Athaliah Part 20

{ABNER.}

Queen, G.o.d is my testimony--

{ATHALIAH.}

Hence with thy G.o.d, thou traitor, and avenge me!

{ABNER.}

On whom, on Joas, my master?

{ATHALIAH.}

He Joas? Thy king? Remember, vile one, that My armies still are holding you besieged.

I hear my camp demand me with loud cries, They come to aid me, quake, rebellious crew!

_Scene VI._

{ISHMAEL, JOAS, JOAD, ATHALIAH, AND ALL THE OTHERS OF THE LAST SCENE.}

{ISHMAEL (_to Joad_).}

The temple, sire, is free, the foe's no more; The stranger's army's fled, the Jewish docile; As wind disperses vapour in the air, The voice of the Almighty's chased that army.

Our Levites, from the sacred porches' height, The son of Ochoziah have proclaimed Unto the people, and recited how His infancy was stolen from the sword; How Ahab's daughter's buried in the snare.

At the same time the trumpet on all sides Resounded, and its blasts, blent with their shouts, Into the astonished camp disorder spread, And utter panic: (as proud Midianite Was struck by Gideon) Tyrians threw away Their arms and bucklers, and by diverse roads Scattered the first; some Hebrews next took flight; But with loud voice the rest declared for Joas; Admiring how the Lord had dealt with him.

At length the people, by one spirit moved, The women, children, and old men, with joy Embraced each other, blessing G.o.d who sent, And those who tended him, celebrating Joas With hymns, the son of David come again to life!

Baal in the holy city is in horror!

His temple's doors are s.h.i.+vered Mathan's slain!

{ATHALIAH.}

G.o.d of the Jews, Thou conquerest!

Yea, it is Joas, I try deceit in vain; I see where I did cause him to be struck; I own the port and mien of Ochoziah; True, all remind me of the blood I hate; David's triumphant; Ahab is destroyed.

Merciless G.o.d Thou hast o'erruled the whole: Who, with an easy vengeance flattering me, Hast made me self-conflicting through the day.

Now, by a child exciting my remorse; Now, dazzling me with l.u.s.t of Thy rich treasures, I feared to give this temple to destruction.

Then let that son be king, Thy care, Thy work, And that to signalize his new dominion, Cause him to plunge his knife into my breast!

This is his dying mother's wish towards him.

What do I say? I soothe myself with hopes, That to Thy yoke unbent, tired of Thy law, Faithful to Ahab's blood received from me, In his grandfather's steps, and like his sire, The hateful heir of David will be found To abrogate Thy honour, and profane Thy temple, Venging Ahab, Jezebel, And Athaliah!

{JOAD.}

Let her at once be taken from the temple, So that its sanct.i.ty be not profaned.

Go, sacred Vengers of our murdered princes, Stay, by her death, the outcry of their blood.

If any rash adherent take her part, Let him be given to the sword with her.

_Scene VII._

{JOAS (_having descended from his throne_)}

G.o.d, who behold'st my trouble, my affliction, O turn her maledictions far from me, And never suffer their accomplishment.

Sooner than Joas forget Thee, may he die!

{JOAD.}

Call forth the people, let them see their king, That in his power they may renew their faith.

King, people, priests, come, full of grat.i.tude, Confirm the covenant with Jacob's G.o.d: And, struck with sacred awe at our ill deeds, Engage ourselves anew to Him with oaths.

Abner, resume your place beside your prince.

_Scene VIII._

{A LEVITE, JOAS, JOAD, AND ALL THE OTHERS OF THE PRECEDING SCENE.}

{JOAD (_to the Levite_).}

Well, have they punished the temerity Of that unG.o.dly woman?

{LEVITE.}

Her death's atoned the horrors of her life.

Jerusalem, for long her fury's prey, Is freed at length from her detested yoke.

{JOAD.}

By her dread end, commensurate with her crimes, Learn, prince of Judah, never to forget, That there's a rigid Judge of kings in heaven; The orphan's Father, Sword of innocence.

{FINIS.}