What are those favours that I cannot fathom? The illustrious Josabet approaches you: I go to mingle with the faithful band Which this day's solemn pomp enticeth forth. _Scene II._ {JOAD.} Princess, the time's accomplished, I must speak! You may conceal your rescued charge no longer. The guilty vauntings of Jehovah's foes, Misdeeming against Him His silence deep, Too long of falsehood's taxed His promises: What do I say? Success imparting life Into their fury, even on our shrines Your cruel stepmother would offer up To Baal idolatrous incense. Let us show The infant monarch, whom your hands have saved, Raised in the temple 'neath the Lord's defence. He will possess the courage of our princes; His mind already mounts above his years. Before my voice explains his destiny, I go to offer him to God, by Whom Our sovereigns rule; our Levites and our priests, Immediately assembling, I to them The offspring of their princes will declare. {JOSABET.} Knows he his name and noble parentage? {JOAD.} He answers only to Eliacin, And by his mother thinks himself abandoned, To whom I have in pity served as father. {JOSABET.} Alas! what perils I have known him 'scape! What peril is he nigh to come to, still? {JOAD.} What! does your faith, already weak, shrink back? {JOSABET.} To your wise counsels, lord, I yield myself: For, from the day I snatched that child from death, Into your hands I've placed the care of him; Dreading the violence of my love, I have, As much as possible, e'en shunned his sight, For fear, when seeing him, some foolish grief Should bring to light my secret with my tears. But, above all, I have believed it good To consecrate three days and nights entire To tears and prayers. However, may I ask Of you to-day, What friends have you prepared To second you? Will Abner, the brave Abner, Come to defend us? Has he taken oath To show himself beside his king? {JOAD.} Though we can be assured of Abner's faith, He even knows not yet, we have a king. {JOSABET.} To whom do you confide the care of Joas? Obed or Ammon does that honour favour? The benefits showered on them by my sire-- {JOAD.} To Athaliah they have sold themselves. {JOSABET.} Whom, then, do you engage against her guards? {JOAD.} Have I not said? Our Levites and our priests. {JOSABET.}