_One of the daughters of the choir_ Alas, could we, sire, part ourselves from you? In the Lord's temple are we aliens? Around you are our fathers and our sires. _Another._ Ha! if to avenge the shame of Israel Our hands may not as Jael's, formerly, Have power to pierce God's impious enemies' head, Yet we at least may give our lives to Him. Whilst you are fighting for His temple stormed, We may, at least, invoke Him with our tears. {JOAD.} Eternal Wisdom, in Thy quarrel armed Here, then, are Thine avengers--priests and children! But Thou sustaining, who can cast us down? From death Thou canst recall us when Thou wilt! Thou strikest and Thou healest, Thou destroyest And Thou resuscitatest. We rely Not on our own deserts, but on Thy name, Invoked so frequently, and on Thy oath Sworn to the most devout of all our kings, Within this temple made Thy holy dwelling, And which the sun's duration is to last. But whence this sacred thrilling of my soul? Am I transported by the Holy Spirit? It is so: it inflames me: speaks to me: My eyes are opened, and the times obscure Unveil themselves before me! Levites, lend Your harmony of sounds, and by their swell Support my ecstacy! _The Choir sing to the sound of every symphony of the instruments._ O let the voice of God be heard, And to our hearts, His oracle divine, Be as the freshness of the morn Is to the tender grass in spring. {JOAD.} Heaven, hear my voice. Earth, lend thine ear. No more, O Jacob, say thy God doth slumber, O sinners disappear; the Lord's awake. _Here the symphonies are resumed, and Joad instantly continues._ How into worthless lead pure gold is changed! Who is that priest slain in the holy place? Weep, weep Jerusalem, perfidious city, Wretched destroyer of the sacred seers; God of His love for thee divests Himself; Thy incense in His eyes is incense foul. Where do you take those children and those wives? The queen of cities God has overthrown: Her priests are captives, and her kings disowned. Temple be overthrown! Cedars cast your flames! Jerusalem, thou object of my grief, Who in one day has ravished all thy charms? O who will change, to weep thy miseries, Mine eyes to two fountains of tears? {AZARIAH.} O holy temple! {JOSABET.} O David! {THE CHOIR.} Restore, O God of Sion, O restore, Thy ancient benefactions in her favour. _The symphonies resume, and immediately after Joad continues._ What new Jerusalem arises from The desert's depths in dazzling splendour, And bears upon her brow a stamp immortal? {JOAD.}