_The second._ I see on every side her glory radiant _The first._ Sion is sunk to a profound abyss. _The second._ Sion, whose brow is in the heavens. _The first_ What sorrowful abasement! _The second._ What immortal glory! _The first_ What wailings! _The second._ What songs of victory! _A third._ Let us cease from troubling; our God one day Will reconcile this mystery sublime! _All three._ Let us revere His anger; trust His love. _Another._ God! of a heart that loveth Thee Who can disturb the peace? Itself forgetting ever, It seeks, in all, Thy will supreme. On earth--in heaven even can there bloom Another blessing than the tranquil peace Of a heart that loveth Thee? {END OF THE THIRD ACT.} _ACT IV.--Scenes I and II_ {JOAS, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, A LEVITE, THE CHOIR.} {SALOMITH.} With a majestic step, beside my mother, Near Zachariah, walks Eliacin. What hide they, sisters, underneath their cloaks? In short, what is that sword that's borne before them? {JOSABET (_to Zachariah_).} Place on that table, reverentially, The book redoubted of our holy law: And also you, my loved Eliacin, This diadem place near the book divine. Levites we must have there, Joad orders it, The sword of David close beside the crown. {JOAS.} Princess, what then is this strange spectacle? This sacred book, this diadem, this sword? I ne'er have seen example of like form, Since in His temple God accepted me. {JOSABET.} Soon all your doubts, my son, will be dispelled. {JOAS.} Why will you fit this diadem on my brow? Ah, princess! keep its glory unprofaned! Respect the memory of the king who wore it. A wretched child abandoned to the bears-- {JOSABET (_tries on the diadem_).} Allow me, son, I do what I am ordered. {JOAS.} But from your lips I hear your sobs arise! Princess, you weep, What pity touches you? To-day presented as burnt offering Am I, as formerly was Jeptha's daughter, By my own death to appease the wrath of God? Alas! a child has nought a father may Not claim. {JOSABET.} Here's one will tell you of the will of Heaven; Fear nothing. Let us leave these precincts. {JOAD, JOAS.} _( Joas running into the arms of the high-priest.)_ {JOAD.} Well, my son? {JOAS.} What is it, pray, that they prepare? {JOAD.}