Ben-Hur - Lew Wallace

8/13/2019 Ben-Hur - Lew Wallace

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The Project Gutenberg Etext of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christby Lew allace

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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

by Lew allace

A!ril$ 3444 5Etext 63/789

The Project Gutenberg Etext of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ****This file shoul# be na'e# benhr/4(txt or benhr/4(i!*****

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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

by Lew allace

to THE 2+E ;+ > ;=TH who still abi#es with 'e

B;;V +2.T

CHAPTE 2

The Sebel es Xubleh is a 'ountain fifty 'iles an# 'ore in length$an# so narrow that its tracery on the 'a! gi"es it a li%eness toa cater!illar crawling fro' the south to the north( .tan#ing onits re#-an#-white cliffs$ an# loo%ing off un#er the !ath of therising sun$ one sees only the )esert of Arabia$ where the eastwin#s$ so hateful to "inegrowers of Sericho$ ha"e %e!t their!laygroun#s since the beginning( 2ts feet are well co"ere# bysan#s tosse# fro' the Eu!hrates$ there to lie$ for the 'ountainis a wall to the !asture-lan#s of >oab an# A''on on the west--lan#swhich else ha# been of the #esert a !art(

The Arab has i'!resse# his language u!on e"erything south an#east of Su#ea$ so$ in his tongue$ the ol# Sebel is the !arent ofnu'berless wa#ies which$ intersecting the o'an roa#--now a #i'suggestion of what once it was$ a #usty !ath for .yrian !ilgri'sto an# fro' >ecca--run their furrows$ #ee!ening as they go$ to!ass the torrents of the rainy season into the Sor#an$ or theirlast rece!tacle$ the )ea# .ea( ;ut of one of these wa#ies--or$'ore !articularly$ out of that one which rises at the extre'e en#of the Sebel$ an#$ exten#ing east of north$ beco'es at lengththe be# of the Sabbo% i"er--a tra"eller !asse#$ going to the


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table-lan#s of the #esert( To this !erson the attention of therea#er is first besought(

Su#ge# by his a!!earance$ he was uite forty-fi"e years ol#(His bear#$ once of the #ee!est blac%$ flowing broa#ly o"er his

breast$ was strea%e# with white( His face was brown as a !arche#coffee-berry$ an# so hi##en by a re# %ufiyeh ?as the %erchief ofthe hea# is at this #ay calle# by the chil#ren of the #esert@as to be but in !art "isible(


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often as their !leasure(

hen the #ro'e#ary lifte# itself out of the last brea% of the wa#y$the tra"eller ha# !asse# the boun#ary of El Bel%a$ the ancientA''on( 2t was 'orning-ti'e( Before hi' was the sun$ half curtaine#

in fleecy 'ist before hi' also s!rea# the #esert not the real'of #rifting san#s$ which was farther on$ but the region where theherbage began to #warf where the surface is strewn with boul#ersof granite$ an# gray an# brown stones$ inters!erse# with languishingacacias an# tufts of ca'el-grass( The oa%$ bra'ble$ an# arbutuslay behin#$ as if they ha# co'e to a line$ loo%e# o"er into thewell-less waste an# crouche# with fear(

An# now there was an en# of !ath or roa#( >ore than e"er the ca'elsee'e# insensibly #ri"en it lengthene# an# uic%ene# its !ace$ itshea# !ointe# straight towar#s the horion through the wi#e nostrils

it #ran% the win# in great #raughts( The litter swaye#$ an# rosean# fell li%e a boat in the wa"es( )rie# lea"es in occasional be#srustle# un#erfoot( .o'eti'es a !erfu'e li%e absinthe sweetene# allthe air( Lar% an# chat an# roc%-swallow lea!e# to wing$ an# white!artri#ges ran whistling an# cluc%ing out of the way( >ore rarelya fox or a hyena uic%ene# his gallo!$ to stu#y the intru#ers ata safe #istance( ;ff to the right rose the hills of the Sebel$the !earl-gray "eil resting u!on the' changing 'o'entarily intoa !ur!le which the sun woul# 'a%e 'atchless a little later(;"er their highest !ea%s a "ulture saile# on broa# wings intowi#ening circles( But of all these things the tenant un#er thegreen tent saw nothing$ or$ at least$ 'a#e no sign of recognition(His eyes were fixe# an# #rea'y( The going of the 'an$ li%e that ofthe ani'al$ was as one being le#(

+or two hours the #ro'e#ary swung forwar#$ %ee!ing the trotstea#ily an# the line #ue east( 2n that ti'e the tra"eller ne"erchange# his !osition$ nor loo%e# to the right or left( ;n the#esert$ #istance is not 'easure# by 'iles or leagues$ but by thesaat$ or hour$ an# the 'anil$ or halt: three an# a half leaguesfill the for'er$ fifteen or twenty-fi"e the latter but they arethe rates for the co''on ca'el( A carrier of the genuine .yrianstoc% can 'a%e three leagues easily( At full s!ee# he o"erta%esthe or#inary win#s( As one of the results of the ra!i# a#"ance$the face of the lan#sca!e un#erwent a change( The Sebel stretche#along the western horion$ li%e a !ale-blue ribbon( A tell$ or hu''oc%of clay an# ce'ente# san#$ arose here an# there(


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there long swells( .o$ too$ the con#ition of the at'os!here change#(The sun$ high risen$ ha# #run% his fill of #ew an# 'ist$ an# war'e#the breee that %isse# the wan#erer un#er the awning far an# nearhe was tinting the earth with faint 'il%-whiteness$ an# shi''eringall the s%y(

Two hours 'ore !asse# without rest or #e"iation fro' the course(,egetation entirely cease#( The san#$ so cruste# on the surfacethat it bro%e into rattling fla%es at e"ery ste!$ hel# un#is!ute#sway( The Sebel was out of "iew$ an# there was no lan#'ar% "isible(The sha#ow that before followe# ha# now shifte# to the north$ an# was%ee!ing e"en race with the objects which cast it an# as there wasno sign of halting$ the con#uct of the tra"eller beca'e each 'o'ent'ore strange(


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CHAPTE 22

The 'an as now re"eale# was of a#'irable !ro!ortions$ not so tallas !owerful( Loosening the sil%en ro!e which hel# the %ufiyeh on hishea#$ he brushe# the fringe# fol#s bac% until his face was bare--astrong face$ al'ost negro in color yet the low$ broa# forehea#$auiline nose$ the outer corners of the eyes turne# slightly u!war#$the hair !rofuse$ straight$ harsh$ of 'etallic lustre$ an# fallingto the shoul#er in 'any !laits$ were signs of origin i'!ossibleto #isguise( .o loo%e# the Pharaohs an# the later Ptole'ies soloo%e# >irai'$ father of the Egy!tian race( He wore the %a'is$a white cotton shirt tight-slee"e#$ o!en in front$ exten#ing tothe an%les an# e'broi#ere# #own the collar an# breast$ o"er which

was thrown a brown woollen cloa%$ now$ as in all !robabilityit was then$ calle# the aba$ an outer gar'ent with long s%irtan# short slee"es$ line# insi#e with stuff of 'ixe# cotton an#sil%$ e#ge# all roun# with a 'argin of clou#e# yellow( His feetwere !rotecte# by san#als$ attache# by thongs of soft leather(A sash hel# the %a'is to his waist( hat was "ery noticeable$consi#ering he was alone$ an# that the #esert was the haunt ofleo!ar#s an# lions$ an# 'en uite as wil#$ he carrie# no ar's$not e"en the croo%e# stic% use# for gui#ing ca'els wherefore we'ay at least infer his erran# !eaceful$ an# that he was eitherunco''only bol# or un#er extraor#inary !rotection(

The tra"ellers li'bs were nu'b$ for the ri#e ha# been long an#weariso'e so he rubbe# his han#s an# sta'!e# his feet$ an# wal%e#roun# the faithful ser"ant$ whose lustrous eyes were closing in cal'content with the cu# he ha# alrea#y foun#( ;ften$ while 'a%ing thecircuit$ he !ause#$ an#$ sha#ing his eyes with his han#s$ exa'ine# the#esert to the extre'est "erge of "ision an# always$ when the sur"eywas en#e#$ his face clou#e# with #isa!!oint'ent$ slight$ but enoughto a#"ise a shrew# s!ectator that he was there ex!ecting co'!any$if not by a!!oint'ent at the sa'e ti'e$ the s!ectator woul# ha"ebeen conscious of a shar!ening of the curiosity to learn what thebusiness coul# be that reuire# transaction in a !lace so far fro'ci"ilie# abo#e(

Howe"er #isa!!ointe#$ there coul# be little #oubt of the strangersconfi#ence in the co'ing of the ex!ecte# co'!any( 2n to%en thereof$he went first to the litter$ an#$ fro' the cot or box o!!ositethe one he ha# occu!ie# in co'ing$ !ro#uce# a s!onge an# as'all gurglet of water$ with which he washe# the eyes$ face$


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an# nostrils of the ca'el that #one$ fro' the sa'e #e!ository he#rew a circular cloth$ re#-an# white-stri!e#$ a bun#le of ro#s$an# a stout cane( The latter$ after so'e 'ani!ulation$ !ro"e# tobe a cunning #e"ice of lesser joints$ one within another$ which$when unite# together$ for'e# a centre !ole higher than his hea#(

hen the !ole was !lante#$ an# the ro#s set aroun# it$ he s!rea#the cloth o"er the'$ an# was literally at ho'e--a ho'e 'uch s'allerthan the habitations of e'ir an# shei%$ yet their counter!art inall other res!ects( +ro' the litter again he brought a car!et orsuare rug$ an# co"ere# the floor of the tent on the si#e fro'the sun( That #one$ he went out$ an# once 'ore$ an# with greatercare an# 'ore eager eyes$ swe!t the encircling country( Exce!t a#istant jac%al$ gallo!ing across the !lain$ an# an eagle flyingtowar#s the Gulf of A%aba$ the waste below$ li%e the blue abo"eit$ was lifeless(

He turne# to the ca'el$ saying low$ an# in a tongue strange to the#esert$ Ie are far fro' ho'e$ ; racer with the swiftest win#s--we arefar fro' ho'e$ but Go# is with us( Let us be !atient(I

Then he too% so'e beans fro' a !oc%et in the sa##le$ an# !ut the'in a bag 'a#e to hang below the ani'als nose an# when he saw therelish with which the goo# ser"ant too% to the foo#$ he turne# an#again scanne# the worl# of san#$ #i' with the glow of the "erticalsun(

IThey will co'e I he sai#$ cal'ly( IHe that le# 'e is lea#ing the'(2 will 'a%e rea#y(I

+ro' the !ouches which line# the interior of the cot$ an# fro' awillow bas%et which was !art of its furniture$ he brought forth'aterials for a 'eal: !latters close-wo"en of the fibres of!al's wine in s'all gurglets of s%in 'utton #rie# an# s'o%e#stoneless sha'i$ or .yrian !o'egranates #ates of El .helebi$won#rous rich an# grown in the na%hil$ or !al' orchar#s$ of CentralArabia cheese$ li%e )a"i#s Islices of 'il%I an# lea"ene# brea#fro' the city ba%ery--all which he carrie# an# set u!on the car!etun#er the tent( As the final !re!aration$ about the !ro"isions helai# three !ieces of sil% cloth$ use# a'ong refine# !eo!le of theEast to co"er the %nees of guests while at table--a circu'stancesignificant of the nu'ber of !ersons who were to !arta%e of hisentertain'ent--the nu'ber he was awaiting(

All was now rea#y( He ste!!e# out: lo& in the east a #ar% s!ec%on the face of the #esert( He stoo# as if roote# to the groun#his eyes #ilate# his flesh cre!t chilly$ as if touche# by


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so'ething su!ernatural( The s!ec% grew beca'e large as a han#at length assu'e# #efine# !ro!ortions( A little later$ full into"iew swung a #u!lication of his own #ro'e#ary$ tall an# white$an# bearing a hou#ah$ the tra"elling litter of Hin#ostan( Then theEgy!tian crosse# his han#s u!on his breast$ an# loo%e# to hea"en(

IGo# only is great&I he exclai'e#$ his eyes full of tears$ his soulin awe(

The stranger #rew nigh--at last sto!!e#( Then he$ too$ see'e# justwa%ing( He behel# the %neeling ca'el$ the tent$ an# the 'an stan#ing!rayerfully at the #oor( He crosse# his han#s$ bent his hea#$ an#!raye# silently after which$ in a little while$ he ste!!e# fro'his ca'els nec% to the san#$ an# a#"ance# towar#s the Egy!tian$as #i# the Egy!tian towar#s hi'( A 'o'ent they loo%e# at each otherthen they e'brace#--that is$ each threw his right ar' o"er the

others shoul#er$ an# the left roun# the si#e$ !lacing his chinfirst u!on the left$ then u!on the right breast(

IPeace be with thee$ ; ser"ant of the true Go#&I the stranger sai#(

IAn# to thee$ ; brother of the true faith&--to thee !eace an#welco'e$I the Egy!tian re!lie#$ with fer"or(

The new-co'er was tall an# gaunt$ with lean face$ sun%en eyes$white hair an# bear#$ an# a co'!lexion between the hue of cinna'onan# brone( He$ too$ was unar'e#( His costu'e was Hin#ostanio"er the s%ull-ca! a shawl was woun# in great fol#s$ for'ing aturban his bo#y gar'ents were in the style of the Egy!tians$exce!t that the aba was shorter$ ex!osing wi#e flowing breechesgathere# at the an%les( 2n !lace of san#als$ his feet were cla#in half-sli!!ers of re# leather$ !ointe# at the toes( .a"e thesli!!ers$ the costu'e fro' hea# to foot was of white linen( The airof the 'an was high$ stately$ se"ere( ,is"a'itra$ the greatest ofthe ascetic heroes of the 2lia# of the East$ ha# in hi' a !erfectre!resentati"e( He 'ight ha"e been calle# a Life #renche# with thewis#o' of Brah'a--)e"otion 2ncarnate( ;nly in his eyes was there!roof of hu'anity when he lifte# his face fro' the Egy!tiansbreast$ they were glistening with tears(

IGo# only is great&I he exclai'e#$ when the e'brace was finishe#(

IAn# blesse# are they that ser"e hi'&I the Egy!tian answere#$won#ering at the !ara!hrase of his own excla'ation( IBut let uswait$I he a##e#$ Ilet us wait for see$ the other co'es yon#er&I


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They loo%e# to the north$ where$ alrea#y !lain to "iew$ a thir#ca'el$ of the whiteness of the others$ ca'e careening li%e a shi!(They waite#$ stan#ing together--waite# until the new-co'er arri"e#$#is'ounte#$ an# a#"ance# towar#s the'(

IPeace to you$ ; 'y brother&I he sai#$ while e'bracing the Hin#oo(

An# the Hin#oo answere#$ IGo#s will be #one&I

The last co'er was all unli%e his frien#s: his fra'e was slighterhis co'!lexion white a 'ass of wa"ing light hair was a !erfectcrown for his s'all but beautiful hea# the war'th of his #ar%-blueeyes certifie# a #elicate 'in#$ an# a cor#ial$ bra"e nature( He wasbarehea#e# an# unar'e#( =n#er the fol#s of the Tyrian blan%et whichhe wore with unconscious grace a!!eare# a tunic$ short-slee"e# an#low-nec%e#$ gathere# to the waist by a ban#$ an# reaching nearly to

the %nee lea"ing the nec%$ ar's$ an# legs bare( .an#als guar#e#his feet( +ifty years$ !robably 'ore$ ha# s!ent the'sel"es u!onhi'$ with no other effect$ a!!arently$ than to tinge his #e'eanorwith gra"ity an# te'!er his wor#s with forethought( The !hysicalorganiation an# the brightness of soul were untouche#(


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ith the last wor# they raise# their eyes$ an# loo%e# at each otherin won#er( Each ha# s!o%en in a language ne"er before hear# by theothers yet each un#erstoo# !erfectly what was sai#( Their soulsthrille# with #i"ine e'otion for by the 'iracle they recognie#

the )i"ine Presence(

CHAPTE 222

To s!ea% in the style of the !erio#$ the 'eeting just #escribe# too%!lace in the year of o'e 171( The 'onth was )ece'ber$ an# winter

reigne# o"er all the regions east of the >e#iterranean( .uch asri#e u!on the #esert in this season go not far until s'ittenwith a %een a!!etite( The co'!any un#er the little tent were notexce!tions to the rule( They were hungry$ an# ate heartily an#$after the wine$ they tal%e#(

ITo a wayfarer in a strange lan# nothing is so sweet as to hear hisna'e on the tongue of a frien#$I sai# the Egy!tian$ who assu'e# to be!resi#ent of the re!ast( IBefore us lie 'any #ays of co'!anionshi!(2t is ti'e we %new each other( .o$ if it be agreeable$ he who ca'elast shall be first to s!ea%(I

Then$ slowly at first$ li%e one watchful of hi'self$ the Gree%began:

Ihat 2 ha"e to tell$ 'y brethren$ is so strange that 2 har#ly%now where to begin or what 2 'ay with !ro!riety s!ea%( 2 #o notyet un#erstan# 'yself( The 'ost 2 a' sure of is that 2 a' #oing a>asters will$ an# that the ser"ice is a constant ecstasy( hen 2thin% of the !ur!ose 2 a' sent to fulfil$ there is in 'e a joy soinex!ressible that 2 %now the will is Go#s(I

The goo# 'an !ause#$ unable to !rocee#$ while the others$ in sy'!athywith his feelings$ #ro!!e# their gae(

I+ar to the west of this$I he began again$ Ithere is a lan# which'ay ne"er be forgotten if only because the worl# is too 'uch its#ebtor$ an# because the in#ebte#ness is for things that bring to 'entheir !urest !leasures( 2 will say nothing of the arts$ nothing of!hiloso!hy$ of elouence$ of !oetry$ of war: ; 'y brethren$ hers is


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the glory which 'ust shine fore"er in !erfecte# letters$ by whichHe we go to fin# an# !roclai' will be 'a#e %nown to all the earth(The lan# 2 s!ea% of is Greece( 2 a' Gas!ar$ son of Cleanthes theAthenian(

I>y !eo!le$I he continue#$ Iwere gi"en wholly to stu#y$ an# fro' the'2 #eri"e# the sa'e !assion( 2t ha!!ens that two of our !hiloso!hers$the "ery greatest of the 'any$ teach$ one the #octrine of a .oulin e"ery 'an$ an# its 2''ortality the other the #octrine of ;neGo#$ infinitely just( +ro' the 'ultitu#e of subjects about whichthe schools were #is!uting$ 2 se!arate# the'$ as alone worth thelabor of solution for 2 thought there was a relation between Go#an# the soul as yet un%nown( ;n this the'e the 'in# can reason toa !oint$ a #ea#$ i'!assable wall arri"e# there$ all that re'ainsis to stan# an# cry alou# for hel!( .o 2 #i# but no "oice ca'eto 'e o"er the wall( 2n #es!air$ 2 tore 'yself fro' the cities

an# the schools(I

At these wor#s a gra"e s'ile of a!!ro"al lighte# the gaunt faceof the Hin#oo(

I2n the northern !art of 'y country--in Thessaly$I the Gree%!rocee#e# to say$ Ithere is a 'ountain fa'ous as the ho'e of thego#s$ where Theus$ who' 'y country'en belie"e su!re'e$ has hisabo#e ;ly'!us is its na'e( Thither 2 betoo% 'yself( 2 foun# aca"e in a hill where the 'ountain$ co'ing fro' the west$ ben#s tothe southeast there 2 #welt$ gi"ing 'yself u! to 'e#itation--no$2 ga"e 'yself u! to waiting for what e"ery breath was a !rayer--forre"elation( Belie"ing in Go#$ in"isible yet su!re'e$ 2 also belie"e#it !ossible so to yearn for hi' with all 'y soul that he woul# ta%eco'!assion an# gi"e 'e answer(I

IAn# he #i#--he #i#&I exclai'e# the Hin#oo$ lifting his han#s fro'the sil%en cloth u!on his la!(

IHear 'e$ brethren$I sai# the Gree%$ cal'ing hi'self with an effort(IThe #oor of 'y her'itage loo%s o"er an ar' of the sea$ o"er theTher'aic Gulf( ;ne #ay 2 saw a 'an flung o"erboar# fro' a shi!sailing by( He swa' ashore( 2 recei"e# an# too% care of hi'(He was a Sew$ learne# in the history an# laws of his !eo!lean# fro' hi' 2 ca'e to %now that the Go# of 'y !rayers #i#in#ee# exist an# ha# been for ages their law'a%er$ ruler$an# %ing( hat was that but the e"elation 2 #rea'e# ofR >yfaith ha# not been fruitless Go# answere# 'e&I

IAs he #oes all who cry to hi' with such faith$I sai# the Hin#oo(


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IBut$ alas&I the Egy!tian a##e#$ Ihow few are there wise enoughto %now when he answers the'&I

IThat was not all$I the Gree% continue#( IThe 'an so sent to 'e

tol# 'e 'ore( He sai# the !ro!hets who$ in the ages which followe#the first re"elation$ wal%e# an# tal%e# with Go#$ #eclare# he woul#co'e again( He ga"e 'e the na'es of the !ro!hets$ an# fro' thesacre# boo%s uote# their "ery language( He tol# 'e$ further$that the secon# co'ing was at han#--was loo%e# for 'o'entarilyin Serusale'(I

The Gree% !ause#$ an# the brightness of his countenance fa#e#(

I2t is true$I he sai#$ after a little--Iit is true the 'an tol#'e that as Go# an# the re"elation of which he s!o%e ha# been for

the Sews alone$ so it woul# be again( He that was to co'e shoul#be Ving of the Sews( Ha# he nothing for the rest of the worl#R2 as%e#(


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an# his furniture( Through the gar#ens an# orchar#s that ena'elthe ban%s of the ;rontes$ 2 journeye# to E'esa$ )a'ascus$ Bostra$an# Phila#el!hia thence hither( An# so$ ; brethren$ you ha"e 'ystory( Let 'e now listen to you(I

CHAPTE 2,

The Egy!tian an# the Hin#oo loo%e# at each other the for'er wa"e#his han# the latter bowe#$ an# began:

I;ur brother has s!o%en well( >ay 'y wor#s be as wise(I

He bro%e off$ reflecte# a 'o'ent$ then resu'e#:

Iou 'ay %now 'e$ brethren$ by the na'e of >elchior( 2 s!ea% toyou in a language which$ if not the ol#est in the worl#$ was atleast the soonest to be re#uce# to letters--2 'ean the .anscritof 2n#ia( 2 a' a Hin#oo by birth( >y !eo!le were the first towal% in the fiel#s of %nowle#ge$ first to #i"i#e the'$ first to'a%e the' beautiful( hate"er 'ay hereafter befall$ the four,e#as 'ust li"e$ for they are the !ri'al fountains of religion an#useful intelligence( +ro' the' were #eri"e# the =!a-,e#as$ which$#eli"ere# by Brah'a$ treat of 'e#icine$ archery$ architecture$'usic$ an# the four-an#-sixty 'echanical arts the ,e#-Angas$re"eale# by ins!ire# saints$ an# #e"ote# to astrono'y$ gra''ar$!roso#y$ !ronunciation$ char's an# incantations$ religious ritesan# cere'onies the =!-Angas$ written by the sage ,yasa$ an# gi"ento cos'ogony$ chronology$ an# geogra!hy therein also are thea'ayana an# the >ahabharata$ heroic !oe's$ #esigne# for the!er!etuation of our go#s an# #e'i-go#s( .uch$ ; brethren$ are theGreat .hastras$ or boo%s of sacre# or#inances( They are #ea# to 'enow yet through all ti'e they will ser"e to illustrate the bu##inggenius of 'y race( They were !ro'ises of uic% !erfection( As% youwhy the !ro'ises faile#R Alas& the boo%s the'sel"es close# allthe gates of !rogress( =n#er !retext of care for the creature$their authors i'!ose# the fatal !rinci!le that a 'an 'ust nota##ress hi'self to #isco"ery or in"ention$ as Hea"en ha# !ro"i#e#hi' all things nee#ful( hen that con#ition beca'e a sacre# law$the la'! of Hin#oo genius was let #own a well$ where e"er sinceit has lighte# narrow walls an# bitter waters(


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IThese allusions$ brethren$ are not fro' !ri#e$ as you willun#erstan# when 2 tell you that the .hastras teach a .u!re'eGo# calle# Brah' also$ that the Puranas$ or sacre# !oe's ofthe =!-Angas$ tell us of ,irtue an# Goo# or%s$ an# of the .oul(.o$ if 'y brother will !er'it the sayingI--the s!ea%er bowe#

#eferentially to the Gree%--Iages before his !eo!le were %nown$the two great i#eas$ Go# an# the .oul$ ha# absorbe# all the forcesof the Hin#oo 'in#( 2n further ex!lanation let 'e say that Brah'is taught$ by the sa'e sacre# boo%s$ as a Tria#--Brah'a$ ,ishnu$an# .hi"a( ;f these$ Brah'a is sai# to ha"e been the author of ourrace which$ in course of creation$ he #i"i#e# into four castes(+irst$ he !eo!le# the worl#s below an# the hea"ens abo"e next$he 'a#e the earth rea#y for terrestrial s!irits then fro' his'outh !rocee#e# the Brah'an caste$ nearest in li%eness to hi'self$highest an# noblest$ sole teachers of the ,e#as$ which at the sa'e ti'eflowe# fro' his li!s in finishe# state$ !erfect in all useful %nowle#ge(

+ro' his ar's next issue# the Vshatriya$ or warriors fro' his breast$the seat of life$ ca'e the ,aisya$ or !ro#ucers--she!her#s$ far'ers$'erchants fro' his foot$ in sign of #egra#ation$ s!rang the .u#ra$or ser"iles$ #oo'e# to 'enial #uties for the other classes--serfs$#o'estics$ laborers$ artisans( Ta%e notice$ further$ that the law$so born with the'$ forba#e a 'an of one caste beco'ing a 'e'ber ofanother the Brah'an coul# not enter a lower or#er if he "iolate#the laws of his own gra#e$ he beca'e an outcast$ lost to all butoutcasts li%e hi'self(I

At this !oint$ the i'agination of the Gree%$ flashing forwar#u!on all the conseuences of such a #egra#ation$ o"erca'e hiseager attention$ an# he exclai'e#$ I2n such a state$ ; brethren$what 'ighty nee# of a lo"ing Go#&I

Ies$I a##e# the Egy!tian$ Iof a lo"ing Go# li%e ours(I

The brows of the Hin#oo %nit !ainfully when the e'otion was s!ent$he !rocee#e#$ in a softene# "oice(

I2 was born a Brah'an( >y life$ conseuently$ was or#ere# #own toits least act$ its last hour( >y first #raught of nourish'entthe gi"ing 'e 'y co'!oun# na'e ta%ing 'e out the first ti'e tosee the sun in"esting 'e with the tri!le threa# by which 2 beca'eone of the twice-born 'y in#uction into the first or#er--were allcelebrate# with sacre# texts an# rigi# cere'onies( 2 'ight not wal%$eat$ #rin%$ or slee! without #anger of "iolating a rule( An# the!enalty$ ; brethren$ the !enalty was to 'y soul& Accor#ing to the#egrees of o'ission$ 'y soul went to one of the hea"ens--2n#ras thelowest$ Brah'as the highest or it was #ri"en bac% to beco'e the


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life of a wor'$ a fly$ a fish$ or a brute( The rewar# for !erfectobser"ance was Beatitu#e$ or absor!tion into the being of Brah'$which was not existence as 'uch as absolute rest(I

The Hin#oo ga"e hi'self a 'o'ents thought !rocee#ing$ he sai#:

IThe !art of a Brah'ans life calle# the first or#er is his stu#entlife( hen 2 was rea#y to enter the secon# or#er--that is to say$when 2 was rea#y to 'arry an# beco'e a househol#er--2 uestione#e"erything$ e"en Brah' 2 was a heretic( +ro' the #e!ths of the well2 ha# #isco"ere# a light abo"e$ an# yearne# to go u! an# see whatall it shone u!on( At last--ah$ with what years of toil&--2 stoo#in the !erfect #ay$ an# behel# the !rinci!le of life$ the ele'entof religion$ the lin% between the soul an# Go#--Lo"e&I

The shrun%en face of the goo# 'an %in#le# "isibly$ an# he clas!e#his han#s with force( A silence ensue#$ #uring which the others

loo%e# at hi'$ the Gree% through tears( At length he resu'e#:

IThe ha!!iness of lo"e is in action its test is what one iswilling to #o for others( 2 coul# not rest( Brah' ha# fille#the worl# with so 'uch wretche#ness( The .u#ra a!!eale# to 'e$so #i# the countless #e"otees an# "icti's( The islan# of GangaLagor lies where the sacre# waters of the Ganges #isa!!ear inthe 2n#ian ;cean( Thither 2 betoo% 'yself( 2n the sha#e of thete'!le built there to the sage Va!ila$ in a union of !rayerswith the #isci!les who' the sanctifie# 'e'ory of the holy 'an%ee!s aroun# his house$ 2 thought to fin# rest( But twice e"eryyear ca'e !ilgri'ages of Hin#oos see%ing the !urification of thewaters( Their 'isery strengthene# 'y lo"e( Against its i'!ulse tos!ea% 2 clenche# 'y jaws for one wor# against Brah' or the Tria#or the .hastras woul# #oo' 'e one act of %in#ness to the outcastBrah'ans who now an# then #ragge# the'sel"es to #ie on the burningsan#s--a blessing sai#$ a cu! of water gi"en--an# 2 beca'e one of the'$lost to fa'ily$ country$ !ri"ileges$ caste( The lo"e conuere#& 2s!o%e to the #isci!les in the te'!le they #ro"e 'e out( 2 s!o%eto the !ilgri's they stone# 'e fro' the islan#( ;n the highways2 atte'!te# to !reach 'y hearers fle# fro' 'e$ or sought 'y life(2n all 2n#ia$ finally$ there was not a !lace in which 2 coul# fin#!eace or safety--not e"en a'ong the outcasts$ for$ though fallen$they were still belie"ers in Brah'( 2n 'y extre'ity$ 2 loo%e# fora solitu#e in which to hi#e fro' all but Go#( 2 followe# the Gangesto its source$ far u! in the Hi'alayas( hen 2 entere# the !ass atHur#war$ where the ri"er$ in unstaine# !urity$ lea!s to its coursethrough the 'u##y lowlan#s$ 2 !raye# for 'y race$ an# thought 'yselflost to the' fore"er( Through gorges$ o"er cliffs$ across glaciers$by !ea%s that see'e# star-high$ 2 'a#e 'y way to the Lang Tso$ a


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la%e of 'ar"ellous beauty$ aslee! at the feet of the Tise Gangri$the Gurla$ an# the Vailas Parbot$ giants which flaunt their crownsof snow e"erlastingly in the face of the sun( There$ in the centreof the earth$ where the 2n#us$ Ganges$ an# Brah'a!ootra rise to runtheir #ifferent courses where 'an%in# too% u! their first abo#e$

an# se!arate# to re!lete the worl#$ lea"ing Bal%$ the 'other ofcities$ to attest the great fact where


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I2 salute you$ 'y brother( ou ha"e suffere# 'uch$ an# 2 rejoicein your triu'!h( 2f you are both !lease# to hear 'e$ 2 will nowtell you who 2 a'$ an# how 2 ca'e to be calle#( ait for 'e a'o'ent(I

He went out an# ten#e# the ca'els co'ing bac%$ he resu'e# his seat(

Iour wor#s$ brethren$ were of the .!irit$I he sai#$ in co''ence'entIan# the .!irit gi"es 'e to un#erstan# the'( ou each s!o%e !articularlyof your countries in that there was a great object$ which 2 will ex!lainbut to 'a%e the inter!retation co'!lete$ let 'e first s!ea% of 'yself an#'y !eo!le( 2 a' Balthasar the Egy!tian(I

The last wor#s were s!o%en uietly$ but with so 'uch #ignity thatboth listeners bowe# to the s!ea%er(

IThere are 'any #istinctions 2 'ight clai' for 'y race$I he continue#Ibut 2 will content 'yself with one( History began with us( e were thefirst to !er!etuate e"ents by recor#s %e!t( .o we ha"e no tra#itionsan# instea# of !oetry$ we offer you certainty( ;n the faca#es of!alaces an# te'!les$ on obelis%s$ on the inner walls of to'bs$we wrote the na'es of our %ings$ an# what they #i# an# to the#elicate !a!yri we intruste# the wis#o' of our !hiloso!hers an#the secrets of our religion--all the secrets but one$ whereof 2will !resently s!ea%( ;l#er than the ,e#as of Para-Brah' or the=!-Angas of ,yasa$ ; >elchior ol#er than the songs of Ho'er orthe 'eta!hysics of Plato$ ; 'y Gas!ar ol#er than the sacre#boo%s or %ings of the !eo!le of China$ or those of .i##artha$son of the beautiful >aya ol#er than the Genesis of >osche theHebrew--ol#est of hu'an recor#s are the writings of >enes$ ourfirst %ing(I Pausing an instant$ he fixe# his large e"es %in#lyu!on the Gree%$ saying$ I2n the youth of Hellas$ who$ ; Gas!ar$were the teachers of her teachersRI

The Gree% bowe#$ s'iling(

IBy those recor#s$I Balthasar continue#$ Iwe %now that when thefathers ca'e fro' the far East$ fro' the region of the birth of thethree sacre# ri"ers$ fro' the centre of the earth--the ;l# 2ran ofwhich you s!o%e$ ; >elchior--ca'e bringing with the' the historyof the worl# before the +loo#$ an# of the +loo# itself$ as gi"ento the Aryans by the sons of


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the Boo% of the )ea#$ in which is the ritual to be obser"e# by thesoul after )eath has #es!atche# it on its journey to ju#g'ent(The i#eas--Go# an# the 2''ortal .oul--were borne to >irai' o"erthe #esert$ an# by hi' to the ban%s of the utual ecognition out of which$ when !ut in !ractise$s!ring orshi!$ Lo"e$ an# ewar#( This law$ li%e all others of#i"ine origin-- li%e that$ for instance$ which bin#s the earthto the sun--was !erfecte# in the beginning by its Author( .uch$'y brothers$ was the religion of the first fa'ily such was thereligion of our father >irai'$ who coul# not ha"e been blin# tothe for'ula of creation$ nowhere so #iscernible as in the firstfaith an# the earliest worshi!( Perfection is Go# si'!licity is!erfection( The curse of curses is that 'en will not let truthsli%e these alone(I

He sto!!e#$ as if consi#ering in what 'anner to continue(

I>any nations ha"e lo"e# the sweet waters of the ace#onian$ the o'an--of who' all$ exce!t theHebrew$ ha"e at one ti'e or another been its 'asters( .o 'uchco'ing an# going of !eo!les corru!te# the ol# >irai'ic faith(The ,alley of Pal's beca'e a ,alley of Go#s( The .u!re'e ;ne was#i"i#e# into eight$ each !ersonating a creati"e !rinci!le in nature$with A''on-e at the hea#( Then 2sis an# ;siris$ an# their circle$re!resenting water$ fire$ air$ an# other forces$ were in"ente#(.till the 'ulti!lication went on until we ha# another or#er$suggeste# by hu'an ualities$ such as strength$ %nowle#ge$ lo"e$an# the li%e(I

I2n all which there was the ol# folly&I crie# the Gree%$i'!ulsi"ely( I;nly the things out of reach re'ain as theyca'e to us(I


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The Egy!tian bowe#$ an# !rocee#e#:

Iet a little further$ ; 'y brethren$ a little further$ before 2co'e to 'yself( hat we go to will see' all the holier of co'!arison

with what is an# has been( The recor#s show that >irai' foun# the


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Then he yiel#e#( But when the Hebrews were gone he followe# the'with his ar'y( At the last 'o'ent the sea was #i"i#e#$ so that thefugiti"es !asse# it #ry-sho#( hen the !ursuers #ro"e in after the'$the wa"es rushe# bac% an# #rowne# horse$ foot$ charioteers$ an# %ing(ou s!o%e of re"elation$ 'y Gas!ar--I

The blue eyes of the Gree% s!ar%le#(

I2 ha# the story fro' the Sew$I he crie#( Iou confir' it$; Balthasar&I

Ies$ but through 'e Egy!t s!ea%s$ not >osche( 2 inter!ret the'arbles( The !riests of that ti'e wrote in their way what theywitnesse#$ an# the re"elation has li"e#( .o 2 co'e to the oneunrecor#e# secret( 2n 'y country$ brethren$ we ha"e$ fro' the#ay of the unfortunate Pharaoh$ always ha# two religions--one

!ri"ate$ the other !ublic one of 'any go#s$ !ractise# by the!eo!le the other of one Go#$ cherishe# only by the !riesthoo#(ejoice with 'e$ ; brothers& All the tra'!ling by the 'any nations$all the harrowing by %ings$ all the in"entions of ene'ies$ all thechanges of ti'e$ ha"e been in "ain( Li%e a see# un#er the 'ountainswaiting its hour$ the glorious Truth has li"e# an# this--this isits #ay&I

The waste# fra'e of the Hin#oo tre'ble# with #elight$ an# theGree% crie# alou#$

I2t see's to 'e the "ery #esert is singing(I

+ro' a gurglet of water near-by the Egy!tian too% a #raught$an# !rocee#e#:

I2 was born at Alexan#ria$ a !rince an# a !riest$ an# ha# thee#ucation usual to 'y class( But "ery early 2 beca'e #iscontente#(Part of the faith i'!ose# was that after #eath u!on the #estructionof the bo#y$ the soul at once began its for'er !rogression fro'the lowest u! to hu'anity$ the highest an# last existence an# thatwithout reference to con#uct in the 'ortal life( hen 2 hear# of thePersians eal' of Light$ his Para#ise across the bri#ge Chine"at$where only the goo# go$ the thought haunte# 'e inso'uch that inthe #ay$ as in the night$ 2 broo#e# o"er the co'!arati"e i#easEternal Trans'igration an# Eternal Life in Hea"en( 2f$ as 'yteacher taught$ Go# was just$ why was there no #istinctionbetween the goo# an# the ba#R At length it beca'e clear to'e$ a certainty$ a corollary of the law to which 2 re#uce#!ure religion$ that #eath was only the !oint of se!aration at


26/537

which the wic%e# are left or lost$ an# the faithful rise to ahigher life not the nir"ana of Bu##ha$ or the negati"e rest ofBrah'a$ ; >elchior nor the better con#ition in hell$ which is allof Hea"en allowe# by the ;ly'!ic faith$ ; Gas!ar but life--lifeacti"e$ joyous$ e"erlasting--L2+E 2TH G;)& The #isco"ery le# to

another inuiry( hy shoul# the Truth be longer %e!t a secret forthe selfish solace of the !riesthoo#R The reason for the su!!ressionwas gone( Philoso!hy ha# at least brought us toleration( 2n Egy!t weha# o'e instea# of a'eses( ;ne #ay$ in the Brucheiu'$ the 'osts!len#i# an# crow#e# uarter of Alexan#ria$ 2 arose an# !reache#(The East an# est contribute# to 'y au#ience( .tu#ents going tothe Library$ !riests fro' the .era!eion$ i#lers fro' the >useu'$!atrons of the race-course$ country'en fro' the hacotis--a'ultitu#e--sto!!e# to hear 'e( 2 !reache# Go#$ the .oul$ ight an#rong$ an# Hea"en$ the rewar# of a "irtuous life( ou$ ; >elchior$were stone# 'y au#itors first won#ere#$ then laughe#( 2 trie#

again they !elte# 'e with e!igra's$ co"ere# 'y Go# with ri#icule$an# #ar%ene# 'y Hea"en with 'oc%ery(


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A flush suffuse# the swarthy chee% of the s!ea%er but he o"erca'ethe feeling$ an# continue#:

IThe years so gi"en$ ; 'y brothers$ were trouble# by one thought--hen

2 was gone$ what woul# beco'e of the cause 2 ha# starte#R as it toen# with 'eR 2 ha# #rea'e# 'any ti'es of organiation as a fittingcrown for 'y wor%( To hi#e nothing fro' you$ 2 ha# trie# to effectit$ an# faile#( Brethren$ the worl# is now in the con#ition that$to restore the ol# >irai'ic faith$ the refor'er 'ust ha"e a 'orethan hu'an sanction he 'ust not 'erely co'e in Go#s na'e$ he 'ustha"e the !roofs subject to his wor# he 'ust #e'onstrate all he says$e"en Go#( .o !reoccu!ie# is the 'in# with 'yths an# syste's so 'uch#o false #eities crow# e"ery !lace--earth$ air$ s%y so ha"e theybeco'e of e"erything a !art$ that return to the first religion canonly be along bloo#y !aths$ through fiel#s of !ersecution that is

to say$ the con"erts 'ust be willing to #ie rather than recant(An# who in this age can carry the faith of 'en to such a !ointbut Go# hi'selfR To re#ee' the race--2 #o not 'ean to #estroyit--to E)EE> the race$ he 'ust 'a%e hi'self once 'ore 'anifestHE >=.T C;>E 2< PE.;


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Thy goo# wor%s ha"e conuere#( Blesse# art thou$ ; son of >irai'&The re#e'!tion co'eth( ith two others$ fro' the re'otenesses ofthe worl#$ thou shalt see the .a"iour$ an# testify for hi'( 2n the'orning arise$ an# go 'eet the'( An# when ye ha"e all co'e to theholy city of Serusale'$ as% of the !eo!le$ here is he that is born

Ving of the SewsR for we ha"e seen his star in the East an# aresent to worshi! hi'( Put all thy trust in the .!irit which willgui#e thee(

IAn# the light beca'e an inwar# illu'ination not to be #oubte#$an# has staye# with 'e$ a go"ernor an# a gui#e( 2t le# 'e #own theri"er to >e'!his$ where 2 'a#e rea#y for the #esert( 2 bought 'yca'el$ an# ca'e hither without rest$ by way of .ue an# Vufileh$an# u! through the lan#s of >oab an# A''on( Go# is with us$ ; 'ybrethren&I

He !ause#$ an# thereu!on$ with a !ro'!ting not their own$ they allarose$ an# loo%e# at each other(

I2 sai# there was a !ur!ose in the !articularity with which we#escribe# our !eo!le an# their histories$I so the Egy!tian!rocee#e#( IHe we go to fin# was calle# Ving of the Sewsby that na'e we are bi##en to as% for hi'( But$ now that weha"e 'et$ an# hear# fro' each other$ we 'ay %now hi' to bethe e#ee'er$ not of the Sews alone$ but of all the nationsof the earth( The !atriarch who sur"i"e# the +loo# ha# with hi'three sons$ an# their fa'ilies$ by who' the worl# was re!eo!le#(+ro' the ol# Aryana-,aejo$ the well-re'e'bere# egion of )elight inthe heart of Asia$ they !arte#( 2n#ia an# the far East recei"e# thechil#ren of the first the #escen#ant of the youngest$ through the


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uns!ea%able joy of souls on the shores of the i"er of Life$resting with the e#ee'e# in Go#s !resence(

Presently their han#s fell a!art$ an# together they went out ofthe tent( The #esert was still as the s%y( The sun was sin%ing

fast( The ca'els sle!t(

A little while after$ the tent was struc%$ an#$ with the re'ains ofthe re!ast$ restore# to the cot then the frien#s 'ounte#$ an# setout single file$ le# by the Egy!tian( Their course was #ue west$into the chilly night( The ca'els swung forwar# in stea#y trot$%ee!ing the line an# the inter"als so exactly that those followingsee'e# to trea# in the trac%s of the lea#er( The ri#ers s!o%e notonce(

By-an#-by the 'oon ca'e u!( An# as the three tall white figures s!e#$

with soun#less trea#$ through the o!alescent light$ they a!!eare# li%es!ecters flying fro' hateful sha#ows( .u##enly$ in the air beforethe'$ not farther u! than a low hill-to! flare# a la'bent fla'eas they loo%e# at it$ the a!!arition contracte# into a focus of#aling lustre( Their hearts beat fast their souls thrille#an# they shoute# as with one "oice$ IThe .tar& the .tar& Go# iswith us&I

CHAPTE ,2

2n an a!erture of the western wall of Serusale' hang the Ioa%en"al"esI calle# the Bethlehe' or So!!a Gate( The area outsi#e ofthe' is one of the notable !laces of the city( Long before )a"i#co"ete# Xion there was a cita#el there( hen at last the son ofSesse ouste# the Sebusite$ an# began to buil#$ the site of thecita#el beca'e the northwest corner of the new wall$ #efen#e# bya tower 'uch 'ore i'!osing than the ol# one( The location of thegate$ howe"er$ was not #isturbe#$ for the reasons$ 'ost li%ely$that the roa#s which 'et an# 'erge# in front of it coul# notwell be transferre# to any other !oint$ while the area outsi#eha# beco'e a recognie# 'ar%et-!lace( 2n .olo'ons #ay there wasgreat traffic at the locality$ share# in by tra#ers fro' Egy!tan# the rich #ealers fro' Tyre an# .i#on(


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or a horse$ a loan or a lentil$ a #ate or a #rago'an$ a 'elon ora 'an$ a #o"e or a #on%ey$ has only to inuire for the article atthe So!!a Gate( .o'eti'es the scene is uite ani'ate#$ an# thenit suggests$ hat a !lace the ol# 'ar%et 'ust ha"e been in the#ays of Hero# the Buil#er& An# to that !erio# an# that 'ar%et

the rea#er is now to be transferre#(

+ollowing the Hebrew syste'$ the 'eeting of the wise 'en #escribe#in the !rece#ing cha!ters too% !lace in the afternoon of thetwenty-fifth #ay of the thir# 'onth of the year that is say$on the twenty-fifth #ay of )ece'ber( The year was the secon# ofthe /0# ;ly'!ia#$ or the 171th of o'e the sixty-se"enth ofHero# the Great$ an# the thirty-fifth of his reign the fourthbefore the beginning of the Christian era( The hours of the #ay$by Su#ean custo'$ begin with the sun$ the first hour being thefirst after sunrise so$ to be !recise the 'ar%et at the So!!a

Gate #uring the first hour of the #ay state# was in full session$an# "ery li"ely( The 'assi"e "al"es ha# been wi#e o!en since #awn(Business$ always aggressi"e$ ha# !ushe# through the arche# entranceinto a narrow lane an# court$ which$ !assing by the walls ofthe great tower$ con#ucte# on into the city( As Serusale' isin the hill country$ the 'orning air on this occasion was not alittle cris!( The rays of the sun$ with their !ro'ise of war'th$lingere# !ro"o%ingly far u! on the battle'ents an# turrets of thegreat !iles about$ #own fro' which fell the crooning of !igeonsan# the whir of the floc%s co'ing an# going(

As a !assing acuaintance with the !eo!le of the Holy City$ strangersas well as resi#ents$ will be necessary to an un#erstan#ing of so'eof the !ages which follow$ it will be well to sto! at the gate an#!ass the scene in re"iew( Better o!!ortunity will not offer to getsight of the !o!ulace who will afterwhile go forwar# in a 'oo# "ery#ifferent fro' that which now !ossesses the'(

The scene is at first one of utter confusion--confusion of action$soun#s$ colors$ an# things( 2t is es!ecially so in the lane an# court(The groun# there is !a"e# with broa# unsha!e# flags$ fro' which eachcry an# jar an# hoof-sta'! arises to swell the 'e#ley that ringsan# roars u! between the soli# i'!en#ing walls( A little 'ixingwith the throng$ howe"er$ a little fa'iliarity with the businessgoing on$ will 'a%e analysis !ossible(

Here stan#s a #on%ey$ #oing un#er !anniers full of lentils$beans$ onions$ an# cucu'bers$ brought fresh fro' the gar#ensan# terraces of Galilee( hen not engage# in ser"ing custo'ers$the 'aster$ in a "oice which only the initiate# can un#erstan#$


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cries his stoc%(


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hel'ets of the legions which conuere# >ar% Antony were full ofGallic snow but thou--ah$ 'y !oor frien#&--thou hast just co'efro' Egy!t$ bringing its su''er in thy bloo#(I

An# with the last wor# they #isa!!ear through the entrance(

Though they ha# been silent$ the ar'or an# the stur#y ste!woul# ha"e !ublishe# the' o'an sol#iers(

+ro' the throng a Sew co'es next$ 'eager of fra'e$ roun#-shoul#ere#$an# wearing a coarse brown robe o"er his eyes an# face$ an# #ownhis bac%$ hangs a 'at of long$ unco'be# hair( He is alone( Those who'eet hi' laugh$ if they #o not worse for he is a oses$ #e"otes itself toabhorre# "ows$ an# goes unshorn while the "ows en#ure(

As we watch his retiring figure$ su##enly there is a co''otion in

the crow#$ a !arting uic%ly to the right an# left$ with excla'ationsshar! an# #ecisi"e( Then the cause co'es--a 'an$ Hebrew in featurean# #ress( The 'antle of snow-white linen$ hel# to his hea# bycor#s of yellow sil%$ flows free o"er his shoul#ers his robeis richly e'broi#ere#$ a re# sash with fringes of gol# wra!s hiswaist se"eral ti'es( His #e'eanor is cal' he e"en s'iles u!onthose who$ with such ru#e haste$ 'a%e roo' for hi'( A le!erR


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an# legs of such #e"elo!'ent that they at once suggest the arenaan# when thereto we a## their careless$ confi#ent$ insolent 'anner$we cease to won#er that the !eo!le gi"e the' way$ an# sto! after theyha"e !asse# to loo% at the' again( They are gla#iators--wrestlers$runners$ boxers$ swor#s'en !rofessionals un%nown in Su#ea before

the co'ing of the o'an fellows who$ what ti'e they are notin training$ 'ay be seen strolling through the %ings gar#ensor sitting with the guar#s at the !alace gates or !ossibly theyare "isitors fro' Caesarea$ .ebaste$ or Sericho in which Hero#$'ore Gree% than Sew$ an# with all a o'ans lo"e of ga'es an#bloo#y s!ectacles$ has built "ast theaters$ an# now %ee!s schoolsof fighting-'en$ #rawn$ as is the custo'$ fro' the Gallic !ro"incesor the .la"ic tribes on the )anube(

IBy Bacchus&I says one of the'$ #rawing his clenche# han# tohis shoul#er$ Itheir s%ulls are not thic%er than eggshells(I

The brutal loo% which goes with the gesture #isgusts us$ an# weturn ha!!ily to so'ething 'ore !leasant(

;!!osite us is a fruit-stan#( The !ro!rietor has a bal# hea#$a long face$ an# a nose li%e the bea% of a haw%( He sitsu!on a car!et s!rea# u!on the #ust the wall is at his bac%o"erhea# hangs a scant curtain$ aroun# hi'$ within han#s reachan# arrange# u!on little stools$ lie osier boxes full of al'on#s$gra!es$ figs$ an# !o'egranates( To hi' now co'es one at who' wecannot hel! loo%ing$ though for another reason than that whichfixe# our eyes u!on the gla#iators he is really beautiful--abeautiful Gree%( Aroun# his te'!les$ hol#ing the wa"ing hair$is a crown of 'yrtle$ to which still cling the !ale flowers an#half ri!e berries( His tunic$ scarlet in color$ is of the softestwoollen fabric below the gir#le of buff leather$ which is clas!e#in front by a fantastic #e"ice of shining gol#$ the s%irt #ro!s tothe %nee in fol#s hea"y with e'broi#ery of the sa'e royal 'etala scarf$ also woollen$ an# of 'ixe# white an# yellow$ crosseshis throat an# falls trailing at his bac% his ar's an# legs$where ex!ose#$ are white as i"ory$ an# of the !olish i'!ossibleexce!t by !erfect treat'ent with bath$ oil$ brushes$ an# !incers(

The #ealer$ %ee!ing his seat$ ben#s forwar#$ an# throws his han#su! until they 'eet in front of hi'$ !al' #ownwar#s an# fingersexten#e#(

Ihat hast thou$ this 'orning$ ; son of Pa!hosRI says the youngGree%$ loo%ing at the boxes rather than at the Cy!riote( I2 a'hungry( hat hast thou for brea%fastRI


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I+ruits fro' the Pe#ius--genuine--such as the singers of Antiochta%e of 'ornings to restore the waste of their "oices$I the #ealeranswers$ in a uerulous nasal tone(

IA fig$ but not one of thy best$ for the singers of Antioch&I saysthe Gree%( IThou art a worshi!er of A!hro#ite$ an# so a' 2$ as the'yrtle 2 wear !ro"es therefore 2 tell thee their "oices ha"e thechill of a Cas!ian win#( .eest thou this gir#leR--a gift of the'ighty .alo'e--I

IThe %ings sister&I exclai's the Cy!riote$ with another salaa'(

IAn# of royal taste an# #i"ine ju#g'ent( An# why notR .he is 'oreGree% than the %ing( But--'y brea%fast& Here is thy 'oney--re#co!!ers of Cy!rus( Gi"e 'e gra!es$ an#--I

Iilt thou not ta%e the #ates alsoRI

I


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!arties who$ as subjects of stu#y$ o!!ortunely se!arate the'sel"es fro'the 'otley crow#( +irst a'ong the' a 'an of "ery noble a!!earance--clear$healthful co'!lexion bright blac% eyes bear# long an# flowing$ an# richwith unguents a!!arel well-fitting$ costly$ an# suitable for the season(He carries a staff$ an# wears$ sus!en#e# by a cor# fro' his nec%$ a large

gol#en seal( .e"eral ser"ants atten# hi'$ so'e of the' with short swor#sstuc% through their sashes when they a##ress hi'$ it is with theut'ost #eference( The rest of the !arty consists of two Arabs ofthe !ure #esert stoc% thin$ wiry 'en$ #ee!ly brone#$ an# withhollow chee%s$ an# eyes of al'ost e"il brightness on their hea#sre# tarbooshes o"er their abas$ an# wra!!ing the left shoul#eran# the bo#y so as to lea"e the right ar' free$ brown woollenhaic%s$ or blan%ets( There is lou# chaffering$ for the Arabs arelea#ing horses an# trying to sell the' an#$ in their eagerness$they s!ea% in high$ shrill "oices( The courtly !erson lea"es thetal%ing 'ostly to his ser"ants occasionally he answers with

'uch #ignity #irectly$ seeing the Cy!riote$ he sto!s an# buysso'e figs( An# when the whole !arty has !asse# the !ortal$ closeafter the Pharisee$ if we beta%e oursel"es to the #ealer in fruits$he will tell$ with a won#erful salaa'$ that the stranger is a Sew$one of the !rinces of the city$ who has tra"elle#$ an# learne# the#ifference between the co''on gra!es of .yria an# those of Cy!rus$so sur!assingly rich with the #ews of the sea(

An# so$ till towar#s noon$ so'eti'es later$ the stea#y currents ofbusiness habitually flow in an# out of the So!!a Gate$ carrying withthe' e"ery "ariety of character inclu#ing re!resentati"es of allthe tribes of 2srael$ all the sects a'ong who' the ancient faithhas been !arcelle# an# refine# away$ all the religious an# social#i"isions$ all the a#"enturous rabble who$ as chil#ren of art an#'inisters of !leasure$ riot in the !ro#igalities of Hero#$ an# allthe !eo!les of note at any ti'e co'!asse# by the Caesars an# their!re#ecessors$ es!ecially those #welling within the circuit of the>e#iterranean(

2n other wor#s$ Serusale'$ rich in sacre# history$ richer inconnection with sacre# !ro!hecies--the Serusale' of .olo'on$in which sil"er was as stones$ an# ce#ars as the syca'ores ofthe "ale--ha# co'e to be but a co!y of o'e$ a center of unholy!ractises$ a seat of !agan !ower( A Sewish %ing one #ay !ut on!riestly gar'ents$ an# went into the Holy of Holies of the firstte'!le to offer incense$ an# he ca'e out a le!er but in the ti'eof which we are rea#ing$ Po'!ey entere# Hero#s te'!le an# thesa'e Holy of Holies$ an# ca'e out without har'$ fin#ing but ane'!ty cha'ber$ an# of Go# not a sign(


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CHAPTE ,222

The rea#er is now besought to return to the court #escribe# as!art of the 'ar%et at the So!!a Gate( 2t was the thir# hour of the#ay$ an# 'any of the !eo!le ha# gone away yet the !ress continue#without a!!arent abate'ent( ;f the new-co'ers$ there was a grou!o"er by the south wall$ consisting of a 'an$ a wo'an$ an# a #on%ey$which reuires exten#e# notice(

The 'an stoo# by the ani'als hea#$ hol#ing a lea#ing-stra!$an# leaning u!on a stic% which see'e# to ha"e been chosen for

the #ouble !ur!ose of goa# an# staff( His #ress was li%e that ofthe or#inary Sews aroun# hi'$ exce!t that it ha# an a!!earanceof newness( The 'antle #ro!!ing fro' his hea#$ an# the robe orfroc% which clothe# his !erson fro' nec% to heel$ were !robablythe gar'ents he was accusto'e# to wear to the synagogue on.abbath #ays( His features were ex!ose#$ an# they tol# of fiftyyears of life$ a sur'ise confir'e# by the gray that strea%e# hisotherwise blac% bear#( He loo%e# aroun# hi' with the half-curious$half-"acant stare of a stranger an# !ro"incial(

The #on%ey ate leisurely fro' an ar'ful of green grass$ of whichthere was an abun#ance in the 'ar%et( 2n its slee!y content$the brute #i# not a#'it of #isturbance fro' the bustle an#cla'or about no 'ore was it 'in#ful of the wo'an sitting u!onits bac% in a cushione# !illion( An outer robe of #ull woollenstuff co'!letely co"ere# her !erson$ while a white wi'!le "eile#her hea# an# nec%( ;nce in a while$ i'!elle# by curiosity to seeor hear so'ething !assing$ she #rew the wi'!le asi#e$ but soslightly that the face re'aine# in"isible(

At length the 'an was accoste#(

IAre you not Sose!h of


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the wo'an$ then a##e#$ ITo you$ an# unto your house an# allyour hel!ers$ be !eace(I

ith the last wor#$ he !lace# one han# u!on his breast$ an# incline#his hea# to the wo'an$ who$ to see hi'$ ha# by this ti'e with#rawn

the wi'!le enough to show the face of one but a short ti'e out ofgirlhoo#( Thereu!on the acuaintances gras!e# right han#s$ as if tocarry the' to their li!s at the last 'o'ent$ howe"er$ the clas!was let go$ an# each %isse# his own han#$ then !ut its !al' u!onhis forehea#(

IThere is so little #ust u!on your gar'ents$I the abbi sai#$fa'iliarly$ Ithat 2 infer you !asse# the night in this city ofour fathers(I

I


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IBut you are a Sew$I sai# the abbi$ earnestly( Iou are a Sew$an# of the line of )a"i#( 2t is not !ossible you can fin# !leasurein the !ay'ent of any tax exce!t the she%el gi"en by ancient custo'to Seho"ah(I

Sose!h hel# his !eace(

I2 #o not co'!lain$I his frien# continue#$ Iof the a'ount of thetax--a #enarius is a trifle( ;h no& The i'!osition of the tax isthe offense( An#$ besi#es$ what is !aying it but sub'ission totyrannyR Tell 'e$ is it true that Su#as clai's to be the >essiahRou li"e in the 'i#st of his followers(I

I2 ha"e hear# his followers say he was the >essiah$I Sose!h re!lie#(

At this !oint the wi'!le was #rawn asi#e$ an# for an instant the

whole face of the wo'an was ex!ose#( The eyes of the abbi wan#ere#that way$ an# he ha# ti'e to see a countenance of rare beauty$%in#le# by a loo% of intense interest then a blush o"ers!rea#her chee%s an# brow$ an# the "eil was returne# to its !lace(

The !olitician forgot his subject(

Iour #aughter is co'ely$I he sai#$ s!ea%ing lower(

I.he is not 'y #aughter$I Sose!h re!eate#(

The curiosity of the abbi was arouse# seeing which$ the arian an# >ary( This is oneof the' an# to sa"e her !ortion of the !ro!erty$ the law reuire#her to 'arry her next of %in( .he is now 'y wife(I

IAn# you were--I

IHer uncle(I

Ies$ yes& An# as you were both born in Bethlehe'$ the o'an co'!els


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you to ta%e her there with you to be also counte#(I

The abbi clas!e# his han#s$ an# loo%e# in#ignantly to hea"en$exclai'ing$ IThe Go# of 2srael still li"es& The "engeance is his&I

ith that he turne# an# abru!tly #e!arte#( A stranger near by$obser"ing Sose!hs a'ae'ent$ sai#$ uietly$ Iabbi .a'uel isa ealot( Su#as hi'self is not 'ore fierce(I

Sose!h$ not wishing to tal% with the 'an$ a!!eare# not to hear$an# busie# hi'self gathering in a little hea! the grass whichthe #on%ey ha# tosse# abroa# after which he leane# u!on hisstaff again$ an# waite#(

2n another hour the !arty !asse# out the gate$ an#$ turning to theleft$ too% the roa# into Bethlehe'( The #escent into the "alley of

Hinno' was uite bro%en$ garnishe# here an# there with stragglingwil# oli"e-trees( Carefully$ ten#erly$ the ary$the #aughter of Soachi'$ #ro!!e# the wi'!le entirely$ an# bare#her hea#( Sose!h tol# the story of the Philistines sur!rise# intheir ca'! there by )a"i#( He was te#ious in the narrati"e$s!ea%ing with the sole'n countenance an# lifeless 'anner ofa #ull 'an( .he #i# not always hear hi'(

here"er on the lan# 'en go$ an# on the sea shi!s$ the face an#figure of the Sew are fa'iliar( The !hysical ty!e of the race hasalways been the sa'e yet there ha"e been so'e in#i"i#ual "ariations(I


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the belo"e#( An#$ in the absence of authentic history$ tra#ition has#ealt no less lo"ingly by her who' we are now following #own to thenati"e city of the ru##y %ing(

.he was not 'ore than fifteen( Her for'$ "oice$ an# 'anner belonge#

to the !erio# of transition fro' girlhoo#( Her face was !erfectlyo"al$ her co'!lexion 'ore !ale than fair( The nose was faultlessthe li!s$ slightly !arte#$ were full an# ri!e$ gi"ing to the linesof the 'outh war'th$ ten#erness$ an# trust the eyes were blue an#large$ an# sha#e# by #roo!ing li#s an# long lashes an#$ in har'onywith all$ a floo# of gol#en hair$ in the style !er'itte# to Sewishbri#es$ fell unconfine# #own her bac% to the !illion on whichshe sat( The throat an# nec% ha# the #owny softness so'eti'esseen which lea"es the artist in #oubt whether it is an effectof contour or color( To these char's of feature an# !erson werea##e# others 'ore in#efinable--an air of !urity which only the

soul can i'!art$ an# of abstraction natural to such as thin% 'uchof things i'!al!able( ;ften$ with tre'bling li!s$ she raise# hereyes to hea"en$ itself not 'ore #ee!ly blue often she crosse#her han#s u!on her breast$ as in a#oration an# !rayer often sheraise# her hea# li%e one listening eagerly for a calling "oice(


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To un#erstan# thoroughly what ha!!ene# to the


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a li'estone bluff 'a%ing what was in the highest #egree essentialto a res!ectable %han--a safe enclosure for ani'als(

2n a "illage li%e Bethlehe'$ as there was but one shei%$ there coul#not well be 'ore than one %han an#$ though born in the !lace$

the oreo"er$ the enu'eration for which hewas co'ing 'ight be the wor% of wee%s or 'onths o'an #e!utiesin the !ro"inces were !ro"erbially slow an# to i'!ose hi'selfan# wife for a !erio# so uncertain u!on acuaintances or relationswas out of the uestion( .o$ before he #rew nigh the great house$while he was yet cli'bing the slo!e$ in the stee! !laces toiling tohasten the #on%ey$ the fear that he 'ight not fin# acco''o#ations inthe %han beca'e a !ainful anxiety for he foun# the roa# thronge#with 'en an# boys who$ with great a#o$ were ta%ing their cattle$horses$ an# ca'els to an# fro' the "alley$ so'e to water$ so'e to

the neighboring ca"es( An# when he was co'e close by$ his alar'was not allaye# by the #isco"ery of a crow# in"esting the #oorof the establish'ent$ while the enclosure a#joining$ broa# asit was$ see'e# alrea#y full(

Ie cannot reach the #oor$I Sose!h sai#$ in his slow way( ILet ussto! here$ an# learn$ if we can$ what has ha!!ene#(I

The wife$ without answering$ uietly #rew the wi'!le asi#e( The loo%of fatigue at first u!on her face change# to one of interest( .hefoun# herself at the e#ge of an asse'blage that coul# not be otherthan a 'atter of curiosity to her$ although it was co''on enoughat the %hans on any of the highways which the great cara"ans wereaccusto'e# to tra"erse( There were 'en on foot$ running hither an#thither$ tal%ing shrilly an# in all the tongues of .yria 'en onhorsebac% screa'ing to 'en on ca'els 'en struggling #oubtfullywith fractious cows an# frightene# shee! 'en !e##ling brea# an#wine an# a'ong the 'ass a her# of boys a!!arently in chase of aher# of #ogs( E"erybo#y an# e"erything see'e# to be in 'otion atthe sa'e ti'e( Possibly the fair s!ectator was too weary to be longattracte# by the scene in a little while she sighe#$ an# settle##own on the !illion$ an#$ as if in search of !eace an# rest$ or inex!ectation of so'e one$ loo%e# off to the south$ an# u! to thetall cliffs of the >ount of Para#ise$ then faintly re##ening un#erthe setting sun(

hile she was thus loo%ing$ a 'an !ushe# his way out of the !ress$an#$ sto!!ing close by the #on%ey$ face# about with an angry brow(The


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oli"e-tree at the ben# of the roa#( 2 tell youI--he turne# to Sose!han# s!o%e !ositi"ely--I2 tell you the %han is full( 2t is useless toas% at the gate(I

Sose!hs will was slow$ li%e his 'in# he hesitate#$ but at length

re!lie#$ IThe offer is %in#( hether there be roo' for us or notin the house$ we will go see your !eo!le( Let 'e s!ea% to thegate-%ee!er 'yself( 2 will return uic%ly(I

An#$ !utting the lea#ing-stra! in the strangers han#$ he !ushe#into the stirring crow#(

The %ee!er sat on a great ce#ar bloc% outsi#e the gate( Against thewall behin# hi' leane# a ja"elin( A #og suatte# on the bloc% byhis si#e(

IThe !eace of Seho"ah be with you$I sai# Sose!h$ at last confrontingthe %ee!er(

Ihat you gi"e$ 'ay you fin# again an#$ when foun#$ be it 'anyti'es 'ulti!lie# to you an# yours$I returne# the watch'an$ gra"ely$though without 'o"ing(

I2 a' a Bethlehe'ite$I sai# Sose!h$ in his 'ost #eliberate way(2s there not roo' for--I

IThere is not(I

Iou 'ay ha"e hear# of 'e--Sose!h of


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2f this were so in Serusale' an# elsewhere$ certainly one of thesacre# line 'ight reasonably rely u!on it at the #oor of the %han ofBethlehe'( To say$ as Sose!h sai#$ IThis is the house of 'y fathers$Iwas to say the truth 'ost si'!ly an# literally for it was the "eryhouse uth rule# as the wife of Boa$ the "ery house in which Sesse

an# his ten sons$ )a"i# the youngest$ were born$ the "ery house inwhich .a'uel ca'e see%ing a %ing$ an# foun# hi' the "ery housewhich )a"i# ga"e to the son of Barillai$ the frien#ly Gilea#itethe "ery house in which Sere'iah$ by !rayer$ rescue# the re'nantof his race flying before the Babylonians(

The a!!eal was not without effect( The %ee!er of the gate sli##own fro' the ce#ar bloc%$ an#$ laying his han# u!on his bear#$sai#$ res!ectfully$ Iabbi$ 2 cannot tell you when this #oor firsto!ene# in welco'e to the tra"eller$ but it was 'ore than a thousan#years ago an# in all that ti'e there is no %nown instance of a goo#

'an turne# away$ sa"e when there was no roo' to rest hi' in( 2f ithas been so with the stranger$ just cause 'ust the stewar# ha"e whosays no to one of the line of )a"i#( herefore$ 2 salute you againan#$ if you care to go with 'e$ 2 will show you that there is nota lo#ging-!lace left in the house neither in the cha'bers$ nor inthe lewens$ nor in the court--not e"en on the roof( >ay 2 as% whenyou ca'eRI

IBut now(I

The %ee!er s'ile#(

IThe stranger that #welleth with you shall be as one born a'ongyou$ an# thou shalt lo"e hi' as thyself( 2s not that the law$abbiRI

Sose!h was silent(

I2f it be the law$ can 2 say to one a long ti'e co'e$ Go thy wayanother is here to ta%e thy !laceRI

et Sose!h hel# his !eace(

IAn#$ if 2 sai# so$ to who' woul# the !lace belongR .ee the 'anythat ha"e been waiting$ so'e of the' since noon(I

Iho are all these !eo!leRI as%e# Sose!h$ turning to the crow#(IAn# why are they here at this ti'eRI

IThat which #oubtless brought you$ abbi--the #ecree of the


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CaesarI--the %ee!er threw an interrogati"e glance at the


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I2 gi"e you the blessing of the houseless tra"eller that of thesojourner will follow(I

.o saying$ the ary an# theBeth-)agonite( 2n a little while the latter brought u! his

fa'ily$ the wo'en 'ounte# on #on%eys( The wife was 'atronly$the #aughters were i'ages of what she 'ust ha"e been in youthan# as they #rew nigh the #oor$ the %ee!er %new the' to be ofthe hu'ble class(

IThis is she of who' 2 s!o%e$I sai# the arys "eil was raise#(

IBlue eyes an# hair of gol#$I 'uttere# the stewar# to hi'self$

seeing but her( I.o loo%e# the young %ing when he went to singbefore .aul(I

Then he too% the lea#ing-stra! fro' Sose!h$ an# sai# to >ary$IPeace to you$ ; #aughter of )a"i#&I Then to the others$ IPeace toyou all&I Then to Sose!h$ Iabbi$ follow 'e(I

The !arty were con#ucte# into a wi#e !assage !a"e# with stone$fro' which they entere# the court of the %han( To a stranger thescene woul# ha"e been curious but they notice# the lewens thatyawne# #ar%ly u!on the' fro' all si#es$ an# the court itself$only to re'ar% how crow#e# they were( By a lane reser"e# in thestowage of the cargoes$ an# thence by a !assage si'ilar to theone at the entrance$ they e'erge# into the enclosure a#joiningthe house$ an# ca'e u!on ca'els$ horses$ an# #on%eys$ tethere#an# #oing in close grou!s a'ong the' were the %ee!ers$ 'en of'any lan#s an# they$ too$ sle!t or %e!t silent watch( They went#own the slo!e of the crow#e# yar# slowly$ for the #ull carriersof the wo'en ha# wills of their own( At length they turne# intoa !ath running towar#s the gray li'estone bluff o"erloo%ing the%han on the west(

Ie are going to the ca"e$I sai# Sose!h$ laconically(

The gui#e lingere# till >ary ca'e to his si#e(

IThe ca"e to which we are going$I he sai# to her$ I'ust ha"e beena resort of your ancestor )a"i#( +ro' the fiel# below us$ an# fro'the well #own in the "alley$ he use# to #ri"e his floc%s to it forsafety an# afterwar#s$ when he was %ing$ he ca'e bac% to the ol#


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house here for rest an# health$ bringing great trains of ani'als(The 'angers yet re'ain as they were in his #ay( Better a be# onthe floor where he has sle!t than one in the court-yar# or out bythe roa#si#e( Ah$ here is the house before the ca"e&I

This s!eech 'ust not be ta%en as an a!ology for the lo#ging offere#(There was no nee# of a!ology( The !lace was the best then at #is!osal(The guests were si'!le fol%s$ by habits of life easily satisfie#(To the Sew of that !erio#$ 'oreo"er$ abo#e in ca"erns was a fa'iliari#ea$ 'a#e so by e"ery-#ay occurrences$ an# by what he hear# of.abbaths in the synagogues( How 'uch of Sewish history$ how 'anyof the 'any exciting inci#ents in that history$ ha# trans!ire# inca"es& et further$ these !eo!le were Sews of Bethlehe'$ with who'the i#ea was es!ecially co''on!lace for their locality aboun#e#with ca"es great an# s'all$ so'e of which ha# been #welling-!lacesfro' the ti'e of the E'i' an# Horites(


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li%e bits of #irty linen otherwise the !lace was cleanly$ an#$to a!!earance$ as co'fortable as any of the arche# lewens of the%han !ro!er( 2n fact$ a ca"e was the 'o#el an# first suggestionof the lewen(

ICo'e in&I sai# the gui#e( IThese !iles u!on the floor arefor tra"ellers li%e yoursel"es( Ta%e what of the' you nee#(I

Then he s!o%e to >ary(

ICan you rest hereRI

IThe !lace is sanctifie#$I she answere#(

I2 lea"e you then( Peace be with you all&I

hen he was gone$ they busie# the'sel"es 'a%ing the ca"e habitable(

CHAPTE Q(

At a certain hour in the e"ening the shouting an# stir of the!eo!le in an# about the %han cease# at the sa'e ti'e$ e"ery2sraelite$ if not alrea#y u!on his feet$ arose$ sole'nie# hisface$ loo%e# towar#s Serusale'$ crosse# his han#s u!on his breast$an# !raye# for it was the sacre# ninth hour$ when sacrifices wereoffere# in the te'!le on >oriah$ an# Go# was su!!ose# to be there(hen the han#s of the worshi!!ers fell #own$ the co''otion bro%eforth again e"erybo#y hastene# to brea#$ or to 'a%e his !allet(A little later$ the lights were !ut out$ an# there was silence$an# then slee!(

* * * * * *

About 'i#night so'e one on the roof crie# out$ Ihat light is thatin the s%yR Awa%e$ brethren$ awa%e an# see&I

The !eo!le$ half aslee!$ sat u! an# loo%e# then they beca'ewi#e-awa%e$ though won#er-struc%( An# the stir s!rea# to thecourt below$ an# into the lewens soon the entire tenantry ofthe house an# court an# enclosure were out gaing at the s%y(


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An# this was what they saw( A ray of light$ beginning at a heighti''easurably beyon# the nearest stars$ an# #ro!!ing obliuelyto the earth at its to!$ a #i'inishing !oint at its base$'any furlongs in wi#th its si#es blen#ing softly with the#ar%ness of the night$ its core a roseate electrical s!len#or(

The a!!arition see'e# to rest on the nearest 'ountain southeastof the town$ 'a%ing a !ale corona along the line of the su''it(The %han was touche# lu'inously$ so that those u!on the roof saweach others faces$ all fille# with won#er(

.tea#ily$ through 'inutes$ the ray lingere#$ an# then the won#erchange# to awe an# fear the ti'i# tre'ble# the bol#est s!o%ein whis!ers(

I.aw you e"er the li%eRI as%e# one(

I2t see's just o"er the 'ountain there( 2 cannot tell what it is$nor #i# 2 e"er see anything li%e it$I was the answer(

ICan it be that a star has burst an# fallenRI as%e# another$his tongue faltering(

Ihen a star falls$ its light goes out(I

I2 ha"e it&I crie# one$ confi#ently( IThe she!her#s ha"e seen alion$ an# 'a#e fires to %ee! hi' fro' the floc%s(I

The 'en next the s!ea%er #rew a breath of relief$ an# sai#$ Ies$that is it& The floc%s were graing in the "alley o"er there to-#ay(I

A bystan#er #is!elle# the co'fort(

I


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CHAPTE Q2

A 'ile an# a half$ it 'ay be two 'iles$ southeast of Bethlehe'$

there is a !lain se!arate# fro' the town by an inter"ening swellof the 'ountain( Besi#es being well sheltere# fro' the north win#s$the "ale was co"ere# with a growth of syca'ore$ #warf-oa%$ an# !inetrees$ while in the glens an# ra"ines a#joining there were thic%etsof oli"e an# 'ulberry all at this season of the year in"aluablefor the su!!ort of shee!$ goats$ an# cattle$ of which the wan#eringfloc%s consiste#(

At the si#e farthest fro' the town$ close un#er a bluff$ there wasan extensi"e 'arah$ or shee!cot$ ages ol#( 2n so'e long-forgottenforay$ the buil#ing ha# been unroofe# an# al'ost #e'olishe#(

The enclosure attache# to it re'aine# intact$ howe"er$ an# thatwas of 'ore i'!ortance to the she!her#s who #ro"e their chargesthither than the house itself( The stone wall aroun# the lot washigh as a 'ans hea#$ yet not so high but that so'eti'es a !antheror a lion$ hungering fro' the wil#erness$ lea!e# bol#ly in( ;n theinner si#e of the wall$ an# as an a##itional security againstthe constant #anger$ a he#ge of the rha'nus ha# been !lante#$an in"ention so successful that now a s!arrow coul# har#ly!enetrate the o"erto!!ing branches$ ar'e# as they were withgreat clusters of thorns har# as s!i%es(

The #ay of the occurrences which occu!y the !rece#ing cha!ters$a nu'ber of she!her#s$ see%ing fresh wal%s for their floc%s$ le#the' u! to this !lain an# fro' early 'orning the gro"es ha# been'a#e ring with calls$ an# the blows of axes$ the bleating of shee!an# goats$ the tin%ling of bells$ the lowing of cattle$ an# thebar%ing of #ogs( hen the sun went #own$ they le# the way to the'arah$ an# by nightfall ha# e"erything safe in the fiel# then they%in#le# a fire #own by the gate$ !artoo% of their hu'ble su!!er$an# sat #own to rest an# tal%$ lea"ing one on watch(

There were six of these 'en$ o'itting the watch'an an# afterwhilethey asse'ble# in a grou! near the fire$ so'e sitting$ so'e lying!rone( As they went barehea#e# habitually$ their hair stoo# out inthic%$ coarse$ sunburnt shoc%s their bear# co"ere# their throats$an# fell in 'ats #own the breast 'antles of the s%in of %i#san# la'bs$ with the fleece on$ wra!!e# the' fro' nec% to %nee$lea"ing the ar's ex!ose# broa# belts girthe# the ru#e gar'entsto their waists their san#als were of the coarsest ualityfro' their right shoul#ers hung scri!s containing foo# an#


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selecte# stones for slings$ with which they were ar'e# on thegroun# near each one lay his croo%$ a sy'bol of his calling an#a wea!on of offence(

.uch were the she!her#s of Su#ea& 2n a!!earance$ rough an# sa"age

as the gaunt #ogs sitting with the' aroun# the blae in fact$si'!le-'in#e#$ ten#er-hearte# effects #ue$ in !art$ to the!ri'iti"e life they le#$ but chiefly to their constant careof things lo"able an# hel!less(

They reste# an# tal%e#$ an# their tal% was all about their floc%s$a #ull the'e to the worl#$ yet a the'e which was all the worl# tothe'( 2f in narrati"e they #welt long u!on affairs of trifling'o'ent if one of the' o'itte# nothing of #etail in recountingthe loss of a la'b$ the relation between hi' an# the unfortunateshoul# be re'e'bere#: at birth it beca'e his charge$ his to %ee!

all its #ays$ to hel! o"er the floo#s$ to carry #own the hollows$to na'e an# train it was to be his co'!anion$ his object of thoughtan# interest$ the subject of his will it was to enli"en an# sharehis wan#erings in its #efense he 'ight be calle# on to face thelion or robber--to #ie(

The great e"ents$ such as blotte# out nations an# change# the'astery of the worl#$ were trifles to the'$ if !erchance they ca'eto their %nowle#ge( ;f what Hero# was #oing in this city or that$buil#ing !alaces an# gy'nasia$ an# in#ulging forbi##en !ractises$they occasionally hear#( As was her habit in those #ays$ o'e #i#not wait for !eo!le slow to inuire about her she ca'e to the'(;"er the hills along which he was lea#ing his lagging her#$ or inthe fastnesses in which he was hi#ing the'$ not unfreuently theshe!her# was startle# by the blare of tru'!ets$ an#$ !eering out$behel# a cohort$ so'eti'es a legion$ in 'arch an# when theglittering crests were gone$ an# the excite'ent inci#ent tothe intrusion o"er$ he bent hi'self to e"ol"e the 'eaning ofthe eagles an# gil#e# globes of the sol#iery$ an# the char' ofa life so the o!!osite of his own(

et these 'en$ ru#e an# si'!le as they were$ ha# a %nowle#ge an#a wis#o' of their own( ;n .abbaths they were accusto'e# to !urifythe'sel"es$ an# go u! into the synagogues$ an# sit on the benchesfarthest fro' the ar%( hen the chaan bore the Torah roun#$none %isse# it with greater est when the sheliach rea# the text$none listene# to the inter!reter with 'ore absolute faith an# nonetoo% away with the' 'ore of the el#ers ser'on$ or ga"e it 'orethought afterwar#s( 2n a "erse of the .he'a they foun# all thelearning an# all the law of their si'!le li"es--that their Lor#


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was ;ne Go#$ an# that they 'ust lo"e hi' with all their souls(An# they lo"e# hi'$ an# such was their wis#o'$ sur!assing thatof %ings(

hile they tal%e#$ an# before the first watch was o"er$ one by

one the she!her#s went to slee!$ each lying where he ha# sat(

The night$ li%e 'ost nights of the winter season in the hillcountry$ was clear$ cris!$ an# s!ar%ling with stars( There wasno win#( The at'os!here see'e# ne"er so !ure$ an# the stillnesswas 'ore than silence it was a holy hush$ a warning that hea"enwas stoo!ing low to whis!er so'e goo# thing to the listening earth(

By the gate$ hugging his 'antle close$ the watch'an wal%e# at ti'eshe sto!!e#$ attracte# by a stir a'ong the slee!ing her#s$ or bya jac%als cry off on the 'ountain-si#e( The 'i#night was slow

co'ing to hi' but at last it ca'e( His tas% was #one now for the#rea'less slee! with which labor blesses its wearie# chil#ren& He'o"e# towar#s the fire$ but !ause# a light was brea%ing aroun#hi'$ soft an# white$ li%e the 'oons( He waite# breathlessly(The light #ee!ene# things before in"isible ca'e to "iew he sawthe whole fiel#$ an# all it sheltere#( A chill shar!er than thatof the frosty air--a chill of fear--s'ote hi'( He loo%e# u!the stars were gone the light was #ro!!ing as fro' a win#owin the s%y as he loo%e#$ it beca'e a s!len#or then$ in terror$he crie#$

IAwa%e$ awa%e&I

=! s!rang the #ogs$ an#$ howling$ ran away(

The her#s rushe# together bewil#ere#(

The 'en cla'bere# to their feet$ wea!ons in han#(

Ihat is itRI they as%e#$ in one "oice(

I.ee&I crie# the watch'an$ Ithe s%y is on fire&I

.u##enly the light beca'e intolerably bright$ an# they co"ere#their eyes$ an# #ro!!e# u!on their %nees then$ as their soulsshran% with fear$ they fell u!on their faces blin# an# fainting$an# woul# ha"e #ie# ha# not a "oice sai# to the'$

I+ear not&I


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An# they listene#(

I+ear not: for behol#$ 2 bring you goo# ti#ings of great joy$which shall be to all !eo!le(I

The "oice$ in sweetness an# soothing 'ore than hu'an$ an# low an#clear$ !enetrate# all their being$ an# fille# the' with assurance(They rose u!on their %nees$ an#$ loo%ing worshi!fully$ behel# inthe centre of a great glory the a!!earance of a 'an$ cla# in arobe intensely white abo"e its shoul#ers towere# the to!s ofwings shining an# fol#e# a star o"er its forehea# glowe# withstea#y lustre$ brilliant as Hes!erus its han#s were stretche#towar#s the' in blessing its face was serene an# #i"inely beautiful(

They ha# often hear#$ an#$ in their si'!le way$ tal%e#$ of angelsan# they #oubte# not now$ but sai#$ in their hearts$ The glory of

Go# is about us$ an# this is he who of ol# ca'e to the !ro!het bythe ri"er of =lai(

)irectly the angel continue#:

I+or unto you is born this #ay$ in the city of )a"i#$ a .a"ior$which is Christ the Lor#&I

Again there was a rest$ while the wor#s san% into their 'in#s(

IAn# this shall be a sign unto you$I the annunciator sai# next(Ie shall fin# the babe$ wra!!e# in swa##ling-clothes$ lying ina 'anger(I

The heral# s!o%e not again his goo# ti#ings were tol# yet hestaye# awhile( .u##enly the light$ of which he see'e# the centre$turne# roseate an# began to tre'ble then u!$ far as the 'en coul#see$ there was flashing of white wings$ an# co'ing an# going ofra#iant for's$ an# "oices as of a 'ultitu#e chanting in unison$

IGlory to Go# in the highest$ an# on earth !eace$ goo#-will towar#s'en&I


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you hearRI

ILet us go #own to the ca"e in the enclosure$ that we 'ay be surethen we will tell you all( Co'e with us$ an# see for yourself(I

I2t is a fools erran#(I

Iary$ lying near$an# !ut it in her ar's( Then the bystan#ers collecte# aboutthe two(


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I2t is the Christ&I sai# a she!her#$ at last(

IThe Christ&I they all re!eate#$ falling u!on their %nees in worshi!(;ne of the' re!eate# se"eral ti'es o"er$

I2t is the Lor#$ an# his glory is abo"e the earth an# hea"en(I

An# the si'!le 'en$ ne"er #oubting$ %isse# the he' of the 'othersrobe$ an# with joyful faces #e!arte#( 2n the %han$ to all the !eo!learouse# an# !ressing about the'$ they tol# their story an# throughthe town$ an# all the way bac% to the 'arah$ they chante# the refrainof the angels$ IGlory to Go# in the highest$ an# on earth !eace$goo#-will towar#s 'en&I

The story went abroa#$ confir'e# by the light so generally seen

an# the next #ay$ an# for #ays thereafter$ the ca"e was "isite#by curious crow#s$ of who' so'e belie"e#$ though the greater !artlaughe# an# 'oc%e#(

CHAPTE Q22

The ele"enth #ay after the birth of the chil# in the ca"e$about 'i#-afternoon$ the three wise 'en a!!roache# Serusale' bythe roa# fro' .heche'( After crossing Broo% Ce#ron$ they 'et 'any!eo!le$ of who' none faile# to sto! an# loo% after the' curiously(

Su#ea was of necessity an international thoroughfare a narrowri#ge$ raise#$ a!!arently$ by the !ressure of the #esert onthe east$ an# the sea on the west$ was all she coul# clai' tobe o"er the ri#ge$ howe"er$ nature ha# stretche# the line oftra#e between the east an# the south an# that was her wealth(2n other wor#s$ the riches of Serusale' were the tolls she le"ie#on !assing co''erce(


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a!!earance of the tra"ellers that they turne# about an# followe#the' into the city(

.o 'uch were the three occu!ie# with the i#ea of their 'ission thatthey #i# not care for the "iew which !resently rose before the' in

the ut'ost 'agnificence: for the "illage first to recei"e the'on Beetha for >i!ah an# ;li"et$ o"er on their left for thewall behin# the "illage$ with its forty tall an# soli# towers$su!era##e# !artly for strength$ !artly to gratify the criticaltaste of the %ingly buil#er for the sa'e towere# wall ben#ingoff to the right$ with 'any an angle$ an# here an# there ane'battle# gate$ u! to the three great white !iles Phasaelus$>aria'ne$ an# Hi!!icus for Xion$ tallest of the hills$ crowne#with 'arble !alaces$ an# ne"er so beautiful for the glitteringterraces of the te'!le on >oriah$ a#'itte#ly one of the won#ersof the earth for the regal 'ountains ri''ing the sacre# city roun#

about until it see'e# in the hollow of a 'ighty bowl(

They ca'e$ at length$ to a tower of great height an# strength$o"erloo%ing the gate which$ at that ti'e$ answere# to the!resent )a'ascus Gate$ an# 'ar%e# the 'eeting-!lace of thethree roa#s fro' .heche'$ Sericho$ an# Gibeon( A o'an guar#%e!t the !assage-way( By this ti'e the !eo!le following theca'els for'e# a train sufficient to #raw the i#lers hangingabout the !ortal so that when Balthasar sto!!e# to s!ea% tothe sentinel$ the three beca'e instantly the centre of a closecircle eager to hear all that !asse#(

I2 gi"e you !eace$I the Egy!tian sai#$ in a clear "oice(

The sentinel 'a#e no re!ly(

Ie ha"e co'e great #istances in search of one who is born Vingof the Sews( Can you tell us where he isRI

The sol#ier raise# the "isor of his hel'et$ an# calle# lou#ly(+ro' an a!art'ent at the right of the !assage an officer a!!eare#(

IGi"e way$I he crie#$ to the crow# which now !resse# closer in an# asthey see'e# slow to obey$ he a#"ance# twirling his ja"elin "igorously$now right$ now left an# so he gaine# roo'(

Ihat woul# youRI he as%e# of Balthasar$ s!ea%ing in the i#io' ofthe city(

An# Balthasar answere# in the sa'e$


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Ihere is he that is born Ving of the SewsRI

IHero#RI as%e# the officer$ confoun#e#(

IHero#s %ingshi! is fro' Caesar not Hero#(I

IThere is no other Ving of the Sews(I

IBut we ha"e seen the star of hi' we see%$ an# co'e to worshi! hi'(I

The o'an was !er!lexe#(

IGo farther$I he sai#$ at last( IGo farther( 2 a' not a Sew(Carry the uestion to the #octors in the Te'!le$ or to Hannasthe !riest$ or$ better still$ to Hero# hi'self( 2f there be

another Ving of the Sews$ he will fin# hi'(I

Thereu!on he 'a#e way for the strangers$ an# they !asse# the gate(But$ before entering the narrow street$ Balthasar lingere# to sayto his frien#s$ Ie are sufficiently !roclai'e#( By 'i#night thewhole city will ha"e hear# of us an# of our 'ission( Let us tothe %han now(I

CHAPTE Q222

That e"ening$ before sunset

Ben-Hur - Lew Wallace

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Transcript of Ben-Hur - Lew Wallace