I did whate'er I could to curb myself. Howe'er, believe me, peril presses, Sir; For happier times let us reserve that child. Whilst wicked ones deliberate with each other, Before he is surrounded, torn from us, Allow me to conceal him once again; To him are open yet the doors, the gates. Shall we convey him to the wildest desert? I am prepared, I know a secret way, By which myself and he, still unperceived, The torrents of the Cedron passing over, May go into the desert, where in tears, And seeking safety, like ourselves, in flight, David escaped his rebel son's pursuit. I shall, on his account, fear wild beasts less;-- But why do you not favour Jehu's aid? Perhaps good counsel I may offer you; Let us make Jehu guardian of this treasure, We could to-day conduct him to his kingdom, For short the road is leading to his court. Jehu has not a wild, relentless heart; The name of David's honoured in his eyes. Alas! is he a king so callous, cruel, Unless his mother was a Jezebel, That he would not commiserate the fate Of such a suppliant? Is not his cause The common one of kings? {JOAD.} Dare you propose to me such timid counsels? What can you hope in Jehu's countenance? {JOSABET.} Does God forbid all care and all prevision? Will not an over-confidence offend Him? Employing human means to sacred ends, Has He Himself not Jehu's arm equipt? {JOAD.} Jehu, on whom I see your hopes are built, Paying His gifts with thankless thoughtlessness, Jehu in peace leaves Ahab's hideous daughter; Following the course profane of Israel's kings, Of Egypt's worthless god he saves the temples; Jehu, at length, dares offer on the heights An incense rash which God can not allow: His heart's not just enough, nor pure his hands, To serve His cause--to avenge His injuries. No, No, 'tis God alone we must engage. Far from concealing, let us show the boy, And let the diadem surround his head: I even will urge on the expected hour, Before vile Mathan's complots can be formed. _Scene VII_ {JOAD, JOSABET, AZARIAH, THE CHOIR, AND SEVERAL LEVITES.} {JOAD.} Well, Azariah, is the temple closed? {AZARIAH.} The gates have all been made before my eyes {JOAD.} Your saintly troops and you alone remain? {AZARIAH.} Twice I have walked around the sacred courts, And all are fled; dispersed without return, Scattered in fear--a miserable crew! God by His holy tribe's no longer served:-- E'er since that people Pharoah's steps escaped, An equal panic has not seized on them. {JOAD.} A people in performance loose, and born For slavery--bold against God alone! Let us pursue our work. But who retains These children, even in our midst?