In this disorder came before mine eyes A tender boy, in radiant robes arrayed, As one beholds the Hebrew priests attired. My sunken spirits rallied at the vision; But when recovering from my deadly trouble, His sweetness, noble air, and modesty I was admiring, all at once I felt A homicidal steel, plunged by the traitor Deep through my breast.--Of objects so diverse The strange assemblage, seems to you perhaps A work of chance; and I myself, at times, Shamed of my fears, have thought it but the effect Of sombre melancholy; but my soul, Possessed by this remembrance, in my sleep, Has twice beheld that spectre terrible: Twice my sad eyes have had upon them traced The picture of that boy always prepared To spring on me. At length, quite wearied out, With horrors that pursued me, unto Baal I went to ask protection for my life, And at his altars look for some repose: What cannot terror do in mortal mind? An instinct forced me to the Jewish temple, And I conceived the thought to appease their God: Some offerings, I believed, would calm His rage, And make that God, whate'er He be, more gentle. Pontiff of Baal excuse my feebleness! I entered; but the sacrifices ceased, The people fled; the high-priest furiously Rushed towards me; whilst he spake, O terrible surprise! I saw that selfsame child, my menacer, Such as my frightful dream had fashioned him. I saw him; even his air, his linen garb, His gait, his eyes, his lineaments entire: It was himself. He walked beside the high-priest: But soon they caused him to avoid my sight. This is the trouble that arrests me here, And touching which I long to question both. Mathan, what does this prodigy forebode? {MATHAN.} This dream, and this resemblance seem to me Quite terrible. {ATHALIAH.} But, Abner, have you seen that fatal boy? What is he? Of what blood, and of what tribe? {ABNER.} Two children at the altar lend their service: The one is Joad's, his mother, Josabet; The other is unknown to me. {MATHAN.} But why Deliberate, Madam, must not both be seized? You know my moderation, and regard For Joad, and that I do not seek revenge For injuries; that equity alone In all my counsels is the ruling virtue. But after all, even were it his own child, Could he one moment let the culprit live? {ABNER.} What is the crime for which the boy is fitted? {MATHAN.} Heaven's shown him with a weapon in his hand. Heaven, just' and wise, does nothing fruitlessly. What do you seek for more? {ABNER.} But on the strength Of a mere dream urge you that we should plunge Our hands into the blood of blossoming youth? You know not yet his father, who he is.