I doubt that 'tis on you her wrath's to burst; And that the cruel Athaliah will Assail our God, e'en in His sanctuary. {JOAD.} He who can rein the fury of the waves Knows also how to check the base one's plots: Submit with reverence to His holy will. Dear Abner, I fear God, and no one else I have to fear. I thank you, ne'ertheless, For the observant zeal with which your eyes Are open to my peril. Secretly, I see injustice galls you,--that you have Within you still the heart of Israel: Thank God for that! But are you satisfied With this unpractised virtue--secret wrath? Ah! Can that faith which acts not be sincere? Usurping all the rights of David's sway, An impious stranger, now for eight years past, Hath weltered in the blood of Judah's kings Unpunished,--odious murderer of her sons; And now e'en raiseth her perfidious arm 'Gainst God: and you, though nourished in the camp Of Josaphat, the saintly king, are one Of the upholders of this tottering state; Who led our armies under Joram's son, And who alone revived our towns alarmed When the abrupt decease of Ochoziah Dispersed all his camp at Jehu's sight; God fear, I say you, and His word affects me! Hear, how that God rebukes you by my mouth:-- "What use to vaunt your ardour for My law? By empty vows think you to honour Me? What value all your offerings to Me? Need I the blood of he-goats and of heifers? The blood of kings exclaims and is not heard: Break, break all compact with the impious! Drive out the offences from your people's midst; And then return to offer Me your victims." {ABNER.} Ah! what can I amongst this down-trod race? Powerless is Benjamin, and Judah droops: The day which saw their race of kings no more Extinguished all their spirits' ancient fire; E'en God, say they, withholds Himself from us: So jealous, formerly, of Hebrews' fame, He sees, unmoved, our grandeur crushed to earth, And, in the end, His mercy's wearied out: No more, for us, His terrible arm is seen To awe mankind with marvels numberless: The ark is mute, its oracles unspoken. {JOAD.}