{MATHAN.} He stirs our fears; that comprehends the whole. If of illustrious parents he is born, The splendour of his lot must speed his doom. Should fate have ranked him in obscurity, What matters it if low-born blood be spilt? Does this slow justice appertain to kings? Their safety oft depends on prompt redress. Let us not pinch them with perplexing cares: Suspected ones are criminals to them. {ABNER.} Mathan, is this the language of a priest? I, trained to horrid carnage in the field, The stern executor of royal vengeance, Must I to the unhappy lend my voice! And you, who owe to him a father's yearnings, You, minister of peace in time of wrath, Now, covering your resentment with false zeal, Are of opinion blood too lightly flows! You have commanded me to speak to you Without concealment, Madam: What is then This mighty cause of fear? A dream, a child Devoid of power, that your suspicious eye Thinks it has recognised, perhaps untruly. {ATHALIAH.} I wish to think so, Abner, I may be Deluded; probably an empty dream Has too much occupied my spirit. Well, I must observe that child more narrowly; His features I must scan at leisure. Let Them both be brought before me. {ABNER.} I fear-- {ATHALIAH.} What would they fail in courtesy to me? Of that strange non-compliance, what the cause? It might produce in me mistrustful thoughts. Let Josabet, or Joad, I tell you, bring them \ I can, when time requires, speak like a queen. Abner, to you I may indeed declare, Your priests have reason to be satisfied With Athaliah's kindness. Still I know That on my conduct and against my power How far they bear the license of their speech: They live, however, and their temple stands. But soon, I feel, my gentleness must end. Let Joad put bridle on his savage zeal, Nor wound me with a second outrage. Go. _Scene VI._ {MATHAN.} At length I have the liberty to speak; I can expose the truth to open day. Some monster's rising in that temple reared! Queen, do not wait the bursting of the cloud. Abner, attended by the high-priest Joad, Was there before the break of day: You know His passion for the offspring of their kings. And who can say that Joad does not intend, In place of them, to substitute the boy By which heaven threatens you. It may perchan Be his own son. {ATHALIAH.} Mine eyes are opened: I begin to see Clearly into the warnings of the heavens. I wish, however, to be free from doubt: A child is little fit to flourish thoughts, Yet _one_ may make us judge of great designs. I must, dear Mathan, see him--question him. But go yourself, without exciting fears, And cause my Tyrians to arm themselves.