Yes, of my righteous rage, and I am proud To avenge my parents on posterity. My father and my brother saw I slaughtered; My mother from her palace window hurled; And even in one day murdered at once-- Dread sight!--more than twice twenty sons of kings: And wherefore? To avenge some nameless prophets Whom she had punished for their senseless frenzy: And I, cold queen, and daughter without love, Slave of a cowardly and frivolous folly, Shall even not return to this blind rage Insult for insult, death for every death, And shall not treat all David's progeny As Ahab's wretched remnant were by them! Where should I be to-day, had I not had A tenderness for my torn, strangled mother; And, conquering my weakness, with my hand Shedding in torrents my own people's blood, Had not repressed your plots by that fierce blow! At length, the inflexible vengeance of your God, Betwixt our houses all alliance breaks: David of me's in horror; and his sons, Though of my blood, are strangers unto me. {JOSABET.} In all you have succeeded. Let God see And judge. {ATHALIAH.} That God, a long time past, your only refuge, Of what effect will be His prophecies? Let Him produce that King, told to the nations, That Son of David, your support, your hope-- But we shall meet again. Adieu, I go, Quite satisfied. I wished to see: I have seen. {ABNER (_to Josabet_).} I promised you; and I return the charge That you committed to me. _Scenes VIII and IX._ {JOAD, JOSABET, JOAS, ZACHARIAH, ABNER, SALOMITH, LEVITES, AND THE CHOIR.} {JOSABET (_to Joad_).} My lord, Did you o'erhear that haughty queen? {JOAD.} I heard the whole, and I bewailed your anguish. To lend you aid, these Levites and myself, Were close at hand, resolved to die with you. (To Joas.) May God watch over you whose courage, child, Has just returned this noble testimony Unto His name! I recognize, dear Abner, This important service: bear in mind The hour when Joad expects you. We, whose sight This inpious, murderous woman has defiled, Whose prayers has interrupted, will return: And let immaculate blood, shed by my hands, Cleanse to the marble what her steps have touched. {THE CHORUS.} _One of the daughters of the Choir._ What star has burst upon our sight? What will that marvellous child one day become? He braveth pompous haughtiness, And will not let himself be lured By any of her dangerous baits. _Another._ Whilst each to Athaliah's god With incense to the altar runs, A child unfearing publishes That God alone eternal is, And speaks as once Elijah spoke Before the other Jezebel.