The warrior said:—"Thou sayest that thy God forbids thee to go over into the grove. What a dark and unfriendly God they have given thee, beautiful child of Juda! He hates thy youth, and the joy of life, and the roses which ought to crown thy black hair. My gods are of a friendlier mind toward mortals. Every morning Apollo drives his glorious span over the arch of the heavens and lights warriors to their deeds; Selene's milder torch glows at night for lovers, and to those who have worshiped her in this life beautiful Aphrodite gives eternal life on her blessed isle. It is her statue standing in the grove. When thou givest thyself under her protection she gives thee in return a hero for thy faithful lover, and later on, graceful daughter of Juda, some god will set thee with thy radiant eyes among the stars, to be a light to mortals and a witness of the beauty of earthly love." The young girl might have answered; but at this moment Assar was near her, and she knew him, and he saw that it was Mirjam, Rabbi Mattathew's daughter,—the woman he loved, and who was his promised bride. She turned and followed him; but [Pg 6496] the warrior on the other side of the brook called out, "What right hast thou to lead this maiden away?" Assar replied, "I have no right." "Then why dost thou go with him, sweet daughter of Juda?" cried the warrior. Mirjam did not answer, but Assar said, "Because she has not yet given up serving her Master." "Who is her master?" asked the warrior. "I can buy thee freedom, my beautiful child!" Assar replied, "I wish thou may'st see him."[E] The warrior, who could not cross the brook at this place, or anywhere near it, called as they went away, "Tell me thy master's name!" Assar turned and answered, "I will beg him come to thee." A hill hid them from the eyes of the warrior, and Mirjam said, "Assar!" Assar replied, "Mirjam! I have never loved thee as dearly as I do to-day—I do not know if it is a curse or a blessing which is in my veins. Thou hast listened to the words of the heathen." "I listened to them because he spoke kindly; but I have not betrayed the Lord nor thee." "Thou hast permitted his words to reach thy ear and thy soul." "What could I do, Assar? He spoke kindly." Assar stood still, and said to himself, "Yes, he spoke kindly. They do speak kindly. And they spoke kind words to the poor girls who danced around the idol in the grove. Had they spoken harsh and threatening words, they would not have danced." Again he stood still, and said to himself, "If they came using force, the rabbi would kill her and then himself, or she would throw herself from a rock of her own free will. But who can set a guard to watch over kind words?" The third time he stood still, and said, "O Israel, thou canst not bear kind words!" Mirjam thought that he suspected her; and she stood still and said, "I am a rabbi's daughter!"