Adore the Lord; they train me in His law, They teach me how to read His sacred book, And now I copy it with mine own hand. {ATHALIAH.} How does that law instruct you? {JOAS.} That love is what the Lord desires; that He Sooner or later will avenge His name, His holy name blasphemed; that He protects The timid orphan, that He breaks the proud, And punishes the murderer. {ATHALIAH.} I understand. But what do all the people Enclosed within that place? {JOAS.} They praise, and bless the Lord. {ATHALIAH.} And does He wish that one should always pray And meditate. {JOAS.} All deeds profane are banished from His temple. {ATHALIAH.} What are your pleasures, then? {JOAS.} Sometimes unto the high priest I present Either the salt or incense at the altar: I hear them sing of God's unbounded greatness, I see the sumptuous order of His rites. {ATHALIAH.} Alas! have you no pastimes more delightful? I pity the sad fate of one like you. Come to my palace, see my splendour there. {JOAS.} I! I should lose the memory of God's blessings! {ATHALIAH.} No. I would not constrain you to forget Him. {JOAS.} You do not pray to Him. {ATHALIAH.} But you can pray to Him. {JOAS.} But I should see another god invoked. {ATHALIAH.} I have my god to serve, and you have yours. They both are powerful gods. {JOAS.} Mine must be feared, for He alone is God, And yours is nothing, Madam. {ATHALIAH.} Pleasures, near _me_, will seek you out, in crowds. {JOAS.} The blessings of the wicked pass away, As doth a torrent {ATHALIAH.} The wicked! Who are they? {JOSABET.} Pray, Madam! excuse a child. {ATHALIAH} I like to see how you are training him. At length, Eliacin, you have amused me; You're, doubtless, not an ordinary child. You see I am a queen, without an heir: Cast off these garments, quit this menial trade, And all my riches I will share with you. Try the conclusion of my promises: Beside me at my table, everywhere, I promise you shall sit as my own son. {JOAS.} As your own son? {ATHALIAH.} Yes, would it please you? {JOAS.} Ah what a father I should leave, and for-- {ATHALIAH.} Well! {JOAS.} What kind of mother! {ATHALIAH.} His memory's faithful; and in all he says I recognise your animus and Joad's. Behold, how here, corrupting simple youth, You both employ the peace I leave you in! Their hate and fury you already foster: Only with horror you pronounce my name To them. {JOSABET.} Can we conceal the history of our wrongs? All know it, and you boast of it yourself. {ATHALIAH.}