 8,thou wert the elder and shouldst have known80 8,what80 8,that to unsettle a woman's faith1 if she be such as ,i1 is to let loose a bundle of blind vagaries and to tumble her1 like a drifting wreck1 on unknown shores40 8,oh1 wife1 as thou hopest for heaven and lovest our unborn child1 restrain these moods4 ,thou'lt mark the one to be1 with germs of all evil2 for such outbursts of mothers re-act with awful effect upon their offspring4 ,thou knowest how the old nurse1 at ,damascus1 killed a babe in an instant1 merely by giving it her breast after she had yielded to an outbreak of passion4 ,such tempers hurl poison through all the being60 8,alas1 knight1 that all this prudence ever comes just a little too late60 8,what could ,i have done better80 8,left the little maid of ,harrimai's home free from thy enchantments and to the quiet of her people's state40 8,but ,i loved thee so4 ,that atones for all40 8,thou thoughtst thou lovedst1 but 'twas my form which fascinated thee1 not my mind nor soul60 ,rizpah's face became ashen pale1 her eyes had a far-off gaze and were steelly1 as she began plaintively to repeat the words1 8#8,there were giants in the earth4444 ,they saw the daughters of men1 ,adamish1 that they were fair and they took them for wives of all they chose1 and they bore children and it repented the ,lord that ,he had made man1 for ,he saw that the wickedness was great in the earth4' ,thou wast my giant-lofty4 ,thou stolest my heart and body4 ,now for a flood to punish the sin1 and my tears are already its first droppings40 8,we are wed2 shall we not now make the best of it8 ,even when into this mystic alliance unmated lives converge1 they can still with wisdom extract from it at least peace4 ,go fervently1 firmly1 back to the faiths of thy girlhood2 become again all thou wert1 except that thou be ever mine40 8,ah1 ha6 how little1 after all1 thou knowest of woman's heart8 ,thou wouldst command it do and be2 and go and come1 wouldst thou8 ,thinkst thou1 thou canst make such heart as mine wild with the strange intoxications of unholy fire1 filling the brain above it with all the clouds1 weird longings1 doubtings and misgivings1 that fume up from that fire1 and then send that heart back without a compass1 chart1 sail or helm1 to find the haven8 ,send it lashed by remorse part of the time1 part of the time half dead to all feeling1 and all the time blind1 to hunt up lost creeds40 8,but ,god provided an ark2 let us ask ,him to aid us build one in a home1 with happy parents and happy children4 ,thou readst to me1 but yesterday1 the ,prophets' beautiful description of a lamp burning with oil supplied from two palm trees2 one on either side4 ,i'll interpret2 the trees are parents1 the lamp the light of home1 manifest in posterity1 reproduction2 a prophecy of the resurrection40 8,beautiful mysticism4 ,but the giantesque men rose to play at lust1 just beside ,sinai of the law40 8,not so ,i1 the ,teutonic knight1 now the husband4 ,rizpah2 thy desperate misery appeals to all my manhood4 ,i swear to thee ,i'd turn my heart's blood into the oil to cause our home to glow with the serene light of holy happiness40 8,words1 words2 how sad1 because so beautiful1 yet so vain60 8,oh ,rizpah10 cried the knight1 too anxious to be angry1 though the woman's words were stinging1 8thy looks startle me6 ,pray ,god to rest and hold thy worried soul40 8,pray8 ,i have tried1 often of late1 to pray1 but ,i do not know how4 ,i fear thou hast stolen even that power from me6 ,ugh6 the last time ,i prayed1 my words seemed like black cormorants rising with loads of carrion2 then falling struck dead by the sun1 into great black caves1 such as abound in our ,lejah hell6 ,i heard my words flung back at me in mockery4 ,pray8 ,i dare not1 lest ,god strike me dead for a hypocrite and a heretic60 8,but my poor1 dear wife10 soothingly said ,sir ,charleroy1 8,he is merciful40 8,oh1 yes1 to the good and the faithful2 ,i'm neither6 ,i gave ,him up for a man1 as the ,adamish men gave him up for women4 ,i madest thou my ,god1 and now have none other2 for ,he of the heavens is very holy1 but very jealous60 8,rizpah1 ,rizpah1 do not thus give way to these wild imaginations40 8,give way8 ,alas1 all is already given away2 soul and body were on an idolatrous altar long ago4 ,i'm buried in the ashes60 8,but ,rizpah1 trust my love3 ,i'll help thee back to peace and usefulness40 8,bah6 the masculine great ,i----0 8,heavens6 woman1 is there any love in a heart that so hurls javelins80 8,i don't know6 ,i suppose so1 for ,i pity thee40 8,pity me80 8,yes2 when ,i think as ,i do at times1 that thy wife is turning into a devil1 a very devil6 ,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin1 knight of ,st4 ,mary1 dost hear me8 ,a devil1 a raging devil1 and one that will pity while she assails40 ,the last sentence was almost screamed1 then the woman fell on the rug of their apartment and wept convulsively4 ,after a little there was the silence of exhaustion1 of chagrin1 of shame4 ,sir ,charleroy stood by the prostrate form and with words half commanding said3 8,let us ride out a little way40 ,he was trying a new strategy4 8,no1 no1 no6 ,thou'lt take me to the ,lejah1 and ,i shall see that dread omen again40 8,what80 ,as he questioned he raised the woman tenderly from the floor4 8,the lava desert1 in long rolling waves1 black and drear40 8,ah1 ,rizpah1 thou knowest that it was only thy unreined fancy1 heated by morbid broodings1 that changed the eternally-fixed furrows of the plain1 overshadowed by running clouds into threatening billows6 ,god and the sun are above all clouds and behind every anxious heart4 ,look up2 look in1 until thy soul finds ,him2 then the horror of darkness will die away40 8,oh1 how thy comfortings hurt me1 because ,i do not believe in thee1 nor believe thee6 ,thou sayst that thou didst abandon thy ,christian1 perfect queen of women1 for me4 ,i know thou must be chagrined at the bad exchange6 ,i can not honor nor trust the faithfulness of one so fickle4 ,no matter for that1 but what comes after is worse4 ,those black sky-drapings were over the ,lejah that day because ,i was there4 ,i know--,i know there's a tide of sorrow rolling toward me4 ,i see it as ,i saw those black1 serpent-like1 lava waves4 ,but1 oh1 the suspense6 ,it's awful2 let the worst come if only soon60 ,the knight1 sworn to protect helpless women1 saw himself disarmed and powerless to aid the one woman of earth for whom he would have died4 ,two giants at bay in ,giant ,land1 where another mold of gianthood had died leaving nothing but monuments to attest the greatness of the failure4 ,the two knew only this1 that they were very miserable and powerless1 by any means accustomed1 to extricate themselves4 ,sir ,charleroy wished and wished1 in his soul1 that his patron saint and queen of women would appear and tell both what to do4 ,he unconsciously was turning his mind's eye in the right direction4 ,husband and wife both believed there was a right way1 a pattern of right1 and an ideal of heaven1 but they could not lay hold of them4 ,giant1 crusader and husband1 each in turn strove in his day at the same spot1 and at the same point failed4 ,sir ,charleroy1 in mind1 went out along a strangely beset line of thinking4 ,sometimes he pitied himself1 and that brought the balm of conceit4 ,he remembered it was a fine thing to be a martyr1 forgetting that some1 rewardless1 suffer as sinners4 ,sometimes he heard those beatings of mighty wings1 as if some wondrous holy one were departing4 ,then he became very penitent and full of the entreatings of prayer4 ,either mood was brief enough to him not yet converted2 a very ,peter in vacillations4 ,whether he would finally follow the beating wings or sit down nigh to the gates of certain insanity1 the gates that those who over-much pity themselves are sure to reach1 was the issue in his life then4 ,the bugles of war call few to the heroism of the field1 but millions are daily called by ,god's bugle to the better achievements which make for glory amid the duties of common life4 ,that latter bugle was calling him1 but he was slow to obey1 or understand even4 ,the events recorded in the foregoing pages roused ,sir ,charleroy to an anxious effort to do something to change the currents of his wife's thoughts4 ,necessity quickened his discernment1 and though he had had but little experience in dealing with those ill in the body or mind1 he quickly concluded that a change of place and a change of pursuit would be beneficial4 ,in truth1 his own feelings attested this much4 ,he himself was weary of the pursuit of excitement as a sole and constant occupation4 8,shall we leave the ,lejah1 ,rizpah80 he questioned1 a few days after the outbreak before mentioned4 8,yes1 ,i say6--,i'm leaving it6 ,see here10 and she pointed to her cheeks1 once ruddy1 now haggard4 8,oh1 ,charleroy1 take me away or death will60 8,enough6 ,we'll go4 ,but where80 8,any place under heaven2 say the word and ,i'll run out of the place instantly1 leaving all here40 8,what1 our effects60 8,any thing to get away4 ,i feel like a child approached by some monster terror1 hour by hour6 ,for days ,i've been transfixed by my fear or ,i would have run away1 even alone1 before this4 ,now thy words break the spell6 ,come1 let us go before ,i'm overcome again60 8,there1 now1 be calm4 ,no more of this undue nervousness4 ,we'll go1 and soon4 ,what says ,rizpah to ,bozrah1 southward of ,bashan80 8,yes1 to ,bozrah2 historic ,bozrah60 and the face of the woman brightened as she went on3 8,it was the fairy land of my youth4 ,i've wanted to go there since ,i was a wee little thing1 scarce able to walk40 ,then the woman unbent and talked with the rapture of a child3 8,oh2 ,i've wanted to see ,bozrah all my life1 since the days when my old nurse used to talk me to sleep with stories of ,og and his bedstead nine cubits long1 and how our little ,hebrew1 ,moses1 overcame those ,rephaim40 8,thy prophets and psalmists1 as well as thy nurses1 were wont to go into rapturous descriptions of the lofty oaks1 loftier mountains1 ragged plains1 marvelous pastures and goodly herds of the ,hauran and ,trachonitis40 ,rizpah continued in gleeful strain3 8,oh1 those herds2 if ,i can't see old ,og1 ,i'd like to see the famous bulls of ,bashan6 ,show me something huge1 no matter how huge1 if alive and not black6 ,i'm becoming infatuated with the strong and the large4 ,if ever ,i lose my soul it will be by worshiping1 pagan-like1 something mightier than ,i can imagine2 of body or muscle4 ,yes1 yes1 ,i'll be a thorough pagan since ,i can not be a ,jew nor a ,christian6 ,now1 ,i forewarn thee40 ,so saying she laughed merrily4 ,the knight was rejoiced to hear the musical1 natural laughter again1 and encouraged the play of her wit1 which attested a mind unbending to rest4 8,woman-like1 adoring the huge when the grand can not be found4 ,thank ,god1 the giants are all dead2 there are none at ,bozrah1 at least4 ,i'll not fear the little dirty ,arabs1 or pigmy ,druses as supplanters40 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,the ,,revels ,,of ,,men ,,and ,,rites ,,of ,,their ,,goddesses4 8,rude fragments now ,lie scattered where the shapely column stood4 ,her palaces are dust4 ,in all the streets the sprightly chords ,are silent4 ,revelry and dance and show ,suffer a syncope and solemn pause2 ,while ,god performs upon the trembling stage ,of ,his own works ,his dreadful part1 alone40--,,cowper4 8,then shall ye know that ,i am the ,lord1 when their slain shall be among their idols1 round about their altars 444 upon every high place 444 under every thick oak40--,ezekiel vi4 ,passing from ,edrei toward ,bozrah the pilgrim knight and his wife with their convoy reached ,kunawat1 the ,kenath of ,scripture1 once the dwelling place of ,job4 ,here for a time they abode4 ,the number and variety of castles1 temples1 theaters and palaces in ruins1 were sufficient to engage the attention of the travelers for many days4 ,rizpah was more cheerful than she was at ,edrei1 but yet restless to reach ,bozrah1 on which place her heart was set4 ,one day standing before an old ,roman temple in ,kunawat1 ,rizpah1 somewhat interested by its well preserved ,corinthian columns1 and ,sir ,charleroy deeply engrossed in contemplation of an huge stone image1 the former asks3 8,has the knight recognized an old ,english or a new ,bashan love80 ,the woman was finding the oft-repeated and prolonged visits to this particular place monotonous4 ,she was annoyed1 but modified her rebuke into raillery4 8,there is something very fascinating in the ,cyclopean face40 8,a broken stone fascinate a man8 ,but ,i see 'tis that of a woman2 the brain part gone4 ,would that the ,english knight had wed such2 then he might have been loyal to creed1 and not a martyr60 ,illustration3 ,,astarte4 8,rizpah knows that ,i could never have loved a brainless face1 nor any one akin to this ,kunawat goddess40 8,not if she echoed thy #8aye' and #8nay' consistently8 ,be careful2 as many strong men have fallen by having their conceit gratified as there have fallen women through flattery40 8,how absurd to hint that ,i could be so lured40 8,but the knight says ,astarte fascinates60 8,i said so1 meaning that ,i'm fascinated by the train of thoughts that the image awakens4 ,think a moment2 we1 the living of to-day confronting the acme of the thought of the ages long gone4 ,looking at this1 ,i seem to be seeing over rolling centuries1 right into the hearts of humanity that lived thousands of years ago40 8,all this might have been taken in at a glance6 ,having seen it1 what use is it80 8,use8 ,to aid in finding a key to life's problems4 ,i'm filled with questionings2 do not yearnings1 such as beat through the being of the ancients pulse in those of to-day8 ,are not humanity's temptations and needs ever the same80 8,since the ancients did not tarry to compare with us1 ,i1 being only a woman1 of ,gerash1 of to-day1 can give only the shallow answer1 ,i suppose so40 8,oh1 ,i'm not questioning ,rizpah2 but the ruins1 the air1 time1 my soul1 ,god60 8,and their reply80 8,bewildering echoes of each question8 8,and it's all a mystery to ,sir ,charleroy80 8,i know a little2 something1 next to nothing40 8,possess curious me of that little1 and ,i'll help thee wonder why so much greatness came to naught40 8,that wondering is easily met2 they had1 as god1 one whose head could be broken as this one's was2 they that would survive must be sheltered by the ,invincible40 ,rizpah1 meanwhile had drawn close to the huge stone face and placing one hand beneath the mouth1 the other on the portion of the head just above the moon crown1 her arms stretched well nigh to their limits quizically remarked3 8,those that dined with her must have had pyramids for chairs4 ,what dost thou think they were like80 8,crusaders80 8,now1 ,i'm tantalized4 ,crusaders two or three thousand years ago8 ,how absurd60 8,oh1 certainly they were not known by the name1 ,crusaders3 but they that followed ,astarte and such-like deities1 whether called ,kenaihites1 ,rephaim1 ,moslem1 ,christians1 or by other appellation are all soldier-pilgrims1 dominated by an ideal4 ,there have been many female deities among the pagans and there is a deal of paganism left in humanity40 8,that's because half the race are men4 ,astarte would be very popular to-day with thy sex1 if she were here in living form1 a whole woman1 instead of a fragment and beautiful also--0 8,thou dost not care to hear more of the female deities80 8,oh1 yes2 ,i'll be fearfully jealous if thou dost keep any thing back4 ,tell me what madmen the ancients were80 ,she paused1 slapped the face of the image1 ejaculating 8,virago60 then continued1 8,why did they make their effigy both hideous and huge8 ,ugly things should be dwarfed60 8,the ancients1 who knew not the grandeur of moral power1 gave their deities terribleness in their physical proportions1 and a mountain of flesh became their ideal of greatness--men ever try to make their objects of worship greater than themselves1 thou knowest4 ,hast forgotten what ,ichabod once told us of the ,egyptians8 ,how they expressed their reverence by piling up pyramids and made that very diminutive which they would caricature8 ,oh1 how our true religion1 having at its heart an only1 all-beautiful1 ,almighty ,god1 rises above these human devices60 8,i wonder that it did not1 at its first appearing on earth1 instantly overthrow all others40 8,and it is a still more wonderful thing that those who embraced it1 having known1 should have sometimes gone back to paganism8 ,thou dost remember that ,god's chosen people1 after enjoying marvels of ,his ,providence1 plunged headlong into idolatry in the very presence of ,his splendor at ,sinai80 8,with shame ,i remember it4 ,i marvel as well that this record1 which evokes the ridicule of the grosser heathen1 was made part of our ,holy writings40 8,god's compensation6 ,the people stripped themselves of their jewels to make the calf2 then of their garments to worship it according to the lewd rites of ,apis4 ,god since has lashed them naked around the world1 as it were1 by giving their history to all times4 #8,be sure your sin will find you out1' is a stern truth haunting the conscience of the evil doer2 but though exposure is a bitter medicine it is a saving one4 ,god as such applies it40 8,i think the devil crazed the people at ,sinai40 8,yes1 ,rizpah1 but ,human ,desire was his name4 ,the revelers made their devil as well as their calf1 that day40 8,but it is said #8they rose to play4' ,if so disobedient and heaven-defying how could they have found heart to play80 8,odious1 significant word that one is1 here4 ,it was a #8play' that engulphed all purity4 ,no wonder they ceased to observe the #8burning mountain6' ,only the pure in heart can see ,god40 8,thank ,god6 that thy people and mine have finally escaped1 my husband40 8,so far as we have escaped1 ,i thank ,him2 but1 alas1 the evangels of ,egypt's scarlet heresies still go about1 and there are many1 everywhere1 led away in chains that seem of flowers at first1 but are found to be of galling iron at last40 8,i did not know this80 8,oh1 these modern perverters disguise their horrible tenets with many refined phrases2 yet ,he that overwhelmed gross ,sodom and the jewelless1 naked dancers about the golden bull1 sees through all their thin drapings and will judge the free lover1 corrupt socialist and libertine as ,he did those ancients4 ,the ,assyrian and ,egyptian representations of ,venus generally appeared holding a serpent2 a sort of bitter admission of the curse in the hand of perverted love and the fierce lashings that follow it40 8,i fail to connect the ancient with the present heresies1 my good teacher40 8,i pause to-day here1 reminded of their common origin and consequences4 ,god put it into the hearts of ,his creatures to love women1 honor motherhood1 and worship ,him4 ,read ,sinai's law1 and this is all manifest4 ,there came a perversion2 the love of woman was degraded1 motherhood was denied its honor1 and men became ,god-defying4 ,there was a confusion worse than that of ,babel1 and the worshiping was transferred1 first1 to symbolized lust2 then degraded4 ,they that adored ,venus1 knowing how her adoration had depraved themselves1 came to believe that she scandalized the heaven they imagined4 ,then came a time when her earthly rites even scandalized the wiser pagans40 8,my husband leads me along strange ways4 ,is it wise to do so80 8,i see a grand end2 follow me4 ,there is a deep significance in the fact that among the pagans there constantly appeared this adoration of woman on account of her power of motherhood4 ,i take this adoration as proof of a conscious need feeling after a vaguely discerned truth4 ,the yearning is suggested by the paired gods4 ,assyria had its ,beltis1 consort of ,bel-nimrud2 and there were ,allelta of the ,arabians1 the many-breasted ,diana of the ,ephesians1 the ,aphrodite of the ,greeks1 ,ceres and ,venus of ,rome1 this ,astarte of the ,giants2 beyond all1 in utter odiousness ,khem1 the ,phallic god of ,egypt4 ,amid all these false ideals1 the divine home with its pure love and our immortality by grace's mystery1 were overslaughed in human thought4 ,the glaring passions1 that were unwilling to believe in other immortality than that that comes through posterity1 other heaven than that of sensuous pleasure1 fascinated and dominated hearts and souls40 8,and worshiping women-gods did this40 8,worshiping beings with the form of women did it6 ,reverence for true womanhood ever exalts and never degrades4 ,but these ancients adored very gorgons with snakes for hair1 and having tearing1 brazen claws4 ,they set these gorgons with the ,harpies1 in their mythologies1 at the gates of dark ,pluto's palace4 ,alas1 where men are led by ill-flavored women1 is ever more ,pluto's gateway40 8,the up-digging of these ancient soils1 knight1 give forth foul odors4 ,did they not dread a just and jealous ,god80 8,no4 ,it is the constant voice of history that false belief concerning these things of which ,i have spoken1 brings both blindness and degradation4 ,unbelief comes swiftly in the wake of impurity4 ,the gorgons had but one eye and that had the malign power of turning to stone all upon whom its glance fell4 ,when men deify a fallen woman then look for a cataclysm of evils4 ,rizpah has seen little of the world1 but this in time she'll find true2 the man whose cult or faith bends toward the libidinous is on the way to utter atheism4 ,so these old-time free-lovers1 like those of to-day1 push out of the universe in their belief1 the ,great1 ,beautiful1 ,first ,cause4 ,the pure in heart see ,god2 the impure can not even pray to ,him4 ,the latter must be aided by an ,immaculate ,one4 ,they make a gulf betwixt their souls and heaven1 which ,great ,mercy alone can bridge40 8,ah1 knight1 ,i'd dread a return of those gross idolatries1 knowing mankind's trend1 but that ,i knew that ,shiloh was to come as a ,reformer40 ,the knight caught at the words of his wife to lead her toward his own dear belief4 8,if ,he came to ,rizpah in the form of a man1 unique because of his virgin purity1 unlike any other in being all unselfish1 and accompanied by a peerless woman1 exemplifying all that is best in the gentle sex2 between ,himself and that woman a love deep to love's last depth1 pure as a sunbeam1 enduring as eternity itself1 would ,rizpah welcome ,him60 8,that would be a wondrous coming2 but ,i'd welcome ,him40 8,does ,rizpah believe such an appearing desirable80 8,oh1 on my soul1 yes6 ,if he should so come1 methinks the rites which have gone on in the secrecy of the groves1 under the uncertain light of the moon1 would be driven from the earth1 and men come to worship ,god1 taking that man for the ideal of manhood1 that woman as woman's pattern40 8,dost thou see that stone with eight lines crossing1 lying just there by the image of ,astarte80 8,i see it and the lines2 but what of them80 8,in the far ,east1 the land of the ,fire ,worshipers1 on almost all the handiwork of man that symbol is placed4 ,it is to represent an eight-pointed star1 the ,assyrian sign of immortality40 8,eight lines crossing to represent immortal life8 ,this is inane60 8,not quite4 ,i had its explanation from my wandering ,jew1 ,ichabod1 learned by much travel in the lore of many peoples4 ,he thus interpreted the symbol as the ,assyrians understood it2 man1 a four-pointed star2 his four radiate limbs suggesting that likeness4 ,thou knowest that the ,israelites have been wont to call men stars8 ,the ,assyrians1 not having the sure word1 were led to seek by human philosophy a theory of immortality1 and they got no further than twice four1 two human beings in union2 so eight or a double star1 their symbol of marriage1 represented the only immortality they were able to find2 that that comes from reproduction4 ,at least that was the only reality1 the rest being very vaguely believed1 and believed only because they thought that the mystery of a new life coming forth1 was a hint of a spiritual method analogous to the material4 ,they then fell to worshiping the sun1 the great fructifier and light of nature2 fire1 the essence of passion1 became their highest god4 ,it is said that those ,magi of the ,east1 that arrived long ago at ,bethlehem1 were fire worshipers1 and that in answer to a cry for light1 constantly uttered by their race1 they took their journey to ,judah1 seeking it40 8,the world must turn to ,israel ever for the truth1 ,sir ,charleroy40 8,for some truth2 not all2 but there is a tradition that the star the wise men followed was a double one1 two planets in conjunction4 ,there is a fitness in the legend1 for the seekers of light were brought to the cave where lay a mother and babe2 the latter ,god's finest presentment of immortality1 the ,incarnation2 the fruit of the ,divine in union with the human4 ,i stand overcome with wonder and reverence when ,i remember that they of the ,east had some light from the ,jews they held captive ages before4 ,they lost most of what they had1 then1 longing for its return1 ,god answered their prayer by taking them to the finest of schools1 a blessed home circle4 ,behold all the ,east looking for light at ,bethlehem60 ,rizpah evaded her husband's graceful attempt to impress on her ,christian tenets1 by replying3 8,i prefer the ,jewish choice number ,seven1 though ,i can not give it fine interpretations1 as thou to the ,eight of the ,east40 8,rizpah prefers it because it is ,jewish1 and ,i prefer ,seven because ,i read therein a covenant2 for ,seven is the sacred covenant number of ,god's ,word4 ,let me interpret3 ,there is a ,triune ,god1 symbolized by ,three2 then man1 the child of chance1 the being tossed hither and thither by the four winds1 a complex union himself of body1 mind1 animal life and immortal spirit4 ,four is his representative number1 or symbol4 ,the ,assyrians paired fours2 the ,jews vaguely discerned a grander path to eternal felicity through the conjunction of ,god and man1 the ,three and the ,four4 ,from this they derived their covenant number1 ,seven40 8,these are charming explanations1 ,sir ,charleroy2 especially so1 if sure ones60 8,but the truths are fairer than my poor words4 ,i read that at creation the morning stars--meaning the beings that know no night1 the very sons of ,god--shouted for joy6 ,they saw an immortality having its springs in the being of the ,eternal1 and were glad4 ,since then the race has diverged into two lines4 ,the gross and unbelieving1 seeking to effect the apotheosis of human lust1 have gone their ways reveling under the moonlight1 and building their fanes in the groves which fade1 while the believing and ,god-taught have walked in a covenant toward ,him1 #8,who only hath immortality dwelling in light4' ,rizpah1 some day that home group at ,bethlehem1 a father1 mother1 and child1 surrounded by angels1 overshadowed by ,god1 will come to be thought the finest ideal of this life4 ,yea1 a picture of ,heaven itself60 ,the knight's wife fixed her piercing1 dark eyes on his1 there were expressed in her countenance admiration and fearfulness4 ,she was charmed by his lofty sentiments1 yet apprehensive of being led into some dangerous1 ,christian heresy4 ,fanaticism always has a terror of heresy1 so-called1 even though it seemed to be full of white truth4 ,presently she questioned3 8,so ,og1 great as a mountain of flesh1 and ,astarte1 goddess of the pleasure that kills1 only1 of all ,kunawat's ancients1 have left enduring names80 8,one other name endures1 the ages brightening its luster--,job1 loyal to the last1 in spite of the devil and a virago wife40 8,poor woman6 say ,i of ,job's wife4 ,none have told her side of her family troubles4 ,may be ,job haunted the grove of the moon-crowned80 8,may be8 ,never6 ,his splendid orations bespoke a man walking nigh ,jehovah4 ,listen3 #8,if ,i beheld the moon walking in brightness1 if my heart hath been secretly enticed1 or my mouth kissed my hand1 let thistles grow instead of wheat4' ,he said this amid the votaries of the ,lust-,queen40 8,and ,job may be praised1 not only as proof that there has been one patient man on earth1 but as proof that a good man will stand pure to the last1 though the world about acclaim the praise of delightful sins80 8,he stood because entranced by his beautiful ideal4 ,he loved ,him whose name is ,holiness40 8,heaven comes at last to such40 8,job was ,god's best friend on earth in his day1 and his ,heavenly ,father gave him as his reward ,his best earthly gift--a new1 pure1 happy1 fruitful home40 8,are we through now with the fascinating image1 knight80 8,yes1 ,rizpah1 if we take to heart its warnings4 ,may we preserve our integrity1 and have a home as our reward finer than that of the ,man of ,uz2 yea1 verily1 as fine in its tempers and virtues as that of ,bethlehem40 ,so saying1 the knight led ,rizpah toward their abode4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,a ,,battle ,,of ,,giants ,,at ,,bozrah4 8,sleep--the ghostly winds are blowing6 ,no moon abroad--no star is glowing4 ,the river is deep and the tide is flowing ,to the land where you and ,i are going6 ,we are going afar1 ,beyond moon or star1 ,to the land where the sinless angels are6 ,i lost my heart to your heartless sire 7',twas melted away by his looks of fire71 ,forgot my ,god1 and my father's ire1 ,all for the sake of a man's desire2 ,but now we'll go ,where the waters flow1 ,and make our bed where none shall know40--8,the ,mother's ,last ,song40--,,barry ,,cornwall4 8,how shall we order the child1 and how shall we do40--,judges xiii4 #ab4 ,sir ,charleroy and his consort took up their abode in one of the many deserted ancient stone houses of the city of ,bozrah4 ,the latter1 situated in one of the most fertile plains of earth1 once having upward of one hundred thousand inhabitants1 several times having risen to metropolitan splendor1 ages ago sank into neglect1 decay and desolation4 ,but with wonderful persistence that city preserves the records1 or relics1 of what it was in better1 greater days4 ,the antiquarian to-day finds in and around ,bozrah the dwellings1 palaces and temples of many and various peoples1 some piled in strata-like courses1 one above the other1 each layer the tombstone of its predecessor2 some as fine as they were forty centuries ago4 ,the annalist there has at hand as an open book the achievements of some of the mightiest men of earth1 physically4 ,the latter were contemporary with that line of ,god's moral giants1 of which ,abraham1 ,moses and ,david were representative leaders first1 and ,christ finally4 ,the strata of ,bozrah tell of differing policies1 politics1 religions2 all alike in one thing--the attempt to build upon the buttresses of giant force2 but they present in the end the one result--failure2 all being equally dead at the last1 if not equally herculean at the first4 ,sheer robustness in the armies of ,rome1 the ,turk1 ,alexander1 and ,og wrought out their best about the ,bashan cities1 and in that theater played the eternally losing game of all such4 ,it seems as if ,god had chosen that part of all the world to illustrate this great lesson of ,his providence4 ,the ,roman1 ,mohammedan1 ,greek1 and others like them1 there had their brutal and sensuous existence4 ,there the ,crusader carried also his banners2 but the end of the ,rephaim was the forerunner and prophecy of all the other giantesque gatherings that followed after them4 ,each passing race and dynasty left its monuments and tokens of possession2 but of all1 those of the first1 the giants1 are the most enduring1 most wonderful4 ,these dateless1 huge1 rugged1 fort-like dwellings1 standing just as they did four thousand years ago1 except that they are mostly unoccupied1 are impressive monuments and reminders of the mighty denizens who once abode within them4 ,there are ruins of temples1 palaces1 houses of commerce and places of amusement1 but chiefly of homes2 the latter1 significantly1 instructively1 being the best preserved of all4 ,sir ,charleroy observed this circumstance1 and casually remarked to ,rizpah1 as they bestowed their effects in one of the ancient domiciles3 8,if ever ,i take to building1 ,i'll build abiding places for people1 only4 ,such are the most lasting40 ,but while he came thus near to a royal truth1 he did not make it his own4 ,it passed through his mind and he felt its light1 as one might that from the wing of a ministering spirit1 while his eyes were holden and his back turned4 ,he immediately left the angelic thought1 to go wandering through years of misery1 before coming back face to face with it again4 ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah1 a western soldier and a woman of ,israel1 two giants in their way1 began a new career at ,bozrah4 ,it was providential4 ,measuring power by the only available test at hand1 namely1 what it accomplishes1 it was manifest long ago to all that the brawn of the ,cyclops was not the master force of the word4 ,hercules cleansed the earth of mythical1 not real evils4 ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah are fittingly brought to the theater of the giants for the purpose of testing the potency of giantesque sentimentality and stubborn1 mighty ardor4 ,to this end1 two will do as well as a nation1 and a decade will be as conclusive as a score of generations4 ,the husband and wife entered ,bozrah gladly1 and quickly adapted themselves to their new surroundings4 ,they were both very impressible1 and there were many things in their new environments that impressed and stimulated them4 ,nature's face and locations may be changed by man1 but he can not change her heart4 ,she1 on the other hand1 is invincible in her conquests of both his face and inner being4 ,climate and environments determine the characters and careers of the majorities4 ,the sleets of the ,north1 in time1 will goad the sensuous ,turk or ,hottentot to high activity1 while the ,cossack or ,esquimaux1 under tropical suns soon fall into luxuriousness and laziness4 ,bozrah began its molding of the knight and his wife4 ,rizpah and ,sir ,charleroy were at first attracted to ,giant ,land by the hugeness of its monuments and ghostly greatness of its record4 ,they received at ,bozrah their first impulse to settle and make a home4 ,probably they were largely influenced by the conviction that1 in its way1 there was nothing more entrancing or majestic beyond4 ,for the best results to them1 the second selection was altogether unfortunate4 ,they had made their home in the midst of battle-fields1 and the atmosphere that hung over all things was like that over a defeated army1 sullenly submitting4 ,the new comers from the beginning1 in their new home1 were immersed in ghostly memories1 and that atmosphere so like the breath of a bound yet struggling giant4 ,they were affected more than they realized by all these things4 8,no more tours1 no more worlds1 for us to conquer60 exclaimed the knight4 ,rizpah1 her cheerfulness of mind largely recovered1 replied to this remark of ,sir ,charleroy with a bantering laugh1 at the same time pointing upward4 ,quickly1 and with retort cruel as a giant's javelin1 he cried3 8,alas1 so soon ,rizpah seeks my final departure from her60 ,the cavalier was no more2 it was the brusque and gross within him that spoke4 ,had he been courtly1 even without being ,christian1 he would have been considerate enough not to have cruelly jested concerning that which lay in his wife's heart as a possible and sad fact4 ,often the thought of eternal separation from her husband1 even from eternal hope1 haunted her now4 ,her husband knew this4 ,for a moment his answer seemed to stun her2 then the affectations of pouting on her mobile face1 coming when she pointed upward1 changed into lines of anger4 ,a hot flush mounting up to the roots of her hair1 hung out the warning signal4 ,the knight1 pretending not to observe the change1 twined his arms about his wife and mockingly sighed3 8,poor girl6 ,i can find no wings on thee4 ,i once thought thou hadst such4 ,they must have dropped off40 ,there was no reply4 ,he then began to retreat1 to placate1 and to that intent drew her closer and closer to his heart1 until1 embracing her1 his hands clasped2 but1 for the first time since the event near ,gerash1 when the ,arabs were vanquished1 his caress was without response4 ,he tried a thrust thus3 8,well1 beloved1 since thou dost banish me1 bestow a kiss of long farewell40 ,quickly1 ,rizpah flung aside his embracing arms and cried3 8,shechemite6 ,i'm no ,dinah1 won by false professions60 8,shechem was more honorable than all the house of his father10 quoted the knight in reply4 8,he loved himself1 his passions2 to these gods he gave up with all devotion1 and they immolated him4 ,that was good60 8,why1 ,rizpah1 thou art pettish40 8#8,rizpah6' ,thou art adroit in using bitter similes2 a brutalizing power1 when brutally used6 ,now1 call me #8,jarnsaxa4' ,thou toldst me1 yesterday1 how that mighty male god of the ,norse1 ,thor1 while hating her people1 to the death1 stole ,jarnsaxa4 ,yea1 and how many giants fell for women4 ,perhaps thou didst want me to pity thee4 ,we are in ,giant ,land now1 and thou canst begin to play ,colossus60 ,the knight was startled1 and quickly entreated3 8,my queen1 lets drop the masks2 no more of this2 forget my sarcasm1 and ,i'll forgive the recriminations4 ,a truce and pardon1 in the name of love4 ,what says ,esther80 8#8,esther8' ,thou calledst me that when cavalier1 turning lover4 ,thou art neither now60 ,the sentence ended in a petulant sob4 8,oh1 stay now4 ,it was playfulness4 ,i--there1 now6 ,canst thou not brook a little playfulness from me80 8,playfulness8 ,bah6 ,ye men play so like lions1 forgetting to keep the claws cushioned6 ,but1 now thou hadst better be going1 saint--the only one here4 ,go1 now1 right along to heaven4 ,they want thee there4 ,they want thee1 not me40 ,then she choked back another sob1 but instantly thereafter1 dashing the rising tear from her eyes1 she bitterly exclaimed3 8,at any rate1 thou'lt have company60 8,whom1 pray80 8,the begetter and chief of all restless vagabonds60 8,so2 ,i never heard of him4 ,has he a name1 my dear80 ,the knight was sarcastic1 because he was nettled4 ,rizpah's eyes glittered with the fire of offended pride1 and she quickly began in measured tone1 as if in soliloquy1 and alone1 to quote ,job's record of satan's joining the assembly of the sons of ,god3 8,there was a day when the sons of ,god came to present themselves before the ,lord1 and satan came also4 ,and the ,lord said whence camest thou8 ,then satan said from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it40 8,my wife responds to my penitence with bitterness2 but even the pagans were wiser4 ,they ever took the gall from the animals offered to ,juno1 goddess of wedlock40 8,thy wife promised to be thy helpmate and give thee all she had4 ,now1 just forget thy fine paganism1 being a ,christian long enough to remember that ,i'm thy helpmate in all things1 even in bitterness4 ,i give thee all1 even returning thy giving40 8,thou shouldst not make so much of my little misstep40 8,nothing is little with which one must constantly live4 ,great breaks grow from little fractures4 ,one may stand a blow1 but its the constant fretting that roughs the heart-strings to woe unendurable4 ,thou hast a habit of playfully hurting40 8,well1 this has been a day at school2 there ought to be a school for husbands6 ,we do not half understand the fine1 sensitive creatures that companion us40 8,oh1 thou thoughtst thou wert a woman-reader60 8,were ,i to see an angel with a body like a harp1 eyes like the unsearchable ocean1 heart of flame1 arms like flowering vines1 covered with prismatic wings1 ,i'd be no more puzzled and abashed than ,i am now by my high-strung1 fine-tempered ,rizpah40 8,puzzled6 abashed6 ,i'd help thee pity thy wounded conceit1 but that ,i know that thou art soon to ascend4 ,art thou going now60 8,i'm afraid not1 since ,i've so many more sins than graces4 ,when elephants soar with butterfly wings1 thou mayst look for my departure4 ,till then ,i'll stay here and practice the patience of ,job1 beset with his rambling devil40 8,how elegantly the cavalier uses simile in coining epithets40 8,heavens6 ,rizpah1 thou dost twist my meanings6 ,why distort1 instead of pardoning my blunders1 making both of us miserable60 8,oh1 then1 thou hast grace enough not to liken me to thy besetting1 evil spirit1 at least in words80 8,no1 no1 'tis refined cruelty to put me on the defense as to that4 ,believe it or not1 ,rizpah of ,gerash and ,rizpah of ,bozrah are the same4 ,my heart to its core says so60 ,this second quarrel1 that should not have been begun1 had the merit of ending1 as it should1 in reconciliation1 tears1 embraces and a great many excellent pledges4 ,yet ,sir ,charleroy did not greatly profit by the experience4 ,he failed to perceive that these first breaks in the rhythmic flow of conjugal love are great shocks to a deeply affectionate woman4 ,he knew that men easily recover from rebuffs1 and so did not stop to consider that young wife-hood was the highest expression on earth of utter clinging to one sole support4 ,he knew his own feelings and took them for the standard4 ,he set himself up as the pattern1 quite unconsciously1 perhaps2 and after the conflict in which he came off conceded victor1 he was condescending in his manner4 ,this was unfortunate4 ,rizpah did not need to be told that her husband was wiser and stronger willed and more self-possessed and more able to endure life's trial than herself4 ,all this she believed1 absolutely1 when she surrendered her heart to the man at the first4 ,woman-like1 these were the very circumstances that caused her to love him as she did4 ,a woman never loves completely until her love is supplemented by adoration4 ,she must believe the man1 who would make full conquest1 is one to whom she can look up2 one some way her superior4 ,but while a loving woman will give a devotion almost religious1 she will be pained amid her delights of committal by a haunting fear that he whom she adores may rise away from her4 ,in the very plenitude of her fullest love-worship she will deny the reverence1 sometimes1 in a seeming inconsistency1 rebuff and even ridicule her idol4 ,it is with her a sort of hysteria1 a confession of secret terror1 lest she and he grow apart in mind1 and so come to part in body4 ,hence it is a giant cruelty on the part of a husband1 sometimes1 to enforce1 or thrust forward1 his size or his lordship4 ,they may be facts1 but ,god has set over against them as their equal that love which clings1 stimulates and supplements1 without which the finest man is far less than the half of the united twain4 ,sir ,charleroy blundered along in his error2 ,rizpah tried to be happy and failed4 ,she did not know how to make the best of her surroundings1 and ,sir ,charleroy did not know1 because he did not seek religiously to find out how to help her make the best of them4 ,they had some periods of pleasure1 but they continually grew briefer and were more frequently interrupted as time went on4 ,she was ill1 he suffered himself to think her at times ill-tempered4 ,as a lover1 he admired her outbreaks as very brilliant1 and flattered her by remarking that she had the metal of an ,arabian steed2 as a husband1 he thought her very disagreeable when pettish or angry4 ,indeed1 though he never said so to her1 he did say to himself that at times she was very like a virago4 ,the only steed that came to his mind then was the ass1 to which he likened himself when he considered himself the perfection of submissive patience4 ,a new event radically changed the picture and situation in this troubled home4 ,the prayer of prayers was heard in ,bozrah2 the cry of a baby2 a bundle of needs and helplessness1 with no language but a cry4 ,processions of silent centuries had passed through those halls since they echoed the hoarse voices of the brawny beings who built them4 ,one could not hear the infant cry without remembering the contrasts4 ,a baby2 a puny one at that1 and of the gentler sex1 besides being of a race pigmy compared to the stalwarts who builded those abodes4 ,sir ,charleroy and his consort had set up their household gods1 and for a goodly period had occupied as theirs a ,rephaim home4 ,the little stranger came1 though they did not discern it1 with power to bless them both4 ,a poetic visitor1 happening on this baby's hammock there and then1 might have gone in raptures1 to some truths1 after this fashion3 8,it will be the golden tie1 angel of peace and hope1 to the home60 ,the philosopher1 seeing the little bundle of helplessness1 might have said3 8,here is a giant1 the home is immortal through its offspring2 the babe requiring so much1 richly repays its loving care-takers by inducting them into the soul expansions of unselfish service40 ,but then poets and philosophers often miss the mark1 attempting prophesy4 ,the parents followed the usual course of those for the first time in that relation4 ,their love for each other1 very intense1 and by its sensitiveness witnessing after all that it was very selfish1 got a new direction4 ,they soon drifted into the charming fooleries of their like4 ,sometimes they petted the child unceasingly1 and one was anon jealous of the other if surpassed in this4 ,they each struggled for a recognition from the innocent1 and debated as to whether the first babble of the little one was 8mamma0 or 8papa40 ,then there were times when they handled baby very reverently1 as if it were something from ,god1 or likely to break4 ,at such times they each1 in heart1 thanked ,god and gave the child1 at least in part1 to ,him4 ,sometimes they called it 8,davidah0 or 8darling10 and laughed as they assured each other1 to assure themselves1 that the baby looked wise as if understanding4 ,sometimes they played with it as if they were children and it a toy2 sometimes they ministered to it with anxious care1 while all the time they felt quite sure it was somehow of finer mold and fiber than any babe before on earth4 ,they were just like all for the first time parents1 and their raptures were now for good1 being centered around the thought expressed by the sweet word home4 ,of course1 the question of naming the child was discussed1 and1 of course1 no name they could think of seemed quite good enough4 ,some days the child was given a dozen1 and some days it had none2 for all the time they kept trying to fit it4 ,in one thing1 both parents were ,jewish1 namely1 the desire to give their darling an appellation expressive of what it was or what they hoped it would be4 ,they first agreed on 8,angela10 but that was discarded as being a sort of advertisement of the quality of their treasure4 ,in the constant selfishness of love they would keep it all secretly1 sacredly to themselves1 they said4 ,they sought for many days some significant token or name that should be fully expressive of their thought1 and yet by the three only be ever fully understood4 ,one day ,rizpah1 always abrupt1 still nursing an old superstition1 said3 8,call her ,marah1 a mournful1 sweet1 expressive title40 8,why1 wife1 that means #8bitterness4'0 8,bitterness1 since ,i believe that somewhere1 somehow1 there is bitterness enough in store for her--and me with her40 8,i'd prefer #8,mary1' my wife2 surely this little angel is to be all like that blessed one40 ,then there was more strife1 but of a rather patient kind1 which ended in a compromise1 they calling the child ,miriamne1 each in mind meaning different from the other2 the one ,marah1 the other ,mary4 ,but on the heels of this came soon the graver problem1 ,how should the babe be reared1 in ,jewish faith or ,christian8 ,it was the old1 old story of a difficulty seemingly easily adjusted to all1 except to those who have actually met it1 and in this case1 as usual1 the two parties fanatically opposed each other4 ,in the name of sweet religion they loyally served the devil for a time4 ,the highest achievement of a creed or faith is the soothing and elevation of a home here1 or the exalting of it heavenward for hereafter4 ,that is a travesty of piety which wrecks the substance of joy for the shell of a dogma4 ,this stricture is easily written and may pass without dissent1 the reader immediately falling into the error denounced4 ,of course1 as usual1 these two parents began the discussion of the subject4 ,at intervals they cautiously pressed their arguments1 but each unwaveringly moved toward his or her point4 ,they were like advancing armies1 firing occasional shots1 but surely approaching a mighty issue4 ,they pretended to argue the matter by times1 but it was a farce1 for each in mind irrevocably had predetermined the conclusion4 ,time sped on a year or more1 then the conflict fully came4 8,rizpah1 we were wed by a ,christian1 let us take the fruit of that compact to ,christian baptism40 8,the first act was an error2 we shall not atone for it by repetitions in kind6 ,the child is mine2 ,i decline40 8,and mine1 so ,i request40 8,a mother imperils her whole life for her child1 and unreservedly gives to it part of herself2 justice1 humanity1 should give the child to the mother1 so far as may be40 8,but even under thy faith1 ,i1 the father1 am the head of the house40 8,under my faith the nurture and training of children belong chiefly to the mother1 and my faith has been the finest society-builder of the world in the past4 ,thou hast often recounted to me the deeds of that golden1 heroic time of my people1 when the great ,maccabean family led us and inspired us4 ,well1 then1 the mothers had exclusive control of the daughters until they were wed1 and so they had grand daughters among the ,maccabees40 8,well1 we differ in belief2 we had better compromise40 8,we dare not barter a little soul to do it40 8,well1 briefly then1 being lord of this home1 ,i command that the grace-giving sacrament be sought for our ,mary40 8,my faith1 to which thou didst first appeal1 forbids fathers to command their children to walk through idolatrous fires4 ,marah shall not40 8,hush2 ,i only want the loved one inducted into the true faith40 8,mine is the older and truer40 8,with thee argument is futile2 ,i insist----0 8,if the father is a foreigner1 ,jewry's rule is that the children are to be called by the mother's name and regarded as of her family4 ,make such law as thou choosest for thy family but not for mine40 8,i'll end this10 cried ,sir ,charleroy1 seizing the child1 as if to hasten then to seek some priest's ministry4 ,rizpah's eyes glittered with sullen purpose4 ,she sprang before him1 and hissed3 8,our fathers escaped at all cost from ,egypt4 ,i'll not go back1 nor ,marah40 ,the knight was surprised1 and his looks expressed it as he said3 8,dost thou rave80 8,oh1 no1 ,i was just remembering that a bearded serpent was the ,egyptian symbol of deity2 something like a man4 ,you ,christians would have all husbands gods to their families6 ,no bearded serpent for mine60 8,heavens1 woman6 thinkest thou thy scorn and vituperation can stay me80 ,so saying he pushed1 or rather half flung the woman from him4 ,he had no conception of the rage that any thing like a blow evokes in the heart of a woman that could love as once did ,rizpah4 ,on his part it was intended as a masterpiece of strategy1 in the hope that the woman would swoon1 then surrender in the weakness of following hysteria4 ,the act was hateful to him1 but he justified it by the end sought1 yet missed that end4 ,rizpah was a tigress roused1 and like many another mother1 beast or human1 when the fight is once for offspring was endowed with sudden1 supernatural strength4 ,she sprang toward the hammock1 plucking her dagger meanwhile from its hiding-place4 8,heaven defend us1 woman60 cried ,sir ,charleroy1 glancing about for a means of prevention1 8thou wouldst not do murder80 8,oh1 no1 thou art not fit to die2 but hear me2 this blade1 consecrated to defense from dishonor1 saved me once4 ,dost thou remember8 ,it will do it again1 if need be4 ,the giver sleeps1 but his stern charge haunts me still4 #8,protect at any cost from dishonor6'0 8,wouldst thou shed blood of any here60 8,sir ,charleroy saw me slay the ,turk4 ,had ,i failed1 thou falling1 this blade would have found my own heart4 ,push me onward by thy imperiousness and ,i will slay the babe and then myself6 ,methinks1 it would be an atonement for which my parent would forgive my breaking of his heart4 ,ah1 then sweet rest2 life's tumults over6 ,god would pity the tempest-tossed soul that1 through such bitterness1 flung itself on ,him40 8,dost mean all this1 ,rizpah80 8,can ,i trifle8 ,ask thyself4 ,have ,i ever8 ,my desperate sincerity made me thy wife1 but now it impels me to defy all thy attempts to make me thy minion1 unthinking echo or slave2 or worse1 the ruiner of that girl40 8,well1 then1 woman1 since thou or ,i must yield and ,i can not1 thou wilt not1 ,i execute my before announced purpose to have my lawful authority acknowledged with thee or----0 8,say the rest1 find peace away from me----0 8,which80 sternly demanded the knight4 8,as thou dost wish1 only ,i'll not give up my child to ,christian sacrifice40 8,then we can not live in peace together40 8,to which ,i reply1 that ,god never ordained marriage to bind people to the home when they can only for each other in that home make a very ,tartarus60 ,the knight was humiliated4 ,he had believed that the woman's heart could not bear the thought of separation1 and now to find her willing to give him up1 rather than her will1 her faith1 hurt his pride4 ,but they had made an utter crossing of purposes4 ,he ran out of their stone house1 his heart as stony4 ,a little way off he paused1 looked back1 and said1 8,for the last time1 ,rizpah1 what dost thou say80 8,go2 once for love ,i gave up all4 ,again ,i do it2 ,i give thee up for the highest of all love1 the love of a mother for her child60 ,caressingly ,rizpah embraced the infant2 and then fell on her knees with her face averted from her husband4 ,he took one glance1 and realizing the defeat of his strong will by that kneeling woman1 angrily hurried away4 ,the die was cast4 ,he turned his back on ,rizpah1 swearing that he would never more return4 ,for a few days ,rizpah lived in a crazy dream2 now laughing as she thought of her victory2 again letting her maiden love re-assert itself2 then assuring her heart that all was over and well as it was4 ,but a woman who imagines that reproach or even open violence can utterly extirpate love that once completely possessed her1 knows not her own heart4 ,especially is this true if to that heart1 she at times1 press1 lovingly1 a child begotten in that love1 and the form bearing the impress of that man for whom sometime she would have willingly died4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one night the baby cried piteously1 being ill1 and ,rizpah was feeling very lonely because so anxious for it4 ,she had sometimes1 since ,sir ,charleroy's departure1 prattled with the baby calling 8papa0 and 8,charleroy10 mother-like1 woman-like4 ,self-condemning1 for this was a half confession that she would have the little one think1 if it thought at all1 that she1 the mother1 was not to blame for the absence4 ,the baby had caught some names and in its moaning1 feverishly cried3 8,abbaroy1 ,abbaroy2 ,i want my ,abbaroy40 ,the cry was piercing to the mother's heart and conscience4 ,she even then wished for the husband's return4 ,indeed1 some hot tears fell as she prayed ,god to send 8papa ,charleroy back40 ,the tie of marriage1 potent beyond all of earth1 now drew her away toward the absent one1 and she then began to marvel how easily they had separated2 how lightly they had regarded the bonds which after all tightly held them4 ,when lives have blended and been tied together by other lives1 it is indeed a prophesy of union 8until death do us apart40 8,abbaroy1 ,abbaroy6 ,i want my ,abbaroy10 still piteously cried the sick child4 ,the night without was raging2 the little lamp sent dancing shadows over the black walls of her room and an unutterable loneliness took possession of the woman4 ,one by one thoughts like these arose2 8,father dead1 mother dead2 husband as good as dead2 perhaps really so1 and my child like to die6 ,what if she should die thus crying for her father6 ,oh1 ,god spare me this6 ,i'd go mad by her corpse40 8,abbaroy1 ,i want my ,abbaroy10 sobbed the child in her sleep4 ,the mother heard the waving palms without4 ,her vivid imagination turned them into persons1 spirits4 ,they seemed to be her dead ancestors and they caught up the cry of her child rebukingly 8,abbaroy1 ,i want my ,abbaroy40 ,she swooned now and slept4 ,in the sleep there came a dream4 ,she thought she saw her daughter1 grown to womanhood1 but pale and sad4 ,she had the hand of her mother and was drawing her toward the sea4 ,whenever the mother drew back the daughter wailed 8,abbaroy1 ,i want my ,abbaroy40 ,presently their feet touched the water edge1 she saw a ship1 floating at anchor1 but with sails spread partly2 on its stern was the name1 8,england40 ,the captain stood by the vessel's side1 observing her4 ,at last he cried3 8,well1 how long must we wait for thee80 ,a wave seemed to dash against her face and she awakened4 ,the heavy window blind of stone had swung open1 the rain was beating in on her4 ,she started up and felt for her child1 half fearfully lest a corpse should meet her touch4 ,but she found her hands clasping a little form with fast beating heart and burning skin4 ,the light had gone out1 but there alone in that desolate home amid the ruins of past ages1 the woman bowed in agonizing prayer4 ,the balm of broken hearts was sought and she for a time was clothed and in her right mind4 ,she arose1 serenely1 in the morning the cry of the sea captain of her dream in her ears1 and the firm resolve in her heart to seek her husband even in far-off ,england2 with him to try for the things that make for peace4 ,then she opened the iron-bound chest that had come to her from her father and took therefrom a roll of the #8,kethrubim' and read4 ,and it so happened that seeking to refresh her mind as to the story of how the giant ,sampson got honey out of the slain lion's carcass1 that she might more fully apply the meaning to her own experience1 she came to the story of his birth4 ,that story fixed her attention for days4 ,it was like a new revelation to her4 ,and she read and read these words over and over3 8,and there was a certain man of ,zorah1 of the ,danites1 whose name was ,manoah4 8,and the angel of the ,,lord appeared unto the woman1 and said unto her1 ,behold now1 thou shalt conceive and bear a son4 8,then the woman came and told her husband1 saying1 ,a man of ,god came unto me1 and his countenance was like an angel of ,god1 and he said unto me1 ,behold thou shalt bear a son4 8,then ,manoah entreated the ,lord and said1 ,o my ,lord1 let the man of ,god which thou didst send come again unto us1 and teach us what we shall do unto the child4 8,and ,god hearkened to the voice of ,manoah2 and the angel of ,god came again unto the woman4 8,and the woman made haste1 and ran1 and shewed her husband4 8,and ,manoah arose1 and went after his wife and came to the man4 8,and ,manoah said1 ,now let thy words come to pass4 ,how shall we order the child1 and how shall we do unto him8 8,and the angel of the ,lord said unto ,manoah1 ,of all that ,i said unto the woman let her beware4 8,so ,manoah took a kid with a meat offering1 and offered it upon a rock unto the ,lord3 and the angel did wondrously2 and ,manoah and his wife looked on4 8,for it came to pass1 when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar1 that the angel of the ,lord ascended in the flame of the altar3 and ,manoah and his wife looked on it1 and fell on their faces to the ground40 ,and as ,rizpah read1 little by little1 the truth and beauty of the scene and its words dawned upon her4 ,thus she meditated3 8,this is the way ,god brought forth ,his giant deliverer1 ,samson2 ,god appeared to the woman first1 but she hasted to tell of the promised blessing to her husband40 ,when she thought of how that angel-led wife led her husband1 she remembered her own fanatical bitterness and was condemned4 ,then she remembered how ,manoah and his wife1 together1 asked how they should order their child and how1 as together they bowed before the ,spirit1 he ascended in glory over them4 8,oh10 she moaned within herself1 8if we had only put aside our differences and1 forgetting all else1 just so sought together the ,divine directings60 ,it was evening as she meditated1 and she said within herself3 8,if ever ,i can get nigh ,sir ,charleroy's heart ,i'll tell him all this1 and before the altar of a new consecration we'll give ourselves and ours to ,god1 just this way40 ,there came a wondrous joy to her heart and the palms that seemed to moan rebukingly without that other night1 8,abbaroy1 ,abbaroy1 ,i want my ,abbaroy10 this night reminded her some way vaguely of the beating of mighty wings1 approaching nearer and nearer4 ,she felt no longer rage1 as she thought about the often bepraised ,mary of her husband1 but on the other hand1 wished she knew more about her1 were more like her4 ,it was the woman in her1 yearning for a mother4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,rizpah1 ,,the ,,ancient 8,,mother ,,of ,,sorrows40 8,oh say to mothers1 what a holy charge ,is theirs6 ,with what a queenly power1 their love ,can rule the fountain of a new-born mind4 ,warn them to wake at early dawn and sow ,good seed before the world has sown its tares2 ,nor in their toil decline1 that angel bands ,may put their sickles in and reap for ,god ,and gather in his garner40 ,nearly a score of years passed away1 each having wrought its changes1 and ,rizpah de ,griffin is dwelling quietly with her three children at ,bozrah4 ,she is companionless though not a widow4 ,care has left its stern impress on her every feature2 the roses have gone from her cheeks and the snows that tarry1 baffling all springs1 are on her head4 ,but time that has worn has also ripened4 ,rizpah has become a self-possessed1 stately matron2 her form is erect1 her eye as bright as ever4 ,bozrah has not changed2 the city sits in its sullen1 fixed gloom1 seemingly unconscious of the ravages that time works elsewhere4 ,but there have been changes and changes among the people since first the woman of ,gerash arrived there4 ,many former inhabitants have wandered away2 some to be swallowed up by the tides of peoples of other climes2 some have gone to judgment4 ,but new comers have taken the places of those that had departed and speeded the swift enough forgetting of the absent ones1 ,rizpah was in high honor1 for although she lived in seclusion1 mixing very little with any of the people about her1 all respected her4 ,hers was a well-ordered house2 ,druses1 ,turks and ,hebrews joined in affirming this4 ,she ruled her children firmly and they obeyed her implicitly1 for they loved her loyally4 ,we meet her now amid active preparation for the observance of the approaching ,jewish ,sabbath4 ,with her are two boys1 twins1 born in ,london1 as like each other as could be1 and ,miriamne4 ,the latter is in the full possession of her roses1 and in the enjoyment of that splendor of personal charm seemingly belonging to all the maidens of ,abrahamic descent under 8the covenant of the stars and the sand40 ,for are not ,israel's women not only plenteous and bright and lofty like the stars1 and her men numberless1 rugged and restless as the surf-washed sands on every shore8 ,does not this race1 in all history1 continually attest the persistence and pre-eminence of all good to those who walk under the ,divine covenants8 ,miriamne not only is seen to possess a gracefulness like unto that of the palm1 nature's pattern of beauty in the ,east1 but she has such robustness of form as might be expected in one born of such a ,hebrew mother and such a ,saxon father4 ,in her temper1 poetic1 emotional1 oriental1 like her mother2 in feature and mind more like her father2 she was a better1 more evenly balanced result than either4 ,it often so happens2 the child by some natural selection or some mercifulness1 inheriting a character1 the resultant of the union of two sets of parental forces1 yet finer than either apart4 ,the scientific man in such cases will say1 herein we behold1 in a new being1 physical and spiritual forces in action1 the latter gaining the advantage2 a prophesy without mystery that at last the fittest only shall survive4 ,the theologian1 on the other hand1 will see ,providence electing the best and preparing choice characteristics for superior works to be done4 ,at a call of the mother1 the children gathered about her1 and the group was charming2 a picture full of expression and contrasts4 ,the matron cast a look of yearning affection upon her offsprings1 and the emotion possessed her until the hard face-lines faded into a sweet smile4 ,just then she would have been a satisfactory model for an artist painting ,madonna4 8,thank ,god1 children1 the emblem of rest and of hope in ages to come is at hand4 ,i have joyed to-day1 in full preparation that this next ,sabbath may be piously and earnestly celebrated with all the religious exactness of our people40 ,then1 patting the boys on their heads with playful tenderness1 she continued3 8,run away now up to the synagogue-ruin on the hill4 ,don't forget your duty in play1 lads2 be true little ,israelites6 ,when ye see the sun go down back of ,gilead's mountains1 give us warning of the ,sabbath's beginning4 ,now mind1 keep your eyes toward ,jerusalem40 ,the lads sped away1 and ,rizpah following them with her eyes prayed in heart3 8,god bless them1 and though in this place of desolation1 make them little ,samuels in faith and service40 ,a little after her face glowed with triumphant joy1 for there came back to her ears the boys' voices1 mingling in sacred song4 ,it was the psalm of the 8,captives' ,return0 that they sang4 ,the declining sun began to throw its last rays through the open windows of the huge stone home1 flooding the black basalt walls and pavement with golden tints4 ,slowly the mother's eyes wandered from the scene without to objects within1 until they rested on a huge painting that covered nearly half the opposite wall4 ,one glance and her whole being seemed transformed4 ,in an instant her reverential and weary attitude was changed to one of excited attention4 ,she grew pale1 her body swayed with a waving motion1 suggestive of the panther creeping toward a victim4 ,then her form became rigid like one preparing for some great muscular effort1 or endeavoring to suppress some inner tempest4 ,her face1 made habitually calm by the schoolings of adversity1 became a theater for expression of the changing emotion within2 the mouth-lines putting on a firmness almost hideous2 her eyes glittered like a serpent's in the act of charming2 contrasting with the forehead that shone like a silver shield4 ,she was as one under a spell or in a trance2 but for a few moments only4 ,there came a light footfall2 then a quick1 half frightened1 piteous cry and ,miriamne stood beside her4 8,oh1 mother1 don't6 mother1 mother2 thou dost terrify me60 ,the young woman stopped half way between the open door and her parent4 ,now she was passing through a great transition4 ,she had seen all that was happening1 often before2 had often run away from the spectacle to hide it from herself4 ,now she was trying to nerve herself to penetrate the mystery in the hope of preventing its painfulness4 ,she was at the turning point1 where a girl changes to the woman within the circle of parental influences4 ,but so complete was the absorption of the one gazing upon the spectacle upon the wall1 at first the cry was unheeded4 ,in a sort of sudden1 trembling desperation the young woman quickly bounded between her mother and the picture4 ,then1 as if realizing the unfilial imprudence of the act1 but still unwilling to recede from efforts to break the spell that bound her parent1 she fell upon her knees before the seeming devotee and burst into tears4 ,the mother started up a little as one awakening from a dream2 then said1 with perfect control of voice and manner2 8,marah1 what ails thee8 ,art ill8 ,are the ,bedouin coming80 8,no1 no10 replied the other2 8the picture2 the picture60 8,what is it child80 8,i do not know4 ,i only know that your strange1 wild gaze upon its hideous group terrifies me6 ,for years ,i've learned to feel a mingled disgust and fright in the presence of the woman in that presentment4 ,when ,i came in1 your face looked like hers4 ,you did not seem to be my own tender mother1 but an angry virago4 ,oh1 why do you shadow all our ,sabbath eves1 by this mysterious1 cruel staring and moaning before this imagery of death8 ,you've made me to dread the approaching ,holy ,day1 promise of all delight to our people1 as the advent of all pain to us40 8,marah1 this is wickedness in thee4 ,thou shouldst learn to wrap thy soul about with the joys thou knowest1 and leave all this that thou dost not understand1 most likely terrible to thee chiefly because thou dost not understand it1 to go its way40 8,i've tried and tried for months to reason thus2 but how little comfort to be saying over and over1 #8it's all right1' #8it's nothing1' to a fear that stops the very beatings of the heart4 ,oh1 that ,i could fly from this land of desolations4 ,its loneliness and shadows keep coming and coming around me until ,i dread1 lest they enter my very being and become part of me4 ,i've leaned hitherto alone on my mother's greater strength for rest4 ,if ,i come to fear her1 ,i'll lose my reason60 8,marah10 said the mother1 with enforced calmness1 8thou art feverish to-day2 thou hast wrought too much4 ,now retire and say this pillow ,psalm2 #8,he that dwelleth in the secret place of the ,most ,high1 abideth under the shadow of the ,almighty4' ,thou'lt be peaceful in the morning2 as are those ever who abide under the shadow of the ,king40 ,but only the more passionately the daughter clung to her mother1 and again she renewed her plaint3 8,ah1 mother1 ,i haven't strength to take these promises6 ,oh1 forgive me1 ,i can not help it2 ,i feel as if something awful were impending2 something coming between us6 ,a curse is on this land4 ,is it any way over the ,de ,griffins8 ,tell me1 ,i beseech you1 what is that painted thing8 ,sometimes ,i run out of the room when alone1 as if those men hanging there were still alive1 in death's agony4 ,i've dreamed sometimes that they came down in bodily form charging you and me with murdering them2 and when ,i go out at evening1 ,i imagine that the ,ismaelitish woman in the foreground is flitting about my path1 while in every thicket ,i hear the flapping wings of her carrion birds4 ,oh1 mother6 let us tear down that sole defilement of our own little1 only home1 and give it to the pilgrim ,rabbi1 now in ,bozrah1 that he may burn it with exorcising rites40 8,then thou thinkest there's witchery hereabouts1 ,marah10 said the mother1 severely4 ,illustration3 ,by ,george ,becker4 ,,rizpah ,,defending ,,the ,,dead ,,bodies ,,of ,,her ,,relations4 8,i8 ,i do not know what ,i think1 beyond this1 that ,i'm overcome1 terrified1 made miserable1 and you1 under some spell for a time1 cease to be my mother40 8,my daughter profanes her faith by permitting unreined imaginations to rule her so40 8,oh1 tell me all about this hateful thing6 ,why it so moves you4 ,you said long ago you would when ,i was able to bear it4 ,i am no longer a child4 ,mother1 you say you read me like an open book1 now look into my heart and see that it is bursting with fright and worry6 ,you say you know woman's nature2 if so1 you know that ,i can suffer when ,i understand1 but shall go mad in the suspense of constant fear of some threatening ill unseen40 ,thus speaking and clinging to her mother1 with a twining1 almost desperate embrace1 such as among women implies unerringly that a supreme moment and demand has fallen upon the questioner1 she burst forth in tearless sobs4 ,the mother's face was a study and told of a succession of weighty thoughts2 parental authority brooked2 infringed2 new surprised realization that the daughter was no longer a child1 but a wise1 earnest woman4 ,then there was a degree of fearfulness springing from deep love4 ,the elder woman perceived the crisis1 and knew full well that in such times denials to a woman meant a dead heart1 or worse4 ,then her manner softened1 and drawing her child to her bosom with an embrace passionate in fervor1 she tenderly1 soothingly spoke to her3 8,my most dearly beloved ,marah6 dismiss all thy fears at once and forever4 ,they are needless4 ,rest1 now and always1 as thou never canst elsewhere1 in all the world1 upon this heart of mine4 ,rest thou in thy present young womanhood1 as calmly1 as trustingly1 as thou didst in baby-hood4 ,that heart guarded thee more tenderly than its own life then1 through storms within and without that nearly broke it4 ,in part thou dost know this2 remembering what it has been in loyalty to ,god and thyself1 canst thou pain it by one distrusting thought now80 8,oh1 mother1 ,i know1 ,i know2 ,i do not mean to doubt you1 and ,i remember1 with a gratitude beyond all my poor power of speech1 your toiling1 patient1 constant1 loving care for me and my brothers4 ,i never can forget that you are a ,hebrew indeed1 proud to emulate the noble mothers of our nation in its olden1 golden days2 but after all ,i must think4 ,i think1 sometimes1 with anguish1 that that awful picture may some way come between us60 8,why1 ,marah1 impossible6 thou art my other self2 a fairer copy2 as ,i was at thy age40 ,then ,rizpah spoke in unusual1 confiding tenderness3 8,we mothers have our vanities and take a secret pride in wearing our daughters on our hearts as precious jewels4 ,when nature gratifies that pride by giving us daughters in form1 features and mind1 mirrors or glad reminders of ourselves1 as we were in the days of young beauty1 romancings and hopes1 we hug these in our souls in a way thou canst never realise until thou hast been such a mother4 ,change8 ,i change toward thee8 ,ah1 girl1 not being a mother1 thou canst not begin to fathom the ocean-depth1 the heaven-height1 the eternity-like unchanging endurance of a woman's love1 once it has been quickened into the channels of maternal affection4 ,thou art a woman to all the world1 but not so to me4 ,i love thee now as ,i loved thee when thou wert a babe4 ,to me thou wilt always be a little1 lovely1 needy creature--an angel touching the fountains of my inmost nature4 ,all earthly friendships change2 lover's love1 at first fierce1 generally dies as the tides of years roll over it2 but1 mother-love1 in all loving1 is the exception4 ,believe this as thou dost believe the tenets of our faith and thou'll find thy troubling thoughts fleeing away like mists of ,hermon1 before the conquering banners of the morning40 ,there followed a prolonged embrace and a mutual kiss2 impassioned1 affectionate2 an action expressing volumes to one skilled in interpreting the signs1 all unvoiced and unwritten1 yet1 by some constant intuition1 known to all womankind as the language of the finest1 sincerest loving4 ,that moment these two women passed onward1 upward together to a higher1 lighter1 stronger relationship than they had enjoyed before4 ,they entered the temple where daughter and mother begin the feast of the new revelation2 when to the love of parent and child is added that of real companionship4 ,that is a sunny1 fruity hour1 when a girl is received as a woman by a woman2 that woman her mother4 ,the two sat embracing and happy for a long time2 but the old pain suddenly revived--,miriamne's eyes chancing to stray to the picture4 ,she shuddered1 then looked pleadingly into her parent's eyes4 ,the mother1 quickly interpreting the look1 tenderly replied3 8,sometime40 8,no1 oh1 no2 tell me1 mother1 all1 now6 ,who1 and what are those hanging forms3 the horror-frighted1 bludgeon-armed woman2 the birds of black1 hovering over the crosses8 ,oh6 my mother1 you trust me2 now tell me all or tear that down6 ,you know it's not lawful for us ,jews to have any image of things in ,hades40 ,the last words moved the mother more than all else that ,miriamne had hitherto spoken4 ,heresy1 she abominated2 and the chief aim of her life had been to make her children true ,israelites by precept and example4 ,to her thinking1 ,israel alone was right2 all others were heathen1 to whom was reserved perdition4 ,to an apostate1 in her belief1 there came a final judgment of misery1 beggaring all attempt at description4 ,a little while she hesitated1 and then came to quick resolve to tell her daughter all4 ,she arose1 walked rapidly back and forth over the stone floor of the abode1 and1 then stopping before the daughter1 said3 8,thy wish shall be granted4 ,in love of thee1 for lo1 these many years ,i've hidden from thee one miserable and dark chapter of our family history4 ,i have drank the bitter waters alone4 ,but too much ,i love thee to bear the piteous appeal of thy lips1 or the look of doubt that sometimes flits in thy questioning eyes4 ,canst thou bear knowledge that is full of bitterness80 8,yea1 mother10 said ,miriamne1 8there is no bitterness in reality like that our imaginations conjure up1 when fed by mysteries that hang on pictures of such hideous mien----0 8,thou dost force me to the explanation1 but1 daughter blame me not1 if1 like ,saul of old1 who fainted at the sight he compelled ,endor's witch to reveal1 thou art given now some knowledge that kills thy sunshine40 8,i'm the daughter of ,rizpah and ,sir ,charleroy4 ,did they either of them ever fear80 8,ah6 but ,i have been the very mother of sorrows1 ever since thy birth1 child4 ,god knows it2 and it were best to leave it all to ,him alone40 8,but1 mother1 ,i'd gladly share your sorrows4 ,sorrow shared is ever lightened by the sharing4 ,let us bear the corpse between us1 and in this lonely life we shall be made more than ever companions1 through a common grief40 8,so be it then4 ,thou shalt know all40 ,and ,rizpah1 going to a seldom-used iron-bound chest1 drew therefrom a parchment roll2 handing the same to her daughter1 she said3 8,read4 ,it's part of ,father ,harrimai's #8,kethubim4'0 ,the place opened to the story of the famine in ,david's time1 which endured three years1 because of wrongs done to the ,gibeonites by the children of ,israel4 ,as ,miriamne read onward1 ,rizpah from time to time gave explanations3 8,dost perceive1 daughter1 that ,jehovah1 though not revengeful1 is a ,god of recompenses80 8,he was the friend of the ,gibeonites though they were not of his chosen people2 because they had no other friend1 ,i think10 said ,miriamne4 8,yes1 and ,he held all ,israel responsible for what they were willing to let their blood-thirsty ,saul perform4 ,as he had been1 so had been the people2 they were guilty1 and ,god needed to punish them4 ,how just6 ,oh6 ,god is sure to press men to a conclusion4 ,read what ,david said to the stranger ,gibeonites20 ,miriamne continued3 8,and he said1 what ye shall say1 that will ,i do for you4 8,and they answered the king1 the man that consumed us1 and that devised against us2 8,let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us1 and we will hang them up unto the ,lord in ,gibeah4 8,and the king said1 ,i will give them4 8,but the king spared ,mephiboseth1 the son of ,jonathan the son of ,saul4 8,but the king took the two sons of ,rizpah1 the daughter of ,aiah1 whom she bare unto ,saul1 ,armoni and ,mephiboseth2 and the five sons of ,michal the daughter of ,saul1 whom she brought up for ,adriel4 8,and he delivered them into the hands of the ,gibeonites1 and they hanged them in the hill before the ,lord3 and they fell all seven together1 and were put to death in the beginning of barley harvest40 ,miriamne paused2 then addressed her parent3 8,mother1 ,i'd not be an heretic1 and yet ,i can not see the justice of hanging the sons for the father's sins80 8,perhaps they were parties to the murder2 perhaps publicly1 or in heart1 defended it4 ,at any rate1 from the beginning it has been so4 ,thou and thy brothers are living here fatherless on account of him that begat you----0 8,shall ,i stop reading this bloody story80 quoth ,miriamne4 8,it pains thee4 ,thou must go on now1 though thou shouldst fall fainting1 as ,saul at ,endor4 ,read40 ,the daughter complied1 and with quickly revived interest1 for she came to the name 8,rizpah0 the second time1 but before she had not noticed it in reading4 8,and ,rizpah1 the daughter of ,aiah1 took sackcloth and spread it for her upon the rock1 from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven1 and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day1 nor the beasts of the field by night4 8,and it was told ,david what ,rizpah1 the daughter of ,aiah1 the concubine of ,saul1 had done4 8,and ,david went and took the bones of ,saul and the bones of ,jonathan1 his son1 from the men of ,jabesh-gilead1 which had stolen them from the street of ,beth-shan4 8,and he brought up from thence the bones of ,saul and the bones of ,jonathan his son2 and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged4 8,and the bones of ,saul and ,jonathan his son buried they in the country of ,benjamin1 in ,zelah1 in the sepulcher of ,kish1 his father3 and they performed all that the king commanded4 ,and after that ,god was entreated for the land40 ,when the last clause was finished1 ,miriamne cast a glance at the huge painting on the wall4 8,i understand in part2 that is ,rizpah and her crucified children80 8,it is well1 daughter4 ,behold her2 this is motherhood of strongest type6 ,humanity is no where perfect1 but of all the erring ones of life1 ,i most believe in those1 who1 among many perversions of judgment and blemishes of character1 have some one or more of lofty virtues4 ,methinks a soul may be drenched by many sins1 and yet1 if within its very core it carry sincerely and sacred as its life some noble1 dominating passion1 like the holy love of parent for a child1 that soul will ever have thereby a gate open to the ,holy ,spirit1 a handle for the grasp of saving angels1 and1 while life lasts1 an ever-flying signal lifted toward heaven4 ,such prayer unspoken is a beseeching1 not vainly for the interceding love of ,him that weighs the spirits40 8,but1 mother1 you're not such a tigress8 ,not like that woman80 8,how proud ,i'd be to be indeed all she was4 ,the exact interpretation of #8,rizpah' is a #8living coal1' but her name interpreted by her life is better called the #8flaming beacon4' ,we mutually lament the dispersion of our people6 ,dost thou remember how last ,sabbath thou wepst while thou didst read to me the words of the blessed ,isaiah foretelling the long-delayed but ,divinely-promised regathering of all our tribes80 8,oh6 that the hills of ,judea would glow with the beacons of that day60 8,daughter1 ,god's beacons are chiefly noble spirits1 such as ,moses of the ,exode1 ,samson1 the giant1 ,david1 ,nehemiah and ,cyrus4 ,the world has not yet interpreted ,rizpah1 the #8burning coal1' the beacon fire4 ,once ,i was frail1 timorous1 wavering1 but devotion to that character has transformed me4 ,when the world's mothers look to her pattern1 there will be a new order of motherhood2 then look for heroic men and an heroic age60 8,but was not ,rizpah a ,hivite1 a descendant of ,ham1 and so of those forever under ,god's curse80 8,my child1 ancestry is not always the test of worth4 ,the consequences of sin may pass down from sire to son1 but never so as to bar the way to hope1 nor dam up the stream of ever-pitying mercy of heaven4 ,rizpah had some true ,jewish blood within her heart1 and in the long run ,god's providence doth work to make the better part1 of admixed good and ill1 dominate4 ,besides all this1 the lovely ,ruth1 thou dost emulate so well1 was foreign to our people4 ,so1 too1 was ,rahab2 and our ,rabbis tell us she was in the royal line of ,david1 from which at last the ,messiah shall arise4 ,those women1 with ,rizpah1 were beacons to the world6 ,while mankind revere true love1 constancy1 loyalty and faith1 those names will be remembered40 8,but1 mother1 ,rizpah was the concubine of ,saul1 and as ,i think of how you oft denounce the harems of our neighboring ,bedawin1 my very soul blushes at hearing you admire this woman so40 8,ah1 daughter1 methinks she was more sinned against than sinning4 ,recall the unequal struggle3 ,rizpah1 a foreigner1 of a nation subdued by kingly ,saul2 he a man1 strong of mind1 a king1 hedged with a sort of divinity that in the minds of the simple ever hedges kings about2 making their words and deeds seem always right and just4 ,if women made the laws and customs there never would have been known on earth unclean polygamy1 but ever instead thereof the union only1 in holy wedlock1 of two lives1 mutually consecrated1 serviceful and constant4 ,under wrong teaching and tyranny1 a woman may do that which purer societies condemn1 and yet retain a conscience white and clean before ,god4 8,within that book of ,samuel1 which ,i hold1 it is recorded that ,ishbosheth1 a son of ,saul1 who for a time reigned in a rebellious confederacy1 a horseman's day's journey from here1 at ,mahanaim1 charged ,rizpah once with an act of impurity4 8,the record makes no mention of ,rizpah's reply4 ,like thousands of women before and since her time1 she was defenseless against slander4 ,men1 the stronger1 may malign without evidence1 and often it doth outweigh1 to ears ripe to feast upon the carrion of a scandal1 the indignant denial of outraged purity1 accompanied even with evidences which make the thought of crime upon the part of the one belied1 seemingly an impossibility4 ,but leave all that2 ,i appeal in behalf of my revered ,rizpah to her wondrous loyalty as a mother4 ,tell me not that this sublimely heroic woman1 who patiently watched the corpses of her sons and other kin from ,april1 through all the lonely nights and through all those burning days1 until ,october rains wept them to their burial1 ever did an act that could let loose upon them living or dead the hounds of scandal6 ,they may have suffered death as malefactors1 in ,god's sight1 but still her mother-love clung to them4 ,she who kept those long vigils1 lest beast or bird of prey should harm or mar or pollute the bodies precious to her if to no one else1 ,i am assured1 beyond all cavil1 never did aught that could have stung their brows or embittered their hearts6 ,such motherly devotion as hers doth fully purify a woman4 ,he who planned society1 with its sacred foundations resting so largely on the integrity of its child-bearers1 has planted in the bosom of woman this all-possessing love of her offspring1 as her safeguard4 ,it's her wall of fire by day and by night1 and verily more restraining to her than any law of man1 command of ,god1 or fear of hell60 8,and are loving mothers never unchaste80 8,the ,jews hated swine and the monster deities of ,chaldeans1 because both destroyed their young1 and our holy ,talmudists declare that ,mary of the ,christians1 not being as pure as the ,nazarene's followers affirm1 is doomed to bide even in lowest ,hades with the bar of hell's gate through her ear4 ,no1 ,i1 as a ,jewish woman1 believe that one of my sex being a mother and impure is neither loving1 nor a woman60 8,how ,i revere the noble sentiments of ,rizpah of ,bozrah60 8,for all ,i am1 after ,god1 praise that ancient1 fervent beacon1 ,rizpah of ,gibeah60 8,i am in part reconciled to her1 but yet ,i wish1 in frightened agony often1 that you would renounce this historic ,rizpah2 lioness-like in her devotion to her offspring1 but full of murderous fury toward any that crossed her love4 ,our holy book must have sweeter1 nobler ideals for our inspiration40 8,i judge this ,hebrew heroine mother by her influence upon me1 and that has been for good4 ,the hypocrite or romancer may call the passer-by to prayer and have no more soul in it than the ,moslem trumpet4 ,only those who have some ,god-like saintliness of character1 can win effectually1 unceasingly4 ,there is mighty power in the unspoken sermons of such a life4 ,i cherish ,rizpah1 whose touch of moral power1 coming where and when ,i was weak to callowness1 girded me with purpose for wavering and thews of steel for rosy softness4 ,i was once like thee1 a fragile flower1 but the example of that patient woman's heroism1 ever before me1 has fitted me to meet my awful trials and worthily inhabit this giant-built house4 ,thou dost remember1 ,miriamne1 at last ,passover time they wish1 as thou didst read to me of ,jacob1 that even now a ladder with communicating angels might be set up from earth to heaven80 8,ah1 that would be a feast2 angels in burning bushes1 or by fountains as in ,hagar's time6 ,i often worship in the thicket and pray for heaven's messengers from ,paradise to fan the flames of our devotion1 as ,gabriel did the orisons of ,daniel4 ,but ,i'd be afraid to meet an angel like your ,rizpah40 8,not so with me1 ,marah4 ,indeed1 ,i often think of ,rizpah and ,jacob together4 ,thou rememberest how1 not far away1 at ,mahanaim1 ,jacob of old met a host of angels8 ,they came to cheer him in an hour of sad depression1 the saddest kind indeed2 for in that hour he remembered amid his repentings that he was soon to face the brother whom long years before he had wronged4 ,well1 when ,rizpah1 by the death of ,saul1 was released from that domineering madman-king1 she made her home at ,mahanaim1 the place near which ,jacob counseled with the angels4 ,methinks she there also communed with the spirits that do excel in strength4 ,she may have been weak before1 but in that angel school she outgrew her master4 ,ay1 my child1 it is marvelous how a woman rises under the impulses of a noble love1 holy companionship and plenty of sorrow4 ,many a male brute has flattered himself he was crushing into fawning servitude by his imperious1 selfish will1 his weaker child-burdened mate1 only some day to find the victim asserting her individuality with power unearthly4 ,the partridge skulks1 terrified amid lowly grasses from the hunter1 little by little gathering courage for her pinions1 then she suddenly departs to return no more1 meanwhile luring the hunter from her treasures40 8,that is1 an abused wife should run away80 8,oh1 perhaps not2 but she may rise above her tyrant40 8,i can't but remember the woman's rough strength40 8,to me the all-controlling love of ,rizpah for her children condones her former errings1 her ,philistine ancestry1 her craggedness4 ,i believe she soars with the angels now1 and to ,israel she must be a pattern until some more saintly and finer woman arises to take the leadership of woman40 8,will such an one appear1 mother80 8,god's dial is a circle1 with a sweep like eternity4 ,he knows no hurry2 yet1 though never weary1 is never belated4 ,we are not waiting for him1 but ,he is for us4 ,when man is ready to take up his pilgrim march to the highlands of a living1 all light1 all beautiful1 there'll be beacons and beacons from the valleys to the hills40 ,just then the lamp by which they had been sitting1 for some time having only flickered1 was suddenly quenched1 and there was a sound of the fluttering of wings in the room4 ,miriamne screamed and clung to her mother1 her thoughts on the vultures of the picture4 8',twas only a bat1 daughter60 8,oh1 this ghostly place60 the young woman cried4 8,ghosts and bats are very harmless2 would men were like them60 bitterly spoke ,rizpah4 8,a bat putting out our light2 it's like an omen60 8,yes1 wrongs do put out the light of human joy1 but only for a little while2 look out to the firmament1 my clinging other self1 as ,i do1 for comfort by times4 ,see1 the stars are immovable2 all bright and in seemingly everlasting calm4 ,never forget in any long trial1 or sudden terror1 that when our human-made lights expire we are to turn our eyes toward heaven4 ,in truth1 ,god ,himself often quenches our lights to make us look up to ,his40 ,the mother1 approaching the stone casement1 and looking out on the sky1 continued3 8,the heavens are full of beacons and lamps4 ,they shall light us to bed as ,his truth lights those who will to serene1 long rest4 ,good night1 my child40 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,queen ,,proclaimed ,,in ,,the ,,giant ,,city4 8,half-hearted1 false-hearted6 ,heed we the warning6 ,only the whole can be perfectly true2 ,bring the whole offering1 all timid thought scorning1 ,true-hearted only if whole-hearted too40--,,havergal4 ,another ,passover season was at hand1 and the few ,israelites in and about ,bozrah1 not being permitted to celebrate the feast1 at ,jerusalem were gathering for a 8,little ,passover0 at the ,giant ,city4 ,there was sadness1 murmurings and fears in the hearts of the people4 ,sadness in remembering the decadence of ,israel2 fears1 for there were ,mamelukes hovering threateningly in large numbers near the city2 murmurings1 because fault-findings1 the last stage to indifference1 flourish when religion is decaying4 ,faith and doubt waged their eternal battle2 and at ,bozrah1 doubt appealing to present facts1 had the easier part against faith1 appealing to past providences or unseen hopes4 ,there was clamor for a change1 but the leaders of the people were purblind to any new light4 ,they crushed their own secret doubts and continued to enforce what they believed1 because they had believed it4 ,they felt a sense of responsibility1 and that made them very conservative4 ,before the sun had reached high-noon ,bozrah was all astir4 ,there were but two principal streets in the city2 these ran by the four great points of the compass and crossed at its center4 ,two companies of ,jews of very different make-up1 each moving along one of those streets1 met1 and1 in passing1 quite accidentally1 the two processions formed a cross4 ,one of the companies was made up of priests and serious old men1 the true elders of the people4 ,they tried to appear very wise and very pious1 and succeeded4 ,they tried as well to cheer and comfort all1 and did not succeed very well4 ,the other company was made up of young ,israelitish men4 ,they were going eastward2 the old men walked northward1 away from the sun1 now a little more than southeast4 ,by the side of the elders glided a row of shadows of their own making4 ,but they were as unconscious of these as of the shadows their musty traditions flung over the people4 ,the youths felt like singing1 so they sang4 ,the sadness that was so general was not very deep with them4 ,they would have liked to have sung a sort of convivial song2 but1 that being forbidden1 they compromised with their consciences and the situation by singing the one hundred and twenty-second ,psalm1 with the vigor of a madrigal4 ,they had a surplusage of vitality1 and they let it flow out in the pious canticle4 ,certainly they conserved outward propriety2 as to their inward feelings1 they themselves hardly knew what they were2 hence1 it would be unjust1 for one without1 to pass judgment4 ,the ,psalm was appointed to be sung at this feast4 ,they say the returning captives1 coming from ,babylon1 centuries before1 sang this song as they ascended to a sight of ,jerusalem4 ,now1 some of the elders had come to think it piety to morbidly nurse their sorrows4 ,they were never happy except when they were miserable4 ,one of these paused and addressed the young singers3 8,children1 cease4 ,your time is too much like a dancer's40 ,then all eyes turned toward the leader of the youths1 a man with a ,saul-like neck1 large mouth1 wet1 thick lips1 and burning eyes2 all bespeaking a person who is never religious beyond the drawings of religious excitement1 for excitement's sake1 and never self-restraining1 except as checked by fear of a very material hell4 ,such an one1 if he have any regularity in his piety1 will have it because somebody opposes1 or because1 having swallowed1 with one lazy gulp1 a heavy creed1 he thereafter goes about condoning by habit his petty vices1 in trying to force others to be better than he himself ever expects to be4 ,such are never spiritual1 and seldom martyrs2 but they make good persecutors1 and so do a work that compels others1 by suffering1 to be spiritual1 and1 may be1 good martyrs4 ,this leader made sharp retort1 thrusting out his chin to enforce it3 8,the ,psalm is all right1 and1 if the old men sang more1 they would have less time for moaning4 ,singing and moaning are much alike1 only the former cheers men1 the latter1 devils60 8,son10 replied the patriarch1 8revile not the fathers4 ,we do not condemn thy joy as sin2 but yet it now seems inopportune4 ,we are entering captivity1 not liberation4 ,our holy and our beautiful temple is in ruins2 our people like hunted quail40 8,but1 this is feast time10 said the youth4 8,what a feast6 ,i remember it as it was when the nation gathered at ,jerusalem1 to the number of nigh #c1jjj1jjj1 and offered #bej1jjj lambs4 ,ah1 now1 a handful1 in this grim old city surrounded by aliens60 ,the elder1 so speaking1 bowed his head1 threw his mantle over his eyes and wept2 meanwhile his fellow-elders gathered about him1 very reverently1 and waved their hands rebuking toward the youths4 ,just then there drew near a beautiful ,jewess1 led by an aged man1 the latter garbed partly as an ,israelite1 and partly as one of the ,druses4 ,he had a saintly mien1 and fixed the attention of the elders2 but1 the young men1 with one accord1 youth-like1 at once erected1 in silent worship1 an unseen altar of devotion to the new goddess4 ,the grouping was striking and suggestive4 ,the stranger was silent1 and seemed to be intent on passing by so2 but the elders felt their responsibility4 ,it is the fate of the religious leader to be expected to explain every thing4 ,he must talk to every body1 and about every matter4 ,he cannot1 when he will1 keep quiet and so get the credit for fullness of wisdom1 as do some4 ,he must express an opinion1 for silence is deemed a greater sin in such than insincerity or words out of ignorance4 ,the foremost of the elders felt called to act1 and so confronting the two new comers1 sternly addressed the maiden3 8,i perceive that thou art of my people2 wherefore comest thou here1 and in this companionship8 ,knowest thou not that women are forbidden to be at the first of the feast80 ,the young men were not in accord with the elder2 they stood apart1 and some whispered to others3 8,it is ,miriamne de ,griffin40 ,the maiden shrank back a little2 but the saintly man with her1 advancing a step1 replied3 8,i am the maiden's guardian to-day1 fathers1 and responsible for her act4 ,say on60 ,the elder1 though knowing full well who the speaker was1 and also fully understanding the import of his challenge1 pretended to have neither heard nor seen him4 ,he looked past the speaker1 who was championing the maiden1 and continued3 8,do thy people at home know of these indiscreet acts80 8,hold1 ,rabbi6 no insinuations40 ,the saintly man's voice was commanding1 and compelled silence4 ,he continued3 8,we go our way1 ye yours4 ,ye can not help yourselves out of your miseries2 then presume not to direct us40 ,he checked his rising anger1 remembering that he was a religious teacher1 and launched out in a wayside sermon4 8,ye children of ,abraham1 hear me1 though ,i came not to counsel4 ,ye have stopped my progress1 now hear ,god's truth6 ,there are dangers without1 but greater ones within2 though your eyes1 being veiled1 ye perceive not these things4 ,i noticed as ,i was coming this way that the tombs and grave-stones every where have been whitened recently4 ,they tell me this was done so as to enable your people plainly to see them and so avoid them4 ,yet fleeing defilement of the dead1 ye live in a grave1 all of you4 ,all your prefiguring feasts have ripened into a glowing present that treads out into a full day60 ,the old men seemed puzzled and angry2 the young men puzzled but glad4 ,they welcomed any sermon if it came with novelty4 ,they reasoned within themselves that the old teachings were dead1 and that a new creed could be no worse4 ,if it were novel1 it would have at least a temporary freshness4 ,the speaker proceeded1 for the congregation before him1 being divided in sentiment1 invited him1 so far1 to proceed4 8,oh1 nation1 called to be the light of the world1 ye bear but phantom torches4 ,ye move sorrowfully1 surrounded by walls of cloud1 but just beyond there lies a glorious firmament1 aglow with suns of hope and a thousand golden-arched doors made of realized prophecies and promises ripened4 ,can ye make these ruined habitations of mighty men1 now sleeping in the cliffs and valleys about us1 again teem with their former life8 ,no1 no6 yet less readily can ye make your dead1 finished1 vanishing types take new life4 ,ye are puzzled and partially angry1 but hold in check the hot blood4 ,i'll soon depart2 yet before ,i go1 ,i'll tell ye1 all1 this for your deepest thinking3 ,ye can never celebrate again the ,passover6 ,god shut ye from your ,temple long ago to teach you this2 these traveling ceremonials of yours are but mockeries4 ,the last real passover was celebrated when your fathers slew the ,nazarene----0 8,let us stone him60 vehemently cried the brawny leader of the youths1 and the elders turned their backs1 as if to give approval to the violence1 but not incur liability by witnessing4 ,the brawny youth seized a boulder as if to begin2 the saintly man did not move1 and another youth seized the arm of the youth of brawn4 8,young men1 ,i'll show you an entrancing picture10 was the saintly man's calm words4 ,they were instantly intent4 8,look1 you and your old men make the sign of the cross by your ranks4 ,look again1 by the cross stands this damsel1 simple1 pure and loving2 an ideal woman4 ,her name1 ,miriamne1 or ,mary4 ,do not delude yourselves into the belief that it will be safe or possible for you to silence truth by murdering me4 ,i'd despise your attempt if ,i did not pity your thoughtless rage4 ,do not forget the picture of this hour4 ,the ,passover will be fully celebrated when the power of the cross and the presence of purity is universally felt in earth4 ,only your men attend this your sacrifice4 ,it is well2 and when men truly bear the burden of sacrifice1 women will be at their feast4 ,now1 then1 take heed4 ,farewell1 ancients60 ,so saying the saintly man of strange garb suddenly turned away1 drawing the ,jewess with him4 ,the elders were confounded2 they could not find words at the moment for reply2 they were stung by the pleased and approving glances that the young men gave the departing couple4 ,the elders would have been pleased to have taken the ,jewish maiden from her escort with violence1 but the latter was a brawny man4 ,the elders knew the youths would not aid2 to attempt it themselves would be likely to be a failure1 certainly undignified4 ,they deemed it wise1 in any event1 to conserve their dignity1 and being unable to do any thing more terrific1 they hissed an orthodox malediction after the departing man and woman4 ,that made the elders feel a little better4 ,the two companies at the crossing of the streets fell to musing and conversing1 but in different groups4 ,the old men talked as old men1 deploring the present and be-praising the past2 the youths deplored the present and be-praised the future2 some of them trying to interpret the words of the saintly man4 ,they all wanted to be very orthodox ,jews1 and yet they all felt that the stranger's words were full of sweetness and good cheer4 ,some of the youths1 like others of their age1 had unconsciously sided with the strangers on account of the woman's influence4 ,they admired her1 and the side she was on was charmingly invincible4 8,the ,arabs are coming60 ,it was a cry starting up from all directions1 and passed from lip to lip like the tidings of fire at night4 ,the city was soon in confusion and panic2 then mixed crowds surged toward the crossing of the streets like terrified sheep4 ,they needed leaders or shepherds4 ,but the elders so lavish in advice usually1 were dumb with fright now4 ,yet every body looked toward them for direction4 ,suddenly1 the saintly man and the ,jewess reappeared2 as suddenly transformed to a self-reliant leader1 she cried out3 8,youths of ,israel1 to the defense2 the enemy come in by the wall toward the ,sun ,temple's ruins60 8,perhaps it's the #8,angel of ,death1'0 cried the thick-necked leader of the youths4 8,the ,all-,father of the covenant forefend60 groaned some of the elders4 8,fathers10 cried the ,jewess1 8pray as you can1 but we younger ones must fight as well as pray4 ,pray the men to go to a charge60 8,a ,deborah60 shouted the thick-necked youth4 8,now lead and we'll follow60 8,shame60 cried the saintly man4 8,lead yourselves60 ,there was no need of argument2 the thick-necked youth waved his hand to the other young men and they all dashed away toward the advance of the enemy2 all of the city having a mind to fight1 becoming instant volunteers4 ,but the elders1 with a piety enforced by prudence concluded to stay at the crossing and pray4 ,perhaps in their hearts they reasoned that if the enemy were repulsed they might claim the glory of having sustained the fighters1 as ,aarons and ,hurs2 if the youths and their followers were overcome1 then they1 the elders1 might claim prescience and say at the end3 8,we knew it were vain to resist40 ,soon there were heard the shouts and clangor of conflict4 ,the fight was on4 ,miriamne breathlessly carried the news to her mother4 ,the matron laid her hand on her bosom1 not to still a fluttering heart1 but affectionately to toy with the handle of her faithful dagger4 8,oh1 mother1 when will these troublous times end8 what shall we do80 8,daughter1 fight6 if need be40 8,but we are only women60 8,but this is woman's time2 remember ,sisera60 ,rizpah began dressing for departure4 8,oh1 mother1 wait6 ,let us send the boys for news into the city4 ,perhaps the worst has not come1 when the mothers must take arms40 ,rizpah silently assented4 ,the boys were sent1 and in half an hour returned with hot and beaming faces4 8,the ,mamelukes are all slung out of the city6 ,lots of them killed10 both exclaimed1 between their pantings4 8,how brothers3 is it all over80 8,yes1 all over6 ,they're gone6 ,oh1 you ought to have seen how our young men and the ,druses raced them10 interposed one4 8,if it hadn't been for the ,druses we'd all been murdered60 cried the other4 ,then the brothers caught up the narrative in turn4 8,and1 ,miriamne1 some of the young soldier-like men1 after the fight1 went about shouting #8cheers for the flag of ,maccabees and the maid of ,bozrah6' ,they say the #8maid of ,bozrah' means you4 ,what do they intend80 ,miriamne seemed not to hear the question4 ,she was engrossed with her own thoughts and thus was meditating3 8,it's just as the ,old ,clock ,man said6 ,the ,druses by their needed aid prove it2 the ,jews need a ,saviour60 8,boys10 presently questioned ,rizpah1 8,were many of the heretics killed80 8,oh1 ever so many6 ,yes1 and we want cloths for the wounded10 said the questioned lads4 8,now1 may the alien dead rot60 8,but we must bring cloths40 8,who says it80 8,the #8,old ,clock ,man' told every body to help the hurt40 8,and who1 pray1 is this #8,old ,clock ,man8'0 ,rizpah was quickly answered by ,miriamne4 8,i know him1 mother4 ,he's the leader of the ,christians here1 and a wondrously good old man who heals the sick1 feeds the poor1 teaches the ignorant and gives the true time of day to every body by the bell of his religious house60 ,the mother fixed her eyes penetratingly upon ,miriamne for a moment1 then frigidly questioned3 8,and since thou hast disobeyed me in making the acquaintance of a stranger1 thou wilt now explain why thou hast never mentioned to me this #8,old ,clock ,man' of whom thou dost seem to know so much6 ,who is he80 8,why1 he's the #8,old ,clock ,man' who mends poor people's clocks1 plays with the children and is doing every body kindness60 8,some ,christian witchery60 8,oh1 mother1 he's an angel if ever there was one on earth60 8,is he a ,jew80 almost hissed ,rizpah4 8,i've forgotten to ask about that2 but ,i'm certain he is1 if only ,jews are good1 for he is a saint of ,god40 ,rizpah's face wore a sneer as she again spoke3 8,how canst thou tell1 ,inexperience80 8,by acts4 ,he goes about seeking poor people to clothe and feed1 and he is their physician as well1 and will take no pay40 8,some ,christian perverter1 trying to seduce the unthinking by pretended service4 ,beware of such1 ,miriamne60 8,but healing the sick and setting people's clocks right can't do harm6 ,i'm certain of that80 8,how sly2 he would set all ,jewry to ,christian time and faith at the same instant60 8,i love his way1 mother2 it is so good2 more ,i do not know40 8,the old knave60 8,oh6 mother1 he is old1 but no knave4 ,ought we not to be reverent to the hoary head in the way of righteousness80 8,yet an old man may poison women and children4 ,i told thee the story of ,agag once1 daughter40 8,yes40 8,i mean now to tell thee if this man be not a ,jew1 let him be like ,agag1 hewn to pieces4 ,flee him as a leper40 8,he don't talk so4 ,he says all mankind are brothers4 ,only to-day1 he cried1 to the men in the beginning of the fight1 #8save your families as best you may1' kill the wounded ,moslem with kindness60 ,the rapid converse of the two women was interrupted by the impatient cry of the boys for wraps and lint4 ,as they started away1 ,miriamne darted after them1 saying3 8,i'll go and help those caring for the wounded40 8,wayward10 called after her the mother1 8remember my commands4 ,keep away from the old ,perverter1 and minister to suffering ,israelites1 only4 ,god can spare the rest6 ,let them die40 ,in the midst of the suffering ones1 ,miriamne soon found herself1 and as might be expected2 there1 too1 was the 8,old ,clock ,man40 ,as they met he said1 laconically1 8,it is fitting that woman's tender hands minister thus40 8,thanks10 was her reply4 ,presently ,miriamne questions1 with an unaffected diffidence1 her companion4 8,will you tell me your name80 8,call me father1 that's enough40 8,ah6 but ,i can not1 you are not my father40 8,i may be40 8,what jest is this6 ,i've a father living80 8,i am father to multitudes1 but after the flesh1 childless40 8,oh1 thy children are dead1 then80 8,nay1 some dead and some living2 but1 living or dead1 they are my children40 8,this is a wilderment to me4 ,where is your wife80 8,everywhere4 ,in early youth1 with vows unutterable1 ,i wed my church4 ,she is ,humanity's mother1 and ,i the father of all of her children1 who will let me serve them40 8,and is this the ,christian faith80 8,it is mine1 anyway40 8,i like it4 ,i'm sure it must be safe2 being so good1 and so you may be my father that way4 ,are there many fathers like you80 8,many1 and many needed1 else sin will make all orphans40 8,and you have no wife1 no home80 8,a home most beautiful1 which1 at sunset1 ,i'll enter through a door1 once shut1 not possible to be opened by my hands1 though its fastenings be but grass and daisies40 8,you mean death80 ,as she said it1 tears welled in ,miriamne's eyes4 8,weep not1 my child1 death is beautiful1 at least to me40 8,oh1 good man--father4 ,i do not yet know how to think about you or these things that you say4 ,what made you so different from the people ,i know80 8,a woman1 a lovely woman40 8,your mother80 8,not as you think40 8,oh1 then pardon my curiosity4 ,you had some love80 8,thou hast said it40 8,why did you not wed her8 ,did she die80 8,a woman's question8 ,i'll tell thee all some other time4 ,i hear approaching voices40 8,tell me just a little more now2 do80 8,are the wounded all attended properly8 ,mercy first1 stories and sermons after40 8,ah1 here come my brothers4 ,i'll inquire20 and away ran ,miriamne to a group of youths1 singing a roundelay1 of which she caught but a few lines2 8,jew and ,gentile1 ,christian1 ,turk1 ,equally shall share our work4 ,for ,adolphus' good ,we'd shed our blood1 ,for we have joined the balsam band1 ,to cure all troubles in our land4 ,we love the man1 ,we love the band4 ,we love the brothers of our balsam band40 ,miriamne comprehended the situation in a moment1 and all radiant with smiles1 bounded to the side of her aged friend1 crying3 8,father1 oh1 you've a bonny family coming2 over fifty youths and maidens2 some ,jews1 some ,gentiles4 ,they've been comforting the wounded and now have spontaneously formed some sort of friendly guild40 8,that's praiseworthy so far10 the saintly man replied4 8,and don't blush2 when ,i asked the leader what were their purposes and name1 a dozen cried out at once2 #8,we're ,father ,adolphus's angels of mercy6'0 8,they could easily have found a better title1 but youth in its frank celerity interprets human need4 ,we all must have a pattern or hero4 ,that's the reason there are pagans2 not finding the true ,god1 some invent one4 ,anyway1 ,god blesses the merciful40 8,oh1 these angels are splendid2 so earnest2 so happy2 so every thing good6 ,they all wear balsam-twig crowns1 and are singing improvised ditties about charity and humanity1 and such like40 8,praised be ,god if they mean them1 daughter40 8,mean them8 ,why they'll make the ancients groan if they go to the crossways with their enthusiastic singing4 #8,black-frowns6' if they disturb the ,passover solemnities1 won't there be trouble8 8,and ,bozrah will never understand the meaning of the ceremonial1 the phantom of which meaning some to-day are pursuing1 until it beholds sweet charity sincerely applied1 rising with healing and life in its wings to pass over savingly where humanity has pains and death40 ,the old priest looked away toward ,jerusalem1 as he spoke--his voice meanwhile becoming very tender1 almost tremulous4 ,had one been able to enter his heart1 there would have been seen a memory picture of ,calvary4 ,miriamne was awed for a few moments2 the old man was lost in thought2 presently she recalled his attention3 8,father1 the band is just at hand4 ,shall ,i introduce you80 8,it is needless2 ,i formed that ,band of ,charity1 though ,i gave them not the name2 most all except the recruits of to-day know me40 ,the singers went by1 saluting the priest as they passed2 obeying his signal to them not to tarry4 ,miriamne turned to her comrade with quickened confidence1 and with her usual impetuosity exclaimed3 8,i want to be what you like4 ,make me a ,balsamite60 8,thou hast a mother who might object40 8,oh1 no1 no2 not if she knew all1 as do ,i40 8,some have called my work witchcraft40 8,i don't care1 since ,i know better4 ,make me a ,balsamite1 now1 please80 8,so be it1 child4 ,put thy hand on thy heart and repeat3 #8,i promise my ,merciful ,father always to show heartfelt kindness to all ,his creatures1 especially those in misery1 because of ,his everlasting goodness toward myself4'0 8,i promise that gladly4 ,is that all80 8,yes2 thy badge1 a sprig of the evergreen balm-shrub1 shall teach thee the rest40 8,teach me the rest80 8,puzzled again1 child8 ,well1 ,i'll teach thee1 and the shrub shall recall my lessons4 ,as thou dost learn to love nature1 as thou wilt when getting back to a more child-like faith1 nature will talk to thee all the time4 ,see1 this is unfading2 so is mercy4 ,when torrid suns make the shrub suffer1 it sweats or weeps these healing gums4 ,trials make all good souls fruitful4 ,then see1 this little shrub gives to the world all it receives1 transforming its earthy nourishments1 sunshines and showers1 into a medicament for sufferers4 ,it is a type of the ,all-,giver4 ,it has but three flowers1 and ,i read in these the signature of a ,triune ,god4 ,this thou wilt1 perhaps1 read some time for thyself1 when thou hast learned the mystery of the ,unspeakable ,gift40 8,my father1 your wisdom is very beautiful40 8,would1 my child1 that my words ever be to thee as the nuts of this little evergreen emblem1 though rough-coated1 still filled with liquid of honey sweetness40 ,the maiden yearned to embrace the priest4 ,had she done so1 her feelings would have been like those of a daughter toward a father1 or a devotee toward ,god4 ,she yearned to express love for father4 ,the fountain of that affection1 hitherto unevoked1 was full4 ,but she restrained herself1 and said1 as she clasped the old man's arm3 8,may ,i be crowned80 8,yes1 daughter2 having served the bleeding as thou didst to-day1 thou mayst40 ,the priest twined together some of the balsam bows and placed them upon her brow4 8,i saw once1 at ,damascus1 a painted presentment of the mother of our ,lord1 on wood1 from which1 continuously1 there exuded a precious nard1 of all healing virtue4 ,so they said1 at least2 and more than this1 ,i was assured it had power to heal even the wounds of infidels40 8,is this really so80 8,i believe a ,christian kindness to an unbeliever a medicine to the soul of the blesser and blest4 ,that's why ,i'm merciful to ,moslem40 8,but you court dangers1 do you not8 ,i remember your telling me once1 that fanatics1 or men with a false religion1 falsely practiced1 were like mad dogs--one could never tell when they might bite the kindest master40 8,true1 some forgetting the essence of all religion worth the name1 ,charity1 to propagate their theories1 easily befool their consciences and murder gratitude4 ,but ingratitude is a ,christian and ,jewish1 as well as a heathen fault4 ,in this all are alike4 ,still1 though a man spoil all the good ,i try to do him1 there's one thing he can not spoil40 8,and that is what80 8,the bird of sunny plumage that sings in my heart because of the good ,i attempt4 ,i met a ,french pilgrim1 a while ago1 who spent his time mostly in helping1 as he could1 to make the ,mohammedan children he met1 happy4 ,he sang to them1 gave them presents1 acted as umpire in their sports1 and if one got hurt he mothered it--7that's what he called his tender1 odd ways74 ,some called him wrong in his head1 but when ,i knew him ,i believed that one sane1 amid thousands crazed40 8,who and what was he80 8,i asked him1 and for reply got only this3 #8,i'm ,melchisedec1 a priest of the wayside1 seeking to win silver hands1 silver feet1 and crown jewels4'0 8,well1 he would have frightened me1 if ,i'd met him speaking that way and in such moods80 8,oh1 no2 he was not frightful2 he seemed to attract even the birds1 and the ownerless curs ran to him when others spurned them4 ,he once1 when sick1 told me that he came from ,toul1 in ,lorraine1 where was enshrined an image of ,madonna with a silver foot4 ,he believed that tradition1 which declared that that presentment of ,mary gave a sign by taking a step1 on a certain time1 which warned some of great impending danger1 and thereupon the member was changed to the precious metal40 8,it's a pretty story40 8,at least the lesson is honey-like4 ,no being can strive to help another without finding the ,all-,shining often in his own soul4 ,so our crowns are made40 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,the ,,queen',s ,,childhood4 8,now raise thy view1 ,unto the vision most resembling ,christ's40--,,dante4 8,fear not1 ,mary1 for thou hast found favor with ,god40--,,gabriel4 ,miriamne1 all aglow with pleasurable excitement and filled with a curiosity which at times rose to very serious questioning as to her own faith1 anxiously sought to compass an early meeting with the 8,old ,clock ,man40 ,she could not content herself to wait a chance opportunity1 and so1 remembering that it was his custom at evening time to visit1 alone1 for meditation various old ruins like those of the ,reservoir1 she determined to seek him there2 it being not very far from her home4 ,with beating heart she repaired thither at sunset1 the day after the ,mameluke attack4 ,having traversed the ,reservoir's side some two or three hundred feet1 she was on the point of returning1 for the place was very lonely1 when a voice startled her4 8,oh1 ,father ,adolphus1 how you frighten me6 ,i'm so glad you came60 8,looking for me1 yet frightened at finding me4 ,glad ,i came1 though ,i scared you80 8,well1 men and women when frightened are glad of the fellowship of any thing seemingly strong4 ,it's easy for the terrified to believe or trust40 ,illustration3 ,by ,carl ,muller4 ,,the ,,education ,,of ,,mary4 8,there's rare philosophy in thy head1 little woman40 8,so8 ,what were you saying when ,i startled so80 8,that the silvering of the moon brought out thy person beautifully4 ,so she that sits above the moon1 a queen in heaven1 would beautify thy soul if thou shouldst elect to put on the character she ever wore40 8,i can't do that1 knowing so little of her40 8,a woman's way of saying1 tell me more40 8,you would not torment your ,mary with such repartee40 8,woman again4 ,art thou jealous already80 8,fie40 8,say that again6 ,once the foil of one of thy sex is penetrated1 not having arguments1 she can at least say #8fie'6 ,well1 even ducklings hiss when helplessly entangled40 8,adolphus ,von ,gombard1 ,i'll not call you #8father' again1 if you approach me any more in this courtier fashion40 8,again1 ,i say1 an old head2 but ,i'd plead privilege40 8,at least old enough to discern the sacred line that bounds all proper commerce between the sexes4 ,you plead privilege2 ,i grant you the noblest any woman can give1 the privilege of guiding my immortal soul2 but ,i remember to have heard that he who would shepherd such as ,i1 must be to her as a woman4 ,the relationship between us must be as that between the angels of heaven who neither marry nor are given in marriage40 8,some young women receive teachings most willingly from fine-favored and patronizing instructors40 8,i know it2 but let none patronize me so4 ,i've begun to adore the ,sacrist of ,bozrah1 but if a breath or word passes that makes me think of him chiefly as being a man1 then ,i shall sit in his presence in fright1 or flee as ,i would were ,i to find the place changed into a lonely night-draped waddy1 my only company an image of some leering1 giant ,bacchus4 ,but this unequal defence is painful40 8,then desist and tell me what ,i'm to do40 8,you have been my ideal man1 for heaven's sake rob me not by changing60 8,right nobly spoken1 daughter4 ,now pardon me1 for ,i was putting thee to a test40 8,a test80 8,yes4 ,it's forbidden1 by customs hereabout1 for man and woman1 as we1 alone to converse face to face2 perhaps wisely1 if one be bad and the other weak4 ,yet the custom is heathenish--low moral tone engendering mighty suspicions60 8,did my priest think me a heathen80 8,no1 not that2 but they say the moon makes lovers and others mad4 ,i was wondering whether ,i was dealing with a bundle of romancings or an earnest girl80 ,delicately the maiden avoided the query with another3 8,you loved ,mary3 why did you not wed her80 8,woman again2 doomed to make all vistas end in wedlock4 ,with your sex love1 beginning to give1 gives all readily1 and seems to find no rest until there's conjugal union40 8,i have not desired to give all that way to those ,i've loved60 8,it is all or nothing4 ,ye women love only relatives1 and never cease to desire to make all relatives whom ye want to love4 ,why1 girl1 my ,mary is a saint2 she died ages ago1 after the flesh2 but as a model for all womankind lives forever10 8,how was she your ,mary1 then80 8,she belongs to every noble minded man as his inspirer40 8,mary--you call her ,mary4 ,i thought all the holy and the great had uncommon names80 8,in fiction they do2 in reality the name is nothing40 8,was she wise and beautiful80 8,one of our most holy teachers1 ,epiphanius1 who lived less than four hundred years after ,mary1 spent many years at ,bethlehem and gathered facts that caused him thus to write4 #8,she was of middle stature1 her face oval1 her eyes brilliant and of an olive tint2 her eyebrows arched and black1 her hair a pale brown1 her complexion fair as wheat4 ,she spoke little1 but she spoke freely and affably4 ,she was grave1 courteous1 tranquil4 ,in her deportment was nothing lax or feeble4' ,saint ,denis1 the ,areopagite1 who is said to have seen this queen of ,david's house in her lifetime1 declared that she was #8a dazzling beauty1' that he #8would have adored her as a goddess had he not known that there was but one ,god6' ,of this much ,i'm certain1 my ,bozrah ,miriamne1 one so serene of character1 and so pure1 must have reflected her inner1 imperishable beauties in her features40 8,father ,adolphus1 you mention strange names4 ,there are none that sound like those revered by my people4 ,do you ever hate my race8 ,if you do you must not teach me any doctrine40 8,hate8 ,why1 ,i love all peoples1 and by faith ,i am made a child of ,abraham40 8,then you are a proselyte80 8,not by any forms4 ,i believe in the ,god of ,abraham and ,his ,messiah4 ,that makes me a perfect ,jew40 8,this is strange4 ,my mother never unfolded it to me40 8,ah1 she has not yet looked into these royal mysteries80 8,but1 good father1 is your name among our chronologies80 8,thanks to the ,god of the ,patriarchs1 yes2 it is with that of ,moses1 ,david1 ,elijah1 and all the rest1 in the ,lamb's ,book of ,life40 8,where80 8,in ,heaven40 8,how wonderful2 yet ,i'm afraid to hear more40 8,shall ,i take thee home80 8,no2 tell me more of ,mary4 ,you say she made you lonely and a father80 8,i must then begin her history1 and show thee how and why she lived80 8,do you think it will tire me80 8,fear not6 ,her story is a poem1 a picture1 a tragedy2 it's one long delight40 8,then tell it to me1 ,i pray you40 ,so the priest proceeded3 8,when the world was very wicked1 and therefore very sad1 ,god in ,his goodness was drawn to send from heaven a light-bearer--some one to tell man his duty and able to win back to the ,great ,father mankind's straying affections4 ,thou dost know this much1 and hast read in thy sacred ,scriptures how ,god called to the universe1 all chaotic and dark1 to come forth into beautiful form2 how he said to the darkness1 #8,let there be light4' ,that history bears within it a fine sermon4 ,it's a picture of ,god's4 ,out of sin1 darkness1 confusion1 there emerged a perfect man in a ,paradisiacal home1 with a perfect1 beautiful woman as a help-mate by his side4 ,that was ,god's ideal of perfection and happiness4 ,it delighted the ,father of ,joys to make it4 ,this is ever true2 behind all clouds in ,god's ,providence is sunshine1 and beyond all disorders somewhere at last will walk forth unalloyed pleasure1 a ,sabbath-like rest1 and fullness of harmony40 8,oh1 can you make me believe and feel this80 8,wait patiently40 8,i try to do so2 but ,i'm discouraged by the present miseries in my family and in all our nation40 8,god mourns over all our sorrows before they or we are born1 but ,his wisdom and power of cure are faultless4 ,wait4 ,times are mending1 and the moral sphere is dipping into the rim of light's oceans4 ,i think the angels perceive the world now1 as thou perceivest the new moon40 8,the poetry of the words ,i can not interpret40 8,the moon's a dark globe1 with a ribbon of silver across it40 8,and things have been worse2 now are bettering80 8,assuredly so4 ,believe there is a ,god1 and thou'lt rest in hope4 ,go back a little in history to when ,csar ,augustus1 of awful pagan ,rome1 ruled the world1 having won dominion through desolating wars4 ,the most educated ,romans then believed in no hereafter1 and sought openly1 without restraint1 the grossest pleasures4 ,the ignorant believed in fabled monstrosities4 ,rome set the fashions of all the world4 ,the ,jews1 thy people1 ,god's people1 were lower1 morally1 then1 than ever they had been before4 ,they were divided into warring families and sects1 holding a few forms and traditions1 but having little heart in religion4 ,the rest of mankind was barbarous4 ,thou hast heard how the ,roman ,titus overthrew ,jerusalem1 slaughtering thy people by thousands1 defiling their holy ,temple and seeming to blot out nearly the whole of thy race4 ,that time of ,titus was midnight2 since that the day has been slowly advancing4 ,before that awful culmination of sorrows1 the ,divine ,trinity held august council1 and1 as say the traditions of my church1 determined to bring a holy sunrise to the earth's midnight4 ,the trouble of all creation was that man had fallen4 ,the ,divine ,council decreed to confound the devil1 who broke up the first home and ruined the first pure pair by causing to emerge from another home1 another pair4 ,they came1 this time mother and ,son1 to be the moral patterns for the race1 the beginning of a new1 sin-conquering dispensation4 ,the fathers hand down these sayings3 #8,the august1 regal ,triune ,council thus decreed3 8,let us make a pure creature1 dearer to us than all others40' ,they say she was begotten upon the ,sabbath1 the birth-day of the angels1 whose queen she was to be4 ,then one thousand of the ministering spirits were commissioned to defend her2 while ,gabriel was sent to announce the glad tidings of the birth of a ,saviour's mother1 in ,hades4 ,her angels appeared as young men1 of majestic mien1 of marvelous beauty and pure as crystals4 ,their garments were like gold1 richly colored1 and could not be touched any more than could be the light of the sun40 8,how charming6 ,but is this all true80 exclaimed the maiden4 ,without reply1 the priest continued3 8,they were crowned with diadems1 exhaling celestial perfumes2 in their hands they bore interwoven palms2 on their arms and breasts were crosses and military devices4 ,they were swift of flight1 some of them six-winged1 like the angels of ,isaiah's vision40 8,how dazzling6 ,but is this all true80 ,miriamne persisted4 8,well1 it's not in thy sacred books nor in mine so written40 8,then you are giving me your imaginings80 8,oh1 no2 but after the manner ,i have spoken1 it is recorded in revered traditions of my church1 and none can very well disprove the sayings40 8,i wonder if such honors made ,mary proud80 8,a strange query40 8,i'd like to love one such as she1 but could not if she were haughty or lofty1 like the great of earth40 8,it would have made such as thou proud1 perhaps2 but there was none of the serpent in her whose ,offspring was to crush the serpent's head40 8,is there any of the serpent in me80 8,i'm not thy judge40 8,then she was immaculate80 8,ah1 that's a question for the doctors4 ,i'm too simple to know beyond what is written4 ,i'm glad to know that she rejoiced in her son1 as a ,god and a ,saviour60--8,she was of noble family1 though her parents were poor10 the priest continued4 8,her mother was by name ,anna1 and worthy of the name1 which is by interpretation #8gracious4' ,traditions of her goodness are many1 and the good and great have honored her memory4 ,i paid ,anna homage1 that of a youth respectful of worthy motherhood1 at ,constantinople1 in a church erected in the year #gaj to commemorate that saint4 ,among others1 also ,justinian1 the ,emperor1 in the year #eej1 dedicated a sacred place to ,mary's mother40 8,then she had her meed of praise1 at last80 8,tradition1 though tardy1 has been just2 but ,i trust not tradition alone4 ,i easily reason that there must have been much of goodness and womanly beauty in the mother that bore such a woman as ,mary4 ,i know that ,god can bring forth angels from the offscourings1 but that is not ,his way4 ,he works by steps upward4 ,i tell thee1 girl1 the mother gives her life to her offspring1 and in spite of training1 almost in spite of regeneration1 the characteristics of this parent will reappear in the child4 ,but to my story about ,mary's parents1 ,jehoikim and ,anna4 8,blessed be ,god1 ,anna and ,jehoikim were untainted by the pride of life1 and1 though living in a time of loose morals1 walked lovingly1 constantly with each other1 through all their days4 ,i talk to thee as to a prudent1 but not prudish1 young woman4 ,society is well rotted when divorce is about as common as marriage2 it was that way in ,anna and ,jehoikim's time4 ,why1 even the exacting ,pharisees then taught that a man might divorce a wife who had lost her personal beauty1 or badly cooked her husband's meat4 ,jehoikim might have left ,anna1 for she was childless2 that was reason enough for divorcement to the average ,jew1 then4 ,but their love was beautiful4 ,the man1 as was his duty1 clung tenderly to his wife2 her misfortune making her all the more in need of his tenderness4 ,dost thou not think so80 8,i suppose so4 ,i don't know40 8,pardon my earnestness2 it made me forget thy inexperience6 8,well1 ,god rewarded their constancy1 and they became the parents of my ,mary4 ,the father had a noble ancestry2 but1 what is better1 within himself a royal heart4 ,he bore by right the priestly office2 but that was not much to such a man1 in respect to worldly gain4 ,honest priests in his time were generally poor2 the priestly preferments went1 most richly laden1 to those who dealt corruptly1 and truckled to the ruling powers4 ,mary's father was above sordidness and simony4 ,he had little to give or to leave to his beloved1 but he left his child a good name and the remembrance of the blessed4 ,so while ,god chose the humble to confound the mighty1 and serenely exalted those of low estate1 ,he was mindful to choose ,his elect from the ranks of the morally great4 ,such are found in all places and times1 and when surrounded1 as were these pious parents1 by the gross1 low and selfish1 they shine with transcendent splendor4 ,in ,tisri1 the first month of the ,jewish civic year1 while the smoke of the holocausts were ascending1 to invite heaven's pardon1 ,mary1 who was to bring forth the world's greatest offering for sin1 was born at ,nazareth4 ,her career was fore-ordained1 and she was soon walking her course of piety and sorrow4 ,though inexperienced and tender-hearted1 sorrows in heaviest1 grimmest forms fell upon her4 ,her father died when she was1 it is said1 only nine years of age2 not long after1 the girl knelt1 a mourner1 by the bier of her mother2 the golden hairs of youth mingling1 in the disheveling of utter grief1 with the gray1 which crowned the queen and guide of her heart1 her mother4 ,on the threshold of her life ,mary's parents were called away from her1 leaving her no heritage but their precepts and example4 ,they say that ,jehoikim's hands were stretched out1 as in benediction1 when he died1 and so remained until his burial1 reminding all that his last act was a commendation of his little daughter to ,him who carries the lambs in his bosom6 ,the picture of these outstretched hands1 and of the girl embracing the aged dead mother1 are often in my mind2 they never fail to deeply move me4 ,poor orphaned lamb60 ,miriamne brushed away a tear1 a sort of self-pitying tear4 ,she ran forward in mind1 to the day when she1 herself1 would be orphaned1 without a benediction1 or1 perhaps1 a cheering memory4 ,then she questioned3 8,did your ,mary have other friends80 8,yea1 her ,heavenly ,father4 ,it is said1 also1 that she was cared for by the elders of the people1 and religiously trained under the very shadows of the ,temple4 ,we may readily believe this2 for1 in her after life1 she evinced a self-possession in adversity that witnessed of a thorough religious culture4 ,if there was no other evidence1 her splendid poem1 the #8,magnificat1' would convince any seeking proof1 that ,mary had had surpassing benefits and privileges in the study of ,god's words1 as well as in the best learning of her people1 the ,jews4 ,but1 ,miriamne1 ,i'll weary thee2 let us turn toward thy home40 ,presently they stood not far from the old stone house of ,rizpah2 then ,von ,gombard drew from under his mantle a roll of writings4 8,here1 take and read4 ,after its perusal ,i'll see thee again40 ,so saying1 the old priest lifted a hand in blessing1 and then moved away toward his abode4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,the ,,wedding1 ,,the ,,birth ,,and ,,the ,,flight4 8,seraph of heaven2 too gentle to be human1 ,veiled beneath the radiant form of woman4 ,sweet benediction of the eternal curse2 ,veiled glory of the lampless universe6 ,thou moon beyond the clouds1 thou living form2 ,thou wonder and thou ,beauty---- ,thou harmony of nature's art40--,,shelley4 8,take that one hour at ,bethlehem out of human history1 and eighteen centuries of hours are left but partially explained40--,,prof4 ,,newman ,,smyth4 8,what so engages thee1 daughter80 questioned ,rizpah1 as they sat together at evening in the old stone house4 8,i'm reading the story of a lovely orphan girl4 ,i wish ,i were1 in heart1 as lovely as she40 8,was she a white citadel1 pure and strong80 8,peerless1 indeed2 the very queen of women1 ,i think40 8,oh1 then thou must be reading of glorious ,rizpah8 ,now fill me with this matter6 ,i thirst to hear40 ,miriamne1 though fearful of further exposing her thoughts and study1 obeyed1 knowing full well that nothing would so stimulate her mother's curiosity as attempted evasion4 8,i've been reading of the orphan girl's marriage4 ,shall ,i go back1 or continue from that period8 ,her name was ,mary1 and she was a ,jewess2 that's the sum of the beginning40 8,go forward10 sententiously replied the elder4 ,miriamne complied3 8,the guardians and relatives of ,mary determined that she should early wed some proper person to be her protector1 and so1 according to ,jewish custom1 they went about the selection of a husband for her as soon as she had reached her fourteenth year4 ,this selection was deemed a pious and serious duty by all the participants therein2 therefore it was made by an appeal to the ,lord with lots4 ,zacharias1 the presiding priest1 managed the proceeding1 as follows3 ,he first inquired ,god's will in prayer4 ,an angel brought reply1 saying3 #8,go forth2 call together all the widowers among the people1 and let each bring his rod4' 8,in truth here is refreshment6 ,if all weddings were contrived under the wisdom of older heads1 there would be fewer mad marriages40 ,rizpah swayed back and forth as she spoke4 ,she was remembering1 now1 the curse of ,harrimai that day in ,gerash1 long years before4 ,she thought him a monster then1 but now she was enshrining him in mind by the ,angel of the ,lots4 8,shall ,i go on1 mother80 8,go on40 8,he to whom the ,lord shall show a sign1 let him be husband of ,mary10 read ,miriamne4 8,ah1 the ,lord would not trust the youths to draw6 ,he knows that a man is like to harass the life out of one woman before he learns to care for another rightly4 ,god was good to ,mary in hedging her in to a widower if needs be that she must marry40 ,rizpah did not sway back and forth now2 she sat erect and laughed bitterly4 ,illustration3 ,by ,raphael4 ,,the ,,marriage ,,of ,,mary ,,and ,,joseph4 ,miriamne continued3 8,there were many splendid youths who rejoiced to be permitted to bring their wands40 8,oh1 ho6 then they were suffered to draw for the girl8 ,but what matter--the ,angel of ,lots presided6 ,he'd not let the youths succeed60 ,again ,rizpah laughed1 and as mockingly as before4 ,miriamne again read3 8,after prayer each deposited his almond tree with the aged ,temple priest4 ,in the early morning they anxiously sought the verdict4 ,it was found that all the rods were dead1 except that of ,joseph1 the son of ,jacob1 the son of ,mathan2 but his blossomed as that which1 ages before1 confirmed miraculously the priesthood of ,aaron's sons4 ,then there appeared another miracle1 for as ,joseph reached forth his hand to take his blooming branch1 there issued from among its luxurious blossoms1 miraculously1 a white dove1 dazzling as snow4 ,for a moment the dove gracefully suspended itself in the air1 turning its eyes from one to another of the competitors2 then it alighted on ,joseph's head4 #8,thou art the person chosen to take the ,virgin and keep her for the ,lord1' said the priest1 solemnly1 to ,joseph4 ,all the rivals responded #8,amen1' and then the dove flew away toward heaven4 ,joseph was thirty-three years old1 of pleasing countenance1 very modest1 graceful1 and of comely figure1 and a widower4 8,when all was told to ,mary she modestly replied3 #8,i knew it1 for the ,lord has been with me4' ,zacharias told ,mary that ,joseph was a true1 honest ,jew1 a carpenter by trade1 and trained by a father who fully believed the adage of ,rabbins1 which said that #8,he who would not make his son a robber makes him a mechanic4' #8,besides this1' said the ,temple priest1 #8thy espoused one is like thyself1 of the royal house of ,david4 ,the blood of twenty kings mingle in the veins of you both4 ,god grant that to that house of ,david there soon be born another1 greater than all before1 to deliver our holy nation from foreign masters4' ,mary made no reply1 but as a blush of hopefulness passed over her face1 she looked very earnestly toward heaven and seemed to be repeating the prayer of the priest to the ,all ,father4 ,the formal betrothal then took place4 ,joseph presented his chosen bride a small token of silver1 saying3 #8,if thou consentest to be my bride1 accept this4' ,she took it1 smiling affectionately1 and then the witnesses signed the usual ,jewish compact1 which read as follows3 8#8,i ,joseph1 said to ,mary1 daughter of ,jehoikim1 become my wife under the law of ,moses and ,israel4 ,i promise to honor thee2 to provide for thy support2 thy food and thy clothing2 according to the custom of ,hebrew husbands1 who honor their wives1 as is befitting4 ,i give thee at once thy dowry and promise thee besides nourishment1 and clothing1 and whatsoever shall be necessary for thee1 also conjugal friendship1 a thing common to all nations of the world4 ,mary consents to become the wife of ,joseph1' ,the two signed the document40 8,see ,miriamne1 the ,jews were wise2 they made the husbands do most of the promising4 ,they knew that the wives would be all wifely without such pledging40 ,and ,rizpah again bitterly laughed4 8,shall ,i proceed80 8,yes1 oh1 proceed2 it's a ,jewish poem40 8,thereupon ,joseph placed a jeweled ring upon ,mary's fourth finger1 with a smile and a blush1 saying1 the #8physicians say1 my beloved1 that a nerve and a vein1 reaching the heart together1 lay close to the surface of that finger4' ,and she understood and was happy4 ,a benediction was pronounced1 and then the espoused pair were ready to depart to ,joseph's house4 ,he was to be the guardian of the maiden from that hour forth4 ,the hereditary servants of the families took up the line of march1 bearing flaming torches2 immediately after these followed a procession of women1 richly garbed and wearing golden tiaras and pearl bedecked girdles4 ,behind these attendants of the virgin1 followed a goodly company of dexterous musicians and singers1 discoursing rapturously the significant canticles of ,solomon4 ,as the latter went on from time to time they broke out of the line of march and disported themselves in the eastern star-dance1 saying as they did so1 to one another1 #8the morning stars sang at creation2 the dawn of a new home coming by love1 is next to creation the most joyous of all events4' ,so the dancers went on1 and as they rejoiced in poetic motions1 they thought of the stars which yet tremble as if with the thrilling of that first delight they shouted4 ,of all1 the sweet orphan girl now companioned was the center4 ,she was bedecked with costly jewels1 the glad tributes of those that loved her2 over her was the significant veil1 and1 so beneath the wedding canopy1 she entered ,nazareth to be a wife4 ,her sky had become very bright1 for hers was a heart that took exquisite joy from the honeyed petals of affection's flower4 ,no bride ever more fully entered into that supreme state1 the all exalting1 entrancing1 expanding1 thrilling period of new married life4 ,she went forward in the proud consciousness that her weakness had overcome a giant1 and that while she lead a royal captive1 she was supremely happy in her utter bestowal of her all upon the one only man now became almost next to ,god in the temple of her soul40 ,miriamne paused1 and ,rizpah wept a little4 8,shall ,i go on or pause1 mother80 8,go on1 dear40 8,but you weep1 are you ill80 8,oh1 no1 except in memory4 ,this is sweet sorrow1 that beats us back and forth2 contrasting dark endings with bright beginnings2 heaven high hopings with black disappointments1 and happy lives with our own1 all interwoven with miseries4 ,i walked once in the sweet illusions of bridal days1 but an utter widowhood came before death called4 ,that's the worst bereavement40 8,but some marriages are all happiness1 are they not80 queried the daughter4 8,some1 but not many4 ,that's the rule4 ,most of them begin well enough1 but wedded mates are not as wisely tender as lovers2 they too soon entomb all their joys in graves of selfishness and lust4 ,so then the dove flies from the blossom of espousal never to return40 8,perhaps1 such as they did not love enough to begin with and so separated80 8,some who would die for each other before marriage1 would die to be quit of each other1 after4 ,hence the brood of suicides1 and that blackest crime of all1 murder1 which often raises its treacherous1 cruel head within the marriage chamber40 8,how comes this error1 trouble1 horror80 8,in wedding bodies1 without consents or courtings of the souls1 if those1 who1 though mismated1 happen to join lives1 were only wise1 they might yet be happy1 growing together4 ,but read more daughter40 8,in the fullness of time1 the angel ,gabriel1 known amid the ,seraphim as ,god's champion1 the chosen of ,jehovah and ,his messenger of comfort and sympathy from heaven to man1 was commissioned to carry the glorious news to earth4 ,he spread his rainbow pinions1 and with his own radiance to lighten his course1 passed from the confines of the august court of the ,divine ,presence1 the companionship of his fellow archangels1 ,michael1 ,raphael1 ,uriel1 to go out across the planet-lightened realms of everlasting space4 ,his course was watched with throbbing interest by the spirits of mercy appointed for ministering to man4 ,gabriel sped on1 with sweeps of power which almost devoured distances1 nor paused to bask for a moment in the many-colored lights of the golden and silvery shielded planets or constellations that he passed in his rapid flight4 ,the wheeling suns and rushing worlds1 marching and charging along the shoreless oceans of eternal space1 had no splendors nor powers with which to challenge his high mission2 though theirs was grand1 his was grander4 ,he traveled at love's behest1 on mercy's work1 to carry to this little earth1 rolling along1 mostly in shadows1 the mandate of glory1 the news of heaven's great saving device4 ,he bore proclamation in its substance and its realizations forever the manifold wisdom of ,god2 the wonder of all who know to think or reason4 ,and so that voyage passed into the pages of history and the records of eternity as well4 8,mary1 whom ,gabriel sought1 was engaged in evening prayer as was her wont1 with her face toward ,jerusalem's ,temple40 ,miriamne paused2 she perceived that she had arrived at a part of the manuscript which ,father ,adolphus had marked with a red line to remind her it was from his ,christian ,bible4 ,she feared to read this portion to her mother4 8,read on1 daughter1 the words are precious2 they are as songs in the night to my soul40 ,miriamne continued3 8,and in the sixth month the angel ,gabriel was sent from ,god unto a city of ,galilee1 named ,nazareth1 8,to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was ,joseph1 of the house of ,david2 and the virgin's name was ,mary4 8,and the angel came in unto her and said1 ,hail6 thou art highly favored1 the ,lord is with thee3 blessed art thou among women4 8,and when she saw him1 she was troubled at his saying1 and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be4 8,and the angel said unto her1 ,fear not1 ,mary3 for thou hast found favor with ,god4 8,and1 behold1 thou shalt conceive in thy womb1 and bring forth a son1 and shalt call his name ,,jesus40 ,miriamne read the last word 8,joshua40 ,she proceeded3 8,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,highest2 and the ,lord ,god shall give unto him the throne of his father ,david4 8,and he shall reign over the house of ,jacob forever2 and of his kingdom there shall be no end4 8,then said ,mary unto the angel1 ,how shall this be1 seeing ,i know not a man8 8,and the angel answered and said unto her1 ,the ,holy ,ghost shall come upon thee1 and the power of the ,highest shall overshadow thee3 therefore also that ,holy ,thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the ,son of ,god40 8,hold6 hold60 cried ,rizpah4 8,what is this8 the faith of the ,nazarene80 ,miriamne was awed4 ,she feared she had proceeded too far2 but quickly remembering an explanation of ,father ,adolphus1 replied3 8,be content1 mother1 ,i read but that that appears in our holy prophets1 ,isaiah1 the poetic and vehement2 his words you so much prize have here an echo40 ,rizpah gazed at her daughter1 with a puzzled1 questioning expression for a moment1 and then sententiously said1 8,read on40 ,she was alert1 though severe4 ,her curiosity was ruling1 but her prudence was conserved1 at least in her own mind4 ,the daughter was anxious1 but could not retreat2 she knew she must read further or make a futile effort to explain her reluctance4 ,the two were a study2 each afraid of the other3 each anxious to aid the other to truth2 both on guard1 and1 while professing to be all love for each other1 attempting to move forward to a fuller fellowship by indirection4 ,the outlines of the cross were appearing in that household1 and never was there to be complete accord until there it ruled all hearts4 ,miriamne continued to read1 but confined herself chiefly to notes made by the old priest on the margin of her manuscript4 8,presently ,joseph1 the affianced husband of ,mary1 discovered that his beloved was to become a mother4 ,at first the discovery was like a dagger in his heart1 for as yet the marriage had not been consummated4 ,it was a crisis of great import and trial to husband and wife4 ,joseph1 though now a plain man and a mechanic1 carried in his veins the noblest blood of his race1 being descendant of the ancient kings and in the line of ,solomon and ,david4 ,besides that1 he had all the abhorrence of the better ,jews for adultery1 that their awful law of death as its penalty1 implied40 8,did he help the mob to stone her80 cried ,rizpah4 ,miriamne was startled by her mother's angry earnestness4 8,oh6 we'll see40 ,she continued reading3 8,he met his affianced in the evening on her return from ,hebron's rosy hills1 whither she had gone to visit her kinswoman1 the mother of ,john1 by name ,elizabeth4 ,the interview of those two noble women had prepared ,mary to tell her betrothed all that troubled and rejoiced her4 ,when her espoused met her privately and for the last time1 as he intended1 he found her sweetly1 serenely singing1 as was her wont1 a ,davidic psalm4 ,he was at first astonished1 not knowing how she could be so happy under such stigma as seemed to rest upon her4 ,his patrician blood was roused1 and for a moment he was ready to denounce her to the ,sanhedrim as an adulteress4 ,then he looked at her1 pitifully1 questioningly4 ,it could not be1 he meditated1 that one so young could be so depraved as to sing ,god praises1 being a criminal4 ,she must be insane6 ,he tore himself from her presence1 but instantly returned when she called out3 #8,joseph1 ,god knows all2 touch not ,his anointed4' 8#8,woman6' he cried #8explain6 explain6 ,thy seeming sin hangs scorpions over my eyes1 and turns my heart to ashes4 ,thy calmness is a wonderment6' 8,then ,mary quietly recited to him the wondrous story of ,gabriel's visit4 8,joseph was pale1 and reverently attentive2 but still the sadness of his countenance betokened his incredulity4 8,mary1 self-possessed1 confident in her own integrity1 continued3 #8,for three months ,i have been secluded with my kinswoman1 ,elizabeth4 ,she knows ,i saw no man1 and thou canst testify of the manner of my living since our espousal2 but ,i got words from ,god1 at ,hebron4 ,when ,i first went into my kinswoman's house40 8,elizabeth was filled with the ,holy ,ghost3 8,and she spake out with a loud voice1 and said1 ,blessed art thou among women1 and blessed is the fruit of thy womb4 8,and whence is this to me1 that the mother of my ,lord should come to me8 8,for1 lo1 as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears1 the babe leaped in my womb for joy4 8,and blessed is she that believed3 for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the ,lord40 8,no sooner had ,elizabeth finished that salutation1 than the ,spirit of the ,most ,holy ,ghost possessed me and ,i1 thus1 without premeditation prophetically said3 8,my soul doth magnify the ,lord4 8,and my spirit hath rejoiced in ,god my ,saviour4 8,for he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden3 for1 behold1 from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed4 8,for ,he that is mighty hath done to me great things2 and holy is ,his name4 8,and ,his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation4 8,he hath shewed strength with his arm2 ,he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts4 8,he hath put down the mighty from their seats1 and exalted them of low degree4 8,he hath filled the hungry with good things2 and the rich ,he hath sent empty away4 8,he hath holpen his servant ,israel1 in remembrance of his mercy4 8,as ,he spake to our fathers1 to ,abraham1 and to his seed forever40#b 8,i tarried until ,elizabeth's son was born4 ,he is to be the herald of mine6 ,joseph was amazed4 ,the wisdom and stately character of her magnificent description and ascription were unaccountable4 ,but he doubted still her integrity4 ,yet his wrath was softened into pity a little4 ,he hesitated1 and then1 being a just man and not willing to make her a public example1 was minded to put her away privately40 8,ha1 ha20 laughed ,rizpah1 bitterly2 8,i see now1 'tis a beautiful fable thou art reading6 ,put her away privately6 a man do that under such circumstances6 ,bah6 rather would a real man parade the woman's guilt from the house tops4 ,in truth1 to show that he was sinless because he was such a ,nemesis of sin2 or to get the pity of light-headed fools1 who would gladly take the place of the discarded6 ,a pretty1 baby face can catch unerringly the man who pities himself well1 if she will only gush with real or affected pity for him4 ,pity and flatter a man and he'll be--a ,lucifer6 ,but read it all4 ,this is refreshing2 its so absurdly uncommon60 ,the girl continued3 8,but while he thought on these things1 behold1 the angel of the ,lord appeared unto him in a dream1 saying1 ,joseph1 thou son of ,david1 fear not to take unto thee ,mary thy wife3 for that which is conceived in her is of the ,holy ,ghost4 8,and she shall bring forth a son1 thou shalt call his name ,,jesus3 for he shall save his people from their sins4 8,now all this was done1 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the ,lord by the prophet1 saying1 8,behold1 a virgin shall be with child1 and shall bring forth a son1 and they shall call his name ,emmanuel1 which being interpreted is1 ,god with us4 8,then ,joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the ,lord had bidden him1 and took unto him his wife40 ,miriamne again read 8,joshua0 for ,jesus1 but yet felt assured that her mother was in heart1 recognizing the source of the story4 ,rizpah1 by silence1 pretended not to know she was listening to parts of the ,christian ,bible1 for she was very curious now4 ,miriamne was willing the harmless pretense should continue4 ,but they furtively observed each other4 8,i see2 this is a story based upon some of the ,christian's heresies10 interrupted ,rizpah4 8,if the stories be so unnatural1 ,i'd never fear their sacred books60 ,miriamne was rejoiced1 for her mother was becoming interested1 and that was nigh being fully persuaded that their home was not contaminated by the hated ,christian's ,bible4 ,miriamne read again3 8,mary now was contented4 ,she had the approval of ,god and her conscience1 and that for which her young heart greatly yearned the approval of the one man of earth whom she loved4 ,it mattered little to her that few others knew her wondrous secret4 ,she knew her position was one of peril1 and yet she felt certain ,god would be with her to the end4 ,the joy of ,joseph was full1 and the revulsion of feeling from crushing shame1 to lofty hope was unutterable4 ,a while before he was ready to die1 as he began tearing from his heart its idol1 and attempting to consign her to the tomb like that of death1 forgetfullness4 ,now he perceived himself elect of ,god to defend1 vouch for and shelter the woman of women1 the highly favored of ,deity4 8,and it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from ,csar ,augustus that all the world should be taxed4 8,and all went to be taxed1 every one into his own city4 8,and ,joseph also went up from ,galilee1 out of the city of ,nazareth1 into ,judea1 unto the city of ,david1 which is called ,bethlehem1 7because he was of the house and lineage of ,david17 8,to be taxed with ,mary his espoused wife4 8,and so it was1 that1 while they were there1 the days were accomplished4 8,and she brought forth her firstborn son1 and wrapped him in swaddling clothes1 and laid him in a manger2 because there was no room for them in the inn40 8,how barbarous6 ,they surely could not have been ,jews who kept that inn1 or a woman in bearing would have had tender welcome4 ,they must have been ,christians2 they are the people whose women blush when carrying little life1 and1 as if ashamed1 forgetting that ,god had royally privileged them1 hide themselves4 ,bah1 ,i'm sick of the thought6 ,i've seen ,christian husbands ashamed of their pregnant wives20 so soliloquised ,rizpah4 8,there were no ,christians at the time of these events1 mother4 ,but shall ,i read of the company ,mary had1 to comfort her80 8,yes1 do2 ,i'd like to have been there1 just to rail at the inn's folks40 ,miriamne continued1 8,and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field1 keeping watch over their flock by night4 8,and1 lo1 the angel of the ,lord came upon them1 and the glory of the ,lord shone round about them2 and they were sore afraid4 8,and the angel said unto them1 ,fear not3 for1 behold1 ,i bring you good tidings of great joy1 which shall be to all people40 8,it is said that even the cave1 where ,mary was1 was filled with supernal light10 remarked ,miriamne digressingly4 8,i believe it on my word4 ,if angels ever come to earth1 it must be surely to hold glad torches about the couches where beings1 to be at last perchance like themselves1 are coming forth to life10 said ,rizpah4 8,it is thus reported10 continued ,miriamne3 8,now when ,jesus was born in ,bethlehem of ,judea in the days of ,herod the king1 behold1 there came wise men from the east to ,jerusalem1 8,saying1 ,where is he that is born ,king of the ,jews8 for we have seen his star in the east1 and are come to worship him40 ,miriamne substituted ,joshua for ,jesus in the reading4 8,joshua1 #8,joshua1' what #8,joshua' is that80 8,joshua means 8deliverer20 this one was to be such2 for the rest1 ,i've not before read it1 mother40 8,read on1 again10 tritely1 ,rizpah spoke4 8,when ,herod the king had heard these things1 he was troubled1 and all ,jerusalem with him4 8,and when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together1 he demanded of them where ,christ should be born4 8,and they said unto him1 ,in ,bethlehem of ,judea3 for thus it is written by the prophet1 8,and thou ,bethlehem1 in the land of ,juda1 art not the least among the princes of ,juda3 for out of thee shall come a ,governor1 that shall rule my people ,israel4 8,then ,herod1 when he had privily called the wise men1 inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared4 8,and he sent them to ,bethlehem1 and said1 ,go and search diligently for the young child2 and when ye have found him1 bring me word again1 that ,i may come and worship him also4 8,when they had heard the king1 they departed and1 lo1 the star1 which they saw in the east1 went before them1 till it came and stood over where the young child was4 8,when they saw the star1 they rejoiced with exceeding great joy4 8,and when they were come into the house1 they saw the young child with ,mary his mother1 and fell down1 and worshiped him3 and when they had opened their treasures1 they presented unto him gifts2 gold1 and frankincense1 and myrrh4 8,and being warned of ,god in a dream that they should not return to ,herod1 they departed into their own country another way40 ,miriamne read #8,the ,anointed' where the text said ,christ4 8,miriamne1 who could these men have been1 ,rabbins80 8,i think not1 mother2 ,i see upon the margin of my #8megellah' a note which says1 ,these were light or fire-worshipers of ,persia4 ,they1 or rather their ancestors had heard1 centuries before1 from the ,jews1 then their captives1 that there was an expectation1 based on wondrous prophecies1 that some time1 there was to be on earth a man1 born of woman1 in character like ,god and in mission the bringer in of the golden age4 ,these ,magi were seeking that person1 like pious pilgrims40 8,oh1 the ,messiah4 ,alas6 we all long for ,his coming60 ,then ,rizpah fell into a revery from which ,miriamne roused her with the question3 8,art too weary to hear more80 8,no1 no2 read1 on4 ,these things strangely move and rest me40 ,miriamne continued3 8,when eight days were fulfilled1 they circumcised the ,child1 calling him ,joshua1 offering1 according to the law1 a pair of turtle doves40 8,circumcised8 ,ah1 ,i'm glad6 ,they were good ,jews1 though poor ones1 since they offered the gifts of the poor1 two pigeons10 exclaimed ,rizpah4 ,miriamne read onward3 8,there was a man in ,jerusalem1 whose name was ,simeon2 and the same man was just and devout1 waiting for the consolation of ,israel4 8,and it was revealed unto him by the ,holy ,ghost1 that he should not see death1 before he had seen the ,lord's ,christ4 8,and he came by the ,spirit into the ,temple2 and when the parents brought in the child4 8,then took he him up in his arms1 and blessed ,god and said3 8,lord1 now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace1 according to thy word3 8,for mine eyes have seen thy salvation1 8,which thou hast prepared before the face of all people2 8,a light to lighten the ,gentiles1 and the glory of thy people ,israel4 8,and ,joseph and his mother marveled at these things which were spoken of him4 8,and ,simeon blessed them1 and said unto ,mary his mother1 ,behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in ,israel2 and for a sign which shall be spoken against2 87,yea1 a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also27 that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed40 8,how mysterious and contradictory1 and yet how true the old man's word1 ,miriamne8 ,he blessed the parents amid their pious services toward their offspring1 yet predicted a sword thrust for the mother4 ,ah1 the sword for the mother is ever impending6 ,but read further40 ,miriamne continued3 8,and ,anna1 a prophetess1 who was a widow of about fourscore and four years1 which departed not from the temple1 but served ,god with fastings and prayers night and day4 8,and she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the ,lord1 and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in ,jerusalem40 8,what a finished picture1 ,miriamne10 interrupted ,rizpah4 8,see1 a young mother committing her child to ,god2 a blessing and a sword of pain revealed2 then the finest human sympathy in the form of motherhood chastened by years coming to encourage her4 ,oh1 the years have sadly wrecked a true woman if they have put her beyond saying1 from her heart3 #8,poor girl1 ,i love thee1' to her younger sister in her hour of maternal trial4 ,but what followed80 ,miriamne replied by again reading3 8,the angel of the ,lord appeareth to ,joseph in a dream1 saying1 ,arise1 and take the young child and his mother1 and flee into ,egypt1 and be thou there until ,i bring thee word3 for ,herod will seek the young child to destroy him40 8,ha6 the jealous old hypocrite6 ,but ,i remember1 ,herod murdered his wife4 ,a man brute enough to do that could easily seek the life of an innocent babe4 ,if ,apollyon ever be dethroned because of the appearing of one more devilish than himself1 the dethroner will be a wife-murderer60 exclaimed ,rizpah1 almost in a passion4 ,miriamne continued3 8,joseph took the young child and his mother by night1 and departed into ,egypt4 8,and was there until the death of ,herod40 8,so ,jewry1 our ,jewry1 gave one of its young mothers a stable for a bed chamber1 a manger for her babe2 then refused her these by making her an exile4 ,cruel ,israel said go or be childless6 ,oh1 ,israel6 how ,pagan ,rome defiled thee60 passionately exclaimed the ,jewish matron4 ,miriamne paused until the mother questioned3 8,was there a pursuit80 8,a hot one1 though a vain one2 my manuscript reads as follows3 8,herod had charged the ,magi to tell him1 on their return from their quest1 the abode of the ,child born under the star4 ,he pretended to desire to pay it homage1 but in heart he was intending to murder it4 ,the ,magi1 impressed by the goodness and sanctity of mother and ,infant1 never returned to ,herod to betray them40 8,then ,herod1 when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men1 was exceeding wroth1 and sent forth and slew all the children that were in ,bethlehem1 and in all the coasts thereof1 from two years old and under1 according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men4 8,then was fulfilled that which was spoken by ,jeremy1 the prophet1 saying3 8,in ,ramah there was a voice heard1 lamentation1 and weeping1 and a great mourning1 ,rachel weeping for her children1 and would not be comforted1 because they are not40 8,so a dark wave of misery rolled over ,bethlehem4 ,hundreds of women1 weeping over their own dead1 were led to understand the cruel injustice of the spirit that drove the ,virgin and her child into exile1 and that1 until the end of time1 there will be sorrow in the homes of the land that does despite to the virtues and characteristics exemplified1 so well1 by that mother and that ,child40 ,with these words ,miriamne rolled up her parchment1 saying3 8,this is all there is written here40 8,all8 ,it is well1 for thou art weary1 child4 ,we'll now retire2 to-morrow ,i must speak with thee about the book4 ,good-night1 now40 8,good-night1 mother40 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,the ,,queen ,,with ,,her ,,family ,,in ,,egypt4 8,it is curious to observe1 as the worship of the ,virgin mother expanded and gathered to itself the relics of many an ancient faith1 now the new and the old elements became amalgamated4444 ,the ,madonna assumed the characteristics 444 of the types of fertility40--,,anna ,,jamison4 8,babe ,jesus lay on ,mary's lap1 ,the sun shone in ,his hair1 ,and so it was she saw1 mayhap1 ,the crown already there40--,,george ,,mcdonald4 ,the day following ,miriamne's readings to her mother1 she eagerly sought ,father ,adolphus that she might receive more of the narrative1 delightsome to herself and evidently interesting to her parent4 ,finding the priest at dawn in one of his accustomed walks amid the ruins1 she scarcely waited for his 8,peace1 daughter10 until she exclaimed1 8,more6 ,i want more of the story60 8,hast finished that ,i gave thee so soon80 8,yes1 and read it all to my mother6 ,is that not wonderful80 8,temerity60 8,no2 it charms her4 ,she has fallen in love with the child-wife4 ,oh1 what if my mother should come to think and believe as you--then ,i would60 8,thou mayst alone2 but what part of the story desirest thou80 8,all6 ,nothing less than all6 ,what became of the ,holy ,family in ,egypt80 8,now sit down on this shattered column and ,i'll recount to thee the traditions in order1 leaving thee to judge which is true40 8,tell me what you believe and ,i'll believe it4 ,that's enough60 8,i scarcely am able to do that1 not knowing whether to believe or disbelieve some of the things reported4 ,but ,i remember them1 and perceiving that though they are only traditions1 they are very beautiful and very natural1 ,i remember them with delight1 that is very near to giving them full credence40 8,then1 so will ,i do40 8,it may be the wise way1 for ,i've believed that the good angels who1 under ,god1 watched over the little outcast family drifting about in strange places1 have also watched over the drifting stories of their wanderings1 letting the facts profitable for us to know1 come safely to us1 though they have come without the seal of authenticated history40 8,now1 ,i believe all this1 too40 8,well1 then1 ardent catechumen1 listen4 ,for three years the queenly ,mary1 with her consort and child1 tarried in ,egypt--0 8,how did they subsist80 8,oh1 the ,god of the outcasts ,ishmael and ,elijah1 who provided water for one and bread for the other of those two1 was the ,one who sent the ,holy ,family to ,egypt with the charge that they #8be there until ,he brought them word4' ,now1 thou hast learned that when ,god sends any on ,his work ,he charges ,himself with their support40 8,did they find friends in ,egypt80 8,thou wilt learn in time1 daughter1 that two of that family had1 as none on earth before1 the secret of making friends4 ,they had the love-enchantment from on high1 which has been winning its way ever since over the world4 ,but ,i'll proceed4 ,there were in ,egypt at that time multitudes of ,israelites who had sought its refuge from the persecutions practiced toward them nearer home4 ,doubtless these exiles received ,joseph's family kindly4 ,also1 in all the ,east at that time there were many artizan leagues1 banded together to aid their fellow-craftsmen4 ,joseph being a carpenter1 ,i doubt not1 found among these sympathy and help40 8,at what place did the family abide80 8,tradition says they tarried for a considerable period at ,heliopolis1 the city celebrated the world over for its splendid temple1 where centered the ,egyptian ,sun worship4 ,to me this tradition seems most reasonable1 when ,i remember that the child of that family was pointed out before1 by a miraculous star1 which led the ,fire worshipers of ,persia to his cradle4 ,the ,fire worshipers of the far ,east and the ,light worshipers of ,egypt were much alike in their beliefs4 ,they were all seeking light1 and1 impelled by the necessity of man's nature for some religion1 revealed or man-made1 able to do no better1 looked up to the sun1 the greatest light of which they knew4 ,god's hand was in that meeting of the old and the new4 ,there is a tradition that when the ,holy ,family arrived at ,heliopolis all the idols in the ,sun ,temple fell on their faces4 ,be that as it may1 the pathos of the poor prayers of the ,light worshipers moved the ,divine ,mercy to send them the ,sun of ,righteousness1 and all the handiwork of ,rhameses1 at ,on1 lies in great1 grim silent ruins1 while the faith that had its germ in that little outcast family is overspreading the earth4 ,alas1 poor ,egypt60 8,why poor ,egypt80 questioned ,miriamne1 wonderingly4 8,those living now are so like their ancients who1 in fright and helpless doubt1 sought to save themselves by placating both good and evil2 the light struggles in ,egypt to-day1 entering slowly and often retiring4 ,yea1 poor ,egypt1 ,i pity thee6 ,but ,i digress4 ,it is said that the ,holy ,family also tarried for a season at ,memphis1 on the ,nile1 the city where chiefly was practiced the worship of ,apis1 the sacred bull4 ,thou rememberest how ,israel was nearly ruined by doing homage to a golden calf at ,sinai8 ,that calf-worship was the same as the ,apis-worship of ,egypt4 ,the ,egyptians1 in common with all mankind of old1 earnestly looked for a manifestation of ,god in visible form--an incarnation4 ,their priests practiced on their pitiful yearnings and credulity1 and taught them to believe that their greatest god appeared from time to time under the form of a bull1 which ,avatars they1 the priests1 claimed that they only could discover4 ,the ,egyptians1 highly esteeming endurance and passionate vigor1 readily accepted the animal pre-eminent in these things as the abiding place and expression of their god4 ,the ,child ,jesus1 the token of a better faith1 was fittingly brought1 therefore1 to ,egypt's ,temple of ,apis4 ,thus the ,light and ,immortality confronted that typified grossly at ,memphis1 and the incarnations that were as false as they were offensive1 were brought face to face with the ,incarnation sung by the angels4 ,the devotees at the fanes of ,memphis degraded man by preferring the beast4 ,he that made man a little lower than the angels first1 afterward exalted him to sonship by appearing garbed in the likeness of a man4 ,christ1 at ,memphis1 was to do what ,moses did at ,sinai40 8,i do not comprehend these words60 8,as ,moses ground the golden image worshiped by ,israel to powder1 so ,christ came to overthrow and blot out of the world every vestige of the religions or believings that exalts the animal and degrades the spiritual in man4 ,he heralded the age of gold and fire40 8,and was ,apis overthrown by the child80 8,not immediately2 that is not the way of ,him who knows no haste2 but in ,his own good time its fall came4 ,egypt1 hoar with deep thinkings on the master problems of life1 death1 eternity1 did much in distant times to color and express the beliefs of all peoples4 ,it became a school of religious as well as the theater of some of their greatest1 bloodiest conflicts4 ,let me recall some of the steps4 ,first1 ,i'll begin with the revival of the true faith under ,moses1 which was the revival of escape1 the only way to preserve ,god's people from utter defilement4 ,thou hast read in thy ,holy writings how the conflict began between the king and ,israel's leader3 ,and ,pharaoh called for ,moses and for ,aaron1 and said1 ,go ye1 sacrifice to your ,god in the land4 ,and ,moses said1 ,it is not meet so to do2 for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the ,egyptians to the ,lord our ,god3 lo1 shall we sacrifice the abomination of the ,egyptians before their eyes1 and will they not stone us8 ,we will go three days journey into the wilderness1 and sacrifice to the ,lord our ,god1 as he shall command us40 8,why was ,moses so anxious to get away so far60 8,i'll show thee2 that was then a mystery1 now explained4 ,egypt worshiped a bull devoutly2 the ,israelites were commanded to sacrifice to ,god a red heifer4 ,the color1 red1 was an antetype of the saving blood to be shed on red ,calvary4 ,moses1 methinks1 desired to get away that he might reveal this sacred mystery1 so far as he discerned it1 to those to whom it was sent4 ,follow me now with pious1 frank heart4 ,the ,israelites antagonized the customs of ,egypt sharply by offering before ,god the finer1 weaker animal1 and now1 girl1 as ,i read of ,mary and her child waiting about ,memphis1 ,i discern the past and that present meeting4 ,it seems to me that ,he who thundered to ,pharaoh #8let my people go' rappears in the form of the child1 the pitying shepherd1 seeking the lost sheep amid earth's offscourings4 ,more1 as ,i think of ,mary1 the beautiful outcast1 following the fortunes of her ,divine ,child down into that dark land1 and also remember how ,his blood finally crimsoned her life1 ,i recall the red heifer offered on ,israel's ancient altars4 ,mary1 for the world's sake1 through her maternity1 was laid on the altar40 8,father ,adolphus1 you dazzle and yet convince me4 ,how wonderful all this seems60 8,i see the ,holy ,child in ,egypt1 the building nation of earth1 as the founder of a new order of building4 ,now follow me1 child4 ,after the garden and the wilds1 where primitive man abode1 there came the ,tabernacle and ,temple4 ,when man enters into the benign influences of social life1 he begins building a house to shelter and seclude his own4 ,when he takes ,god or a god into his society he builds a temple4 ,if there be growth and culture he decorates his buildings1 hideously at first1 sthetically after practice4 ,presently he becomes a scientific builder and a philosopher4 ,then to him life is all building4 ,he grasps the thought that he is the architect of himself1 of his character1 of his future4 ,if his religious life is deepened he expresses all his philosophy1 all his aspirations in monuments and temples4 ,moses and ,solomon1 in tabernacle and temple1 but repeated the deeds of ,egypt4 ,but ,egypt built under the sun1 the patriarchs under the ,spirit4 ,egypt had done its best1 reached the end of its resources1 having filled the land from the ,delta to the cataracts of the ,nile with pyramidial monument and august fanes4 ,but building under the sun1 in the light of nature only1 was building in the dark1 at least half the time4 ,christ1 the architect of all that is enduring1 confronted the achievements of those ancients as a merciful destroyer4 ,he came to them to turn and overturn that1 after the ruins1 their mind be turned to a building upon and with the precious living ,corner-,stone6 ,try to remember all this4 ,christianity is on the eve of a new building age4 ,the crusades are ended4 ,now for religious palaces6 ,but these in turn will be thrust aside1 that all may give themselves to build souls up for eternity60 8,i am dazzled good father1 indeed2 but oh1 ,i can not remember all these things6 ,i'm like a child in my love for stories1 and ,i can re-tell such to my mother1 as ,i can not these deeper things you utter40 8,i forgot1 child4 ,but we priests preach by habit everywhere60 8,tell me more of ,mary and ,joseph and ,jesus4 ,were the ,egyptians kind to them80 8,as kind as the followers of the ,pharaohs to the descendants of ,joseph6 ,no more4 ,there was no more room in ,egypt for ,jesus at ,his coming than there was among ,his own people4 ,but the ,god of ,moses1 ever the living ,god1 though opposed1 may never be thwarted nor killed60 8,oh1 now do not tell me these things1 too deep for me2 just tell me the simple story of the sojourn in that strange land40 8,so be it1 girl4 ,if ,i digress1 recall me4 ,they say that the ,holy ,family found in that land a few to accept them kindly4 ,one such was a robber1 who1 happening upon them1 was at first about to do them violence2 but he was restrained by the demeanor of the saintly mother1 and his heart was all changed toward compassion of the little company4 ,instead of robbing1 he gave them a temporary home in his mountain retreat4 ,it is said that he was the one to whom the child of ,mary1 long after1 while dying on the cross1 companion in death with that same robber1 gave repentance1 with the promise of ,paradise40 8,how good and natural60 8,then there's another legend4 ,it is that ,mary and her loved ones were met in that strange country by one of the world's pilgrims of pilgrims--a gipsy1 who was a sorceress4 ,there's a charming little dialogue1 part in prose and part in verse1 all about that meeting1 which ,i have here4 ,i'll read it4 ,the sorceress begins chanting3 ,,gipsy--,i come1 ,i come from the land of the sun1 ,from the dim1 dim past of the far-off dawn2 ,the waif of the world1 the froth of the sea1 ,of a clan that has been and ever shall be4 ,,mary--,god give thee grace and forgive thee thy sins4 ,,gipsy--,ye are pilgrims1 too2 no lodge for to-night1 ,ye are outcasts here in a flight of fright6 ,but the mother charms and my heart say come4 ,ye may come2 shall come to my gipsy's home4 8#8,the gipsy1 ,zingarella1 took the babe in her arms1 but then suddenly broke forth into a mournful chant1 as she held the hand of the infant3 #8,here's a cradle song1 and a tear and a moan2 ,here's a crown of thorns and a cross1 when grown4 ,here's a vale of blood and a black1 black night4 ,here's a flocking world and a rising light4' 8#8,and then suddenly falling upon her knees1 the gipsy asked alms2 but this time1 as never before1 with both palms extended and craving neither silver nor gold1 but eternal life4 ,it was granted4'0 8,oh1 father ,adolphus1 ,i'll never forget this story40 8,forget not1 either1 its simple lesson2 the gospel comes to the very waifs of life1 and so there is help for the sinning1 wherever found1 in the ,holy ,child2 encouragement to all holy longings in the meanest breast of the meanest woman1 once within that circle1 all radiant with the beautiful virtues of that ,saviour's mother40 8,surely1 ,i'll treasure this lesson1 which is both balm and heart's ease40 8,i must go now1 so must thou4 ,i'll send at noon to the ,reservoir1 another parchment4 ,let one of the lads meet the messenger4 ,it will be suitable for reading to thy mother1 ,rizpah4 ,be not so soon over-hopeful4 ,we must proceed with her slowly4 ,those most needing the light will curse it if1 coming too suddenly1 it chance to dazzle4 ,israel still goes down all unconsciously to ,egypt for gods1 and the spectacle of man changing the invisible down1 down1 continues everywhere4 ,slowly1 we who would be faithful1 must raise up ,his only true presentment4 ,we must allure after us1 with all wisdom and tenderness1 those we would win1 while striving ourselves to rise toward ,divine ideals ever beyond and above us4 ,god bless my little missionary40 ,they parted2 and there were tears on ,miriamne's face2 but not of anguish4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,the ,,shadow ,,of ,,the ,,cross4 8,day followed day1 like any childhood passing2 ,and silently ,mary sat at her wheel ,and watched the boy ,messiah as she span2 ,and as a human child unto his mother1 ,subject the while1 ,he did her low-voiced bidding-- ,or gently came to lean upon her knee ,and ask her of the thoughts that in him stirred4 8,and then1 all tearful-hearted1 she paused1 ,or with tremulous hand spun on-- ,the blessing that her lips instructive gave1 ,asked ,him with an instant thought again30 8,mother1 ,i've another volume of that charming story1 full of wonderful things4 ,shall we peruse them to please our woman's curiosity1 to-night80 8,woman's curiosity80 angrily ejaculated ,rizpah4 8,they say all women are inquisitive2 do they not80 8,they6 ,the fling of the #8lords of earth6' ,eaten up with anxiety solely concerning themselves1 they plunge into introspections and questionings pertaining to their own worth2 the ultimate of their own preciousness1 that they call philosophy4 ,our sex1 in self-forgetfulness1 ask questions out of sympathy1 and with desire to help others2 that's #8curiosity6' ,faugh1 the fling is sickening60 8,my book is both curious and philosophical2 it's interesting to both sexes therefore4 ,shall ,i read80 8,on thy promise to tell me later whence it came1 who its author1 thou mayst read it to me40 ,miriamne1 perceiving that her mother was curious to hear the whole story1 though the former placated her conscience by a show of indifference1 responded3 8,i'll begin with the return of the wanderers40 ,so saying1 she read3 8#8,but when ,herod was dead1 behold1 an angel of the ,lord appeareth in a dream to ,joseph in ,egypt1 saying1 arise1 and take the young child and his mother1 and go into the land of ,israel3 for they are dead which sought the young child's life4 8#8,and he arose1 and took the young child and his mother1 and came into the land of ,israel4 8#8,being warned of ,god in a dream1 he turned aside into the parts of ,galilee3 8#8,and he came and dwelt in a city called ,nazareth3 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets4 ,he shall be called a ,nazarene4'0 8,nazarene60 ,rizpah ejaculated1 interrupting the reader4 8,does the word not taste like wormwood1 girl80 ,the maiden replied1 adroitly3 8,we read the pagan inscriptions on the monuments about us without being harmed6 ,surely we may safely read these nobler peoples' words and deeds40 ,so saying1 the maiden continued3 8#8,now his parents went to ,jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover4 8#8,and when ,he was twelve years old1 they went up to ,jerusalem after the custom of the feast4 8#8,and when they had fulfilled the days1 as they returned1 the child ,jesus tarried behind in ,jerusalem2 and ,joseph and ,his mother knew not of it4 8#8,but they1 supposing ,him to have been in the company1 went a day's journey2 and they sought ,him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance4 8#8,and when they found ,him not1 they turned back again to ,jerusalem1 seeking ,him4 8#8,and it came to pass that after three days they found ,him in the temple1 sitting in the midst of the doctors1 both hearing them1 and asking them questions4 8#8,and all that heard ,him were astonished at ,his understanding and answers4 8#8,and when they saw ,him1 they were amazed3 and ,his mother said unto ,him1 ,son1 why hast thou thus dealt with us8 ,behold1 ,thy father and ,i have sought ,thee sorrowing4 8#8,and ,he said unto them1 ,how is it that ye sought me8 ,wist ye not that ,i must be about my ,father's business8'0 8,that was rude1 was it not1 daughter8 ,was not his father's business his mother's8 ,he was young for such philosophy1 so like that of tyrant husband40 8,he meant ,god's business60 8,then his earnestness was just4 ,god first1 kin after--mother or husband--say ,i4 ,did the mother gain-say him80 8,it is thus recorded10 replied the maiden4 8#8,and they understood not the saying which ,he spake unto them4 8#8,and he went down with them1 and came to ,nazareth1 and was subject unto them2 but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart4 8#8,and ,he increased in wisdom and stature1 and in favor with ,god and man4'0 8,daughter1 there was a fine spirit in that house2 it was enhaloed by the girl-wife's character6 ,no wonder that the son increased in favor with ,god and man6 ,he was able to cope with the doctors mentally1 yet subjected himself to his mother4 ,i'll certify that he was wonderfully like his mother4 ,the traits of the woman that bore him are prominent in every man of fine measure40 8,and are fine daughters1 like their fathers10 laughingly questioned ,miriamne1 as she glanced at a reflection of herself in a metallic mirror suspended on the wall before her4 8,ah1 that depends on whether they have wholesome fathers40 ,then1 turning her eyes affectionately toward her daughter1 ,rizpah continued3 8,thou hast enough of ,hebrew in thee to leaven thee4 ,yet1 let me plant this in thy memory1 my lamb1 destined most likely some time to lie in anguish on the altar of maternity3 ,mothers determine beyond all else the fate of the world by determining beyond all else the characters of their offspring4 ,yea1 girl1 in the homes of industry1 the bugle-calls of the soldier1 the moving orations of the holy teacher1 there are ever heard echoes of their cradle days40 ,rizpah paused1 drew a long sigh1 and again broke forth3 8,but1 alas6 men and women walk in pairs4 ,how can the gentler of the two1 alone1 or opposed by the stronger1 succeed8 ,i've seen paired birds battle the sly serpent1 creeping toward their birdlings1 victoriously2 paired weakness triumphant over huge danger2 and ,i've seen the lords of creation dropping serpents upon their own mates and their own nestlings6 ,if one would find a monstrous cruelty1 he must needs seek in human homes60 ,then the speaker1 pausing1 bowed herself1 and sat swaying from side to side1 with her hands over her eyes4 ,miriamne1 accustomed to such action on her mother's part1 and knowing it was best when she was in such moods to leave her to herself1 withdrew quietly4 ,yet1 ,rizpah seemed not alone to herself1 for her mind was peopled with ghostly forms from her gloomy past2 all painful companions1 but still courted by the woman in her periods of morbidness4 ,presently she slept2 the sleep of sorrow1 that mercy balm of nature which comes to pained or wounded humanity as the power to grieve or ache is exhausted4 ,the sleeper passed from consciousness of things about her1 followed by the forms that had haunted her memory1 and was soon among the wonders of dream land4 ,then came to her the sound of mighty contentions1 and it seemed as if opposing forces were in conflict concerning herself4 ,rizpah1 of the ancient1 seemed to be trying to drag the dreamer toward seven crosses supporting seven stark forms4 ,the babel of contending voices was silenced by others1 exulting1 as if in victory4 ,there was a change2 the sleeper seemed to be lifted up from caverns unutterably deep1 and suffocating1 upon a ruby cloud1 soft as down to the touch1 but irresistible in uplifting4 ,she was borne swiftly1 over vast realms of space1 toward a golden gate-way with tomb-like arch1 whose cross-shaped portal swung invitingly open4 ,a river of light spreading to a sea1 and vibrating with sense-entrancing melody1 flowed outward through the mighty gate-way4 ,on either side of the portals1 and moving along the river1 were many glorious beings4 ,the latter soared on wings of mighty sweep1 whose motions seemed to beat in accord with the melody of the flowing light1 while1 from within and without the gate-way1 there came the sound of countless voices1 all1 as it were1 mingling in the triumphant swellings of a grand anthem4 ,the dreamer discerned in the anthem two words1 repeated over and over1 tirelessly3 8,glad ,tidings60 8,glad ,tidings60 8,glad ,tidings60 ,the golden gate became rose-tinted2 the color deepening to purple and gold as down the stream of light there floated an island of gardens1 and on the island appeared two human forms2 a youth and a maiden4 ,the anthem 8,glad ,tidings0 continued2 but sweeter1 louder1 deeper than before4 ,and the sleeper perceived that on the wings of the glorious beings there were emblems2 red crosses1 about each cross a ring of fire2 above the crosses1 bejeweled silver cups2 then she knew that the twain on the island were bride and groom4 ,the scene changed2 there was a consciousness of a flight of time4 ,she looked again1 and on the island she beheld a mother lovingly bending over a babe2 over mother and babe tenderly bended a man1 by the pride and the affection he expressed1 attesting himself the husband and father4 ,rizpah was enraptured1 and in her dream she prayed the scene might tarry4 ,she was nigh being envious of that happy mother4 ,but her prayer was denied her1 for soon she was startled by a voice at her side1 saying1 in tones of mournful rebuke3 8,farewell1 forever60 ,the dreamer1 looking about1 beheld in her vision1 her ideal1 ,rizpah2 but the latter was wonderfully changed4 ,her eyes were dim and sunken2 her form dwarfed1 bowed and age-shriveled4 ,suddenly the whole vision faded into thin air1 and ,rizpah1 of ,bozrah1 awakened filled with condemnation4 ,before she fully realized that she had been dreaming1 she cried out3 8,rizpah1 oh1 ,rizpah1 tarry a moment60 ,silence was her sole reply4 ,little by little1 as she collected her thoughts1 she comprehended that her vision1 while sleeping1 expressed the facts of her life while waking4 ,the heroine girl-wife of ,nazareth1 the newer1 finer1 surer1 truer ideal of womanhood1 was demolishing in the mind of the woman of ,bozrah her former idol1 the lioness of ,gibeah's hill4 ,she knew this1 for she found herself contrasting the two ideals1 and in mind lingering by preference and with the greater delight about conceptions of the younger4 ,then began the struggles of the giants in her conscience2 clean truth against hoar prejudices2 sweet mercy against bitter revenge2 ,mary of ,bethlehem against ,rizpah of ,gibeah4 ,the matron of ,bozrah1 usually hitherto so self-sufficient1 was changing4 ,she felt that yearning inevitable in the career of most women for a confidant4 ,she could not sleep2 she could not now go down to get inspiration by standing before the grim ,rizpah-painting1 in the lower room2 she was miserable1 lonely and restless4 ,mechanically1 she moved toward her daughter's chamber1 some way feeling that even a sleeper would be company to one so lonely as herself4 ,rizpah1 alone1 at night1 in the grim1 giant house1 groping her way toward ,miriamne's sleeping place1 was unconsciously illustrating her soul's quest4 ,she was in heart seeking alone1 and in the dark1 some one to take the place of her demolished ideal4 ,had the queen of women been there1 in person1 ,rizpah1 then1 would have welcomed her4 ,she groped her way to the maiden's couch1 feeling that1 as she believed1 her daughter was pure and good and loving4 ,could the matron have analyzed her own feelings1 she would have found that she was in part led toward ,miriamne because the latter some way seemed like1 or near to1 the girl-wife who was supplanting in the heart of ,rizpah of ,bozrah1 the wild ,rizpah of ,gibeah4 ,a cloud passing let a flood of silvering moonlight full on the sleeper's couch1 and ,rizpah1 feasting her eyes1 murmured3 8,i wonder if that woman of ,bethlehem were not very like this maiden80 ,as the mother gazed on her offspring she presently began noting features in the sleeper's face that reminded her of the absent father and husband4 ,she recalled him as he appeared under the palms that night at ,purim1 and as he was that day he lay pale and bleeding in her all-giving arms4 ,the whole past1 that was delightful1 came trooping up1 and with it there came the full light of an old love revived2 a renaissance of that she had supposed buried forever4 ,soon the aged woman1 all youthful again within1 was mentally in hot chase after the pleasure she had parted from so hastily long years before4 ,she was glad of her thoughts1 for they were rejoicing2 glad she was alone1 for the thoughts seemed sacred4 ,it was no use1 had she willed1 to resist2 so she just gave up to the impulse1 and with a half-suppressed cry1 passionately twined her arms about the sleeping girl1 and covered the face of the latter with burning kisses4 ,the maiden started up in affright1 breaking the spell that swayed her mother1 but only in part at first4 ,rizpah was almost angered by the awakening1 which caused the vision her soul was embracing to take swift flight4 ,her first glance seemed to say to the now awakened girl3 8,begone1 intruder6 ,leave me for a time alone with--0 but she recovered herself1 and was silent4 ,yet her mind ran on after the vision4 ,she had not been embracing the girl1 but the girl's father1 in heart4 ,had he happened there then1 he would have been all-forgiven1 all-welcome4 ,so wonderful the heart of one capable of deep loving as well as deep hating2 so wonderful the nature of such a woman as ,rizpah1 when her emotions1 aroused1 spread their throbbing pinions to soar at the behest of revived affection4 8,human passion10 sneeringly some may say1 and truly4 ,but human passion is a gift of grace4 ,when it travels along right lines1 it quickens the one enriched by it to the noblest deeds4 ,he whose name is ,love came to earth through the ,incarnation to show the splendor of human affection1 working at its best in the kingdom of its finest displays--the home circle4 ,the fate of ,eden made men believe a lie1 but ,bethlehem refuted that lie for all time4 ,rizpah turned bitterly from the fiery1 disappointing love she had experienced to stamp all loving1 except parent love1 a mockery4 ,she had nursed her false creed1 and suppressed her rebel heart by adoration of the wintry ideal of ,gibeah4 ,now she was touched by a new influence1 and it was to her as the touch of spring to winter-prisoned nature4 ,for a few moments daughter and mother contemplated each other2 the one as if dreaming1 the other full of wilderment4 ,then the former quietly said3 8,i've been very nervous to-night4 ,i'm quieter now1 and will go to rest4 ,sweet dreams follow thee1 daughter40 ,the maiden composed herself to sleep1 and the elder woman passed out of the room4 ,the latter1 in going1 perceived on the floor-slab a parchment1 and bore it away with her4 ,she said within herself as she did so3 8,it is best for ,miriamne that ,i know of her reading40 ,but1 after all1 she was very curious to know all about the new matter1 of which she had recently heard a part1 on her own account4 ,the writing1 that of a masculine hand1 ran as follows3 8,,miriamne3--,as ,i promised1 ,i have herein recorded1 for the help of thy memory1 further facts about the ,bethlehem ,mother1 ,,mary4 ,keeping constantly in heart the wonderful words of the angel ,gabriel1 she followed with constancy the wanderings of her ,son as ,he went forth to heal and preach4 ,she heard with pride and joy that a ,dove of ,peace from heaven overshadowed ,him at ,his baptism in ,jordan2 but immediately she was plunged into anxiety1 for he disappeared from the haunts of men in a prolonged absence4 ,this was during the time of ,his temptation in the wilderness4 ,he returned to gladden her1 but immediately set forth to new trials1 labors and dangers4 ,the young ,miracle-,worker was denounced and driven from among the people of ,his youth4 ,tradition points to the very place where his mother fell fainting1 when she saw the people of ,nazareth dragging her ,son to a precipice by the city1 with intent to cast ,him down to death4 ,at that place of the mother's overcoming the ,empress ,helena builded the sanctuary called the #8,church of the ,terror4' ,but that loyal mother never wavered in her allegiance to her ,son1 but1 shortly after these things formally1 publicly1 bravely1 received baptism at ,his hands in ,jordan1 at ,bethabara4 ,indeed1 this act on her part evinced not only the faith of a disciple1 but the zeal of motherhood2 her ,son's cause seemed to be failing1 and she espoused it to strengthen it in its most trying hour4 ,she was willing to dare all things to win for her ,beloved a possible gain1 however small4 8,the gathering storm grew darker about the ,carpenter's ,son1 and the leaders of the people were planning ,his destruction2 but ,he pursued his work of healing and teaching serenely2 ,his mother constantly hovering near him to encourage ,him4 ,she heard that ,john the ,baptist1 son of ,elizabeth1 the herald of her own ,child1 had been slain because he had been true to ,god4 ,the harlots of the ,court of ,herod had procured ,john's death1 because that holy man had rebuked their vices4 ,but even this shocking event did not overawe the mother of the ,founder of the ,new ,kingdom4 ,she stood in splendid contrast with the murderers of the prophet4 ,it was purity1 almost single-handed1 against lust corseleted by the nation2 two phalanxes2 one of few1 the other of many2 but1 as common in this world1 each led by a woman4 ,mary1 like a parent bird fluttering over her nestling1 sought by the fowler1 hovered around her offspring4 ,she exemplified the finest1 fullest utterance of faith1 #8,jesus only1' by determining to break up the home in ,nazareth1 in order that all the family might keep near the beloved ,one in ,his journeys4 ,so it happened that when ,he was near ,capernaum1 working ,himself nigh unto death1 they visited ,him to persuade ,him to rest4 ,of this it is written3 #8,while ,he yet talked to the people1 behold1 ,his mother and ,his brethren stood without1 desiring to speak with ,him4 #8,then one said unto ,him1 ,behold1 thy mother and ,thy brethren stand without1 desiring to speak with ,thee4 #8,but ,he answered and said unto him1 ,who is my mother8 and who are my brethren8 #8,and ,he stretched forth ,his hand toward ,his disciples1 and said1 ,behold my mother and my brethren6 #8,for whosoever shall do the will of my ,father which is in heaven1 the same is my brother1 and sister1 and mother4' 8,to all ,he herein proclaimed the doctrines of ,his kingdom1 self-denial1 and though the words seem harsh1 they were most kind1 for by them ,he said1 as it were1 to ,his disciples3 #8,behold these all-sacrificing relatives of mine are twice related to me2 by blood and by sufferings4' ,it was1 on ,jesus' part1 a public adoption of ,his own family4 ,as ,he had been publicly adopted from on high when ,he typically submitted to death in ,his baptism1 so when ,he beheld ,his mother1 having forsaken all to be with ,him1 he proclaimed those that had elected to share ,his sufferings ,his kin indeed4 ,the sword of ,his suffering bitterly wounded her when the rabble howled after the ,healer1 8,thou wast born in fornication40 ,but ,he1 amid all ,his engrossments1 never forgot to minister to ,his mother as a courtly1 reverent1 loving ,son4 ,these words of a holy book not only speak of the workings of the providence of ,god1 but assure us that ,he that uttered them was prompted to comfort ,his own widowed mother3 #8,but ,i tell you of a truth1 many widows were in ,israel in the days of ,elias1 when the heaven was shut up three years and six months1 when great famine was throughout all the land2 8#8,but unto none of them was ,elias sent1 save unto ,sarepta1 a city of ,sidon1 unto a woman that was a widow4' 8,and now for the present ,i close with all holy salutations4 8,a4 ,,von ,g40 ,illustration3 ,by ,p4 ,r4 ,morris4 ,,the ,,shadow ,,of ,,the ,,cross4 ,rizpah was so engrossed with the matter of the letter that she scarcely observed the initials at its end4 ,as she turned the letter over there fell into her lap a pictured parchment4 ,it represented a woman1 half kneeling and with arms outstretched toward a beautiful child1 the latter balancing1 and1 as it were1 taking a first lesson in walking4 8,that woman's face is some way very like that of my ,miriamne's in beauty and thoughtfulness10 soliloquized ,rizpah4 ,then observing a tent in the picture1 at one side and under the tent1 the form of a strong1 dignified man1 she again scrutinizingly exclaimed1 8,in truth1 that face is ,harrimai's6 ,how like my father60 ,for some time she sat considering the group1 and then again spoke to herself3 8,ah1 ,i see1 these are none other than the girl wife1 husband and child of whom ,miriamne has been reading6 ,but what an improper legend at the bottom8 #8,a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also6' ,a sword has no place in that happy group60 ,and ,rizpah still gazed at the charming presentment4 ,suddenly she started from her seat4 8,what's this80 she cried as she traced a dark cross made by the shadow of the child's outstretched arms and reaching from his feet to the mother's bending knees4 8,i have it now2 the cross is the sword6 ,some of the ,nazarene heresy1 the witchery of the #8,old ,clock ,man6'0 ,rizpah flung the picture from her as if it were a serpent4 ,she thought she saw a paramount duty1 and without an instant of delay she hastened back to ,miriamne1 this time in angry mood--,rizpah of ,bozrah1 the fanatical ,nemesis of heresy4 8,here1 girl6 ,whence this book of devils60 ,miriamne1 in fright1 leaped from her couch1 and ,rizpah1 laying hold of her arm1 half dragged the bewildered1 trembling girl to the adjacent apartment4 8,these80 imperiously questioned ,rizpah1 as she pointed vehemently toward picture and manuscript lying together on the floor4 ,the maiden1 overcome by the suddenness of the stormy outbreak1 spoke tremblingly1 pleadingly3 8,oh1 mother1 forgive me if ,i've done wrong6 ,father ,adolphus1 the old--0 8,oh1 yes1 the old wizzard6 he gave them to thee10 interrupted the mother4 8,enough6 'tis as ,i expected2 the ,christian's doctrine of devils60 ,miriamne reached forth1 mechanically1 to take the denounced objects1 but ,rizpah at once intercepted her1 spurning them with her foot4 8,don't touch the leprosy6 ,to-morrow we'll hire some ,druses beggars to burn them60 8,but1 mother1 they are not ours2 we must return at least the painting2 it cost great labor60 8,leave that to me6 ,now1 further and finally for thee1 rash girl1 ,i've commands4 ,listen6 ,thou art never again to meet or speak to that hoary-headed old wizzard1 ,von ,gombard40 8,but1 mother--0 8,no evasion nor compromise60 8,i can not treat the kind old man that way4 ,he is so good1 and all the people1 ,jews and ,gentiles1 love him10 pleaded ,miriamne4 8,enough6 and1 in brief1 meet him or speak to him again1 and ,i'll disown thee6 ,i'd drive thee1 daughter of mine though thou art1 out of my home to starvation and pray ,god to send all the plagues written in ,his book to haunt thee1 while thy life remained1 rather than tolerate heresy60 ,so saying1 ,rizpah fell upon her knees1 as if even then to utter an imprecation4 ,in terror the daughter ran to her1 and shielding her eyes from the parent's anger-distorted countenance1 she pitifully cried3 8,mother6 ,oh1 mother6 ,don't curse me6 ,save me6 save me60 ,the elder woman's body swayed and dilated as if she were possessed of some furious demon1 checked and muzzled1 but struggling to break forth4 ,evidently the pathos of the daughter's appeal touched some responding chord of mercy1 for the mother restrained herself and then suddenly arose and swept out of the bed-chamber4 ,and yet ,miriamne was not reassured2 she felt the fascination of dread4 ,with trembling her eyes were riveted on the open door2 her ears heard the heavy1 stately1 threatening1 departing footsteps1 and great misery overwhelmed her4 ,she felt1 if she could not express it1 that the breakers of a mighty wrath were heaving and tossing in that bosom on which she had hitherto rested when in pain or peril4 ,she knew the meanings of those wavy motions1 so like those of the boa retiring for renewed attack4 ,she saw them passing up and down the form of ,rizpah as the latter went out1 her eyes burning1 her body dilating4 ,she had observed these things in her parent before1 but never as now directed toward herself4 ,in terror and anguish ,miriamne fled out of the old ,giant-house4 ,there was relief and a sense of getting more truly under the sheltering wings of ,god in getting out under the serene canopy of heaven4 ,so1 often1 the grief-stricken seek solitude1 absence from all that has crossed and hurt1 separation from all earthly1 in a lonely appeal to the ,holy and ,loving4 ,and so these two women1 bound to each other by the strongest human ties1 needing1 because of their isolation1 each other supremely2 after all1 loving each other with a choice1 tried love1 willing each to endure any cross1 even unto death1 for the other's weal1 and both anxious to serve ,god loyally1 went apart4 ,they exemplified the cross-purposes and misunderstandings that beset and mar life's pilgrims4 ,they needed sorely1 both of them1 pilot and beacon2 some one to inspire as well as to exemplify all that is best in womanhood4 ,the need was patent1 but the remedy but dimly discerned4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,the ,,miserere ,,and ,,the ,,easter ,,anthem4 8,under the shade of ,his mighty wings1 ,one by one ,are ,his secrets told1 ,one by one4 ,lit by the rays of each morning sun1 ,shall a new flower its petals unfold1 ,with its mystery hid in its heart of gold40 8,but even unto this day1 when ,moses is read1 the veil is upon their heart4 ,nevertheless1 when it shall turn to the ,lord the veil shall be taken away40--,,ii ,cor41 #c3ae4 ,midnight and moonlight were in ,bozrah1 and midnight and moonlight were in ,miriamne's heart as she wandered out into the city4 ,she did not see her way further than to know it must be some direction other than toward her home4 ,that place all her life hitherto the dearest spot on earth1 was become her dread4 ,as she moved away from it she did not look back4 ,it seemed to her that there was an angry cloud enveloping it2 a cloud holding a furious thunderbolt4 ,as she went on1 she rapidly passed through a series of painful feelings2 those that naturally beset the runaway girl4 ,first she felt very reckless1 then1 surprised at her recklessness1 then very lonely as if every tie that bound her was broken1 and then affrighted as she thought of confronting the great1 strange1 selfish world alone4 ,a woman so young and so inexperienced2 a bird with half-fledged wings1 thrust out of the parent nest into a storm2 altogether a pitiable creature4 ,in the moonlight of her conscience1 after a time1 she dimly discerned a line of duty4 ,it seemed to her that it were best for her to turn toward the church of ,adolphus1 and she resolutely turned thither4 ,before the resolution she had walked aimlessly2 now with an aim and with some soul comfort4 ,she did not have power to analyze her feelings2 had she had such power she might have discerned the fact that she was turning toward something her reason told her was very good1 therefore the soul comfort came as the harbinger of conversion4 ,as yet the moonlight within1 like that without1 was not strong enough to resolve the shadows in and about her4 ,she knew1 and that alone1 certainly1 that she was miserable1 wounded1 bruised4 ,so storm-beaten1 in a flight from the ancient ,rizpah and her counterpart1 ,rizpah of ,bozrah1 the maiden naturally turned toward the place where there seemed rest1 escape2 the haven known to all the troubled and sick of the ,giant city4 ,with a great throb of joy she at length drew nigh the ,church of ,adolphus4 ,all was silent about it2 but its up-pointing spire1 emblem of eternal1 aspiring hope1 rest on a rock1 stability--in grand contrast with the grim ruins ,god's revenges had scattered in dire confusion all around1 assured her4 ,she remembered then that she had heard some say that they had been blessed beyond all telling1 in hours of trouble1 by the services of that sanctuary4 ,she perceived that the church1 from spire to portal1 was flooded with silvering moonlight1 while all beyond and around it was in shadows2 then she wearily sank down by a small porch near the great entrance4 ,as she sank she moaned a broken prayer3 8,oh1 ,god1 take me60 ,utterly overcome1 she wished for a moment for death's release2 and death's similitude1 fainting1 sometimes sent in mercy1 came over her4 ,how long she lay unconscious1 she knew not4 ,she was suddenly aroused by the stroke of a muffled bell2 she opened her eyes and beheld forms gliding out of the darkness into the chapel4 ,for a moment she felt a superstitious fear that chilled her4 ,she vaguely remembered that that bell had been wont to toll thus solemnly when there was a funeral4 ,simultaneous with the thought she questioned1 ,was she herself dead8 ,but she quickly collected her thoughts and then comprehended that there was to be a midnight service in the chapel4 ,she remembered that ,father ,adolphus was wont to have such1 at intervals4 ,she longed to taste the joys within of which she had heard1 and was at the same time restrained1 lest by entering she should in some way part from her mother and the faith of her childhood forever4 ,conscience and desire waged war with each other1 and the girl was too much excited to stand still or to reason clearly4 ,she1 therefore1 mechanically moved through the open doors with the throng1 out of the darkness into the light4 ,once within the place the grateful sense of peace and the splendors of the various appointments1 beyond all she had ever before experienced1 engrossed all her thoughts4 ,the lofty arches1 the well wrought pillars1 the niches1 in which were here and there saintly paintings1 the lights1 disposed so as to produce an impression of seriousness and rest1 the hum of subdued voices1 all came to her as balm4 ,at the east she beheld a silver altar1 velvet draped2 on either side of it lofty columns with golden plinths and capitals2 just back of the altar1 in a light that made the face of the presentment more beautiful1 she discerned the image of a woman1 splendidly robed and jewel-crowned4 ,for a moment she thought she was looking upon one living1 for the crowned woman was so beautiful1 so much a part of the place1 and seemed so inviting4 ,she contrasted her1 in mind1 with the terrible picture of ,rizpah4 ,just then1 with little persuasion1 she could have run toward the woman1 back of the altar1 and plead for sympathy4 ,the feeling was momentary4 ,little by little the truth dawned upon her1 and she thought1 8this represents the beautiful ,mary of ,father ,von ,gombard40 ,then the moonlight within the maiden's soul began to change into dawn4 ,she gazed and gazed1 and as she was so engaged1 her thoughts took wing for heaven and her soul cried within itself as a babe for its mother4 ,she knew not her way1 but she knew she needed and yearned for a guide as pure as heaven and as serious as ,god4 ,her meditations were interrupted when she perceived the place growing darker about her1 the forms of the congregation now becoming like so many moving shadows4 ,all around her bowed their heads as in prayer1 and1 impressed by the solemnity of the place1 she did likewise4 ,there was a long silence4 ,the hush of death was over the place1 the only sign of life the stealthy movements of a tall1 dark-robed personage1 who glided about the chancel4 ,the tower bell tolled again1 once1 twice1 thrice2 its muffled tones1 as they died away1 being prolonged1 then caught up and borne onward with organ notes which filled the trembling air with entrancing melody4 ,then the organ tones softened and died away into subdued minors4 8,how like the sighings of autumn evening breezes1 before a rain10 thought ,miriamne4 ,the place again was full of melody1 the organ being reinforced by lutes and dulcimers1 played by unseen hands4 ,but the worshippers were silent2 all bowed1 apparently1 in prayerful expectation4 ,it was all new and exceedingly impressive to the maiden1 and she was carried along by the spirit of the hour4 ,the draped figure passed down from behind the altar-lattice and moved1 on tip-toe1 from one to another of the worshipers4 ,miriamne was curious1 yet frightened4 8,what if he came to me80 ,the question she asked herself made her tremble4 ,if it were the priest1 she was sure he would be very kind and yet how would she explain her absence at that hour from home8 ,she was alert to hear the words he spoke to others near her1 and when she did1 she took courage4 ,they seemed just such as she needed4 ,she knew the voice2 it was that of ,father ,adolphus1 in the tenderness and triumph of one filled with unearthly hopes and heavenly sympathy4 ,the cadence of his voice accorded with the plaintive tones of the organ4 ,miriamne's heart fluttered like a caged bird1 back and forth1 from yearnings to fears1 as the priest drew nearer and nearer to her4 ,she yearned to hear spoken to herself his balm-like benedictions2 she feared1 lest recognizing her1 he should reprove4 ,he seemed about to pass1 as if not perceiving her4 ,now more intensely she yearned and dreaded than before4 ,she could not restrain herself1 and so she sobbed aloud like a child in pain4 ,the priest tenderly placed his hand on her head and softly said3 8,if we confess our sins ,he is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse us from all iniquity40 8,oh1 ,father ,adolphus10 she sobbed1 8is this for me80 ,the priest started1 but quickly recovered himself1 and again spoke in the same tone as before1 his voice rising in accord with a triumphant strain of the music3 8,he died that we might live60 ,miriamne clasped and passionately kissed his hand4 ,the place had become darker1 little by little2 the organ tones meanwhile growing deeper and more solemn1 while voices from an unseen choir blended with them4 ,miriamne1 recognizing1 from the words of the singers1 the penitential ,psalms1 followed the worship with deepened interest from the fifty-first to the fifty-seventh of the sacred songs4 ,they expressed the pains and tempests of her own soul as they voiced sublimely sin-beseeching pardon4 ,the ,christian and ,jew were for the moment made akin4 ,the man at the organ was a master of his art1 and while handling the keys of his instrument1 he also played on the hearts of his hearers4 ,he was aiming to reproduce ,calvary1 its scenes1 emotions and meanings1 and he succeeded4 ,the devout assembly1 following the motive and movement of the composition1 was led mentally to realize the journey from the ,judgment ,hall to the ,crucifixion4 ,there were measured1 mournful1 dragging tones2 ,jesus bearing his heavy cross2 then followed discord and confused uproar1 the voices of a mob4 ,later on there were dirges and silences1 followed1 as it were1 by blows and ugly cries4 ,the nailed hands1 the uplifted cross and the sneers of those who passing wagged their heads1 were all revived to the imagination4 ,with these sounds1 from the first1 there ran along a sustained minor strain1 sometimes nearly obliterated1 at other times ruling4 ,it was as mournful as the sigh of the autumn winds amid the dying leaves and night rains4 ,in the color and movement of that minor there was feelingly expressed the deep1 poignant1 undemonstrative sorrow of the mother that followed the thorn-crowned and scourged ,son to his martyrdom4 ,then came a long silence1 broken only by the fleeting whispers here and there4 ,the worshipers were in earnest prayer4 ,they were at the cross1 as the friends of ,jesus1 in earnest communings4 ,again the organ broke in on the silence2 there was a rush of air as if some one passed in rapid1 terrified flight1 followed by a sound like swiftly departing footsteps2 the fleeing disciples came to the minds of the worshipers4 ,then the organ tones deepened to the rumblings of approaching thunders--heralds of a climax of catastrophies1 while above the rumblings a solitary1 piercing voice1 which ended in a thrilling1 agonizing cry3 8,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me60 ,following this came peal upon peal from the organ2 louder and louder2 discord and confusion2 ending in mighty crashings4 ,the rocking earth2 the earthquake2 the rent veil--all the tragedy of ,cavalry--was presented in awful realism to the minds of the kneeling worshipers4 ,every light had been quenched1 the temple within was as dark as a tomb1 and not a sound could be heard but moans and penitential weepings4 ,to one any way superstitious and not knowing the intent of the presentment1 the whole would have seemed very like the realm of the lost1 filled with damned souls1 making pitiful last appeals to mercy2 but to the worshipers there came a vision of a stark1 dead form on a cross1 standing out vividly against the darkness of ,calvary around that cross the amazed1 condemned crucifiers and a few disciples1 the latter whispering about the burial4 ,the realism was oppressive and some present cried out1 as if by the bier of a loved one1 while some fainted away4 ,but the ,healer was there4 ,father ,adolphus1 with a voice full of tears1 with the pathos of ,him that went down to preach hope to 8the spirits in prison10 spoke to the penitents of peace1 light and glory through faith4 ,as the old ,missioner went from one to another the lights of the chapel1 one after another1 reappeared4 ,presently the aged consoler stood by ,miriamne3 8,hast thou felt the power of the ,cross1 my child80 8,oh1 ,father ,adolphus1 ,i do not know2 ,i only know ,i'm very wretched60 8#8,godly sorrow worketh repentance'2 but thou wert as happy as a bird thou thoughtst and saidst a few days ago80 8,i was a bird--a girl then6 ,i'm a woman now4 ,i've lived years in hours40 8,any sudden trouble80 8,oh1 yes1 a tempest and tempests40 8,possess me of all1 daughter40 8,i can not4 ,it's every thing4 ,i seem so useless and nobody loves me60 8,thou art too young to be morbid and art greatly beloved by ,,one40 8,oh1 ,i can not come to ,him4 ,i'm under ,his ban2 ,i do not honor my parents4 ,how can ,i8 ,one1 my father1 ,i never knew4 ,i've seen him through my mother's eyes1 and to despise4 ,now ,i am afraid of her1 and my terror is poisoning the love ,i once felt for her4 ,oh1 ,i'm miserable1 lost6 ,father1 ,father1 save me60 ,and the wretched girl flung her arms passionately about the old priest4 8,ah1 girl1 ,i can not2 but there is ,one that can save40 8,save1 save me--one so lost80 8,he is a #8,prince and a ,saviour4'0 8,i do not know ,him4 ,he can not love me1 and one must love me to save me2 ,i'm so needy and wicked40 8,well said1 and ,he is love4 ,only believe40 8,i don't know how to believe40 8,like a poor1 sick babe1 all need1 thou1 amid thy weaknesses1 hast power at least to cry40 8,cry8 ,what shall ,i cry80 8#8,help thou mine unbelief4'0 ,slowly1 by wisely simple gospel-counsels1 the aged teacher lead the penitent girl ,christward4 ,as they communed the congregation departed1 and an attendant lighted the lamps4 ,presently the music of the organ again broke forth2 but now in cheerful and triumphant strains4 ,miriamne listened1 and as she did1 a change came over her countenance4 ,her dawn was coming4 8,art looking up1 daughter80 8,this music is like spring morning melodies1 and ,i'm singing to it1 in soul1 ,i think40 8,it is the morning song of souls2 the angel's greeting to ,mary4 ,observe the words2 first the #8,hail ,mary' before the wondrous birth2 then the serene assurance of the mourning mother at the grave1 #8,he is not here1 ,he has risen4'0 8,ah1 ,adolphus1 how blessed are you ,christians in a religion all mercy1 all songs1 all love1 and all nearness to ,god60 8#8,come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden4'0 8,i would ,i could hear ,him say as much to me2 but ,i can not go1 come1 nor do any thing else2 not even stay away2 ,i'm a bit of wind-drifted down60 8,come all ye heavy laden10 measuredly replied the priest4 8,oh1 if there were some one to bear me onward2 blind and weak as ,i am60 8,he carries the lambs in ,his bosom60 8,alas1 ,i feel myself cowering away from ,his ,holiness1 when ,i attempt to approach ,him alone60 8,all to ,him must go alone1 in prayer as in death4 ,he meets with a plenteous mercy the confiding ones who come by sorrows' thorny path1 as ,he will meet the needy in judgment who have only faith's plea4 ,fear not to go alone2 solitude has its benefits1 and ,he is sole accuser or excuser4 ,the terms of ,his rebuke are eternal secrets1 as are the terms of ,his forgiveness4 ,they lie alone1 between the ,blesser and the blessed40 8,is the lovely woman there1 your ,mary80 8,yes1 child40 8,and she was the mother of this ,saviour80 8,yes40 8,and was ,he like her80 8,he is1 eternal2 the #8,i ,am'--not was nor shall be--always40 8,oh1 yes2 but is ,he like the woman80 8,in my soul ,i so believe1 to my joy2 for she was godly1 therefore1 ,god-like40 8,then ,i can love ,him1 trust ,him1 and ,i'm sure ,he'll pity me1 at least40 8,amen10 piously ejaculated ,father ,adolphus4 ,then he said3 8,now child1 rest2 it's too late to go home4 ,my sister1 yonder1 will care for thee till morning1 and then thou must hie to thy home4 ,thou yet mayst be its peace-maker and blesser40 ,easter-tide came4 ,all nature was serene and seemed to recognize the memorial of holy1 happy association4 ,father ,adolphus was astir early to ply his industry of mercy for the suffering4 8,poor1 unhappy land1 and unhappy because so blind6 ,oh1 man1 man1 how thine eyes are holden1 while fatlings1 birds and flowers rejoice60 8,ah1 unbenumbed by sinning1 they1 like the cattle in ,bethlehem's stable1 are first to see the ,saviour born of woman4 #8,praise ye the ,lord1 beasts and all cattle1 creeping things and flying fowl4 ,they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain2 for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,lord1 as the waters cover the sea4'0 ,thus soliloquized the old priest as he passed toward well-known haunts of misery in the ,giant ,city4 ,miriamne was called to a late breakfast by the kindly sister of ,adolphus4 ,the aged woman said little1 but every act seemed freighted with motherly interest1 and was like balm to the heart conscious chiefly of loneliness and wretchedness4 ,the maiden longed to have the elder woman solicit her confidence1 but the latter did not respond to the mute1 though manifest desire4 8,it is better so4 ,god's work is best done in an hour like this1 when ,he alone is left to searching and counsel40 ,so thought this aged minister4 ,experience under ,father ,adolphus had given her this wisdom4 ,the coming of evening brought to the little religious house its master all cheerful1 yet well wearied by a day of ministering for ,god4 8,art here yet1 daughter80 was his first greeting4 8,yes2 where else should ,i be8 ,i'm friendless1 lost1 unhappy2 even to a vague longing for death2 but ,i'm frightened at that longing1 since it seems as if ,i was as friendless in ,heaven as on earth4 ,oh1 it's awful to be a two-fold orphan60 ,just then the church-bell rang forth a merry peal4 ,miriamne looked a question1 and the old priest continued3 8,hark1 it's the pan of peace1 declaring that the ,day ,spring from on high has visited all those in the shadow of death40 8,another service80 8,yes1 the best of all4 ,we cling to the hours of this day and battle night away in joy1 thus declaring our hope in the resurrection1 the end of all nights4 ,listen1 that's my organ1 the one ,i myself made40 ,miriamne listened1 and there was wafted to her an ,easter anthem2 at intervals containing the sentence3 8,thou that takest away the sins of the world have mercy40 ,as they passed into the chapel1 the maiden remarked3 8,there are more women here than there were at the other service80 8,the other celebrated death2 the chief pain-maker of woman's life2 for they live in love whose ties are constantly sundered by man's last enemy4 ,they are allured by the beautiful things1 the joys1 the hopes of our ,easter service4 ,it proclaims eternal victory over the destroyer40 8,how beautiful the woman's form back of the altar1 good ,father1 to-night40 8,our moods within appear to us on objects without4 ,so strangely the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 beginning in the soul1 spreads everywhere4 ,it is natural1 though to think that the resurrection time brought all joy to the childless mother3 to this one as it did and does bring a thousand times to other mothers1 like her bereaved40 ,the ,easter service went onward1 a succession of joys2 the march of a pilgrim army with the goals in view2 the triumph of truth1 the crowning of life1 the final discomfiture of death4 ,miriamne brightened as the service advanced2 then came a fullness of joy2 then a reaction and she finally fell into a sleep akin to a trance4 ,it was the resting of the wounded on the way of healing4 ,there was a ,divine overpouring and a babe-like sleep of perfect trust2 from this the voice of the priest aroused her6 8,miriamne seems to rest40 8,oh1 such a dream6 ,i followed the songs to the sky and wished my body had wings4 ,god lifted me up and ,i slept1 dreaming myself into ,his presence4 ,i thought ,i was in heaven40 8,thou art near it1 child40 8,oh1 this wonderful calm6 ,what makes me so happy80 8,hast thou any token80 8,i do not know3 ,i murmured as the people sang these words3 #8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth2' as ,i murmured that1 every thing1 got brighter1 and ,i felt no more under the yoke and load60 8,he is thy ,vindicator4 ',tis well40 ,then tears coursed down the old man's face4 ,and so the girl that fled out of her home1 away from the phantom of ,rizpah of the ancients1 away from her mother2 a pilgrim2 all wants1 all yearnings1 in a few brief hours1 had found a city of refuge1 an everlasting hope and was in soul serenely resting4 ,illustration3 ,by ,mengelburg4 ,,jesus ,,at ,,the ,,age ,,of ,,twelve ,,with ,,mary ,,and ,,joseph ,,on ,,their ,,way ,,to ,,jerusalem4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,a ,,heroine',s ,,pilgrimage4 8,there is a vision1 in the heart of each1 ,of justice1 mercy1 wisdom1 tenderness ,to wrong and pain and knowledge of the cure2 ,and these embodied in a woman's form1 ,that best transmits them pure as first received40--,robert ,browning4 8,behold1 the handmaid of the ,lord3 be it unto me according to thy word40--,,mary4 ,miriamne1 the day after her conversion1 at evening1 was sitting in the portal of the church at ,bozrah1 musing4 8,oh1 how ,i thank ,father ,adolphus for showing me the way to this peace60 ,the western sky1 to the maiden's rapt imagination1 seemed very like the gate of ,heaven1 and in her meditations she exclaimed as if talking to those in glory1 yet near to her3 8,mother of my ,saviour1 ,i need a mother6 ,thou and ,i1 two women1 loved of the same ,lord1 shall we not evermore be friends80 ,then the stars glittered through the fading sun light like night-lamps1 set along the parapets of that far off city1 and the maiden felt as if heaven's doors were being shut4 ,she was oppressed with a sense of being left alone1 and thereupon cried out1 8,oh1 ,jesus1 ,jesus1 do not leave me here in the dark2 ,oh6 thou mother1 sainted and happy1 may ,i not be where thou art until morning80 ,the cry or prayer of the girl1 having in it much of the poet1 little of the skilled theologian1 was one likely to be censured by those adept in stately forms1 and yet it was very natural4 ,miriamne was but an infant in experience and had yet to learn that after the resurrection came ,pentecost2 then the ,ascension4 ,steps like these are in the believer's experience2 conversion is a rising from the dead to be followed by the assuring work of the ,holy ,spirit1 then ,heaven4 ,but the soul quickened from the charnel-house of sin and inducted1 not only into a new inner life but into a new fellowship1 hungers for more and more4 ,hence1 it is a common thing for the young convert to wish to die1 and be away from life's turmoils and defilements at once and with the glorified1 immediately1 forever4 ,it is as if the disciple would pass at once from the sepulcher directly up the ,mount of ,ascension4 ,in this spirit ,mary ,magdalene pressed forward to embrace to her human heart the newly risen ,saviour that morning when he tenderly restrained her4 ,there was something for her to be and do before the final rest on the ,divine bosom1 in unending rapture4 8,touch me not2 for ,i am not yet ascended10 as if ,he would say1 8,i myself1 have other work yet1 before the eternal gates are lifted up for my triumphal entrance as the ,king of ,glory40 8,go to my brethren1 and say unto them1 ,i ascend unto my ,father and your ,father40 ,the master words were1 8,go20 8say40 ,the load ,jesus put on ,his followers was the same in kind1 though infinitely less1 that ,he took on ,himself4 ,some way it was love burdening with blessing1 for ,he that in dying agony sent the ,rose of ,his heart1 ,mary1 to the home of ,john instead of at once to ,paradise1 knew surely that then for her that was best4 8,to go0 and 8tell0 was best for ,magdalene1 as to stay and work for a time is best for all3 ,so ,miriamne's prayer1 though so worded that it would have been censured by the learned churchmen1 was heard in heaven1 and ,he that said3 8,my peace ,i leave with you10 ministered1 all unseen by human eye1 to that lamb1 bleating alone amid the dark giant castles of ,bashan and the darker castles of fears that hover not far from each new-born of ,his ,kingdom4 ,she passed from repining1 from morbidly wishing to die and from thoughts solely of her own weal1 to the second stage of experience2 that stage1 where the young convert is influenced with a burning zeal to tell of the blessings found and thereby win others for the ,saviour4 ,miriamne soon felt desire inexpressible to run and tell others of her joy4 ,then her mind recurred to her father1 living somewhere far to the westward1 just beneath where she had fancied the gates of heaven were a little while ago4 8,no1 no2 ,i cannot go yet6 ,i must stay here and do something4 ,oh1 ,i'd be ashamed to go to heaven and leave my father1 my mother1 my brothers1 my people in their misery60 ,as she thus spoke she pulled her hand quickly down by her side4 ,the motion like to one pulling away from some leading influence4 ,a voice at hand spoke3 8,behold1 he that keepeth ,israel shall neither slumber nor sleep40 ,miriamne1 with a slight startled exclamation1 turned to see whence the voice and with joy beheld ,father ,adolphus4 8,oh1 dear ,father1 ,i'm glad you came this way6 ,i want to tell you above all others how happy you made me40 ,solemnly and tenderly the old man replied3 8#8,not unto us1 oh ,lord2 not unto us1 but unto thy name give glory1 for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake4'0 8,yes1 ,he has done it2 but you helped1 good teacher2 and ,i am so happy6 ,oh1 ,i do not know myself6 ,i feel so changed4 ,i'm growing wiser1 happier and stronger every minute40 8,if so1 then1 ,he that called thee1 daughter1 had a purpose40 8,i know it2 see it2 feel it4 ,i'm called to help my people2 to bring together ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah40 8,say #8my parents'2 it's more filial40 8,yes1 but it's so strange4 ,i call them in my mind now all the time by their names4 ,it seems as if ,i belonged to another family2 that of ,jesus1 ,mary and the ,angels40 8,a child of the ,kingdom1 indeed6 ,when thy parents are converted1 the family tie will be revived4 ,thou dost feel the love of heaven2 the great eternal family bond1 as ,christ when he said3 #8,my mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of ,god and do it4'0 8,but if ,i hope to bring my parents together ,i must go first to my father and persuade him4 ,i know my mother will object to the journey4 ,can ,i disobey her and still please ,god80 8,ask ,god4 ,i have for thee1 and already see thy way4 ,i have already acted in this matter40 8,i can not forget the law in that ,i learn that #8,he that setteth lightly by his father or his mother is cursed4' ,among our noble ancients1 the ,maccabees1 the disobedient child was even stoned to death40 8,but thy salvation puts thee under the ,gospel1 although1 under the ,law even parents had duties2 they were forbidden to make their children walk through the idolatrous fires4 ,what says ,jesus to thee80 8,i do not know whether it be ,his spirit or not2 yet all the time ,i hear a voice within me saying3 #8,these twain shall be one4'0 8,i see thy soul abhors this actual divorcement of thy parents4 ,oh1 how some play hide and seek with their consciences around forms as these do2 not comforting but hating each other2 not bearing together their common burdens2 wide seas between them1 yet fancying they have violated no law of ,god1 because they have not asked the law of man to do what it never can1 truly1 proclaim two1 neither having committed the deadly sin1 apart40 8,this separate living is their constant sin80 8,he that starts wrongly repeats the wrong anew each time that1 by act or thought1 he approves the wrong first done4 ,sin's name is truly legion40 8,what an awful thing is sin60 8,true1 daughter4 ,it blinds its victims here1 and its wages hereafter is death40 8,that's why ,i fear to disobey my mother2 what if it be sin to do so80 8,the command1 my child1 is #8children obey your parents--in the ,lord40 8,what does #8in the ,lord' mean80 8,i'll tell thee1 my little catechumen2 there comes a time to some youths1 in pious life1 when duty to ,god compels disobedience of parents2 as it came to ,jonathan1 son of ,saul4 ,god is ,father and mother to the righteous1 and ,his law must be first4 ,mary left home and every thing1 first and last1 to follow ,jesus4 ,her way was the ,christian's40 8,i thought once ,i was right in obeying my mother without question4 ,now ,i think ,i may be right in disobeying without question4 ,the old and the new law are at war within me40 8,amid these ,bashan hills ,paul1 the ,holy ,saint1 traveled1 led of ,god from thinking that directly opposite to his former beliefs1 the truth4 ,jesus met him then on the way to ,damascus1 in power and in glory2 ,paul had been for a long time a profound scholar1 a ,pharisee of thy people4 ,on this journey1 enlightened by the spirit1 he asked and learned sincerely to ask1 the question of questions in this life2 #8,lord what wilt thou have me to do8' ,i beseech thee to ask it daughter1 as thy hourly prayer40 8,did ,god answer ,paul80 8,yea40 8,how80 8,the blessed apostle tells all6 #8,when it pleased ,god who separated me from my mother's womb to reveal ,his son in me1 that ,i might preach among the heathen1 immediately ,i conferred not with flesh and blood1 444 but ,i went into ,arabia4' ,neither wife1 friend1 child1 nor ,ephesian ,elders1 clinging with tears1 could hold him back from duty4 ,then he preached through this wild country40 8,but ,i'm not ,paul1 and only a woman40 8#8,only a woman6' ,she out of whom went seven devils1 a woman1 was the herald of the resurrection1 and the church2 ,god's glory in the earth1 is likened unto a woman4 ,oh1 when a woman is clothed with the ,sun1 there is nothing more resplendent1 and as for power1 naught prevails against her4 ,it seems to me if thou dost emulate her who said to ,god's messenger3 #8,be it unto me according to thy word' thou wilt go ere long to thy father2 but thou must now return60 8,return whither8 ,this spot of all earth alone tolerates me60 8,no1 that's changed6 ,thou art the ,child of a ,king4 ,go home2 ay1 rise to tell of the ,one that hath risen in thy heart40 8,dare ,i8 ,must ,i80 ,miriamne soon answered1 by action1 her own questions4 ,the young woman started homeward2 at first with fearfulness4 ,then there came to her great calmness and courage1 as she thought3 8,if ,i was wrong in going1 ,i'm right in returning4 ,my mother scared me from home into ,god's arms4 ,i can tell her that40 ,the new life had quickened within her the springs of affection4 ,in all her life before she had not been so long apart from her mother4 ,she said to herself1 8,i'll just spring into her arms1 when ,i meet her60 ,and she would have1 if permitted4 ,the mother with a face like a stone1 emotionless1 saw her approach4 ,when the latter stood by the threshold1 the parent freezingly said3 8,well2 what dost thou want here80 ,a dozen answers pressed for utterance4 ,some like those shaped by an angry or reckless girl2 some such as might come to a politic woman1 having recourse ever to cunning against the odds of power4 ,the first thoughts were not of love1 the last not of truth4 ,in an instant ,miriamne remembered her new personality4 ,she was the missionary6 ,she dared1 being right1 face any thing1 even her mother's wrath2 but in her soul she dared not let bitterness rule4 ,she knew as well that she dared not tell the truth so as to convey a false impression4 ,she might have done so once2 but not now4 8,lord what wilt thou have me to do80 the golden prayer was on her lips and she had instant grace to say quietly3 8,i was doing no wrong40 8,was where80 ,how brave the girl had become4 ,her reply was calm and courageous4 8,i was1 for a time praying to ,god2 but safe1 for ,god was with me in the ,spirit and good ,father ,adolphus in the flesh40 8,the ,old ,clock ,man60 8,yea40 8,the wizard6 ,i so suspected4 ,here is more of this bad work20 and ,rizpah angrily thrust before ,miriamne a scroll4 8,that fawning1 heretic-priest came here and left this with mock piety saying3 #8,i1 being the mother1 might read it6' ,i had no humor to converse with him2 but of thee ,i demand the full meaning4 ,now1 no avoidance1 girl2 dost thou hear60 ,miriamne was not only not abashed1 but in her new-found courage took the letter1 and without a quaver of the voice1 read3 8,,to ,,the ,,grand ,,master ,,of ,,the ,,temple1 ,,london4 8,faithful ,knight and ,son of the ,church3 8,,greeting--,i herewith commend to thee and thy most pious and chivalrous offices1 my beloved catechumen1 ,miriamne de ,griffin1 of ,bozrah4 ,she is the truly noble daughter of an ,english nobleman1 now living somewhere in ,london4 ,he is1 ,i fear1 prodigal toward ,god1 and an exile from his family2 perhaps in the distress of bodily ailment1 most grievous4 ,prompted by holy desires1 this young woman1 whom ,i commend1 may come to thy city in the hope of finding her father1 for the compassing of his restoration to health1 his family and righteousness4 ,had ,i the power1 ,i would command the thousand liveried angels1 said ever to attend the ,holy ,virgin1 to encompass ever this sweet and pious daughter of ,knight de ,griffin2 but being impotent to direct the angel guard1 ,i serenely commit my daughter in the spirit1 to the watch1 care and chivalrous regard of thyself and thy companion knights4 8,all saints salute thee4 ,my benediction be on thee4 ,in pace4 8,,adolphus ,,von ,,gombard40 8,and thou dost think thou couldst go alone1 half round the world1 find that renegade wanderer1 bring him here1 make him good1 tolerable1 and re-unite our family8 ,,thou80 ,rizpah stopped1 her voice almost at the pitch of a scream2 her utterance ending in a groan that died with a hiss4 ,miriamne responded calmly3 8,i can not tell what ,i may achieve1 that is with ,god2 but ,i know what ,i must attempt4 ,the path of duty is clear1 and ,i enter it unwaveringly40 8,and ,i1 as unwaveringly1 forbid40 8,i expected this command1 and in all love for thee1 my mother1 shall disobey it40 ,rizpah turned pale1 her eyes became leaden4 ,she was for an instant like one stunned by a sudden1 heavy blow1 and disarmed4 ,the little submissive child that she deemed her daughter to be1 was suddenly transformed before her2 changed in fact to a firm1 strong1 brave woman4 ,but the elder quickly recovered1 and while clearly perceiving that violence would be futile1 had recourse to the last arm of the half-defeated1 to ridicule4 8,disobedience1 oh1 ,i see1 this is a part of this superior religion of thine and that old #8,old ,clock ,man2' this ,gombard1 ha6 ha6 ,it was always so4 ,new religions please by freeing from law6 ,what an old idiot that ,solomon of the ancients6 ,he taught #8forsake not the law of thy mother4'0 8,mother1 ,i have two parents and obligations to both4 ,i find our home shattered1 and ,i for most of my life half orphan4 ,i have thereby great and lasting loss4 ,my brothers and you suffer as well4 ,i am led of ,god1 in a desire to seek a remedy for our troubles4 ,i would gladly obey your edicts1 but first ,i must obey my ,maker and ,king40 8,girl1 false teachings lure thee to a curse40 8,you know mother1 you yourself cursed the memory of ,herod not long ago1 when we wandered amid the ruins at ,kauawat and saw the remnants of his image1 as angry ,christians left it1 shattered years ago4 ,that day you said a curse on him that broke up families or made innocents mourn1 whether he lived anciently or now40 8,well80 8,i say a curse1 bitter1 on every act that breaks up or beclouds a home6 ,but not ,i1 it is ,god that curses60 ,rizpah was speechless and withdrew from the room1 motioning silence with a stately1 angry wave of her hand4 ,she was defeated in the debate1 but not subdued4 ,the next day ,rizpah renewed the subject1 but this time adopting the tactics of kindness4 8,my darling1 since yesterday ,i've been thinking thy good intentions worthy of approval for their spirit of love4 ,i'd approve thy purpose did ,i not forsee that the great sacrifice on thy part would be fruitless4 ,thy father and ,i could never live together6 ,if thou foundst him thou couldst not love him as he is1 and1 as for reforming him1 that were impossible60 8,i must try40 8',tis useless2 a woman as wise1 as patient1 and as earnestly seeking that result as thou1 gave years of devotion1 deep as her life1 to that purpose4 ,they failed utterly40 8,was that woman my mother80 8,yes1 listen4 ,in the glorious romances of youth ,i met ,sir ,charleroy4 ,i pitied him coming to our house a defeated ,crusader1 a refugee4 ,pity gave way to admiration4 ,there were few about me whom ,i could love2 ,i had no mother4 ,in some way ,i gave him her part of my heart first1 then the rest of it4 ,i admired him for his soldier-like bravery4 ,he was older and vastly wiser than ,i4 ,all my ambitions seemed to be satisfied in climbing up with his thoughts4 ,he was able to teach me a thousand things ,i never before heard of4 ,heart and mind were intoxicated4 ,i unconditionally surrendered all to him1 with an almost worshipful devotion4 ,i could not have made a more complete committal if my ,god had come in human form and sought me for ,his everlasting companionship4 ,i fled with him from my father's home4 ,in the wild ,lejah and this ,bozrah we lived for a time together1 until he changed from lover to hater6 ,here my unnatural love was murdered by inches4 ,i can now reason better than then1 and yet the past seems like a nightmare4 ,thy father knew a great deal1 intended to be kind but did not comprehend the dangerous responsibility of taking to his care such a passionate1 imaginative1 impressible creature as ,i was4 ,he did not realize that there is a period in a woman's life when she may be literally made into another being4 ,in every generation women are walking by thousands through a sort of passion week4 ,i walked in mine1 ready to be molded almost into any form2 but he tried to have me profess to be a ,christian1 live like a devotee of ,astarte and be as ,anata of the ,assyrians to her husband1 but the echo of himself4 ,i might have done all this1 but he tried to hasten me by force1 and then all fell to ruins like those amid which we lived4 ,that glorious structure of love which romance built1 became the saddest ruin here in those days4 8,i was then a young woman1 just entering the perilous1 exhaustive periods of maternity4 ,i was weak and nervous1 and sometimes may have tried his patience1 but ,i thought then that he ought to have borne with me4 ,i am now certain he ought4 ,after he left1 ,i was for a time glad4 ,i had renewed freedom from arguments1 rasping and crossing of purposes4 ,then ,i felt the martyr's joy4 ,i felt ,i was left1 a girl-wife1 with babe in arms1 to battle alone1 for ,god's sake1 for thy sake4 ,it seemed often that the arching heavens above were smiling upon baby and me2 that sustained me4 ,but1 daughter1 my moral training had been as thorough as has been thine4 ,my idea of the solemnity and life-bindingness of the marriage tie could be no higher than it was4 ,i believed it divine to be forgiving1 and finally was impelled to turn from our broken home1 to find1 if possible1 my recreant spouse4 ,dominated by convictions of duty1 and often by a revived1 wild1 soul-possessing love for ,sir ,charleroy1 ,i went to far off1 strange ,london1 ,i hunted out ,sir ,charleroy and was ready to be all things1 any thing for his sake4 ,he received me tenderly1 only to soon change to cruelty4 ,your brothers were born there1 adding to my load new burdens2 but ,i was without help4 ,he never seemed to study my comfort1 pleasure nor needs4 ,in a nation of strangers1 with strange ways1 ,i was alone4 ,he knew scores2 ,i knew only that one man4 ,repulsed by him ,i drank again and again the depths of misery1 having no heart in all the great city to counsel nor love me4 ,then thy father took delight in vice4 ,i was crucified for months2 my only comfort communing in memory with the ,sir ,charleroy that had been1 the tender1 loving1 brave ,palestine knight4 ,in those dark days1 ,i found there was a place where persecuted ,israelites secretly met2 a sort of cleft-rock synagogue4 ,thither ,i went for consolation4 ,i was wedded anew to my religion1 because it was mother1 father1 husband and all to me2 when there was none but ,god left to me4 ,i came to long1 daily1 for the time to go to that meeting place of a few ,hebrews just to pray ,god for two things4 ,one1 the most pitiful of prayers for a mother1 that ,he would care for my children and keep them from being like their father2 the other that ,i might be permitted soon to die6 ,thy father grew constantly more brutal1 taciturn and fitful6 ,at last ,i had an explanation4 ,i found by unmistakable signs that he was going mad4 ,i saw further that that madness took the shape of a murderous antipathy for me and the children4 ,under the advice of the rabbi1 leader of our people at ,london1 ,i determined1 as the only alternative1 to return to our ,bozrah home and leave him to the care of his companion knights4 ,in blank1 leaden grief ,i left ,london4 ,i came to these scenes of desolation with a heart as broken as any that ever survived its pains4 ,i could have died4 ,i returned1 my fate fixed1 the cup of my retribution for having disobeyed my parent full4 ,once a queenly1 blithesome girl1 petted and loved by hundreds1 changed to a lone1 sad widow and prematurely old4 ,a wife without a husband1 a ,jew without the recognition of my people4 ,how utterly isolated6 ,thou know'st the rest1 daughter40 ,the two women were silent4 ,miriamne was moved by the revelation to a wondrous pity2 but her royal sentence3 8,lord1 what wilt thou have me to do80 seemed to be written on the air just before her uplifted eyes4 ,then questioned the elder1 8,and thou my daughter1 a woman1 wilt not also leave me8 ,it's a woman's heart that pitifully questions40 8,i'll never forsake my mother60 8,and never leave80 8,except1 only as ,god commissions60 8,oh1 say that thou wilt never leave me in life6 ,i said this in cruel pains for thee1 ,miriamne4 ,miriamne1 daughter1 here by the couch in which thou wert born1 ,i plead40 ,so saying the mother dropped on one knee1 flung one arm over the bed by her side1 and stretched out the other toward her daughter4 ,the maiden was profoundly moved1 her loving heart seemed to be swelling within her1 all her emotional nature ready to exclaim1 8,i'll tarry10 but again her royal sentence3 8,lord1 what wilt thou have me to do80 controlled4 8,loved mother1 ,i am not my own4 ,god has bought me1 and in ,his dear love ,i go4 ,the story of sorrow ,i've just heard confirms me in my purpose4 ,i'm called1 ,i know1 to work out a new and brighter day for mother and father60 ,rizpah was both pained and chagrined1 and burying her face in her pepulum moaned1 8,god1 pity me60 8,he does1 ,i know1 and sends a daughter to bear thee proof1 my mother40 ,the mother1 as if not hearing the latter words1 continued1 growing vehement3 8,the necromancy of that ,nazarine priest has hastened the workings of heredity's curse6 ,girl1 thy father's distemper is taking root in thy brain2 thou too1 art going mad6 ,this scheme of peril1 foredoomed to failure1 is worthy of a bedlamite only4 ,oh1 ,jehovah1 my shepherd1 thou lead'st me now by bitter waters60 8,mother1 you called me at my birth1 #8,marah1' #8bitterness4' ,you know how the people murmured by the bitter springs of ,marah1 in the wilderness1 but ,god showed ,moses a tree that sweetened the water4 ,i've seen that tree and felt its power4 ,it grows on the mount called ,calvary1 and is immortal40 8,be considerate now1 daughter1 since ,i meet thee kindly4 ,to one not believing thy ,nazarene doctrine1 it is useless to appeal with ,christian figures40 8,well1 mother1 you remember ,jeptha8 ,he had a daughter1 and she was all-influential with him40 8,he was the cause of her death1 as thy father will be of thine40 8,but ,jeptha's daughter became a heroine40 8,when dost thou depart80 questioned ,rizpah4 8,next ,lord's day ,i say my last prayers in ,bozrah40 8,farewell4 ,as well now as later4 ,i can not bear a long parting1 and after to-day we shall speak no more of this40 ,miriamne was amazed by the sudden change4 8,do ,i go in peace80 8,ah1 daughter1 what a question8 ,a mother's undiminished love will follow thee even unto death1 winging a thousand daily prayers to ,israel's ,shepherd in thy behalf4 ,yet1 ,i shall condemn thy going1 rebuke thy disobedience1 perhaps frown upon thee1 and even say1 #8,i disown thee6' ,but1 though ,i do all this1 there will be tears in my voice and kisses in my heart1 for my first-born4 ,all my authority as a mother cries against thy going1 and all my mother-heart embraces4 ,i'll not kiss thee as thou departest1 but waft hundreds after thee when thou art gone4 ,i'm not ,rizpah1 devotee of ,rizpah now4 ,i'm only a woman1 a parent1 a voice uttering two decrees2 one of the head and one of the heart60 ,miriamne was inexpressibly rejoiced by the words she had heard1 as they betokened the breaking down of the strong opposition to her purpose2 but she could not trust herself further than to say1 as she affectionately embraced her mother1 8,and ,i can only cry as did that noble ,bethlehem mother to ,god's messenger3 #8,be it unto me according to thy word4' ,he leads1 ,i follow40 ,illustration3 ,by ,w4 ,holman ,hunt4 ,,the ,,youth ,,jesus ,,yielding ,,to ,,the ,,wishes ,,of ,,his ,,mother4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,consolatrix ,,afflictorum4 8,furl we the sail and pass with tardy oar ,through these bright regions1 casting many a glance ,upon the dream like issues and romance ,of many-colored life that ,fortune pours ,round the ,crusaders till1 on distant shores1 ,their labors end40--,,wordsworth4 ,miriamne's welcome at the 8,retreat of the ,palestineans10 at ,london1 was most cordial4 ,the ,grand ,master of the returned knights and his wife received her as a daughter2 the companion knights vied with each other in efforts to serve the child of their once honored comrade1 ,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin4 ,but the maiden never for a moment lost sight of her mission4 ,no sooner had she been bidden to rest than she questioned as to her father's welfare4 ,the ,grand ,master attempted to assure her that she might recuperate after her journey1 but she only the more urged her desire to be taken to her parent at once4 8,worthy ,master1 dalliance would not be rest1 but torture1 to me4 ,being now so near my father1 ,i'm filled with a ruling1 all-exciting longing to see him1 at once60 8,be patient1 daughter1 for a little season2 all is done for him that can be4 ,the princely revenues of the knights of ,europe are at the behest of each of our veterans1 as he hath need40 8,ah6 but your wealth can not provide him what ,i bring--a daughter's love60 8,and yet1 daughter1 since you press me1 ,i must explain that he is under a cloud which would make thy offering vain at present40 8,there is no need1 kind commander1 to make evasive explanations4 ,i have been forewarned of my father's troubles of mind40 8,but he is violent at times1 and we are compelled to keep him secluded in the asylum of our brotherhood40 8,good ,master1 that but the more increases my ardor to hasten a meeting with him4 ,i want to try the cure of love upon him2 ,i've all faith in its efficacy4 ,when may ,i go80 ,the foregoing was a sample of ,miriamne's words each day4 ,her appeals touched all hearts and finally over-persuaded the medical attendants1 who1 in fact1 began to fear lest refusal would unsettle the maiden's mind4 ,she was all vehemence and urgency on this subject4 ,the meeting was a sorrowful and brief one4 ,she was not prepared for such a spectacle as her father presented1 and her cry1 8,take me to him10 was changed to one more vehement now3 8,take me away60 ,terror supplemented her utter disappointment4 ,to both feelings there was added a sense of humiliation4 ,she imagined her return to ,bozrah1 empty-handed2 the possible gibes of her mother and others4 ,her great faith seemed fruitless and her enthusiasm ebbed4 ,then she began to question within herself whether or not1 after all1 the new faith she had embraced was not a splendid illusion6 ,she was in 8,doubting ,castle10 with 8,giant ,despair10 and the mighty1 impelling question1 8,what wilt ,thou have me to do80 little by little lost its grip on her will4 ,it had seemed to her the voice of ,god2 now it seemed little more than the echo of words heard in a dream4 ,she was moved now by a desire to get away from something1 but she could not define the thing4 ,certainly she desired to escape her disappointment1 but not knowing how1 she sought to get away from its scene4 ,if she could have run away from herself she would have been glad to have done so4 ,she fled from the asylum1 as soon as night came to hide her flight4 ,she had not strength to go far1 and the ,asylum park of many acres of lawns and groves1 afforded her solitude2 that that she now chiefly desired4 ,the night the desolate girl thus went forth was a lovely one2 a reflection of that other night of sorrow when she fled from the old stone-house home to the chapel of ,adolphus at ,bozrah4 ,and the memory of that night returned to the girl with some consoling4 ,again she looked up to the firmament and was calmed by the eternal rest that seemed on all above1 and again she yearned to go up further to the only seeming haven of righteousness and peace4 ,then came the reaction2 the prolonged tension had done its work1 and the young woman dropped down on the earth4 ,how long she lay in her blank dream she knew not4 ,if during its continuance she in part recovered consciousness1 she had no desire nor strength to rise or throw off her weakness4 ,ere long her absence was known at the ,grand ,master's and an eager search was instituted4 ,foremost in the quest was the young chaplain of the knights and his quest brought him first to the object of search4 8,can ,i aid my lady80 said the chaplain1 in kindly tones1 standing a little distance away from her1 in part through a feeling of delicacy akin to bashfulness1 and in part fearing lest by any means he should affright her4 ,the young woman lay motionless2 her eyes closed2 her face as the face of the lifeless4 ,receiving no answer1 the man questioned within himself3 8,is she dead80 ,fear emboldened him1 and he essayed active assistance4 ,delicately1 gently1 firmly he raised up the prostrate woman4 ,she seemed to realize that some one was assisting her1 but she was very passive4 ,her head1 drooping1 rested on the young man's shoulder1 and she sighed a weary1 broken sentence3 8,i'm so glad you came1 ,father ,adolphus60 8,not ,father ,adolphus1 but one rejoiced to serve a friend of his40 ,the maiden was silent a few moments1 as if listening to words coming to her from a distance1 through confusions4 ,memory was struggling to re-enforce semi-consciousness4 ,then came comprehension2 she realized the presence of a stranger1 and1 with an effort1 stood erect4 ,her eyes turned on the chaplain's face with questionings1 having in them mingled surprise1 timidity and rebuke4 ,the man interpreted her glance and made quick reply3 8,at my lady's services1 the ,chaplain of the ,palestineans4 ,we are all anxious at the ,grand ,master's concerning yourself40 8,anxious for me60 ,she found words to say that much1 and hearing her own words she recalled her recent thoughts of herself1 as one being very miserable and very worthless4 ,she turned her eyes from the young man toward the woodland1 in the darkness appearing like a gateway to black oblivion4 ,she yearned to bury herself in the oblivion utterly1 and her looks betrayed the thought4 ,the youth gently touched her arm1 saying3 8,despair has no place here2 the ,palestineans vanquish it40 ,she then looked down toward where she had been lying1 both nerves and will weakening4 ,it seemed to her a bed1 even on the earth1 were inviting1 especially so if she could take there a sleep that knew no waking4 ,the young man had ministered to his fellow-beings long enough to have become a good interpreter of hearts4 ,he discerned the thoughts of the one before him1 and offered prompt remedies1 words wisely spoken3 8,our faith makes us all hope to see our guest happy ere long40 ,then she gave way to a flood of tears4 ,the tears moved the man to exercise ,his professional function1 and forgetting all else he spoke as a comforter to a sorrowing woman4 ,she listened1 but1 except for her sobs1 was silent until he questioned3 8,shall ,i stay to guide back to the #8,refuge1' or return to send help80 ,she answered by turning toward him a face pale and blank1 lighted alone by eyes all appealing4 ,he interpreted the look and continued3 8,i'll tarry to aid4 ,shall we now seek the #8,refuge8'0 ,then she exclaimed1 8,alas1 there seems no refuge for me60 8,the troubles of ,miriamne de ,griffin enlist all hearts at this place1 ,i assure you40 8,and this1 your kindness1 with your happiness ever before me1 but makes to myself my own desolation more manifest6 ,ah1 ,i'm but a hulk in a dark tide60 8,lady1 say not so1 ,i beseech you4 ,look1 there60 ,languidly1 mechanically1 she turned her eyes in the direction the speaker pointed2 then suddenly drew back from sight of a white apparition1 standing out boldly from a background of dark shrubbery4 ,her nerves all unstrung were for the moment victimized by superstitious dreads4 8,only1 calm1 pure marble2 a fear-slayer2 not fear-invoker6 ,look at its pedestal60 assuringly spoke the chaplain4 ,the maiden did as bidden and slowly read1 repeating each word aloud3 8,sancta-,maria-,consolatrix-,afflictoru m40 8,by easy interpretation3 #8,mother of ,jesus1 consoler of the sorrowing6'0 responded the young man4 8,ah1 like all consolations nigh to me1 this is only stone and set in deep shadows6 ,it can not come to me60 8,true1 yon form is passionless stone2 but the truth eternal1 which it emblemizes1 is living and fervent40 8,life and fervor8 ,death and sorrow submerge both60 8,there is mother-love in the heart of ,god2 to one so nearly orphan as my friend1 it must be comforting to look up believing that in heaven there are fatherhood1 motherhood and home6 ,this is the sermon in yon stone40 ,then the chaplain gently1 reverently drew the sorrow stricken maiden toward the 8,refuge0 and she followed1 unresisting4 ,as they moved along1 she essayed to seek further acquaintance with her guide4 8,may ,i know the chaplain's name80 8,certainly2 to those that are intimates1 #8,brother' or #8,friend2' for such ,i've renounced my former self and name40 8,but if ,i should need and wish to send for you8 ,i might4 ,i could not call for #8,brother4'0 8,ah1 ,i'm by right1 #8,cornelius ,woelfkin2' yet the names are misnomers1 since ,i'm not kin to the wolf1 nor am ,i #8a heart-giving light' as my name implies2 at least if ,i give light it is but dim40 ,the meeting of the young people1 apparently accidental1 was in fact an incident in a far-reaching train of ,providences4 ,the young woman was in trouble and needing such sympathy as one who was both young and wise could give2 the young man was courteous1 pure-minded1 wise beyond his years1 free from the conceits common to young men of capacity1 and being a natural philanthropist1 naturally sympathetic4 ,the young woman was at the age that yearns for a girl friend1 and needs a mother's counsel2 the young man had much of his mother in his make-up2 enough to fit him to win his way into the confidence and fine esteem of a refined and trusting young woman2 but not enough to make him effeminate4 ,somehow he exactly met the needs of ,miriamne's life4 ,he could advise her as sincerely and wisely as a mother and companion her as affectionately as a girl friend4 ,having neither girl friend nor mother1 the young chaplain became both to her4 ,they were both impressible and inexperienced in the matters that belong to the realms of the heart1 in its grander emotions2 therefore with a charming simplicity they outlined their intentions and the limitations of their relations4 ,they assured each other1 again and again1 probably in part to assure themselves1 that they were to be very true and very sensible young friends4 ,their converse often ran along after this manner4 8,we understand each other so well60 8,yes1 and are so well adapted to each other60 8,we have had too much experience to spoil this helpful relation between us1 by giving away to any sway of the romantic emotions40 8,there has seldom been in the world a friendship between a young man and young woman so exalted and wise as ours is40 ,they agreed that she should call him 8brother10 and he should call her 8sister40 ,at first they said they wished they were indeed akin by ties of blood2 though in time they were glad they were not4 ,in this they were like many another pair who have had such a wish1 and in their case as in many another like it1 the wish1 was a prediction of its own early demise4 ,among the works of art in the park of the ,palestineans was a commanding bronze of ,pallas-,athene1 the goddess believed by her pagan devotees to be the patroness of wisdom1 art and science4 ,she was the ,virgin of the ,romans and the ,greeks1 their queenly woman1 deemed by her wisdom ever superior to ,mars1 god of war4 ,she was represented bearing both spear and shield2 but these as emblems of her moral potencies4 ,in a word1 she was the result of the efforts of those ancients to express a perfection that was virgin and matchless1 because too fine and exalted to have an equal4 ,between the 8,white ,madonna0 and this ,minerva1 ,chaplain ,woelfkin and the ,maid of ,bozrah often walked1 back and forth1 in very complacent conversations4 ,they desired themes1 the ideals afforded them2 they were in a frame of mind that delighted in ,utopianism1 and the effigies of the women guided their day-dreams4 ,youth1 quickened by dawning1 though as yet unperceived1 love1 naturally begins building a ,pantheon filled with fine creations4 ,that is the time of hero-worship in general2 afterward comes the iconoclastic period when every idol is cast down to make place for the only one that the heart crowns4 ,cornelius praised sincerely ,miriamne1 when she said she would be as the ,grco-,roman goddess--very wise1 very pure1 very strong4 ,day by day1 he believed she was becoming like ,minerva4 ,then he thought it very fine for the maiden to emulate the goddess in every thing1 even her perpetual virginity4 ,again1 walking near the ,madonna and discoursing of her as the ideal of womanhood1 as the mother1 the minister1 the saint1 the maiden said she would emulate the latter2 the chaplain in his heart prayed that she might4 ,once he finely said3 8,a pure1 patient woman is ,god's appointed and best consoler of the afflicted4 ,miriamne1 be like ,mary1 and ,sir ,charleroy will find restoration40 ,the young woman was encouraged by the words to increase her efforts in her father's behalf4 ,now she did so not only because prompted by a sense of duty1 but because filial love seemed a fine ornament for a maiden4 ,birds in mating-times put on their finest plumage2 men and women do likewise4 ,the chaplain was a humanitarian by profession1 and naturally joined the maiden in her efforts for her father's recovery4 ,so their thoughts and their works ran in parallel lines4 ,they had unbounded delight in their companionship and common efforts4 ,this delight they innocently explained to themselves as the natural result and reward of their fine1 exalted1 frank1 wise1 brother-like1 sister-like friendship4 ,in hours of their supremest satisfaction they generously expressed sorrow for the world at large1 because so few in it knew how to attain such bliss as they enjoyed4 ,in a word1 they were a very fine and a very innocent pair1 a complete contrast with ,rizpah and ,sir ,charleroy at ,gerash4 ,the latter took their course under the torrid influences of ,astarte of the brawny ,giants1 the former moved forward charmed and led by those things that were held to be the belongings of the fine women whose statues graced the park of the ,palestineans4 ,miriamne asked wisdom later of her elect counselor1 and he advised her to send letters to ,bozrah urging her mother to join her in ,london1 in efforts in behalf of their insane kinsman4 ,the young man very wisely argued3 8,he is a fragment1 flung out of a wrecked home2 his perturbed mind is clouded by the wild passions of a misled heart4 ,we must balance his brain by calming his heart4 ,he is filled with hatings1 and love alone is hate's cure4 ,if the past losses be recovered1 he must be brought back to the place of loss40 ,miriamne wrote to her mother1 glad to please her counselor by so doing1 and yet almost hopeless of gaining any answer that was favorable4 ,the maiden renewed her visit to her father's lodge in the asylum4 ,she was not permitted1 nor did she then desire1 to see her parent4 ,she shuddered when she remembered the one dreadful meeting of the beginning1 and was content to sit outside the door of his cell or keep1 day by day1 to perform such little services as she could4 ,sometimes she would call the insane man by his name1 or title2 sometimes she would call out3 8,father1 would you like to see ,miriamne80 or 8,father1 your daughter is here40 ,at other times she would sit near his door singing ,eastern songs1 especially such as she had heard were favorites of her parents in their younger days4 ,days passed onward1 and there appeared no result beyond the fact that when she was thus engaged the knight became very quiet4 ,at the suggestion of ,chaplain ,woelfkin1 she changed her method1 and began in hearing of the knight a recital of the history of ,crusader days4 ,in this she was encouraged1 for an attendant told her that her father each day1 when she began1 drew close to his barred door to listen4 ,as she came near the time of the ,acre campaign1 the knight's face was flushed with interest4 ,having followed the narrative up to the fall of the city and the flight of ,sir ,charleroy and his comrades1 she paused4 ,then she was surprised and delighted at once1 for the incarcerated man in a voice both calm and natural1 ejaculated the words3 8,go on60 ,miriamne would have rushed to the prison door had not ,cornelius1 who stood not far away1 motioned her to remain seated and to continue4 ,for a moment she was at a loss how to proceed1 but then she bethought herself of an experiment4 ,she described by a kind of a parable the career of her father1 as follows3 8,and the noble knight1 after years of illness1 was found by his loving daughter4 ,under her kindly care he recovered1 and at her earnest request he returned to his home in ,palestine4 ,there he spent many happy years with his reunited family1 consisting of a wife1 daughter and twin sons4 ,he is living there now1 and all that family agree that theirs is the most happy and loving home on earth40 8,it's a lie6 a lie60 almost shouted the lunatic4 8,sir ,charleroy is not there4 ,he went mad2 the devil stole his skull and left his brain uncovered to be scratched by a million of bats4 ,that's why he went mad2 ,i know him2 he went mad1 and is mad yet1 and you get away with your lying60 ,the daughter fled in terror at the succeeding outburst of wild profanity2 but she was still rejoiced1 that a chord of memory had been struck4 ,it gave a harsh response1 yet it gave a response1 and that was much4 ,she continued her efforts as before4 ,the interviews were not fruitless1 but they were costing her fearfully4 ,she complained to no one1 yet her youthful locks1 in a few months streaked with silver1 told the story of suffering4 ,one day there was delivered at the ,grand ,master's a huge package directed to herself4 ,miriamne1 filled with wonder1 called help to open the case4 ,just under the cover she beheld a letter4 ,she knew the handwriting4 ,it was her mother's4 ,her heart took a great leap1 and as a flash of joy there ran through her mind the thought3 8,mother has sent something to help4 ,perhaps it's her clothing1 and she is coming60 ,tremblingly ,miriamne read the epistle4 ,how formal3 8,,miriamne ,,de ,,griffin3--,thou went'st without my leave4 ,do not return till sent for4 ,thou left'st a loving mother for a worthless father1 and this is a daughter's reward4 ,thou dost say ,sir ,charleroy is mad4 ,i knew it1 and think that the curse is descending on thee4 ,but ,i doubt not the man has cunning in his madness1 and has prompted thee to inveigle me into his toils again4 ,once he had me in ,england1 and there he put me on the rack of his merciless temper and lust6 ,shame on him for that time6 ,shame on me if he have opportunity to repeat it6 ,i send thee a comforter4 ,put it before his eyes1 and tell him that the woman of ,bozrah is before him4 ,tell him that she1 like ,rizpah of old1 is true to the death to her sons1 and1 while waking1 never forgets to curse the vultures60 ,no love was added4 ,there was no name appended4 ,miriamne felt like one disowned4 ,she dreaded to examine the contents of the case2 but a servant1 who began the opening just then1 spread it out4 ,as she suspected1 after she had read the letter1 it was the 7to her7 hateful picture of ancient ,rizpah4 ,it was evening1 and the maiden sought a refuge from her troubles in the park4 ,it was1 on her part1 another flight from the face of ,rizpah of ,gibeah2 another seeking of solitude from man that she might gain that sense of nearness to the ,eternal ,father under the calm1 silent stars of ,his canopy4 ,it was like that flight from the old stone house of ,bozrah to the chapel of ,father ,adolphus that she had made long before4 ,the maiden's course brought her to the 8,white ,madonna10 and there she found her counselor and brother1 the chaplain4 ,he had heard that ,miriamne was desponding that day1 and had bent his course hither1 confident that the 8,consolatrix ,afflictorum0 would prove a tryst4 ,the scenery around ,pallas ,athene was the finer by far1 but to a troubled heart there was the more allurement in the place where the love of heaven was expressed4 ,the ,minerva expressed self-sufficiency2 the 8,white ,madonna10 ,god's sufficiency4 ,one expressed justice1 culture1 the perfection of human gifts1 regnant and victorious2 the other spoke of welcome1 healing1 mercy1 and help for those who were in pitiable needs4 ,the virgin evolved by the philosophers of the ,greeks was a concept touching but few of humanity1 and fitted to be crowned only in a world of perfections1 such as has not yet existed4 ,the 8,white ,madonna0 depicted a real character who had a human heart and heavenly traits1 and that easily found acceptance in human affections4 ,the maiden and her counselor sat together for a long time2 she speaking of her social miseries1 he of ,god's remedies2 she describing the thickness of the night about her2 he telling her in beautiful parables that there was a refuge and an asylum1 though the night obscured all for a time4 ,as they conversed the rising moon flooded the 8,white ,madonna0 with silvering light1 and the chaplain rapturously exclaimed3 8,see1 the moon gets its light from the sun1 and gives it to the image4 ,we do not see the sun1 but we see its work and glory reflected6 ,so ,god hands down from heaven to ,his children1 by ,his angels and ministers1 the powers and blessings that they need4 ,miriamne1 we have a ,father who forgets none and is munificent to all60 ,illustration3 ,paul ,veronese4 ,,the ,,wedding ,,at ,,cana4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,the ,,wedding ,,at ,,cana4 8,i would ,i were an excellent divine ,that had the ,bible at my fingers' ends2 ,that men might hear out of this mouth of mine ,how ,god doth make ,his enemies ,his friends2 ,rather than with a thundering and long prayer ,be led into presumption1 or despair40--,,breton4 8,hear ye ,him4 ,whatever ,he saith unto you1 do it40--,,mary4 ,chaplain ,woelfkin heard of ,miriamne's reply from her mother4 ,he was both glad and sorry thereat2 sorry the heart he tenderly esteemed should have been so wounded1 and glad that the wounding afforded him opportunity to show how gently and wisely he could comfort4 8,your trial came at a fortunate time1 sister40 8,i can not see how such a rebuke can ever be timely1 being unjust and cruel40 8,true enough2 but if fate must assail1 it is well to have its hardships fall on us when we are supported by dawning hopes4 ,there are hopes near for ,miriamne40 8,let not my brother's warm heart give me false comfort4 ,i've no sight of hope40 8,say not so2 there is a surprise in store for you40 8,now1 pray1 explain40 8,you will be permitted to meet your father at the chapel service to-night40 8,oh1 but--60 and ,miriamne bowed her head and waved her hand as if to repel some unpleasant spectacle4 8,be not perturbed1 sister4 ,let me explain3 ,you came hither to seek your demented parent1 hoping that love would find a way to compass his healing4 ,the purpose and effort were alike noble and wise4 ,you lost heart because the results were slow to appear2 but the good seed was sown1 and now for the fruit40 8,has my father recovered80 8,he has improved1 and to-night we'll sit quietly while we apply the balm of ,gilead40 8,now am ,i in a mystery40 8,miriamne's ministries have touched a responsive chord in ,sir ,charleroy's heart and fitted him to attend our mind-cure services4 ,love is the surest remedy for a mind gone down under the ruins of the crushed heart4 ,sir ,charleroy calls his daughter #8,naaman's little maid1' and but yesterday said3 #8,ah1 she'll take me to healing ,jordan yet6'0 8,blessed be ,god10 devoutly exclaimed the maiden1 glancing heavenward4 8,to which ,i say #8amen1' assured that great things will come through our #8,birth of ,peace4'0 8,and what is that1 pray80 8,we are trying to soothe the tumultuous minds of our asylum patients by displaying sweet peace in picture garbs4 ,to-night by the aid of a musical and illustrative service we shall depict1 in the chapel1 the ,birth of ,jesus4 ,but ,i'll not explain further now4 ,wait until the hour of service1 sister40 ,when the people were gathered1 ,miriamne1 glowing with hope1 yet silenced by anxiety1 was in the midst of the assembly4 ,the preliminary services moved slowly along with a studied absence of hurry4 ,miriamne could not give them her attention2 she was disappointed because she did not see her father present1 and the chaplain himself was not there4 ,presently the music of the occasion arrested her attention4 ,she followed its movement and found it gaining control of her feelings4 ,there was an organ in soft1 quiet tones leading voices that murmured words of trust and rest4 ,she followed the flowing tide of melody again and again1 each time further1 higher1 more contentedly1 until one strain1 expressive of serene triumph1 lifted her to a very third heaven of satisfaction4 ,there it left her almost at a loss to say where the melody ceased and the remembering began4 ,at that instant1 the chaplain passed by her side1 robed in white1 hurriedly whispering so she alone could hear3 8,your father is behind the screen of ,templar banners1 quietly listening4 ,be hopeful and pray4 ,god is good60 ,the words to her soul were as rain whisperings to spring flowers in a torrid noon4 ,advancing to the raised platform1 the young man told the story of ,bethlehem1 ending with a beautiful description of the angel song of 8,peace on earth1 good will to men40 ,the words of the speaker were quietly spoken1 and his address mostly like that of one conversing with a few friends2 but the words were very impressive4 ,when all had bowed to receive the benediction1 ,miriamne1 lifting her eyes1 beheld her father sitting1 with the flag screen thrown aside1 full in view1 but clad as a knight and without manacle or guard4 ,for a moment he sat thus1 then arose and calmly moved out of the chapel toward his lodge4 ,she obeyed a sudden impulse and rose to speed after him1 but the restraining hand of the ,grand ,master was laid on her arm3 8,wait2 not yet1 daughter40 ,renewed hope made it easy for her to comply1 and she sat down again filled with gratitude toward ,god4 ,a series of similar services followed1 each bringing new causes for hopefulness to the maiden4 8,we are going to ,cana to-day1 sister10 remarked the young chaplain some weeks subsequent to the 8,birth of ,peace0 service4 8,to ,cana80 8,to ,cana1 and for a purpose40 8,i can not fathom it1 brother40 ,then the young man explained to his fair hearer the scripture event1 and the method devised for presenting it at the chapel1 as intended that day4 ,the patients and their friends were assembled in the chapel again4 ,sir ,charleroy among them1 but silent and absorbed with his own thoughts4 8,we are going to try a device to gain his attention10 whispered the chaplain to ,miriamne4 ,just then the ,grand ,master1 dressed in the full regalia of a knight1 ascended the platform and uncovered to view a huge earthen vessel1 remarking3 8,friends1 we want to exhibit this evening a vessel1 on its way now to ,france1 but left for a time in our custody by some of our comrade ,crusaders1 who brought it from ,cana in ,galilee40 8,knights10 8,crusaders10 8,cana60 murmured ,sir ,charleroy1 as if in soliloquy4 ,miriamne observed her father's eyes4 ,they were no longer leaden2 they glowed with interest4 8,you all remember10 continued the ,grand ,master1 8how ,jesus turned the water into wine at ,cana8 ,tradition informs us that this before us is one of the identical water-pots used that time by our ,savior2 but ,i'll leave our chaplain to tell the rest40 ,the youth took his position at the pulpit and began informally to talk1 as if in conversation1 but he had anxiously1 carefully prepared for the occasion4 ,he first pictured ,cana1 with its limestone houses1 sitting on the side of the highlands1 a few miles north-east of ,nazareth4 8,this place10 he continued1 8is the reminder of two instructive events4 ,i have their history here40 ,thereupon1 ,cornelius turned to an illuminated volume and began reading1 with passing comments4 ,as he read1 ,sir ,charleroy closely watched the reader2 the puzzled look of the listener faded into satisfied attention4 8,jesus was proclaimed the ,lamb of ,god1 near ,cana1 by that vehement1 self-starving ,baptist ,john4 ,but in habits and manner of living ,john and ,jesus were utterly dissimilar4 ,there was harmony in the great things1 faith and charity in all things40 ,the mad knight nodded inquiringly4 ,the student continued3 8,jesus1 the organizer of the new kingdom1 at ,cana1 unfolded one part of ,his policy1 for nigh here twain questioned3 #8,where dwellest thou8' ,jesus instantly invited them to ,his own abode4 ,they dwelt with ,him a day1 and were won to be ,his loyal disciples1 thus attesting the power of ,christ in the home4 ,and they got a home religion1 for one of these1 ,andrew1 at once sought to win his brother ,peter to discipleship4 ,on the eve of ,cana's wedding feast ,jesus won ,philip1 saying1 #8,follow me1' and ,philip hasted to win ,nathaniel1 crying1 #8,come and see4' ,to these ,he spoke of a hereafter home with open doors and a holy family4 ,each of ,jesus's true disciples was impelled to haste and tell salvation's story to his nearest kin4 ,christianity is a feast beginning in the home circle and spreading to all the earth40 ,the mad knight1 as he listened1 cast a glance of inquiry over his shoulder at those near him4 8,sir ,charleroy applies the lesson to himself10 whispered the ,grand ,master to ,miriamne4 ,cornelius went on3 8,cana was the home of ,nathaniel4 ,we see this poor man sitting in seclusion under a fig tree4 ,except his doubts1 he was alone4 ,to him ,jesus went1 and at the door of his own home the ,master met him4 ,because ,nathaniel believed1 on little evidence1 ,god gave him more1 and promised him that he should see heaven open and the angels ascending and descending1 as in ,jacob's vision4 ,so are those winged messengers passing back and forth forever1 to minister to and comfort needy man4 ,one may be lost to the world1 to friends1 to himself1 but never lost to the ,good ,shepherd1 who is like the one in the parable leaving the ninety and nine to follow the lamb that was straying40 ,sir ,charleroy's head bowed1 and ,miriamne was glad1 for she saw the tears falling thick and fast down his pallid cheeks4 ,a sign from the attending physicians brought the services quietly to a close4 ,they had seen the emotion of the knight1 and desired that the feelings aroused be permitted to quietly ebb4 ,a few days later1 by their advice1 the ,grand ,master summoned the chaplain of the ,palestineans to hold another service like the last4 8,sir ,charleroy was blessed that last day4 ,he evinces interest and natural reasonings4 ,since the former service he has repeated the story of ,cana over and over1 together with the substance of thy discourse thereon4 ,besides that1 he never tires of inquiring about the #8ruddy priest of the sweet words1'0 said the physician4 8,i obey1 my ,master1 it's ,god's will4 ,what shall be my theme80 8,oh1 ,cana continued2 ,de ,griffin is constantly inquiring as to when the ruddy priest of the sweet words is to continue the tale of the ,cana10 said the ,grand ,master4 8,praise the ,day ,spring that hath visited us60 8,you echo the thought of all our souls1 ,cornelius40 ,and it was so that on the day following the chapel of the 8,house of ,rest0 was filled with much the same company that met there the last time4 ,miriamne arrived early and eagerly questioned ,cornelius as he passed her on his way to his robing-room3 8,oh1 brother1 hast thou a message of grace and hope for me1 to-day80 8,the entrance of thy word giveth light10 was his quiet reply2 and he passed on1 not daring to tarry near the woman that so strangely moved him4 ,he felt very serious1 and hence avoided that which might distract his attention4 ,but ,miriamne felt assured1 while ,cornelius was all faith in the efficacy of the ,divine word in working the cure of minds perturbed4 ,presently he stood behind his reading-desk and1 waiting until the organ tone had died away1 commenced by reading these words3 8,and the third day there was a marriage in ,cana of ,galilee2 and the mother of ,jesus was there3 8,and both ,jesus was called1 and his disciples1 to the marriage40 ,sir ,charleroy had entered the chapel1 and was moving toward a lonely seat2 his motions were languid2 his action listless1 except when at intervals he gazed into the empty air and hissed some incoherent words at imaginary people4 ,but the word 8,cana0 arrested his attention4 ,he looked up1 smiled1 and then exclaimed3 8,oh1 the red-faced6 ,that's it2 tell us more1 more of ,cana60 ,cornelius complied4 8,we have here a story of two lives in the most precious tie on earth1 marriage40 ,then the chaplain read3 8,we see ,christ at a ,jewish wedding1 and the ,hebrew marriage was ever an occasion of great joy4 ,not only so1 but the weddings of that people were characterized by very instructive and impressive ceremonies4 ,let me explain4 ,the day before the wedding both bride and groom fasted1 confessed their sins and made ceremonial atonement for the errors of their past lives4 ,they were to be part of each other1 and felt that each owed it to the other to be free from burden or taint of the past4 ,both bride and groom at the wedding wore wreaths of myrtle1 the emblem of justice1 constantly to typify that virtue as supreme in wedlock40 8,oh1 young priest1 thou art an angel60 ,the voice startled all but ,sir ,charleroy4 ,he had spoken1 yet his face indicated only placidity and interest4 ,cornelius proceeded3 8,the bride1 veiled from head to foot to show that her beauty was to be seen only by him to whom she gave herself1 decked with a girdle1 emblem of strength and subjection1 was led in triumph from the home of her father to the home of him who was to possess her4 ,before she took her departure1 kindly hands anointed her with sweet perfumes and gave her priceless jewels2 while on her way she was met by all her friends1 singing songs and bearing torches to gladden her journey toward her new abode4 ,thus they that loved the bride did bestir themselves to bestow bounties and make the maiden most choice4 ,there was no detraction1 no defiling1 no effort to belittle4 ,were wives aided like brides there would be fewer broken hearts among wedded women40 8,wondrous true1 ruddy priest60 ,it was the mad knight's voice4 ,cornelius continued3 8,the feast of the wedding lasted seven days4 ,to such a gathering ,jesus once went4 ,probably this was the marriage of a kinsman4 ,thus1 immediately after ,his temptation and ,his baptism1 with ,his mighty redemptional work all before ,him1 our ,lord deemed it a leading duty to give proper attention to this wedding ceremonial1 one of the lesser things that make up so much of life4 ,with man supreme selfishness1 or natural littleness1 engenders apathy to all except some pre-occupying purpose1 but ,he1 in whom all fullness dwells1 entered into and embraced around about all life4 ,he was as glorious when meddling with human joys and making the waters of ,cana blush to wine1 as when grappling with the sorrows of sin and setting ,himself up on ,calvary the beacon and light of the ages40 ,miriamne felt the illumination again that first came to her that ,easter-day at ,bozrah1 while ,sir ,charleroy's face glowed with intelligence and peace4 ,this was a full1 round gospel which ,cornelius was proclaiming1 and every soul present was fed4 ,after pausing for an interlude of soothing music he again proceeded with his discoursing as one conversing3 8,at ,cana1 ,christ bound as a captive1 natural law4 ,how ,he did so we do not know1 but we do know that while destroying no part of nature's system he mysteriously made it serve for human happiness in a way unusual and marvelous4 ,it seems to me that the story of ,cana is a fireside story4 ,no matter how miserable a home may be1 it may have faith that in welcoming the ,divine guest it welcomes assured miraculous joy4 ,life's waters may blush everywhere to heaven's wine60 ,the mad knight murmured3 8,oh1 ruddy priest6 if thou couldst only preach this in ,bozrah40 ,the ,grand ,master1 who was sitting by ,miriamne1 pressed her hand and whispered3 8,memory is reviving--praise to the ,day-,spring60 ,cornelius again read his parchment4 8,and when they wanted wine1 the mother of ,jesus saith unto him1 ,they have no wine4 8,jesus saith unto her1 ,woman1 what have ,i to do with thee8 ,mine hour is not yet come40 8,so10 said the reader1 8these folks were likely poor1 the supply meager1 though no man ever yet had enough of the wine of joy at his wedding until it was blessed by the ,god of marriage40 ,just then ,sir ,charleroy1 standing up1 solemnly said3 8,young man1 ,i'd have thee tell these people why ,he said #8,woman1 what have ,i to do with thee8' ,he1 the man1 was master1 that was it1 eh80 8,oh1 motion to ,cornelius not to debate10 whispered ,miriamne to the ,grand ,master2 but ,cornelius was already adroitly replying3 8,true1 knight of ,saint ,mary1 but this ,master of ceremonies was ,divine4 ,then ,he was not talking to his wife4 ,he had not wed this woman1 hence was not bound by the law of being her other self4 ,besides that we must not forget that they had often conversed intimately before the wedding2 she with all the tenderness of a woman's heart1 which in its love ever naturally outruns all plans1 all reasonings1 to bestow all it has at once upon the all-beloved4 ,she hurried ,christ in the way of giving4 ,this to her credit1 if her wisdom is reproved40 ,the knight settled back in his seat1 his face very pale but not anger-marked4 ,cornelius continued3 8,the term #8woman' is often used1 as here1 in all tenderness4 ,our rugged language ill translates the original4 ,when a people has not fine moods in its living1 its language becomes like sackcloth1 unfit to clothe the angel-like thoughts of those who live on more exalted planes4 ,the gross degrade all their companions1 whether such be beings or merely words40 ,the leader again read3 8,his mother saith unto the servants1 ,whatsoever he saith unto you1 do it40 8,this shows the good1 motherly ,mary supplementing the ,master's work4 ,doubtless1 she had her partisans1 some who would have sided with her had she chosen to rebuke her ,son4 ,but she desired harmony at the feast and in the home4 ,this was the chief end1 and for it she was willing to serve and wait40 8,very true6 ,our ,lady was always right and good40 ,it was the voice of the mad knight4 ,cornelius continued3 8,these were the finest words ,mary ever spoke2 they were the key to her whole life2 indeed1 the spirit of the ideal woman ever more standing nearer to ,christ than any other being2 at a wedding1 the very climax of fullest human love1 the gateway to home1 the counterpart of heaven1 ,mary points all to the ,christ1 exclaiming1 #8,hear ye ,him6'0 8,our ,lady was always a wise1 brave1 loving1 submissive woman10 exclaimed ,sir ,charleroy4 8,it is an old tradition10 replied ,cornelius1 8that this was the wedding of ,john1 the beloved and confidant of ,jesus4 ,it is interesting to remember that that blessed disciple1 in his ,gospel1 presents the one whom he loved as a mother but twice--once at this wedding1 the other time at the crucifixion2 the places of highest joy1 and deepest sorrow2 a way of saying from the altar to the cross1 is woman's course2 a parable-like presentment of the doctrine that the wife and mother are to appear at these two points1 so opposite1 so common to all2 the lowest dip1 the highest heaven40 ,the mad knight suddenly interrupted them4 8,what did ,joseph think of all this80 ,perhaps this odd query was fortunate1 for it brought smiles to all4 ,the knight laughed out until his eyes were flowing with tears4 ,cornelius1 self-possessed1 quietly replied3 8,it is said that ,joseph was dead long ere this wedding1 and that ,mary was exhaling the perfumes of her consecrated widowed life to gladdening in pious ministries the people about her4 ,widowhood has such purposes40 8,ah1 she was the ,rose10 cried the knight4 8,if ,joseph were not dead1 he might well stand back1 behind such a wife60 ,the chaplain of the ,palestineans closed with a well-worded climax1 recalling the fact that this event made a lasting impression on the ,son of ,god1 as evinced by the wondrous tropes of the ,apocalypse1 where eternal goodness and eternal joy are pictured under the similitude of a wedding-feast4 ,the mad knight cried out3 8,grand1 grand6 ,oh1 ruddy priest1 ,i worship thee60 ,the ,grand ,master signaled the conclusion4 ,the worshipers and patients were slowly retiring1 ,sir ,charleroy moving toward his lodge seemingly wrapped in contemplation of some engrossing problem4 ,he passed near the picture of 8,rizpah ,defending ,her ,relatives10 which by some mischance had been left near the chapel door4 ,instantly the knight's attention was fixed2 he became excited1 then suddenly turning to an attendant1 exclaimed3 8,here1 tell me1 where am ,i8 ,is this ,london or ,bozrah80 8,london1 good ,teuton40 ,again he gazed at the picture1 and his transformation was startling4 ,his face was distorted1 his body became rigid and swayed as that of the hooded snake making ready to strike a victim4 ,then bounding to the ,grand ,master's side he snatched the latter's sword from its hilt1 quickly returned to the picture1 and before any could prevent him began to hack it to pieces4 ,one tried to restrain him1 but was overpowered1 two1 then three were flung aside4 ,presently he was pinioned but not silenced4 8,away6 ,unhand me60 he shouted4 8,in the name of the ,king of ,jerusalem1 the defenders of the ,sepulcher1 unhand me6 ,do you not see8 ,there6 they've come to make riot at the feast of ,cana6 ,ruddy priest1 come quickly4 ,help6 ,this fearful gang will all be loose in a moment2 they be the ghosts of the giants1 and war everlastingly against the peace of homes2 against our ,mary and her ,son's kingdom40 ,he was breathless for a moment1 and all were anxious lest he be permanently unsettled4 ,some were praying for him1 others holding him4 ,then he broke forth again as before4 8,unhand me1 infidels6 ,god wills it6 ,let me cut to pieces yon horrible thing fresh from hot hell2 painted by the gory and beslimed hands of devils6 ,see6 it's bewitched1 and the woman and the hanging men and the vultures are all alive6 ,they'll be at us6 ,one of those black birds has feasted on my heart for years1 and yon woman has nightly beaten my bare brain with her club40 ,they tried to calm him2 his daughter pressed to his side1 and flinging her arms about the knight1 beseechingly cried3 8,father6 father6 it is ,i6 ,miriamne60 8,miriamne8 ,ha6 ha60 cried the excited man4 8,more mockery6 ,more witchery6 ,miriamne is lost1 eternally lost6 ,yon group of demons tore her from me6 ,oh1 ,god1 if thou lovest a soldier of the cross1 hear me1 and blast with burning1 swift and quenchless lightnings1 yon monsters1 and with them all who separate hearts and wreck homes60 8,father1 so say we all2 let us pray together10 pleaded the girl4 8,father6 ,who says #8father' to me80 8,it is ,i1 your daughter1 ,miriamne60 ,suddenly1 ,sir ,charleroy became calm and curiously observed the maiden4 8,art thou ,sir ,charleroy's daughter8 ,i knew him once in ,palestine4 ,he died afterward in ,london and left me his body4 ,but it's not much use4 ,it's sick most of the time4 ,i carry it about1 though1 hoping he'll come for it4 ,if thou dost want it thou canst have it40 ,the daughter humored the fancy1 and quickly replied3 8,i do want it4 ,i love it4 ,i'll help you take care of it4 ,let me now hug it to my heart40 ,then he permitted her to twine about him her arms1 and when she kissed him the second time he returned the salutation1 and tears ran down his hot cheeks4 8,blessed be the ,god of peace10 fervently ejaculated ,cornelius4 8,the day dawns2 after tears1 light40 ,the knight continued after a time1 addressing ,miriamne3 8,sir ,charleroy was my friend2 and thou art his daughter8 ,thou wouldst not deceive me1 ,i know4 ,tell me in a few words10 he said1 meanwhile furtively glancing about1 8,who am ,i80 ,miriamne again humored him1 and pressing her lips nigh his ear1 in a whisper replied3 8,sir ,charleroy1 ,teutonic knight1 my father40 ,the old man held her off a little way1 gazed at her a moment1 doubtfully1 then said3 8,thou art large for a baby6 ,miriamne is a little thing40 ,then he continued3 8,but thy eyes1 they are ,miriamne's2 and so honest6 ,i believe them6 ,then thou art ,miriamne and ,i ,sir ,charleroy80 8,truly40 ,and again she kissed her father4 8,but thou dost not want me--a wreck1 a pauper60 8,i do1 and the boys do2 all ,bozrah wants you1 needs you40 8,not thy mother6 ,oh1 no2 ,i murdered her long ago60 8,not so1 dear father40 8,i did1 indeed4 ,see10 and he pointed to the painting1 8,i've killed her again1 to-day40 8,that's but a miserable painting1 and ,i hate it as much as you do2 but it's harmless1 henceforth40 8,are all the devils in it dead2 the vultures that ate up my heart80 8,yes1 yes2 who cares for them80 8,then ,i shall get better40 ,the mad knight suffered himself to be led away quietly4 ,there was great joy among the ,palestineans that night4 ,and so ,miriamne carried the spirit of ,mary1 that presided at ,cana's feast1 into the misery of that ,english asylum4 ,she had given her life to ministering for others1 had begun in her own home circle1 her life motto3 8,hear ye ,him0--8,whatsoever ,he saith unto you1 do it40 ,now she was rewarded1 and began to hope that there would be the renewal of wedding chimes at ,bozrah1 that the wine of its joy would be renewed and sweetened4 ,she questioned the chaplain for advice4 8,tell the ,master there is no wine in the old stone house1 and #8whatsoever ,he saith1 do it1'0 was the young man's answer4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 8,,the ,,star ,,of ,,the ,,sea40 8,rocked in the cradle of the deep1 ,i lay me down in peace to sleep1 ,secure1 ,i rest upon the wave1 ,for ,thou1 oh ,lord1 hast power to save4 ,i know ,thou wilt not slight my call1 ,for ,thou dost mark the sparrow's fall1 ,and calm and peaceful be my sleep1 ,rocked in the cradle of the deep4 ,and such the faith that still were mine ,tho' stormy winds swept o'er the brine1 ,or tho' the tempest's fiery breath ,roused me from sleep to wreck and death2 ,in ocean's caves still safe with ,thee1 ,those gems of immortality1 ,and calm and peaceful be my sleep ,rocked in the cradle of the deep40 ,like the morning dawn on a calm sea1 after a night of fierce storm1 so came now great peace to ,miriamne4 ,the heaviest sorrow of her life was lifting4 ,her father was recovering2 his mind becoming rational2 and chief of ,miriamne's joys1 was the fact that his convalescence was accompanied by the appearance of a deep trusting love for herself4 ,he seemed to lean on his daughter for help2 cling to her for hope and aim1 by every way1 not only to express his sense of dependence on but his deep and abiding gratitude toward the patient1 chief minister1 in the mission of his recovery4 ,he seemed for a long time to be haunted by a fear of relapse into some great misery that he but dimly remembered and could not define1 beyond a shudder4 ,he dreaded to be alone1 and often clung to his daughter with furtive glances of fear1 even as a terrified child clings to its mother4 ,one day1 months after he had begun to be rational1 he addressed ,miriamne3 8,we must soon seek another abiding place1 daughter4 ,our ,grand ,master has discharged with overflowing payment1 every debt of hospitality40 8,true1 father1 and ,i'm glad2 the thought for weeks in my mind1 is now in yours4 ,but where shall we go80 8,i think1 to ,france1 and immediately40 8,france80 8,yes1 there ,i'll seek out some of the ,de ,griffins4 ,they may be able to mend my shattered fortunes1 and if ,i find none of my kin1 ,i shall not be lacking in any thing1 for there are many of our ,teutonic knights4 ,while they prosper1 no want shall harass me or mine40 8,father1 ,i do not want to go to ,france40 8,why1 this is strange80 8,it seems far away1 very far1 to me40 8,art thou dreaming1 my ,syrian ,oriole80 8,no1 awake6 ,and very earnest40 8,why1 we could walk thither1 were it not for the water40 8,but ,i can not go that way60 8,well1 we can not stay here1 so where80 8,eastward2 ,bozrah60 8,wouldst thou ask a spirit1 by mercy permitted escape from ,tophet to return80 8,yes1 even that1 if the spirit had a mission and a safe conduct40 8,thou art nobler1 braver than ,i4 ,i can't trust the land of giants and vultures40 8,the giants and vultures we must meet are in human forms1 and such are everywhere40 8,there are over many for the population1 in ,syria and beyond it40 8,but there have been many changes since you left that country1 especially1 in our city10 persisted the maiden4 8,nothing changes in ,palestine or ,bozrah1 daughter1 except wives1 and they only one way2 from bad to worse40 ,the young chaplain seconded ,miriamne's efforts4 ,sir ,charleroy was spasmodically the stronger1 but ,miriamne by patience and persistence prevailed4 ,in time1 she won her cause1 and the three took sail for the ,holy ,land1 the knight protesting that he would go as far as ,acre and no further4 ,the journey was slow but not monotonous1 for the ,english trader on which they journeyed stopped at various ports4 ,cornelius on his part was enjoying a serene delight that had no shadow except when he remembered that voyaging with ,miriamne was to have an end2 ,miriamne on her part had three-fold pleasure2 delight in her companionship with the young missionary1 delight in the continued improvement of her father's health1 and greater delight still in the glowing hope of the success of her mission of peace to her home-circle4 ,as for ,sir ,charleroy it suited him well to be sailing4 ,he was ever exhilarated by change2 each day brought it4 ,he was in theory a fatalist1 and the staunch ship pushing onward day and night to its destination1 carrying all along1 was an expression of the inexorable4 ,then the conditions about him rested him1 for he was freed from any need of bracing of his will to choose or execute any thing4 ,he went forward because the ship went4 ,that was all and enough4 ,only once during the voyage did he assert himself or express a desire to change his course4 ,,that ,,was ,,when ,,passing ,,cyprus4 8,here10 he cried1 8let me disembark60 ,persuasively1 ,miriamne protested4 8,but ,i must6 ,i've a mission4 ,i want to curse the memory of the recreant ,lusignan1 the coward #8,king of ,jerusalem2' he that clandestinely stole away from ,acre on the eve of those last days60 8,but1 father1 ,cyprus is called the #8horned island4' ,i do not like the name60 8,i've heard it better named1 #8the blessed isle4' ,there the hospitable knights had a refuge for pilgrims1 and it still abides40 ,just then some of the sailors cried1 8,olympus60 ,they had caught sight of that ancient mountain1 the fabled home of the gods4 ,miriamne adroitly used the cry to divert her father's mind1 saying3 8,let those admire ,olympus who will2 as for me1 ,i prefer holy1 fragrant ,lebanon40 ,she pointed eastward1 and they saw the dim outlines of ,palestine's famous range4 ,the knight's attention was fixed on ,lebanon1 and they sailed past ,cyprus quietly without further objection on his part4 ,miriamne and ,cornelius1 as the night began to settle down1 stood together by the ship's side1 feasting on glimpses of the distant shore4 ,there were signs of a coming storm1 perceived intuitively by those accustomed to the sea1 by the young watchers best discerned in the anxious looks of the seamen4 8,the captain says the sky and sea are preparing for a duel4 ,you noticed how the blue changed to dark brown in the water this afternoon8 ,he says that1 and the muddy appearance of the sky1 betoken a tempest40 8,how like polished silver the wings of those gulls glisten as they career60 was the maiden's ecstatic reply4 8,the wings are as they always are4 ,they glisten now because they flash against a murky background40 8,an omen1 ,cornelius1 for good6 ,i'll call the sea-birds hope's carrier-pigeons with messages for us40 8,i would we had their wondrous power of outriding all storms4 ,it is said they can sleep on the waves1 even during a tempest40 8,i've the heart of a sea-gull1 to-night40 8,and not a dread or pang within80 8,no1 no6 ,oh1 come1 any power1 to hurry us to ,acre6 ,i'd give way to the merriment of the becalmed sailors1 who whistle for the wind1 if ,i only knew the notes of their call40 8,but the old sea-captain is very grave4 ,see how the men at his command are lashing up almost every stitch of our ship's dress40 8,oh1 well1 ,i'll be grave1 too1 to please you2 and yet ,i pray that ,old ,boreas1 and all the ,boreadal1 come in racing hurricanes1 if need be1 that we may be sent gallantly into longed-for ,acre60 8,a storm at sea is grand in a picture or in imagination2 sometimes1 though rarely1 in experience4 ,to be enjoyed it must be terrible2 there's the rub2 it may come with overmastering fury40 8,bird of ill omen6 ,why cry as in requiems8 ,as for me1 while you are fearing going down1 ,i'll be thinking of going forward60 8,and be disappointed1 certainly1 on your part1 as ,i hope ,i may be mistaken on mine4 ,we may not go down2 we shall certainly not go forward60 8,now1 how like a wayward man6 ,since you can not have your way1 cross me by predicting my frustration60 8,oh1 do not lay the blame on me6 there are broader shoulders to bear it4 ,lay the blame on the ,taurus and ,lebanon ranges60 8,well1 this is an odd saying1 surely60 8,wait awhile1 and you will find it very true1 as well4 ,we are to meet to-night1 most likely1 the ,levanter or off-shore gale1 ,paul's ,euroclydon1 charging down from its mountain castles4 ,taurus and ,lebanon together form a cave of the winds60 8,and you seem glad that they are coming to battle us back80 spake the maiden1 rebukingly4 8,yes1 if they prolong our companionship4 ,i can not rejoice in a speed that hastens our parting40 ,the last sentence died on the chaplain's paling lips with a sigh4 ,the maiden turned her eyes full on the speaker1 then slowly1 meditatively answered3 8,i shall be sorry1 too1 at our parting60 8#8,sorry6' ,ah6 that's no word for me1 this time2 agonized is better60 was the young missioner's quick rejoinder4 ,the maiden was pained1 but she mastered her feelings and pleaded3 8,the parting must come some time2 do not let such repinings make it harder for both4 ,it is wiser1 when confronting what one does not desire1 but can not help1 to court the balm of forgetfulness4 ,so do ,i ever1 especially now40 8,and like all attempted silencings of the heart1 by cold philosophy1 mocked at last by failure60 8,my philosophy can not mock me1 since it accords with the stern facts which confront us4 ,i'll be as frank now as a sister1 ,cornelius4 ,our diverging missions part us4 ,you go to ,jerusalem to preach the cross2 ,i1 to a narrower field1 at ,bozrah1 to attempt the rekindling of love on one lone altar of wedlock4 ,god orders it thus1 and ,i submit unquestioningly2 for it is not for one who can scarcely touch the hem of ,his garment to challenge ,his wisdom by a murmur40 8,but time1 ,miriamne1 may leave you free1 your work being completed in the ,giant ,city80 8,even so4 ,there is a gulf between us2 we may love across it but not pass it1 in body1 in this life40 8,and ,i can not see the gulf80 8,i am in faith1 after all1 an ,israelite2 enlightened to be sure1 but not likely to renounce the ancient beliefs4 ,you are a ,christian2 nor would ,i wish you otherwise4 ,now1 amid the miseries ,i've witnessed in my own home1 ,i can not but be admonished against any attempt at fusing1 by the fire of adolescent1 transitory loving1 two lives guided by faiths so constantly in antagonisms40 8,the faith of ,jesus and ,mary1 truly lived1 never failed to fuse hearts sincerely loving4 ,you may call yourself what you like2 in substance of faith we are in accord40 8,the chaplain reasons well2 better than ,i can1 and yet he does not convince me6 ,i can only plead that he do not persist1 and so make the parting harder4 ,it must be2 though my heart break1 ,i must suffer the immolation4 ,i've asked this question in the awful sincerity of a soul as it were at the bar of judgment3 #8,what wilt ,thou have me to do8' ,i know the answer4 ,i must seek to bring father and mother together40 8,and then80 8,seek to know if the ,messiah has indeed come40 8,and then80 8,if ,i find ,he has1 some way tell ,his people ,israel1 as only a ,jewess can1 of the ,light ,everlasting40 8,and then80 8,why1 that's sufficient to measure the lives of generations2 but if ,i survive beyond that work1 ,i have vaguely passing through my mind the coming of a millennial day when all mankind will be akin2 all righteous1 all just1 and the tears of womankind assuaged40 8,i pray for that1 but how can we hasten joy by breaking our own hearts80 8,i do not know what lies beyond2 how that day of glory is to come1 but this ,i know1 the spirit of ,chivalry was from ,god4 ,it had1 and has a deep1 impressive meaning4 ,in contact with it at the west1 ,i felt all the time as if it were blind1 but a ,samson still1 feeling for the pillars of some mighty wrong4 ,i wonder if ,i may not be the giant's true guide4 ,or1 better still1 may ,i not be1 under ,god1 the giantess to do the very work4 ,perhaps the world awaits a woman ,samson60 8,what ,miriamne says is to me all mysticism6 ,explain40 8,i do not know how1 beyond this3 ,i'm ,god's bride by consecration1 and ,he will keep me for ,his work40 8,can't ,i share it80 almost piteously1 the chaplain asked4 8,truly1 yes1 wherever you may be1 with me or not40 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 your passionate enthusiasm entrances me4 ,you are an inspiration to me4 ,i fear ,i shall languish aside from you40 8,i shall love you more1 ,cornelius1 as you are more grandly1 heroically self-sacrificing40 8,any thing to win ,miriamne's constant love60 8,i shall love you1 ,cornelius1 in a deep1 holy way1 only and forever4 ,i'd be ashamed to be thus frank1 but that ,i have a love that is as pure as the heaven of its birth4 ,be true to your ,god1 to your mission2 a little while and then at the ,city of ,light1 life's brief dream over1 the first1 after ,god1 ,i'll ask for will be the faithful man whom my heart knows40 8,ah1 what can ,i do8 ,i'm all zeal2 willing to go1 but the glow of your cheeks1 the flash of your eyes1 even in the midst of such noble converse1 drag me away from my resolves4 ,that that stimulates me1 unmans me1 or reminds me ,i am a man and a lover40 8,you ought to teach me1 not ,i you2 but you remember you told me of the belief of some in #8penetrative virginity4' ,that is the purity of ,mary passing somehow into others4 ,oh1 all ,i am that's good1 be in you1 and more1 even all that she was whom you so revere2 ,i mean the mother of the ,christ40 8,in my soul ,i reverently exclaim #8amen1' but then again1 how strange the question will not down1 #8must we part8'0 ,and so saying he flung his arm about the woman1 passionately embracing her4 ,he thought for a moment he had overcome her1 but the kiss on her lips not resisted1 was the end2 for slowly untwining his arms and holding his hands at arm's length1 she questioned3 8,will you promise me one thing80 8,surely1 yes1 name it40 8,that you will think of me as a friend1 sister1 henceforth1 and let me go my way without further misery80 ,the man struggled with himself for a time2 then gazed into her eyes with a most piteously appealing gaze4 ,she was firm4 8,yes--,i promise1 but say affianced1 to be wed in heaven80 8,god bless you10 was her instant response4 ,their lips met and the debate was ended4 ,and so for the time they separated1 persuading themselves that the whole matter between them had been finally sealed4 ,they had all faith in their pledges mutually given1 each to live apart from the other4 ,as yet they had no just conception of the power of a rebel heart constantly uprising4 ,of course1 they both foresaw a measure of wretchedness in the future as a consequence of their decision1 but distant pain foreseen by the young1 is ever dimmed by hope1 and very different from present pain4 ,these twain comforted themselves1 at first1 by the thought that they were martyrs1 and it is always agreeable to feel ourself a martyr1 especially when expecting a martyr's reward2 at least it is so until the reality of the martyrdom comes4 ,the sky grew darker1 night shut down about the ship1 the winds increased1 and that sense of awful loneliness1 felt on the eve of an impending night-storm at sea1 came to all hearts but those of the sailors4 ,the latter were too busy to think of aught but their duties4 ,then their captain had his reckonings1 and assured them by his bearing that he felt confident that he could outride this storm as he had often before similar ones4 ,miriamne1 yielding not more to the captain's command1 than to the entreaties of ,woelfkin1 went below to her cabin4 ,she soon courted sleep to help her forget the war of the tempest1 praying a prayer most fitting1 meanwhile4 ,the prayer was a meditation1 like unto this3 8,he that cares for all will care for helpless me1 and come what may1 keep me until that last great day40 ,the storm strengthened1 and she began to be anxious for her father1 and her friend4 ,she had said to herself the latter title should define ,cornelius4 ,but her heart forgot its fear a moment in a mysterious1 merry peal of laughter2 such laughter is very real1 but it is never heard by human ears4 ,we know it only in those exalted moments when we try fine introspections2 when there seems to be two of us2 the one observing and entering into the other4 ,miriamne heard that laughter when she meditated1 8,cornelius is just a friend40 ,presently she became more anxious for those aloft4 ,then a troop of imperious inner questions came to her3 8,might ,i not stand by him1 if the danger increases8 ,would it be wrong to show him that ,i am brave and loving80 8,will he think me cowardly and stony-hearted80 ,resolution was being assailed1 and weakened4 ,the questionings increased in number and imperiousness3 8,what if to-night we are all to perish80 ,then she let imagination take the rein4 ,she thought of a scene that might be if she and her beloved were as betrothed1 soon to be wed1 lovers4 ,in the scene she fancied herself1 her lover and her father all together in a last embrace1 going down into the yawning waves4 8,would my lover try to save me80 ,for the moment there were two of her again1 and it was the one that awhile ago laughed so merrily1 that now seemed to be saying3 8,would my lover try to save me80 ,the one self heard the question1 and by silence1 without sign of rebuke1 seemed to give the other self plenary indulgence4 ,then came a free play of her imagination4 ,she saw herself lying in coral palaces1 beneath the moaning waves of the ,mediterranean1 still clasping her lover and her parent4 ,then she thought of how her friends would receive the news of her demise4 ,perhaps some poet would embalm the event in deathless poems1 and thousands read of the three that perished side by side4 ,her mind ran back to ,london4 ,she imagined a memorial service at the chapel of the ,palestineans and the ,grand ,master there saying3 8,miriamne de ,griffin was lost at sea2 in the path of glorious duty1 loyally pursued to the end40 ,then she thought of ,bozrah and the old stone house1 with her mother and her brothers1 its sole occupants2 the mother in mourning garbs1 her spirit subdued1 and she often tenderly saying to the fatherless1 sisterless boys1 8,miriamne was a good girl1 a faithful daughter1 a noble woman40 ,but after all1 these excursions were unsatisfactory to the young woman4 ,and naturally so4 ,when she thought of lying a corpse1 with weed-winding sheets1 for years1 in the caves of the sea1 she was repelled4 ,thoughts of her memorials1 possibly to transpire at ,london and ,bozrah1 were not very comforting4 ,she was too young1 too free from morbidness1 too deeply enamored1 to court1 assiduously1 posthumous honors4 ,then came thought of a wreck and rescue1 and it was very welcome4 ,it grew out of the possibility of the youth she loved and she alone1 of all on board1 being saved4 ,she thought of drifting about for days on a raft6 ,would she recall her resolutions and his1 or would he say to her3 8,miriamne1 ,i saved you from the deep2 now you are mine entirely and forever60 ,would she believe his claim paramount8 ,would duty's requirements be satisfied8 ,then she was as two again4 ,one voice said #8yes1' and the other did not concur1 neither did it gainsay4 ,she could not pronounce a verdict and there were tears flowing4 ,the storm grew stronger1 but the laboring ship rose and fell on the billows at intervals1 and she was lulled to sleep4 ,her last thoughts1 as she passed into dreamland1 were that it would have been a useless pain1 both endured1 if now they were to be lost2 the pain of determining1 as they had1 to live apart4 ,as she so thought she wished almost that they had not resolved as they had4 ,conscience and desire were in their ceaseless warfare4 ,then sleeping brought a dream of joy1 the blessing that comes often to the heart that is clean4 ,the dream was colored by events preceding4 ,cornelius had reminded her the day before1 as they were sailing along the coast of ,cyprus1 that1 at ,paphos1 on that island1 there was once a temple to ,venus1 the fabled goddess of love4 ,that divinity1 surrounded by multitudes paying her homage1 came before the dreamer's mind in all those ravishing splendors of person that are so attractive to human desires4 ,around the goddess1 and very close to her1 were hosts of young men and maidens1 their actions as boisterous and ecstatic as those intoxicated4 ,outside of the throngs of youths were others older3 and outside of these were others still2 those far away from the goddess1 seemingly bowed with years4 ,the company of youths was constantly increased by new arrivals who crowded back those there before them4 ,but there was a depletion as well as augmenting of the vast1 surging congregation2 for anon1 as if mad1 some nearest the deity rushed away1 both of the men and the maidens1 nor did those fleeing stop until they found violent deaths by leaping from cliffs or into the sea4 ,then the ancients1 crowded continually back by the new arrivals1 one after another1 with expressions of disappointment and disgust on their features1 seemed to melt away into a surrounding forest of trees that were very black and very like shadows4 ,the dreamer in her dream betook herself to prayer that the ,god of mercy might change what she saw4 ,then she beheld the ,paphian goddess in all the splendor of her form1 a perfect triumph of nature1 just as depicted by bard and painter1 looking out contemptuously1 pitilessly1 toward her former votaries1 now aged and pushed aside4 ,there came then a voice as if from above3 8,god is love40 ,immediately on the face of the divinity there was an expression as of terror1 and she began sinking4 ,before the mind of the dreamer1 the beautiful creature1 and her retinue of nude1 bold-faced attendants1 with all that appertained to them and their queen went down1 ingulfed in a foaming1 roaring whirlpool4 ,as they went down lightnings from above shot after them4 ,and the dreamer looked aloft to see from whence the voice and the lightning came4 ,as she gazed upward she saw a man of noble form1 reverently bowing1 as a son might bow in the presence of a mother revered and loved1 before a woman of noble mien and beautiful beyond all compare4 ,but this one's beauty had no similitude to that of the departed deity4 ,as the maiden gazed she discerned that the man was the one her heart called lover1 the woman the one she had enshrined as the ideal of her soul1 ,mary4 ,the twain stood above her1 on a plain1 apparently of clouds very bright1 rising in graceful curve from the earth and stretching away in measureless vistas1 filled with flowered parks1 silvery rivers and stately mountains4 ,along the rivers1 amid the flowery plains and on the verdant mountains1 there were numerous buildings2 but these latter were inviting2 not palatial1 nor stately4 ,they were homes surrounded by family groups4 ,and the dreamer discerned true love triumphant and fruitful4 ,she lingered in this presence1 anon longing for a presentment of her self amid the scenes of pleasure1 until all was suddenly dissolved by a mighty lurch of the ship that awakened her4 ,she started from her couch and all immediately before the dream came back to her mind4 8,we're in a storm on the ,mediterranean1 and the captain is anxious60 ,her nerves were now unstrung2 a woman's timorousness was upon her4 ,she could hear confused noises aloft1 but no voices4 ,for a moment she questioned3 8,what if all but myself have been swept away80 ,then she thought of herself as drifting about in a ship1 sailless1 helmless1 alone6 ,the thought was suffocating4 ,the noises aloft continued1 and she gave strained attention to catch the sound of a voice4 ,there was nothing to be heard but the creaking of timbers1 the dashing of waves1 the shrieking of winds and vague thumpings1 as if parts of the vessel were beating each other to pieces4 8,i'll not lie still in this coffin60 she exclaimed1 and with a bound she made her way to the deck4 ,as she arrived there she thought she saw dark forms1 some crouching as if for shelter1 and others as if engaged in a great struggle4 ,were these demons1 or the crew in a struggle for life8 ,she could not say4 ,then there came a cry from the direction of the forward part of the ship2 she thought it was her father's voice1 but it was very hoarse and scarcely recognizable4 ,she listened again to the cry3 8,ho1 ho2 ye ,olympian demons6 tear up the sea1 charge now6 ,ha1 ha2 have at us60 ,the cry thrilled her4 ,again the wild voice rose above the storm3 8,bury her1 my darling1 if ye dare6 ,what matter6 her white soul has eternal wings60 ,she was certain it was her father4 ,she longed to rush to his side1 but she doubted whether she could find him in the darkness2 then1 too1 even in the terrors of the moment1 her maiden modesty asserted itself4 ,she remembered that she was but partly clad4 ,again came that voice1 wilder than before3 8,ye billows1 dare ye smite a knight in the face8 ,i'll meet your challenge1 and single-handed1 in your midst1 fight60 ,miriamne's heart was almost paralyzed by the thought1 8,the boisterousness has overcome my father4 ,he's contemplating leaping into the sea60 ,just then a vivid flash of lightning made every thing visible4 ,it seemed to cut under the clouds1 which1 rain-charged1 were running near the billow crests1 and at the same time enswathed the ship from the mast tips to the partially exposed keel1 in flame4 ,the maiden saw by that flash her father standing on the head-rail1 one hand clinging to a stay rope1 the other with clinched fist1 as if menacing the boiling waters that leaped away from the plunging prow4 ,his face was livid1 his hair wind-tossed1 his eyes glaring4 ,with a scream she bounded toward him2 her scream and appearance terrifying the sailors4 ,it was so unexpected and they had forgotten the presence of a woman on board4 ,they only saw a white form1 with disheveled hair and with a motion light and swift as a creature on wings1 passing from companion-way forward4 ,but the fright was but momentary4 ,cornelius1 who had been vainly endeavoring to calm the knight1 knew the form1 and loud enough to be heard by all cried3 8,miriamne de ,griffin60 ,he was by her side in an instant4 ,the young woman uttered pleadingly one sentence1 but it thrilled all who heard it3 8,my father60 ,cornelius exultingly answered3 8,saved6 ,see1 the captain holds him and has summoned the watch60 ,then he could do no less1 forgetting as he did in the present surprise1 all old resolves1 so he drew the trembling form to his heart as closely as he could4 ,she drew back a little1 but he whispered1 8,miriamne40 ,what else he might have said was lost1 for she fluttered a little1 then rested1 but on the bosom of her companion4 ,she was a woman in peril1 in fright1 storm-drenched1 and in love4 ,what otherwise or less could she have done than nestle in the shelter that gave love for love and promised her all else8 8,are you not alarmed1 ,cornelius80 8,no40 8,how strange6 ,you have changed places with me4 ,in the evening you trembled when ,i left you1 and ,i thought ,i was very brave4 ,now ,i tremble2 do you not80 8,i cowered a while ago from the cross you presented me2 it seemed to bring a lingering death40 ,just then the ship's prow plunged under a mountainous billow4 ,miriamne clung to her support and fearfully questioned3 8,shall we be overwhelmed80 8,no2 ,i've a token40 8,from the captain80 8,not from the one who guides this ship alone40 ,a flash of lightning revealed the lover's face to ,miriamne4 ,she saw his eyes turned devoutly upward1 and she understood his meaning4 ,they had withdrawn to a shelter by the vessel's side meanwhile4 ,presently the young missioner spoke again2 8,our ,heavenly ,father keeps vigil1 ,i think1 sometimes with especial care over this highway between the outer world and the desolate habitations of ,his chosen people40 8,hark1 the sailors are singing6 ,how strange it is to sing in such perils10 spoke the maiden4 8,they're as happy now as the wave-walking petrels4 ,the ,levant has done its worst2 they know this by the coming of the rain1 hence they sing their #8,lightning ,song4'0 8,lightning song80 queried the maiden4 8,listen6 ,how they explode their vocalized breaths in hissings1 whizzings1 followed by the prolonged crash made by stamping feet and clapping hands at the end of every stanza4 ,that chorus is meant to imitate those heralds of the thunder1 the flashing lightnings40 8,but it seems presumptuous to me4 ,the lightning is so dreadful60 8,not that which comes as #8a funeral torch to ,euroclydon1' as the sailors say4 ,some of them call it #8the winking and blinking of ,st4 ,elmo going to sleep4'0 8,oh1 ,cornelius1 the storm is breaking6 ,i see a star2 yes two60 rapturously cried the maiden4 8,truly1 yes2 #8,castor and ,pollux1' the #8,twins1' the #8,sailor's ,delight6' ,they say these stars are storm rulers and friends of the mariner4 ,now hear how they shout their song6 ,they see the stars60 ,above the subsiding wind and waves1 rose the words of the singers3 8,now to our harbor safe going2 ,riding the billows1 pushed by the gale3 ,the torch of the ,twins bright glowing-- ,tipping our mast and gilding each sail40 8,and do these stars assure1 ,cornelius80 8,i saw a star no cloud can ever hide1 through the darkest part of the storm40 8,a star80 8,yes1 #8,mary1 ,star of ,sea4'0 8,i do not comprehend you40 8,god's love6 ,he that guided the maiden orphan of ,bethlehem through the besetments of her life1 amid the tempests of ,jewry and ,rome1 purely1 safely1 gloriously1 to the end2 while many of noble birth and having every earthly good went down to ruin1 walks ever on the wave where faith voyages40 8,and you thought of the ,holy ,mother in the storm80 8,yes1 this ,adriatic is full of angels1 that come in thoughts1 or before the eyes6 ,you remember ,paul1 tempest tossed a day and a night on this sea1 was found by the ,divine ,messenger that night when the darkness was thickest80 8,and this #8,star of the ,sea8'0 8,it tells me mother-love was carried by a dying ,savior into the heart of the ,triune1 ,eternal ,god1 and we are ,his children1 and ,he became ,father and ,mother to us4 ,you have seen the hen gather her chickens1 as human mother shelters with her arm or apron her child in pain or peril80 8,how touching6 ,think you ,he felt for us like tenderness in the height of the storm80 8,he sought in ,his plenteous wisdom mother love to sustain ,himself1 during the pain and perils of ,his incarnation1 and will ever surely grant a love and care to ,his own beloved ones in suffering or danger as tender as that ,he sought and needed for ,himself40 8,surely this is a grateful1 natural reasoning2 but do you believe ,mary presides over the sailor especially80 8,it is enough for me to know that the ,father through ,mary exemplified ,his motherliness40 8,i'll never more call yon bright luminaries ,castor and ,pollux1 but rather ,jesus and ,mary1 the guides and the defenders60 ,and for a long time they gazed at the double stars1 the storm slowly abating4 ,once the youth1 drawing the maiden closely to himself1 questioned3 8,can not we call the stars in conjunction1 #8,cornelius and ,miriamne'80 ,they had been watching1 in sweet converse1 there1 a long time2 there were faint traces of dawn in the east1 and ,miriamne had just been thinking1 8,palestine receives us with illumination20 then she bethought herself that she and the man with her were going hither to proclaim the ,gospel of eternal light4 ,the question of her lover recalled the converse of the day before4 ,that seemed fact1 unchanged2 all occurring since1 dream4 ,she arose1 pointed eastward1 and firmly said3 8,there lies our work1 our all4 ,may a glorious day enhalo all ,god's chosen country ere long4 ,cornelius1 yesterday we promised solemnly that we dare not turn from now2 especially after our wonderful deliverance60 ,she glided away to her cabin1 leaving the man alone to contemplate the poor comfort of being praised as a martyr1 on a cross of self-sacrifice2 the pains of which1 if not as awful as those of ,calvary1 were destined to be more prolonged4 ,his face was as if sprinkled with white ashes2 it was so pale1 so blank4 ,after the tempest they spoke very little with each other4 ,miriamne waved away any attempt at re-opening the subject1 with a motion of the finger to the lips1 signaling silence1 and a glance all tenderness1 but full of pitiful pleadings to be spared4 ,the young man but once or twice essayed the discussion1 fearing on the one hand to trust himself to speak1 and on the other hand feeling that any effort to change his fate would be hopeless4 ,but he and she were full of inner conflicts4 ,then their pathways seemed stony1 brier-tangled4 ,they had both elected1 for ,guide and ,ideal1 ,jesus and ,mary2 they were both going toward the cross in a noble consecration of their lives4 ,but they denied themselves that that sustained ,jesus1 home love1 such as he found at ,bethany2 conjugal love1 such as sustained ,mary1 the wife and the mother1 as well as the disciple4 ,they had as their loftiest ambition the purpose of making the world happier and better1 and began by making misery for themselves4 ,they had read that a star led the wise men of the ,east to ,christ in a cradle1 the light of the ,gospel rising first in a little home circle4 ,they looked at the double stars above them after the storm that night almost until dawn1 and then turned away to go1 each into the dark like a lone wandering star4 ,each was in part the victim of a fabricated conscience1 and of a misconception of duty4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,the ,,queen ,,in ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,sorrows4 8,they led him away to crucify him40--,,mark4 8,there followed him a great company of 444 women1 who also bewailed him40--,,luke4 ,,gabriel3 8,hail1 highly favored among women blessed60 ,,mary3 ,this is my favored lot6 ,my exaltation to affliction high6--,,milton4 ,for many days ,sir ,charleroy and ,miriamne tarried at ,acre1 the latter seeking to banish repining on account of him whom she had sent away at the behest of conscience1 by ministries for her parent4 ,with alacrity she joined the tours of her knightly father1 visiting the scenes where he once battled1 listening1 from time to time1 with unaffected delight1 to his recitals4 ,the tides of fanatical conquests had wrought few changes on the face of the city1 and the realism of those days of siege1 of the stern compacts made in the last hours of the ,crusaders1 the solemn religious services before the last battle1 the death struggle and the disordered retreat1 was complete4 ,the excitement of revived memories seemed to lift up the knight from the syncope of ill health4 ,this encouraged the maiden to solicit the reviews and recitals of her father4 ,the night before their departure from ,acre1 as determined1 the knight and his daughter stood together contemplating the sacred pile which stood in the moonlight and shadows1 mostly in shadows4 ,the soldier of fortune1 having told its story over and over1 was now silent1 dreaming of the past4 8,selamet60 ,they both started1 for the voice was like one from the tomb1 none but themselves being apparent4 8,i'm afraid here2 let's be going1 father10 whispered ,miriamne1 essaying to withdraw4 ,thereupon there glided out of the shadows a stately form who1 drawing near to the father and daughter1 spoke3 8,fear not1 lady6 ,knight1 they can not be foes who court kindred memories and hope of like colors at the same shrine60 8,thou speakest with ,christian allusions the #8peace' word of the ,turk40 8,i wear the ,turkish #8selamet1' as ,i do this ,turkish harness1 a loathed necessity1 but without2 the peace ,i pray and feel is the mystic inner peace40 8,as a ,christian80 8,yea2 nor do ,i fear confession1 since ,i am speaking to those who abhor the ,crescent40 8,a pious ,jew would as soon adhere to ,astarte with her orgies as to bow to the mooned-crown she wore40 8,jews8 ,no1 not ,jews6 ,such would not sooner run from the moon-mark than they would from the shadows which fall down about you from yon grand and awful sign40 ,the speaker pointed to the crossed spire above1 as he spoke4 8,no more avoidance2 we are brethren4 ,i'm ,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin1 ,teutonic knight40 8,and not unknown4 ,the story of thy valor1 even here1 lives in the bosoms of true companions4 ,i'm a ,knight ,hospitaler of ,rhodes1 yet fameless40 ,the two men came closely together2 there were a few secret tests4 ,the ,hospitaler said3 8,in hoc signo vinces60 ,sir ,charleroy crossed his feet1 stretched out his arms and murmured something heard only by his comrade4 ,it made the other's eyes lighten with pleasure4 ,to ,miriamne it was a dumb show2 but the tokens given and received were useful to pilgrims in those perilous times4 8,whither1 ,sir ,charleroy80 8,to-morrow1 toward ,joppa40 8,so1 ho6 ,by interpretation1 ,the ,watch-tower of ,joy4 ,from thence one may see ,jerusalem6 ,and then80 8,and then8 ,god knows where6 ,a useless life1 like mine1 is ever aimless40 8,no1 no1 father60 interrupted the daughter2 8not useless4 ,no life that ,god prolongs is useless40 8,true2 the girl is right1 ,teuton4 ,aspiration will cure thee1 since it's the mother of immortality4 ,i go to ,joppa also40 8,they say1 ,hospitaler1 its sea-side is full wild2 its reefs like barking ,scylla and ,charybdis8 ,i hope it may be so2 ,i'd like a terrible uproar40 8,the sea is the emblem of change2 from calm to weary moan1 to howling terrors and back again40 8,but the people8 ,they say ,joppa's outside is fine1 naturally1 though1 within1 the life of its people is mean1 colorless2 a charnel-house whose activity is that of grave worms60 ,and ,sir ,charleroy shuddered with disgust at his own figure4 8,i think the legend of ,andromeda1 said to have been chained to ,joppa's sea-crags for a season1 to be persecuted by a serpent1 then freed1 prophetic4 ,joppa may have a future40 8,how80 8,oh1 the chained maiden was boasted by her fond mother as more beautiful than ,neptune's ,nereids1 hence the persecution4 ,crescent faiths have been the persecutors of ,joppa and all the other beautiful ,andromedas of this land40 8,and the chains are riveted80 8,no1 not certainly4 ,there was1 in the myth1 a ,perseus of winged feet1 having a helmet that made invisible and a sickle from ,minerva1 goddess of wisdom2 he slew the serpent1 then wed the victim40 8,now the key1 further40 8,when wrongs overwhelm all1 women suffer most2 but time brings their deliverance40 8,the myths are as full of women as the women full of myths60 exclaimed ,sir ,charleroy4 8,but ,andromeda1 the woman1 was blameless60 8,yet it's strange that in all men's fightings1 as in their religions1 constantly the woman appears10 replies ,sir ,charleroy4 8,i'd have thee think1 knight1 of the legend2 it tells how men1 in those dark times1 tied their faith to the sure conviction that right would triumph1 wrong be slain1 and the martyrs at last go up among the stars4 ,see how they placed their ,andromeda in the constellation now above us4 ,perseus was a ,christian1 or rather a ,christian was a ,perseus40 8,now1 thou art merry60 8,no2 ,i mean ,st4 ,peter2 he was a ,perseus4 ,hearken to the word3 8#8,now there was at ,joppa a certain disciple named ,tabitha3 this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds4 8#8,and it came to pass that she died4 8#8,the disciples sent unto ,peter two men1 desiring him that he would not delay to come to them4 8#8,when he was come1 they brought him into the upper chamber3 and all the widows stood by him weeping1 and showing the coats and garments which she made1 while she was with them4 8#8,but ,peter put them all forth1 and kneeled down1 and prayed2 and turning him to the body1 said1 ,tabitha1 arise4 ,and she opened her eyes3 and when she saw ,peter1 she sat up4 8#8,and he gave her his hand1 and lifted her up2 and when he had called the saints and widows1 he presented her alive4 8#8,and it was known throughout all ,joppa2 and many believed in the ,lord4'0 8,why1 ,hospitaler1 thou hast a memory like an elephant or an emperor and a tongue like a sacrist60 8,well1 the time for swords being past ,i have taken to books2 their leaves are wings4 ,the world will be conquered yet by the words of the ,swordless ,king40 8,and thou wouldst liken ,tabitha to ,andromeda80 8,wasn't she a real beauty1 as her name is interpreted8 ,beautiful old soul6 ,she robed the poor6 ,peter bringing her to the truth of the new life smote the dragon at ,joppa1 as a very ,perseus40 8,a woman6 a woman1 again leading the army of salvation60 8,after that ,peter slept on the house top of ,simon the ,tanner1 and ,god gave him the vision of ,jew and ,gentile1 bond and free1 rich and poor2 all1 as one family coming into the benign rays of the ,sun whose wings are full of healing40 8,and will that day come1 ,sir ,hospitaler8 ,i'm feeling almost a frenzy of desire for it60 8,surely as the morning to ,acre2 but we must hie homeward2 good-night2 ,i'll see you at the quay to-morrow40 ,from ,acre1 ,miriamne and her father1 next day1 set sail4 ,the companions on the journey from ,acre by ,joppa arrived at ,jerusalem1 there to separate soon1 for ,miriamne1 with every ingenious device1 urged her father forward4 ,bozrah was constantly uppermost in her mind4 8,we part1 ,sir ,charleroy1 to-morrow80 said the ,hospitaler4 8,if thou dost elect to stay in sad ,jerusalem1 surely4 8,yes2 ,i'd go mad here from doing nothing but wrestling with my thoughts4 ,in fact1 ,i guess ,i'd go mad anywhere1 if long there4 ,i think1 sometimes1 that my mind's in a whirlpool1 moving not like others2 yet1 round and round in some consistency1 carrying its befooling creeds1 hopes1 dreams1 visions1 phantasmagoria in a pretty fair march4 ,i'm sure1 more than sure1 that if ,i once stopped moving1 my brain would rest like a house after a land-slide1 tilted over1 while all the things in the whirlpool would drift about in hopeless confusion40 8,thou dost talk like a physician1 gone mad with philosophy60 8,no doubt of it2 that's all because ,i've been idling here a month2 a week longer and ,god knows who could set me going again1 rightly40 ,then the knight laughed merrily2 very merrily1 in fact1 for a man who had trained himself to morbidness4 ,the ,hospitaler replied3 8,i see nothing for me beyond the ,holy ,city and its historic surrounds4 ,i'm training myself to proclaim ,god's kingdom and must begin at that pre-eminent1 world over-looking point1 ,jerusalem40 8,but there are no schools to fit one there80 8,the most informing and man-expanding on earth2 the deathless examples of the worthies2 best studied where they lived their mightful living4 ,i go now to ,golgotha40 8,golgotha8 #8,the ,place of the ,skull8'0 8,even so1 sometimes called the ,valley of ,jehosaphat40 ,sir ,charleroy rubbed his head as one well puzzled1 and was silent4 8,oh1 knight1 thou hast forgotten the goings forward of ,ezekiel's mind1 prophetically4 ,it was in ,kidron1 the ,golgotha ,valley1 that he had the vision of the dry bones4 ,let me read3 8#8,behold1 there were very many bones in the open valley2 and1 lo1 they were very dry4 8#8,and ,he said unto me1 ,son of man1 can these bones live8 ,and ,i answered1 ,o ,lord ,god1 thou knowest4 8#8,again ,he said unto me1 ,prophesy2 8#8,thus saith the ,lord ,god unto these bones2 ,behold1 ,i will cause breath to enter into you1 and ye shall live3 8#8,as ,i prophesied1 there was a noise1 and behold a shaking1 and the bones came together1 bone to his bone4 8#8,the sinews and the flesh came up upon them1 and the skin covered them4 8#8,then said he unto me1 say to the wind1 ,thus saith the ,lord ,god2 come from the four winds1 ,o breath1 and breathe upon these slain1 that they may live4 8#8,so ,i prophesied as he commanded me1 and the breath came into them1 and they lived1 and stood up upon their feet1 an exceeding great army4'0 8,and now1 soldier1 turned exegete1 tell me what thou dost make of the strange phantasm80 8,that ,god will work in this world a marvelous transformation2 those living-dead1 all around us and beyond1 to the ends of the earth1 shall stand in new life4 ,the scene is laid to be in this ,kidron valley1 to bring all minds to the #8,light of the ,world1' who passed in painful triumph along it1 even unto ,calvary40 8,but this may not be so1 yet it so seems80 8,hearken again to the prophet's happy ending3 8#8,moreover ,i will make a covenant of peace with them2 it shall be an everlasting covenant with them3 and ,i will place them1 and multiply them1 and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore4 8#8,my tabernacle also shall be with them3 yea1 ,i will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4' 8,all this10 continued the ,hospitaler1 8is what is to come1 is coming4 ,the dawn of this day began when ,jesus passed over ,kidron60 8,and yet1 ,rhodes1 ,i'm doubtful4 ,do not the correspondences remote1 mislead thee80 8,if a crusade leader sent a summons like this wouldst thou respond1 trusting8 #8,blow ye the trumpet in ,zion1 and sound an alarm in my holy mountain3 let all the inhabitants of the land tremble3 for the day of the ,,lord cometh1 for it is nigh at hand8'0 8,the ,hospitaler knows ,i would40 8,well2 ,god by ,his ,prophet-,herald1 ,joel1 so alarms the nations4 ,and more1 we have a broader summons10 and the preacher soldier read again3 8#8,multitudes1 multitudes in the valley of decision3 for the day of the ,lord is near in the valley of decision4 8#8,let the heathen be wakened1 and come up to the valley of ,jehosaphat3 for there will ,i sit to judge all the heathen round about4 8#8,put ye in the sickle1 for the harvest is ripe4 8#8,the sun and the moon shall be darkened1 and the stars shall withdraw their shining4 8#8,the ,lord also shall roar out of ,zion1 and utter ,his voice from ,jerusalem2 and the heavens and the earth shall shake3 but the ,lord will be the hope of ,his people1 and the strength of the children of ,israel4 8#8,so shall ye know that ,i am the ,lord your ,god dwelling in ,zion1 my holy mountain4 8#8,beat your plowshares into swords1 and your pruninghooks into spears3 let the weak say1 ,i am strong4'0 ,then the ,hospitaler closed his eyes1 turned his face upward as in prayer1 and began speaking like unto one in a rapture or trance3 8,when souls would measure themselves for judgment1 they must stand by the scenes wrought out by ,him that died for men2 just hereabouts1 when the last judgment comes1 the multitudes of earth1 tried by the measure of the ,god-man1 will be brought face to face with ,god's standard of moral grandeur1 sublimely once displayed here4 ,before its splendor the stars1 the finest of men1 shall wax dim2 human philosophy1 the sun of the world1 go out1 and human religion1 ever the child of human desire1 shall fade as the setting1 waning moon1 that emblem of the concupiscent4 ,then ,charity1 that never fails1 shall come to her throne1 the last implement of war be beaten into services of love1 while the weak1 no more dominated by giant brutality1 shall rise to the pre-eminence of moral strength4 ,adam and ,eve1 the fallen pair1 passed through the valley of sorrow and sin1 downward2 ,christ and ,madonna1 the new ideals1 passed through the valley of sorrow and salvation1 upward40 8,oh1 ,rhodes1 the whirl of my brain is as if touched by the swellings of an anthem4 ,i'll come right yet1 if thou dost enravish me so60 cried ,sir ,charleroy4 ,and ,miriamne's face shone as if the sun were on it1 but it was not4 ,she was looking away1 in soul1 to the future4 ,the ,hospitaler continued3 8,truly1 all heads1 as well as hearts1 are righted here1 where the touch of the ,cross makes the dry bones live4 ,here get ,i my schooling2 this place of the ,cross1 where the depths of sin1 the heights of love1 are manifest2 from which radiates all holiest tenets1 to which and from which flow the streams of ,scriptural truth4 ,if only we could get all men to stand sincerely on this lofty hill of vision1 overlooking all times to come1 all histories past1 all mysteries would be explained1 all prophecies become clear1 and there never would be need on earth again for wars of faith or the burning of heretics4 ,pilate spake welcome words to the ages when he cried3 #8,miles1 expedi ,crucem'--#8,soldiers1 speed the ,cross4' ,its speed is light's speed40 ,as they conversed1 the three had slowly journeyed along the ,via ,dolorosa--the road to the ,cross4 8,here10 said the ,hospitaler1 8it is reported that ,jesus yearningly looking back to the weeping women that followed him ,cross-ward1 cried3 #8,daughters of ,jerusalem1 weep not for me1 but weep for yourselves and children4'0 8,the woman again in religion60 exclaimed ,sir ,charleroy4 8,immanuel spoke to the world1 then4 ,when truth goes to crucifixion1 women and children--the weaker--may well weep4 ,it's the ,giant's hour4 ,so children and women ever have been the chief followers of ,jesus4 ,no wonder that children brought palms of peace to ,him and shouted ,his praises1 while women anointed ,him with tears4 ,they knew1 by an holy intuition1 that somehow ,he was the ,king of ,love1 the defender of weakness40 8,i begin to think1 ,sir ,knight ,hospitaler1 that the sun of this country has wrapped its gold about thy brain40 8,oh1 father1 don't prevent2 these words of his are balm to my soul10 quoth ,miriamne4 8,speak on1 for the girl's sake1 knight4 ,speak on2 ,i'll be silent40 ,the ,hospitaler continued3 8,daughter1 thou dost follow the story as those holy women followed ,jesus1 afar off2 but with tenderness4 ,as they found later unutterable nearness1 so shalt thou2 ,god willing40 8,the woman in religion6 ,it's so4 ,i1 a man2 this ,miriamne1 a woman1 a girl1 my daughter4 ,i'm like a pupil to her1 yet ,i professed this cross-faith more than a score of years before she was born4 ,i'd need a millennium to overtake her1 in glory1 if we both died now4 ,i'm like poor old ,david1 who fled from his rebellious son1 ,absalom1 over the hills that skirt ,kidron4 ,i'm dethroned40 8,remember1 rather1 that ,he who glorified ,kidron was #8obedient unto death4' ,mother and son1 together all loving1 all loyal in that dread hour1 here attested that in ,david's kingdom1 at the last1 at its best1 there will be no trampling on the family ties1 ,sir ,charleroy40 8,wonderful6 ,i never thought of this before1 after this manner4 ,but still1 the woman leads the world in religion60 8,the woman6 ,yes1 but only when she takes her place1 as did ,mary1 as a follower of ,jesus to ,calvary40 8,but how1 now1 about ,astarte1 ,diana1 ,baaltis80 8,they had their day2 rude1 gross phantoms2 conceived in the hot souls of low and lecherous men2 but ,i told thee1 here we might overlook the world4 ,in this valley ,athaliah1 daughter of cruel ,jezebel1 ,queen of ,ahab1 and1 like her mother1 an ,astarte-socialist1 worshiped the lewd ideal1 ,baaltis4 ,death1 in shocking form1 took off that heathen queen of ,israel4 ,god's revenge1 this was4 8,and now1 ,i remember that the queen mother of ,asa1 here1 in ,kidron1 set up the worship of ,ashera with its ,phallic mysteries2 but ,asa1 the youth1 pure of mind and led of ,god1 not only tore down1 root and branch the groves and woven booths of licentiousness1 but dethroned the woman who had set them up4 ,just here1 in finest contrasts1 ,i remember the ,virgin ,mary1 the pure mother1 the ideal woman1 who1 in this valley of decision1 rose for all time the exemplification of truest womanhood--a wife1 a mother4 ,mary has broken forever the idols of ,baaltis4 ,while ,mary's memory lasts1 part of the enduring1 sacred history1 toward which all ,christian eyes turn1 ,astarte can never rise under any name or form for long toleration4 ,she is forever broken1 and her creed of lust fated to reprobation4 8,wherever this gospel story1 eternal and eternally new1 is told1 there will come to the minds of the hearers a vision of those associated in the last dread hours of the ,divine ,martyr1 in a fellowship of sympathy and sorrow4 ,among these will stand pre-eminent the women4 ,simon1 the ,cyrenian1 compelled by the soldiers1 aided the trembling sorrow-burdened ,christ to bear the cross4 ,and it is easy to believe that the wife of that ,simon1 who appears later1 for a moment1 in the praiseful salutations of ,paul1 as the parent of ,christian sons1 she reverently called by the great apostle mother1 was among the women that were most sorrowful and nearest the dying ,saviour4 ,then there were ,mary1 the mother of ,james1 ,salome1 ,mary ,magdalene1 and possibly ,claudia the wife of ,pilate--that brave woman who advocated ,christ's cause before the proud1 implacable ,sanhedrim1 the howling mob and ,imperial ,rome's representatives4 ,what fitting mourners in that touching1 yet august funeral march6 8,women are fully capable by nature1 through their finest1 tenderest chords1 ever responsive in woe1 to express the whole of grief1 however deep6 ,the sex which loves most1 loves longest1 mourns most easily as well as most sincerely1 and has made sorrow sacred by the lavish bestowals of it1 whene'er its founts were touched4 8,there is an holy1 perfumed anointing in their tears4 ,this crucifixion-time was woman's hour supremely4 ,mary with magnificent self-possession1 heart-broken1 yet strong in faith2 weeping in eye and soul1 but intruding no wild howlings amid those who wept for custom's sake2 tearful1 yet retiring in her grief1 here passes before our minds at once the most fascinating1 winsome1 yet pity-begetting woman known to man40 8,father10 cried ,miriamne1 restraining but little her own tears3 8,are you listening80 8,yes1 yes2 oh1 yes4 ,the glory of ,eden's noon has fallen on the tongue and brain of ,rhodes1 and yet ,i cannot gainsay him2 nor would ,i try to dispel his wise and honored sayings4 ,i can only wonder and wonder how it is that woman rises at the very front when any grand advance is made40 8,good ,rhodes1 go on10 spoke ,miriamne4 ,illustration3 ,b4 ,plockhorst4 ,,mary ,,and ,,st4 ,,john4 8,i'm easily persuaded1 for there is something of a savory sweetness to this grief--welcome mother of true penitence1 that comes over souls1 who1 in imagination1 follow the steps to the cross4 ,i've heard that ,mary followed her son from the ,judgment ,hall to ,calvary4 ,he moved at slow pace1 and well ,he might2 worn by months of toil for needy humanity2 by watchings1 teachings and the like2 until now ready to drop down under the thorn-crown1 the scourging and the cross4 ,but the blessed ,virgin1 still a woman1 still a mother1 faltered by the way4 ,sometimes she hid her eyes from the scourging1 sometimes she was pushed aside by those who knew her not1 or those who knowing hated her because of her goodness4 ,tradition tells us she fainted several times overcome by the terrors of that sad journey through the valley4 ,she had small strength to witness the climax of brutality when cruel hands drove the awful nails into that ,one she loved6 ,the history of that dread hour has often wrung tears from stout hearts2 and he who understands in any degree a mother's heart1 easily believes that she was absent when the mob raised the victim on ,his cross4 ,but1 mother-like1 nothing could keep her from the final parting1 which death brought to her and her son4 8,sorrow sharpens the language of love to a deep expressiveness2 when the end was approaching1 ,mary and ,john stood side by side and near to the ,one1 who1 to them1 was dearer than all4 ,i have heard1 and ,i believe that a sign from the ,christ had hurried ,john away1 just before ,his death1 to bring mother to the heart that was yearning not more to give than to receive1 the comforts that both needed1 the assurance of undying affection4 ,the man on the cross1 stripped of all earthly except ,his flesh1 even robbed of the tunic that ,mary had made1 and for which the men of war gambled1 as war has often gambled for the patrimony of the ,king of ,men1 had little or nothing of earth to give1 other than ,his rights in the hearts of mother and ,john4 8,these were ,his farewell keepsakes to each4 ,it needs no strained imagination to fathom ,his heart1 for ,he opened it all in ,his dying cry1 #8,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast ,thou forsaken me8' ,this was not as the cry of a victor1 but that of a broken heart2 not as a strong man1 but typical humanity1 alone1 facing death as a child4 ,the language ,he used then was not that usually ,his1 it was the language of ,his childhood4 ,in every syllable of that cry1 one may read1 ,i fear that ,god1 even ,god1 has forsaken me2 but mother1 my own loved mother6 mother1 mother1 oh1 my dying1 human heart1 leans as a babe on thy bosom6'0 8,here1 here60 cried ,sir ,charleroy4 8,quick6 ,take this cross of a ,teutonic ,knight of ,st4 ,mary2 bury it when ,i'm gone by her grave in ,gethsemane6 ,i have praised myself as her champion1 and son1 and devotee4 ,heavens6 ,i'm abashed by thy splendid revelation6 ,i never have even dreamed of her glorious worth60 8,father1 my father1 be calm1 be calm--calm for my sake2 you fright me when you so give way4 ,remember1 we're at the place where a wrong past ends at the right beginning40 8,thou art my good angel1 ,miriamne2 but1 oh1 it's twice sad6 ,i've been a madman half my life and a player in a farce the other half60 8,be calm1 ,sir ,knight1 and look into the wonders of this place4 ,christ's coming to earth to pardon its errings1 right its wrongs1 and hang unfading victory crowns on all futures4 ,listen3 ,there was night when that ,king died1 and the dead arose and went about the city1 attesting the eternal fact that ,he was ,ruler of all worlds4 ,and it was the ,feast of the ,new ,moon at ,jerusalem2 the ,feast of ,venus at ,rome2 of ,khem in ,egypt2 but the crescent was hidden40 8,i see1 ,i see1 ,rhodes2 ,mary and ,mary's son were to come forth2 all others eclipsed60 8,it is attested by history that there was black darkness about the ,sun ,temple at ,heliopolis as ,christ was bidding ,his mother and earth ,death's good-night4 ,the ,egyptian city of ,osiris1 by miracle1 witnessed of the great event at ,calvary4 ,some there were prompted to say3 #8,either the world is coming to an end1 or the god of nature suffers4'0 8,and ,mary1 wise and erudite1 ,rhodes8 ,tell us more of her40 8#8,it is finished6' cried her son1 and she passed from the grief of those who agonize amid somber1 monster pangs impending1 into that quiet1 subdued1 ripening sadness that comes over those who have learned to say3 #8,thy will be done4' ,at ,cana's feast her ,beloved told her3 #8,mine hour has not yet come4' ,now1 she knew the meaning of the mystic words1 and saw ,his hour1 with all its mighty imports1 at last marked in full2 all the prophecies gathered as into a full-orbed sun2 the cross rose like a dial1 mountains high1 the shadows on it telling eternity's time6 ,mary1 the singer of the #8,magnificat1' her imagination fired1 her vision inspired1 as she stood by that interpreting1 ghastly symbol1 could see the course of the sacred past emerging into meaning4 ,eve leading2 the wealth of her bloom no longer sacrificed to primeval1 ,astarte-like intoxications2 the wings of the real tree of life above her2 the serpent crushed beneath her heel4 ,then1 following1 ,noah1 the man of the ark1 symbol of sheltering covenants between ,god and man1 covenants ever circled by bows of hope1 ever surmounted by dove-like peace4 ,after these ,abraham1 with his typical lamb1 followed by a countless multitude of priests1 laying down at the cross1 as they passed1 their temple-pattern1 the symbols of its service realized and ellipsed6 ,after these1 ,moses1 the law-giver1 with face serene at law's fulfillment1 in company with flaming prophets innumerable1 all rejoicing in visions realized4 ,behind all followed ,captivity and ,hades1 ,christ's grandest trophies1 forever in chains6 ,teutonic ,knight of ,st4 ,mary1 thy queen saw all these1 and as they passed there rose to her view the ,white ,kingdom of ,david4 ,now1 stand here where she stood2 surrender mind and heart to the ,spirit and ,word1 then thou shalt behold the radiant procession1 the coming glory60 ,the ,hospitaler ceased4 ,then softly1 meanwhile waving his hand as if entreating1 ,sir ,charleroy spoke3 8,rhodes1 wait a little2 don't say any more now4 ,i want to watch that procession4 ,it seems to me ,i see it4 ,oh1 wonderful1 all wonderful60 8,he shall be called ,wonderful40 ,there was a long1 long pause1 broken gently by ,miriamne1 who1 after a while1 said3 8,we'd better return to the city2 the day is very hot1 and ,i'm--0 ,she could say no more4 ,silently ,sir ,charleroy complied2 silently all three journeyed to their abodes4 ,the ,hospitaler was content with his effort to proclaim the truths of ,calvary1 and ,miriamne was glad to leave her father to the full benefit of his sacred1 all-engrossing thoughts4 ,miriamne1 in heart1 was enraptured by her thoughts of the mother of ,jesus4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,two ,,dead ,,hearts ,,uniting ,,two ,,living ,,ones 8,let us alone regret1 444 444 ,sorrow humanizes our race4 ,tears are the showers that fertilize the world2 ,and memory of things precious keepeth warm ,the heart that once did hold them4 ,they are poor that have lost nothing2 they are far more poor ,who1 losing1 have forgotten2 they most poor ,of all who lose and wish they might forget40--,,jean ,,ingelow4 ,under ,miriamne's adroit and patient guidance ,sir ,charleroy and his attendants made goodly progress until they reached ancient ,jabbock1 bordering ,giant ,bashan2 but at that point the knight made a stubborn stand1 persisting that he would proceed no further ,bozrah-ward4 8,i smell ,mohammedanism coming to me from the ,east1 and1 having had enough of the ,saracens in my day1 ,i'll tarry away from their haunts---- 8,i must go1 beloved1 to the tomb of my dear defender1 ,ichabod4 ,i must go to ,gerash to do the pious offices of a mourner40 ,the maiden brought forward every reason her ingenuity could invent opposed to the proposed deflection in course4 ,she enlisted the ,druses guides1 whom she had employed to accompany them hitherto1 to aid her in raising objections1 and they magnified the obstacles in the way to ,gerash with commendable loyalty to their employer1 the maiden1 if not with strict regard to truth4 ,they all encamped1 and the debate was the sole occupation for hours4 8,now1 ,miriamne1 hitherto my good spirit1 thou wouldst lure me to perdition6 ,i've been in the ,lejah4 ,i'm certain that black lava-sea is hell's mouth1 and ,bozrah's its porch60 8,so be it2 but if we go carrying the heavenly consciousness of doing our ,father's will1 we may carry heaven to those gates40 8,it's not my duty to go thither4 ,i passed through that purgatory once4 ,its horrors blasted my life6 ,to return thither would be presumption40 8,but you have forgotten the sunrise coming to you4 ,each day1 for months1 as you have journeyed eastward1 you have gained in health of body and mind40 8,dost thou mean that ,god blesses those who plunge headlong to destruction1 as the possessed swine that ran violently into the sea80 8,can not my father let faith silence the disquietings of his wild fancies8 ,the memory of a past pain1 though a persistent1 is often a false teacher40 8,oh1 ,i do remember4 ,some memories seem to scorch the very substance of my brain6 ,i pray when such come that ,god give me eternal forgetfulness4 ,i'd rather be an idiot than have the power of coherent thinking filled with such reminiscences60 8,ah1 if we all1 always1 had the wisdom1 while gazing into our dark1 deep pools1 to gaze until we saw at their bottoms the image of the sky above60 8,well said1 daughter6 ,bozrah is a dark pool6 ,i saw there only an image of the sky1 and that very far away60 ,the day of the foregoing they were wandering along the flowery banks and over the forest-covered hills that undulated away from ,jabbock's ravine4 ,as they moved along the maiden plucked a hyacinth blossom and affectionately fastened it on her father's bosom2 just where he was wont to wear1 when in ,england1 his knight's cross4 8,rizpah once placed a lotus there2 it made me drunk2 a votary of pleasure1 mad2 but ,miriamne1 her daughter1 places there the flower of serene1 deathless affection6 ,sweet1 thou art my good angel1 the flower says to ,gerash60 8,why1 father6 ,i do not understand60 8,apollo unwittingly caused the death of a beautiful youth1 the friend of his heart1 whose name was ,hyacinthus4 ,so says tradition1 and it's so charming1 ,i more than half believe it6 ,apollo1 in loyal love1 made a flower grow from the grave of his friend4 ,this is it6 ,see2 here's the color of the dead youth's blood4 ,this blossom is the flower of deathless friendship and ,i love it40 8,a touching story1 ,i'll remember it2 but it seems to me the flower says1 #8,bozrah1' my father40 8,take this leaf1 girl2 here40 8,and what of this80 8,there1 on that leaf1 behold those signs1 #8,ai' #8,ai'40 8,i think some markings are there like what you say1 though never 'till now did ,i so trace them40 8,that's the ,greek cry of woe4 ,the perfumes of these flowers1 in every field of ,gerash1 remind me of my duty4 ,i must go to the tomb of the man that died in my defense40 8,a pious sentiment2 but duty to the living can not be pushed aside by such a call4 ,you have other and living friends80 8,yes1 thou art my friend1 lover1 angel2 but ,i'll keep thee with me1 my lamb40 8,rizpah and your sons60 8,rizpah my friend8 that would be amusing1 if it were not such a grim sarcasm4 ,oh1 what a miserable race she led me60 8,misery1 like joy1 in wedded life1 is won or lost by the deed of two2 not one4 ,i shall not acquit my mother2 but were not there two to blame80 8,two8 no2 only one4 ,i could not be peaceful with a panther40 8,be not too severe1 and think a little2 did not you1 after all1 do much to make your wedded wife what she was at her worst80 8,what1 ,i8 ,thou dost not think that80 8,yes2 ,i know the story of your espousal2 your flight from ,gerash1 and then your after conflicts4 ,you knew before you determined against all opposing1 in the face of reasons most grave1 and without any thought of your adaptation to each other1 to wed1 that your tempers1 tastes1 and trainings were in almost every thing apart40 8,well1 we loved each other sincerely2 our marriage vows were honestly taken40 8,marriage2 that settled it forever6 ,did you as honestly keep as you took the vows1 for better or worse80 8,now that were impossible4 ,did you ever see your mother in rage1 her muscles rising in a sort of serpentine wavings from her feet upward8 ,ugh6 ,i hear her sibilant1 hissing words of scorn1 now4 ,they'll haunt me forever4 ,she was a lotus in love1 and a boa in wrath40 8,i may have seen her so1 but out on the love that lets such visions displace memories of the best things2 a daughter1 nurtured by her1 can not2 a husband sworn on hymen's altar1 dare not forget40 8,i tried to set her right1 ,miriamne40 8,not always with kindness unfailing4 ,i've seen the scourge-marks on her heart4 ,i've heard her moan as a wounded dove2 no1 more piteously1 as a deserted wife and mother4 ,you tried to set her right by forcing her to your faith1 that1 too1 when the girl-wife was weak and exhausted by early maternity4 ,you have been wont ever to pity profoundly the holy mother who recoiled fainting from the spectacle of her son scourged to crucifixion4 ,that pity is a fine feeling2 but since ,mary's day is passed1 it is finer to evince a manly tenderness for living women moving toward their ,calvary4 ,how you waste your emotions on the dead6 ,mary ,hyacinthus1 ,ichabod1 have all1 ,rizpah nothing40 8,see here1 daughter2 let me look down into thy eyes4 ,i'm of a mind to think the sun has gotten into thy brain4 ,it gets into every body's in this country40 ,so saying1 he turned her face toward his own4 ,it was a bungling effort on his part to parry her thrusts with ridicule1 the last weapon of the defeated4 ,she was a little indignant1 but yet too earnest to be diverted1 and so followed up her advantage4 8,you were the stronger1 every way1 and fenced well against your other self4 ,the woman erred1 sometimes grievously1 perhaps1 and you had your sweet retaliations4 ,how sweet you can tell4 ,each blow at her1 fell on me1 my brothers and yourself4 ,oh1 it's the climax-revenge to lay open with giant thrusts1 monstrous and keen1 vein and nerve4 ,one may mar a good purpose by pursuing it cruelly4 ,were not your efforts to set my mother right severe1 sometimes80 8,did the eloquent ,hospitaler put these fine words together for thee1 girl80 testily questioned ,sir ,charleroy4 8,no matter who sent them1 if they be true words4 ,if you get angry1 ,i'll be wounded4 ,you need not try hard to hurt me4 ,i will strive to be all filial1 while all loyal2 but not more so to father than to mother40 8,well1 but she was a rheumatism to me40 8,so be it2 still she was part of you4 ,does one dismember a limb that aches1 or give it tenderer care than all others80 8#8,it is better1' said ,solomon1 #8to dwell in the wilderness1 than with a contentious and angry woman4' ,i got heartily weary of an ache that ached because it ached40 8,i'll place ,joseph by ,solomon40 8,pray1 how80 8,he espoused ,mary and was with her1 yet apart2 thus showing ,god's idea of the needs of weary mothers in their trying hours1 when giving their strength to another being4 ,joseph was kept as a lover only1 until after ,jesus was born1 that his services might have a lover's tenderness4 ,i have heard that the manhood of ,jesus reflected the sweetness of ,mary2 ,joseph kept his wife in those days sweet1 so the kindness of that noble spouse lived after all1 an immortal influence4 ,joseph1 through ,mary in part1 determined the bodily traits of the child ,jesus2 the latter influences all time40 8,why1 truly1 thou hast found a beautiful flower1 ,miriamne1 and ,i'm wondering that ,i never saw it before in ,mary's life4 ,but1 finally1 ,i tell thee ,i loved ,rizpah as my soul at first40 8,oh1 yes2 you both loved with almost volcanic ardor4 ,my mother told me so2 but this very power and inclination of passionate loving gave you each for the other power of dreadfully hurting40 8,well1 we'll speak further of this1 perhaps1 another time4 ,the hyacinth lures me to ,ichabod's tomb40 8,the rose1 emblem of ,mary1 flower of wedded love1 is sweeter than the hyacinth4 ,go home to ,bozrah1 father1 ,i beseech you1 so you may prove yourself still a ,knight of ,saint ,mary40 8,home8 ,i've none6 ,bozrah is grim ruins within1 without4 ,there1 as only fit and in fit dwellings1 abide the cormorant and hyena4 ,all hopes that ever centred in that place for me were but dancing satyrs at the last2 all loves but eagles with hot-iron beaks1 which devoured the hearts that fed them1 then fled away6 ,i hate ,bozrah60 8,you have a wife and children there4 ,i a mother4 ,where the brood is1 there is home4 ,bozrah has no gloom for us1 save such as we make for it4 ,it may be a glad place yet4 ,remember that ,kidron and ,golgotha were made all beautiful by the fidelity of ,mary and the cross-bearing of ,jesus40 8,miriamne1 this parley is useless4 ,once for all1 hear me4 ,before ,i wed thy mother ,i took upon my soul an impious1 almost desperate1 vow1 that ,i'd possess her though the possessing ruined me4 ,the strong1 hopeful ,knight of the ,cross was domineered over by his love4 ,before this ,i had some commendable principles and a little piety4 ,what am ,i now1 after long driftings about through wasted years of prime8 ,i'm the wreck of a man2 less6 a part of a wreck1 trying to get made over in a meaner pattern out of the fragments left4 ,thy mother unmade me60 8,adam said something like that of ,eve40 8,don't interrupt me1 ,miriamne4 ,the ,jewish maiden ,zainab gave ,mohammed1 of ,bozrah1 the poisoned lamp which ruined his health2 the ,jewish ,rizpah has such a lamp4 ,see me1 wrinkled1 hair whitened1 all too soon2 chivalry1 morality and piety dragged out of me bit by bit4 ,i stand here the caricature of what ,i was or what ,i should be4 ,i'm fit for neither war nor courtship4 ,i'd make a pretty show attempting to court ,rizpah6 ,i've forgotten how such things are done1 and1 besides1 ,i'm not the original ,sir ,charleroy she wed4 ,let her find him1 or his counterfeit1 and be happy4 ,the original ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah loved each other desperately1 but these that ,i know hate each other as desperately4 ,i tell thee it would be legalized adultery for these latter two to live under the same roof1 pleading as justification the vows of the other two6 ,miriamne1 ,i tell thee that thou mayst tell it on the house tops1 or hill tops1 as ,i'll cry it through eternity1 if permitted1 ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah1 of ,gerash and ,bozrah1 died long ago6 ,the devil stole their bodies1 put an imp's spirit in each1 and then parted them forever4 ,if they ever meet it will be by the fiend's device1 that he may revel over their warrings with each other6 ,ah1 ha6 ,what the ,roman arena was to the blood-thirsty populace1 such to the fiends the homes of the world when full of tumults60 ,and ,miriamne1 alarmed by the outbreak1 tried to calm her father3 8,oh1 father1 you will need mercy some day2 merit it by bestowing it4 ,you suffer an unforgiving spirit to inflame your passion60 8,forgiving8 ,what's the use8 ,i've vainly tried mercy60 8,try once more4 ,the injured have resource so long as they have power to forgive4 ,remember ,him who in the great extremity cried3 #8,they know not what they do6' ,trust ,rizpah once more60 8,i do not see the shadow of a peg on which to hang a trust40 8,you1 a ,teutonic ,knight of ,st4 ,mary60 8,thank ,god ,mary was not a ,rizpah60 8,mary had the trust of ,joseph in those dire days1 when nothing but a miracle could prove her integrity4 ,she presents not only woman's goodness but that which even the loftiest wife needs1 the constancy beyond measure of her husband40 8,joseph was advised by an angel4 ,i not40 8,as you love your mother1 honor the woman who mothers your children4 ,they bear your image1 yet she alone1 with a sublime self-forgetting1 struggles to have them grow up honorably1 purely1 and in the fear of ,god40 8,she wants to make them ,israelites40 8,perhaps so1 and perhaps the ,christian examples she has seen give her no reason to wish otherwise4 ,but after all1 her way is better than to have left them as their father left them1 to become infidels or nothing4 ,oh1 father1 do not think me bold4 ,i speak because ,i love you2 as perhaps no other might care or presume to give utterance40 8,well1 girl1 ,i guess ,i'm a double man2 for1 determined to oppose1 ,i feel a desire within to have thee win in this argument4 ,i'm one compound of contradictions4 ,i was a sworn bachelor1 then a sworn husband1 now ,i'm neither4 ,i'm a widower1 with a living wife2 a parent of three children with only one4 ,i bewail my homelessness1 yet run from an offered home4 ,i confess to being useless1 yet see a mission most important at my own door4 ,swearing loyalty to ,mary1 ,i disregard all she exemplified--of late revealed to me2 professing to be a ,christian1 ,i live a life that would shame a decent ,jew4 ,i have a daughter1 said by all to be much like me in temper1 feature1 and mind1 yet we are here utterly opposed in thought and purpose4 ,i've heard the profoundest teachers in grandest temples unmoved to this duty1 to-day presented2 and1 now1 without the pale of any church1 in the wilds of ,jericho1 a mere girl1 my daughter1 instructs me well6 ,this all proves that ,i'm the caricature of ,miriamne's father4 ,if ,i be ,sir ,charleroy1 then ,i'm beside myself60 8,a good half confession6 ,now for the atonement60 8,what1 a bundle of contradictions making atonement8 undoing the past6 more contradictions80 8,righteousness displaces all the contradictions of life60 8,i could make no atonement except by contradicting a score of years1 and going to ,bozrah6 ,now hear me finally2 by the glory of ,god1 alive1 ,i'll never go to ,rizpah's house60 ,miriamne felt that further persuasion would be futile4 ,she made a last request1 then4 8,will my father take me to the outskirts of that city8 ,i'll enter alone to comfort the woman who1 notwithstanding her faults1 ,i believe to be the noblest of mothers4 ,she may not have a husband2 she has a daughter40 ,as the father and daughter rested at noon1 not far from the ,giant ,city1 some days after the foregoing events1 they beheld a single horseman from toward ,bozrah speeding along the great southern highway4 8,i think he's a ,jew and in peaceful pursuit4 ,i'll hail him10 said the knight1 8in the language of ,galilee40 ,the rider1 hearing the call1 halted4 ,glancing about him he discovered the source of the call1 and promptly reined his steed toward where the pilgrims were sitting4 ,instantly he began in short1 quick sentences3 8,wonder2 the face of a ,frank1 the garb of a ,turk1 the voice of a ,jew6 ,an old man1 a young woman6 ,a ,moslem in company with his slave8 ,no1 she sits by his side6 ,a harem favorite8 ,no6 ,she is not veiled6 ,ye do not look cunning enough for magicians1 too cunning to be pilgrims2 not pious enough1 old man1 to be a priest1 and too pious-looking to be a robber40 8,true1 ,laconic10 said the knight1 8,i'm at no loss as to thee40 8,so it seems6 ,but pray1 ,christian1 ,jewish1 ,druses1 ,turks1 who are ye80 8,we're pilgrims1 good runner40 8,ha1 ha2 these pilgrims are a mad-lot1 with piebald customs60 8,what news1 runner80 8,what news6 ,a plague in ,bozrah6 ,de ,griffin's twins are nigh to death--,de ,griffin8 ,may be thou knowest him8 ,thou dost look like him3 but he's dead4 ,now his twins have no nurses nor mourners1 but ,rizpah1 and ,i'm racing to ,gerash to see if ,i can find a soul to swell her wailings40 ,the rider turned his horse and with a word1 8,selamet10--8peace10 was gone4 ,miriamne had heard enough1 and now1 with redoubled vehemence1 repened her arguments and appeals to her father to go to her home4 8,i'll not go into ,rizpah's house4 ,i tell thee thou art inviting me into hell60 ,miriamne1 in turn1 replied3 8,there is good anywhere for those that earnestly seek it4 ,mohammed1 they say1 got his first inspiration in ,bozrah1 and he a ,moslem1 a crescent devotee60 8,yes2 he wed a rich wife there1 too1 and she was a saint4 ,i may envy him in these things40 ,the young woman hastily entered the city and stopped for a little time at the mission house of ,father ,adolphus1 briefly1 hurriedly1 to announce her return1 inquire the latest report concerning the illness of her brothers1 and to beseech the old priest to go out after her father2 if possible1 to bring him into the city and to the desolate fireside4 8,well1 well2 there1 now1 ,i'd call thee bee or humming-bird1 truly1 darting from point to point1 subject to subject1 if ,i didn't know ,i was talking to an angel40 ,the sincere compliment was unheard by ,miriamne1 for she was gone ere it was sounded4 ,the old man shaded his eyes1 looked after her a few moments1 then girding himself1 hobbled down the street to seek at the city's outskirt the waiting knight4 ,and ,miriamne1 with heart beating high1 sped on homeward4 ,but as she approached it she slackened her pace1 with questionings as to how she had best enter1 so as to secure loving welcome and in no wise perturb by sudden surprise4 ,she saw her mother through the doorway1 bowed and swinging back and forth4 ,the girl's heart divined all2 8,my brothers are dead60 ,the mother seemed oblivious to all about her1 and ,miriamne hesitated on the threshold4 ,just then the runner galloped up to the open door1 reined his steed1 and exclaimed3 8,out of sight1 out of mind6 ,death1 like poverty1 sifts our friends6 ,ye can hire mourners cheaper at ,bozrah than at ,gerash1 and there are none to be had without coins6 ,gerash is distant4 ,i had no coins1 and was a fool to start1 wise to return60 ,it was ,laconic1 and he was gone before any reply was given4 ,rizpah didn't even lift up her head to notice his coming or going4 ,miriamne was glad of the circumstance1 for the runner gave her words with which to enter3 8,a daughter never forsakes40 ,she spoke thus1 very softly4 ,rizpah1 perhaps not recognizing the voice1 moaned on1 swaying as she moaned3 8,mother1 mother80 ,rizpah slowly lifted her eyes to the speaker2 then1 either by a masterful self-control or because sorrow dazed1 she slowly and without emotion1 addressed the maiden3 8,thou here8 ,so1 then1 my three are safe together1 before my eyes1 in death4 ,thou wert buried years ago40 ,without another word the daughter and sister quietly moved to the forms lying beside the mother1 and knelt down1 bowing1 her one arm flung over the corses4 ,presently she reached out her hand and it met a warm clasp from her mother4 ,the maiden knew full well that it meant welcome4 ,it was death's victory2 expressive1 unspoken eloquence4 ,there were four hearts2 two still in death2 two alive and breaking1 but the dead hearts somehow drew the living ones together and then they beat as one1 each all comforting to the other4 ,two dead hearts bridged the gulf between two living ones4 ,there followed the embrace and kiss of peace1 and then ,rizpah questioned3 8,wilt stay with me a little while1 my only--80 thereupon she sobbed and was relieved4 8,stay8 ,yes1 always6 ,but when1 the burial80 8,at once6 ,it's the plague and the law requires promptness4 ,o ,death1 thou didst do thy bitterest for ,rizpah60 ,rizpah soon rose up and began to busy herself about the bodies4 8,mother1 tell me how to aid you40 8,yea1 as ,i need4 ,thou and ,i wilt carry them to the cave of entombment40 8,but will there be no funeral rites80 8,i'll perform such2 keeping vigil as ,rizpah of old4 ,my children were crucified1 as were hers4 ,all mankind turned from us in our stress1 and so they died in want40 8,but1 mother1 the watching would kill you60 8,thou dost comfort me1 now4 ,oh1 ,i'd be overjoyed1 if ,i only knew for certainty that death would court me at my vigil40 ,softly ,miriamne spoke3 8,sir ,charleroy is at ,bozrah40 8,now thou makest ,bozrah seem afar4 ,oh1 the garments of people may brush together passing1 but still to all things else the passers be eternities apart10 replied quickly1 and yet with cool self-possession1 ,rizpah4 8,death1 that cools the pulses1 also subdues the asperities4 ,i could not hate an enemy if ,i met him amid his dead10 persuasively responded the maiden4 8,imperious1 fanatical1 stubborn ,charleroy6 changeable in all but his determination to make conquest of the faith of others4 ,then1 ,i can not ask his pardon for my serving ,god4 ,liberty came to ,egypt because the mothers of captive ,israel were faithful4 ,so says our ,talmud40 8,sir ,charleroy respects at least1 fidelity40 8,then 'tis well to have me die4 ,he never did me justice to my face2 let him embalm me in honey after ,i'm dead1 as ,herod did the wife he murdered4 ,it's a way of some husbands4 ,but we must be moving1 daughter2 ,i've prepared two biers4 ,the plague is a stern messenger1 nor leaves room for any dallying40 ,and ,bozrah witnessed a strange1 sad spectacle4 ,two roughly constructed burial couches2 on each a body1 and two women1 the one aged1 the other youthful1 both bowed with grief1 slowly bearing the biers away1 down to the tomb-hill4 ,the elder directed2 and so they went2 first a little way forward with one body1 then returning to advance the other4 ,there were no mourners following2 the passers-by offered no help2 the women of the city drew their doors shut1 and the children playing in the streets1 when they beheld this funeral procession1 fled away with subdued exclamations4 ,the ancient ,rizpah1 watching her dead on their crosses1 was standing that time in her valley of 8dry bones20 her imitator1 ,rizpah de ,griffin1 was now walking through that same valley4 ,both made pitiable by desolation4 ,neither was able to hide her dead from her sight by looking for the hope of the blessed resurrection4 ,their loving had been fierce enough1 but the soul-reviving ,spirit of the prophet's vision was not yet seen to be in the valley for them4 ,the two ,rizpahs were 8mothers of sorrow10 but followed no cross that had on it besides 8death10 8victory40 ,they went with tears1 but not held by a love that triumphs in 8leading captivity captive40 ,these ancient ,jewish mothers may be put in striking contrast with the ,davidic ,queen ,mary1 who wept from the ,judgment ,hall1 past the cross1 past the tomb1 up to the chamber of ,pentecost1 from which she viewed the transports of the ,ascension of her ,son1 her ,saviour1 her ,king4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,the 8,,knight ,,of ,,st4 ,,mary0 ,,and ,,rizpah ,,at ,,the ,,grave ,,of ,,their ,,sons4 8,courage1 for life is hasting ,to endless life away2 ,the inner fires unwaiting1 ,transfigure our dull clay40 444 8,lost1 lost are all our losses2 ,love set forever free2 ,the full life heaves and tosses ,like an eternal sea2 ,one endless1 living story2 ,one poem spread abroad1 ,and the sun of all our glory ,is the countenance of ,god40--,,george ,,mcdonald4 8,i am ascending unto my ,father and your ,father1 and to my ,god and your ,god40--,,jno4 xx4 #ag4 ,the ,teutonic knight was standing in silent contemplation of a pile of ruins1 from the center of which rose a number of stately columns like so many mourners about a grave4 ,these were all left of a stately old temple4 ,art had done nobly here once2 now desolation was master1 even the name of the structure being forgotten4 ,the priest approached1 questioning within himself as to how he would address ,sir ,charleroy1 when they met4 ,as he drew nearer1 he thought here are two temples in decay4 ,there came to his mind out of the distant past a vision of ,sir ,charleroy as he was when he stood erect1 ruddy-cheeked and every wit a man by his bride's side1 the time of the wedding at ,damascus4 ,the priest1 contrasting the man before him1 now aged and solemn faced1 with what he was then1 thought 8of the two ruined temples1 the man is the sadder one4 ,a quarter of a century slipping over a life1 though with noiseless feet1 generally leaves its tracks2 if pain and passion have been the companion of the years1 havoc is wrought40 ,solemnly1 and in measured tones1 the priest's meditations having given him free utterance1 he spoke1 quoting the words long before sadly pronounced by the ,savior concerning ,jerusalem's holy place3 8,destroy this temple and in three days ,i will raise it up40 ,sir ,charleroy slowly1 very slowly1 turning his eyes upon the speaker1 observed him from head to foot1 but uttered not a word4 ,again the priest spoke3 8,time has so changed both knight and priest1 that they forget themselves2 nor is it therefore wonderful1 they should not remember each other40 8,father ,adolphus6 ,miriamne's work80 8,what matter whose act if we see ,god back of the actor4 ,i've a message from on high60 8,why1 thou dost astound me60 8,methinks no man more needs astounding4 ,may righteousness enter the gates opened by wonder1 and so move thee into ,rizpah's home and thine2 death is there60 8,is there8 has been6 ,when love was slain1 ,i shut out its bleeding form with the mourning robes of a long forgetfulness4 8,there are hopes that die to live no more2 so there are homes which bereft of their household ,penates are doomed to grim ruin forever4 ,see these giant dwellings4 ,they tell it all4 8,thou art a ,christian1 ,i believe2 but like the disciples1 ,cleopas and ,luke1 with eyes holden2 not discerning the ,lord4 8,just as some1 having embalmed the body1 looked into the tomb at a napkin only1 seeing merely the place where ,he lay4 ,though puzzled that the grave's seal was broken1 they were still blind to the miracle of a new dawn1 simultaneous with the unclasping of night's grim arms4 ,they had heard of the resurrection to be1 yet they reasoned that the ,promiser was surely dead4 ,love alone1 in the person of ,mary ,magdalene1 most loving because most forgiven1 overleaped all doubts1 disappointments and fears1 to hie away in the thinning darkness1 in an utter abandonment to her trust in the words of ,him1 to whom her heart was given4 ,that was love indeed40 8,oh1 priest1 'tis so4 ,a woman2 a woman2 leading in religion6 ,i do not much bepraise her1 for she1 being a woman1 easily could believe1 where men doubted40 8,it would have been cruel to have crossed her faith1 would it not1 ,sir ,charleroy80 8,yes1 on my soul1 yes60 8,then go to the bier of thy boys4 ,let love overleap all obstacles40 8,but let me rest1 priest4 ,i've had the full draught of trouble's cup4 ,i'm quit of further conflict40 8,thou believest8 ,listen3 8,to whom also he shewed himself alive after ,his passion by many infallible proofs1 being seen of them forty days1 and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god---- 8,christian ,cross-bearing knight1 hear me6 ,the suffering ,savior could never have revealed ,himself1 as the ,almighty1 ,risen ,christ1 if there had been no cross4 ,by what ,he suffered ,he had gain of power4 ,thy wrinkles1 disciplines and all such like1 fit thee now to minister in the chamber of death2 even where now of all places on earth1 thou art needed40 8,but my case is so peculiar1 my home so unnatural60 8,is there no balm in ,gilead1 ,sir ,charleroy8 ,if thou and she have been great sinners1 ,he's a great ,savior1 and more1 a patient one4 ,hast thou thought how ,he lingered near ,his followers in an overplus of love1 lured from the triumphs of heaven1 to personally deal1 all comfortingly1 all encouragingly1 peculiarly with individuals8 ,for thirty-three years in the flesh he wandered about1 doing good1 healing all those oppressed of the devil2 but the finest hours of all ,his life lay in those forty days between the resurrection and the ascension4 ,well might ,he say to ,mary3 #8,touch me not1' when in love1 she fain would have retarded ,him by sentimental fondling4 ,listen now3 8#8,i have not yet ascended3 ,go to my disciples1 say to them3 ,i ascend unto my ,father and your ,father1 to my ,god and your ,god6' ,he was making a sublime accent along golden steps1 and the number of those steps were ten and two1 even as the number of ,israel's tribes40 8,i do not comprehend this mysticism1 though the word-frame is beautiful40 8,then know it4 ,on the cross1 ,immanuel cried3 #8,it is finished6' ,glorious salvation's work was finished2 but then ,he lingered still to bless1 especially ,his friends4 ,count the steps4 ,he appeared first to ,mary ,magdalene1 out of whom he had cast the seven devils and who doubtless clung to the ,savior1 her only hope1 her only deliverance from the awful realities of the tragedy in her soul4 ,thy ,rizpah was never so ill as ,magdalene1 yet surely she is worthy as much tenderness40 8,secondly4 ,jesus appeared to ,his mother2 love's appearing4 ,i see her now1 in mind1 by the record here unnamed--left in the sacred privacy of her grief2 too stricken to minister1 but close to the triumph1 because all needful of its blessing4 ,i see a third step--,jesus1 by special appointment1 meeting the backsliding fisherman of ,tiberias1 now gone away to his nets1 persuading himself he had done and suffered enough1 even as does ,sir ,charleroy to-day40 8,i've been called ,pilate4 ,go on4 ,call me ,peter2 ,i can bear it40 8,fourthly4 ,the ,christ joined ,luke and ,cleopas1 the ,greek proselytes1 now doubters2 but the chill of their misgivings was burned away in hearts inflamed1 while they journeyed to ,emmaus40 8,now call me ,luke-,cleopas1 priest4 ,i've the chill of the doubts1 ,i'm sure40 8,fifthly4 ,he came to ,his own little church-of-the-upper-room1 to breathe on it peace and to display ,his all-convincing body2 then ,he waited a week for a special unfoldment to ,thomas1 the all-doubter1 leaving him filled with all faith40 8,oh1 that ,he'd come to ,sir ,charleroy60 said the knight4 8,he does1 but the knight's eyes are holden1 and he starves while toiling for fish in a dead sea4 ,listen to these words by the shore of ,tiberias3 8#8,then ,jesus saith unto them1 ,children1 have ye any meat8 ,they answered him1 ,no4 8#8,and he said unto them1 ,cast the net on the right side of the ship1 and ye shall find4 ,they cast therefore1 and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes4 8#8,jesus saith unto them1 ,come and dine4 ,and none of the disciples durst ask him1 ,who art thou8 knowing that it was the ,lord4 8#8,jesus then cometh1 and taketh bread1 and giveth them1 and fish likewise4' 8,oh1 ,sir ,charleroy1 cast in the net on the right side1 then come and dine40 8,but ,i'm an odd man2 not like others40 8,he that is ,all ,fullness later appeared to multitudes of every clime1 the representatives of the ,church universal1 ever full of odd people2 again to the apostle of good works1 ,james1 called the pillar of faith4 ,the tenth appearing was at ,bethany1 as the blesser and promiser to all4 ,after that he showed himself to ,paul1 proof that he was a returning ,christ1 and1 last of all1 to ,john on ,patmos4 ,this the ,john that was care-taker of ,mary1 the mother2 ,john1 the all-loving4 ,i read each page of the glowing ,apocalypse as a love-letter from heaven to a mother1 from a ,son who carries eternally within ,his glorious heart the image of the woman great chiefly for her great love of ,him4 ,she loyally followed ,him to the grave2 ,he lovingly followed her beyond it4 ,when he set ,john to picturing heaven as a virgin-bride and ,his ,church as a woman clothed with the sun1 ,christ had surely the choicest of women1 ,mary1 in ,his heart40 8,and the ,heart of ,heaven might well lovingly remember the mystical ,rose10 quoth the knight4 8,as heaven loved ,mary1 so should noble men love #8bone of their bone1 flesh of their flesh1' as ,christ loved the ,church and gave ,himself for it40 8,thou wert never wed1 good priest80 8,no2 perhaps 'tis well so4 ,i've had a work in helping those who were wed unhappily1 to peace2 forgetting1 in serving their need1 my own joy40 8,then thou hast no idea of what it is to deal with a ,rizpah as a wife40 8,i know she's a woman2 a marvel in her fidelity to her children4 ,she may have infirmities1 but there was a woman1 bowed grievously for eighteen years1 fully restored by one kind touch of the man1 ,jesus1 ever all-pitiful and tender toward women40 8,but that one was willing to be healed40 8,no2 she was trying to hide1 but the ,savior called her out1 just to heal her40 8,now1 then1 let me cross swords at close quarters1 since thou dost press me4 ,i ask thee1 as a ,christian priest1 wouldst thou have me tolerate the sins of heresy in my own home8 ,remember1 ,jezebel1 she beguiled ,ahab1 her daughter1 ,athaliah1 and her husband1 ,jehoram1 also1 into gravest transgressions4 ,so ,god's people were led1 little by little1 to the groves of ,astarte4 ,i think ,i've a good parallel3 ,jezebel was the daughter of a priest1 so this ,rizpah of ,bozrah4 ,with her hot temper1 pride of exalted birth1 and a mouthful of arguments2 a man meets such a woman as a pigmy1 to crouch1 or as a knight1 to resist40 8,the name ,jezebel means #8chaste4' ,her pious namers must have respected chastity once4 ,her practices were all loyalty to ,ahab and her children1 though her theories may have been odious4 ,all that is recorded of them1 which engenders hate for her memory1 is the hatefulness of the way she pressed her creeds upon others1 the ,jews4 ,which the more like ,jezebel--,sir ,charleroy or ,rizpah80 8,but ,rizpah was ardent to lay our love1 and our children on her altar4 ,like the women who brought their jewels to ,aaron to be transmuted into the golden calf6 ,i could only protest1 and ,i did40 8,did not the men of ,egypt and ,israel first proclaim the worship of ,apis8 ,were not the women merely following their lords8 ,there are many women who defile their jewels because1 with contempts that turn their hearts to ashes1 their lords do not1 as they should1 wear both the wives and the jewels on strong and loyal hearts40 8,oh1 ,i perceive6 ,rizpah has been parading to thee her family troubles4 ,a true woman would have rather given herself to nest-hiding40 8,thou hast not hidden thy nest1 but1 like a wandering bird1 fled it40 8,she never asked my aid2 she left me in ,london40 ,the knight was charging blindly1 and defeated4 8,it was not for her to crave1 but for thee to lavishly bestow4 ,she left thee8 ,what better could ,abigail have done than turn her beautiful countenance and good understanding away from churlish ,nabal1 who lived chiefly to gloat about the cross on which he had placed her80 8,does the sacrist advocate divorce80 8,no6 ,no rupture of the tie sealed in heaven2 but when by recriminations a home becomes a living burial1 a hell1 then two houses are better than one4 ,i feel here keenly1 knight4 ,my mother had a monstrous man1 my father1 in wedlock4 ,he left her to battle single-handed for her little ones4 ,her patient1 sad face comes ever before me4 ,oh1 how she eschewed all other men1 though courted by worthier than he2 how she strove to hide my father's faults and taught us1 his children1 to try to respect him6 ,i was but a youth when he died1 but ,i tell thee ,i dared not look upon his coffined face lest ,i should curse him1 then and there60 ,the knight cowered as if from a malediction4 8,there1 there6 for heaven's sake pause1 ,sacrist6 ,abashed at home1 lashed by the teacher of the faith ,i've suffered to defend1 ,i'll be driven to flee to the wandering ,bedouin1 or to death60 8,they say ,lucifer1 unable to commit suicide1 plunges headlong into the abyss when thwarted in any design40 8,call me ,lucifer2 another epithet60 8,there are no black gulfs into which thou canst flee from the memories which conscience points to when duty is contemned40 8,is it the priest's purpose to harass my soul80 8,no2 but rather to lead it back to its peace that thou didst leave long ago4 ,there is only one way of return1 that a very ,via ,dolorosa4 ,mary along it walked with her son1 her ,god and ,savior1 to the cross and the resurrection6 ,by the cross ,god gives1 we go to our glory40 8,i've tried my best to be a loyal1 ,christian knight4 ,give me1 at least1 that award40 8,i can not praise justly2 ,i dare not flatter2 ,i must in all faithfulness say thou hast yet to learn the alphabet of loyalty1 as interpreted by that glorious pair1 ,mary and the ,christ--the triumphant ,eve1 the triumphant ,adam4 ,thou hast been following afar off1 nearer the flickering of ,judas' illusive lantern than to ,him who pleaded amid ,his griefs1 all self-forgetting1 with ,his ,roman guards to let ,his little band of followers depart unharmed4 ,the woman whom thou exaltest as the queen of hearts is1 after all1 not thy pattern4 ,judas and ,mary are in lasting contrast2 he all treason1 she fidelity's choicest fruit4 ,it is well to see to it to which one is the nearer4 ,oh1 ,gethsemane1 garden of touching contrasts6 ,there love was most grossly interpreted by the shrines of ,baaltis2 there most grandly interpreted by love's sublimest offering that night the ,saviour agonized4 ,there twice the enemy of man did his almost worst2 once by the rites of the groves1 once in the wracking temptations of the ,man of ,sorrows4 ,the arch-fiend was baffled1 and then the ingenuity of hell was taxed to one last1 most terrific and dastardly assault4 ,what thinkest thou was the climax8 ,the last effort to blot out the hope of man was made through betrayal by a kiss2 the finest sign of affection befouled by treason6 ,when the wedded betray each other1 alas1 for the world60 ,sir ,charleroy surrendered now1 exclaiming3 8,oh1 ,father ,adolphus2 again ,i see there is a mist on my knightly cross6 ,i'm unworthy to wear the sign4 ,it has been an emblem of death2 ,i see it now an emblem of life and love40 8,will the knight look on the dead faces of his sons80 8,yes1 yes6 ,in the name of ,god1 yes6 ,lead me as a child1 for ,i'm nothing more40 ,the knight was in the throes of transformation4 ,he and the priest walked side by side1 mostly in silence1 broken anon1 only by questions of ,sir ,charleroy's1 like these3 8,am ,i worth saving8 ,shall ,i ever become able to fully sound and truly express1 in life1 the depths of all thou hast told me8 ,and ,rizpah6 what will ,rizpah say or do80 ,the old priest answered ever3 8#8,awake1 thou that sleepest1 and arise from the dead1 and ,christ ,himself shall give thee light6'0 ,the lone burial cave was reached4 ,nigh the two biers stood ,rizpah and ,miriamne and but a little way off ,sir ,charleroy and the priest4 ,the maiden1 with surprised joy1 saw the two men1 but ,rizpah1 busy with her thoughts1 never lifted her eyes4 ,the latter drew a slab away from the entrance of the tomb and then moaned3 8,better ,i'd never been a mother40 ,father ,adolphus seized the opportunity to say in deep1 entreating tones3 8#8,i will ransom them from the power of the grave3 ,i will redeem them from death4'0 ,the mother supposing it was some kindly neighbor1 still unnoticing any thing but the speaker's voice1 moaned on1 sitting nigh the tomb-door1 between the dead1 a hand on each4 ,then the old shepherd drew nearer1 saying3 8,sisters of ,israel1 only believe4 ,beyond this stony gate there is an eternal home fairer than any dream4 ,there all broken homes shall rise in joy1 their treasures reunited and happy40 ,now ,rizpah rose1 and observing the speaker silently for a moment1 she did not seem offended at the priest's presence4 ,misery had overcome1 at least for the time1 her prejudice4 ,presently she exclaimed3 8,my family reunited in heaven8 ,ah6 that can not be1 and if it were so1 what joy to ever repeat the bickering1 blamings and wrongs of this poor miserable life80 8,thou wilt know as thou art known there and see eye to eye10 said the missioner4 8,oh1 if it could be only so60 8,wouldst like it so80 8,yes1 by the grave of my darlings1 ,i swear it6 ,i loved them with my life madly4 ,all the love ,i had was concentrated in them4 ,i knew when ,i began idolizing them that ,i had loved before full well my husband and daughter4 ,i knew this1 because the love ,i withdrew from them rushed forth to the boys4 ,but my idols are dead1 and now if my love do not dry up1 it will hunger1 feed on me myself1 then turn to ferocity wolf-like40 8,perhaps a husband restored may fill and enlarge thy heart4 ,there never was a great sorrow but there stood near it a great joy10 spoke the priest4 8,ah1 he is stubborn1 ,i1 perhaps1 proud4 ,immensity is between me and ,sir ,charleroy40 8,hast thou not yet had enough of pride's dead sea apples80 8,alas6 why ask me80 8,if thou art ready for a better day1 he may be40 8,ready8 ,i've always been4 ,what ,i did for conscience sake and these children is done4 ,what he did to me he only can undo1 as far as the past can be undone40 ,then ,miriamne waved her hand to her father1 unseen by ,rizpah1 entreatingly1 as if to say3 8,come1 but not too quickly1 a little nearer40 ,sir ,charleroy complied and not as a laggard1 for ,rizpah seemed changed from what she was in ,london4 ,he now saw her as in those golden early days at ,gerash4 ,but the truth was1 the change was chiefly in himself4 8,rizpah60 8,sir ,charleroy de ,griffin60 replied the woman addressed deliberately1 and apparently emotionlessly1 as she fixed her eyes upon the knight4 ,then her eyes turned toward the tomb1 seemingly inviting his to follow there their course4 ,she stepped back and glanced from man to tomb1 by the glance saying more plainly than words3 8,that is thy work4 ,thou didst open that grave in my pathway40 ,the knight stood by her side and put forth his hand to clasp hers1 but with a respectfulness that betokened the cavalier and one not quite certain of his welcome4 ,then spake ,father ,adolphus3 8,remember ,damascus1 both of you4 ,come1 ,miriamne10 he continued1 drawing the maiden aside1 8,i've a giant's grave to show thee40 ,the priest and the maiden moved to a turn in the road and passed behind the crumbled wall of a ,roman palace4 8,but1 ,father ,adolphus1 where now8 ,what of the giant's grave80 8,be content1 girl4 ,i mean the grave of mad love grown to mad hate4 ,it will be made and deep enough by thy parents1 but they can best make it alone40 ,and ,miriamne fell upon her knees in silent1 grateful prayer2 a great burden that had borne her down for years seemed lifted from off her4 ,the ,miserere that had wailed through her life so long now changed to an ,easter anthem4 ,father ,adolphus after a time recalled her by a single question3 8,dost see the fierce woman and the vultures fleeing away before the coming of our ,christian ,mother of ,sorrows80 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,,the ,,rose1 ,,queen ,,of ,,hearts ,,in ,,the ,,giant ,,city 8,around thy starry crown are wreathed ,so many names divine6 ,which is the dearest to my heart ,and the most worthy thine80 444 8#8,mother of sorrows1' many a heart1 ,half broken by despair1 ,hath laid its burden by the cross1 ,and found a mother there4 #8,mary1' the dearest name of all1 ,the holiest and the best1 ,the first low word that ,jesus lisped ,laid on ,his mother's breast40--,a4 ,a4 ,,proctor4 ,there had come a great change to the home of the ,de ,griffins at ,bozrah1 without and within4 ,shrubs and vines grew about the old stone house in profusion1 birds sang contentedly at its casements1 and kittens1 undisturbed1 played around its doors4 ,these were tokens of the new inner life4 ,the queen of that domestic palace was happy2 its king restored to his rights and duties2 therefore there was abounding delight and peace within and without4 ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah1 the two mature wed-lovers that abode there1 had1 out of all their estrangements and tribulations1 come to understand at last that love grows out of law and is more than a sentiment1 free to go when lured or flee from that which burdens4 ,it was to them like a revelation from heaven to find that love is the vassal of the will and can be made to go where it ought1 as well as be reined back from lawless rovings4 ,they found there was great satisfaction in their efforts to be very agreeable to each other4 ,sir ,charleroy constantly assured ,rizpah of his belief that they were now more really lovers than they had been in those fervent days at ,gerash4 ,she believed this new creed with the avidity of a heart sore with long waitings for its proclaiming4 ,the knight bethought himself of a graceful advance1 and introduced the matter with a sort of parable4 8,i've been thinking to-day that the only man whom ,i ever felt like kissing1 the man who loved me to the full of his great heart1 is present with us in spirit these days to joy over our reconciliation4 ,i've felt a strange thrill at times which made me think ,i was touched by the glowing heart of ,ichabod40 8,ichabod80 8,yes2 he that fell in our defense the day of that perilous battle with those ,mamelukes1 near ,gerash4 ,ah1 he had the heart of a mastiff1 the soul of a martyr60 8,thy love is constant4 ,but what's in thy hand80 ,the knight had hoped for the question4 8,a token ,i took from his corpse4 ,it was given him by a ,copt priest1 whose life he saved in ,egypt4 ,see40 8,i see a stone in a gold setting2 on the stone an image1 ,i think of a woman8 ,i've noticed it with thee before40 8,i knew it6 ,once ,i thought thou didst observe it askance1 as if a trifle jealous4 ,well1 no more secrets1 no more jealousies4 ,what says ,rizpah80 8,i say amen2 and yet ,i say tell all1 or none2 either way ,i shall be content4 ,love's trust1 when full1 has few questions and no doubts40 8,nobly spoken1 but yet ,i must tell all4 ,the image is of ,neb-ta1 from the country of ,hamites40 8,what an odd figure6 ,her head-dress1 a basket60 8,the basket on her head and the little house by her side betoken that she was the presiding spirit of domestic life4 ,i love ,neb-ta6 ,she ever reminds me of woman at her best1 as a mother brooding her chicks40 8,praise be the ,patriarchs2 they left us testimonies which makes it needless to go to ,egypt for precepts concerning home-love60 responded the wife4 8,but1 ,rizpah1 thou dost divert me6 ,wait2 ,i'm coming around with the patriarchs1 by way of ,jerusalem1 to ,bozrah40 8,now1 that's a fine parade2 ,i await it10 the woman1 with quick reply1 answered4 8,tradition says this ,neb-ta will stand before ,osiris and ,isis in the judgment #8hall of truth1' where another deity styled #8divine wisdom' opens the books of men's earthly deeds4 ,as the great ,anubis weighs them1 ,neb-ta stands by ready to cut away the failings of those weighed4 ,when the scale of their merit is lacking1 she herself leaps into it1 to weigh it down in their behalf40 8,a pretty myth for grim old ,nile ,land60 8,it proves man's belief that at last he'll need help40 8,it is strange those women degraders should have allotted one of that sex so fine a part in the hereafter40 8,it illustrates the constant conviction in men's hearts that woman's sympathy abides to the last40 8,in some men's hearts1 say4 ,all are not equally just40 8,i'll be direct1 ,rizpah1 and sincere4 ,i've felt an indescribable unworthiness of all ,i enjoy here in the house saved and brightened by my wife4 ,i've been saying1 #8,oh1 that some one like ,neb-ta would cut off my failings and enrich my merit4'0 ,sir ,charleroy1 after this long journey around about1 felt relieved4 ,he had made his confession and waited his absolution4 ,rizpah's eyes brightened up1 and1 though bedewed1 shone with the luster of gleaming affection4 ,he knew full well how to interpret that look1 and evinced the quality of the interpretation by quickly embracing her4 ,there passed between them salutations having the purity of manna1 the lusciousness of ,escol's grapes4 8,will ,sir ,charleroy need to go to ,egypt for a ,neb-ta80 8,no1 never1 while ,i've an all-forgiving1 all-blessing ,rizpah60 ,encouraged by the success attending one simile1 he attempted another later3 8,i was thinking10 tenderly replied the knight1 8that ,i've sinned against ,god in the name of religion1 and unconsciously offered #8the female lamb4'0 8,pardon my stupidity1 but yet ,i do not gather what is thy meaning40 8,my ,rizpah has been sacrificed for years40 ,the wife tried to reply1 8,i'm no lamb without blemish20 but her tears and his passionate embrace1 checked her utterance4 ,to those without1 there is much incomprehensible in the estrangements and reconciliations of human pairs1 made utterly one in wedlock4 ,if1 since the ,incarnate died for love1 and the ,temple's veil was rent1 there has been on earth an unrevealed ,holiest of ,holy places1 it has been where wed lives1 alienated1 have been reunited4 ,it is like a sacrilege to attempt its depicting to stranger eyes or ears4 ,many1 for themselves1 have been within that holy place2 each twain meeting its own peculiar and varied experiences4 ,but1 having come forth with a natural and most meritorious reverence for the events of such supreme hours1 they are wont to withdraw from human curiosity all that transpired1 as completely as they hide from the world their souls' dealings with ,god4 ,they who have never been within that ,holy ,place1 can not understand about what there transpires2 those that have been there1 defend their sacred right to keep from all the world that which they saw and felt1 by refusing to give audience to the experiences of others4 ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah1 at the time of the foregoing conversation1 entered serenely1 lovingly that ,holy ,place4 ,then they took1 as it were1 wings of memory and shields of faith4 ,the grim giant house was forgotten4 ,its walls seemed to thin away1 until they had to themselves a broad1 but secluded world4 ,there was light1 but not exposure2 repentance1 mutual1 and forgiveness1 not only free1 but in every syllable seeming to have balm for healing4 ,there followed an unutterable sense of getting nearer and nearer to each other4 ,they felt as if they had but one will1 and that guided by ,god2 one mind1 and that clear and heaven soaring4 ,the only sense of being two1 was in their beating hearts1 and then two hearts seemed more blessed than one2 for being two1 there was the joy of their beatings for and against each other4 ,words fail2 it would be sacrilege to go further4 ,let the curtain drop4 ,leave them with a thousand angels1 winged and liveried in white1 with wands of silence to keep watch and ward until morning6 ,on the morrow they knew that both had surrendered and both conquered4 ,and by a paradox1 to those uninitiated1 each rejoiced as much in the surrender each had made1 as in the victory which had been won by the one defeated4 ,defeat and victory was their common wealth4 ,there was a full community between them1 and that made both rich1 whatever their possessings4 ,thenceforward1 between them1 there was perfect frankness and consideration2 no sarcasms1 no recriminations1 and hence no need of foils nor masks4 ,christ had captured the ,crusader's heart1 and he was now1 as never before1 able to reveal the ,king of his soul to ,rizpah4 ,she moved unconsciously into a beauty of character like unto that of ,mary1 and her heart began singing a #8,magnificat4' ,the woman was transformed1 if possible1 more completely than the man4 ,for years amid hurtings she had schooled herself to reticence1 and had been an enigma to all who knew her2 but now1 under the rising of this new sun1 she opened as the blossom of early spring4 ,sir ,charleroy1 indeed all who knew her1 attested delight and surprise2 but ,rizpah was as much surprised at herself as any other could be at her4 8,i didn't know ,i could10 she exclaimed often with laughter and tears4 ,she seemed to break away and run from her former self as one from some phantom1 as a child from a reputed witch1 or a freed bird from a prisoning cage4 ,she saw herself growing in all these things every moment and exclaimed1 in the rush of feeling2 8,i could fly1 ,i'm sure60 ,then tenderly1 8,i would not1 my mate1 for a thousand worlds1 unless thou couldst fly with me4 ,no1 no1 ,charleroy1 watch my wings2 they are thine2 cut them if they grow or flutter for rising4 ,if they do1 they'll do it themselves1 without my willing40 ,again the sacredness of the holiest came over them4 8,oh1 ,rizpah1 ,i know1 ,i knew this wealth of love was in thee2 ,i've wondered often why ,i could not find it40 8,i did not know it1 my lover king2 ,i'm glad thou hast found it1 for thy finding feeds me with light and glory6 ,i'm carried back to ,gerash and ,damascus40 8,i think not4 ,there were flaming swords at ,eden's ,gate1 after the fall4 ,no going back2 but the swords gave light for departure into broader places4 ,i think that's the symbol of the sword and the flame1 ,rizpah40 ,again he spoke3 8,hadrian built a temple of ,venus over the tomb of ,christ1 but ,hadrian and ,venus are no more in power and there has been a resurrection from that tomb40 8,ah1 ,sir ,charleroy1 ,i'm a child in thy creed1 but ,i'm comforted by thy resurrection hopes1 especially since conversing yesterday more freely than ever with our lovely child of ,god1 ,miriamne40 8,hers is an angel's visit1 wife40 8,and angel-like1 with filial spirit1 she comes1 this time1 with request for our consent to an act of great import to her40 8,so2 and what may it be8 ,though ,i know it can only be good40 8,she came to tell us1 that she desires publicly to profess the religion of the ,naz----of ,jesus40 ,sir ,charleroy felt a twinge of an old pain1 and for a moment queried within3 8,will the old struggle over faiths again confront us80 ,but he dismissed it with an unexpressed 8,impossible1 we're all changed60 ,then replied he quietly with a question4 8,does the dear girl fully understand the seriousness of the act8 ,if she do and then acts1 ,i'll be glad to commit her to ,christ as her ,bridegroom and ,king40 8,we cannot be with her always1 and she seems determined to go through life unwed40 8,a ,neb-ta1 an angel spinster1 mothering other people's chicks6 ,but what says my ,rizpah of our daughter's purpose to profess her faith80 8,i8 ,this3 ,god being my ,helper1 ,i'll never again stand between ,him and any soul1 except it be to pray for that soul's health40 ,just then the maiden entered bearing a lamp which suddenly lighted the room1 now well nigh in darkness4 ,she presented a most striking and suggestive figure4 ,her eyes were full of her heart's chief question1 and1 standing in the light of her own bearing1 she seemed to fitly represent the part she had borne in that household4 ,sir ,charleroy1 anticipating his daughter's question1 greeted her with promptness thus3 8,sunshine1 thy purpose ,i know4 ,it's all between ,god and thyself4 ,go gladden ,father ,adolphus and ,cornelius with an early profession40 ,she was filled with surprise1 and voiced its chief cause3 8,cornelius8 ,he's at ,jerusalem60 8,well1 if so1 'tis wonderful1 since ,i met him here to-day40 8,i wonder10 she meditated1 meanwhile speaking her thoughts as if unconscious of those about her1 8,what brought him here80 8,oh10 replied the father1 8he says #8to see ,father ,adolphus about the church of ,jerusalem2' but ,father ,adolphus says #8the young man came because he could not help it1 to see his good angel4'0 8#8,his good angel6' ,whom80 8,now1 ,sunrise1 guess6 ,when thou dost so1 to make short work1 begin with the good angel of us all1 ,miriamne40 ,miriamne lifted her hand reprovingly1 but the tell-tale crimson hung confession on her cheeks1 while her lips1 wreathed in smiles1 told her pleasure4 8,well1 now1 will my father go with me to good ,adolphus about my profession80 8,as thou mayst like1 but it will be easier to reduce three to two than four to two60 ,again the uplifted1 reproving hand and the blush and ,miriamne ran out4 99 99 99 99 99 8,do not repen that question settled once2 it can only pain us both to recur to it40 8#8,repened6' #8,settled6'0 exclaimed ,cornelius4 8,not with me4 ,nothing in silence can settle it2 and it is always open to me1 sleeping or waking40 8,the consciousness of duty done comes like the breezes of ,galilee1 turning all moanings to a song within me40 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 who is it decrees that we1 belonging1 all1 each1 to the other1 should be torn asunder ruthlessly8 ,duty1 conscience6 ,hard metallic words when they describe the links of a chain6 ,ah1 our misconceptions often bind us to pain2 this one ,i cannot bear60 8,and yet1 ,cornelius1 you told me in that ,adriatic storm you could as easily drown a passion rising against righteousness as you could drown the body then1 by a plunge into the billows60 8,you held me back when ,i moved forward to show how easily ,i could make the plunge40 8,but then you had no intention of leaping to death60 8,not while held back by ,miriamne60 8,i8 ,poor1 weak ,i1 hold you80 8,to me your touch has ever had persuasion and might6 ,oh1 woman1 you lead me captive to your will in chains riveted1 unyielding1 and yet of golden delights40 8,say not so4 ,we have each a great mission1 but apart40 8,apart6 ,the decree that settles our courses that way is monstrous4 ,it is not of ,god4 ,he ordained that our race go in pairs4 ,and when ,he set up the new kingdom of ,jesus1 its heralding disciples were sent forth two by two4 ,as ,moses needed his ,hobab1 ,christ his confidants1 so need ,i a yoke-fellow4 ,i've no ambition to live1 much less to work1 unless ,i have my heart's idol with me40 8,illusion40 8,call it #8,maya' if you like2 but #8,maya1' ,brahm's wife1 illusion1 made the universe visible to him4 ,so say those ancient mythologians4 ,i can see nothing without my ,miriamne60 8,oh1 man1 hold2 nor pain me further6 ,i cannot help you4 ,how can ,i1 since my own chosen work seems too great for me6 ,i'm like a mere shell1 drifting with the tides1 without sail or helm2 the harbor unknown4 ,i only know ,i carry a precious pearl1 truth1 and that there are those who need it4 ,i must bear it to them40 8,i'm a shell1 without helm or sail1 and have the same pearl4 ,let me voyage with you40 8,and--what80 8,in all brevity--marry me60 8,that cannot be1 ,i fear4 ,i'd rather be the----4 ,can't ,i be your ideal as ,mary80 ,she blundered amid her efforts to express herself1 and the tell-tale blush betokened defeat4 8,yes2 be my ,mary1 and let me take the place as your ,joseph4 ,mary was a wife and mother4 ,the greatest of ,god's works in the old dispensation was to translate men2 in the new dispensation1 seeking to surpass the old1 ,he presented a perfect woman1 in her highest estate1 as the queen of a home60 ,the woman was silent for time4 ,there then seemed to her to be two ,miriamnes1 and the debate was transferred from being between the young man and herself to these two which she seemed to be4 ,one ,miriamne said 8,yield10 one 8,be firm40 ,one said1 8,he has the better reasons10 one said 8,nay20 one said1 8,it is pleasant to be overcome10 the other said 8,maya1 ,maya1 ,maya60 ,then recovering herself she exclaimed1 8,i wish the priest were here2 he'd guide us by the ,divine word40 8,i have a holy text10 and drawing a line at a venture1 the youth repeated these words3 8#8,god said it is not good that man should be alone6'0 ,she smiled and stammered3 8,oh1 ,cornelius6 ,i want to admire you and lean on you as my guide1 teacher1 pastor2 but you meet all my approaches that way1 transformed to a lover40 8,maya6 ,maya6 ,miriamne2 let the illusion work2 sleep the ,leathen sleep2 yield to love's dream2 then comes the full noon to awaken to marriage joy4 ,thou wilt find1 not above thee but at thy side1 then1 the teacher1 guide2 shepherd as well2 but also the husband40 ,miriamne had reached a point of hesitancy1 which is1 in all lives1 just a step from surrender1 and the lover1 made alert by his ardor1 perceived the advantage4 ,though a prey to hopes and fears1 an incarnation of paradoxes1 in which bashfulness contested with audacity for control of the will1 he gathered all his powers into a grand charge4 ,with a tender vehemence he stormed the citadel of the heart before him4 ,first he imprisoned her hand in his2 he had done so before4 ,now it fluttered strangely2 presently it rested as a bird2 at first as if frightened1 then helpless1 then content4 ,all that followed may be easily imagined4 ,suffice to say that ,cornelius ,woelfkin just then believed life worth living and the universe made visible1 though not by an illusion4 ,just as many another of ,eve's daughters placed as she in a tempest of delights1 she confessed her capitulation by a series of retorts1 which gave her relief from tears by affording apologies for laughter4 8,no woman ever so loved as ,i now8 ,you men all talk that way at betrothal60 8#8,to death6' ,miriamne1 'twill be true with me40 8,yes1 at betrothal and when their wives are dead1 they say men are very affectionate4 ,but1 ,cornelius1 remember ,i'll expect sweets between times4 ,do not love me to death at first1 vex me to death later1 then go mad for love's sake after ,i'm gone60 ,he vowed1 protested and assured2 she believed him without the shadow of a doubt4 ,they were irrevocably committed to each other now4 ,there was a rush of thoughts1 plannings1 questionings and hopes4 ,two lives apart converging1 becoming mysteriously one4 ,over them arose that wondrous sun which illumines some betrothal days4 ,they were both very happy1 very proud1 and also each to the other very beautiful4 ,the harmless conceits of love possessed them and they persuaded themselves easily that they were at the center of all things1 even of the infinite love of ,god4 ,the glow of their own hearts brightened to them all things immediately about them1 and they entered that arcana of delights where secret blessings may be experienced but can not be depicted4 ,they ate of that hidden manna which is reserved alone for those who sincerely love and are loved4 ,no being ever loved as they1 who afterward despised or regretted the enchantment1 although it brought some pain or at the last ended in disappointment4 ,none ever having been for a season in that ,beulah-,land but wishes himself there again4 ,none who comprehends the thrillings of lover days can fail to envy more or less1 if they are loveless1 those who are in love as these twain were4 ,much of the ridiculing of this grand passion1 affected by some1 is after all the result of envy1 secretly longing for that beyond its reach4 ,sometimes the enraptured themselves attempt this deriding1 but theirs is an hysterical laughter1 a feeble effort to rest from the intensity of their rapture or to hide their secret from others4 ,the laughter of all such as the foregoing is hollow and eventually turns the shame back upon the ridiculers who would cover others with it2 for love1 while it is an angel of sunshine1 has also the power of carrying to every heart which shamefully entreats it remorse1 humiliation and pains as numberless as nameless4 ,cornelius and ,miriamne1 the young reformers1 having embarked fully upon the full1 glowing1 exalting1 triumphant tide of their love were themselves reformed and transformed4 ,a while ago each was willing to die for the world1 now each was willing to die1 if need be1 for the other and not for humanity's sake1 unless some way the heart's idol was to be part of the reward of that sacrifice4 ,this new tide carried them quickly to that place of paradoxical oscillations1 the place where the lover is one moment utterly self-denying1 the next utterly grasping2 willing to be annihilated one instant in behalf of another1 and then in an avariciousness without a parallel on earth1 the next moment willing to annihilate the universe rather than be bereft of the one object deemed above all others4 ,the young lovers passed through the usual1 often experienced1 often depicted1 old1 old1 ever new phases of this relation4 ,the fire kindled in their hearts sped from center to center of their beings1 the laughter of secret joy quivered along every nerve of each4 ,each was happier than it was possible to tell1 even that other one that awakened the joy4 ,their gait1 their blushing cheeks1 their flashing eyes1 and their words proclaimed unmistakable the complete coronation of love4 ,they believed1 and perhaps properly1 that they were enjoying the seraphic1 exuberant1 mellow1 yet exciting delights of an hundred ordinary lives merged into one4 ,each in turn1 over and over1 in repetitions that tired neither to utter nor to hear1 said to the other3 8,i love you40 ,a rain of impassioned kisses made reply4 ,time was not observed2 they forgot their former hurry1 that pushed them earnestly1 ever toward duty1 when they were committed to being reformers4 ,they were only and completely lovers now1 and lovers are beings whose existence is in a heaven where there are no clocks4 ,the sun set over ,bozrah while the twain communed1 but there was so much light in their hearts they did not observe the lull of night around them4 ,existence seemed to them a living fullness1 a soaring upward without friction or effort1 and they incarnated that which at last makes heaven1 perfect desire perfectly satisfied4 ,they were presently recalled to the things outside of themselves by the sound of some one approaching4 8,it's ,father ,adolphus4 ,i know his step10 remarked ,miriamne4 ,cornelius1 remembering his recent1 successful assault1 was encouraged to attempt another4 ,his heart whispered to him3 8,why not make this matter final now80 ,his heart seemed to grow pale and trembled at its own whispering1 until he himself grew pale and trembled throughout his whole being1 at the audacity of the thought4 ,but love's suggestions are ever very domineering2 this one dominated the man instantly1 and he acted on it4 8,miriamne1 why not permit ,father ,adolphus now to seal our betrothal with his blessing80 8,he will bless us1 ,i know10 quoth the maiden1 evasively2 but she knew what her lover meant full well4 ,not only so1 her heart1 against her judgment1 was siding for the blessing4 ,the youth felt certain he had carried one line of defense1 and now went charging onward1 determined to carry all before him4 8,yes2 he will bless us1 ,i know1 if we ask him4 ,i'll ask him1 and then1 ,miriamne1 mine1 ,i'll call thee no more sister1 but wife40 8,oh1 you are in such a hurry6 ,this is all too sudden4 ,i--only wanted to be engaged--not married1 perhaps1 for years4 ,we could work for the ,master--0 ,she was interrupted1 as victorious lovers usually interrupt4 ,just then the priest entered4 ,miriamne tried to greet him with a smile and a sentence1 but she was under a spell4 ,she seemed to herself to be a different woman than she was when he last met her guide4 ,she spoke a few meaningless words1 which were lost in the vigorous utterance of her companion1 as he explained the betrothal and requested its ratification4 ,the aged man of ,god looked tenderly down on both1 and then questioned3 8,miriamne1 ,i know his heart toward thee2 is thine resting on his80 ,the maiden drooped her eye-lids1 but the tell-tale blush on her cheek gave answer4 8,shall ,i commit you to each other before ,god1 forever60 ,her hand rose in an effort to restrain1 but it fell back into her lap1 as if unwilling to do so4 8,bless us quickly1 good father1 ,i pray you10 spoke ,cornelius4 8,clasp four hands crossed10 said the priest4 ,the maiden's hands joined those of the young man1 and yet one drew back a little1 as if to say1 ,wait4 ,the motion was slight2 then she found voice4 8,but1 ,father ,adolphus1 do you think ,god will condemn1 if we do80 8,god made such as ye are to love each other4 ,what says thy conscience8 ,speak frankly now1 girl2 thou art with those that care for thee with an eternal regard40 8,my conscience does not condemn1 and ,i commit all ,i am to the guidance of you two men4 ,i feel quiet and safe in the committal40 ,and the solemn sealing words were soon spoken4 8,shall ,i pronounce you husband and wife80 questioned the priest4 ,cornelius1 like a knight in full charge desirous of taking all before him as trophy1 exclaimed quickly1 confidently3 8,yes1 yes1 all60 ,then ,miriamne recovered herself in the emergency1 and with maidenly dignity and tenderness1 yet with unalterable firmness1 said3 8,nay40 8,but1 ,miriamne--0 ,the youth could proceed no further4 ,he was defeated by the glance that met his1 filled with pious1 kindly1 yet firm dissent4 ,she spoke then freely4 8,before ,god we are affianced2 the first step1 as an ,israelite1 ,i've taken4 ,we are now bound to each other forever4 ,i am proud to wear the yoke of betrothal4 ,we must wait before the final words are spoken1 until we've seen my parents1 and until ,god has given us further wisdom40 ,she prevailed4 ,shortly after the foregoing1 ,cornelius1 taking a tender farewell1 returned to his work at ,jerusalem4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,,the ,,queen ,,and ,,the ,,grail ,,seekers4 8,my good blade carves the casques of men2 ,my tough lance thrusteth sure1 ,my strength is as the strength of ten1 ,because my heart is pure4 ,sometimes on lonely mountain meres2 ,i find a magic bark1 ,i leap on board1 no helmsman steers1 ,i float 'till all is dark4 ,a gentle sound1 an awful light6 ,three angels bear the ,holy ,grail1 ,with folded feet1 in stoles of white1 ,on sleeping wings they sail4 ,so pass ,i hostel1 hall and grange2 ,by hedge1 and fort1 by park and pale1 ,all armed ,i ride1 what e'er betide1 ,until ,i find the ,holy ,grail40--,,tennyson4 8,moreover certain women of our company amazed us1 having been early at the tomb40 ,another ,easter1 to some the brightest yet1 smiled in ,bozrah1 and ,miriamne was at the ,christian ,chapel4 ,father ,adolphus1 after serious1 tender greeting1 questioned3 8,i wonder thy father came not to-day80 8,oh1 he's celebrating the resurrection of love1 joy1 and peace1 at home4 ,you often told me these were the realities of ,christ's rising40 8,thy joy in this must reach all fullness80 8,i don't know1 ,i'm in a strange way--very happy1 yet very restless40 8,i have seen souls before at their noon2 hast thou not observed how the air seems to tremble sometimes at midday8 ,this is not fear but fullness40 8,oh1 my shepherd1 ,i'm not at noon yet1 only dawn4 ,i've only begun my work40 8,has our missionary ,cupid other couples at odds to reunite80 8,perhaps so2 but whether ,god calls me to such work or not1 this much ,i know1 ,he has put a burden on me40 8,will ,miriamne confide it to me--or has the lover dethroned the priest80 8,there now1 never say that again6 ,none on earth can dethrone in my heart my constant friend and guide2 yea under ,god1 my savior6 ,had there been no ,father ,adolphus there would have been no lover2 at least no ,christian ,cornelius1 as my heart's lord40 8,i fear ,miriamne in her generous desire to cheer a tired old man flatters40 8,no2 not flattery1 but just award4 ,as the ancient captives on their return to their own ,israel gave their wealth to provide crowns for their priests1 so do ,i to-day offer the finest gold of my heart to the man who piloted me with purity1 patience1 and wisdom1 along and over perilous ways1 to happiness beyond all words to express40 ,the old missionary's face expressed the wondrous comfort he felt in the words of his convert4 8,and what is it that burdens thee1 daughter80 8,i hope my pastor will not be offended1 but ,i'm burdened by the slow dawning of religious day4 ,why does it take so long to convert the earth80 8,the zeal of the young convert fills thee60 8,ah1 but that trite answer1 defense of the slow progress of true or false creed1 after all does not answer4 ,i feel those ,easter services at times lifting me up1 out of and beyond myself1 out of all thought of my own final glory1 and to anxiety for a lost ,israel1 a lost world6 ,i think1 at times1 ,i comprehend what was meant by the descent to the grave1 the captivity of death1 the triumphal ascent1 and then ,i wonder and doubt40 8,wonder and doubt80 8,yes2 ,i wonder at the grandeur of all that the resurrection implies1 and seeing it unrealized ,i doubt whether my interpretation of it be the right one4 ,worse than that1 ,i'm pained by darker doubts4 ,forgive me1 but my poor soul sometimes questions whether or not ,god has grown weary or failed to keep ,his promises4 ,oh1 these doubts pain me to my heart's core1 but they will come6 ,i see day by day on every hand such widespread gloom2 not only that very few walk in the light1 but how many shadows fall on those who profess to have entered the light of the ,rising80 8,alas1 day drags wearily60 slowly responded the priest4 8,yes2 the centuries since ,calvary1 filled with misery1 ignorance1 and sin1 seem to me to have rebuke in them to all who saw1 from time to time1 the ,gospel light1 and imperious urgency for those who see it now40 8,but the church is doing its best to get onward1 ,miriamne40 8,that ,i doubt1 though ,i'd fear to be heretical40 8,again1 ,i do not comprehend thee1 girl40 8,that's it2 ,i do not comprehend myself1 or what it is that ,i'm stirred to be or do4 ,i think that there's a reason for sadness at ,easter time4 ,it is the reminder of a great hope unfulfilled4 ,over twelve hundred years have passed away since ,christ arose1 typical of the rising of mankind by faith to all that was noble and blissful1 and yet we are all in the dim twilight of the morning4 ,oh1 my teacher1 it seems to me as if a funeral chord went weeping through every ,easter anthem40 ,the old priest sat silently for a time1 then bowed his head and wearily sighed2 8,i have done my best any way60 8,oh1 do not think ,i doubt that6 ,no1 no2 ,i'd not hint a rebuke of my noble guide2 but ,i can't make you understand me6 ,nobody seems to grasp my meaning6 ,yet of this ,i'm certain1 ,i want to do something differing from what has been2 something great1 revolutionary1 for the world1 for ,christ40 8,all reforms are revolutionary2 all consecration to noble work1 noble40 8,i suppose ,i express myself as vaguely as other ,christians1 whose efforts are chiefly words4 ,but why is it that there can not be a presentment of ,divine truth in such a simple and attractive form as to make all hearing and seeing love it8 ,why is it that the followers of truth separate into armies1 not only not sympathizing with1 but opposing each other8 ,why do not all having a common ,father and one ,saviour1 join as one loving family to bear aloft the banner of the ,invincible80 8,that day will come in ,god's good time40 8,oh1 again forgive me2 but that trite apology for the delayed dawn seems to me to fling the blame on ,god in order to palliate man's indifference40 8,miriamne1 thou art thoughtful beyond thy years1 but what wouldst thou have80 8,some one to show me how1 and when1 and where to proclaim a revolution6 ,there is need that ,israel believe2 that one half the race1 its women1 be crowned with its full privileges and powers2 that ,christian humanity check war1 banish poverty and bring in universal justice40 8,revolutionist1 indeed2 though a blessed one art thou60 8,so ,i'm often told2 but who will show me how to work for such ends60 8,hast thou among thy knightly companionships heard of the ,grail knights80 8,i've heard of them2 but not a great deal4 ,why ask80 8,thou art like them40 8,i'm glad to know whom ,i'm like2 tell me of them that ,i may know myself40 8,they1 as their life work1 and with charming enthusiasm1 sought an object pure and noble1 but which none but they themselves could see40 8,did they obtain their object and do much good80 8,they were a blessing to the world2 but sometimes1 like others seeking lofty ends1 they failed4 ,eternity alone can estimate their work and worth40 8,where are they now80 8,their successors are like thee4 ,that grail guild of old is now no more40 8,tell me all about them and the ,grail60 8,listen4 ,joseph of ,arimatha1 he that secretly followed the ,lord in his lifetime1 and openly1 after he saw the glory of ,his crucifixion1 is said to have caught the blood that flowed from the speared side in the paschal vessel or cup used at the last supper4 ,there is a cathedral in ,glastonbury1 ,england1 which once ,i saw1 erected on the place where ,joseph builded a little wicker oratory1 when there as a missionary4 ,at least they say he once was there4 ,the aged ,joseph died and the ,grail or ,passion cup passed into the custody of other holy men4 ,finally a custodian of it sinned1 and thereupon it was caught away quickly to heaven4 ,but there is a legend that it is brought1 from time to time1 to earth1 only to be seen by those that are pure--virgin men and women4 ,then out of the yearnings for the cup's presence 7for it is said it gave unutterable joy as well as miraculous healings to any that came nigh to it71 an order of knights sprung up1 to seek it1 everywhere in earth4 ,they were sworn not to disclose their mission1 and bound1 as their only hope of success1 to keep their hearts noble and pure40 8,but how am ,i like a #8grail knight8'0 8,miriamne pursues a heavenly cure for human ills1 a something she cannot see nor quite explain40 8',tis true and wonderful40 8,the #8grail' story is almost as old as man1 being shaped out of other most ancient pilgrim quests4 ,all noble hearts yearn for a healer and ideal40 8,perhaps the time has come for a woman crusade1 a new order of grail seekers80 8,indeed1 ,i think as much2 and ,miriamne1 taking ,mary as her model1 may be the very one to proclaim it40 8,but being a woman1 and so young1 ,i might be ridiculed as an enthusiast1 as brazen1 perhaps1 or worse1 if ,i attempted such things40 8,if thou didst undertake any thing truly good1 thou wouldst best know its goodness by the bitterness of its opposing4 ,the cross is very bright on one side1 on the other it casts shadows4 ,walking toward it we walk in those chastening shadows4 ,but when we've passed the grave1 which it ever guards1 there is light1 all light--not before40 8,sometimes ,i think ,i'm a very womanish woman and not the stuff of which the heroine can be made40 8,to be a woman is to have within thee a wealth of power4 ,to be queenly is to do in queenly spirit the work falling to thy lot4 ,behold the queenly women of the patriarchs6 ,rebecca watered the flocks1 ,rachel was a shepherdess4 ,the daughter of ,jethro1 ,king of ,midian1 also kept the flocks2 and ,tamar baked bread4 ,the ,word of ,god records these things1 methinks1 to show in what a queenly way a queenly woman may perform a seemingly unimportant work4 ,doing humble works well1 they had their honor in due time4 ,think of our ,mary1 ,mother of ,jesus1 after her call1 serving humbly as a good housewife to a carpenter40 8,oh1 if ,i could only catch the flavor of her life more fully60 8,a worthy wish6 ,her life was a sermon on faith4 ,called of ,god to bring forth ,immanuel1 she accepted the trust with joyful humility1 leaving the miraculous performance to the ,promiser4 ,for thirty years1 from ,bethlehem's cradle to ,bethabara1 where ,her ,son was owned of ,god1 she bore her pains and toils1 facing persecutions1 the leers and slanderous innuendoes of the rabble1 all without faltering4 ,only wondrous faith kept her gentle young heart from breaking6 ,i think she carried the cross all along the course of ,christ's life--until ,he ,himself took it4 ,she wrought out her work as a satellite of her son1 and yet as a poem most eloquent1 voicing thoughts without which some of ,his wondrous1 greater life would lack explanation40 8,i fain would be like her1 but then to be so seems beyond my capacities40 8,if thou canst not be a satellite of the ,sun as ,mary1 be a satellite of a satellite4 ,reflect her1 and it will be well1 since she reflected ,him4 ',tis a simple lesson1 but profitable2 learn it2 there is greatness in little things2 regarding them we may at the same time lay hold of that that is great4 ,i'd have all women heroines by teaching them what heroism is40 8,was ,mary learned8 ,she had to meet some grand company80 8,wise1 as thou mayst be in the solid culture of ,god's word40 8,but ,i can never be a ,mary10 presently the maiden murmured4 8,thou canst be thyself1 and what thou canst4 ,a seraph could be no more4 ,god needed for his lofty purpose but one like the ,maiden of ,nazareth1 and for thy comfort remember ,mary could not have been the mother of ,jesus and ,miriamne de ,griffin of ,bozrah also4 ,she had her mission1 thou thine2 it is a judgment of ,god to attempt to say that each in her station was not and is not placed in the way most excellent40 ,their converse ended but to be renewed4 ,at frequent intervals ,miriamne advised with her guide upon the subject uppermost in her mind1 and more and more became endued with the spirit of the missionary4 ,to all questionings within herself1 as to how she might compass her lofty and philanthropic designs1 there came but one answer1 8,to ,jerusalem60 ,it seemed to her that there1 at the heart of ,syrian life1 she might obtain inspiration and wisdom1 as well as the widest possible opportunity of applying these for others4 ,to her to believe was to act1 and so she soon had completed all her arrangements to join a band of pilgrims passing by way of ,bozrah toward the great city4 ,the parting was painful to mother and daughter1 and unlike any they had experienced before4 ,the daughter felt a misgiving4 ,her mother was aged4 ,the tensions of trial and responsibility being removed so largely from the life of the latter by recent events1 left her spiritless4 ,perhaps it would be more accurate to say that in the days of excitement and conflict she exerted herself beyond her ability2 now1 when the motive was gone1 nature proclaimed its premature exhaustion4 ,miriamne was convinced that she would be motherless ere long1 and was haunted by misgivings as to ever again seeing her if she left ,bozrah4 ,rizpah herself1 though she feared that the present separation and farewell were to be final1 urged her child tenderly1 earnestly1 to go forward as conscience dictated4 ,the parting between these two women was secret1 they two being alone4 ,it was affectionate and most tender1 and yet cheered by the mutual hope both expressed of an eternal reunion after death4 ,the eventful day and the supreme moment came to find ,miriamne and her mother nerved for the parting4 ,that was soon over1 and the maiden moved out of the old stone home toward the white camel already caparisoned for her use4 ,father ,adolphus and ,sir ,charleroy awaited her by its side1 having repeated1 over and over1 to the maiden's chosen attendant a score of directions1 and having in the fussiness of nervousness again and again examined bridle and girt and hamper4 ,the maiden1 glancing after the caravan of pilgrims which was to be her convoy1 now slowly passing out of the city1 turned toward her father to say the last words of parting4 ,she began3 8,and now1 dear father40 ,her voice1 tremulous to begin with1 broke down4 8,there1 ,miriamne10 interrupted the knight1 8wait1 we'll accompany thee a little distance40 ,the three moved out of the city together1 the attendant riding on before them4 ,they were all too sorrowful to speak cheerfully1 so each said nothing4 ,on the crest of a hillock the old priest paused2 simultaneously the father and daughter did likewise4 8,i'm too weary to go further10 spoke the priest4 ,miriamne's eyes filled with tears1 and ,sir ,charleroy1 drawing close to the maiden1 turned his eyes away4 ,he stood in silence gazing afar1 but at nothing4 ,each at the last seemed to dread to be the first to speak that one word so inexpressibly sad when believed to be about to be spoken as a last 8farewell40 ,the silence became oppressive1 and then ,father ,adolphus murmured1 8,i suppose we must bid thee adieu1 now40 ,sir ,charleroy shuddered and drew his turban down over his eyes4 ,just then all the child and all the woman in ,miriamne's nature was awakened4 ,her feelings well nigh over-mastered her1 and she exclaimed3 8,oh1 ,bozrah1 how can ,i leave thee and thy dear ones60 ,bozrah to her meant home2 for a moment her world seemed centred there4 ,the old priest1 ever adroit in ministering comfort1 sought to divert the thoughts of those about him from needless pain1 and so shading his eyes looked steadily eastward for a few moments4 ,then he questioned3 8,daughter1 canst thou see ,salchad1 at the ,crater's ,mouth4 ,i can not see it for my sight faileth2 but ,i know 'tis yonder40 ,miriamne followed the direction of the priest's pointing hand1 though she knew full well without directing1 where the grim fortress city lay4 ,habit had made it natural to follow the guidance of that old1 trembling hand4 ,some way1 it helped her2 she seemed better to understand what she already partly knew1 when it directed4 8,yes1 ,i see it4 ,it is there2 changeless and dreary as ever4 ,but why this question80 8,dost thou observe how the prospect fades away south of it1 until it reaches the spreading desert80 8,yes1 ,i perceive60 8,turn to the north1 what object is most striking80 8,oh1 ,hermon6 #8,the old-man mountain2' the sun makes its snowy-top appear to-day very like the white on an old man's head and chin40 ,sir ,charleroy's attention was recalled from his contemplation of the pain of parting for an instant1 and he questioned3 8,canst thou see aught of the ruins of the #8,temple of the ,sun1' said to be at ,hermon's crest80 ,but before an answer could be given to the knight's question1 ,father ,adolphus exclaimed3 8,daughter1 look back again to ruined ,salchad6 ,beyond its #8war tower of giants1' there lies only the desert4 ,now turn thy back on it all forever1 without repinings4 ,leave the desert and the war tower of the giants to the wandering ,bedouin40 8,and then what80 8,turn thy face toward ,jerusalem1 thy back to the drear desert--0 ,the maiden almost involuntarily complied1 and the priest continued3 8,go forward with ,hermon on thy right4 ,remember that the temple of the ,fire ,worshipers is overturned1 its altars cold2 but more remember that on ,hermon humanity was transfigured in answer to prayer40 8,and so my shepherd and guide would promise me blessing and bid me ,god speed80 quoth the maiden4 8,thou read'st my heart1 daughter40 8,the same true heart2 it never gets old or weary of cheering40 8,i'm made grateful and happy1 daughter1 by thy words4 ,he that saith1 #8,let not your hearts be troubled6' and #8comfort ye1 comfort ye my people1' is my leader4 ,for cheering1 ,i was called40 8,how noble such a call seems to me1 now40 8,yea2 daughter1 if one can not be as the stars that fought in their course for ,sisera1 he may be as a summer evening's breeze1 in cooling pain's fevers1 and in drying the tears from cheeks that blush through the rains of weeping times40 ,gently1 firmly she guided her camel from the hillock1 on which it was feeding1 toward the highway1 along which the caravan was departing4 8,we must be going now40 ,at her words1 ,sir ,charleroy and the old ,sacrist each caught one of her hands4 8,oh1 my fathers60 was her pitying but not pitiable exclamation4 ,sir ,charleroy1 standing on the hillock1 by the camel1 on which his daughter was mounted1 drew the hand he held close to his heart1 then his arm tenderly encircled its owner4 ,the maiden's head rested upon the breast that had often borne her since babyhood1 her lips met in unfeigned tenderness those of the man who not only loved her as a daughter1 but as his good angel1 almost savior4 ,it was a scene for a painter2 the past and the present1 sunset and morning2 the one looking back in a confessed ineffectiveness of a life nearly spent1 in contrast with a fresh1 young1 hopeful life1 before which lay a world to be conquered4 ,miriamne1 the called leader in a new crusade for women1 for humanity1 was bidding farewell to the ruins of giant land1 and to a representative of the last of the sworded-crusaders4 ,her staff fell on the side of the beast that bore her and it moved away quickly after the departing troop4 ,the parting was over1 and yet the two old men silently lingered at the place of the farewell4 ,once or twice the maiden looked back to them1 as she was borne forward1 to wave an adieu4 ,the lone watchers followed her with their eyes1 until her white camel appeared but a speck moving along at the skirt of a column of dust4 ,the eyes of the watchers dimmed by years1 now supplemented by tears1 presently could discern only dust4 ,she was buried from their view forever4 ,then they silently returned to the city1 each busy with his own thoughts4 ,thereafter there was a heavy loneliness on all hearts in that ,bozrah circle4 ,the priest moved about his chapel1 and the parents about their home as though an angel of light had gone from their midst1 or as if the angel of death had come among them4 8,it seems strange like10 said the ,sacrist's sister1 8to let a girl go away to that far-off city1 among strangers1 and about such meaningless purposes40 8,never mind2 never mind1 sister1 ,god's lambs are ever safe4 ,her mission is clear to her1 at least1 and she'll not be among strangers4 ,the knights who secretly abide in the city of ,god have a charge concerning her in letters ,i've sent them4 ,as well1 ,cornelius1 her betrothed1 is there4 ,pure love will be her wall of fire40 ,thus ended all arguments and misgivings4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,,the ,,hospitaler',s ,,oration4 8,i do not say that a social cyclone is impending2 but the signs of the times certainly admonish us that if ,christianity is to avert a revolution of the most gigantic proportions1 and the most ruinous results1 we have not an hour to lose in assuring the restless masses that they have no better friends than are the professed disciples of ,him whose glory it was to preach the gospel to the poor1 and to lift up their crushing burdens40--,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,a4 ,j4 ,f4 ,,behrend',s 8,socialism and ,christianity40 8,my soul doth magnify the ,lord4444 ,he hath put down princes from their thrones1 and exalted them of low degree40--,,mary4 ,the daughter of ,sir ,charleroy found a home and a mother with ,dorothea ,woelfkin1 the widowed parent of her affianced4 ,what manner of woman the latter was may be readily inferred from the character of her beloved and only son1 ,cornelius4 ,it sufficeth to say1 mother and son were in all things wonderfully alike4 8,miriamne1 ,i've called to ask1 if we get the consent of my mother1 that you attend a conclave of knights1 to be secretly held1 after ,moslem prayers this evening40 8,where80 8,at the house of the ,christian sister1 aged ,phebe2 just by the second wall of the city40 8,and why do they meet80 8,an eloquent ,hospitaler1 lately returned from a long mission1 is to address the companions and their friends40 8,a ,hospitaler2 what's his name80 8,ah1 there it is2 the question all ask1 and none can answer6 ,he has given full tokens of his right to confidence1 but declines1 for reasons which he says are most pious1 to reveal himself further than that he is a ,knight ,hospitaler of ,rhodes40 8,rhodes8 ,is he very tall1 of piercing eyes1 his hair long and jet1 with streaks of gray80 8,even so40 8,my father knew such a man1 whom he called #8silver-tongued4'0 8,this man is as eloquent as ,apollos40 8,we met such an one1 and were with him for a time4 ,we left him here1 on our journey from ,acre to ,bozrah40 8,did you penetrate his secret80 8,i did not1 though my father once said to him #8,grail4' ,after that he kept aloof from us40 8,a proof it must be as ,i've suspected2 the ,hospitaler is one of the new ,grail-,knights60 exclaimed ,cornelius4 8,and he is here8 ,i must hear him again4 ,the words he spoke to me in ,gethsemane have followed me night and day since4 ,he made the journey of ,mary and ,christ1 by way of ,kedron1 to the cross1 seem like a present reality2 a path typical of the one before every child of ,god4 ,i saw it all then1 but have been unable since to find it4 ,oh1 ,i burn with desire to have the #8silver-tongued' guide me to that pathway again40 ,at the appointed time the twain sought the house of ,christian ,phebe1 and found it wrapped in gloom2 the only sign of life without being a man garbed as a camel driver1 standing guard at the door4 ,cornelius whispered to ,miriamne1 8,he's a knight--the warden40 ,the young man gave the watchman a secret signal2 the latter communicated through a little gated window1 with those within1 and quickly the door swung open1 admitting ,woelfkin and his companion4 ,within were light and cheerfulness contrasting with the gloom without4 ,a goodly company was already assembled1 chiefly made up of ,crusaders1 but now unharnessed4 ,the faces of the pilgrim soldiers betokened a change within4 ,they betokened spirits subdued1 but not crushed2 hearts having surrendered ambition for devastating conquest1 to welcome a finer hope4 ,there were few things about the place suggestive of war1 and many suggestive of peace4 ,at one end of the room stood a desk1 in shape much like an altar4 ,it was draped with a ,templar banner1 and to its side were fastened a sword1 bent in the shape of a sickle1 and two spears forming a cross1 supporting a cup2 the latter was in form the same as the cup of the ,passion4 8,there is something about this place that recalls the chapel of the ,palestineans1 in ,london1 ,cornelius40 8,well1 you and ,i were there2 now we are here4 ,in that the two places have likeness10 pleasantly responded the maiden's escort4 ,miriamne's eyes wandered from object to object1 as if seeking proof of1 her assertion1 and her companion followed her gaze with a glance about the place1 which finally rested1 as his glances were wont1 on the eyes of ,miriamne4 8,oh1 the devoutness1 the peace1 the fellowship60 she exclaimed4 ,just then there was a movement3 a number of the men present arose2 a hailing sign1 significant to the initiated1 was given by some1 while simultaneously a slight applause passed around the room3 8',tis he10 whispered ,miriamne4 8,your ,hospitaler80 8,yes40 ,the knights all stood and sang in subdued voices1 a psalm of hope4 8,the movement of the melody suggests pilgrims climbing a hill40 ,at least1 so the maiden said its movement seemed to her4 ,when the psalm was finished1 the knights resumed their seats and the ,hospitaler1 without preliminary1 at once addressed them3 8,knights of ,christ1 few and often in hiding1 ,i would remind ye that no plan of ,god is futile1 and that ,his cause has no backward movement4 8,a dream of conquest1 restoration and glory came over all followers of the cross4 ,the dream had within it a hope of a holy land in ,christian possession1 and all the children of earth getting from it the story of the true faith4 ,then there was to come1 we believed1 the golden age1 in which all mankind in sweet charity's glorious fellowship should go forward4 8,nature1 man's mother1 prays in a million mournful voices for that golden day2 and ,god1 man's eternal and loving ,father1 works by countless invincible agencies to cause its full dawning4 ,we ,crusaders gave our lives by thousands for our faith1 but we seemed to have done little beside change the name of this land from ,philistine to ,palestine4 ,one1 to be sure1 is softer to the ear than the other1 but to the heart both names bring the same miserable thoughts4 ,yet there was more than this attained4 ,ye remember how our cavalier soldiers expressed their chivalric impulses in honoring that queen of women1 ,our ,lady8 ,like the rising of sun at midnight1 came the conviction to ,christian ,europe when at its worst1 socially1 that reform must begin by purifying the homes of the people1 by exalting all home life4 ,to do this1 the mothers who bare and nurture the fruits of the home1 as well as making them for weal or for woe what they are1 must needs be exalted by right as well as by fitness to their queenship4 ,every knight's praise of ,mary was an avowal of faith2 his faith that woman could be1 should be1 what his imagination pictured ,mary to have been4 8,the knightly ,christians were among the first to be moved by the belief that that was a monstrous blight1 a heresy toward ,god and nature which regarded the finer sex as necessities or luxuries4 ,impressed by reverence for ,mary1 the banded soldiers of the cross began to feel their mission to be not only the recovery of the dead1 but also of the living from infidel dominion2 hence1 each ,crusade banner came as a sunburst to those1 who1 under the spell of gross passion1 were enslaving their natural co-partners4 8,men1 while the harem ideal stands1 while woman is impotent because uncrowned1 our lofty hopes can not bear fruit nor will our labors be ended60 ,the speaker was interrupted by a murmur of applause that ran around the circle of auditors4 ,miriamne glowed with delight1 and raised her hand impressively and nodded toward ,cornelius4 ,he only saw the motion and easily interpreted it as meaning1 8,there1 that's what ,i felt1 but could not express40 ,the speaker continued3 8,god said it is not good that the man should be alone2 time that resolves all mysteries1 and experience which transmutes to gold all the rubbish of guess and experiment1 has irrevocably declared that man cannot be to his fullness1 in a state of solitary grandeur4 ,he and the woman go up or down together2 and1 whether a seraph or a serpent leads her1 the man by inclination or by force is sure to follow her footsteps4 8,we ,crusaders had a glimpse of the truth1 but lost it to follow an ignis fatuus4 ,yet1 in this land1 we confronted the harem with the home ruled by one queenly wife and mother4 ,the world1 beholding the contrast begins to believe1 as never before1 in the supremacy1 over all institutions1 of that one where1 under ,eden's covenant charters1 purity and mother-love mold the race in the name of sole and patient love4 ,the ,saracens paraded their houris1 their concubines1 and their slaves as the proofs of their prowess2 but the ,christians challenged the array by the quality of their possessions1 commencing with their women of ,god's blood royal1 and ascending to each revered personage1 from love's companions1 to ,mary1 to ,jesus4 ,he that nobly deals with the one by his side will find her putting on a glory that will brighten the luster of his kingliness1 and bringing forth to him those having the power to grasp and mold the destinies of coming years4 ,listeners1 mark me2 there is a lesson profound in the record of the strugglings with each other of ,rebecca's twins before their birth4 ,indeed1 each being begins his career within the life that gives him life4 8,who will say1 with assurance1 that all of life lies within the reach of any man of himself8 ,nay1 be it said1 rather1 that she who first carries1 then leads1 then inspires1 as she only can1 her sons and daughters1 is the one who lays her gentle hands1 with resistless power1 upon the keys of all futures4 ,it is the mother who impresses the prophecy of what is to be on the heart of the infant1 before the event finds place upon the deathless page which records deeds done40 ,again applause interrupted4 ,the ,hospitaler continued1 as attention was given anew3 8,that profoundest of ancient teachers1 ,plato1 enunciated at least a half-truth or truth's shadow1 in his doctrine of the prexistence of souls1 though1 as our church understands it1 it pronounces the teaching heretical4 ,be that as it may1 this much assuredly is true3 if each man has not been on earth before1 his present existence being the repetition of a prior one1 his intuitions1 vague recollections out of a past forgotten in a former death1 surely there is none who is not the fruit of his parents4 ,he is largely what they made him1 and of the twain that beget1 ,i affirm that the mother wields the ruling influence in the life and character of the begotten4 ,i believe men perpetuate their worst traits through their posterity1 easily and more persistently than do women theirs4 ,in the giant of the human pair brawn and muscle predominate1 and these1 if depraved1 feed every evil passion1 giving each power to run with virulence from sire to son4 ,the woman1 formed by finer conceptions to be an angel1 may fall to sinning and let weakness take the place of gentleness4 ,so be it2 yet even then her weaknesses and her sinnings1 constantly repugnant to her nature as ,god framed it1 antagonistic to the refinement that is native1 ebb and die along the shores of her being's course4 ,she more naturally and more forcefully transmits her good than she does her evil1 as a general rule4 ,they have in fable-lore a tradition that the mythical goddess of love1 ,venus1 wore a resplendent girdle1 the sight of which made every beholder love the wearer4 ,let me give present force to the legend by affirming that every true woman1 girded with the virtues that it is her duty and her privilege to wear1 is an object1 among all earthly beings1 superlatively1 entrancingly beautiful--next after ,christ1 ,god's best gift to man40 ,cornelius now plucked the corner of ,miriamne's pepulum4 ,it was a lover's restless1 questioning act4 ,being a man1 trained as men1 he was naturally inclined to doubt the speaker and to join in secret ridicule1 that substitute for gainsaying when arguments are utterly lacking2 but being a lover1 he was so far doubtful as to his old creeds concerning women1 as to be ready to be led4 ,miriamne turned toward her lover with a smile lightened by eyes which glowed4 ,hers was not the smile of a girl flatly complacent in an effort to be very agreeable4 ,she believed2 the love she had for the man at her side was consecrated first to truth4 ,her will was that of a blade of steel--yielding1 serviceable2 but still elastic or firm1 as need be and as its highest purposes required4 ,she smiled1 but the smile mounting to her brightening eyes1 left her fine forehead1 a very temple of thought1 all placid4 ,the smile and the glance routed all doubts from the young man's mind4 ,she to him was a ,venus1 and more1 a saint4 ,she wore the invisible girdle of which the knight had spoken1 and the youth felt its winning power4 ,another proof that the best advocate of a woman is a woman2 and of her worth1 the best argument an example4 ,the orator knight proceeded without pause3 8,i know full well that some sneer and carp on woman's weakness1 having recourse to ,eden for argument4 ,to these ,i reply3 ,the enemy assailed not the weaker1 but the stronger first1 and exhibited masterly generalship in seeking to overcome the citadel that would insure the greatest loss1 the most complete victory4 ,and note how long and arduous his siege of ,eve2 then remember how quickly ,adam fell4 ,crush the woman's heart1 ruin her faith1 degrade her body1 and then1 with this work completed1 we are ready to ring down the curtain over the end of the tragedy of a wrecked world4 ,when men hold women to their hearts1 their manhood is enlarged and their queens become their angels1 bearing a #8grail' that catches for both the choice things of heaven4 ,but when a man turns his strength against a woman1 she ceases to be his charming1 alluring helpmate4 ,he has brawn1 and she1 not having that1 puts on that cunning which is the natural arm of the weaker4 ,when the honey-suckle turns to poison-ivy1 or the dove to a fox1 then weep2 but when woman lays aside the entrancings of her moral beauty to enter a desperate strife with armed cunning1 let men go mad over their queens become witches4 ,i tell you1 hearers1 when men become demons women will give themselves to sorcery4 ,i speak not of spiritual possession1 but of human deflowering4 ,shall our queens be uncrowned1 disrobed1 degraded8 ,no1 no1 ,satan alone could say #8yea4'0 ,when the burst of applause that had interrupted him subsided1 the ,hospitaler continued3 8,we knights revere the sign of the cross because the world's ,savior died thereon2 it will be well for us to revere womankind because it was given to woman1 not to man1 to coperate with ,god in bringing that ,savior to the world4 ,a woman bore him with crucial pains1 as each of us was borne1 before ,he bore the cross4 ,and reverently ,i say it1 companions1 woman's cross is ever set1 and all the earth is her ,calvary4 ,i can not but see1 as must you who think1 that all this pain to her has in ,god's great plan some vicarious element1 some blessing for mankind4 ,we ,christians pray for the second coming of ,jesus1 the ,jews wait and weep for the dawn of a day of salvation1 the ,mohammedans1 like hosts of the ,pagans1 in every clime1 are longing for some golden day2 better than the present4 ,this universal longing is a prophecy of good to come4 ,i can not believe that the ,all-,father would suffer this universal and intuitive longing to end in disappointment and mockery4 ,he is too good for that4 ,by this longing ,i see standing out1 less dimly1 and yet dimly enough to be by many unseen1 some sublime1 prophetic hints4 ,read sacred ,writ4 ,wherever therein you discern a prophetic character1 emblem of ,christ1 forerunner of the golden age1 you will find not far from him1 as his partner and help1 fittingly a woman6 8,from the first it was so4 ,adam the first appeared1 and a woman was his partner1 helpmate and more4 ,he fell4 ,a way of recovery was provided for him1 but it was the woman who was given to bring forth the ,one whose heel was to crush the head of the author of humanity's great catastrophe4 ,then came the second ,adam--,immanuel4 ,at his advent the chief figure1 next after ,god the chief instrument in ,his bringing in1 by ,his side along the years in all helpful ministries1 a woman1 ,mary1 the beautiful1 the perfect1 the ideal of women4 8,again and again we have puzzled over the records1 wondering why ,matthew traced the genealogy of ,jesus along the male line only1 through ,david and ,jacob to ,abraham the father of the faithful1 and that ,luke traced that genealogy through ,mary and her father1 ,heli4 ,but there's method most wise in the records4 ,matthew wrote for the ,jews1 ,luke for the ,gentiles4 ,the hint is herein given that when the ,gentiles are fully gathered in1 woman will be recognized in the ultimate religion1 that knows neither race nor sex4 ,as in the royal line which gave man a ,savior1 as in a queenly line having for man1 society and home--the emblem of heaven expressed on earth--blessing and saving powers40 ,the knight closed with an appeal for the continuance of the revival of the chivalrous spirit toward woman1 saying3 8,it matters little what becomes of the dust of the pious dead2 the past is secure1 and ,deity guards till the resurrection all tombs in ,his own unfrustrated way1 but it matters much how we treat the living6 ,that is a puerile piety which is ready to die to defend from foes that can not harm inanimate ashes that appeal for no favor1 while suffering1 willingly1 living bodies encompassing bleeding hearts1 to continue amid untold agonies1 their whole existence one long appeal for succor6 ,christian knights1 on with your new crusade1 and may the golden age come grandly in1 its fruits--love1 joy1 and peace in every clime1 to every race1 to every man1 woman1 and child60 ,the speaker sat down2 there was a moment of deep silence1 followed by an outburst of approving acclamations4 ,then ensued a hum of voices1 the assembly breaking up into little groups1 one and another attempting each to prove his loyalty1 his piety or his good sense to the man next to him1 by certifying his belief in the knight's words4 ,miriamne1 half unconscious of her surroundings1 exclaimed3 8,oh1 will not some one tell me how to begin80 8,can ,i aid my ,miriamne80 asked her lover4 8,i don't know2 perhaps4 ,but that ,grail ,knight with the silver tongue sees1 in his soul1 what ,i would reach4 ,when he speaks my feet take wings4 ,i can not tell you what or how it all is4 ,he speaks and ,i see1 as ,moses in the mount1 the outline of the tabernacle of ,god that is to be with men40 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,,memorials ,,at ,,bozrah4 8,i'm footsore and very weary1 ,but ,i travel to meet a ,friend2 ,the way is long and dreary1 ,but ,i know it soon must end4 ,he is traveling swiftly as whirlwinds1 ,and though ,i creep slowly on1 ,we are drawing nearer and nearer1 ,and the journey is almost done4 ,i know ,he will not fail me1 ,so ,i count every hour a chime1 ,every throb of my heart's beating ,that tells of the flight of ,,time4 ,i will not fear at ,his coming1 ,although ,i must meet ,him alone1 ,he will look in my eyes so gently ,and take my hand in ,his own40 ,an uneventful year passed over the missioners1 but it was followed quickly by eventful times4 ,two messages came1 one after the other1 and not far apart1 to ,jerusalem1 which moved all the ,christian colony at the latter place1 but especially ,cornelius and his consort4 ,the first was from ,father ,adolphus and as follows3 8,your parents1 ,sir ,charleroy and ,rizpah1 have departed ,bozrah4 ,they went out together1 and their end was peace4 ,they compensated themselves for the needless miseries they had wrought in their younger days by keeping out of all shadows during their journey after their reconciliation by the tomb of their children1 even until sunset4 ,i could not summon you1 for they passed away quickly1 only a few days coming between their goings40 ,shortly after the foregoing1 came the other message1 and that accidentally1 for the link between ,jerusalem and ,bozrah being broken by death1 there was none left in the ,giant ,city to send after or for comforting to the missioners4 8,father ,adolphus is dead40 ,that was the report brought by chance to the ,christians at ,zion4 ,hundreds in ,jerusalem had heard of him1 and hearing of his death sighed mildly4 ,the missioners were his mourners--really1 solely4 ,ere long ,dorothea left ,jerusalem of ,syria for the ,new ,jerusalem1 and this event not only brought sorrow but also perplexity4 ,miriamne realized that she could not now continue in the house of her betrothed1 simply as his betrothed1 even if it were possible for the household to continue1 the head being absent4 ,whither should she go1 orphan and kinless as she was8 ,love protested mightily against any thought of going far from her affianced1 and then she felt profound pity for the man who mourned and felt a mother's loss deeply1 as did ,cornelius4 ,he entreated for a speedy wedding1 and she1 seeing then no alternative1 consented thereto2 but as she assumed love's yoke1 she believed that the ambition of her life was frustrated4 ,she was not disconsolate1 neither was she tearless4 ,she thought she discerned the leadings of ,god and submitted promptly1 making it thenceforth her duty cheerfully to engage in the1 to her1 seemingly commonplace works of a missionary pastor's wife4 ,her husband was a 8man of the people10 and found acceptance with the lowly4 ,he was wont to call himself 8a priest forever after the order of ,melchisedec40 ,said he anon to his flock3 8,like that mysterious man who flits across your sacred histories am ,i6 ,you of the ,jews1 self-elect1 as ,god's elect1 though disgrafted1 would put me1 intending to do so or not1 by the unknown and unheralded ,melchisedec4 ,you think me1 without father1 without mother1 beginning of days1 or end of life1 because you do not find my name in the chronologies of your high families nor myself in the covenants of the ,hebrews4 ,you ,christians doubt my authority because no ghostly ordaining hands have been laid upon my head4 ,but ,i'm the child of a ,king1 and a towel1 such as my ,master wore as ,he ministered1 is robing enough for me60 ,old people1 women and children1 gave the young man unquestioning love1 and thus was well indorsed the choiceness of his ministerings4 ,miriamne beheld these manifestations with secret joy1 for she knew that through the one she loved she was1 in part1 expressing her own thoughts and sympathies4 ,once wed1 she was too honest1 too tender-hearted1 too noble to be less than all that wifehood implied1 and yet she felt at times as if the ambitions and hopes of her life1 nursed through many years1 had not been compassed4 ,she tried to settle down and humbly do the work of a missionary's helpmate1 and to overcome1 through ,divine grace1 the ambition to do seemingly grander things than she was doing4 ,sometimes1 smiling through tears1 she would say to her husband as he sought to satisfy her heart's yearnings with mention of the good work they were doing3 8,well1 a man has come between me and the #8grail4' ,i'm following him1 may he follow it1 and ,god guide both40 ,after a time ,cornelius and ,miriamne made a pilgrimage to ,bozrah1 drawn thither by a desire common to both to honor their loved ones departed4 ,they found the ,giant ,city all pervaded by the spirit of the moribund past4 ,even the ,christian church1 once a light1 a joy and a promise of a better day1 had fallen into decline at ,bozrah4 ,the edifice had become dilapidated1 the congregation was depleted4 ,in name1 ,father ,adolphus had a successor1 younger1 more learned1 more eloquent in his way1 than the saintly man now sleeping4 ,but the infidels1 the very ones who were wont to confess that they could not1 if they would1 make headway against the old priest's godly life1 now laughed to scorn the stately and scholarly arguments of the new leader4 ,the converts under the new regime were few1 the common people did not from him hear the word gladly2 and the regular congregation was rent by schisms4 ,one chapel service sufficed both ,miriamne and ,cornelius4 ,they found in it nothing but cold formality and the memory of what had been1 but was now no more4 8,oh1 ,cornelius10 ,miriamne cried1 8reverently ,i say it1 but is it not strange that our faith edges its way over the world so slowly1 with such heralds80 8,leastwise1 you may say1 you do not see your #8,grail' here1 ,miriamne80 8,oh1 now1 ,i realize the worth of ,von ,gombard as ,i never did before40 8,are you not sorrowed at his absence1 ,miriamne80 8,sorrowed6 ,truly not2 but unspeakably glad that he walks with the sons of ,god2 a very king1 ,i know1 amid the greatest4 ,oh1 how sad ,i'd be to see the poor1 dear1 tired old man with his overfull heart and trembling limbs now going about in painful ministries here6 ,god was twice good2 in leaving him so long1 then in taking him4 ,ah1 if there were more like that old saint1 those that there are would not need to tarry till their twilight40 8,shall we prolong our stay80 8,no6 ,i've listened long enough to the lull of eternity here4 ,bozrah's past has taught me its all4 ,i'm ready to go home40 8,home6 ,when1 to-morrow80 ardently questioned ,cornelius1 anxious himself to depart the ,giant ,city4 8,after to-morrow2 the coming day1 at my instance1 the memorial of my parents is to be set up40 ,the following morning1 just before sunrise1 the husband and wife repaired to the tomb of their loved ones1 to witness1 by pre-arrangement1 the unveiling of a memorial4 ,it consisted of two figures carved from whitest marble2 a woman's form with a face expressive of tenderness and beauty1 marked with deepest grief1 but not with hopelessness4 ,across her lap there lay the form of a young man1 the rigors of death plainly marked on his face and limbs4 ,there was no mistaking the representation1 and ,cornelius quickly exclaimed3 8,i know the one that sits thus holding that crucified body6 ',tis real6 ,impressive6 ,awful60 8,it is fitting1 think you80 8,i'm too much moved to judge1 perhaps2 though ,i do wonder that you have not had carved upon the pedestal the names of your dead1 or some explanation40 8,names8 ,what matter1 to the stranger passing1 who lie beneath the stone8 ,as for the meaning1 let those who come and go question till it appear40 8,i'm the first questioner1 ,miriamne4 ,the application80 8,remember that my mother1 in her almost solitary grief1 held her dead children for a time against her broken heart1 but it was a heart filled with a mother-love which never faltered4 ,there is nothing in love surpassing such on earth4 ,then at last1 when her life work was done1 her cup full1 my mother1 as her final consolation1 held to her heart the ,son whose death gives life1 as yon ,madonna holds the ,christ40 8,i bow to ,miriamne's judgment2 the creation is appropriate2 ,glorious ,madonna60 8,i have a hope that it may stand here in the ,hauran an enduring sermon to the varied races who pass4 ,they who come and go here1 reminded that the ,nephalim with all their arrogant might left little but their crumbling tombs2 that ,astarte1 once the potent1 dangerous goddess of the groves1 here faded from the love of her fevered hosts1 who themselves in turn faded from the face of the earth1 may pause to question what the meaning and power of this last1 new1 fresh presentment6 ,perhaps they will hear from those made wise1 and in time learn to tell one another1 that these two figures speak of the ,deathless ,kingdom1 its white loves1 its wondrous rewards and its ,spirit of might expressed by all who are in it through the power of an endless life1 and through the agency of immortal influence40 8,miriamne1 ,i see thee a palpitating angel in the flesh6 ,i can say no more60 ,as the young missioner thus spoke he stretched out his arms toward the woman he loved as if he would restrain her4 ,the motion came from his heart1 which was anxiously saying within3 8,she is growing upward and away from her consort40 ,but he had neither courage nor words to voice the vague thought which brought admiration mixed with fears4 ,they turned toward their temporary home in the ,giant ,city4 ,as they went1 the rising sun flooded the marble forms by the graves with a golden light1 and the twain1 beholding the glory of that morning benediction1 felt an illumining in their hearts that some way made heaven seem very near4 8,and now1 darling1 we'll return to ,jerusalem1 and quietly pursue our work until we join those loved ones gone on before10 spoke the husband the day after the monument's unveiling4 8,i trust we shall work in future with better plans and grander results than we have had before40 8,are you discontented with what we accomplish80 8,no1 and yes10 was her measured reply4 ,cornelius turned his eyes full upon her1 lifting inquiringly his eyebrows4 ,she continued3 8,i'm satisfied1 if ,god so will1 to blend my work into my husband's2 ,i know this is my duty as a wife1 but ,i long to echo nobler music4 ,can you make it80 8,annata1 the ,assyrian goddess1 was content to be the echo of her spouse1 the mighty ,ammon4 ,i'd be an ,ammon if ,i could to be worthy being echoed by ,miriamne4 ,but1 little wife1 your words sound almost ,delphic2 and yet you are no such ambiguous oracle4 ,is there any wish unmet80 8,i've a misgiving40 8,why1 wife of mine1 see how strong you've been1 each year adding health6 ,see the shadows over our people4 ,we are sent to chase these away with ,gospel truth4 ,we've hitherto only learned how to work efficiently1 and in the future will do braver1 greater things than ever4 ,we'll tarry1 as ,adolphus1 ay1 and by grace renew strength1 turning back the dial pointer1 as with prayer1 did ,hezekiah of old40 8,i'll not go1 ,i know1 until my work is done4 ,none go before such time40 8,oh1 but we must go together everywhere1 even to death40 8,ah1 beloved1 ,i know your meaning4 ,it's the lover1 not the consecrated missionary1 who speaks now40 8,i can't help it6 ,i'll be useless without you4 ,i'm useless now1 except as you sustain me2 as ,abishag1 the ,shunnamite1 the fairest young maiden of all ,israel1 brought heart to the bosom of ,david1 old and shaken by years1 so you put into me all the ambition ,i have4 ,to my trembling heart you are what ,deborah was to ,barak's40 8,god help you1 ,cornelius2 ,i believe you1 because ,i know your trusting nature and have joyed in the fullness of your lavish love1 but let us bravely face this matter as it comes4 ,for ,god1 ,i know1 ,i must quickly do my work and be gone40 8,oh1 say not so1 if ,i'm to be left alone6 ,that must not be6 ,by your love for me ,i entreat you to stay2 a thousand ties bind my life to thine2 it will kill me by inches to have them severed6---- 8,miriamne1 my own1 nearer to ,god by far than am ,i2 plead with ,him to spare us this agony60 8,in spirit1 my loyal spouse1 we shall ever be near each other1 but ,i feel that in the body we shall not be together long4 ,i shall finish my course and then----0 8,no1 not that10 vehemently exclaimed the husband4 8,say not that6 ,i'll work for you1 with you1 for ,god4 ,help me to the end and let me so help you1 beloved60 8,you may help me while ,i tarry40 8,i'll joy to realize the prophet's vision1 who saw the hands of a man under the wings of an angel4 ,here are the hands and ,miriamne is the angel40 8,but your imagination glows1 kindled by the torch of a human heart almost idolatrous40 8,nay1 not idolatrous2 for the fire rises to things holy4 ,i only plead that ,god let me walk with ,miriamne2 ,i know she will walk nigh ,him4 ,go where you will my feet will bear me thither1 undertake what you may1 my heart and hand will help2 point out any goal of darling desire and thither ,i'll carry you1 if need be4 ,for you ,i'll gladly die1 if1 at the dying1 ,i have the comforting assurance that soon my other self will join me in the overshadowed land of life40 8,how it would brighten the world1 if all who take the holy vows of marriage on their souls were as truly wed in heart as we40 ,as the twain stood by the white marble figures at sunrise the next morning1 equipped for departure1 they made a striking picture4 ,the living and the dead2 the exemplars of the purest1 deepest wedded love committed to serving their fellow man2 they rose grandly above the ruins of the place builded by those mighty self-seeking devotees of ,astarte4 ,bozrah sat in desolation1 knowing no hope and having a bitter past only and forever to contemplate2 the youthful gospel heralds had all life1 rising to new life--hope beyond hope1 joy beyond joy1 and then life1 hope and joy in endless unfoldments1 stretching way through measureless eternities1 all before them4 ,miriamne was pensive2 ,cornelius was chastened by the remembrance of the words she had spoken the day before1 and both subdued by the presence of the majestic monument before them4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,,the ,,sisters ,,of ,,bethany4 8,her eyes are homes of silent prayer1 ,no thought her mind admits2 ,but #8,he was dead and there he sits6 ,and ,he that brought him back is there6' 8,all subtle thought1 all curious fears1 ,borne down by gladness so complete2 ,she bows1 she bathes the ,savior's feet ,with costly spikenard and with tears40--,,alfred ,,tennyson4 8,in the day time ,he was teaching in the temple1 and at night ,he went out and abode in the mount that is called the ,mount of ,olives40--,,luke xxi41 #cg4 8,gethsemane on one side1 ,bethany on the other 444 where ,he was wont to pray for ,his people and weep for a sinful world2 where ,his feet stood on the eve of ,his ascension and where ,his wondering disciples received from white-robed angels the promise of ,his second advent4 ,it will be admitted that above and beyond all places in ,palestine ,olivet witnessed #8,god manifest in the flesh4'0--,porter's 8,giants of ,bashan40 ,after ,jesus had been driven from ,his native ,nazareth1 ,he found a home in the house of ,lazarus1 ,martha and ,mary1 in the village of ,bethany1 on the eastern slope of ,olivet4 ,that was sweet1 memorable ,bethany of the ,gospels2 8the perfection of repose10 amid the palm and oak-covered slopes of ,olivet2 hidden by its quiet life1 as well as its sequestering mountain1 from ,jerusalem1 that great1 throbbing heart of ,palestine4 ,thither1 down the east steps of the ,temple1 through the 8,golden ,gate10 along camel paths that wound past ,gethsemane and across fitful ,kedron1 the ,son of ,man often went when worn out by ,his love ministries1 or harassed by the gainsayings of the great city4 ,so1 preaching ,his new kingdom1 ,he exalted its cornerstone1 the godly home1 by electing one such1 that of ,lazarus and his sisters1 as a rest and a refuge for ,himself4 ,beyond this ,he proved ,his own humanity by seeking earthly friendships1 at the same time exhibiting ,himself1 though the favored of heaven1 the object of constant angelic regard1 as needing1 because ,he was human1 that which humanity ever needs--congenial human fellowships4 ,the history of that ancient ,bethany family1 gathered from various sources1 but chiefly from the simple and touching narrative of the ,evangelist ,john1 is full of interest4 ,the mother of that home1 to us nameless1 was dead4 ,yet she was not fameless2 that circle of children in their several relationships witnessed full well of a finest mother-culture1 that had been theirs4 ,the father of that family was worse than dead2 he was a leper1 buried alive in the ,lazar keeps of the plague-stricken1 and the husband of ,martha1 the elder sister1 early had left his bride widowed4 ,that was a circle cut through its center2 but affliction had knit together in deepened affection the few left4 ,the fatherly brother1 ,lazarus1 well fulfilled his double obligation1 and wins admiration1 as do ever those sons and brothers who faithfully take the place of dead fathers4 ,that he was such a brother1 the grief of his sisters when he died fully proclaimed4 ,with a few fine sentences ,john depicts those sisters4 ,martha1 widowed in life's morning1 but surmounting all morbidness by giving herself to motherly ministries in her home2 and then was ,mary1 a clinging1 trusting1 pious maiden2 a poem of faith1 a tear-bedewed rose-wreath4 ,when ,christ joined that circle there was presented the finest conceivable ideal of a home4 ,they served and ,he blessed1 and though their bereavements could never be forgotten1 while ,his banner of love was over them1 they were able to alleviate the poignancy of their griefs through the hope of a blessed resurrection and a final1 eternal reunion4 ,the sacred associations gathering about the village of ,olivet made it a place peculiarly attractive to ,cornelius and ,miriamne2 for they1 too1 were bereaved2 neither in all the world having a single living kinsman of whom they knew4 ,they determined1 shortly after their final farewell to ,bozrah1 to take up their abode at the 8,house of ,dates10 and were unmeasurably delighted in being able to secure for themselves a house reputed to have been the identical one occupied by ,christ and ,his choice friends4 ,if it were not the same1 there seemed good reason to believe it was at least on the site of that ancient sacred domicile4 ,one day they conversed of their work1 their hopes1 and the needs of their field of labor4 8,i'm led to think that we should establish a refuge for ,magdalenes1 ,miriamne40 8,if we did attempt the founding of an asylum for outcasts we would not belie the memory of a noble woman1 who was never a harlot1 by applying to it her name4 ,but my #8grail' does not lead me that way4 ,i'd go mad working for the utterly lost only6 ,no2 no1 our work must be more radical1 by beginning back of the falling so as to prevent it40 8,something must be done to educate the women of this country to better living and higher conceptions of womanhood4 ,we need a school of some kind40 8,a school8 ,good1 if it be of the right kind2 but there have been schools and schools for men1 such as they were1 and they have effectually proven that education alone is not a savior4 ,learning does not transform the soul1 else ,god would have given ,moses the pattern of a college instead of that of a tabernacle4 ,my mother used often to tell me that the devil is superbly educated4 ,the more he knows the prouder and more dangerous he becomes4 ,i do not despise learning1 but since it is impotent to transform men1 why try it as the savior of woman8 ,she who takes counsel less of the intellect than of the conscience and affections6 ,we must seek for those we aim to help something surpassing in direct efficacy any thing yet attempted20 so saying1 ,miriamne paused4 8,shall we organize a church1 #8fair as the moon1 clear as the sun1 and terrible as an army with banners8'0 8,there have been churches and churches4 ,it would be vain for me to attempt to prove to you1 a theologian and a churchman1 that this you call the #8,bride of ,christ' is imperfect or lacking in any energy of reform2 but1 though ,i heartily confess 'tis the choicest institution this side of the stars1 yet ,i see it professing to have heavenly charity1 abounding light1 and measureless joys1 leaving the needy without hospitals1 the heathen in ignorance1 and most of the world1 including many churchmen1 famishing for happiness4 ,the trouble is1 it infolds too many wolves and repels too many lambs4 ,your flocks are too much given to atoning for lean living by fat believing2 memorizing huge creeds instead of incarnating them2 putting their faith-confessions into themselves rather than themselves into their faith professions4 ,you churchmen shut your ears to friendly criticism1 sneer at those that censure1 and in branding such heretics proclaim yourselves infallible4 ,i'd not be a vaporing railler1 but ,i hear within your ecclesiastical bodies of warring factions1 of ambitious and multitudinous leaders1 a proof that they are of the church militant2 though theirs is an internecine militating4 ,i doubt if there has existed ,christ's ideal of a church since ,pentecost4 ,he gave a glimpse of its true outlines there1 and it will yet come in its power and splendor2 then1 for the pans60 8,you'd organize1 perhaps1 a ,vestal ,band80 8,vestals80 8,yes2 an union of women of pure hearts1 committed solely to such works as those performed in part by the holy sisters of our church fraternities40 8,i revere such as are thus engaged with all my heart2 but1 churchman1 you are narrow in your plan2 even ,pagan ,rome1 which honored ,vesta1 the fire goddess1 by having an altar to her in every community1 held that the ,state was a great family1 and placed ,vesta1 the goddess of virginal purity1 near the ,penates1 or gods of the household and family40 8,i see nothing now in this juxtaposition40 8,they saw that there was ruin to all society if their girls were impure2 hence buried alive a ,vestal1 if she fell from her vow of chastity4 ,you have heard1 ,cornelius1 how good ,romans were wont to invoke1 often1 as their family guardians1 the manes of their departed kin2 and this very naturally2 they held to the belief that the family tie1 the finest1 strongest known among men1 outlived1 by virtue of its heavenliness1 the shock of death4 ,imperial ,rome trusted much its all-conquering swords1 for this life1 but for the life to come it appealed to ,jupiter omnipotent or ,minerva1 the all-wise4 ,no1 no1 a #8,vestal ,society1' such as you imply1 would not suffice4 ,i've a broader clientage and vaster scheme in mind1 good churchman husband--0 8,shall ,i venture another guess80 8,it would be needless4 ,let me explain myself fully4 ,good ,father ,adolphus1 founder of ,bozrah's #8,balsam ,band1' which he sometimes called #8nursing preachers1' told me that in olden times there was in this country a fraternity of women1 banded together to perform works of charity4 ,they were remembered chiefly for their helpfulness to those that were in direst need and utterly friendless4 ,they befriended criminals and social outcasts4 ,he said that the women of ,jerusalem who followed ,christ weeping1 were1 probably1 of that fraternity1 since it was the custom of that pious company to offer their tears for those on the way to execution4 ,more1 these women were wont to furnish the pain-dulling herbs to victims dying condemned4 ,you remember the ,christ was offered such herbs8 ,when ,i remember the spirit that actuated ,martha and ,mary1 ,i readily believe they were members of that pious fraternity4 ,more1 when ,i remember how1 for ,his own dear sake1 they ministered to ,his human wants1 there comes to my mind the possibility of a perpetual organization1 for ,god's sake1 ministering to human want1 taking the home as its palace1 and to be known to the world by the expressive1 winning title1 #8,sisters of ,bethany4'0 8,miriamne1 if you were not ,miriamne1 ,i'd call you ,gabriel4 ,i'm dazzled by these words4 ,in truth1 thy #8grail' is near1 ,i believe40 8,that ,i seek to build up ,i've explained1 and here in ,bethany ,i'll attempt it4 ,we'll have a fraternity of women1 ,christ-guided1 with burning hearts1 and in methods simple1 direct and catholic1 reaching after women40 8,now for our pillow prayer1 ,miriamne4 ,then side by side1 unto wondrous sleep land1 side by side in heart and being at awakening4 8#8,the sun of the millennium will rise from behind the family altar1' ,father ,adolphus was wont to say4 ',twas well said2 redeemed homes are the fruits of the restoration4 ,shall ,i read to-night80 8,surely we need the ,word to understand the throbbings of our own hearts when our prayers return1 dove-like1 with olive branches from heaven40 8,what shall ,i read80 8,what came after ,pentecost60 ,then the husband opened to the ,gospel ,story1 and remarking the #8,ascension1' read3 8,he was taken up1 after that ,he through the ,holy ,ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen3 8,to whom also ,he shewed himself alive after ,his passion by many infallible proofs1 being seen of them forty days1 and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god3 8,when they therefore were come together1 they asked of ,him1 saying1 ,lord1 wilt ,thou at this time restore again the kingdom of ,israel8 8,and ,he said unto them1 ,it is not for you to know the times or the seasons1 which the ,father hath put into ,his own power4 8,but ye shall receive power1 after that the ,holy ,ghost is come upon you3 and ye shall be witnesses unto ,me both in ,jerusalem1 and in all ,judea1 and in ,samaria1 and unto the uttermost part of the earth4 8,and when ,he had spoken these things1 while they beheld1 ,he was taken up2 and a cloud received ,him out of their sight4 8,and while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as ,he went up1 behold1 two men stood by them in white apparel2 8,which also said1 ,ye men of ,galilee1 why stand ye gazing up into heaven8 ,this same ,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen ,him go into heaven40 8,and ,his farewell happened at ,bethany8 ,it makes our home seem still more like the gate of heaven1 when ,i remember this2 #8,he'll come so as ,he went2' what if that meant ,his next advent is to be at this very place80 8,or1 what if it meant that ,he would appear the second time1 in glory1 at the homes of men2 since ,he elected ,his home for the gateway of ,his earthly exit10 replied the husband4 ,then they sat for a little while in a blessed silence2 that kind that falls upon souls bowing to a benediction1 or moved by thoughts that are holy beyond expression4 ,the wife broke in on their reverie3 8,i wonder how ,his departure affected the disciples80 8,i have it all here1 darling20 then he took one of his parchments and read3 8,and ,he led them out as far as to ,bethany1 and ,he lifted up ,his hands1 and blessed them4 8,and it came to pass1 while ,he blessed them1 ,he was parted from them1 and carried up into heaven4 8,and they worshiped ,him1 and returned to ,jerusalem with great joy3 8,and were continually in the temple1 praising and blessing ,god4 8,and they went forth1 and preached everywhere1 the ,lord working with them1 and confirming the word with signs following40 8,i knew it was as ,i thought6 ,if believers are as they say1 enlisted soldiers1 under the blood-stained banners1 our ,christ has not been true to ,his word1 or there is universal treason in the camp6 ,the world is not gospeled and the soldiers have not the miracle power4 ,i tell you husband1 there is need of a revolution1 a revival of zeal1 an improvement of methods6 ,the ,hospitaler was right4 ,the ,christian world needs to be led along the ,via ,dolorosa after ,jesus and ,mary1 up to their measure of utter consecration1 to their undying love1 to their lofty1 soul consuming zeal60 ,and the young gospel herald was silent1 for he could not gainsay her4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,david4 8,the harp the monarch minstrel swept1 ,the king of men1 the loved of heaven4 444 ,it softened men of iron mold2 ,no ear so dull1 no soul so cold ,that felt not1 fired not to the tone1 ,till ,david's lyre grew mightier than the throne2 ,since then1 though heard on earth no more1 ,devotion1 and her daughter1 love1 ,still bid the bursting spirit soar1 ,to sounds that seem as from above1 ,in dreams that day's broad light can not remove40--,,byron4 8,the king rose up to meet her1 and bowed himself unto her1 444 and caused a seat to be set for the king-mother1 and she sat at his right hand40--#a ,,kings1 #b1 #ai4 8,miriamne1 the heavenly host we imagined to be in bivouac about our ,bethany home1 methinks were really present1 and gave color and form to my dreams4 ,i was in a grail-quest all night40 8,what a golden day is such a night6 ,but tell me of the color and form of your visions1 ,cornelius40 8,we fell asleep last night conversing of the ,ascension2 my dreams carried me on to ,pentecost40 8,and what have you brought from the dream-land to help in the stern and pressing waking hours80 8,a panting heart1 as one having climbed mountain above mountain4 ,i burn to know and feel the whole significance of ,pentecost6 8,i've determined to seek holy companionship and wise guiding by attendance at the next #8,harvest ,feast' at ,jerusalem4 ,i think ,i'll get peculiar help at the great city40 8,the ,israelites will not welcome a ,christian to their feast40 8,the one ,i aim to attend is that that will be observed by the ,christian knights in an upper room1 in the great city4 ,they think they have possession of the identical apartment in which the disciples of our ,lord met and witnessed the glories of ,pentecost1 after the ,ascension40 8,in ,joseph of ,arimatha's house80 8,that is the accepted report4 ,the ,hospitaler1 whom we believe to be a #8,grail ,knight' of to-day1 is quite earnest in so affirming40 8,wondrous white-souled ,arimatha6 ,jewish and a priest1 yet secretly a disciple of ,jesus6 ,i dare to liken myself unto that holy man1 in a measure4 ,he left an old faith for a new one1 and followed the cup of the ,passion1 as ,i1 my ideal40 8,a good man and a just10 says the ,testament4 99 99 99 99 99 8,we meet to-night in ,arimatha's house10 said the ,hospitaler to ,cornelius1 shortly after the arrival and welcome of the latter at ,jerusalem4 8,can the uninitiated attend80 questioned ,cornelius4 8,now1 that's the joy of it1 they can2 and more1 we are to have a number of ,jews present1 among them some once priests2 but now like that ,joseph of blessed memory1 seeing the true light40 8,and the meeting80 8,the exalting of the ,word1 that's the need of the hour1 world-wide4 ,i tell thee1 young man1 set to teach2 the needs are not more religions but more religion1 not more revelators or prophets but surer interpreters4 ,the world blooms with truth on every hand2 who will pluck the blossoms80 ,and the disciples were again1 all with one accord1 in the holy upper chamber4 ,the ,hospitaler1 with an abruptness of ,john the ,baptist1 merely throwing back his tunic and exposing the golden sign of knighthood for a moment to his companions1 as he entered1 at once began to address the assembly2 8,jews and ,gentiles1 all children by creation of a common ,father--greeting6 ,the fires of ,pentecost are kindled everywhere in ,jerusalem1 but they are the old fires and cold enough2 sacrifices smoke on the altars1 but the day of such offerings is past4 8,methinks1 the offered bulls1 goats and lambs1 if they could speak1 would cry out against the priestly hands that shed their blood2 #8,how long1 how long the blood of our flocks has pointed to the lamb of ,god1 the ,all-,savior1 who died to save men from sin and beasts from the altar2 and yet we die as if our work were not finished6' 8,the beasts join in the wailings of humanity4 8,for centuries ,god's chosen people celebrated this feast of the harvest1 the joy of ,jewry2 and now the world's harvest advenes4 ,yet1 for the most part1 the multitudes see not the ripening4 ,for years the first fruits were offered1 and as yet1 the people do not understand that first fruits mean chosen1 choice fruits1 the elect of ,god4 8,for centuries1 ,israel offered the shoulder and heart of the lamb1 and yet ,israel waits under the overshadowing smokes of its burnt offering1 not discerning the ,lamb ,priest1 whose heart of eternal love and shoulder of power1 are given for the salvation of the people4 8,israelites1 hear me2 out of the altar's smoke emerges to view the kingdom of the house of ,david1 refined1 purified--the hope of the future4 ,ye have thought1 hitherto1 that ,david's kingdom1 whatsoever it might have been1 is1 in these ages1 to be reckoned with the dynasties and forces of an antiquity1 whose influences long ago ebbed away along the shores of the all-entombing past4 8,yet such conclusion is as fallacious as it is evidently superficial4 ,the ,god who works in unbroken time cycles1 though men remit their tasks at the beck of sleep or death1 pushes forth ,his forceful1 faultless projects with a tireless consistency that knows no cross purposes4 ,a real and present kingdom is that with which this ,pentecost we have to do4 ,we are not1 at that time when they shall bring out the bones of the kings of ,judah and spread them before the sun4 ,david's throne is a verity1 though long incrusted with neglects2 it is a symbol of power in a dynasty that is ordained to overspread the earth4 ,i'd summon my witnesses2 first the weeping ,jeremiah4 #8,thus said the ,lord3 ,david shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of ,israel4' ,how bold6 but amid the ruins about us1 ,i cry never6 never6 ,now call the ,god-nourished captive ,daniel1 who1 sincere to the last1 made all ,babylon glow with his prayers and his visions4 ,saith ,daniel3 8#8,the ,god of heaven shall set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed4' ,the dream is certain2 the interpretation sure4 ,he was proof against the alluring blandishments of his royal captors1 and as pure to the last as a knight of ,san ,grail40 ,cornelius saw a light on the ,hospitaler's face1 and knew it was that that comes from a conscience clear before ,god4 ,the latter went on with a voice suddenly become tenderer than it was before4 8,let us hear the reply of the converted pagan king1 ,nebuchadnezzar3 #8,whose kingdom is from generation to generation6' 8,hearken to ,isaiah1 to whom the scroll of human history through a thousand generations then yet to come was present and lucid3 #8,unto us a child is born 444 his name shall be called ,wonderful 444 ,the ,prince of ,peace4' #8,of the increase of ,his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of ,david to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth and forever4' ,surely he must be of dull comprehension who saith this is only the spiritual1 heavenly kingdom of the glorified4 8,let us stand for a little under the light of the blazing tongues of ,pentecost1 enswathed in imagination by the mighty1 rushing tide of ,spirit manifestation1 fresh from the ,being of the ,almighty4 ,now listen to ,peter1 transfigured and illuminated within and without4 ,error here1 with him1 was impossible6 ,untruth at such a time would be a madness like that of the attempted steadying of the ark4 ,saith ,peter3 #8,david being a prophet knowing that ,god had sworn to him that ,he would raise up ,christ to sit on his throne4' ,peter at last1 a rock of ,god1 ,i bless thee6 ,call that archangel1 who doth excel in strength1 his name given him in heaven being ,gabriel1 the #8,champion of ,god4' ,he certified his mission to ,mary in terms that can be made no finer3 #8,i am ,gabriel1 that ,,stand ,,in ,,the ,,presence ,,of ,,god and sent to show thee glad tidings4 ,thou shalt bring forth a son4 ,and the ,lord shall give unto ,him the throne of ,his father ,david4' ,of ,his ,kingdom there shall be no end4 ,these are #8glad tidings1' indeed1 sung as such to the joy and wonder of heaven1 as well as proclaimed as the sovereign comfort of earth's inhabiters4 8,the splendid1 earthly ,kingdom outlined so gloriously by the prophets has suffered no syncope1 and ,david's royal line has not found its end in sepulchral palaces4 ,that ,kingdom and that line survives2 their zenith not yet attained4 8,in that zenith day1 ,truth shall spring out of the earth1 and righteousness shall look down from heaven4 8,so it was settled forever in heaven1 for earth and to all eternity1 that in the vocabulary of divine wisdom1 #8first-born' means #8choice-born4' ,and he is choice-born no matter how ill his beginning1 who is reborn by the all-uplifting1 renewing ,spirit of ,grace6 ,jesus1 in marked manner1 even in this respect1 parallels ,david in reffirming in ,himself this law of ,his refined1 exalted kingdom4 ,the line of the ,christ from remotest generations is found to have deflected from the line of the first born4 ,his descent must be traced through ,seth1 ,shem1 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 ,judah1 ,david1 ,solomon and ,nathan1 and still others1 none of whom were first in their advent into the families to which they belonged4 ,again1 the ,christ and his progenitor1 ,david1 antagonized the barbarian tenet of all ages that a man was to be honored merely because of his gigantesque figure or prowess4 ,in olden times men revered greatly the giantly4 ,among the primitives to be a weakling was to be pitiable1 and to be huge to monstrosity was to be respected1 if not actually worshiped4 ,indeed1 paganism in its essence is but homage paid to the great1 that is terrible4 ,the princely ,david began his career in slaying wild beasts and monstrous giants1 but we may cease admiring the prowess he had physically in greater admiration of the symbol that lies in his early exploits4 ,he was to be the giant-slayer2 evil giants and giant evils were to fall before him alike2 and a shepherd's little sling1 in pious hands1 was shown to be invincible4 ,in ,solomon's time1 there was more outward splendor1 but less spirituality than in ,david's time4 ,the latter witnessed the gilded decline in its beginnings4 ,decay followed swiftly4 ,the world sighed for a restoration2 the heathen manufactured gods2 the ,fire ,worshipers followed stars2 in the groves1 virgins were1 after a sort1 worshiped1 as in the forest night-services of the old ,england of some of you1 the ,druids prayed to a mystical #8virgin that was to bring forth4' ,there was a common yearning for the coming of a ,champion to lead and defend the races of man4 ,the yearning felt its way blindly toward the wonder to be1 that of a woman of the children of men1 mothering ,one all human1 all divine1 a ,prince fit to link together the parts of ,david's kingdom1 whether militant here or triumphant above4 ,that full day has begun1 but is only dimly seen by many4 ,you ,jews have been wont to keep a ,pentecost of males only while ,egypt deifies a woman as goddess of the harvest4 ,one turns to brawn1 the other to the bringer forth1 and neither gets the truth1 the royal truth1 found in the faith that brings forth through all humanity6 8,would you see a real ,pentecost8 ,now1 look how the first was to the fathers4 ,the holy ones1 among ,christ's followers1 believing ,his promises1 assembled at ,joseph of ,arimatha's house1 to await it4 ,hear the word3 8,and in those days ,peter stood up in the midst of the disciples1 the number of names together were about a hundred and twenty4 8,these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication1 with the women1 and ,mary the mother of ,jesus1 and with his brethren40 8,our holy ,luke1 said to have been an artist1 artistically presents the scene4 ,as we read his record1 we behold the #8,queen of the ,house of ,david1' the representative woman2 as she should be1 in the company and honor of ,god's people4 ,not there as a beautiful creature to be admired2 but there to pray with those who prayed for the dawn and the glory4 ,with the genius of an artist1 and the insight of a prophet1 ,luke displays his ideal thus4 ,the ,scripture record closes1 leaving the typical woman amid ,god's people1 on her knees1 waiting in hopefulness for the full dawn2 while for a little time over all falls the earnest of the promise in miraculous displays from above4 ,there was a rushing of mighty sounds1 the providences of ,god in motion1 the movements of ,his spirits who minister1 for a time made visible6 ,the scene was one never to be forgotten1 and the holy ,john1 years after in the glowing visions of the ,apocalypse1 had brought to his mind its central figure the woman clothed with the sun2 the transfigured woman1 and she as woman in her highest estate2 that is mothering a child6 ,he saw her rising above all perils1 all evils2 but as she rose1 she bore aloft her child1 a ,man ,child6 ,look at the picture1 men and brethren1 'till it possesses your souls6 ,,behold ,,the ,,woman6 ,behold the interlaced symbols6 ,as a mother holds above peril her child1 so the peerless woman held aloft her ,divine ,babe2 as the church holds aloft its offspring1 so also in the apotheosis of the ideal mother1 comes the uplifting of man's hopes1 and the triumph of all that is best1 all that is promised4 ,we see to-day1 but the smoke side of ,pentecost1 by and by we'll see1 as do those in heaven1 its fire side40 ,the speaker ceased his address1 and all were filled with great and moving thoughts4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,,the ,,coronation ,,of ,,the ,,queen4 8,my knowledge is so weak1 oh1 blissful queen1 ,to tell abroad thy mighty worthiness1 ,that ,i the weight of it may not sustain2 ,but as a child of twelve months' old or less ,that laboreth his language to express1 ,even so fare ,i and therefore pray1 ,guide thou my song which ,i of thee may say40--,,wordsworth4 8,if ,i could only carry to ,bethany what ,i feel now60 ejaculated the young chaplain1 as he hurried along from the knights' celebration of ,pentecost1 homeward1 at the time that the ,moslems were summoned to evening prayers by the minaret calls4 ,after his greeting1 on arriving at his abode1 his first words were3 8,i've seen the crowns of fire1 and now comprehend the meaning of ,pentecost1 where men gathered from varied climes1 heard each the spirit's message in his own tongue6 ,the ,spirit is the interpreter60 8,by what aid came this revelation80 8,god and the ,hospitaler40 8,we have the first here2 let us call the other1 that the temple on the hill be made to feel the glow4 ,the time is opportune1 for each day witnesses new triumphs of our cause40 ,when the knight arrived a feast was in progress4 ,his air awed those to whom he was a stranger1 and there were not a few who thought within themselves1 8,is he a prophet80 ,abruptly1 as usual1 he began3 8,friends3 ,i would that all hearts here were moved by justice to enthrone the ,queen whose praise your frank youths have been sincerely singing4 ,i am here to-day to proclaim her rights1 and in so doing ,i shall appeal to that sure word which survives when all else fails4 ,she was of ,david's royal line2 the noblest one of all the earth4 ,to the proof8 ,the ,christian ,scriptures1 from the hands of ,matthew and ,luke1 present her ancestral descent4 ,these apostles wrote as ,god directed1 and1 after all1 only reaffirmed that already set forth in the most carefully1 religiously guarded records of all antiquity1 the ,jewish genealogical tables4 8,you know that the ancient ,jews held those tables in sacred regard1 for on their integrity depended the proof of the things to them most dear1 as they believed4 ,by them every ,jew could trace his ,abrahamic descent1 and to ,abraham's seed were all the great promises of the covenant4 ,by those tables they proved their title to the land of promise1 ,canaan4 ,every ,jew1 believing himself one of ,god's chosen people1 and that his advancement and the advancement of his posterity in the ,divine favor1 depended on the purity of the blood of both1 felt that he needed the guidance of those tables to preserve him from any admixture with alien or ,gentile blood4 ,the ,aaronic priesthood was hereditary and the priesthood was initial in the religious system of the ,hebrews4 ,its legitimacy was preserved chiefly by these hereditary charters4 ,then all true ,israelites looked for the coming of a ,savior1 ,priest and ,king to bring to the chosen transcendent glory1 and to win an universal dominion1 marked by love1 joy and peace4 ,every ,jew knew that ,great ,one was to spring from the house of ,david1 and all within that ,judaic line hoping that he or his children might be near akin to the ,one to come1 carefully1 constantly1 proudly guarded and studied these records of descent4 ,birth was the foundation upon which all ,jewish institutions were founded4 #8,so all ,israel was reckoned by genealogies4' ,they lived in a reign of blood1 and in blood to be ,jewishly thoroughbred was1 they thought1 to be most highly favored4 ,they had not yet discerned the law of the new dispensation1 which declares all men akin2 a dispensation seeking to build up a superior humanity by first of all transforming and exalting the inner life4 ,by the revered records of these ,jewish patriarchs1 both holy and love-ladened1 place the writings of ,matthew and ,luke1 and with concurrent testimony1 unimpeachable as well as conclusive1 the legitimacy of ,jesus the son of ,mary is proven6 ,he was beyond a cavil of ,david's kingly line4 ,there were ,christ-haters who contested at every point ,his claim of ,messiahship4 ,they forged lies freely2 they hurled after ,him slanders innumerable2 they insinuated that ,he was born in fornication2 they affected to flee from ,him as one having a devil2 they denounced ,him to ,jewish as well as ,roman authorities as a liar1 a seducer of men and a traitor4 ,in a word1 they howled ,him down in every way they could1 unabashed by the splendor of ,his baptismal indorsement1 unsilenced by the awful warnings of ,his cross4 ,but in their desperation they never dared to challenge the records which proved ,him #8the son of ,david4' ,now had ,his claims rested upon ,his relations to ,his earthly father1 ,joseph1 they would have been disproven4 ,all ,jewry would have quickly1 fiercely proclaimed ,him a pretender and not in the family of promise4 ,the ,christ was heir of ,david's name and fame because ,his mother was1 and so in exalting ,him you crown the saintly woman who bore ,him6 ,he was the adopted son of ,joseph1 type of all ,his followers1 adopted sons of a ,royal ,father4 ,he was legitimate through his mother1 type of all his followers1 brought into the royal family of ,god by the power of a mystic new birth4 8,but there is another line running backward1 preserved through the centuries to connect the first ,adam with this last one4 ,this line runs from ,christ through his mother to ,eden4 ,behold the august truth suspended by that chain of names6 ,names2 only names of the dead6 names of the forgotten6 ,jesus by ,mary is linked to the chain6 ,it's an old1 old chain1 but yet it has gems in its links4 ,each named is the child of another living before1 and the history of each is recorded in two words1 #8begat1' #8died4' ,a chain of dust6 ,one man precedes another4 ,each in turn vanishes until immortality is confronted in the last sentence3 #8,adam1 who was the son of ,god6' ,the first mortal son of ,god uncrowned and led away from his kingdom1 by a woman1 to death6 ,the twain go down together1 each ruinous to the other1 with nothing left them but a hope2 and that hope rested upon a to them mysterious promise3 #8,the seed of the woman shall crush the head of the serpent6' ,it would have staggered their faith had one told them that in ,god's revenges1 all compensating1 all healing1 she that led down was of the sex that should lead upward4 ,out of their darkness there came a seeming dawn1 and ,eve cried ecstatically at the birth of ,cain3 #8,i have gotten a man from the ,lord6' 8,they thought he was a token of renewed favor and probably the redeemer from the curse4 ,he turned out a murderer1 and introduced them to the supreme horror of humanity--death4 ,the conflict of light and darkness went on1 and the first pair tasted death themselves1 looking along the horizon of unrealized hopes to the last and waiting1 as all their posterity through painful centuries waited1 for the ,man that was to save4 ,the long years with leaden tread marched on1 struggles amid suffering weighty and countless1 accompanied the race2 of them all woman bore the heavier part1 but she kept somehow the larger hope4 ,each ,jewish mother1 with a pride of sex secretly cherished1 watched and longed for the coming from herself of the ,,one who was to lift her up and crown her queen1 indeed4 8,god at last gathered all woman's trustful hopings into one great answered prayer1 and deigning1 in sovereign love1 ,his marvelous co-operation1 brought forth another and a perfect ,adam4 8,we are informed that ,joseph and ,mary went1 about the time of ,jesus' birth1 in compliance with ,roman law1 to ,bethlehem to pay their personal taxes4 ,the ,roman tax lists were based upon the records of family descent so far as concerned the ,jews4 8,to make the collection certain beyond the possibility of any one's escape1 the law required each taxable subject to pay his allotted tribute in the city of his nativity4 ,the father and mother of ,jesus were cited to the city of ,david4 ,thither they went4 ,and so in the providence of ,god it happened that pagan ,rome was summoned to the cradle of the infant ,savior and made unwittingly an attester to all time that ,he was of a family by right recorded among those descended from great ,david4 8,the son and the mother here stand or fall together4 ,if ,mary was not of ,david's line1 then the ,son she bore was not1 and ,he is left without proof of being of the seed of ,david4 8,joseph was not the father of the ,christ after the flesh4 ,the lives of mother and son are eternally intertwined4 ,if we honor one we must needs honor the other2 abating the fame of one we degrade the other4 8,jesus' claims to being the ,messiah depended upon the fact that ,his mother was of the tribe and family royal4 ,the absolute requirements of prophecy can only be met in the ,messiah by ,his being of the ,house of ,david4 ,jesus himself admitted and fairly met this necessity4 ,so he questioned the ,pharisees3 #8,what think ye of ,christ8 ,whose son is he8' #8,they say unto him1 the ,son of ,david4' ,admitting this1 the ,savior propounded the question involving sonship and spiritual unity with ,god which ,his questioners could not answer3 8#8,if ,david then call him ,lord1 how is he son8' 8#8,neither durst any man from that day forth ask ,him any more questions4' 8,had ,he denied the necessity of ,davidic origin they could have overwhelmed ,him with ,scriptures4 ,had he not been of that family the most ignorant ,jew would have promptly rejected ,his claims to being the ,hope of ,israel4 8,peter the apostle1 amid the soul-trying solemnities of ,pentecost1 speaking to the representatives of people from all parts of the earth and for all time1 cried3 #8,men and brethren1 let me freely speak unto you concerning the ,patriarch ,david3 ,being a prophet1 and knowing ,god had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins1 according to the flesh1 he would raise up ,christ to sit on his throne4' 8,this orator spoke then with the accuracy of one in the presence of the ,holy ,ghost1 and not only made sincere1 but illuminated1 by the torch of ,god4 ,this is conclusive1 but the reiteratives of the inspired writers justify us in presenting their cumulative evidence4 8,after ,peter comes the learned ,hebrew of the ,hebrews1 ,paul2 before his conversion to ,christianity declaring himself to have been #8after the most straightest sect a ,pharisee2' after that conversion1 rejoicing to the end of life1 as of the true1 new ,israel by faith in ,him that makest all new4 8,twice ,paul met ,mary's son mysteriously1 face to face1 within the very confines of ,glory4 ,let ,paul speak3 #8,paul1 a servant of ,jesus ,christ1 separated unto the gospel of ,god1 concerning ,his ,son1 our ,lord1 which was made of the seed of ,david according to the flesh6' 8,let us not longer make a mock of eternal1 holy verities6 ,christ was of ,david's flesh through ,his mother1 and born to be a real king of a real kingdom1 not a phantom kingdom6 ,that kingdom must come2 yea1 blessed be ,jehovah6 it is coming4 8,joseph1 the putative father of ,jesus1 adopted ,jesus as his son1 but he could not1 by that legal act1 make his foster son1 whose father was the ,holy ,spirit of the seed of ,david1 after the flesh6 ,jesus received1 then1 ,his royal blood from ,mary1 and bore ,his ,kingly title after the flesh as #8the crown wherewith his mother crowned ,him4' ,revelations harmonize2 ,luke and ,matthew must therefore agree with ,paul and ,peter4 8,the tables of ,luke and ,matthew agree down to ,david's time1 but then they diverge1 until they are converged in ,jesus1 through the undoubted legitimacy of ,mary as a descendant of ,david and the adoption of ,jesus by ,joseph1 a scion of another branch of the same great family4 ,luke gives a sentence1 all luminous1 but first puzzling3 #8,jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age1 being1 as was supposed1 the son of ,joseph1 which was the son of ,heli4' #8,ah1 as was supposed6' sneers the infidel4 #8,as was supposed6 ,,supposed66' hatefully shouts some insinuating1 ignorant ,jews6 ,but now let us fill out1 naturally1 ,luke's statement1 #8as was supposed1 the son of ,joseph1 but in reality the son of ,heli4' ,but here it may be asked1 was ,jesus the son of ,heli8 ,it is1 ,i answer1 not infrequently in the ,scriptures that a grandson is called a son4 ,jesus was probably the grandson of ,heli4 ,it was a common custom of the ,jews1 except in cases of especial necessity1 not to record the names of women in tracing lines of descent4 ,men kept the books1 and it had become a habit with the lords of creation to thrust woman into the background4 ,mary was too insignificant a person1 socially considered1 in her time1 to be registered in her own name in the hereditary charters4 ,joseph was put in her stead1 as her representative4 ,there was not any supposition about the descent of ,mary1 but these scribes1 who had charge of the books1 thought it were more creditable to the male sex to record ,joseph as the father of ,jesus1 and1 by a little fiction1 suppose him to have descended through the former from ,heli1 than to say ,mary descended from ,heli and ,jesus descended from ,mary4 ,the ,romans encouraged this1 and also the politicians4 ,men were the only ones to fight or pay taxes1 and1 as political factors1 were strictly watched by those in authority4 ,luke1 in reality1 gives ,mary's line4 ,he was scholarly and accurate1 besides that a physician1 and we judge by all experience that there is that in the profession of medicine which makes its followers tender toward all suffering1 consequently especially tender to women1 the largest inheritors of the pains that beset our race4 ,doctor ,luke1 like those of his fraternity1 by an act of graceful justice1 in the spirit of ,christianity which is essentially humane1 just1 and courtly1 accorded gladly the woman her place4 ,but the #8doomsday books' of the ,jews1 containing their family trees or genealogies1 perished with the perishing of the ,jewish nation4 ,those records had done their work2 it was time for them to go4 ,they had become by misuse agencies of evil4 ,they stood long enough to demonstrate that ,god works through cycles vastly wide1 and that ,his definite promise made to ,adam1 ,abraham and many of their successors1 had finally been fulfilled1 at the end of thousands of years1 with a miraculous explicitness4 ,the records disappeared after ,christ came1 and herein was a providence saying to the watchers3 #8,he is come4 ,no need further of the patents of ,his ancestry to aid your watching4' ,more than that1 they being gone1 no other could arise claiming to be ,shiloh1 with hope of convincing any by appeal to proof from the records of ancestry4 8,shiloh and his white kingdom have come4 ,it is ruling the earth2 not in memories of its mighty dead1 but by its regal1 potent virtues and charities4 ,the battering rams of ,titus destroyed wall and ,holy ,temple1 but thus was let in new dawn4 ,above the storm of that awful conflict the spiritual may discern in living letters the mightly words of ,god which dispelled disordering darkness from the universe at the beginning3 #8,let there be light1' and1 indeed1 #8light was4' ,the obliterated records of ,jewish ancestral lines1 on which alone many a worthless child of ,abraham based his claims to superiority1 his right to despise and neglect his fellow men1 his justification to tyrannize1 and finally his hope of favor with ,god1 ceased to present their sturdy barriers to the entering in of a better hope4 ,then came in the beginning of this new era2 now the patent of nobility is noble character2 this is the time to be marked by an universal recognition of universal brotherhood in a kingdom where there is neither ,jew nor ,gentile1 bond nor free1 male nor female4 ,a kingdom where righteousness1 impartial justice1 liberty1 equality1 purity and humanity are to be the regnant potencies4 ,in this kingdom1 how fittingly1 ,christ stands as the king and ideal of man1 and how fittingly his mother supplements his sway by being presented herself to all womankind as a queenly ideal4 ,let him or her dispute her title1 who can surely say the earth1 in this redemption period1 needs no such sublime epitome of womanly virtue and worthfulness4 8,my words are ended for to-day1 assembled men and women4 ,some of these things spoken may seem like deep sayings1 but ,i leave them to find their lodgment in your hearts and minds4 ,i trust them1 knowing that ,truth has a sword which cuts her way1 each sweep of that sword making light40 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,,the 8,,light ,,of ,,the ,,harem0 ,,in 8,,the ,,temple ,,of ,,allegory40 8,would ,i had fallen upon those happier days1 ,and those ,arcadian scenes4444 ,vain wish6 ,those days were never6 airy dreams ,sat for the picture1 and the poet's hand ,imposed a gay delirium for a truth4 ,grant it2 ,i still must envy them an age ,that favored such a dream2 in days like these ,impossible when virtue is so scarce1 ,that to suppose a scene where she presides ,is tramontane1 and stumbles all belief40--,,young4 8,the glory of the ,lord came from the way of the east1 444 and the earth shined with ,his glory4 ,thou son of man show the house to the house of ,israel1 that they may be ashamed of their iniquities1 and let them measure the pattern40--,,ezekiel1 xliii4 8,my ,cornelius once said ,i might expend the fortune coming from my grandfather1 ,harrimai1 as ,i chose40 8,why1 that's so without my saying4 ,i did not court your grandfather1 nor his ownings1 and have gotten affluence beyond the wildest dreams of a lover in ,miriamne's self40 8,i think the old church on the hill is smiling day by day1 more and more40 8,i've noted the improvement1 and it assures me our hearers are growing4 ,a meanly kept sanctuary1 witnesses of starved worshipers4 ,some churches might be called stables for all-devouring1 nothing-giving1 lean kine40 8,i'd like to be brought to confession2 question me60 8,question8 ,i can not doubt either ,miriamne or her doings2 to question1 one must doubt40 8,sir ,courtly6 ,but ,i'll flank your courtesy2 ,i've purchased and furbished up the old ecclesiastical pile40 8,i might have guessed it was ,miriamne's work6 ,now1 good ,bishop of ,bethany1 appoint me ,rector40 8,churchman forever6 ,we'll have no ,rector40 8,no ,rector8 ,no sermons8 ,no congregation80 8,we'll have a multitude1 if we can get into the place the ,god-shine2 that brightens and draws ever40 8,allurement by light6 ,a new device4 ,are we to have a tryst where lotus-dreamers may take sun-baths80 8,curiosity1 too proud to question directly1 travels around with banterings40 8,incisive ,miriamne1 my gis1 thin as paper1 is shredded3 ,i confess60 8,confession compels pardon and counsel4 ,i'll give both4 ,the restored sanctuary is to be the capitol of our fraternity1 the #8,sisters of ,bethany4'0 8,capitol8 ,are you inviting the ,sultan to take your homes and your heads8 ,a capitol sounds like politics1 revolution and things governmental40 8,there is to be war and a revolution2 our munitions are to be solely moral agencies2 our aim1 to revolve the world around toward ,paradisiacal days4 ,i'd have parting streams flow out from ,bethany to water the earth1 and sing anew the jubilant strains of ,pison1 ,gihon1 ,hiddekel and ,euphrates40 8,arcadia6 ,alas1 how sad such dreams1 because so impossible to realize4 ,the ,arcadians1 so charming in the poet's pictures1 were1 in fact1 very warlike1 very loutish1 very human40 8,say not that what has been must always be4 ,moses1 at a time when ,israel was at its lowest dip1 received of ,god a pattern of the ,tabernacle4 ,the ,god of ,moses is unchangeable4 ,i've gotten from ,him a pattern1 also40 8,and now ,i question1 as you wish60 8,the old sanctuary is to be a #8,temple of ,allegory4' ,we shall attempt therein to picture the finest truths by symbols that shall make them tangible and irresistible40 8,a splendid ambition6 ,possess me of your intricacies of canon and catechism4 ,i'd accept them40 8,you overlook our simplicity by expecting complexity4 ,we shall not walk like ghosts1 hampered by the grave-clothes of the dead1 though august forms4 ,seven words1 enough for each day of the round week1 are our whole profession3 #8,humanity toward humanity1 with godliness toward ,god4'0 ,as they conversed1 they walked toward the old sanctuary at the suburbs of ,bethany1 and now were drawing near it4 8,behold1 ,miriamne1 the ,hospitaler2 yonder40 8,yes1 ,i've called the knights hither2 the ,hospitaler will dedicate our temple to-day40 8,but has he ecclesiastical authority so to do80 8,the same authority that these growing shrubs and vines have to make the place beautiful4 ,see1 ,i've pierced the walls of the grim pile1 wherever ,i could1 to make a window4 ,the ,hospitaler is to take them for a theme40 8,windows for themes80 8,he is able2 and understands by them that we'd have let into musty beliefs floods of sweet light40 8,the knights are singing60 8,yes1 the ,grail song1 #8,faint though pursuing2' the dedication has commenced40 ,the words sung recited the grail quest2 but its chorus1 a simple one1 was much the same as that sung at the ,may-day festivities on a former occasion4 ,the people gathered1 heartily joined in the chorus4 ,when the singing ceased1 the ,knight1 in his usual abrupt manner1 began addressing the assembly3 8,the beloved young missioners have undertaken1 by means of their handiwork here1 to strikingly present the noblest truths1 and they have taken a step in the right direction4 ,love for the pictorial1 manifest especially in children1 grows with growth2 those adult needing and seeking1 as they grow1 finer1 grander symbols4 ,our ,divine ,lord1 who #8knew men' and #8knew what was in man1' did not rebuke1 but rather utilized this taste of man1 by teaching the profoundest things of ,his ,kingdom by means of it4 ,he came as close as close could be to the very core of human life1 as it was or to all time will be4 ,while ,he might have navigated ,galilee in a palatial barge1 borne over be-flowered waves by perfumed breezes and golden wings1 with the aureoled spirits1 #8who do excel in strength1' by thousands1 to escort ,him1 ,he chose rather to journey in an all-winning humility1 borrowing1 as ,he had need1 the old boat of some poor ,tiberian fisherman4 ,he might have entered ,jerusalem1 that last time1 in an ,elijah-like chariot1 dazzling the city with splendors surpassing those that the rapt ,john beheld on ,patmos2 but the ,king of ,glory1 seeking to be the ,king of all men1 elected in that supreme moment to get near to men by approaching the august courts of ,herod and ,caiphas1 and the commons as well1 on an ass--an humble beast1 and borrowed at that4 ,all this allegorized the condescension and sympathy of ,jehovah4 ,the universe is full of patterns6 ,the books of ,nature1 ,revelation1 and ,providence1 having a common authority1 are constant in the use of pictured truth4 ,nature gives us the dawning of light and the marshaling of order out of darkness and chaos4 ,there is the low earth1 the high firmament1 ripe summer going down into the winding sheets of winter and up to the resurrections of spring4 ,twig1 flower1 seed1 forest2 insect that creeps1 and bird that flies2 the speck-life moved1 and the behemoth2 the atom and the planet-system--waning and growing1 dying and living1 from formlessness to beauty1 from time to eternity6 ,then take the inspired picture-history3 ,eden's fall1 ,egyptian captivity1 the ,red ,sea passage1 the wilderness1 the manna by the way1 the rest by the ,mount of the ,law1 the entrance to the ,promised ,land4 ,lastly1 the ,incarnate ,one1 an eternal symbol1 the realization and fulfillment of all preceding4 #8,which things are an allegory1' exclaimed ,paul1 with a sweeping back-look4 ,the three books present to the thoughtful pictured banners innumerable1 to wave him onward4 ,this temple is dedicated to the purpose of pointing to these pictures4 ,fitly the #8angels of the mount' have determined to make prominent the beautiful1 patient1 modest ,mary1 ,mother of ,jesus4 ,and to study her intelligently or profitably1 it is necessary to know her not only as an historical personage1 but as one in the cavalcade of symbolism unfolded by ,sacred ,writ and by ,nature4 ,she passes by1 herself every way unique1 the exemplar of ,god to those aspiring after gentle1 devout girlhood1 pure and wise maiden-life1 constant wifehood1 and patient1 consecrated1 and influential motherhood4 ,turn again to the ,divine ,word1 the beacon of the ages1 the history of ,providence1 the solver of life's problems4 ,it is made up of an entrancing array of symbols1 types1 prophetic dramas1 and gorgeously constructed visions1 constantly representing or dextrously pointing1 by countless trophies and allegories1 to its ,ideal and ,darling1 ,mary's ,son1 who #8spoke as man never spake1 yet who without a parable spake nothing4' ,though the literary ages are strewn with long winrows of dead books1 no work of man long surviving the mutations of time1 ,god's picturesque handiwork1 the inspired volume1 as potently molds the thoughts1 charms the affections and quickens the hopes of our race with its tokens1 types1 idyls and illustration as it did when the earth was younger by far than it is now4 ,it is a living fountain1 not only giving1 but retaining its immortality6 ,it abides because it masterfully deals with the things that pertain to the wonderland of the soul4 ,how necessary its methods is at once apparent to any one who considers1 discerningly1 man as a complex union of spirit and matter2 wonderful forever1 but #8very good1' since the ,all ,holy1 ,great ,high ,priest performed the nuptial ceremony of that union4 ,if there could be found a being able to reason1 as a man1 who had not within himself this unity1 and who had never experienced its phenomena1 such would at once combat the possibility of its existence4 ,even those so organized1 and momentarily realizing the jointure of the ,god-like spirit with the earthly body1 the higher condescending to and communing with the inferior1 the inferior at times over-persuading1 dominating and utterly shipwrecking its great spiritual co-partner1 are compelled to admit the whole as being a fact without parallel1 alike inscrutable and bewildering4 ,a life-time of profoundest introspection can carry the greatest mind1 herein1 only to the confines of new wonders4 ,but the interest in the study of the unwritten1 unvoiced language of symbolisms by which the wonderfully united twain1 soul and body1 confer and commune with each other deepens with the study4 ,what a fine1 expressive1 rapid1 exact1 exalted language that must be6 ,to each well understood2 without their arcana unknown1 unheard1 incomprehensible4 ,and it is of necessity all symbol1 natural1 intuitive1 without a single arbitrary sign6 ,this sign-language acts by symbol in the royal temple of memory and imagination4 ,and so again we perceive the representative1 picturesque or typical is the medium of the fine1 the deep and the lofty in expressing truth4 ,this is the soul's language1 by which it communes with whatever else there is in man1 through which it receives the songs of ,heaven1 and the august or tender messages of the ,spirit1 out of the deathless land4 8,when this sphere of ours was rolling swiftly onward through the shadows of night1 as well as swiftly downward through darker shadows of sin1 ,divine love said #8,let there be light4' ,then the hosts of heaven saw at ,bethlehem a mother and babe marking the place of world-dawn1 unfolding the design of ,deity to effect redemption by touching the race of man at infancy2 the most effective because the most plastic point2 through motherhood the most influential because the tenderest instrumentality4 ,the never-to-be-forgotten spectacle thrilled1 with a new ecstasy1 the beings of glory whose every throb of life is joy4 ,they tracked the heavens about with light as they sped out to keep abreast the fleeing earth and shout over ,bethlehem1 #8,glad tidings6 ,glad tidings6' ,they saw ,eden restored through the advent of a new1 pure home2 they saw a mystic covenant between ,god and man typified in the child begotten of a human mother in conjunction with the ,eternal ,father4 ,by this there seemed to be an attesting that humanity was to be raised to ,divine favor2 there also was a symbol showing the value of law2 for through the incarnation1 ,deity1 in the form of a babe1 became submissive to law administered by a mortal mother4 8,he is blind who can not see in all these things ,god's purpose to elect some of ,his creatures to be ,his co-laborers in the choicest co-operations1 and also to be exemplars of what ,he does and would do4 ,these things being so1 we do well to learn the alphabet of ,his goodness from ,his elect heroes1 heroines and saints2 and ,i proclaim to-day my innermost belief in ,christ as the argument1 logic and fruit of ,god's love2 but1 at the same time1 ,i praise1 as one enravished1 the character of her who was ,god's poem1 ,god's peroration6 ,we now proclaim this temple dedicated to the purposes of showing forth the things ,i have spoken40 ,the ,hospitaler abruptly ceased his address1 as he began it4 ,there were other services consisting of psalm-singing and prayers1 and the service was ended4 ,as the congregation dispersed1 the young missioner1 ,cornelius1 exclaimed3 8,miriamne1 the ,hospitaler has awakened me as from sleep by ,god's truth4 ,oh1 the heavens are not as full of shining stars as ,god's truth is full of beauty6 ,it seems strange that men like myself1 and wiser1 are so long in bringing these things to their minds4 ,you1 my dear little mystic1 are my interpreter4 8,it's just as ,i told you1 wife4 ,we must go in pairs4 ,in the ,egyptian mythologies1 ,osiris had his ,isis1 ,amen-,ra his ,maut1 and ,kneph his ,sate4 ,thank ,god ,i have my adolescent other self60 8,i1 a woman1 help you8 ,my sex is honored by the praise4 ,are they worthy of all they need8 ,is it madness to seek to gather all women having gifts and needs into a helped and helping fraternity whose creed is a fine example8 ,if ,i help ,cornelius1 cannot a peerless one like ,mary help all80 8,pardon the thought1 but one word haunts me--idolatry60 8,impossible6 ,we all need soul company1 and have room within for such4 ,we must have an inner population of real heroines and heroes or be filled with ghosts and myths4 ,the empty soul1 eaten up with self-worship1 goes mad2 the myth-possessed becomes an idolater4 ,if we harbor the ,god-like1 keeping the highest place for ,deity1 our inner selves will be no hideous chambers of imagery1 but a counterpart of heaven40 8,but some have fallen into putting ,mary before ,jesus1 and so we've seen the advent of ,mariolatry40 8,but this only1 and surely1 here ,i know1 no friend of the ,divine ,son can dethrone ,him by honoring her1 aright2 indeed1 as ,he1 ,himself1 did4 ,it was of ,him she spoke when exclaiming3 #8,my soul doth rejoice in ,god my ,savior6' ,can one truly honor ,him and despise and ignore the woman who gave ,him human birth8 ,can one have ,his mind and forget her for whom love was uppermost to ,him in ,his supreme last hours8 ,can one honor her aright1 and yet dethrone the ,son whom she enthroned8 ,she bore ,him1 then lived for ,him4 ,she honored herself in bearing ,him1 and was ,his mother1 ,his teacher and ,his disciple4 ,he revered her1 she worshiped ,him4 ,awed by ,his augustness1 she was yet conscious of an ownership of ,his greatness2 believing in ,his divinity1 she yet enjoyed the nearness to ,him of a mother40 8,i can not but believe that she is a queen1 indeed1 high among the glorified who reign with ,god6 ,i question again3 ,who ever did1 or could1 become heretic or carnal by sincerely revering the peerless woman whom ,christ enthroned on ,his heart80 8,i know at least that the fathers at imperial and pagan ,rome placed a representation of ,mary in their ,pantheon when public policy made it an imperative necessity to overthrow the influence of the lewd1 fanciful and ungodly ideals that had been set up therein10 responded ,cornelius4 8,the world is a ,pantheon full of corrupt ideas4 ,let us raise high the choice ones ,god has sent us--,but see1 yonder is the wife of a poor old ,druse camel-driver4 ,she was once a sinner in the streets of ,jerusalem4 ,now she is a ,sister of ,bethany1 allured to goodness by our ,temple's allegories60 8,a woman that was a sinner1 a scarlet woman80 8,only such4 ,no2 all of that6 ,one woman2 a lost one8 ,how little to man2 how much to ,god6 ,had nothing else been done1 heaven would have been set singing1 as ever1 over a sinner's return4 ,that's reward enough for all we've attempted40 8,now ,i'm interested1 indeed60 8,well you may be1 when you hear all4 ,we've here one once a harem beauty1 who1 having lost her power to fascinate1 was committing her life to that hag-cunning belonging to old women who supplement their decaying power by wickedness1 fox-like and serpentine40 8,the old1 old story2 yet ,i thank ,god if her life be sweetened40 8,hers is a strange story40 8,may ,i know it80 8,yes2 it is1 as ,i've gathered it in scraps1 a sad romance4 ,she was born of ,georgian parents1 among the mountains of ,armenia1 and gifted1 in her youth1 as are most of those of her sex in that country1 with unusual personal beauty4 ,she early attracted the attention of the monsters who dealt in human flesh1 and a ,georgian noble unrighteously claiming her family as his serfs1 bartered away ,nourahmal to merchants seeking recruits for ,mameluke harems4 ,she became1 in time1 part of the retinue of a sheik by the name of ,azrael1 a desperate adventurer1 who1 on account of his blood-deeds1 was called by his followers the #8,angel of ,death1' ,his luxurious and desperate way of living justified his claim to ,turkish extraction2 his adroitness and avidity for intrigue stamped him as a ,mameluke40 8,nourahmal8 ,azrael8 ,why1 these must be the same of whom ,i've heard ,sir ,charleroy speak80 queried ,cornelius4 8,the same60 8,she comes out of the past as one from the dead60 8,and her story is a series of strange events4 ,it is as follows3 ,azrael suspected her of having abetted the escape of my father and ,ichabod1 therefore determined to kill her4 ,she gained a temporary respite through having saved her master's life from an assassin plotting to supplant him2 though she periled her own in so doing4 8,as ,azrael awaited her recovery from the wounds she had suffered in his behalf1 he devised another scheme which he hoped would compass his favorite's destruction and his own elevation4 ,he was ambitious to be ,sherif of ,mecca4 ,to attain that honor he saw he must needs do something to enhance his popularity greatly with his ,mohammedan followers1 and so conceived the plan of getting into his power1 ,harrimai of the ,jews and ,adolphus of the ,christians4 ,his purpose was to rack those two leaders into apostasy and the betrayal of their followers4 ,had he succeeded1 the event would have been crushing to ,jews and ,christians east of ,jordan4 ,he promised ,nourahmal her freedom and restoration to her ,georgian home if she aided him in his design2 though he did not disclose his purpose to her beyond that of securing the presence of ,von ,gombard and ,harrimai in his camp4 ,she felt that there was some malign1 hidden purpose in her master's breast1 but deemed it expedient1 at the outset1 to seem to co-operate in his plan40 8,but how was the sheik using his strategy against ,nourahmal80 8,as a fiend6 ,he1 having no conception of a friendship between a man and a woman that was pure and free from intrigue1 suspected the relations between his favorite and ,ichabod4 ,he thought the two only needed the opportunity to precipitate into perfidy4 ,he laid his plan darkly1 and1 leaving a trusty follower to carry it out1 hastened forward to ,mecca40 8,but surely1 ,nourahmal was not what he thought her60 8,no2 though training her as a plastic child1 he judged she was what he had tried to make her2 at her worst she was4 ,but let me continue4 ,the assault on my parents and ,ichabod1 on the road between ,gerash and ,bozrah1 was the opening of the drama4 ,the plan then was to seize ,rizpah1 and under pretense of negotiating for her ransom1 inveigle ,harrimai into the hands of ,azrael's followers4 ,nourahmal was to aid in this by affecting tears1 pleading for pity and suggesting the sending for the girl's father40 8,what besetments perilous we pass through1 all unknown to us6 ,harrimai and your parents1 to their death1 never suspected the devices worked against them60 8,nor dreamed that a harem favorite1 a mere girl1 and an utter stranger to them1 was their good angel60 8,good angel6 ,how80 8,she witnessed the assault from behind a sequestering wall1 in company with a follower of the sheik1 commissioned to kill her instantly if she faltered in the part appointed her4 ,this infernal guard was also charged to insinuate into her mind the feasibility of elopement with ,ichabod4 ,if she could be compromised1 ,azrael knew he could justify her death to those who remembered her heroic defense of himself4 ,that was to follow as soon as she had done her part in inveigling ,harrimai to ,azrael's camp40 8,a demonstration of a personal devil1 ,miriamne40 8,i'd say rather of an overruling ,god40 8,how fared ,nourahmal after ,azrael's chagrin80 8,cornelius anticipates me4 ,when she saw ,ichabod fall1 a sudden desire for liberty for herself and to help the imperiled ,rizpah1 prompted her to drive a dagger into the heart of her guard and cry1 #8,rescuers come6' ,that cry drove the remnants of the assailers of ,sir ,charleroy to sudden flight4 ,she asserted to the fugitives that ,laconic1 the new runner1 just passing1 had slain her guard1 and so allayed suspicion until opportunity of escape came4 ,she soon made her way to ,bozrah1 where she found among the ,christians a temporary home4 ,from thence she drifted into ,jerusalem40 8',twas strange she did not turn toward ,gerash40 8,i said as much to her1 but desire to get as far as possible from ,azrael1 and as near as possible to the ,holy ,city1 of which ,ichabod had so glowingly spoken to her1 determined her course2 besides that1 ,ichabod being dead1 ,gerash was a strange place to her--,jerusalem seemed to her1 she said1 near heaven40 8,had she only known it1 she was near heaven in ,bozrah1 being near ,von ,gombard40 8,her story weaves a chaplet for his tomb to-day2 for now it appears that from ,nourahmal the old priest foreknew the intention of those ,saracens1 who assailed the city that day ,i was with him4 ,though they designed capturing him to put him on the rack1 he rushed into the conflict1 crying1 #8,kill the foe with kindness6' ,the assault would have been fatal to ,bozrah1 too1 had not the leader of one of the invading bands ordered a retreat1 just at the point of victory4 ,this was indirectly ,nourahmal's work2 for that leader had been won by her to esteem ,christians far enough to be unwilling to murder them1 though not adverse to plundering them4 ,that was a great improvement in a ,mohammedan40 8,and ,nourahmal knows from you that you are ,sir ,charleroy's daughter80 8,yes1 by that ,i won her confidence4 ,indeed1 she began this confidence at first1 by saying1 #8,i love you1 because you so remind me1 angel of the mount1 of a ,christian knight1 who was the dear friend of the only pure and unselfish man ,i knew in all my youth6 ,such words led to questions and explanations4 ,the rest you know40 8,and you have allured1 comforted and enlightened her80 8,by ,god's help1 ,i have4 ,i have told her of the universal sisterhood1 of all women1 who take as their exemplar the worthy mother of the ,one who proclaimed the universal brotherhood of man4 ,this knowledge is her joy and inspiration4 ,when ,i am with her1 she never tires of hearing of the #8,queen of ,david's ,house1' the mother of mothers40 8,but how have you allured her hither1 ,miriamne80 8,you have questioned curiously with your eyes1 at least1 concerning those gated alcoves and curtained balconies in our ,temple of ,allegory4 ,they helped her60 8,since you say they are not #8,confessionals1' as ,i call them1 tell me what they are80 8#8,rock clefts' our sisterhood calls them2 some are doors to little adjacent chapels2 some are quiet resting places1 where1 in impressive solitude1 souls in prayer may find the mountain manna1 for which the ,savior sought in many a lone night-watching2 and some are places where are presented1 under entrancing symbols1 exalting truths40 8,words have failed to turn the world to faith3 may signs do better40 8,i've put truth into visible form1 that they who get it here may learn that truth thus is only up to its full might4 ,i'd have my followers believe in visible1 not phantom1 truth2 so believing1 truth will not be a ghostly proclamation1 the toy of the mind1 but a force moving hands and hearts60 8,and you have met ,nourahmal's case80 8,yes2 fully in what we call the #8,lover's ,bower1' yonder4 ,remember she has been the victim of mock love1 from first to last40 8,the #8,lover's ,bower'80 8,behold the trophy and the bower6 ,there is ,nourahmal1 now rapturously contemplating the picture of ,joseph putting the ring of espousal on the hand of the ,virgin ,mary40 8,nourahmal8 ,that gray-haired1 hard-faced woman1 holding the hand of a charming girl80 8,that is ,nourahmal2 the younger woman is ,beulah1 her grand-daughter2 they two are almost inseparable now40 8,an oleander by a limestone cliff6 ,and so she takes her station by a scene of betrothal1 forgetting that hymen's altars can be fired by youth alone60 8,the world says so2 but yet a disappointed life may sometimes learn why it has been a failure1 by studying the ashes of time gone in the light of quickened memories40 8,what finds ,nourahmal there80 8,golden lessons4 ,first for her grand-daughter1 her idol4 ,she never tires of saying before yon picture to that maiden now her charge3 #8,my flower1 my lamb1 be always as pure as the espoused of ,joseph1 and you will be a jewel which your husband1 if he be a true man1 will ever proudly wear on as his heart4 ,my flower1 my lamb1 no woman should leave all for any man1 unless she is certain of finding in him father1 mother1 brother1 sister1 companion1 as ,mary found in ,joseph6'0 8,but how did these things bless ,nourahmal herself80 8,love counterfeited1 blasted her life4 ,she believed that it was only gross passion masquerading in attractive1 delusive colors4 ,so believing1 it was difficult to tell her of the ,love of ,god so she could realize its wealth4 ,love was only great selfishness1 excited and persistent1 to her mind4 ,it was something to teach her that the genuine affection was utterly otherwise2 in fact the foundation and crown of all the noblest sentiments implanted by ,god in ,his choicest creations4 8,i have sought to allegorize here1 true affection in all its perfection4 ,it seems to be fitting to do so1 for my ideal queen was ruled by it4 ,she never could have loved to the depths she did1 as a mother1 if she had not had within her being all the possibilities of woman's love4 ,and in a rightly balanced woman love is all-impressive1 all-controlling2 with her worship is loving and loving is worship4 ,here ,i shall seek to refine that sentiment in the hearts of my sisters until each becomes an evangel in its behalf4 ,then mankind will understand the wealth a woman bestows on the man that wins her4 ,there is nothing in her career that surpasses it1 except that sovereign act wherein she lays herself a convert on ,god's altar4 ,i am seeking to exalt this sacred act1 the loving of the gentler sex1 until all men1 brought to revere it as they ought1 shall become true knights2 until society shall be of one mind in crying traitor to every man that contemns it in wedlock1 and ready to lash naked around the world every betrayer who awakens it in innocency to lead it astray40 8,i can only again exclaim1 oh6 how full of flowers and honey is my ,miriamne's creed and gospel60 8,and the churchman so exclaims because ,i've put love where ,god put it1 at the front of religion's cohorts6 ,can there be a religion worth the name that does not masterfully meet the requirements of the relations most sacred between human beings80 ,as she spoke she led her husband under the splendid painting of ,joseph espousing ,mary1 toward the entrance of the bower1 remarking3 8,this vestibule1 from the ,roman word ,vesta1 ,goddess of ,purity1 is suggestive4 ,rome placed ,vesta among the household gods1 and was wont to have an altar at every outer door4 ,if ,purity guard the door1 ,light and ,love will dwell within4 ,see the laurel1 emblem of victory1 as the ancients put it by ,purity's altar2 so do ,i4 ,love1 when pure1 is all-victorious60 8,miriamne1 these old truths seem to me very charming as you now present them2 but can ,nourahmal and others like her enter into their meaning80 8,a pious saint of our church says that the star which guided to ,bethlehem finally sank into a spring1 where it may be yet seen by women if they be pure40 ,as they thus communed he passed through an arched doorway1 and was admitted to a grand court1 three sides of which were inclosed by the temple and two of its wings1 the fourth side hedged by palms1 vine-interlaced4 ,the sky was the roof1 the carpet the floor of that country4 ,just in front of the palm-hedge1 on a grassy hillock1 conspicuous beyond all else1 was a colossal stone face4 ,it seemed as if it had emerged from the earth1 bald of all life--desolation expressed in mute stone4 8,astarte here60 exclaimed ,cornelius4 8,yes2 that's part of my ,bashan inheritance1 from ,kunawat1 the land of ,job40 8,a woman and a devil beset him2 7the two are in this face1 methinks74 ,its hideousness1 as its import1 seems inappropriate in ,love's ,bower40 8,yes1 'tis hideous now1 though once the face had beauty4 ,it is not futile for young-love to remember that time gouges deformity into beautifulness1 nor for all to remember how the ,kings of the ,east in ,moses' time overthrew the ,rephaim1 the fallen giant followers of the goddess4 ,the ,east is the home of light1 and light is fateful to evil lives4 ,where are the ,astarte-devotees now80 ,as the man listened his eyes wandered to the place where the palm grove came up against the temple wing1 and there he observed a purling ribband of water4 8,cornelius sees my poem of silver4 ,it comes from a grove of cedars and sharon roses1 out of a spring in the bosom of a hill4 ,look the other way4 ,it passes under the alcove1 under the temple wall2 a short1 dark passage brings it to liberty1 ending in the ,virgin's ,pool of ,kidron4 ,the sun allures it up to the clouds at last4 ,but listen2 it sings as it runs60 8,i hear many blending melodies40 8,do you see that canopied dais8 ,there the instructor1 or preacher if you will1 stands4 ,the stream passes near it1 getting impulse by a fall2 true love is speeded when it runs by truth4 ,that's my lesson4 ,then there are olian harps this side and that of the dark alcove1 the latter the type of the tomb40 8,but why80 8,true love has music both sides of the grave40 8,mystic60 8,interpreter1 say40 8,but ,i hear the songs of birds80 8,there they are1 this side the dark exit3 but in a cage1 supported above the current by an hour-glass and sickle40 8,grim emblems40 8,yes2 but it's a grim truth that love's joy notes here are caged1 hampered and transitory4 ,the hour-glass and sickle are1 when those notes are sung1 ever4 8,look to the ,west40 8,i look1 and see nothing but the picture of a sunset40 8,yes1 and that curtains the #8,rest of the ,aged' in our temple40 8,but whither am ,i led by these words80 8,led to look toward sunset1 for morning1 by faith4 ,you remember the ,christ was never old2 neither are they who draw their life from ,him4 ,the #8,ancient of ,days' not only has1 but gives1 eternal youth4 ,oh1 there were young men at ,his sepulcher2 yet those angels could count their years by centuries6 ,let the hour-glass make record and the sickle reap2 the passion flower recalls a vernal life1 where the oldest saints are the youngest1 where all existence is growth1 refreshment1 glory1 exultation6 ,there1 love is law and law is love1 and to love is to live and to live is to love4 ,we get a breath of this life here as we enter the vicinage of the immortal pair1 ,jesus and ,mary2 and we get a distant view of the whole from the mountains of the gospel40 8,i believe1 and yet sometimes start back at the question1 #8,what if1 after all1 at the end almost of eternities there come monotony1 decadence1 satiety--death8' ,next after hell1 and nigh as horrible1 is annihilation2 and worst of all1 eternal existence with nothing for which to strive--a living death60 8,they say1 that in ,egypt1 a palm bowed to give shade to the mother1 ,mary2 while the aspen refused to her any comfort4 ,then ,christ blessed the palm and it became the fruitful evergreen1 while the aspen leaf is fated to the end of time by constant tremblings to betoken the agues of a cursed life4 ,but1 under the sun in submission1 our aspen lives are turned to palms6 ,we1 having ,his life1 need never tremble at death1 for we shall ever throb with a loving like ,his40 8,but there are many conditions and needs to womankind4 ,let us speak of these1 since the present is hers1 the future ,god's40 8,the knights vainly tried swords2 my ,king promised to draw all men to ,himself4 ,you told me how ,sir ,galahad1 the pure knight1 had made1 about the ,holy ,grail1 when he found it1 a chest of precious stones and gold4 ,now1 ,i've found the virgin pattern of perfection1 representative of the human-like beating heart of ,god4 ,here ,i've set her1 exalted her4 ,this shall be her golden precious palace4 ,though dead1 here shall be presented in the grandeur of her character1 the sweetness of her power4 ,by and by1 it may come about that all mankind akin1 shall make it the chief duty of ,church and ,state1 to care1 with a loyal tenderness1 for all women1 all children1 from first and last2 that not one such shall be left miserable4 ,that will be the world obeying the ,crucified's1 #8,behold thy mother4'0 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,,crown ,,jewels4 8,the ,,virgin ,,mary unquestionably holds forever a peculiar position among all women in the history of redemption4 ,perfectly natural1 yea1 essential to a sound religious feeling1 it is to associate with ,mary1 the fairest traits of maidenly and maternal character1 and to revere her as the highest model of female love and power40--,,prof4 ,,philip ,,schaff',s ,church ,history4 8,there's a footman at the door2 the good man that talks1 ,i think2 he would speak with ,cornelius40 ,with such words1 at sunrise one morning a few weeks after the ,may-day service1 the missioners of ,bethany were aroused by an attendant4 ,quickly robing himself1 the young chaplain went forth1 and1 sure enough1 the ,hospitaler stood before him4 8,selamet2 but what haste brings our ever-welcome friend so early80 8,to relieve your minds6 ,i've purchased immunity6 ,the ,mameluke sheik1 at ,jerusalem1 has secured the ,sultan's revocation of the order of razing and banishment10 answered the knight4 ,cornelius gazed at the ,hospitaler with anxiety1 questioning within himself as to whether the knight had taken leave of his reason or not4 ,the abrupt soldier-priest perceiving the perplexity of his hearer broke forth3 8,why the edict that the ,temple on the hill be despoiled1 and the #8,angels of the ,mount' be summarily driven out of ,syria1 has been rescinded2 the #8,faithful1' as those infidels style themselves1 have been converted2 seen a great light which came by mighty gold40 8,all ,saints defend us6 ,i did not hear of this4 ,tell me all60 exclaimed ,cornelius4 8,not now2 the peril is past4 ,i knew it was impending sometime1 and supposed ye did4 ,i promised a reward1 if time were given4 ,i got money help from foreign knights4 ,the vandals took it with a mighty thirst1 and then with a great show of piety promised toleration40 8,i see1 as usual with them1 great gain with godliness is contentment2 but what are we on the mount to do80 8,go on2 the ,sultan isn't ,god1 nor his sheik the ,devil40 8,the ,hospitaler comforts4 ,now let us enter and breakfast together1 that we may get wisdom by conferring40 8,i may not tarry longer2 ,i staid all night without the city's wall so as not to be delayed by awaiting the gate-opening4 ,i must be with my companions by the time the ,moslems have ended their first prayers1 or my comrades will be alarmed4 ,i'll return to-morrow40 ,another dawn1 another noon1 and another sunset1 came and went2 but the knight did not reappear at ,bethany4 ,the chaplain vainly tried to suppress his anxiety4 ,he feared some treachery on the sheik's part4 ,again and again the former went to the house-top to look along the ,jerusalem road4 ,it was a hot ,june day2 the watchings flushed the young man's face but fears' rigors in the heart paled it4 ,he was a picture of misery4 ,darkness followed sunset2 then came tidings3 8,there's a company with garlands and torches coming around the bend60 ,the news was brought by a company of ,sisters of ,bethany4 ,the missioner was excited1 yet reasoned3 8,garlands and torches6 ,their bearers can not have baleful report nor evil designs40 ,the visitants quickly arrived1 and singing a roundelay1 encircled the house of ,cornelius and ,miriamne4 ,with delight the latter recognized the ,hospitaler and his companion knights4 ,with them were a number of the friends of the new movement at ,bethany4 ,they also observed1 standing by his camel1 a little aloof1 a tall1 gaunt man1 garbed as a ,druse2 by him1 an elderly woman1 and also a maiden4 8',tis ,nourahmal and her grand-child60 whispered ,miriamne1 following her husband's questioning eyes4 8,the maiden wears the flower crown of a bride1 and see1 there is a young man by her side60 ,the ,hospitaler interrupted their converse3 8,i've kept my promise to the #8,angels of the ,mount' and to ,god4 ,i'm here1 and to celebrate a proper thanksgiving60 8,welcome6 ,now command us10 exclaimed ,miriamne4 8,yea1 welcome1 though coming in mystery60 8,another surprise1 good chaplain8 ,well1 'tis fitting1 since this one is cheering4 ,there was need of offset to thy painful astonishment of yesterday4 ,i've trapped a wolf for our festivities40 8,a wolf60 exclaimed ,miriamne4 8,yes1 even the sheik4 ,he swore that he'd make all ,bethany bald by fire and sword if it were attempted here to establish a ,christian church4 ,to him ,i explained that the work on the hill was festal4 ,praise ,god1 it is to be such1 to all eternity6 ,and ,miriamne's disavowal of the title church1 the use of the appellations #8,pool of ,bethesda1' #8,house of ,mercy1' #8,temple of ,allegory1' and the like1 by your followers in the city1 concerning your place of gathering1 helped the righteous diversion4 ,i finished the argument by parading with my cortege1 as you see us now4 ,indeed ,i even asked the sheik to come to the wedding60 8,a wedding80 8,the cruel sheik invited80 8,two questions and two questioners to be answered with more surprises4 ,nourahmal's grand-daughter1 ,beulah1 is to be joined to a ,jewish convert6 ,i asked the sheik to attend with us as one of her next akin2 for ,i believe him to be a son of ,azrael1 though he denies that parentage1 as well he may1 since the #8,angel of ,death' was strangled at ,bagdad for treason4 ,be assured1 ,miriamne1 the young ,mohammedan will not be present at our ceremonies to-night60 8,will wonders never cease80 spoke ,cornelius1 at a loss to know what to say4 8,no4 ,let us be going now10 abruptly spoke the ,hospitaler4 8,do you return to the city so soon80 queried ,miriamne4 ,the question was answered indirectly3 8,let's to the temple1 or #8,house of ,bethesda4' ,i've taken the liberty to order its illumination4 ,come1 we'll see how its jasmines climb on its sturdy walls by the light of the torches kindled for hymen60 ,so saying1 the ,hospitaler turned in the direction mentioned1 and all1 including the missioners1 followed him4 ,the scene was fairy-like4 ,there were lights and flowers and songs4 ,the feasters from ,jerusalem were in holiday attire1 and those of the villagers that joined in the concourse were hearty participants in the festivities4 ,arriving at the temple1 the ,hospitaler led ,beulah toward the speaker's dais4 8,will not the camel-driver enter80 questioned the knight of a companion4 8,no2 he's half way back to the city by this time40 8,stand by thy other self10 said the knight to the ,jewish groom4 ,the latter obeyed with alacrity2 his zeal and his bashfulness precluding grace of action4 8,four hands clasped2 crossed10 said the ,hospitaler4 ,the twain did as commanded1 the youth with avidity1 the maid with a timorous1 modest reserve4 ,the touch of each1 electric to the other1 was recorded in their faces1 over which passed rapidly a poem of emotion4 ,the audience became silent1 hushed by admiration akin to adoration4 ,the old1 old1 yet ever new1 ever-entrancing spectacle of love's full crowning1 brought to all minds the splendor and holiness of that royal gift which finds in earth its completest unfoldment in wedlock4 ,each of the auditors1 conscious of admiration of the presentment1 was also conscious of self-approving4 ,there is a cleansing of conscience like that which follows prayer in the act of heartily approbating the thing which is good and beautiful4 ,with the espoused for his inspiration and his background of light1 the ,hospitaler1 with his usual abruptness1 began addressing the assembly3 8,you of the ,east hear best when your eyes are treated together with your ears1 hence ,i speak at this time1 most propitious1 of themes pertinent4 ,you have heard how the ancient ,romans named this month1 deemed by them favorable to marriage1 ,junonius1 in honor of their chaste and prudent goddess of conjugal life4 ,she was the ,hera of the ,greeks1 the only lawfully wedded goddess of all their mythologies4 ,the myths prove that those pagans discerned the potency and beauty of holy wedlock4 ,they polished jewels and wove girdles for its personifications1 and to-night1 in this temple dedicated to womanhood at her best1 ,i'd take the girdle and crown and place them upon the ,queen of ,women1 the peerless ,virgin4 ,for such a real woman the ancients were seeking when they had their dream of the myths4 ,she was what they yearned for1 and her exaltation as the representative of all that she truly did represent1 will be found of lasting profit to all4 ,behold her1 an orphan girl1 yet by faith having an ,eternal ,father4 ,as a girl1 abhorring waywardness2 as a woman1 therefore1 free from wantonness4 ,mark me1 ye maidens1 the wayward becomes the wanton4 ,coquetry brushes the down from the cheek of the peach1 and she that frivolously plays with passion in the morning will be likely to seek the groves of ,astarte at noon4 ,our ideal woman reached maidenhood's roses all portionless1 as world-help is counted1 but with the inestimable affluence of prudence1 constancy and purity4 ,thus she set the finest youths of all ,jewry to striving for her heart and hand4 ,what ,juno was to ,rome1 ,mary was to ,israel4 ,the ,romans proclaimed their faith in the good wife as the producer and conserver of wealth by putting their mint in their temple of #8,juno-,moneta4' ,the carpenter of ,nazareth1 building up a clean1 honest1 though humble home1 by the aid of his consort1 built more enduringly1 and presents a finer historical figure1 than that once mighty1 once wise ,solomon2 though the latter erected the wondrous ,temple4 ,the home and love of ,joseph and ,mary will be praised by the ages that abhor the ivory houses of pleasure of the great and fallen king4 ,the story of that home life at ,nazareth has not been written1 and we must gather it from fragments and eloquent silence4 ,mary's jewels as a wife were unostentatiously treasured within the four walls of her domicile4 ,the devastating tornado leaves enduring1 though hateful history2 but the constant1 man-blessing tides of the ocean come and go without having their recurring blessings recorded4 ,so the constant1 loyal1 patient woman of ,nazareth passed noiselessly by in her day4 ,her exclamation to the ,angel of the ,annunciation1 #8,behold the handmaid of the ,lord1 be it unto me according to thy word1' was the keynote of that life ever enhanced by the beauty of duty4 ,there was submission to right because it was righteous4 ,and this was not mere passiveness4 ,you remember how she challenged her ,son in ,his early youth1 that time ,he was absent for a season from ,his parents1 at first without explanation8 ,the words ,mary spoke that day burn like polished gems when considered aright3 #8,why hast thou dealt thus with us8 ,behold1 thy father and ,i have sought thee1 sorrowing4' ,she did not forget her ,son's divine origin1 but exalted the rights of motherhood and fatherhood1 confident that even ,deity could not ignore them4 ,she challenged the right of a son to cause parental sorrow without instant strong reason for so doing4 ,she put her husband's cause before her own1 and made his honor her sacred wifely trust4 ,there are in this history some very fine things expressed by implication4 ,we know the woman was beautiful and much younger than her husband2 the disparity of years did not hinder full affinity4 ,she did not fall into the weakness of feeling self-sufficient and all-complacent because feeling pretty4 ,all she was and all she had was centred in her consort as a commonwealth between him and her4 ,that the sycophant and flatterer crossed her path there can be no doubt2 but she who was not intoxicated by ,bethlehem's gloria in excelsis could not be dazzled by the honeyed words of mortals4 ,wearing such a wife on his heart1 ,joseph was rich indeed4 ,silence is once more eloquent4 ,we know that the mother of ,jesus1 having been widowed1 never wed again4 ,her first love suffered no eclipse4 ,that she was courted1 after her spouse's death1 we must believe4 ,the mother of a ,son so famous as was hers1 and the possessor of personal charms enshrining a soul that knew how to utilize sorrows until they became refinements1 doubtless had many suitors in her widowhood days4 ,and there was no law forbidding her a second marriage1 except the unwritten law of fine sentiment2 but to the ,queen of the ,house of ,david the law of fine sentiment was all-controlling4 ,all her heart was filled with love for her husband1 her ,son and her ,savior4 ,when her consort died1 the niche in her heart that he occupied1 the only part with room for conjugal love1 became a shrine4 ,its door was sealed then until the final resurrection4 ,where such constancy exists there is certainty of pure homes4 ,sanctity1 chastity and faithfulness were the lights of the temple1 dedicated to the mythical ,juno1 within whose precincts no impure woman was suffered to enter4 ,to-day ,i claim for the ,true ,ideal all that was accorded the mythical one40 ,when the speaker paused1 some of the men present broke forth1 as was the custom in the synagogue service1 with an 8,amen10 and some exclaimed 8,rabbi1 thine are good words for our women to hear60 ,the ,hospitaler's black eyes flashed2 a hint of retort of lightning-like directness to come4 ,and it came1 instantly3 8,i shall fail of my duty if ,i give all to one-half4 ,i shall fail of my intent if my words seem like railings at the sex most tender1 most burdened4 ,since we are treating of the weeds of the mourners1 let us question why it is that widowers more frequently seek remarriage than do widows4 ,the bereaved man easily says3 #8,get me another wife4' ,the bereaved woman more frequently says3 #8,let me hurry on heavenward after my only and ever beloved4' 8,with the true woman marriage is a committal so utter that it is difficult for her1 generally1 to make it more than once4 ,again me thinks that marriage brings the graver1 heavier loads to women4 ,once experienced1 there is need of a mighty love to allure her to a second trial4 ,the man rises by self-assertion1 and wedlock does not hinder him4 ,with the woman wedlock means self-denial2 her name changes1 her career is merged into that of her consort2 her body is given1 literally1 to the new beings she bears4 ,to woman marriage has no parallel1 except death4 ,her only possible compensation is love1 and that she should receive with measures knowing no stint4 ,oh1 men1 all fair to other men1 all merciful to the beasts that toil1 all prudent in keeping in motion1 by day and by night1 the water-wheels in your orange and mulberry groves1 be fair and merciful to your consorts4 ,yea1 and evermore water with love's most grateful refreshments the bearing vines whose tendrils intwine your hearts1 whose fruits enrich your homes4 ,this is religion2 what is less is heresy1 and he who deals unkindly1 cruelly or niggardly with his other self1 can not face ,god4 ,the prayers of such are hindered and like unto a tree whose leaves are storm-stripped4 ,you know the race1 by birth1 comes forth in two sexes1 of equal numbers1 a hint of ,god's plan to have mankind live as pairs2 but the men are a constant majority4 ,why8 ,i answer that1 notwithstanding the perils falling upon the sterner sex1 by exposure1 by war1 and all such things1 the trials falling to woman's lot work the greater havoc1 keeping her sex in huge majority in the places of the dead4 ,now you praise me1 because ,i've told your women to be like the glorious ,mary8 ,praise me again for telling them1 as ,i do this instant1 to be like her in choice of consorts4 ,if they can not find ,josephs to begin with1 ,god grant to make the men they have like the choice spouse who fell to ,mary's lot60 ,the ,hospitaler paused for a moment2 there was a wave of excitement1 very near to applause1 running over the audience4 ,the bride and the groom1 together with all the women present1 by their faces expressed their delight4 ,the men who had exclaimed at the first1 looked blank and kept silent now4 ,abruptly1 as before1 again the knight spoke3 8,i'll touch now another pertinent theme--,mary under the shadows of scandal6 ,i'd exalt her as one having sounded the depths of woman's misery1 and yet preserving her integrity4 ,i know that some here will think themselves offended1 since it's the fashion so to think when listening to discourse such as ,i now intend4 ,society1 more prudish than sincere or wise1 has demanded that the burning1 scarlet1 social wrong be spoken of only by scrupulous hint1 half words and reserves1 at least among decent and happy folks4 ,for once1 as ,god's accredited ambassador1 ,i'll change all this1 and by ,purity's earthly throne1 the marriage altar1 denounce the crime of crimes1 the blasting curse of all mankind4 ,let him that's conscious of his own impurity mince words4 ,i'll not6 ,jehovah might have brought forth the ,christ without subjecting ,nazareth's ,virgin to the painful necessity of being doubted4 ,it was as ,he decreed and wisely ordered4 ,the happening was not because ,deity was frustrated1 but because ,he knew that she whose example was to be woman's inspiration1 could be so more surely1 if her career took her along all lines of woman's needs4 ,there was a time when almost all who knew ,mary doubted her integrity2 a time when her name was banded about by the rous of her native place2 a time when even her betrothed was resolving to renounce1 if not to denounce her4 ,first ,i'd speak of how impurity is abhorred of ,god1 and then of ,his wondrous effort to allure those lost by it1 as evinced in sending out after them the two lambs--the ,eternal ,lamb and the lamb-like woman4 8,to say that they whose trend is toward things unclean are abhorred of ,god is to re-echo the edicts of nature and history4 ,they say whenever a sin is committed a devil is created to avenge it4 ,what legions avenge this sin which1 most of all1 brutalizes man and turns all social relations into anarchy6 ,ask your men of science4 ,they will tell you that all the evils flesh is heir to seem to get their seeds herein4 ,immortal revenge haunts it6 ,you know1 how in the ,christian's holy book1 it is affirmed that many sicken and die because partaking of the cup of the holy communion unworthily4 ,presumptuous hypocrisy thus meets the wrath which paralyzed ,uzzah and ,jeroboam4 ,but the cup of the passion was love's highest gift1 and the offense is not against the cup but against love in its sublimest display4 ,therefore forever death is the penalty that overhangs those who outrage this finest gem of angels and mortals4 ,treason to love is suicidal as well as murderous6 ,they say that there is a demon whose touch causes hideous1 coiling1 stinging serpents to grow from the bodies of those he touches4 ,i'll tell you his name--,lasciviousness1 and he works fatefully wherever man abides4 ,but the pure home is an invincible bulwark against him1 and hymen's torch his blinding horror40 ,there were some of the knight's auditors1 both men and women1 who felt it their duty1 because of custom1 to affect disapproval of the free speaking they heard4 ,of these dissenters the women uttered no word1 but their eyes glared1 and the color went and came in their cheeks4 ,the disapproving men exhibited faces as hard as marble1 while their lips mumbled incoherently4 ,the knight was not slow to perceive the rising storm1 but he was undaunted4 ,he waxed more earnest and more eloquent2 his words and theme inflamed him4 ,one favorable to his faithfulness remarked to a comrade3 8,the ,hospitaler seems to grow taller1 as if filled and enlarged by an inspiration40 ,his face shone as that of ,moses when bearing the law1 and some cowered as if they heard coming toward them1 from afar1 the rumblings of ,sinai4 ,some white souls present wept1 moved more by the truth in its beauty and power than they could have been by any play on their emotions4 ,it was an hour of true oratory's triumph2 logic set on fire2 a consecrated herald grappling awful sin with the power of omnipotence4 ,presently1 after the thunder and lightning1 came 8the still1 small voice40 ,the man of ,god spoke with loving persuasiveness2 he healed with words1 the woundings truth had made4 ,then he carried his audience with him4 ,many bowed their heads to weep1 as trees beaten by winds that carried rain6 8,we can all entreat fallen men as to most sins1 why not as to the chief sins8 ,we speak to the fathers1 brothers and sons faithfully1 pleadingly2 why not to the women who are elect to companion creation's lords8 ,alas1 the women have the greater need of helpful admonition1 when they fall1 for revilings and black despair fill up the cup of their remorse6 ,you have heard of the ,feast of ,lanterns among the ,chinese8 ,those pagans1 once a year1 go out with many-colored lights to symbolize ,mercy seeking lost daughters4 ,shall ,god's choicest people fall behind the pagan8 ,never1 if true to the noble1 tender1 pure spirit that emanates from ,god's own ideal of womanhood4 ,no1 no6 let us vow with unwonted zeal1 amid the lights1 lessons and joys of this hour1 to be knights of new order2 knights of the white cross2 sworn to denounce all impure practices on our own part1 and on the other hand to strive to allure the fallen to that that is clean and white as the souls of the angels which do excel6 ,let us go to those whom sin has made drunk1 in their despairing4 ,let us tell them that doubt castles are stormed6 ,let us proclaim the seed of the woman the serpent's destroyer6 ,go1 women to women1 in woman's name1 remembering that pity in the soul makes him or her that hath it successful suppliant for all mercies at the throne on which forever the ,interceding ,son of the ,virgin reigns6 ,go1 fathers1 making your fatherhood godlike in its just tenderness6 ,go1 brothers1 sons of women1 as pure1 strong brothers indeed6 ,there is many a scarlet woman to-day with scalded eyes and ashen heart who is so because she believed men brothers and fathers and found some wolves and vultures4 ,go to those who have all days as nights1 all joys as apples of ,sodom4 ,they were not always so1 and need not so continue4 ,do not belittle their sin1 yet seek to allure them by a noble presentment of purity and by all encouragement to attempt to win back their lost crowns4 ,tell them of the woman that stood serenely amid bitterest scorns1 and say as did her ,son to one like them3 #8,go1 and sin no more4' ,then teach those who have no such blot upon them to be kind and helpful4 ,we can never judge any soul's guilt until we at last know the measure of the temptation6 ,god alone knows that4 8,i could speak on this theme for hours2 but this is enough6 ,the story of ,mary has somehow ever had peculiar efficacy with the blighted of her sex4 ,they easily are led1 when all men fail them1 to dare to trust the ,one who had a mother so tender4 ,many a motherless outcast has found ,christ in trying to find mother-love in ,mary4 ,after the phantasmagoria of illusive pleasure it is healing1 through faith in ,god's exemplified love1 to dream of how it seems to have a real mother's arms enfolding one4 ,i hold that it is profitable to the impure man1 sometimes looking within the ,pantheon of memory1 to find therein conceptions he treasured in his purer days2 but with more determined assertion ,i find that it lifts up the soiled woman to come in contact with the girdle of power and crown jewels of that maiden and mother of ,nazareth and ,bethlehem4 ,it was she that stood against imperial ,rome1 in the person of ,herod2 a chaste young ,jewess against corsleted animality2 a country maiden1 heaven-endowed1 against an old fox2 the loyal mother-eagle against the python6 ,but she that was simply good evaded1 outran1 soared above1 and finally confounded the evil at its lowest dip1 its highest power60 ,then the orator-knight1 waving his hand to ,cornelius to signify to him that the missioner was to conclude the ceremonial1 abruptly closed his address and retired to one of the little alcove-chapels4 ,a simple espousal service followed1 and then the company gathered dispersed1 going to join in hastily-arranged festivities in the park by the temple4 ,the ,hospitaler and the missioners were auditors4 8,nourahmal1 ,i can well believe1 was a rare beauty2 her grand-child has her features1 and she's a vision40 8,what time my friend here1 the ,hospitaler1 did not engage me ,i was admiring the groom10 ,miriamne responded to her husband4 8,he hails from the ,jabbock country10 remarked the knight4 8,jabbock8 ,faithful ,ichabod's native place80 exclaimed ,miriamne4 8,he was the groom's uncle10 quoth the knight4 ,then the trio were silent1 the thoughts of each following back over the past years and along ,god's providences4 ,the way life's lines were crossed1 interwoven and entangled seemed to each very wonderful4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,,the ,,queen',s ,,vision ,,of ,,the 8,,age ,,of ,,gold ,,and ,,fire40 8,oh1 moist eyes1 ,and hurrying lips and heaving heart6 ,the world we've come to late is swollen hard ,with perishing generations and their sins2 ,the civilizer's spade grinds horribly ,on dead men's bones1 and can not turn up soil1 ,that's otherwise than fetid4 ,all successes ,prove partial failure4444 444 ,all governments1 some wrong2 ,the rich men make the poor who curse the rich1 ,who agonize together1 rich and poor1 ,under and over in the social spasm4 444 ,who being man and human1 can stand calmly by ,and view these things1 and never tease his soul ,for some great cure40--,,mrs4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,browning3 8,aurora ,leigh40 8,they went up into an upper room1 ,with the woman and ,mary the mother of ,jesus40 8,many signs and wonders were done4 ,all that believed had all things common40--,,acts4 8,i'm anxious for the coming of the people to-day2 ,beulah said1 a week ago1 at her wedding1 that she'd have the old ,druse camel-driver at this service2 though he ran away from her marriage feast40 8,i've heard that she and her grandmother had a convert to our faith1 nearly ripe10 replied ,cornelius to his wife4 ,at this instant one of the 8,bethany ,sisters0 timidly approached the speakers1 evidently anxious to deliver some communication4 8',tis #8,brightness' by name and by nature10 remarked ,miriamne4 8,well1 sister ,ziha1 what is it80 questioned the chaplain4 8,pardon me2 but there is waiting without1 a grave and taciturn man who says he would speak with the #8,prophetess4' ,he means our ,miriamne40 8,of what flavor is he1 ,ziha80 8,surely1 ,i can not imagine1 sister ,miriamne6 ,his countenance is that of a ,persian ,jew2 his turban is ,turkish2 his tunic ,christian4 ,but his bearing is that of a prince1 though all his belongings1 except his gorgeously dressed camel1 are those of a beggar60 8,i'll see him1 ,ziha2 bid him enter10 exclaimed ,miriamne4 8,that ,i did2 but he says his haste is too great and his limbs too stiff for dismounting4 ,in truth1 his brow1 bleached to the bone1 tells of weighty years40 8,let's go to him10 said the chaplain4 ,the missioners going forth1 at the easterly side of their temple1 were confronted by a majestic figure1 mounted on a splendidly caparisoned white camel1 evidently a borrowed one4 8,ullah makum10 8,god be with you10 said the man on the camel with great courtliness and dignity1 at the same time extending to the chaplain a parchment roll4 8,this for me80 questioned the latter4 8,for thee10 replied the rider1 bowing as before1 but looking past the question with fixed1 though reverent1 gaze at ,miriamne4 8,but who are you80 again questions the chaplain4 8,god knows10 was the sententious reply of the rider1 his eyes still turning1 not with curiosity1 but with a deferential and affectionate interest1 toward the chaplain's wife4 8,what message here1 my father80 questioned again ,cornelius1 in the language of ,galilee4 ,the aged man's dark face lightened at the words1 and turning his reverent gaze from ,miriamne toward the questioner1 he slowly responded3 8,the #8,angels of the ,mount' are not too proud to call a poor camel driver #8my father8' ,age has respect here6 ,i might have known this3 ,nourahmal is full of the odors of this new ,bethany60 8,and do you come from ,nourahmal80 quickly interrogated ,miriamne4 8,nourahmal and ,i are one1 by the voice of ,god spoken through the holy ,hospitaler1 who is alluring me daily from the secret faiths of my fathers to learn the prayers that ,nourahmal learns here40 8,i see10 continued ,miriamne2 8,i speak with ,nourahmal's consort4 ,pray dismount for refreshment4 ,we bid you every welcome1 ,mahmood40 8,mahmood6 called by such fine people by my proper name2 not #8dog' or #8here you1' or #8old camel goad6' ,wonderful60 8,will ,nourahmal's spouse dismount80 8,blessed woman1 ,i've had great refreshment in being thus permitted to see thee face to face1 and thank thee and thine for what thou hast done for me and mine2 but ,i can not tarry2 old age and poverty have bargained to make constant toil my master4 ,i must keep moving or the swifter youths will take away my master and leave me to hire out to starvation20 so saying1 the speaker smote his camel and the beast moved away1 slowly1 along the road toward ,jerusalem4 ,cornelius1 recovering himself from his meditations1 called after the departing ,druse4 8,what of this parchment80 8,the ,hospitaler sent it6 ,he said it would talk with #8the ,angels of the ,mount4'0 ,the camel driver had stopped his beast to say this much4 ,for a moment he looked at the missioners1 then at their temple and its surroundings4 ,there was a world of questioning1 and wonder1 and yearning in the old man's countenance4 ,again his goad fell on the beast he rode and the latter bore him along4 8,shall we meet again1 father80 ,cornelius called after him4 8,stay master work6 ,go master want6 ',till good shade ,death takes to the cool rest-land the holy ,hospitaler1 the ,angels of the ,mount1 my ,nourahmal1 and may be me2 even me the poor1 old1 camel-driver1 ,mahmood60 was the slow reply as the ,druse departed4 ,a turn in the road soon shut him from view4 8,well1 my spouse1 ,miriamne1 our new ,bethany sees strange visitants these days10 remarked her husband4 8,the mystic ,druse is finding something that is finer than the creeds of his mountain clans10 rejoined ,miriamne4 8,be not too certain2 those ,highlanders of ,palestine are ever politic2 they'll quote the ,koran to one of ,islam1 kiss the ,bible in the company of ,christians2 but once alone are ,druse to the last40 8,that is their character2 but we've a transforming gospel2 no man as old as he and companion of such advocates of the ,white ,kingdom as the ,hospitaler and ,nourahmal1 could talk as did that old man to kill time or conventionally4--,but you do not study your parchment40 ,cornelius1 recalled by ,miriamne's words1 unfolded the document given him by the camel-driver1 and read aloud3 8,my son and my daughter3 ,greeting2 the streams of gospel blessing rising in the springs of your mountain temple reach refreshingly even unto ,jerusalem1 as ,i daily perceive4 ,therefore1 for your consolation and for the enkindling of your pious zeal1 ,i herewith send these lines4 ,work onward1 beloved1 believing1 hoping you have arrived at the dawn of a new revelation and well commenced a true work for ,god4 ,to-day1 as ,i sought to interpret ,his prophecies1 it came to me that that you are attempting to do is nigh to being a fulfillment of ,his word as recorded in the manner following by ,ezekiel3 8,then the glory of the ,lord departed from off the threshold of the house1 and stood over the cherubim4 8,and the cherubim lifted up their wings1 and mounted up from the earth in my sight3 when they went out1 the wheels also were beside them1 and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the ,lord's house2 and the glory of the ,god of ,israel was over them above4 8,the word of the ,lord came unto me1 saying3 8,thus saith the ,lord ,god3 ,i will assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered1 and ,i will give you the land of ,israel4 8,and they shall come thither1 and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations4 8,and ,i will give them one heart1 and ,i will put a new spirit within1 and ,i will take the stony heart4 8,that they may walk in my statutes1 and keep mine ordinances1 and they shall be my people1 and ,i will be their ,god4 8,then did the cherubim lift up their wings1 and the glory of the ,god of ,israel was over them above4 8,and the glory of the ,lord went up from the midst of the city1 and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city4 8,these solemn words tell how the glory and favor of ,god was driven from the people of old by their sinning2 how slowly1 yearningly1 ,god departed2 how in every land ,he provide little sanctuaries for the faithful few4 ,and more than all this1 the ,holy ,word describes ,god in ,spirit as pausing on the mount to the east of ,jerusalem4 ,that pausing place was your ,olivet4 ,the ,jewish ,rabbins in their sacred histories affirm that for three years ,god1 in manifest form1 tarried1 near where your ,temple of ,allegory stands1 repeating over and over the solemn call1 #8,return unto me1 and ,i will return unto you6' ,beloved1 since then the eternal voice1 through ,jesus ,christ1 has spoken through three ministering years from these mountains to the world4 ,you are now re-echoing the cry4 ,god be with you1 as ,he is1 and give you faith to call and call until the ascended ,christ come into all hearts40 8,no name to his letter1 as usual80 remarked the chaplain4 8,he seems to loathe names almost2 but recently1 when ,i made bold to ask him his1 he sententiously observed1 #8,god knows2 'tis in a white stone1 ,i'm to get2 for this life ,i'm only remembered by what ,i've done4' ,but what engages my husband's attention now80 8,i'm trying to interpret the picture yonder1 over the door1 to the retreat you call the #8,mother's ,pillow4'0 8,what think you of it8 ,you perceive it's the legend of the mother pelican feeding her famishing young with blood drawn from her own bosom1 which she has wounded for their food40 8,i think the picture likely to depress nervous mothers60 8,that's a picture of one side of mother life2 look beyond it40 ,at that the light from a distant window was let fall1 by some unseen attendant1 all about the entrance to the 8,mother's ,pillow60 8,i see a splendid #8,gabriel' above the pelican2 the angel's hand points upward40 8,glorious ,gabriel6 ,angel of mothers and victories1 by interpretation1 #8,god's champion6' ,you've heard his titles1 ,cornelius80 8,i know that he bore victory to ,gideon and lightened the way for ,daniel's conquest of all ,babylon2 nor do ,i forget that he was the angel which comforted giant ,samson's mother before her child was born40 8,yea1 he that made the sign of the cross1 doing wondrously1 above the smoke of ,monoah's altar1 was after commissioned to greet and guide ,mary1 the mother of the ,giant ,king of the new dispensation40 8,you've fine insights1 ,miriamne1 but there's incompleteness in your symbolism here40 8,true1 ,i feel that2 all interpretation of motherhood is inadequate2 but look further40 8,i see the #8,queen of ,mothers6' ,why have you left her and the babe in such deep shadows80 8,that's this life's reality2 but look higher40 ,the chaplain complied2 a vine trellis was swung aside1 and he beheld1 above the shadowed picture1 in an arch reaching nearly to the roof of the temple1 another1 the latter a marvel of light and color4 8,glorified ,mary1 uplifted by the babe1 now grown and ,kingly60 exclaimed the chaplain4 8,and so is taught for mothers' comfort1 that the ,son of ,god honored her who bore ,him1 because she was to ,him a true mother4 ,may we not believe that this love for ,mary1 in the ,god heart1 is widened into peculiar tenderness toward all who give the earth its lords and paradise its elect through the crucifixions of maternity80 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 ,i've learned in the past to stand1 as it were1 with bared head1 all reverential in the presence of true motherhood2 when ,i see it strengthened by faith1 enriched by suffering2 the most entrancing example of self-abnegation on earth6 ,to-day ,i feel1 if possible1 in these surroundings1 a deeper reverence than ever1 for that estate of woman4 ,say on40 8,paganism worshiped the sun1 the earth1 woman2 whatever brought forth2 it was its best attempt at expressing a vaguely realized yet noble sentiment4 ,the religions that repudiated paganism1 in their efforts to extirpate all idolatry1 went to the extreme of denying merited honor to some most worthy4 ,then came the ,christian revolution1 and ,god turned all eyes toward a pure woman4 ,he proclaimed forever the honors of motherhood by presenting through it to the world ,his ,unspeakable ,gift40 8,so heaven's last appeal to our race1 after ,sinai's thunders and the rapt visions of the prophets became ineffective1 was made by the eloquence of the life of the silent ,mary40 8,well said6 ,now filled with that belief1 herald the ,white ,kingdom60 8,i'll help ,miriamne1 encouraging1 upholding her2 for the rest ,i've learned to lean and follow40 8,i'm a column of dust1 not a pillar of fire2 and dust1 alas1 to dust returns4 ,there is much to do here1 more than ,i shall be able to compass4 ,i've hitherto but vaguely taught the meaning1 power and blessings of motherhood40 8,i think more than vaguely40 8,the sun rises in the east4 ,i think we've sunrise1 but the depth1 height and breadth have not been sounded nor measured yet4 ,shall we go toward the west wing80 8,yea1 lead1 though ,i'm charmed in this presence40 8,i'd lead to the #8,rest of the ,aged4'0 8,to the retreat with door like a castle8 ,what are those amazon forms in armor80 8,the ,peri80 8,i bid them welcome in ,miriamne's name1 having learned that she is serious as well as cunning in weaving the manna-bearing garlands of every myth about her ideals4 ,say on40 8,they say there is beneath the ,caucasian mountains a wondrous city builded of pearls and precious stones1 in which dwells a race of surpassing beauty of person4 ,i've utilized the tradition40 8,oh1 the fabled ,peri2 but ,i'm mystified40 8,they also say10 continued ,miriamne1 8that ,dives1 a wicked genus1 wages constant war against the ,peri1 hoping to possess the treasures of the ,peri capital1 but that they successfully repel him and make their happiness secure4 ,i have a similitude of the ,peri city40 8,in truth1 ,i wonder now4 ,what fitness for such an allegory here80 8,i think ,i have come near to a profound truth4 ,listen2 here at the west1 ,i have planned to show what makes approaching age a terror40 8,there are many evils which fall upon man's declining years40 8,judge me if my philosophy is faulty4 ,i see ever that the fear of being left poor and also old here haunts most lives4 ,this fear is the parent of avarice1 and avarice is a serpent of glowing head and deadly sting4 ,it robs society and individuals of the two choicest jewels1 plenteous benevolence and serene hopefulness4 ,you will find that most of the wrongs from man to man arise from hearts made cruel by the rigors of avariciousness4 ,if we could stay that master passion1 all streams of benevolence would rise to their flood1 and hoarding1 now a seeming necessity1 most frequently a curse1 become the occupation solely of a few monomaniacs40 8,miriamne's philosophy is as invulnerable as a knight's hauberk1 but how can you make it a general practice80 8,oh1 very easily4 ,i've planned to endow our ,temple of ,allegory so that it may not only teach but also do beautiful things4 ,i'd have it a ,pool of ,bethesda1 stirred continuously to meet every human need40 8,miriamne will have a vast following2 the masses believe in loaves and fishes60 8,true1 avarice prompts some to a mean faith1 but ,i seek to slay avarice and blast the love of money1 that root of all evil40 8#8,enthusiast6' a gainsaying world will cry40 8,and the cry of the world will be then1 as often before1 a burning lie6 ,so be it4 ,i'm holding up the truth1 the royal truth of ,christianity4 ,i'll hold it up while ,i have breath1 and leave that truth1 if ,god gives me grace1 as the beacon light on our hill to glow until all ,christendom puts on a charity as multiform and broad as the needs of humanity40 8,but there is a large and needy world40 8,i have a rich ,father2 the earth is ,his and the fullness thereof4 ,the only difficulty is in securing from ,his stewards an accounting and a beginning of payment40 8,this1 ,miriamne1 sounds like the dream of a poet4 ,i'll not waken you from your beautiful trance1 but still the rough fates of life as it is1 and the very common commonplace confront us40 8,what a world this would be if all mankind was as one family1 realizing universal brotherhood60 8,this1 too1 is the dream of the poet1 ,socialism2 ,astarte's devotees practiced it in the past40 8,now1 ,i'll say silence6 ,you speak of heathen socialism4 ,whatever its form1 lust was its corner stone1 and a barbarous selfishness1 which limited it to those of each tribe or clan1 its best expression6 ,i speak of a vastly finer1 grander creed6 ,i look out and forward to a day when all shall know the ,lord2 a day when law shall be love and love shall be law4 ,then earth shall be an ,eden1 with plenty for all1 such plenty as ,divine bounty bestows4 ,christianity means the bringing in of that day2 the #8,precious ,gift' was an earnest of all needed gifts from on high4 ,when that day comes we shall understand why the ,pentecostal fire came to all hearts in the time when all worshipers were thanking the ,all-,giver for the bounties of the harvest4 ,then avarice shall cease from the earth1 and men1 no more harassed by it1 learn to practice all bountifulness in youth and mid-life1 and also serene restfulness when their powers of bread-winning are paralyzed by the burdens of years4 ,all will be noble1 therefore none indolent4 ,there will be no beggars1 for charity will run before want1 ever glad to serve those that can not serve themselves4 ,then those who wear the glory-crowns of gray will be nourished reverently and gladly1 not as if they were useless paupers2 not with a niggardly service which seems to be constantly saying1 #8,how long are you going to live6' ,there will be no more worriment1 no more crowdings of each other1 no more dishonesty among men6 ,it is1 ,i say1 the constant fear of coming1 in the day when the heart is beating the last strokes of its own funeral march1 to doled charity or to nothing1 that makes men pile up gain in dishonor and hoard it with miserly grasping4 ,do you remember that ,mary returned from ministering to ,elizabeth to sing her #8,magnificat' with these prophetic strains3 8#8,his mercy is on them that fear ,him from generation to generation4 ,he hath filled the hungry with good things4 ,he hath holpen ,his servant ,israel4' 8,from the song she went to humble1 painful ministries in behalf of all the world4 ,mary supplemented the wondrous work of her ,son and ,king1 all the way bearing as best she could her part of ,his cross2 all the way her quivering heart pierced by the sword that finally slew ,him4 ,she saw ,his bloody tears turning to crown jewels as ,he ascended from ,olivet1 and with unfaltering faith knelt among ,his earthly followers that she with them might receive her crown of flame4 ,that room was the highest point of outlook on earth4 ,it was the place of supreme beneficence2 the place where ,god gave ,himself up freely for ,his followers and established the memorial-superlative of the ages4 ,thither they hasted that they might learn how all-receiving comes from all-giving1 that they might realize the measure and splendor of perfect charity1 which is perfect love40 8,miriamne1 whence do you get such wondrous insights80 ,then the young wife turned aside to her 8own little mountain10 as she called a secret praying place in the chapel4 ,she quickly returned1 and handing a manuscript to ,cornelius1 said3 8,read1 please1 of ,pentecost40 ,he complied3 8,then they that gladly received ,his word were baptized2 and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls4 8,and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship1 and in breaking of bread and in prayers4 8,and fear came upon every soul1 and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles4 8,and all that believed were together1 and had all things common2 8,and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men1 as every man had need4 8,and they1 continuing daily with one accord in the temple1 and breaking bread from house to house1 did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart1 8,praising ,god1 and having favor with all the people4 ,and the ,lord added to the church daily such as should be saved40 ,,chapter ,,xli4 ,a ,,chime ,,and ,a ,,dirge ,,at ,,christmas ,,time4 8,oh1 not alone1 because his name is ,christ2 ,oh1 not alone1 because ,judea waits ,this man-child for her ,king--the star stands still6 ,its glory reinstates1 ,beyond humiliation's utmost ill1 ,on peerless throne which she alone can fill1 ,each earthly woman6 ,motherhood is priced ,of ,god1 at price no man may dare ,to lessen or misunderstand4 444 ,the crown of purest purity revealed ,virginity eternal1 signed and sealed ,upon all motherhood40--,,helen ,,hunt4 8,in sorrow thou shalt bring forth40--,gen4 iii4 #af4 8,thou shalt be saved in child-bearing40--,tim4 ii4 #ae4 ,hundreds of willing hands1 directed by ,miriamne1 were engaged in preparations for fitly celebrating the feast of the ,nativity at ,bethany4 ,there was cheerful expectation everywhere in the village1 and the ,temple of ,allegory was smiling and glowing by day and by night with flowers and lights4 8,miriamne1 look forth6 ,there approaches our domicile a company of singing maidens1 wearing holly wreaths and bearing a kline6 ,what can it mean80 ,an instant of wonderment ready to echo the chaplain's question possessed ,miriamne1 then with a glow of satisfaction on her pale face1 she cried3 8,i know it all6 ,the maidens of our fraternity have been declaring for a month past they'd have me this ,christmas at our ,temple on the ,hill1 if they must needs carry me thither60 8,and they knew you were drooping8 ,who told them8 ,not ,i40 8,love has quick eyes1 and my sisters love indeed6 8,but1 ,miriamne1 you surely will not risk your life1 so precious to all1 by going forth to-day80 8,the holly1 over-canopying the couch they bear1 says to me3 #8,yea1 go4' ,i told them the secret of the holly1 and how those ancient ,romans1 thinking their deities largely sylvan1 cherished this shrub1 so persistently evergreen1 in the belief that it afforded a safe and certain abiding place for their gods in bitter1 biting days of winter4 ,the maidens remember their lesson40 ,and shortly after1 all went forth toward the temple1 the physically weak but spiritually strong woman borne by her followers in a sort of triumph1 and ,cornelius leading2 the latter1 that day was one of the happiest1 proudest men in all ,syria4 ,he rejoiced and exulted in being companion of a woman such as ,miriamne was4 ,miriamne entered the temple to find a vast congregation awaiting her4 ,there was a ripple of excitement1 a deep murmuring of satisfied voices almost reaching the proportion of a masculine outbreak of applause1 as she appeared4 ,contentment was depicted on all faces1 on many real happiness4 ,neither was it transitory2 there was a throbbing of gladness running back and forth1 rising higher and higher1 until it finally broke out into an impromptu 8,gloria in excelsis60 ,then followed a scripture lesson3 8,and ,ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women1 and all that could hear with understanding1 upon the first day of the seventh month4 8,and he read therein before the street that was before the water-gate from the morning until midday1 before the men and the women1 and those that could understand2 and the ears of the people were attentive unto the book of the law40 ,and now the attention of all was drawn to the sound of footsteps in the throbbings of a march1 keeping time to the tones of the organ and the flourishings of cymbals4 ,nigh an hundred ,syrian maidens1 wearing girdles and crowns of evergreen1 moved with graceful evolutions from the temple's east entrance and quickly formed in a crescent nigh to ,cornelius and ,miriamne4 ,they paused in their progress but still kept time with their feet and swinging cymbals4 ,then the crescent was broken2 those in the center standing in lines that made a cross2 those at either end grouping as stars4 8,sisters1 we'd hear the fitting song of this day10 said ,miriamne4 ,forthwith the gathered company of garlanded maidens began to retire1 but in perfect order1 the two star groups passing along as the company making the cross went1 so preserving the form of the tableau1 until the exits were reached4 ,as the procession went forth the temple bell tolled solemnly1 and the maidens sang1 accompanied by organ-notes which died away finally like the sigh of tired waves on a beaten strand4 ,cornelius was silent1 though his eyes were like the eyes of a child awakened from a dream of wonderland4 ,miriamne penetrating his thoughts remarked3 8,is ,cornelius weary of questioning80 8,i listen as to autumn winds in a scared flight through weeping forests1 instead of to ,christmas exultations60 8,the singers are of my #8,miriamne ,band1' as they call themselves1 in honor of the sister of ,moses1 ,israel's greatest law giver40 8,methinks all here are mystics in thought and poets in expression60 8,then so was ,god4 ,we are but reproducing ,his lessons6 ,remember now how the ,egyptian ,pharaoh once commanded that all the male children of his ,israelitish captives be put to death1 to the intent that eventually all the females should become the prey of his people40 8,miriamne journeys far from ,bethlehem40 8,the mother and the sister watched the ark in which the infant ,moses was given to the cruel mercies of the ,nile40 8,i remember1 but there come no carols from the bullrushes40 8,yea1 finer than from the reeds of ,pan4 ,listen2 the ark1 emblem of ,god's covenant1 carried the law4 ,the mother and sisters1 by the ministries of a love which never faltered1 frustrated wily ,egypt1 saved themselves1 their male companions1 and finally their whole race4 ,when ,god embalms a history it is well to look into it for germs of mighty portent40 8,but thinking of this distant and bitter history1 we are kept from ,bethlehem1 ,miriamne40 8,so the ,red ,sea and the wilderness preceded the ,promised ,land4 ,you remember there were fears and tears before ,miriam and her mother saw their babe safely adopted at the palace2 so there were pains and toils to ,mary along the way from ,bethlehem's manger to ,bethany's mount of ,ascension40 ,the words of ,miriamne were broken off by a strain of the organ that was very like a moan of the distressed4 8,look yonder60 ,the chaplain did as bidden1 following a motion of his wife's hand1 and saw the folds of a huge black curtain slowly rising from in front of one of the temple alcoves4 8,woman's sorrow is tardily lifted60 exclaimed his wife2 then there came to his ears words of human voices1 which were joining in the almost human-like moanings of the organ2 8,in ,rama was there a voice heard2 ,lamentation and weeping and great mourning2 ,rachel weeping for her children1 ,and would not be comforted1 ,because they are not40 8,rachel and funeral dirges seem still distant from the songs of the angels in ,judea60 8,rachel is here likened to ,mary by the ,apostle ,matthew40 8,i liken ,rachel to ,miriamne3 for the former ,jacob served fourteen years which1 for the love he bore her1 seemed but a few days4 ,cornelius could have done as much for ,miriamne40 8,my knightly spouse goes from ,bethlehem himself toward ,bethany4 ,go back now40 8,i listen2 lead me40 8,at ,rama1 the site of the tomb of ,mary's son1 the converted publican1 ,st4 ,matthew1 told how death began its cruel hunt of the ,virgin's loved ,child at ,his very cradle4 ,sorrow envies joy2 death battles life1 and ever more woman's love1 the choicest rose of life1 has been crossed by the destroyer of human happiness2 that is human hatings40 8,but how is ,rachel so like ,mary80 8,a common agony and common needs make all women akin40 8,i accord great homage to the woman who taught one so selfish1 gnarled and rugged of soul as ,jacob was to love so deeply1 as he was taught to love by her1 and yet almost infinitely ,i separate her from our ,rose and ,queen40 8,rachel died a martyr in maternity and therefore is worthy of place among the regal women of earth4 ,she was one of that line of women who gave their lives for others4 ,the line survives1 and suffers through the years2 all-worthy1 but not fully honored4 ,saint ,matthew touched an all-responsive chord when he voiced the ,divine pity for all motherhood1 by placing the sorrows of ,rachel and of ,mary side by side4 ,the plain man unconsciously soars to the plane of the prophets and poets when he is moved by human need or ,divine justice40 8,the lesson is irresistible1 but still ,i'm waiting for the celestial melodies that awakened the shepherd the night of the ,nativity60 8,my partner shall get by giving4 ,here is a parchment given me years ago to read for my mother's consolation after the death of my brothers4 ,read it1 thou1 to the matrons and maidens when the chantings cease40 ,after a time there was silence6 the hush of expectation1 for that gathering was wont at times to wait for words of blessing from the missioners1 as the hart for the rivulet at the beginnings of the rain4 8,read60 whispered ,miriamne1 8but not as the tragedian6 ,read as a father and lover1 both in one40 ,the young man complied1 and these were the words of the parchment3 8,there was a man named ,jehoikim who1 impressed of ,god thereto1 offered a lamb in sacrifice4 ,as he slew it his heart was touched with tenderness1 and he would have staid his hand1 but ,god gave him strength to perform the command4 ,after this a daughter1 called ,mary1 was born to him4 ,whenever he looked upon her gentle face he remembered the bleating lamb1 and was certain that some way his child was to be a sacrifice to ,god4 ,and it was so2 for she bore a ,son to whom she gave all the wealth of a mother's love1 but at last ,he was offered for man's sin upon a felon's cross1 the agony ,he felt reaching the heart of his mother4 ,as the ,son gave ,himself up for the world1 so she gave herself up for her ,son4 ,she was sustained through it all by a conscience void of offense1 and by the ministry of angels4 ,alone to the world1 she had no solitude1 for though her espousal to ,god had no human witness1 even as ,eve's to ,adam had none1 and both were inexperienced1 ,god was at her nuptials1 as ,he is ever with those who purely give themselves to ,him40 ,then the wife wept and was silent4 8,my darling1 what so moves you8 ,i've never experienced such a ,christmas4 ,you make the feast as solemn as the holy supper40 ,there came no answer2 but ere the husband could turn to seek a reason it came in a cry from the audience1 and a thronging from all directions toward where the missioners were4 8,miriamne has fallen60 8',tis a swoon80 8,no1 'tis death60 ,there were surgings back and forth1 voices suggesting helps1 voices filled with stifled sobs1 and voices of fright in the trebles of hysteria4 ,the sick woman was borne by strong men to her domicile1 and then began the tension of waiting4 ,the young chaplain was entering the valley of poignant pains by sympathy's pathway1 bound by that mystic chain whose links are in the words3 8,these twain shall be one flesh40 ,herein is a mystery often repeated2 the man's grief was supplemented by a consciousness of vague pains passing along unseen lines from the woman to himself4 ,slowly ,miriamne recovered consciousness2 but still she hovered on the confines of woman's supreme hour1 the hour when great fear haunts great hopes1 great weakness yields to miraculous influxes of power1 and great joy1 in company with unutterable yearnings1 moves along under the shadows and by the gulfs of greatest perils4 ,about her gathered a group of matrons of her sisterhood1 pressing to serve their beloved4 ,one whispered to another3 8,her face is unearthly1 like ,mary's as we saw it in the #8,assumption' to-day40 ,the one that heard the words answered with a sob4 ,the voice of pain called the drooping woman quickly from her semi-stupor to ministry1 and opening her eyes she tenderly murmured to the woman that sobbed1 8,remember what he said3 #8,women of ,jerusalem1 weep not for me2 but weep for yourselves and children4' ,if ,i go 'twill be all well2 yes1 by ,his grace1 all well with me4 ,let all your pity follow the pilgrims of our sex who tarry to painfully journey through years of trial1 unrequited40 ,a little later ,cornelius was hastily summoned by one that sought him1 from the shadows of an arch of the roof1 whither he had gone for a few moments' solitude1 in which to plead1 as only can a man who writhes in the fear of having his life torn in two4 8,miriamne asks for her husband40 ,he heard the words and was by his consort's side instantly4 ,her eyes were closed1 but taking her pale hand tenderly in his he impressed a kiss on her brow4 ,she opened her eyes full upon him1 with a gaze of undying love4 8,you kissed my brow1 the first kiss as a lover4 ,then you said it was given in the spirit of reverential admiration4 ,has marriage ever changed the thought80 8,never60 8,if ,i should leave you1 do you think you could tell others how to love so80 8,oh1 ,i can1 surely2 if ,i can do any thing1 alone60 ,and then came to him the silence of a dumb grief4 ,she saw his agony and pitied him1 yet serenely she spoke3 8,go onward1 beloved1 in the way of the prophet's vision2 the power of ,christ be with you2 the life of ,mary is an open book2 speak to1 work for those most needing1 then will you have your constant ,pentecost with the ever present #8,grail4'0 ,cornelius pressed the hand he held tenderly2 he could not speak4 8,repeat to me the beautiful words concerning the ,harvest ,feast which you heard out of ,moses at the service that so blessed you at ,jerusalem10 she continued again4 ,then1 mastering his voice1 he complied3 8,and thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the ,lord thy ,god with a tribute of a freewill-offering of thine hand1 which thou shalt give unto the ,lord thy ,god1 according as the ,lord thy ,god hath blessed thee3 8,and thou shalt rejoice before the ,lord thy ,god1 thou1 and thy son1 and thy daughter1 and thy manservant1 and thy maidservant1 and the ,levite that is within thy gates1 and the stranger1 and the fatherless1 and the widow1 that are among you1 in the place which the ,lord thy ,god hath chosen to place ,his name there40 ,when he finished the words he hid his face in his hands4 8,thou art weary1 my good master10 spoke a ,jewish mother present4 8,go now and rest4 ,i'll watch40 ,quickly1 gently1 firmly he waved her away1 as one unwittingly trying to draw him from the gates of heaven4 8,it is not usual10 she persisted1 8for a man to serve this way2 then thou hast other and more important duties1 our holy missioner60 ,he found voice to speak1 and needed to restrain himself from indignant tone4 ,it seemed as if it were impiety now1 so great his love1 to speak of any duty as higher than that he had toward this one woman1 more to him than all the world beside4 8,no2 if ,i were on the cross she would be there1 another ,mary2 if ,i am now in torture ,i'd be no ,christian if ,i did not emulate ,him who1 amid crucial agonies1 between two worlds1 cried as inmost thought of ,his heart1 #8,behold thy ,mother6'0 ,he felt ,miriamne's hand pressing his1 and drawing him closer to herself4 8,cornelius1 ,i'm leaning now as never before upon my husband's loyal heart60 ,it seemed to the man as if she were nigh to crying3 8,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me60 and as if to answer his own thought he exclaimed3 8,he will be ,father1 ,i as a mother1 ,miriamne1 my ,miriamne60 ,grief had made him an interpreter4 ,it was as he thought1 the heart of the young woman1 woman-like1 had been groping about for mother-love4 ,memory had been busy1 but had sent the heart of the woman back from groping amid the graves of ,bozrah all weary1 to nestle and rest on the breast of him that gave mother-love1 and promised all else that loyal heart ere gave4 ,but all was not gloomful2 the clouds were shot through and tinted by some light-rays4 8,what if our forebodings prove untrue80 ,hope's question was as a north wind to a desert noon4 ,once the man bashfully questioned his spouse1 with broken sentence that was half signs4 8,does ,miriamne feel aught of reproach toward the great love1 seemingly not far from utter selfishness1 which enchanted to this peril80 8,could ,madonna reproach ,god when she felt the heart-piercing sword8 ,to ,him she submitted1 no less do ,i in doing and suffering as ,he wills60 ,it has been said a woman's heart is complex1 but this one's was not now4 ,it lay open1 as a book1 before her lover-husband4 ,he saw no idol there but himself4 ,had there ever been hidden remembrance of some girlish love1 some secret scar left by a romance1 both burning and brief1 it would have been opened or effaced now4 ,as she beheld her consort1 this time more loved1 if possible1 than ever before1 knightly1 courtly and tender1 alert and strong to help1 lavish in caressing1 she not only felt conquered1 but filled with desire to surrender to the uttermost2 for she joyed to place this man on the throne of her being next after ,god1 supremely lord over all4 ,so together they moved amid the flowers of ,beulah-land1 under the glorious lights of married love4 ,she all compensated for the pangs the trying hour brought2 he thrilled1 as he ascended higher and higher from lover love to husband love1 to that holy delight that comes to a man beginning to feel fatherhood1 the gift of the woman his heart has enthroned4 ,for a little time both were too happy to speak1 so they let their thoughts wing their way upward to the eternities where hopes eternally blossom4 ,she presently signaled him to draw close to her1 then his clasped hands lay on her heart1 and their lips met4 ,she said nothing1 yet by a sign-language well understood by each1 plainly entreated him to tell her over and over1 more and more1 his inmost thought1 that her heart knew full well already4 ,she heard his heart's beatings1 then she whispered3 8,don't be anxious2 all is well1 for all is as ,he that loves us wills40 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 ,i loved you never as now2 ,god bless you6 bless you6 bless you60 ,she interrupted him again4 8,the crisis is coming1 and ,i thought perhaps ,i might not survive1 ,cornelius1 but if ,i do not--0 ,her words were silenced by an impassioned kiss4 ,she continued1 8,i dreamed1 last night1 that ,i saw the shadow of a cross1 but on it a woman's form40 8,oh1 beloved1 do not think of it60 8,i do4 ,i must6 ,i understand it all40 ,pity now silenced her4 8,oh1 ,miriamne60 he cried anon1 as he saw her descending into the vale of agony1 from which he could not hold her back4 ,he dare say no more4 ,he feared to voice his thoughts1 lest his fears become ponderous and huge1 once they found escape in the garb of words4 ,just past midnight the dispatched courier arrived1 bringing twain of the most-skilled physicians of ,jerusalem4 ,cornelius watched them with an interest beyond words4 ,his heart sank down and down again1 as he saw them in serious consultation4 ,unable to restrain himself1 he seized the elder1 and drawing him hastily aside1 demanded an opinion4 ,the grave old man only shook his head1 saying3 8,we may save one40 8,one8 ,one6 8,which8 ,what80 8,young man1 be quiet2 do not let thy emotions disturb the patient or the nurses4 ,prepare for the worst40 ,the husband seized the wrinkled hand of the aged practitioner1 and then flung it from him1 crying3 8,it must not be6 ,it shall not be60 ,instantly he rushed toward the couch1 but the two men of healing intercepted him4 ,then the elder one said3 8,we must be obeyed1 or else we will give no commands6 ,shall we go or stay80 ,what a revulsion came6 ,it seemed to ,cornelius as if these two men of skill were angels1 and flinging his arms about them1 he hoarsely whispered3 8,save1 save6 ,stay and save6 ,all ,i have ,i give you1 only save her60 ,quietly they led him to the adjoining apartment2 then charged him1 as he hoped for any good to his wife1 not to re-enter her chamber until sent for4 ,reluctantly he consented1 not daring to do otherwise and yet believing in his very soul that in this hour of peril the bestowment of love's caresses on the invalid would be better than any skill of the stranger4 ,he withdrew to the arch on the roof1 where unmolested he could pray4 ,but his meditations were full of miserable sights4 ,he thought of the ,egyptians in their feats of ,osiris1 leading to sacrifice the heifer draped in black2 then of ,rizpah defending her relatives2 then of the monument in ,bozrah1 with the mother holding her dead ,son4 ,he thought1 amid the latter meditations1 of himself creeping about that monument1 in the night1 until he came to another1 on which he deciphered the name1 8,miriamne40 ,the imagination gave him a shock1 and he gave way to it exhausted4 ,an hour or so after he was awakened from a sort of stupor by the younger of the physicians1 who1 standing by his side1 addressed him3 8,sir ,priest1 thou mayst come now2 but as thy profession teaches1 nerve thyself to confront any fate1 good or ill40 8,how's my wife80 exclaimed the stricken man1 leaping from his couch and approaching the speaker1 that he might devour with his eyes the thought of the one he questioned4 ,the emotionless features of the man accustomed to confront human suffering softened a little to pity4 ,the quick eye of the missioner discerned the change1 then he cried3 8,what1 dead60 8,no2 if thou wilt but control thyself1 thou mayst see her for a little while2 there'll be a change soon40 ,the man of healing had done and said his best1 but that was bad enough4 ,he had tried to comfort1 but the exigencies were beyond human powers4 8,a change soon60 ,hard1 mocking words4 ,apology for bad news6 ,stepping-stone to saying the worst is at hand2 words so often used by the man of healing when his art is defeated6 ,how like a funeral knell breaking the heart has come1 again and again1 to tingling ears those terrible sounds3 8,in--a--little--while--there'll--be--a- -change60 ,cornelius felt all their stunning force1 and was instantly by the side of ,miriamne4 ,what a change met his hungry eyes6 ,the fever had died away2 fever1 that blast from the shores of ,death's ocean1 had passed1 because there was nothing longer for it to attack4 ,the tide was ebbing4 ,she lay silent1 pale and haggard2 motionless1 except as to a feeble breathing4 ,the husband would have encircled her with his arms4 ,it was love's impulse1 but science1 the men of healing1 restrained him4 ,there was a little wail just then1 and he glanced around with a look of joy4 ,the nurse had brought the babe close to him1 turning away her own face to hide her tears1 but holding the little one out as if trying to say3 8,this shall compensate40 ,then again the grief-stricken man turned to the physicians and whispered1 in a half-fierce1 half-terrified way3 8,she'll live--she'll be better now40 ,the aged man1 slowly adjusting the paraphernalia of his profession preparatory to departure1 replied3 8,few survive the ,csarean section4 ,it was a dire necessity40 8,lord1 behold whom ,thou lovest is sick10 moaned the young chaplain1 as he knelt by the couch and buried his face in its disordered covering4 ,so the tide of life ebbed at midnight1 leaving a stranded wreck at ,bethany1 and the ,christmas chimes turned to dirges4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4 ,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,sorrows ,,triumphant ,,at ,,last ,are we not kings8 ,both night and day4 ,from early unto late1 ,about our bed1 about our way1 ,a guard of angels wait6 ,and so we watch and work and pray ,in more than royal state4 ,are we not more8 ,out life shall be ,immortal and divine2 ,the nature ,,mary gave to ,,thee1 ,dear ,,jesus1 still is ,,thine2 ,adoring1 in ,,thy heart ,i see ,such blood as beats in mine4--,a4 ,a4 ,,proctor4 ,hundreds were assembled within the 8,temple of ,allegory10 and other hundreds1 unable to effect an entrance1 tarried around about it4 ,the knell of ,miriamne1 the ,angel of the ,mount1 had called the vast congregation together from ,bethany1 from the country round about and from the ,city of ,jerusalem4 ,there were many signs of subdued sorrow1 but the intensive expression of grief common in the ,east was absent2 neither was there any of the paganish blackness1 which sometimes characterizes ,christians' funerals1 manifest4 ,though ,miriamne was dead1 her sweet1 trustful1 cheerful spirit still survived and still ruled4 ,the knights of ,jerusalem1 led by the ,hospitaler1 were present1 the latter to direct the services1 by request generally extended4 ,after a 8grail0 song by his companions1 and at its last words1 8,i shall be satisfied when ,i awake in ,his likeness10 the ,hospitaler began discoursing4 8,men and women1 death1 the leveler1 makes us all akin2 therefore all of us feel impoverished by the departure of the angel who shone upon us here from the form that lies yonder4 ,miriamne ,woelfkin1 daughter of a knight1 consort of a ,gospel herald1 devoted friend of womankind1 disciple of ,jesus1 was gifted with almost prophetic insight and power of alluring unsurpassed in our day4 ,hers was the power of a burning heart entranced of a superb ideal1 and therefore was it the power of immortal influence4 ,she will live not more truly in the life she died to give than in the lives she lived to save4 ,she was an unique woman1 but only so because of her superior womanliness4 ,being dead1 she reaches the reward generally denied the living1 full appreciation4 ,her career was in part a parallel of her choice exemplar's4 ,you have heard how the ,mother of our ,lord sung her #8,magnificat' out of a heart as free as a girl's1 yet as proud as that of a woman's glowing in the prospect of honoring maternity4 ,but the last note of her rapture died on her lips full soon1 and she never after in this life rose to such measure of joy4 ,god permitted her life to pass through a series of suppressions and griefs1 doubtless that she might exemplify the sad side of woman's career4 ,the histories of women1 mostly written by men1 are marred by the conceits of their writers1 and are at best but obscure pictures4 ,the man with the pen lacks insight as to the being1 whose life is so largely an expression of heart and soul4 ,the lordly writer clothes his heroes in the light of his fevered imagination1 depicting with bold stroke the mighty deeds of stalwartness2 but he sees few heroines in his horizon4 ,those he does see are beyond his power of analysis4 ,he falls to actual worship of his masculine demi-gods1 perhaps as a partial atonement for his failings toward the fine and noble characters whose traits are too spiritual for his thought-limits or vocabularies4 ,the generality of those who discourse concerning women1 do it in a patronizing way1 and feel to praise themselves as paragons in doing justice in this1 even by halves4 ,the queenship of ,mary is constantly disputed1 and so her lot is more closely linked with that of her sex4 ,as she received the royal gifts of the ,magi1 holding them as a sacred trust for ,him to whom her life was utterly devoted1 so woman1 the bearer and nurse of the race1 gives all that she has without stint to others4 ,her life is a suppression2 all bestowing2 her reward the joy she has in the lavishness of her bestowals4 ,hers is the joy of the fountain that sings because it flows4 8,but recently ye saw the ,jewish priests deposit on his mount1 after a custom constant since ,moses1 the ashes of the red heifer4 ,they burned their sacrifice with red wood4 ,red pointed to the blood that can only atone for sin4 ,but underneath all lies a deep lesson4 ',twas the female instead of the male thus offered1 and her ashes gave potency to the waters of purification4 ,i read this hidden truth3 the sacrifices of the gentler sex work out the purification of the race4 ,as the moss in the heart of the stone1 ,i see this truth lying in the heart of the ceremonial6 ,as ,christ's cross precedes the cleansing of regeneration1 so woman's cross is the means by which the decays of life are offset by new created beings4 ,by the bier of the wondrous comforter of others1 ,i may surely appeal to those who hear me and loved her to seek with quickened ardor to offer the pain-assuaging myrrhs to those grand souls who go along the way to life's crucial glories4 ,i'd have such justice done as would cause all women to cease pitying themselves because they are such1 and go about rejoicing that ,god gave them the superlative privileges of womanhood40 ,there came forth a loud cry1 with moanings1 from the part of the temple1 called the 8,mother's ,pillow10 where the honored dead lay4 8,miriamne1 oh1 ,miriamne1 you brought me through ,gethsemane to your ,calvary60 ,a silence almost oppressive fell on the assembly4 ,it was the silence of a pity too deep for words4 ,then spake the ,hospitaler1 in words as invigorating as a herald of ,god's should be1 and yet as soothing as a mother's to her child in pain3 8,christ1 who loved the young man who was very good and yet not perfect1 loves thee1 for ,he is unchanging in ,his mercy4 ,hear me1 an old man1 stricken with the years that have schooled1 and one who has experienced the bitterness of widowerhood after loyal1 full loving4 ,god's hand is on thee4 ,he is schooling thee to carry on the work begun by thy wondrous consort now asleep40 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 ,miriamne6 alone in the dark1 ,i move through ,gethsemane toward thy ,calvary60 ,again the silence of pity was broken by the voice of the knight4 8,remember how ,david of the ,white ,kingdom was called and furnished for his kingship4 #8,he chose ,david1 also1 ,his servant1 and took him from the sheep folds1 from following the ewes great with young4 ,he brought him to feed ,jacob1 ,his people1 and ,israel1 ,his inheritance4' 8,missioner-shepherd1 ,god calls thee to a ministry of love1 for those whose trials thou hast now been taught1 in part1 to measure4 ,you have heard how ,hadadrimmon1 the fabled god of the harvest1 ever comes1 bearing sheaves1 with tears4 8,thus speaks the prophet3 8#8,in that day shall there be a great mourning in ,jerusalem1 as the mourning of ,hadadrimmon4 8#8,and the land shall mourn1 every family apart2 the family of the house of ,david apart1 and their wives apart4' 8,young man1 ,god is giving thee a crown in ,david's royal line4 8,once more ,i turn to her who was thy ,miriamne's exemplar and queen4 ,let me tell you all of the last hours of ,mary1 that you may find instructive parallels4 ,i'll read from my treasured book of traditions3 8,after the ascension of ,jesus1 our ,mary dwelt in the house of ,john upon ,mount of ,olives1 and she spent her last days in visiting places which had been hallowed by her ,divine ,son2 not as seeking the living among the dead1 but for consolation and for remembrance and that she might perform works of charity4 8,in the twenty-second year after the ascension of the ,lord1 she was filled with an inexpressible longing to be with her ,son2 and1 lo1 an angel appearing with the salutation1 #8,hail1 ,mary1 ,i bring thee a palm-branch1 gathered in paradise2 command that it be carried before thy bier1 for thou shalt enter where thy son awaits thee4' ,and ,mary prayed that it be permitted that the apostles1 now widely scattered under their great commission to gospel the world1 be gathered about her dying couch2 also that her soul be not affrighted in the passage through the pale realm of death4 ,the angel departed2 the palm-branch beside her shed light like stars from every leaf2 the house was filled with splendor1 and angel voices chanted the celestial canticles4 ,the ,holy ,spirit caught up ,john as he was preaching at ,ephesus1 and ,peter1 offering sacrifice at ,rome1 and ,paul1 from his place of labor1 ,thomas1 from ,india1 while ,matthew and ,james were summoned from afar4 ,after these were called1 ,philip1 ,andrew1 ,luke1 ,simon1 ,mark and ,bartholemew were awakened from their sleep of death4 ,these holy ones were carried to the ,virgin's home on clouds bright as the morning1 and angels and powers gathered round about in multitudes4 ,there were ,gabriel and ,michael close beside her1 fanning her with their wings1 which never cease their loving motions4 ,that night a supernal perfume of ravishing delightsomeness filled the house1 and immediately ,jesus1 with an innumerable company of patriarchs and holy ones1 the elect of ,god1 approached the dying mother4 ,and ,jesus stretched out ,his hand in benediction as ,he did when ascending from the world1 long before at ,bethany4 ,then ,mary tenderly took the hand and kissed it1 saying3 #8,i bow before the hand that made heaven and earth4 ,oh1 ,lord1 take me to ,thyself6' ,thereupon ,christ said1 #8,arise1 my beloved2 come unto me4' #8,my heart is ready1' she replied2 a few moments after3 #8,lord1 unto thy hands ,i commend my spirit4' ,then having gently closed her eyes1 the holy ,virgin expired without a malady2 simply of consuming love1 permitted now by the loving ,creator to melt the golden cord binding spirit to body4 ,and triumphantly amid mourners who rejoiced exceedingly in spirit1 the body of this ,queen of the ,house of ,david was entombed amid the solemn cedars and olive trees of ,gethsemane4 ,now1 this happened upon the day that the true ,ark of the ,covenant was placed in the eternal temple of the new heavenly ,jerusalem1 as they say2 and the saying is good1 for surely1 in her heart1 this saintly woman kept the law2 the divine manna as well4 ,even more1 she was the fulfillment of ,god's covenant that a woman should bear the masterers of sin40 ,the speaker then knelt2 all heads were bowed2 he spread out his hands as in benediction1 but spoke not4 ,yet all in the silence were blessed1 for the manifestation of ,christ was there4 ,after the benediction the companion knights chanted an old grail psalm1 repeating again and again the stately words3 8,i am the resurrection and the life40 ,as they sang their eyes were turned upward in a rapture as of men who saw a glorious appearing2 and indeed they had a vision of splendor2 but they saw it within1 not without4 8,there are angels hovering round10 reverently whispered ,mahmood to his camel4 ,he was too full to keep silent2 too distrustful of his wisdom to confide his thoughts to a human being4 ,but the thought of the old ,druse was as exalted as that of the ,hospitaler1 for the latter exclaimed1 as the congregation slowly moved out to the strains of the organ3 8,methinks ,i hear the beatings of mighty wings6 ,not far away is ,gabriel1 the #8angel of mothers' and of victories6 ,yea1 verily1 ,i believe that the spirits of ,adolphus1 ,rizpah1 ,sir ,charleroy and ,ichabod are ministering nigh us60 ,many looked up through their tears fixedly1 as if they felt what the knight had said in their souls4 ,then they laid the body of ,miriamne in a new-made tomb nigh the ,garden of ,olives1 not far from the burial-place of ,mary the mother of ,jesus4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4 ,a ,,coffin ,,full ,,of ,,flowers ,,and ,a ,,girdle ,,with ,,wings4 8,behold thy mother60--,,jesus ,,to ,,john4 ,two travelers journeyed slowly along ,mount ,olivet1 pausing anon to observe the flower-dells between them and ,mount ,zion1 or to contemplate the wilder prospects where the wilderness of ,judea edged close up to the hills they traversed4 ,as the travelers passed1 the natives looked after them with curiosity2 for the garments of the former1 though dust-covered1 were those of personages above the ranks of the common people2 also of a fashion that betokened them strangers in that vicinity4 ,one of these men was a youth1 stalwart and comely2 the other was gray-haired and bent as if by the weight of years1 though a closer view suggested premature blasting1 rather than senile decline4 8,winfred1 before entering ,bethany1 we'll to the #8,hill of ,solomon1' the site of ,chemosh1 the black image of the ,roman ,saturn40 ,thereupon the twain turned away from the village and soon came upon a company of revelers1 each wearing a crown of autumn fruits1 and all gathered about a platform crowded with hilarious dancers4 8,saturnalia60 exclaimed the elder4 8,the worship of ,saturn ceased ages ago1 did it not80 8,of the image1 yes2 but the folly1 little changed1 continues40 8,this is strange enough2 and yet it's a relief to meet a few happy people in this land of solemn faces2 even if those happy ones do joy like fools40 8,they celebrate the passing of summer-heat and the coming of the rains of autumn4 ,say not fools2 they are trying to be glad about something good1 somehow coming from some one somewhere above them4 ,perhaps ,god can resolve scraps of thanksgiving out of it all40 8,theirs is the laughter of wine6 the laughter of the goat-god1 ,pan1 whose face scared his mother and whose voice scared the gods60 8,we've a persistent custom here1 son2 and men do not play the fool for generations after one manner1 at least1 without cause4 8,these attempt to press into the court of ,pleasure to cajole her2 all men do that2 these have chosen merely an old way4 ,they cling to the myth of ,saturn1 the subduer of the ,titan of fiction4 ,they say that deity1 dethroned in the god-world1 fled to ,italy1 where he gave happiness and plenty through life1 and the freedom of air and earth after death1 which latter he made to be only a little sleep40 8,that was not more than a mock golden-age2 it never came1 ,i think40 8,but very alluring to those that long for it2 they dance half-naked1 typifying the primitive times when men had fewer cares1 because fewer wants40 8,can one laugh hard fates out of countenance1 and make his troubles run with a guffaw80 8,the devotees of ,saturn were wont to offer their children in his altar-fires1 and so ever more it happens2 he that bends to the materialistic solely1 kindles altar-fires for his posterity40 8,after to-day what comes to these1 peace80 8,nay1 a year all dark and colorless2 then another spasm called a feast--a brief lightning-flash revealing the darkness40 8,and so the years come and go2 one generation of madmen1 then another2 death the only variety80 8,nay6 ,i'd have you look upon pleasure of sense deified1 taking its pleasures under the shadows of ,chemosh1 for a purpose4 ,you remember we read together1 under the palms at ,babylon1 how the holy ,daniel saw in vision the four winds of heaven striving on the sea80 8,i remember the prophet's reverie or revel40 8,the four winds and the sea6 the meaning1 opened1 is conflict on every hand on earth6 ,out of the follies and turmoils ,david's ,white ,kingdom will emerge at last4 ,listen to the words of the inspired seer3 8#8,behold one like the ,son of ,man6 ,there was given ,him a dominion and a glory that all people should serve ,him2 an everlasting dominion6' 8,it is coming2 my poor faith1 amid the conflicts and revels of man1 hears the voice of ,god crying through the night1 as in ,eden's dark hour3 #8,where art thou8' ,my last lesson to my son awaits us at ,bethany2 let's be going40 ,ere long ,cornelius ,woelfkin and his son ,winfred stood silently1 and with uncovered heads1 before1 but a little apart from1 a stately marble shaft that rose up amid the olive trees of ,gethsemane4 ,it was night1 and they were alone4 ,the father motioned the son back1 and alone glided under the shadowing trees1 toward the pillar4 ,there the elder one threw himself down on the earth1 close beside the monument2 the youth1 deeply moved1 but unwilling to intrude upon the scene of sacred1 silent grief1 stood aloof4 ,in a small way1 there was a repetition of the grief of the ,man of ,sorrows1 who there1 ages before1 yearned in ,his humanity over a lost world1 over those from whom ,his heart was soon to part for life4 ,to be sure1 the cross of ,cornelius ,woelfkin was infinitely less galling1 less heavy than that borne by his ,master2 and yet it was as heavy as he could bear1 and hence the pitifulness of his grief4 ,who can lift the curtain from his thoughts8 ,the years roll back and memory's pictures pass through his brain1 at first in joyful train4 ,the lovers in ,london2 the betrothal at sea2 the wedding at ,jerusalem2 the ecstatic consummation in years of marriage4 ,then the painful1 almost awful separation by death1 that never to be forgotten ,christmas time4 ,and then1 twenty years with leaden feet carrying the lone-hearted man so painfully slow toward death's portals1 for which he longed with unutterable yearning4 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 ,miriamne1 let me come10 he cried4 ,the youth1 hearing the agonized utterings1 was instantly by his father's side4 ,but the old man1 still oblivious to all but his sorrow and his memories1 moaned on with deepening fervor4 8,father10 called out the son4 ,the father rose to his feet and calmly said3 8,my boy1 pity me4 ,i'm weak4 ,but oh1 you never knew what it is to have your life sawn in twain and be compelled then to drag your half and lacerated being along the over-clouded vales of an undesired existence60 8,my mother's tomb80 8,yes4 ,i promised1 as my last service to you1 to bring you to it4 ,its study shall be the finish of your schooling40 ,just then the clouds broke away and the moonlight fell full upon the monument4 ,it was a shaft1 terminating in a crucifix2 by its side were two forms1 one that of ,st4 ,john1 with face turned toward the figure of the dying ,savior2 the other that of a woman kneeling1 her face buried in her hands4 ,on the base of the cross was the brief sentence3 8,behold thy mother40 ,as the youth gazed on the farewell charge of ,jesus to ,john1 when ,he commended to the care of that beloved disciple ,his sorrowing mother1 he started4 ,it seemed as if the words had grown out of the marble suddenly while he was gazing1 and for himself only4 ,he felt as if he could almost embrace the stone4 ,the two men were silent and heart full4 ,after a long time1 they simultaneously turned away toward ,bethany4 ,they came to a turn in the road that would shut out all view of the garden of sorrow1 and the elder paused1 loath to leave the place where his heart was buried4 ,presently he spoke again1 as if unconscious of any other being with him3 8,oh1 ,miriamne1 ,i failed to carry out the work thou left'st me6 ,how could ,i1 alone8 ,i was but half a man without thee1 my other self6 ,miriamne1 ,miriamne1 ,i can be only nothing when ,i can not be with thee40 ,then the old man lifted his hands as in benediction or embrace1 and continued3 8,farewell1 a last farewell1 sweet1 white soul1 until upon the tearless1 healing shores of light ,i say good morning60 ,there was a mighty pathos in the display of this old1 ripe1 strong grief1 which lived on a love that could not die4 ,the man was a study4 ,he was of fine fibre1 almost effeminate1 never firm1 except in his affection for that one woman4 ,that was the one strong trend1 the one anchorage of his life4 ,he need not study the man far1 who strove to know him1 to discover that this tenacity was not natural to him always4 ,it had been a growth under the influence of the peerless wife4 8,shall we go on80 after a little asked the son4 ,with a shudder and a suppressed sob the elder moved on1 but with laggard step1 which soon paused4 ,just now1 the moon being beclouded1 it was very dark about them1 and the father reached out his hand and drew the youth to his embrace4 ,he whispered3 8,winfred1 son of ,miriamne1 you bear her image in your face1 bear it ever in heart1 as well4 ,i'm glad you're not so like me40 ,the son tried to speak1 but the elder interrupted3 8,you'll ere long be fatherless as well as motherless1 but take your mother for your guiding-star4 ,you know what your birth cost her4 ,by her death you obtained life1 as by the ,christ's1 immortality4 ,she saved others1 she could not save herself2 but if you're true to her memory she'll have a mother's immortality1 that life that lives in the life of her child40 99 99 99 99 99 ,let us gather up the last threads of our story4 ,after the death of ,miriamne1 the 8,sisters of ,bethany0 soon ceased to congregate at the 8,house of ,bethesda10 in the city on ,olivet4 ,cornelius ,woelfkin attempted for a time to carry forward the work of the mission1 but1 utterly miserable himself1 he did not know how to bestow comfort on others2 a man1 without the intimate companionship of the woman who had been his inspirer1 he had no discernment of the needs of woman1 nor power to interpret the truths that were in the ,book or in nature1 those garners of manna4 ,the ,hospitaler was sent for as an aid4 ,he came but once1 and then spoke as kindly as he could to the women of ,bethany and ,jerusalem1 and took his farewell of them all1 in closing words like these3 8,the blessed ,miriamne1 child of ,jesus1 and emulator of ,mary1 has passed away1 but ,christ her ,comforter and ,savior may be such to each of you1 that wills ,mary's example1 as the inspiration of all women1 can never die4 ,the world has been a battle-ground1 and each of you can here see over the whole field of conflict4 ,shall all pleasures be found under the leadership of ,bacchus and ,venus1 or in ,him that is the ,god of ,joy8 ,shall woman echo the passions of man or the #8,magnificat' of ,mary8 ,shall the strength that man seeks be that of the giants1 brute force2 the strength of woman be1 in her youth the bewitchings of personal beauty1 in old age the cunning of the witch-hag8 ,shall it not rather be in the girdle of her moral worth8 8,the world needs to seek and find love1 beauty and light4 ,some go after it1 vainly1 as did the ,egyptian devotees of ,phallic ,khem2 to whom1 with pitiful incongruity1 were offered rampant goats and bulls1 decorated with most delicate flowers4 ,they called ,khem the #8,god of births1' the #8beautiful ,god1' but we know to put mothers on the throne as the beautiful2 their flowers1 their jewels1 their glories being their offspring6 8,women of ,jerusalem1 never forget the ,savior's own words to the women that envied ,his mother1 crying that the one that bore ,him and nursed ,him was therefore peculiarly blessed6 ,his reply was3 #8,,yea1 ,,rather ,,blessed ,,are ,,they ,,that ,,hear ,,the ,,word ,,of ,,god ,,and ,,keep ,,it4'0 ,then the ,hospitaler1 bending his eyes upon the pale-faced1 widowed missioner1 continued3 8,i'll tell thee a tradition of our ,lord's mother4 ,doubting ,thomas1 laggard because doubting1 came late to the burial-place of ,mary4 ,he begged to have her coffin opened1 that once more he might gaze on the face of his ,savior's mother4 ,it was done4 ,but there seemed to be nothing in that coffin except lilies and roses1 luxuriously blooming4 ,then1 looking up1 he saw the spirit of the woman #8soaring heavenward in a glory of light4' ,but as she soared1 she threw down to him her girdle4 ,here is a beautiful parable4 ,the graves of the holy are to memory full of the ever-blooming roses of love and the lilies of purity4 ,if we may not have them we loved with us always1 we may have the virtues with which they engirdled themselves1 for our conflicts40 ,the ,hospitaler paused1 cast a glance of yearning tenderness upon the assembled women and the heart-stricken ,cornelius2 then exclaimed3 8,long partings are painful4 ,farewell60 ,he glided away ere any could clasp his hand4 ,not long after this event the ,sheik of ,jerusalem1 ,azrael's putative son1 raided ,bethany1 razing the 8,temple of ,allegory0 to the earth4 ,he was maddened because1 after the disappearance of the ,hospitaler1 there came to him no stipend to buy immunity for the 8,bethesda ,house0 of the 8,sisters of ,bethany40 ,he despoiled it1 hoping to find a treasure therein1 but though there was in and about the place a great wealth1 it was all beyond his grasp or ken1 for he knew naught of the worth or power of precious truths and precious memories4 ,cornelius1 after this1 taking his infant son1 soon departed from ,syria4 ,his dream of evangelizing the world and the great designs of ,miriamne faded from his hopes1 as the vision of universal empire has faded often from the hopes of dying conquerors4 ,for years he devoted himself to being father and mother to his child4 ,at last we behold him1 as in the foregoing pages1 looking toward sunset4 ,he stands finally in ,bethany1 his dismantled home and ,miriamne's ruined temple not far away1 her tomb close at hand1 himself like the fragment of a wreck2 altogether presenting a sad1 dramatic tableau4 ,he stands there as the last of the new 8,grail ,knights10 the last of those who in his time were devoted to the new grail quest4 ,it was ,saturnalia-time1 and it was night4 8,,virgin ,,and ,,mother ,,of ,,our ,,dear ,,redeemer 444 ,,if ,,our ,,faith ,,had ,,given ,,us ,,nothing ,,more ,,than ,,this ,,example ,,of ,,all ,,womanhood1 ,,so ,,mild1 ,,so ,,strong1 ,,so ,,good1 ,,so ,,patient1 ,,peaceful1 ,,loyal1 ,,loving1 ,,pure1 ,,this ,,were ,,enough ,,to ,,prove ,,it ,,higher ,,and ,,truer ,,than ,,all ,,the ,,creeds ,,the ,,world ,,had ,,known ,,before40 ,,henry ,w4 ,,longfellow4 ,,footnotes #a ,jamison4 #b ,the ,magnificat4