Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours? Amid the horrors, that encompass us, Hearest Thou alone the voice Of our iniquities? Art Thou no longer the forgiving God? _The Choir._ Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours? _One voice alone._ It is against Thyself that in this strife The armies of the wicked aim assault. Come let us cause to cease, say they, God's festivals upon the earth; And from His tiresome yoke deliver man: Let all His saints be slaughtered; His altars overthrown; That of His name and glory No memory may be left; That neither He, nor Christ may reign o'er us. _The Choir._ Where are the thunderbolts Thou launchest, Great God, in Thy just wrath? Art Thou no more the jealous God? Art Thou no longer the avenger? _One voice alone._ Sad remnant of our kings, Dear and last bloom of such a beauteous stem, Ah! 'neath the dagger of a cruel dam Shall we, a second time, behold thee fall? Say, did an angel at thy cradle side, Beloved prince! against thy murderers Defend thee with his care; Or in the darkness of the tomb Did God re-animate thy ashes? _Another._ Dost Thou, great God, impute the guilty deeds Of father and grandfather unto him? Abandon him without relenting pity? _The Choir._ Where, God of Jacob, are Thy former favours? Art Thou no longer the forgiving God? _One of the daughters of the Choir (speaking)._ Dear sisters, hear you not the sound Of the fierce Tyrians' trumpet? {SALOMITH.} I even hear the barbarous soldiers' cries, And I shiver with horror. Come, let us fly to our refuge Under the sanctuary's shadow. _ACT V.--Scene I._ {ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, THE CHOIR.} {SALOMITH.} Dear Zachariah, well! what have you learnt? {ZACHARIAH.} Redouble to the Lord your fervent prayers: Perhaps we are approaching our last hour; The order's given for the horrid conflict. {SALOMITH.} What is Joas doing? {ZACHARIAH.} He has just been crowned: On him the high-priest's poured the holy oil. O heaven, what joy was seen in every eye, Beholding him, the ransomed from the tomb! My sisters, still is seen the dagger's scar. Also his faithful nurse appeared to us, Who guarding that dear charge has had no eye To note her cares but God's and Josabet's. Our Levites wept with joy and tenderness,% And mixed their sobs with shouts of ecstacy. He, midst those transports, courteous, without pride, To one his hand, to others gave his look, And swore to govern by their frank advice, Naming them all his brothers or his sires. {SALOMITH.} Think you this secret's spread beyond these walls? {ZACHARIAH.}