Swear on this sacred volume, then, Yore all To live, to combat, and to die for him, The king, whom heaven presenteth you to-day. {AZARIAH (_at the end of the table, laying his hand the sacred book),_} Yes, swear we, for our brothers and ourselves, To establish Joas upon his father's throne; That we again will not lay down our arms Until avenged upon his enemies: If any' violator break this vow, O may he feel, great God, Thy vengeful wrath! And may with him his children be debarred Thy heritage, as those Thou knowest no more! {JOAD.} And to this law, your ever present guide, Will you not, king, swear always to be true? {JOAS.} Can I not to that law conform myself? {JOAD.} Allow, my son--I still dare call you so-- This tenderness, and tolerate the tears Drawn from my eyes for you with just alarms. Alas! far from the throne instructed, you Are ignorant of the enpoisoned cup; The drunkenness of unrestricted power; The voice of the enchantress flattery. Soon will they tell you that the sacred laws, Which sway the common people, bow to kings; That his own will's the sovereign's sole restraint; That all to his supreme magnificence Is to be sacrificed; that unto tears And toils his subjects are condemned; and that They must be governed by an iron sway; Who soon or late, if not subdued, subdue. And thus from snare to snare, and gulf to gulf, Fouling the lovely chasteness of your morals, At length they bring you to despise the truth By painting virtue in a frightful form; Alas! they have misled the kings most wise! Swear on this book, before these witnesses, That God shall always be your first of cares; Stern to the wicked, refuge of the good: That 'twixt the poor and you the Lord shall judge. Remember you, my son, that in this dress, Like them you were an orphan, like them, poor. {JOAS (_at the middle of the table, having his hand the sacred book,)_} I promise to obey the law ordained; God punish me if I abandon you. {JOAD.} Come, and anoint him with the holy oil; Josabet, appear: you now may show yourself. _Scenes IV. and V._ {JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, AZARIAH, ISHMAEL, THREE OTHER LEVITE CHIEFS, THE CHOIR.} {JOSABET _(embracing Joas)_}. O king, offspring of David! {JOAS.} My only mother! Come, dear Zachariah, Embrace me. {JOSABET (_to Zachariah_).} My son, prostrate yourself before your king. {JOAD (_whilst they embrace._)} Children, may thus your hearts be always one. {JOSABET (_to Joas_).} You know then to what source you owe your life? {JOAS.} And also know the hand, which, but for you, Had robbed me of it. {JOSABET.}