Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mariamne.
pointment in its proper light : a blush fell upon the maiden ' s cheek at the mere thought . " God of Abraham , " she continued , sinking upon her knees , " I am motherless , be thou my guide ; I am weak , be thou my help , my councillor ! " As she spoke , her father entered the chamber ; he had just returned from the mid-day service of the temple , the holy ephod shone resplendent upon his breast , and upon his brow the mitre blazed with the ineffable name of God . His arrival at that moment
seemed an answer to her prayer . She dared not resist the omen , but , casting herself at his feet , declared , with tears and blushes , her love for the young stranger , and the tumult the concealment had created in her soul . Anger was the first emotion of the High Priest , on hearing the strange , and to him unexpected confession ; a feeling which soon yielded to the natural benevolence of his heart , the tears of his daughter , and anxiety for her happiness .
" Rise , my child ! " he exclaimed , " if thou lovest the youth , and he proves worthy of thee , my blessing shall not be wanting to thy union ; meet him in the Temple , since thy word is given , its holiness will be a safeguard against all idle thoughts , and there reveal unto Eh the secret of his happiness . " With a light heart , and beaming countenance , the
now happy girl sank upon the breast of her parent . It was midnight : an awful gloom obscured the heavens ; not a ray of fight , save from the ever burning golden lamps , illumined the vast court of the Levites ; two figures might be seen , by their mild beams , pacing the marble pavement—they were the idolators . " The hour I have dreamed of is at hand ! " exclaimed the elder , proudly drawing the golden image at the same time from his vest :
" Belus , soon shalt thou be avenged !" " Peace ! " said his brother , eagerly , as he beheld a veiled figure approaching through the cloister ; " she comes , my prize—the richest gem of Israel—away to the fulfilment of your oath . " Aran , without replying , hastened to the accomplishment of his impious design , while Eli advanced to meet his intended victim . " Mariamne" said the lished dissemblertaking her bthe
, accomp , y hand , " this is a lonely hour , but suited to our parting " " Parting ! " reiterated the maiden , with a look of surprise . " I cannot live , " he continued , " so near to heaven , and yet continue hopeless ; this fever of my heart will end me ; I fly , ere reason follows my wreck of happiness . " " And is that thy only grief ? " demanded his happy mistress with a smile .
"Can it be , " exclaimed Eli , reproachfully , "that you mock my misery ! then , indeed , life hath lost its hope . " " Not so ; " replied the blushing girl , " it never blossomed fairer , Eh , dear . EM , restrain thy happiness ; listen calmly while I tell thee that my father knows of our Jove , and sanctions it , " she added , eagerly , alarmed at the aghast expression of his countenance ; " did I not tell we had wronged his nature bunwise concealment "
you generous y . This was a blow little calculated upon by the concealed idolater . For a few moments he was speechless from surprise and disappointment . He had now no pretext for urging their flight , on which his hopes depended . After a struggle with the bitterness of his feelings , he seized the hand of the confiding virgin . " Mariamne , dost thou love me ? answer me , for I am frantic , Canst
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mariamne.
pointment in its proper light : a blush fell upon the maiden ' s cheek at the mere thought . " God of Abraham , " she continued , sinking upon her knees , " I am motherless , be thou my guide ; I am weak , be thou my help , my councillor ! " As she spoke , her father entered the chamber ; he had just returned from the mid-day service of the temple , the holy ephod shone resplendent upon his breast , and upon his brow the mitre blazed with the ineffable name of God . His arrival at that moment
seemed an answer to her prayer . She dared not resist the omen , but , casting herself at his feet , declared , with tears and blushes , her love for the young stranger , and the tumult the concealment had created in her soul . Anger was the first emotion of the High Priest , on hearing the strange , and to him unexpected confession ; a feeling which soon yielded to the natural benevolence of his heart , the tears of his daughter , and anxiety for her happiness .
" Rise , my child ! " he exclaimed , " if thou lovest the youth , and he proves worthy of thee , my blessing shall not be wanting to thy union ; meet him in the Temple , since thy word is given , its holiness will be a safeguard against all idle thoughts , and there reveal unto Eh the secret of his happiness . " With a light heart , and beaming countenance , the
now happy girl sank upon the breast of her parent . It was midnight : an awful gloom obscured the heavens ; not a ray of fight , save from the ever burning golden lamps , illumined the vast court of the Levites ; two figures might be seen , by their mild beams , pacing the marble pavement—they were the idolators . " The hour I have dreamed of is at hand ! " exclaimed the elder , proudly drawing the golden image at the same time from his vest :
" Belus , soon shalt thou be avenged !" " Peace ! " said his brother , eagerly , as he beheld a veiled figure approaching through the cloister ; " she comes , my prize—the richest gem of Israel—away to the fulfilment of your oath . " Aran , without replying , hastened to the accomplishment of his impious design , while Eli advanced to meet his intended victim . " Mariamne" said the lished dissemblertaking her bthe
, accomp , y hand , " this is a lonely hour , but suited to our parting " " Parting ! " reiterated the maiden , with a look of surprise . " I cannot live , " he continued , " so near to heaven , and yet continue hopeless ; this fever of my heart will end me ; I fly , ere reason follows my wreck of happiness . " " And is that thy only grief ? " demanded his happy mistress with a smile .
"Can it be , " exclaimed Eli , reproachfully , "that you mock my misery ! then , indeed , life hath lost its hope . " " Not so ; " replied the blushing girl , " it never blossomed fairer , Eh , dear . EM , restrain thy happiness ; listen calmly while I tell thee that my father knows of our Jove , and sanctions it , " she added , eagerly , alarmed at the aghast expression of his countenance ; " did I not tell we had wronged his nature bunwise concealment "
you generous y . This was a blow little calculated upon by the concealed idolater . For a few moments he was speechless from surprise and disappointment . He had now no pretext for urging their flight , on which his hopes depended . After a struggle with the bitterness of his feelings , he seized the hand of the confiding virgin . " Mariamne , dost thou love me ? answer me , for I am frantic , Canst