DEDICATION
TotheMemoryoftheChildNadaBurnham，who\"boundalltoher\"and，whileherfathercuthiswaythroughthehordesoftheIngoboRegiment，perishedofthehardshipsofwaratBuluwayoon19thMay，1896，Idedicatethesetales——andmoreparticularlythelast，thatofaFaithwhichtriumphedoversavageryanddeath.
H.RiderHaggard.
Ditchingham.
AUTHOR’SNOTE
Ofthethreestoriesthatcomprisethisvolume，one，\"TheWizard，\"ataleofvictoriousfaith，firstappearedsomeyearsagoasaChristmasAnnual.Another，\"Elissa，\"isanattempt，difficultenoughowingtothescantinessofthemateriallefttousbytime，torecreatethelifeoftheancientPh？nicianZimbabwe，whoseruinsstillstandinRhodesia，and，withtheadditionofthenecessarylovestory，tosuggestcircumstancessuchasmighthavebroughtaboutoraccompanieditsfallatthehandsofthesurroundingsavagetribes.Thethird，\"BlackHeartandWhiteHeart，\"isastoryofthecourtship，trialsandfinalunionofapairofZululoversinthetimeofKingCetywayo.
NOTE
Theworldisfullofruins，butfewofthemhaveanoriginsoutterlylostinmysteryasthoseofZimbabweinSouthCentralAfrica.Whobuiltthem？Whatpurposedidtheyserve？Thesearequestionsthatmusthaveperplexedmanygenerations，andmanydifferentracesofmen.
TheresearchesofMr.WilmotprovetousindeedthatintheMiddleAgesZimbabweorZimboewastheseatofabarbarousempire，whoserulerwasnamedtheEmperorofMonomotapa，alsothatforsomeyearstheJesuitsministeredinaChristianchurchbuiltbeneaththeshadowofitsancienttowers.Butoftheoriginalpurposeofthosetowers，andoftheracethatrearedthem，theinhabitantsofmedi？valMonomotapa，itisprobable，knewlesseventhanweknowto—day.ThelaboursandskilledobservationofthelateMr.TheodoreBent，whosedeathissogreatalosstoallinterestedinsuchmatters，haveshownalmostbeyondquestionthatZimbabwewasonceaninlandPh？niciancity，orattheleastacitywhoseinhabitantswereofaracewhichpractisedPh？niciancustomsandworshippedthePh？niciandeities.
Beyondthisallisconjecture.Howithappenedthatatradingtown，protectedbyvastfortificationsandadornedwithtemplesdedicatedtotheworshipofthegodsoftheSidonians——orrathertradingtowns，forZimbabweisonlyoneofagroupofruins——werebuiltbycivilisedmenintheheartofAfricaperhapsweshallneverlearnwithcertainty，thoughthediscoveryoftheburying—placesoftheirinhabitantsmightthrowsomelightupontheproblem.
Butifactualproofislacking，itisscarcelytobedoubted——forthenumerousoldworkingsinRhodesiatelltheirowntale——thatitwasthepresenceofpayablegoldreefsworkedbyslavelabourwhichtemptedthePh？nicianmerchantsandchapmen，contrarytotheircustom，totravelsofarfromtheseaandestablishthemselvesinland.PerhapsthecityZimboewastheOphirspokenofinthefirstBookofKings.Atleast，itisalmostcertainthatitsprincipalindustrieswerethesmeltingandthesaleofgold，alsoitseemsprobablethatexpeditionstravellingbyseaandlandwouldhaveoccupiedquitethreeyearsoftimeinreachingitfromJerusalemandreturningthitherladenwiththegoldandpreciousstones，theivoryandthealmugtrees（1Kingsx.）.JourneyinginAfricamusthavebeenslowinthosedays;thatitwasalsodangerousistestifiedbytheruinsoftheancientfortsbuilttoprotecttheroutebetweenthegoldtownsandthesea.
Howeverthesethingsmaybe，thereremainsampleroomforspeculationbothastothedimbeginningsoftheancientcityanditsstilldimmerend，whereofwecanguessonly，whenitbecameweakenedbyluxuryandthemixtureofraces，thathordesofinvadingsavagesstampeditoutofexistencebeneaththeirblood—stainedfeet，as，inafterages，theystampedouttheEmpireofMonomotapa.Inthefollowingromanticsketchthewriterhasventured——noeasytask——tosuggestincidentssuchasmighthaveaccompaniedthisfirstextinctionofthePh？nicianZimbabwe.Thepursuitindeedisoneinwhichhecanonlyhopetofilltheplaceofahumblepioneer，sinceitiscertainthatintimestocomethedeadfortress—templesofSouthAfricawilloccupythepensofmanygenerationsofthewritersofromancewho，ashehopes，mayhavemoreascertainedfactstobuilduponthanareavailableto—day.
ELISSA
CHAPTERI
THECARAVAN
Thesun，whichshoneuponadaythatwasgatheredtothepastsomethreethousandyearsago，wassettinginfullgloryovertheexpansesofsouth—easternAfrica——theLibyaoftheancients.Itslastburningraysfelluponacavalcadeofwearymen，who，togetherwithlongstringsofcamels，assesandoxen，aftermuchtoilhadstruggledtothecrestofalineofstonyhills，wheretheywerehaltedtorecoverbreath.Beforethemlayaplain，clothedwithsereyellowgrass——fortheseasonwaswinter——andboundedbymountainsofnogreatheight，uponwhoseslopesstoodthecitywhichtheyhadtravelledfartoseek.
ItwastheancientcityofZimboe，whereofthelonelyruinsareknowntousmodernsasZimbabwe.
Atthesightofitsflat—roofedhousesofsun—driedbrick，setuponthesideoftheopposinghill，anddominatedbyahugecircularbuildingofdarkstone，thecaravanraisedagreatshoutofjoy.Itshoutedinseveraltongues，inthetonguesofPh？nicia，ofEgypt，oftheHebrews，ofArabia，andofthecoastsofAfrica，forallthesepeopleswererepresentedamongstitsnumbers.Wellmightthewandererscryoutintheirdelight，seeingthatatlength，aftereightmonthsofperiloustravellingfromthecoast，theybeheldthewallsoftheircityofrest，ofthegoldenOphiroftheBible.Theircompanyhadstartedfromtheeasternport，numberingfifteenhundredmen，besideswomenandchildren，andofthosenotmorethanhalfwereleftalive.
Onceasavagetribehadambushedthem，killingmany.Oncethepestilentialfeverofthelowlandshadtakenthemsothattheydiedofitbyscores.Twicealsohadtheysufferedheavilythroughhungerandthirst，tosaynothingoftheirlossesbythefangsoflions，crocodiles，andotherwildbeastswhichwiththecountryswarmed.Nowtheirtoilswereover;andforsixmonths，orperhapsayear，theymightrestandtradeintheGreatCity，enjoyingitswealth，itsflesh—pots，andtheunholyorgieswhich，amongpeopleofthePh？nicianrace，weredignifiedbythenameoftheworshipofthegodsofheaven.
Soontheclamourdiedaway，andalthoughnocommandwasgiven，thecaravanstartedonatspeed.Allwearinessfadedfromthefacesofthewayworntravellers，eventheverycamelsandasses，shrunk，asmostofthemwere，tomereskeletons，seemedtounderstandthatlabourandblowsweredonewith，andforgettingtheirloads，shambledunurgeddownthestonypath.Onemanlingered，however.Clearlyhewasapersonofrank，foreightortenattendantssurroundedhim.
\"Go，\"saidhe，\"Iwishtobealone，andwillfollowpresently.\"Sotheybowedtotheearth，andwent.
Themanwasyoung，perhapssixoreightandtwentyyearsofage.Hisdarkskin，burntalmosttoblacknessbytheheatofthesun，togetherwiththefashionofhisshort，square—cutbeardandofhisgarments，proclaimedhimofJewishorEgyptianblood，whilethegoldcollarabouthisneckandthegoldgravenringuponhishandshowedthathisrankwashigh.IndeedthiswandererwasnoneotherthantheprinceAziel，nick—namedtheEver—living，becauseofacuriousmoleuponhisshoulderbearingaresemblancetothe/cruxansata/，thesymboloflifeeternalamongtheEgyptians.BybloodhewasagrandsonofSolomon，themightykingofIsrael，andbornofaroyalmother，aprincessofEgypt.
InstatureAzielwastall，butsomewhatslimlymade，havingsmallbones.Hisfacewasovalinshape，thefeatures，especiallythemouth，beingfineandsensitive;theeyeswerelarge，dark，andfullofthought——theeyesofamanwithadestiny.Forthemostpart，indeed，theyweresombreandover—fullofthought，butattimestheycouldlightupwithastrangefire.
Azieltheprinceplacedhishandagainsthisforeheadinsuchfashionastoshadehisfacefromtheraysofthesettingsun，andfrombeneathitsshadowgazedlongandearnestlyatthecityofthehill.
\"AtlengthIbeholdthee，thanksbetoGod，\"hemurmured，forhewasaworshipperofJehovah，andnotofhismother’sdeities，\"anditistime，since，tospeakthetruth，Iamwearyofthistravelling.NowwhatfortuneshallIfindwithinthywalls，OCityofGoldanddevil—
servers？\"
\"Whocantell？\"saidaquietvoiceathiselbow.\"Perhaps，Prince，youwillfindawife，orathrone，or——agrave.\"
Azielstarted，andturnedtoseeamanstandingathisside，clothedinrobesthathadbeenrich，butwerenowtornandstainedwithtravel，andwearingonhisheadablackcapinshapenotunlikethefezthatiscommonintheEastto—day.Themanwaspastmiddleage，havingagrizzledbeard，sharp，hardfeaturesandquickeyes，whichwithalwerenotunkindly.HewasaPh？nicianmerchant，muchtrustedbyHiram，theKingofTyre，whohadmadehimcaptainofthemerchandiseofthisexpedition.
\"Ah！isityou，Metem？\"saidAziel.\"Whydoyouleaveyourchargetoreturntome？\"
\"ThatImayguardamorepreciouscharge——yourself，Prince，\"repliedthemerchantcourteously.\"HavingbroughtthechildofIsraelsofarinsafety，Idesiretohandhimsafelytothegovernorofyondercity.
Yourservantstoldmethatbyyourcommandtheyhadleftyoualone，soIreturnedtobearyoucompany，forafternightfallrobbersandsavageswanderwithoutthesewalls.\"
\"Ithankyouforyourcare，Metem，thoughIthinkthereislittledanger，andattheworstIcandefendmyself.\"
\"Donotthankme，Prince;Iamamerchant，andnow，asinthepast，I
protectyou，knowingthatforitIshallbepaid.ThegovernorwillgivemearichrewardwhenIleadyoutohimsafely，andwheninyearstocomeIreturnwithyoustillsafetothecourtofJerusalem，thenthegreatkingwillfillmyship’sholdwithgifts.\"
\"Thatdepends，Metem，\"repliedtheprince.\"Ifmygrandfatherstillreignsitmaybeso，butheisveryold，andifmyunclewearshiscrown，thenIamnotsure.TrulyyouPh？nicianslovemoney.Wouldyou，then，sellmeforgoldalso，Metem？\"
\"Isaidnotso，Prince，thoughevenfriendshiphasitsprice————\"
\"Amongyourpeople，Metem？\"
\"Amongallpeople，Prince.Youreproachuswithlovingmoney;well，wedo，sincemoneygiveseverythingforwhichmenstrive——honour，andplace，andcomfort，andthefriendshipofkings.\"
\"Itcannotgiveyoulove，Metem.\"
ThePh？nicianlaughedcontemptuously.\"Love！withgoldIwillbuyasmuchofitasIneed.Aretherenoslavesuponthemarket，andnofreewomenwhodesireornamentsandeaseandthepurpleofTyre？Youareyoung，Prince，tosaythatgoldcannotbuyuslove.\"
\"Andyou，Metem，whoaregrowingold，donotunderstandwhatImeanbylove，norwillIstaytoexplainittoyou，forweremywordsaswiseasSolomon’s，stillyouwouldnotunderstand.AttheleastyourmoneycannotbringyoutheblessingofHeaven，northewelfareofyourspiritintheeternallifethatistocome.\"
\"Thewelfareofmyspirit，Prince？No，itcannot，sinceIdonotbelievethatIhaveaspirit.WhenIdie，Idie，andthereisanend.
ButtheblessingofHeaven，ah！thatcanbebought，asIhaveprovedonceandagain，ifnotwithgold，thenotherwise.DidInotinbygoneyearspassthefirstsonofmymanhoodthroughthefiretoBaal—Sidon？
Nay，shrinknotfromme;itcostmedear，butmyfortunewasatstake，andbetterthattheboyshoulddiethanthatallofusshouldliveoninpenuryandbonds.Knowyounot，Prince，thatthegodsmusthavethegiftsofthebest，giftsofbloodandvirtue，ortheywillcurseusandtormentus？\"
\"Idonotknowit，Metem，forsuchgodsarenogods，butdevils，childrenofBeelzebub，whohasnopowerovertherighteous.TrulyI
wouldhavenoneofyourtwogods，Ph？nician;uponearththegodofgold，andinheaventhedevilofslaughter.\"
\"Speaknoillofhim，Prince，\"answeredMetemsolemnly，\"forhereyouarenotinthecourtsofJehovah，butinhisland，andhemaychancetoprovehispoweronyou.Fortherest，IhadsoonerfollowaftergoldthanthefollyofadrunkenspiritwhichyounameLove，seeingthatitworksitsvotarylessmischief.Saynow，itwasawomanandherlovethatdroveyouhithertothiswildland，wasitnot，Prince？
Well，becarefullestawomanandherloveshouldkeepyouhere.\"
\"Thesunsets，\"saidAzielcoldly;\"letusgoforward.\"
Withabowandamurmuredsalute，forhisquickcourtierinstincttoldhimthathehadspokentoofreely，Metemtookthebridleoftheprince’smule，holdingthestirrupwhilehemounted.Thenheturnedtoseekhisown，buttheanimalhadwandered，andafullhalfhourwentbybeforeitcouldbecaptured.
Bynowthesunhadset，andasthereislittleornotwilightinSouthernAfricaitbecamedifficultforthetwotravellerstofindtheirwaydowntheroughhillpath.Stilltheystumbledon，tillpresentlythelongdeadgrassbrushingagainsttheirkneestoldthemthattheyhadlosttheroad，althoughtheyknewthattheywereridingintherightdirection，forthewatch—firesburningonthecitywallswereaguidetothem.Soon，however，theylostsightofthesefires，theboughsofagroveofthickly—leavedtreeshidingthemfromview，andintryingtopushtheirwaythroughthewoodMetem’smulestumbledagainstarootandfell.
\"Nowthereisbutonethingtobedone，\"saidthePh？nician，ashedraggedtheanimalfromtheground，\"anditistostayheretillthemoonrises，whichshouldbewithinanhour.Itwouldhavebeenwiser，Prince，ifwehadwaitedtodiscussloveandthegodstillweweresafewithinthewallsofthecity，fortheendofitisthatwehavefallenintothehandsofkingDarkness，andheisthefatherofmanyevilthings.\"
\"Thatisso，Metem，\"answeredtheprince，\"andIamtoblame.Letusbidehereinpatience，sincewemust.\"
So，holdingtheirmulesbythebridles，theysatdownuponthegroundandwaitedinsilence，foreachofthemwaslostinhisownthoughts.
CHAPTERII
THEGROVEOFBAALTIS
Atlength，asthetwomensatthussilently，fortheplaceanditsgloomoppressedthem，asoundbrokeuponthequietofthenight，thatbeginningwithalowwailsuchasmightcomefromthelipsofamourner，endedinachantorsong.Thevoice，whichseemedcloseathand，waslow，richandpassionate.Attimesitsankalmosttoasob，andattimes，takingahighernote，itthrilledupontheairintonesthatwouldhavebeenshrillweretheynotsosweet.
\"Whoisitthatsings？\"saidAzieltoMetem.
\"Besilent，Iprayyou，\"whisperedtheotherinhisear;\"wehavewanderedintooneofthesacredgrovesofBaaltis，whichitisdeathformentoentersaveattheappointedfestivals，andapriestessofthegrovechantsherprayertothegoddess.\"
\"Wedidnotcomeofourownwill，sodoubtlessweshallbeforgiven，\"
answeredAzielindifferently;\"butthatsongmovesme.Tellmethewordsofit，whichIcanscarcelyfollow，forheraccentisstrangetome.\"
\"Prince，theyseemtobeholywordstowhichIhavelittlerighttohearken.Thepriestesssingsanancienthallowedchantoflifeanddeath，andshepraysthatthegoddessmaytouchhersoulwiththewingoffireandmakehergreatandgivehervisionofthingsthathavebeenandthatshallbe.MoreIdarenottellyounow;indeedIcanbarelyhear，andthesongishardtounderstand.Crouchdown，forthemoonrises，andpraythatthemulesmaynotstir.Presentlyshewillgo，andwecanflytheholyplace.\"
TheIsraeliteobeyedandwaited，searchingthedarknesswitheagereyes.
Nowtheedgeofthegreatmoonappeareduponthehorizon，andbydegreesherwhiteraysoflightrevealedastrangescenetothewatchers.Aboutanopenspaceofground，someeightypacesindiameter，grewsevenhugeandancientbaobabtrees，soancientindeedthattheymusthavebeenplantedbytheprim？valhandofnatureratherthanbythatofman.Azielandhiscompanionwerehiddenwiththeirmulesbehindthetrunkofoneofthesetrees，andlookingroundittheyperceivedthattheopenspacebeyondtheshadowofthebrancheswasnotempty.Inthecentreofthisspacestoodanaltar，andbyitwasplacedtherudefigureofadivinitycarvedinwoodandpainted.
Ontheheadofthisfigureroseacrescentsymbolicalofthemoon，androunditsneckhungachainofwoodenstars.Ithadfourwingsbutnohands，andofthesewingstwowereout—spreadandtwoclaspedashapelessobjecttoitsbreast，intended，apparently，torepresentachild.BythesesymbolsAzielknewthatbeforehimwasaneffigysacredtothegoddessofthePh？nicians，whoindifferentcountriespassedbythevariousnamesofAstarte，orAshtoreth，orBaaltis，andwhointheircoarseworshipwasatoncethepersonificationofthemoonandtheemblemoffertility.
Standingbeforethisrudefetish，betweenitandthealtar，whereonlaysomeflowers，andinsuchfashionthatthemoonlightstruckfulluponher，wasawhite—robedwoman.Shewasyoungandverybeautifulbothinshapeandfeature，andthoughherblackhairstreamingalmosttothekneestookfromherheight，shestillseemedtall.Herroundedarmswereoutstretched;hersweetandpassionatefacewasupturnedtowardsthesky，andevenatthatdistancethewatcherscouldseeherdeepeyesshininginthemoonlight.Thesacredsongofthepriestesswasfinished.Nowshewasprayingaloud，slowly，andinaclearvoice，sothatAzielcouldhearandunderstandher;prayingfromherveryheart，nottotheidolbeforeher，however，buttothemoonabove.
\"OQueenofHeaven，\"shesaid，\"thouwhosethroneIseebutwhosefaceIcannotsee，heartheprayerofthypriestess，andprotectmefromthefateIfear，andridmeofhimIhate.Safeletmedwellandpure，andasthoufillestthenightwithlight，sofillthedarknessofmysoulwiththewisdomthatIcrave.Owhisperintomyearsandletmehearthevoiceofheaven，teachingmethatwhichIwouldknow.Readmetheriddleofmylife，andletmelearnwhereforeIamnotasmysistersare;whyfeastsandofferingsdelightmenot;whyIthirstforknowledgeandnotforwealth，andwhyIcravesuchloveashereI
cannotwin.Satisfymybeingwiththyimmortalloreandalovethatdoesnotfailordie，andifthouwilt，thentakemylifeinpayment.
Speaktomefromtheheavenabove，OBaaltis，orshowmesomesignupontheearthbeneath;fillupthevesselofmythirstysoulandsatisfythehungerofmyspirit.Oh！thouthatartthegoddess，thouthathastthegiftofpower，giveme，thyservant，ofthypower，ofthygodhead，andofthypeace.Hearme，OHeaven—born，hearme，Elissa，thedaughterofSakon，thededicateofthee.Hear，hear，andanswernowinthesecretholyhour，answerbyvoice，bywonder，orbysymbol.\"
Thewomanpausedasthoughexhaustedwiththepassionofherprayer，hidingherfaceinherhands，andasshestoodthussilentandexpectant，thesigncame，oratleastthatchancedwhichforawhileshebelievedtohavebeenananswertoherinvocation.Herfacewashidden，soshecouldnotsee，andfascinatedbyherbeautyasitappearedtotheminthatunhallowedspot，andbythedepthanddignityofherwildprayer，thetwowatchershadeyesforheralone.Thereforeithappenedthatnotuntilhisarmwasabouttodragheraway，dideitherofthemperceiveahugeman，blackasebonyincolour，cladinacloakofleopardskinsandcarryinginhisrighthandabroad—bladedspearwho，followingtheshadowofthetrees，hadcreptuponthepriestessfromthefarthersideoftheglade.
Withagutturalexclamationoftriumphhegrippedherinhisleftarm，and，despiteherstrugglesandhershrillcryforhelp，beganhalftodragandhalftocarryhertowardsthedeepshadeofthebaobabgrove.
InstantlyAzielandMetemsprangupandrushedforward，drawingtheirbronzeswordsastheyran.Asitchanced，however，theIsraelitecaughthisfootinoneofthenumeroustree—roots，whichstoodabovethesurfaceofthegroundandfellheavilyuponhisface.Inafewseconds，twentyperhaps，hefoundhisbreathandfeetagain，toseethatMetemhadcomeupwiththeblackgiantwho，hearinghisapproach，suddenlywheeledroundtomeethim，stillholdingthestrugglingpriestessinhisgrasp.NowthePh？nicianwassocloseuponhimthatthesavagecouldfindnotimetoshiftthegripuponhisspear，butdroveathimwiththeknobbedendofitshandle，strikinghimfullupontheforeheadandfellinghimasabutcherfellsanox.Thenoncemoreheturnedtoflywithhiscaptive，butbeforehehadcoveredtenyardsthesoundofAziel’sapproachingfootstepscausedhimtowheelroundagain.
AtsightoftheIsraeliteadvancinguponhimwithdrawnsword，thegreatbarbarianfreedhimselffromtheburdenofthegirlbythrowingherheavilytotheground，whereshelay，forthebreathwasshakenoutofher.Thensnatchingthecloakfromhisthroathewounditoverhisleftarmtoserveasashield，andwithasavageyell，rushedstraightatAziel，purposingtotransfixhimwiththebroad—headedspear.
Wellwasitfortheprincethathehadbeentrainedinsword—playfromhisyouth，also，notwithstandinghisslightbuild，thathewasstrongandactiveasaleopard.Toawaittheonslaughtwouldbetodie，forthespearmustpiercehimbeforeeverhecouldreachtheattacker’sbodywithhisshortsword.Therefore，astheweaponflashedupwardhesprangaside，avoidingit，atthesametime，withoneswiftsweepofhissword，slashingitsholderacrossthebackashepassedhim.
Withahowlofpainandragethesavagesprangroundandchargedhimasecondtime.AgainAzielleapttooneside，butnowhestruckwithallhisforceatthespearshaftwhichhisassailantliftedtoguardhishead.Sostrongwastheblowandsosharptheheavysword，thatitshorethroughthewood，severingthehandlefromthespear，whichfelltotheground.Castingawaytheuselessshaft，thewarriordrewalongknifefromhisgirdle，andbeforeAzielcouldstrikeagainfacedhimforthethirdtime.Buthenolongerrushedonwardlikeabull，forhehadlearntcaution;hestoodstill，holdingtheskincloakbeforehimshieldfashion，andpeeringathisadversaryfromoveritsedge.
NowitwasAziel’sturntotaketheoffensive，andslowlyhecircledroundthehugebarbarian，watchinghisopportunity.Atlengthitcame.
Inanswertoafeintofhistheprotectingcloakwasdroppedalittle，enablinghimtoprickitsbearerintheneck，butonlywiththepointofhissword.Thethrustdelivered，heleaptback，andnottoosoon，forforgettinghiscautioninhisfury，thesavagechargedstraightathimwitharoarlikethatofalion.SoswiftandterriblewashisonsetthatAziel，havingnotimetospringaside，didtheonlythingpossible.Grippingthegroundwithhisfeet，hebenthisbodyforward，andwithoutstretchedarmandsword，braceduphismusclestoreceivethecharge.Anotherinstant，andtheleopardskincloakflutteredbeforehim.Withaquickmovementofhisleftarmhesweptitaside;
thentherecameasuddenpressureuponhisswordendinginajarringshock，aflashofsteelabovehishead，anddownhewenttothegroundbeneaththeweightoftheblackgiant.
\"Nowthereisanend，\"hethought;\"Heavenreceivemyspirit.\"Andhissenseslefthim.
Whentheyreturnedagain，Azielperceiveddimlythatawhite—drapedfigurebentoverhim，draggingatsomethingblackwhichcrushedhisbreast，who，asshedragged，sobbedinhergriefandfear.Thenheremembered，andwithaneffortsatup，rollingfromhimthecorpseofhisfoe，forhisswordhadpiercedthebarbarianthroughbreastandheartandback.Atthissightthewomanceasedhersobbing，andsaidinthePh？niciantongue：——
\"Sir，doyouindeedlive？Thentheprotectinggodsbethanked，andtoBaaltistheMotherIvowagiftofthishairofmineingratitude.\"
\"Nay，lady，\"heansweredfaintly，forhewasmuchshaken，\"thatwouldbeapity;also，ifany，itismyhairwhichshouldbevowed.\"
\"Youbleedfromthehead，\"shebrokein;\"say，stranger，areyoudeeplywounded.\"
\"Iwilltellyounothingofmyhead，\"hereplied，withasmile，\"unlessyoupromisethatyouwillnotofferupyourhair.\"
\"Sobeit，stranger，sinceImust;Iwillgivethegoddessthisgoldchaininstead;itisofmoreworth.\"
\"Youwoulddobetter，lady，\"saidtheshrillvoiceofMetemagain，whobynowhadfoundhiswitsagain，\"togivethegoldchaintomewhosescalphasbeenbrokeninrescuingyoufromthatblackthief.\"
\"Sir，\"sheanswered，\"Iamgratefultoyoufrommyheart，butitisthisyounglordwhokilledthemanandsavedmefromslaveryworsethandeath，andheshallberewardedbymyfather.\"
\"Listentoher，\"grumbledMetem.\"DidInotrushinfirstinmyfollyandreceivewhatIdeservedformypains？ButamItohaveneitherthanksnorpay，whoambutanoldmerchant;theyarefortheyoungprincewhocameafter.Well，soiteverwas;thethanksIcanspare，andtherewardIshallclaimfromthetreasuryofthegoddess.
\"Now，Prince，letmeseeyourhurt.Ah！acutontheear，nomore，andthankyournatalstarthatitisso，foranotherinchandthegreatveinoftheneckwouldhavebeensevered.Prince，ifyouareable，drawoutyourswordfromthecarcaseofthatbrute，forIhavetriedandcannotloosentheblade.Thenperhapsthisladywillguideustothecitybeforehisfellowscometoseekhim，seeingthatforonenightIhavehadastomachfulloffighting.\"
\"Sirs，Iwillindeed.Itiscloseathand，andmyfatherwillthankyouthere;butifitisyourpleasure，tellmebywhatnamesIshallmakeknowntohimyouwhoserankseemstobesohigh？\"
\"Lady，IamMetemthePh？nician，captainofthemerchandiseofthecaravanofHiram，KingofTyre，andthislordwhoslewthethiefisnoneotherthantheprinceAziel，thetwiceroyal，forheisgrandsontothegloriousKingofIsrael，andthroughhismotherofthebloodofthePharaohsofEgypt.\"
\"Andyetheriskedhislifetosaveme，\"thegirlmurmuredastonished;
thendroppingtoherkneesbeforeAziel，shetouchedthegroundwithherforeheadinobeisance，givinghimthanks，andpraisinghimafterthefashionoftheEast.
\"Rise，lady，\"hebrokein，\"becauseIchancetobeaprinceIhavenotceasedtobeaman，andnomancouldhaveseenyouinsuchaplightwithoutstrikingablowonyourbehalf.\"
\"No，\"addedMetem，\"none;thatis，asyouhappentobenobleandyoungandlovely.Hadyoubeenoldanduglyandhumble，thentheblackmanmighthavecarriedyoufromheretoTyreereIriskedmynecktostophim，orforthematterofthat，althoughhewilldenyit，theprinceeither.\"
\"Mendonotoftenshowtheirheartssoclearly，\"sheansweredwithsarcasm.\"Butnow，lords，Iwillguideyoutothecitybeforemoreharmbefallsus，forthisdeadmanmayhavecompanions.\"
\"Ourmulesarehere，lady;willyounotridemine？\"askedAziel.
\"Ithankyou，Prince，butmyfeetwillcarryme.\"
\"Andsowillmine，\"saidAziel，ceasingfromaprolongedandfruitlessefforttoloosenhisswordfromthebreast—boneofthesavage，\"onsuchpathstheyaresaferthananybeasts.Friend，willyouleadmymulewithyours？\"
\"Ay，Prince，\"grumbledMetem，\"forsotheworldgoeswiththeold;youtakethefairladyforcompanyandIashe—ass.Well，ofthetwogivemetheasswhichismoresafeanddoesnotchatter.\"
Thentheystarted，Azielleavinghisshortswordinthekeepingofthedeadman.
\"Howareyounamed，lady？\"hesaidpresently，adding\"orratherIneednotask;youareElissa，thedaughterofSakon，GovernorofZimboe，areyounot？\"
\"Iamsocalled，thoughhowyouknowitIcannotguess.\"
\"Iheardyounameyourself，lady，intheprayeryoumadebeforethealtar.\"
\"Youheardmyprayer，Prince？\"shesaidstarting.\"DoyounotknowthatitisdeathtothatmanwhohearkenstotheprayerofapriestessofBaaltis，utteredinherholygrove？Still，noneknowitsavethegoddess，whoseesall，thereforeIbeseechyouforyourownsakeandthesakeofyourcompanion，saynothingofitinthecity，lestitshouldcometotheearsofthepriestsofEl.\"
\"CertainlyitwouldhavebeendeathtoyouhadI/not/chancedtohearit，havinglostmywayinthedarkness，\"answeredtheprincelaughing.
\"Well，sinceIdidhearitIwilladdthatitwasabeautifulprayer，revealingahearthighandpure，thoughIgrievethatitshouldhavebeenofferedtoonewhomIholdtobeademon.\"
\"Iamhonoured，\"sheansweredcoldly;\"but，Prince，youforgetthatthoughyou，beingaHebrew，worshipHimtheycallJehovah，orsoI
havebeentold，I，beingofthebloodoftheSidonians，worshiptheladyBaaltis，theQueenofHeaventheholyoneofwhomIamapriestess.\"
\"Soitis，alas！\"hesaid，withasigh，adding：——
\"Well，letusnotdisputeofthesematters，though，ifyouwish，theprophetIssachar，theLevitewhoaccompaniesme，canexplainthetruthofthemtoyou.\"
Elissamadenoreply，andforawhiletheywalkedoninsilence.
\"WhowasthatblackrobberwhomIslew？\"Azielaskedpresently.
\"Iamnotsure，Prince，\"sheanswered，hesitating，\"butsavagessuchashehaunttheoutskirtsofthecityseekingtostealwhitewomentobetheirwives.Doubtlesshewatchedmysteps，followingmeintotheholyplace.\"
\"Why，then，didyouventuretherealone，lady？\"
\"Because，tobeheard，suchprayersasminemustbeofferedinsolitudeintheconsecratedgrove，andatthehouroftherisingofthemoon.Moreover，cannotBaaltisprotectherpriestess，Priest，anddidshenotprotecther？\"
\"Ithought，lady，thatIhadsomethingtodowiththematter，\"heanswered.
\"Ay，Prince，itwasyourhandthatstrucktheblowwhichkilledthethief，butBaaltis，andnoother，ledyoutotheplacetorescueme.\"
\"Iunderstand，lady.Tosaveyou，Baaltis，layingasideherownpower，ledamortalmantothegrove，whichitisdeaththatmortalmanshouldviolate.\"
\"Whocanfathomthewayofthegods？\"sherepliedwithpassion，thenadded，asthoughreasoningwithanew—borndoubt，\"Didnotthegoddesshearmyprayerandanswerit？\"
\"Intruth，lady，Icannotsay.Letmethink.IfIunderstoodyourightly，youprayedforheavenlywisdom，butwhetherornotyouhavegaineditwithinthislasthour，Idonotknow.Andthenyouprayedforlove，animmortallove.O，maiden，hasitcometoyousinceyondermoonappeareduponthesky？Andyouprayed————\"
\"Peace！\"shebrokein，\"peaceandmockmenot，or，princethatyouare，IwillpublishyourcrimeofspyingupontheprayerofapriestessofBaaltis.ItellyouthatIprayedforasymbolandasign，andtheprayerwasanswered.
\"Didnottheblackgiantspringuponmetobearmeawaytobehisslave——his，oranother’s？Andishenotasymboloftheevilandtheignorancewhichareontheearthandthatseektodragdownthebeautyandthewisdomoftheearthtotheirownlevel？ThenthePh？nicianrantorescuemeandwasdefeated，sincethespiritofMammoncannotovercometheblackpowersofill.Nextyoucameandfoughthardandlong，tillintheendyouslewthemightyfoe，youaPrincebornoftheroyalbloodoftheworld————\"andsheceased.
\"Youhaveaprettygiftofparable，lady，asitshouldbewithonewhointerpretstheoraclesofagoddess.ButyouhavenottoldmeofwhatI，yourservant，amthesymbol.\"
Shestoppedinherwalkandlookedhimfullintheface.
\"Ineverheard，\"shesaid，\"thateithertheJewsortheEgyptians，beinginstructed，wereblindtothereadingofanallegory.But，Prince，ifyoucannotreadthisoneitisnotforme，whoambutawoman，tosetitouttoyou.\"
Justthentheirglancesmet，andintheclearmoonlightAzielsawawaveofdoubtsweepoverhiscompanion’sdarkandbeautifuleyes，andafaintflushappearuponherbrow.Hesaw，andsomethingstirredathisheartthattillthishourhehadneverfelt，somethingwhichevennowheknewitwouldtroublehimgreatlytoescape.
\"Tellme，lady，\"heasked，hisvoicesinkingalmosttoawhisper，\"inthisfableofyoursamIevenforanhourdeemedworthytoplaythepartofthatimmortalloveembodiedwhichyousoughtsoearnestlyawhileago？\"
\"Immortallove，Prince，\"sheanswered，inanewvoice，avoicelowanddeep，\"isnotforonehour，butforallhoursthatareandaretobe.
You，andyoualone，canknowifyouwoulddaretoplaysuchapartasthis——eveninafable.\"
\"Perchance，lady，therelivesawomanforwhomitmightbedared.\"
\"Prince，nosuchwomanlives，sinceimmortallovemustdeal，notwiththeflesh，butwiththespirit.Ifaspiritworthytobethuslovedandworshippednowwandersinearthlyshapeupontheworld，seekingitscounterpartanditscompletion，Icannottell.Yetwereitso，andshouldtheychancetomeet，itmightbehappyforsuchbravespirits，forthentheanswertothegreatriddlewouldbetheirs.\"
Wonderingwhatthisriddlemightbe，Azielbenttowardshertoreply，whensuddenlyroundabendinthepathbutafewpacesfromthemcameabodyofsoldiersandattendants，headedbyamancladinawhiterobeandwalkingwithastaff.Thismanwasgrey—headedandkeen—eyed，thininfaceandasceticinappearance，withabrowofpowerandabearingofdignity.Atthesightofthepairhehalted，lookingattheminquestion，andwithdisapproval.
\"Oursearchisended，\"hesaidinHebrew，\"forhereishewhomweseek，andalonewithhimaheathenwoman，robedlikeapriestessoftheGroves.\"
\"Whomdoyouseek，Issachar？\"askedAzielhurriedly，forthesuddenappearanceoftheLevitedisturbedhim.
\"Yourself，Prince.Surelyyoucanguessthatyourabsencehasbeennoted.Wefearedlestharmshouldhavecometoyou，orthatyouhadlostyourpath，butitseemsthatyouhavefoundaguide，\"andhestaredathiscompanionsternly.
\"Thatguide，Issachar，\"answeredAziel，\"beingnoneotherthantheladyElissa，daughterofSakon，governorofthiscity，andourhost，whomithasbeenmygoodfortunetorescuefromawoman—stealeryonderinthegroveofthegoddessBaaltis.\"
\"Andwhomitwasmybadfortunetotrytorescueinthesaidgrove，asmybrokenheadbearswitness，\"addedMetem，whobynowhadcomeup，draggingthetwomulesafterhim.
\"InthegroveofthegoddessBaaltis！\"brokeintheLevitewithakindlingeye，andstrikingthegroundwithhisstafftoemphasisehiswords.\"You，aPrinceofIsrael，aloneinthehighplaceofabominationwiththepriestessofafiend？Fieuponyou，fieuponyou！
Wouldyoualsowalkinthesinofyourforefathers，Aziel，andsosoon？\"
\"Peace！\"saidAzielinavoiceofcommand;\"Iwasnotinthegrovealoneorbymyownwill，andthisisnotimeorplaceforinsultsandwrangling.\"
\"Betweenmeandthosewhoseekafterfalsegods，orthewomenwhoworshipthem，thereisnopeace，\"repliedtheoldpriestfiercely.
Then，followedbyallthecompany，heturnedandstrodetowardsthegatesofthecity.
CHAPTERIII
ITHOBALTHEKING
Twohourshadgoneby，andtheprinceAziel，togetherwithhisretinue，theofficersofthecaravan，andmanyotherguests，wereseatedatagreatfeastmadeintheirhonour，bySakon，thegovernorofthecity.ThisfeastwasheldinthelargepillaredhallofSakon’shouse，builtbeneaththenorthernwallofthetemplefortress，andnotmorethanafewpacesfromitsnarrowentrance，throughwhichincaseofalarmtheinhabitantsofthepalacecouldflyforsafety.Alldownthischamberwereplacedtables，accommodatingmorethantwohundredfeasters，buttheprincipalguestswereseatedbythemselvesuponaraisedda？sattheheadofthehall.AmongthemsatSakonhimself，amiddle—agedmanstoutinbuild，andthoughtfulofface，hisdaughterElissa，someothernobleladies，andascoreormoreofthenotablesofthecityanditssurroundingterritories.
OneofthesestrangersimmediatelyattractedtheattentionofAziel，whowasseatedintheplaceofhonourattherightofSakon，betweenhimandtheladyElissa.Thismanwasoflargestature，andaboutfortyyearsofage;themagnificenceofhisapparelandthegreatgoldchainsetwithroughdiamondswhichhungabouthisneckshowinghimtobeapersonofimportance.Histawnycomplexionmarkedhimofmixedrace.Thisconclusionhisfeaturesdidnotbelie，forthebrow，nose，andcheek—boneswereSemiticinoutline，whilethefull，prominenteyes，andthick，sensuouslipscouldwithequalcertaintybeattributedtotheNegroidstock.Infact，hewasthesonofanativeAfricanqueen，orchieftainess，andanoblePh？nician，andhisranknolessthanthatofabsolutekingandhereditarychiefofavastandundefinedterritorywhichlayaroundthetradingcitiesofthewhitemen，whereofZimboewastheheadandlargest.Azielnoticedthatthisking，whowasnamedIthobal，seemedangryandillatease，whetherbecausehewasnotsatisfiedwiththeplacewhichhadbeenallottedtohimatthetable，orforotherreasons，hecouldnotatthetimedetermine.
Whenthemeatshadbeenremoved，andthegobletswerefilledwithwine，menbegantotalk，tillpresentlySakoncalledforsilence，andrising，addressedAziel：——
\"Prince，\"hesaid，\"inthenameofthisgreatandfreecity——forfreeitis，thoughweacknowledgethekingofTyreasoursuzerain——Igiveyouwelcomewithinourgates.Here，farintheheartofLibya，wehaveheardofthegloriousandwiseking，yourgrandfather，andofthemightyPharaohofEgypt，whosebloodrunsalsowithinyourveins.
Prince，wearehonouredinyourcoming，andfortheasking，whateverthislandofgoldcanboastisyours.Longmayyoulive;maythefavourofthosegodsyouworshipattendyou，andinthepursuitofwisdom，ofwealth，ofwar，andoflove，maythegoodgrainofallbegarneredinyourbosom，andthewindofprosperitywinnowoutthechaffofthemtofallbeneathyourfeet.Prince，IhavegreetedyouasitbehovesmetogreetthebloodofSolomonandPharaoh;nowIaddaword.NowIgreetyouasafathergreetsthemanwhohassavedhisonlyandbeloveddaughterfromdeath，orshamefulbondage.Knowyou，friends，whatthisstrangerdidsinceto—night’smoonrise？Mydaughterwasatworshipaloneyonderwithoutthewalls，andagreatsavagesetonher，purposingtobearherawaycaptive.Ay，andhewouldhavedoneithadnottheprinceAzielheregivenhimbattle，and，afterafiercefight，slainhim.\"
\"Nogreatdeedtokillasinglesavage，\"brokeinthekingIthobal，whohadbeenlisteningwithimpatiencetoSakon’spraisesofthishigh—bornstranger.
\"Nogreatdeedyousay，King，\"answeredSakon.\"Guards，beinginthebodyofthemanandsetitbeforeus.\"
Therewasapause，tillpresentlysixmenstaggeredupthehallbearingbetweenthemthecorpseofthebarbarian，which，stillcoveredwiththeleopardskinmantle，theythrewdownontheedgeoftheda？s.
\"See！\"saidoneofthebearers，withdrawingthecloakfromthehugebody.Thenpointingtotheswordwhichstilltransfixedit，headded，\"andlearnwhatstrengthheavengivestothearmsofprinces.\"
Suchastheguestsaswerenearenoughrosetolookatthegrizzlysight，thenturnedtooffertheircongratulationstotheconqueror.
buttherewasoneofthem——thekingIthobal——whoofferednone;indeed，ashiseyesfelluponthefaceofthecorpse，theygrewalightwithrage.
\"Whatailsyou，King？Areyoujealousofsuchablow？\"askedSakon，watchinghimcuriously.
\"Speaknomoreofthatthrust，Iprayyou，\"saidAziel，\"foritwasduetotheweightofthemanrushingonthesword，whichafterhewasdeadIcouldnotfindthepowertoloosenfromhisbreast—bone.\"
\"ThenIwilldoyouthatservice，Prince，\"sneeredIthobal，and，settinghisfootuponthebreastofthecorpse，withasuddeneffortofhisgreatframe，hepluckedouttheswordandcastitdownuponthetable.
\"Now，onemightthink，\"saidAziel，flushingwithanger，\"thatyou，King，whodoacourtesytoamanofsmallerstrength，meanachallenge.Doubtless，however，Iammistaken，whodonotunderstandthemannersofthiscountry.\"
\"Thinkwhatyouwill，Prince，\"answeredthechieftain，\"butlearnthathewholiesdeadbeforeusbyyourhand——asyousay——wasnoslavetobekilledatpleasure，butamanofrank，noneother，indeed，thanthesonofmymother’ssister.\"
\"Isitso？\"repliedAziel，\"thensurely，King，youarewellridofacousin，howeverhighlyborn，whomadeithisbusinesstoravishmaidensfromtheirhomes.\"
BywayofanswertothesewordsIthobalsprangfromhisseatagain，layinghanduponhissword.Butbeforehecouldspeakordrawit，thegovernorSakonaddressedhiminacoldandmeaningvoice：——
\"Ofyourcourtesy，King，\"hesaid，\"rememberthattheprincehereismyguest，asyouare，andgiveuspeace.Ifthatdeadmanwasyourcousin，atleasthewelldeservedtodie，notatthehandofoneofroyalblood，butbythatoftheexecutioner，forhewastheworstofthieves——athiefofwomen.Nowtellme，King，Iprayyou，howcameyourcousinhere，sofarfromhome，sincehewasnotnumberedinyourretinue？\"
\"Idonotknow，Sakon，\"answeredIthobal，\"andifIknewIwouldnotsay.Youtellmethatmydeadkinsmanwasathiefofwomen，which，inPh？nicianeyes，mustbeacrimeindeed.Sobeit;butthiefornothief，Isaythatthereisabloodfeudbetweenmeandthemanwhoslewhim，andwerehegreatSolomonhimself，insteadofoneoffiftyprinceletsofhisline，heshouldpaybitterlyforthedead.
To—morrow，Sakon，IwillmeetyoubeforeIleaveformyownland，forIhavewordstospeaktoyou.Tillthen，farewell！\"——andrising，hestrodedownthehall，followedbyhisofficersandguard.
ThesuddendepartureofkingIthobalinangerwasthesignalforthebreakingupofthefeast.
\"Whyisthathalf—bredchiefsowrathwithme？\"askedAzielinalowvoiceofElissaastheyfollowedSakontoanotherchamber.
\"Because——ifyouwouldknowthetruth——hesethisdeadcousintokidnapme，andyouthwartedhim，\"sheanswered，lookingstraightbeforeher.
Azielmadenoreply，foratthatmomentSakonturnedtospeakwithhim，andhisfacewasanxious.
\"Icraveyourpardon，Prince，\"hesaid，drawinghimaside，\"thatyoushouldhavemetwithsuchinsultsatmyboard.Haditbeenanyothermanwhospokethustoyou，bynowhehadruedhiswords，butthisIthobalistheterrorofourcity，forifhechooseshecanbringahundredthousandsavagesuponus，shuttinguswithinourwallstostarve，andcuttingusofffromtheworkingofthemineswhencewewingold.Therefore，inthiswayorthat，hemustbehumoured，asindeedwehavehumouredhimandhisfatherforyears，thoughnow，\"headded，hisbrowdarkening，\"hedemandsapricethatIamlothtopay，\"andheglancedtowardshisdaughter，whostoodwatchingthematalittledistance，lookingmostbeautifulinherwhiterobesandornamentsofgold.
\"Canyounotmakewaruponhim，andbreakhispower？\"askedAziel，withastrangeanxiety，guessingthatthispricedemandedbyIthobalwasnoneotherthanElissa，thewomanwhomhehadrescued，andwhosewisdomandbeautyhadstirredhisheart.
\"Itmightbedone，Prince，buttheriskwouldbegreat，andweareheretoworktheminesandgrowrichintrade——nottomakewar.ThepolicyofZimboehasalwaysbeenapolicyofpeace.\"
\"Ihaveabetterandcheaperplan，\"saidacalmvoiceathiselbow——
thatofMetem.\"Itisthis：Slipabow—stringoverthebrute’sheadasheliessnoring，andpullittight.Aneagleinacageiseasytodealwith，butonceonthewingthematterisdifferent.\"
\"Thereiswisdominyourcounsel，\"saidSakon，inahesitatingvoice.
\"Wisdom！\"brokeinAziel;\"ay，thewisdomoftheassassin.What，nobleSakon，wouldyoumurderasleepingguest？\"
\"No，Prince，Iwouldnot，\"heansweredhastily;\"also，suchadeedwouldbringtheTribesuponus.\"
\"Then，Sakon，youaremorefoolishthanyouusedtobe，\"saidMetemlaughing.\"Amanwhowillnotdespatchafoe，wheneverhecancatchhim，bymeansfairorfoul，isnotthemantogovernarichcitysetintheheartofabarbarousland，andsoIshalltellHiram，ourking，ifeverIlivetoseeTyreagain.Asforyou，mosthighPrince，forgivethehumblestofyourservantsifhetellsyouthatthetendernessofyourheartandthenobilityofyoursentimentswill，I
think，bringyoutoanearlyandevilend;\"and，glancingtowardsElissaasthoughtoputapointuponhiswords，Metemsmiledsarcasticallyandwithdrew.
Atthismomentamessenger，whoselongwhitehair，wildeyesandredrobeannouncedhimtobeapriestofEl，bywhichnamethepeopleofZimboeworshippedBaal，enteredtheroom，andwhisperedsomethingintotheearofSakonwhichseemedtodisturbhimmuch.
\"Pardonme，Prince，andyou，myguests，ifIleaveyou，\"saidthegovernor，\"butIhaveeviltidingsthatcallmetothetemple.TheladyBaaltisisseizedwiththeblackfever，andImustvisither.Foranhour，farewell.\"
Thisnewscausedconsternationamongthecompany，andinthegeneralconfusionthatfolloweditsannouncementAzieljoinedElissa，whohadpassedontothebalconyofthehouse，andwasseatedtherealone，lookingoutoverthemoonlitcityandtheplainsbeyond.Athisapproachsheroseintokenofrespect，thensatherselfdownagain，motioninghimtodolikewise.
\"Givemeofyourwisdom，lady，\"hesaid.\"IthoughtthatBaaltiswasthegoddesswhomIheardyouworshippingyonderinthegrove;how，then，canshebestrickenwithafever？\"
\"Sheisthegoddess，\"Elissaansweredsmiling;\"butthe/lady/Baaltisisawomanwhomwerevereastheincarnationofthatgoddessuponearth，andbeingbutawomaninherhourshemustdie.\"
\"Then，whatbecomesoftheincarnationofthegoddess？\"
\"AnotherischosenbythecollegeofthepriestsofEl，andthecompanyofthepriestessesofBaaltis.IfthatladyBaaltiswhoisdeadchancestoleaveadaughter，itisusualforthelottofalluponher;ifnot，uponsuchoneofthenoblemaidensasmaybechosen.\"
\"DoestheladyBaaltismarry，then？\"
\"Yes，Prince，withinayearofherconsecration，shemustchooseherselfahusband，andhemaybewhomshewill，providedonlythatheisofwhiteblood，anddoespublicsacrificetoElandBaaltis.Thenaftershehasnamedhim，thishusbandtakesthetitleofShadid，andforsolongashiswifeshallliveheisthehighpriestofthegodEl，andclothedwiththemajestyofthegod，ashiswifeisclothedwiththemajestyofBaaltis.Butshouldshedie，anotherwinshisplace.\"
\"Itisastrangefaith，\"saidAziel，\"whichteachesthattheLordofHeavencanfindahomeinmortalbreasts.But，lady，itisyours，soofitIsaynomore.Nowtellme，ifyouwill，whatdidyoumeanwhenyousaidthatthisbarbarianking，Ithobal，setthesavagewhomIslewtokidnapyou？Doyouknowthis，ordoyoususpectitonly？\"
\"Isuspecteditfromthefirst，Prince，andforgoodreasons;
moreover，Ireaditintheking’sfaceashelookeduponthecorpse，andwhenheperceivedmeamongthefeasters.\"
\"Andwhyshouldhewishtocarryyouawaythisbrutally，lady，whenheisatpeacewiththegreatcity？\"
\"Perchance，Prince，afterwhatpassedto—nightyoucanguess，\"sheansweredloweringhereyes.
\"Yes，lady，Icanguess，andthoughitisshamefulthatsuchanoneshoulddaretothinkofyou，still，sinceheisaman，Icannotblamehimovermuch.Butwhyshouldhepresshissuitinthisroughandsecretfashioninsteadofopenlyasakingmightdo？\"
\"Hemayhavepresseditopenlyandbeenrepulsed，\"sherepliedinalowvoice.\"Butifhecouldhavecarriedmetosomefarfortress，howshouldIflouthimthere，thatis，ifIstilllived？There，withnopricetopayingoldorlandsorpower，hewouldhavebeenmymaster，andIshouldhavebeenhisslavetillsuchtimeasheweariedofme.
Thatisthefatefromwhichyouhavesavedme，Prince，orratherfromdeath，forIamnotonewhocouldbearsuchshameatthehandsofamanIhate.\"
\"Lady，\"hesaidbowing，\"IthinkthatperhapsforthefirsttimeinmylifeIamgladto—nightthatIwasborn.\"
\"AndI，\"sheanswered，\"whoambutaPh？nicianmaiden，amgladthatI
shouldhavelivedtohearonewhoisasroyalinthoughtandsoulasheisinrankspeakthustome.Oh！Prince，\"sheadded，claspingherhands，\"ifyourwordsarenotthoseofemptycourtesyalone，hearme，foryouaregreat，aLordoftheEarthwhomnonerefuse，anditmaybeinyourpowertogivemeaid.Prince，Iaminasorestrait，forthatdangerfromwhichIprayedtobedeliveredthisnightpressesmehard.
Prince，itistruethatIthobalhasbeenrefusedmyhand，bothbymyselfandbymyfather，andthereforeitwasthathestrovetostealmeaway.Buttheevilisnotdonewith，forthegreatnoblesofthecityandthechiefpriestsofElcametomyfatheratsunsetandprayedhimthathewouldletIthobaltakeme，seeingthatotherwiseinhisragehewillmakewaruponZimboe.Whenamanplacedasismyfathermustchoosebetweenthesafetyofthousandsandthehonourandhappinessofonepoorgirl，whatwillhisanswerbe，thinkyou？\"
\"Now，\"saidAziel，\"savethatnowrongcanrightawrong，IalmostgrievethatIcriedshameuponthecounselofMetem.Sweetlady，besureofthis，thatIwillgiveallIhave，eventomylife，toprotectyoufromthevilefateyoudread——yes，allIhave——exceptmysoul.\"
\"Ah！\"shecriedwithasuddenflashofherdarkeyes，\"allexceptyoursoul.Ifwewomencouldfindthemanwhowouldriskbothlifeandsoulforus，then，werehebutaslave，wewouldworshiphimasnevermanwasworshippedsinceBaaltismountedherheavenlythrone.\"
\"WereInotaHebrewyouwouldtemptme，lady，\"Azielansweredsmiling，\"butbeingoneImaynotriskmysoulevenweresuchaprizewithinmyreach.\"
\"Nay，Prince，\"shebrokein，\"Ididbutjest;forgetmywords，fortheywerewrungfromahearttornwithfears.Oh！didyouknowtheterrorofthishalf—savageIthobalwhichoppressesme，youwouldforgivemeall——aterrorthatto—nightliesuponmewithatenfoldweight.\"
\"Whyso，lady？\"
\"Doubtlessbecauseitisnearer，\"Elissawhispered，butherbeautifulpleadingeyesandquiveringlipsseemedtobelieherwordsandsay，\"because/you/arenear，andachangehascomeuponme.\"
ForthesecondtimethatdayAziel’sglancemethers，andforthesecondtimeastrangenewpangthatwasmorepainthanjoy，andyethalf—divine，snatchedathisheart—strings，forawhilenumbinghisreasonandtakingfromhimthepowerofspeech.
\"Whatwasit？\"hewonderedvaguely.Hehadseenmanylovelyfaces，andmanynoblewomenhadshownhimfavour，butwhyhadnoneofthemstirredhimthus？CoulditbethatthisstrangerGentilemaidenwashissoul—mate——shewhomhewasdestinedtoloveaboveallupontheearth，nay，whomhedidalreadylove，andsosoon？
\"Lady，\"hesaid，takingasteptowardsher，\"lady————\"andhepaused.
Elissabowedherdarkheadtillhergold—bedeckedandscentedhairalmostfelluponhisfeet，butshemadenoanswer.
Thenanothervoicebrokeuponthesilence，aclear，stridentvoicethatsaid：——
\"Prince，forgiveme，ifforthesecondtimeto—dayIdisturbyou;buttheguestshavegone;yourchamberismadeready，and，notknowingthecustomsofthewomenofthiscountry，Isoughtyou，littleguessingthat，atsuchanhour，Ishouldfindyoualonewithoneofthem.\"
Aziellookedup，althoughtherewasnoneedforhimtodoso，forheknewthatvoicewell，toseethetallformoftheLeviteIssacharstandingbeforethem，acoldlightofangershininginhiseyes.
Elissasawalso，and，withsomemurmuredwordsoffarewell，sheturnedandwent，leavingthemtogether.
CHAPTERIV
THEDREAMOFISSACHAR
Foramomenttherewassilence，whichAzielbroke，saying：——
\"Itseemstome，Issachar，thatyouaresomewhatoverzealousformywelfare.\"
\"Ithinkotherwise，Prince，\"repliedtheLevitesternly.\"Didnotyourgrandsiregiveyouintomykeeping，andshallInotbefaithfultomytrust，andtoahigherdutythananywhichhecouldlayuponme？\"
\"Yourmeaning，Issachar？\"
\"Itisplain，Prince;butIwillsetitout.ThegreatkingsaidtomeyonderinthehallofhisgoldenpalaceatJerusalem，’Toothers，menofwar，Ihavegivenchargeofthebodyofmygrandsontokeephimsafe.Toyou，IssachartheLevite，whohavefosteredhim，Igivechargeoverhissoultokeepitsafe——ahighertask，andmoredifficult.Guardhim，Issachar，fromthetemptationofstrangedoctrinesandthewhisperingsofstrangegods，butguardhimmostofallfromthewilesofstrangewomenwhobowthekneetoBaal，forsucharethegateofGehennauponearth，andthosewhoenterbyitshallfindtheirplaceinTophet.’\"
\"Trulymygrandsirespeakswiselyonthismatterasonallothers，\"
answeredAziel，\"butstillIdonotunderstand.\"
\"ThenIwillbemoreclear，Prince.HowcomesitthatIfindyoualonewiththisbeautifulsorceress，thisworshipperoftheshe—devil，Baaltis，withwhomyoushouldscorneventospeak，exceptsuchwordsascourtesydemands？\"
\"Isitthenforbiddentome，\"askedAzielangrily，\"totalkwiththedaughterofmyhost，aladywhomIchancedtosavefromdeath，ofthecustomsofhercountryandthemysteriesofworship？\"
\"Themysteriesofworship！\"answeredIssacharscornfully.\"Ay！themysteriesoftheworshipofthatfairbodyofhers，thativorychalicefilledwithfoulness——whereof，ifamandrink，hisfaithshallberottedandhissoulpoisoned.Themysteriesofthatworshipwasit，Prince，thatcausedyoubutnowtoleantowardsthiswomanasthoughtoembraceher，withwordsofloveburninginyourheartifnotbetweenyourlips？Ah！thesewitchesofBaaltisknowtheirtradewell;
theyarefullofevilgifts，andofthewisdomgiventothembythefiendtheyserve.Withtouchandsighandlooktheycanstirthebloodofyouth，havingmuchpracticeintheart，tillitseetheswithintheveinsanddrownsconscienceinitsflood.
\"Nay，Prince，hearthetruth，\"continuedIssachar.\"Tillmoonriseyouhadneverseenthiswoman，andnowyourquickbloodisaflame，andyouloveher.Denyitifyoucan——denyitonyourhonourandIwillbelieveyou，foryouarenoliar.\"
Azielthoughtforamomentandanswered：——
\"Issachar，youhavenorighttoquestionmeonthismatter，yetsinceyouhaveadjuredmebymyhonour，Iwillbeopenwithyou.IdonotknowifIlovethiswoman，who，asyousay，isastrangertome，butitistruethatmyheartturnstowardsherlikeflowerstothesun.
Tillto—dayIhadneverseenher，yetwhenmyeyesfirstfelluponherfaceyonderinthataccursedgrove，itseemedtomethatIhadbeenbornonlythatImightfindher.ItseemedtomeeventhatforagesI
hadknownher，thatforevershewasmineandthatIwashers.Readmetheriddle，Issachar？Isthisbutpassionbornofyouthandthesuddensightofafairwoman？Thatcannotbe，forIhaveknownothersasfair，andhavepassedthroughsomesuchfires.Tellme，Issachar，youwhoareoldandwiseandhaveseenmuchoftheheartsofmen，whatisthiswavethatoverwhelmsme？\"
\"Whatisit，Prince？Itiswitchery;itisthewileofBeelzebubwaitingtosnatchyoursoul，andifyouhearkentoityoushallpassthroughthefire——throughthefiretoMoloch，ifnotintheflesh，theninthespirit，whichistoalleternity.Oh！notinvaindoI
fearforyou，myson，andnotwithoutreasonwasIwarnedinadream.
Listen：Lastnight，asIlayinmytentyonderupontheplain，I
dreamedthatsomedangerovershadowedyou，andinmysleepIprayedthatyourdestinymightberevealedtome.AsIprayedthus，Iheardavoicesaying，’Issachar，youseektolearnthefuture;knowthenthathewhoisdeartoyoushallbetriedinthefurnaceindeed.Yes，becauseofhisgreatloveandpity，heshallforswearhisfaith，andwithdeathandsorrowheshallpaythepriceofhissin.’
\"ThenIwastroubledandbesoughtHeaventhatyou，myson，mightbesavedfromthisunknowntemptation，butthevoiceansweredme：——
\"’Oftheirownwillonlycantheywhowereonefromthebeginningbeheldapart.Throughgoodandillletthemworkeachother’swoeorweal.Thegoalissure，buttheymustchoosetheroad.’
\"NowasIwonderedwhatthesedarksayingsmightmean，thegloomopenedandIsawyou，Aziel，standinginagroveoftrees，whiletowardsyouwithoutstretchedhandsdrewaveiledwomanwhoboreuponherbrowthegoldenbowofBaaltis.Thenfireragedaboutyou，andinthefireIbeheldmanythingswhichIhaveforgotten，andmovingthroughitwasthePrinceofDeath，whoslewandslewandsparednot.
SoIawokeheavyatheart，knowingthattherehadfallenonmewholoveyouashadowofdoomtocome.\"
IntheselatterdaysanyeducatedmanwouldsetasideIssachar’swildvisionasthevapouringsofaminddistraught.ButAziellivedinthetimeofSolomon，whenmenofhisnationguidedtheirstepsbythelightofprophecy，andbelievedthatitwastheDivinepleasure，bymeansofdreamsandwondersandthroughthemouthsofchosenseers，todeclarethewillofJehovahuponearth.Tothisfaith，indeed，westillholdfast，atleastsofarasthatperiodandpeopleareconcerned，seeingthatweacknowledgeIsaiah，David，andtheircompany，tohavebeeninspiredfromabove.OfthatcompanyIssachartheLevitewasone，fortohim，fromhisyouthup，voiceshadspokeninthewatchesofthenight，andoftenhehadpouredhiswarningsanddenunciationsintotheearsofkingsandpeoples，tellingthemwithnouncertainvoiceoftheconsequencesofsinandidolatry，andofpunishmenttocome.ThisAziel，whohadbeenhiswardandpupil，knewwell，andthereforehedidnotmockatthepriest’sdreamorsetitasideasnaught，butbowedhisheadandlistened.
\"Iamhonouredindeed，\"hesaidwithhumility，\"thatthedestinyofmypoorsoulandbodyshouldbeathingofweighttothoseonhigh.\"
\"Ofyourpoorsoul，Aziel？\"brokeinIssachar.\"Thatsoulofyours，ofwhichyouspeaksolightly，isofasgreatvalueintheeyesofHeavenasthatofanycherubimwithinitsgates.Theangelswhofellwerethefirstandchiefestoftheangels，andthoughnowwearecladwithmortalshapeinpunishmentofoursins，againredeemedandglorifiedwecanbecomeamongthemightiestoftheirhosts.Oh！myson，I
beseechyou，turnfromthiswomanwhilethereyetistime，lesttoyouherlipsshouldbeacupofwoeandyoursoulshallpaythepriceofthem，sharingthehelloftheworshippersofAshtoreth.\"
\"Itmaybeso，\"saidAziel;\"but，Issachar，whatsaidthevoice？Thatthis，thewomanofyourdreamandIwereonefromthebeginning？
Issachar，youbelievethattheladyElissaissheofwhomthevoicespokeinyoursleepandyoubidmeturnfromherbecauseshewillbringmesinandpunishment.Intruth，ifIcan，Iwillobeyyou，sinceratherthanforswearmyfaith，asyourdreamforetold，Iwoulddieahundreddeaths.NordoIbelievethatforanybribeofwoman’sloveIshallforswearitinactorthought.Yetifsuchthingscomeaboutitisfatethatdrivesmeon，notmywill——andwhatmancanfleehisfate？ButeventhoughthisladybeshewhomIamdoomedtolove，yousaythatbecausesheisheathenImustrejecther.Shameuponthethought，forifsheisheathenitisthroughignorance，anditmaybeminetochangeherheart.BecauseIstandindangershallIsufferherwho，asyoutellme，wasonewithmefromthebeginning，tobelostinthathellofBaalofwhichyouspeak？Nay，yourdreamisfalse.Iwillnotrenouncemyfaith，butratherwillwinhertoshareit，andtogetherweshalltriumph，andthatIsweartoyou，Issachar.\"
\"Trulytheevilonehasmanywiles，\"answeredtheLevite，\"andIdidilltotellyouofmydream，seeingthatitcanbetwistedtoservethepurposeofyourmadness.Haveyourwill，Aziel，andreapthefruitofit，butofthisIwarnyou——thatwhileIcanfindawaytothwartit，never，Prince，shallyoutakethatwitchtoyourbosomtobetheruinofyourlifeandsoul.\"
\"Then，Issachar，onthismattertheremaybewarbetweenus！\"
\"Ay！thereiswar，\"saidtheLevite，andlefthim.