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SAUL:

A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS.

BY

HENRY ILIOWIZI.

COPYRIGHT BY THE AUTHOR,

PHILADELPHIA: PRESS OF AVIL PRINTING COMPANY.

1894.

wmt msst-:

^^0^,--^

THE MARCUS JASTROW MEMORIAL LIBRARY

SAUL:

A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS.

BY

HENRY ILIOWIZI.

COPYRIGHT BY THE AUTHpR.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRESS OF AVIL PRINTING COMPANY.

1894

^i^l^tcixii^ix.

TO

MISS KSXHBR BAUM

THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

Dear Madam:

I beg herewith to avail myself of the author's privilege of dedicatirg this, my new effort, to one whose blessed career typifies the Jewish ideal of self-sacrificing devotion to the alleviation of human misery. Ostentatious and frivolous as is our age, the hungry soul contemplates with pleasure the vestal consecration of an humble life adorned by the beauty of feminine gentleness, religious sincerity, womanly reserve, and all those virtues which grace that divine womanhood to whom we are indebted for our prophets and poets. While feminine extravagance lavishes enormous sums to gratify vanity, you, dear Madam, are wearing out your precious life in the incessant endeavors to diminish the aggregate of human wretchedness, rising early and retiring late, ever among the cheerless haunts and hovels of the poor and the needy, with compassion visibly beaming from your immaculate countenance. No poetry is half as beautiful as the grandiose epic of a devoted life, illustrated by the luminous trail of a love-inspired soul. That Israel's benign God may prolong your days and crown your gentle ministration with the success philanthropy seeks as her ultimate reward, is the wish and earnest prayer of

Your sincere friend,

HENRY ILIOWIZI.

a

^<W^

PREFATORY NOTE.

THE stirring period in Israels history covered by the reign of Saul and David, and culminating in the glorious rule of Solomon, furnishes abundant material for a trilogy, and " Saul " is the first part thereof herewith presented to the public. The ambition to produce a Shakespearean drama is out of the question. It is very strange that the dramatic genius of the ages, while it exhausted itself in singing and dramatizing events which might as well have been consigned to oblivion, found, in the annals of the eternal race, nothing worthier of its poetic inspiration than the preposterous production of a caricature like Shylock. What an everlasting monument of studied unfairness ! True, we have a " Nathan the Wise," but its rare preseulation on the stage^ coupled with its unpopularity with the masses — that hydra-headed ass of history — may be accepted as a sufficient cause for the paucity we alluded to. For genius is neither beyond prejudice nor above material interest. Years ago, when " Joseph " appeared in print, a venerable colleague expressed the wish to see it " auf den Brettern die die IVelt liedeu.'en." The literary gentleman added, that " from such a pulpit, perhaps, our young people might be reached more efteciively than from our Temple pulpits." The recent performance of "Joseph" by "Our Students of Jewish History," made a deep impression on the large gathering who came to witness the Biblical drama. "Saul"' will appear more pretentious, but the omission of a few paragraphs in Act II. — that is in Samuel's mystic version of creation — will enable intelligent amateuj-s to play it successfully. As to the professional, let him study the characters of Saul, Samuel, Jonathan and David. The dramatization and personification of Israel's errors, heroism and martyrdom are tasks for which no genius is too lofty, alas I but many are too blind to perceive the wondrous warp and woof of which his epic tale is woven.

THE AUTHOR.

PHII.ADKIJ'HIA, July, 1894.

ARGUMENT.

ISRAEL'S Elders urge Samuel to choose for them a king. He points to the serious aspects of the proposed change in the theocracy, but Saul is anointed and presented to the tribes. David is a youthful shepherd. Jonathan is a daring warrior. Saul displeases Samuel by disregarding his order, and the prophet's reprimand disheartens the king. A successful war against Ammon affords him a passing ray of cheer. Samuel trains prophetic teachers. He orders a war of extermination against Amalek, and on hearing that Saul failed to carry out fully the divine behest, he informs him that the Lord had torn the kingdom from his hand. Saul is plunged in melancholy. Michal happens to see David in Judean territory, and is desperately in love with the youth. It is David whom Samuel anoints secretly as Israel's future king. In a war with the Philistines their champion, Goliath, challenges the Hebrews to send a man to meet him in single combat. Saul offers his daughter Michal to v/homsoever would defeat the giant. David appears on the scene, kills Goliath, and the consequence is a victory over the Philistines, which the damsels celebrate by a song in which David is credited with the greatest triumph. Jealousy maddens Saul, who suspects David to be his successor, David's presence before the king as a minstrel, called in to allay the gloom of the monarch, while it endears the youth to Jonathan, who loves him passionately, gives the princess a chance to confess her love to the Judean singer and hero. In a fit of madness Saul makes an attempt on David's life, who escapes unhurt. Jonathan faces his father's jealousy, and persuades hira to give David the promised girl. This is done, however, only to entrap David, and Doeg receives secret orders to assassinate the bridegroom while retired with his bride. Jonathan discovers Saul's evil design, and saves the life of his friend. Samuel dies with a significant prophecy on his lips. Saul is furious, revels in atrocities, lays many schemes to overtake David, and is only sobered of his rancor after he falls into the hand of his supposed adversary, who generously spares his life. Saul confesses his wrong and asks David to return, who prefers to keep aloof from the court. Messengers inform the king that Philistia is out in force. He hurries home. Things look very serious. In his perplexity he resorts to a witch at Endor who conjures up Samuel's ghost. The spectre foretells disaster. Jonathan has a pathetic interview with his father. A plan of quick action is agreed upon. It fails. The Hebrews lose the battle. Jonathan falls. Saul is wounded, escapes, tries to kill himself, and is stabbed by an Amalekite. Retired in Philistine territory, David expects news from the seat of war. At Ziklag he is informed of Israel's disaster. The Elders of Judah arrive to proclaim him king, announcing the end of the House of Saul. David is deeply distressed by the fall of Saul and Jonathan, and he utters his pain in song.

DRAMATIS PERSON/E.

Saul	King of Israel.
Ah I NOAM	His wife.
Jonathan	Their son.
Michal	Their daughter.
A UN EK	Saul's general.
DOEG	His armor-bearer.
Samuel	Israel's leader and prophet.
Nathan and Gad	Samuel's followers.
Ai;iatha.r	A priest.
Jesse	A farmer.
David	His son.
JOAH	David's follower.
Goliath	A Philistine giant.
Ac. AG	King of the Amalekiles.

The Witch of Endor, Elders, Citizens, Damsels, Chorus, Hebrew and I'hilis- tine Soldiers, Messengers, Attendants, Servants, etc.

Excepting Ziklag, the last scene, which is in Philistia, all other scenes take place on Hebrew territory.

SAUL.

ACT I.

Scene I. — Samuel's Home at Ramah.

SA^ruEL (to Israel's Elders).

Thus do our tribes insist on being yoked

With pompous royalty and martial show,

Aping the habitants of Gath unused

To patriarchal guidance heaven-inspired,

Those noble men and women sent to fire

Israel's unsteady heart, too oft unmoved

By faith, in foresight short, in reverence poor.

Unwholesome food ye ask, as greedy youth,

Unwarned not, alas ! but unenlightened. —

A king ye crave, and ye shall serve a king,

A lord who shall your sons appoint to do

His biddings, of your daughters minions pick

To feed his lust, while of the herd, as of

The granary and vineyard, his will be

The choicest tithe, and more perchance ; beside

The sacrifice of blood exacted by

A monarch unrestrained Ambition to

Appease by war and conquest. Ay, ye shall serve

A mf)rtal King hereafter, hitherto

The One enthroned above the heaven of heavens

Having been our fathers' Guardian Lord.

First Elder. The people clamor for a chief to fight Their battles and be judge in peace; herein

AVe Voice their sentiment, unorganized To break the yoke Philistia hold.* tight Ar<nind our necks. Wliat evils may be worse Tlian those we stood and bear unremedied ?

Second Elder. Yea, let us have a king to guard our homes, And we shall bear the burdens of his court In lieu of paying ransoms to our foes. And see our cities plundered or besieged.

Third Elder. A king, my lord, will curb Disunion which Our tribes divides, now smitten one by one. In turn by Amnion, JNIoab, Philistia Or treacherous Amalek, like a flock Unguarded by a shepherd's watchful eye. And since the Philistine united chose A prince, he from his seat in Gath will wage Fierce war against us, having Phoenicia in His grip free of resistance, emptied of Her sons, who on a rugged island found A spot whereon to rear a city, with The sea as fortress to protect her bounds.

Fourth Elder. It is the people's will to have a chief Anointed and with powers vested, sir. To be in peace our judge, our strength in war ; And, guarded well, this land's abundance will A royal home with luxuries supply, And affluence for all, now wasted in A struggle which consumeth more than would Five kingly households, not to speak of the Inglorious yoke we often bore and broke Ere long once more to feel its galling weight. Shall we, as hitherto, thereafter take Ignominy, our yearly tribute pay The Philistine, who would no Israelite AUow to bear a sword, nor would a smith Let ply his trade within our borders, lest He forge for us a weapon ? Well we know Thy heart, and tho' from Dan to Beer-Sheba none Was ever loved, obeyed, or honored more

8

Than thou, thy presence having blessed our land This many a year, no man in sight insures A leader for a darker day ; thy sons. Unlike their sire, promise naught ; thus, unless Forestalling evil, we against untoward Events, reverses and confusion arm. Thy life's invaluable achievements will. Unfruitful, run to waste, with heathendom In triumph lording over us ; wherefore, Delay not, sir, the noblest and most brave Among our valiant sons to make our king And let thy wisdom guide him in his task.

All the Elders. Yea, choose for us a prince to marshal all Our tribes as one against the heathen foe. Who bleeds this land to death, we being slaves With but a shadow of a nation's name.

Samuel. Well do the temper of these tribes I know, Who, hot as fire, with impatience glow To ape the heathen, barter faith away, Supremest sovereignty for mortal sway ! Four hundred years the wonders did not cease Since Egypt's lord dared the Most High displease, The thornbush glowed and plague on plague did come, The tyrant saw his first-born smitten dumb. When heaven's fire-pillar led the slave, A sea congealed the fugitive to save, And melted to devour a mighty host. Just as the faithless clamored : We are lost ! Was he a king who thus the pagan smote And taught the law God with His finger wrote ? With manna ninety hungry myriads fed. Almighty's truth beneath the heavens spread ? Or he, who careful of his master's will. Did thirty princedoms with his teri-ors fill. The Laud of Promise wresting from their hands ? Since famed among the famous of the lands ? And when did Israel, oppressed with pain. Repent his sins and pray for help in vain ? Remember Mizpah ; terrorized and pale,

I saw you tremble, when tempestuous hail

Confused the Philistine, who rose and fled,

AVith you behind to multiply his dead ;

My ardent prayer, your remorseful sighs

Have drawn response, an echo from the skies —

Let Sidou's carnal abars never rise

On Israel's heights to claim vile sacrifice ;

And if my sons unworthy are to lead

Great men woyld rise to shield our State and creed. —

Yet would a king ye have, a vision clear

Reveals the change in Israel's career. (Prophetic.)

Jeshurun's kings of future days I see,

In purple robed, or clad in panoply,

Majestic figures some and glorious bright,

I^nsightly others like the frown of night ;

And round them eras corresponding flow.

The glories fode, it is a sight of woe ;

I see night gather, gather dense and black —

The kings, the kings, they are the nation's wreck !

{£xit Sariittel.)

Fourth Elder. What meaning has this ecstasy for our Petition ?

First Elder. An instrument of God foretells Events to coaie.

Second Elder. It forebodes kings for us

And woe to wind up with a whelming fall.

Third Elder. In ages far remote I understand, Tliis after eras of prosperity. However, come what may in after-times. The days we live in should concern us most.

First Elder. It is a king the people want and now We may rej)ort thereof the granting ; yes, A king we get to put us in fair shape.

(Exeunt Ehh, •■■<.)

Scene II. — Land of Zuph. A Valley.

(Enter Saul, folloxoed by a Servant.)

Saul. How far in quest of straying brutes shall we Proceed, Mount Ephraira being far behind And we a three days' journey from our home? Return Ave, lest father leave off caring for The asses and take thought for us ; besides, I feel forebodings of some change, I know Not what, and choose not premonitions to Disdain of visions woven and of thought Uncommon in a herdsman's head; return We straight to see if all be well at home.

Servant. I guess a witch had been at thee

This night, with Lilith or some other hag. Who on the moonbeam ride to puzzle one In sleep, leaving ill-humor and a bent To kick a fellow Avho is not at fault. Whatever be thy dreaming, sir, I hold The asses in my head who would not thence Be wliipped ; what matters to a man a dream ?

Saul. It matters how it stimulates the mind.

Servant. I do not know an ugly thing I did Not dream of in my days, and here I am As lusty as a Philistine well-fed ; What are dreams made of, anyhow?

Saul. Of haze

And thousand nothings every time, except When, burning into mind and heart, they go Not with the waking, chase them as one may.

Servant. Why, let them sleep unchased, unless it be

A thing of love, then give it chase and hug

It tight. Saul. And if it be a thing of awe

That haunts thee like a phantom in the light

Of day, how brush it off?

*Skkvani". Then grasp it bravely,

And hold it fast, until it has enou<i;h Of thee or thou of it, as Jacob did When cornered by a spectre ; those things of air Sliould not be dallied with.

Saul. Those things of air

Spring from portentous mystery, my boy. Controlling one, themselves impalpable. — A wizard in my slumbers came with such A show of unaccountable things as hold My memory enchanted like a spell.

Skkvant. a wizard?

Sail. Such as thou hast never seen,

A prophet like the seer in Shiloh reared.

'Servant. I heard of him who reads the stars, looks through Man's thought, dreams while awake, speaks while asleep, Raves while he prophesies ; a man of hair Uncut, garments black, long and flowing, eyes That sink into the soul, words that burn into One's memory, such is the wizard of whom The people speak with awe — Hold on, sir, if I err not he is hereabout, belike In yonder town, and might remove our fear About the safety of the brutes we seek. — There issue damsels to get water, let Me speak to them who peradventure know

{Enter daviseh, jars on head.)

Of him. — We are here strangers, damsels, with A wish to see the seer if in our path Or elsewhere in this region he be found.

F1R8T Damskl. I saw him slay the sacrifice and go.

Skc'OND Damsel. He will next moment come across you, sirs. Who hitherward appeared to wend his steps As I for water passed the city's gate. (Exeunt damsek.)

-Skuvan r. And there, all thought, he comes ; accost him, sir —

Saul (enter Samuel, lost in a reverie).

The very %ure who my sleejD disturbed. {To hhnself.} It is the man of God we wish to see If it be proper for us to intrude.

Samuel (awaking from his reverie).

On yonder height with me, the seer, thou, Saul, Art welcome for the night to eat and drink And learn to-morrow of strange things- for thee In store, as I the hidden thought see of Thy heart and what in coming days reserved Is for the House of Israel, thy heritage. Saul (astonished).

A spirit, lord, came in thy shape this night To me in dream, with crown and sceptre and A horn of oil, commanding me to take- The royal symbols and be monarch, when My startled heart throbbed heavy and before I could an answer breathe, the vision fled, Leaving a void which all the day Avithin My breast I felt, still aching as though hurt By these thy pregnant words. — Who am I to Be thus exalted, as thy speech implies ? The humblest of the humble families Of Benjamin is mine, among the tribes The smallest he, and I unfit for aught Which higher talent claims than watching hei'ds, Samuel (^insjnred).

Hear me, thou son of Kish, I know thy dream,

Know thee and thine ; it is no human scheme

That makes thee Israel's avenging sword.

His King in weal and woe : thus saith the Lord :

Rejected is tlie eagle by his brood.

My people Baal and Astoreth wooed.

Rejecting me rebellious they demand

A mortal king to rule my Holy Land ;

Resist no further, be it not thy grief

That in my stead they seek an erring chief.

They whom I reared the freest of the free.

An iron rod prefer to Liberty,

13

My Throne desert, desert lu y sacred Shriue,

Invest frail man with majesty divine ;

(live warniu;,' first, then hearken to this voice,

The meekest man enthrone — here is my choice. (Pause.)

Thou art the man, do not witli friglit recoil.

Thou art the King on whom this sacred oil

I herewith pour that far thy power spread,

A kingdom rise that shall no foeman dread. —

But on the tablets of thy memory write,

God loves and shields the humble and contrite ;

Man's majesty is but a ray of His

Who hurls Presumption into the abyss,

Obedience deems the offering of the heart.

King, bide with me, to-morrow homeward start.

(^Exeunt.)

Scene III. — A Mountain in Judaii.

(Elite)' David, haiy in hand, a garland around his head; he is attended by two shepherds.)

Davii). This night ye heard the lion roar, while twice ^Vithln a moon the bear and savage ])oar I had to combat, so infested is This region with the beast of prey. I am At hand; if help be needed, here ye find mc.

(E.irunt shepherds.) Those dull-eyed men, except the gift of speech ^lisused, are little more than creatures dumb. Insensible to things around, save what The lower instinct wakes (lool-ing skyward). The si knee of Unbounded space that thrills my toul when I At night the stars behold, it makes my day A dream of indefinable longing, yea, A thirst, a hunger fed by light and love. {Strikes the harp.)

H

There is life iu Azure aud splendors untold,

Hosannas the argels are singing, They, rolling the spheres made of topaz and gold

Forever through radiance are winging : Light-oceans are flowing from cisterns blue,

The Fountain is hidden much higher, Thence all constellations their glories renew ;

Merchabah is floating iu fire, Whereout the Almighty is filling all space

With wonders beyond contemplation. Nine myriads of seraphim cover His face

To shield from destruction creation ; And we here below, frail creatures of Him

Whose Love is unfathomed as heaven. Are singing His Greatness, whose pathways are dim,

For naught else has music been given ; Let Ardor inspire the immortal soul

To sing of the Spirit above. And ever contemplate life's heavenly goal

In worship embodied and love. Among the great stars our earth looks not mean,

Nor are we the lowest of creatures ; If Eden we lost there is many a scene

Yet left us of beautiful features : As cherubim lovely our damsels are fair

Unequaled in virtue and graces, The daughters of Judah have raven-black hair,

Enchanting, immaculate faces.

(DancuKj and ■•<i)igiiig.) In Sharon's vale blossoms the loveliest rose,

On Hermon the dew is mcst blessed. But she is the sweetest, the maiden I chose,

Adoring my love unconfessed.

(Enti'r shepherd alarmed.) Shepherd. Sir, sir, a lion ! a lion ! two lions ! David (seizing his arms). Get clubs. — (Exeiud.)

15

Scene IV. — Mizi'au. A Street.

(Enter (I number of Jiuhans.)

First Judkan. I say, we are not treated well in the Concern of giving us a king; the lot Hath fallen on the tribe of Benjamin, Then on the longest son of Kish, and we Judeans seem to count for nothing in The choice.

Second Judean. The lot, the lot, there is the rub. You see ; if we had choice it would not come To this, but if we choose by lot it looks As the' he be the marked man ; and if The prophet back him, and ye saw it clear, We must the Benjamite acknowledge lord.

Third Judean. We must not if no good will come therefrom ; We want a warrior chief, not one who cares For asses more than arms ; who heard of Saul Beyond the pasture's mead and hennery ?

FiR^T Judean. I say we are not handled well, say what

Ye please ; it will be hard for Judah to

Obey the least of Israel's tribes, but what

Of that? scarce room for preference is left,

He being chosen and approved it seems

By many Ephraimites.

{Cries are heard: " Long live the King .'") Second Judean. Ye hear the joy,

And there the prophet and the King-elect.

{Enter Samuel and Saul, Jo I lowed by Elders and a crowd.)

Samuel (pointing to Said).

The Lord's anointed, Israel, your King,

Behold, the like of whom there is not in

Your broad domain, your prince in peace aud war,

Since you like other nations would be ruled ;

Hereafter in all matter bow to him.

Obey him prompt, the welfare of the land

i6

Concerning, he having power to enforce

His will and levy tribute as he choose.

Now, rally round Jeshurun's banner, sons

Of Israel, and let Amalek feel

The vengeance of the Lord, of yore by Him

To extirpation doomed, a treacherous brood

Delivered to the sword. — Philistia

Henceforth no tribute hand, but arm at once

Her inroads to repel ; she, hateful in

Her means a nation to unman, shall first

Be struck by you she undefended thinks. {To Saul.)

Yea, arm the tribes with reverence first for God

And holy things, and then with weapons to

Amaze the foeman and reclaim what is

Our heritage accorded from On High.

Thine eyes in prayer sk3'^ward turn, O King,

Whenever help is wanted ; Him adore

And seek in daily intercourse, else all

Will end in failure and confusion, woe

And lamentation. — Pay homage to the Lord's

Anointed, House of Israel, rejoice !

All. Long live the King ! long rule the House of Saul !

Scene V. — Gibeah. An Open Place. {Enter Jonathan and Ahiier.)

Abner. No, prince, I am not inconsiderate

And may a motley throng of yelling fools Despise unreprimanded ; harmless brutes There be who walk and swallow food like men. And these I leave alone to twaddle as They please ; but he make peace with God, who in My sense of honor injures me ; I'll cleave Him clean from pate to sole.

Jonathan. And then regret

The deed unworthy of a sensible man Like thee, Abner, too manly to be small.

2 17

Abnei:. I hate a sneak, a hypocrite, a liar.

And if one thwart my path, by this my sword, Which from a heathen's palsied grasp I tore, Azazel shall not save him from my wrath ! What? pass by belching Impudence unstung?

Jonathan. Do what thou mayest, Abner, curs will bark And gnash their teeth ; I strike at them that bite ; In pity rather than in anger do I smite the rogue ; how often did 1 not Hear Mockery vilify the son of Kish ? My gall did overboil, I bit my lip. But threats I uttered none ; nor moved a hand Though every finger itched for the sword. Peculiar is the Hebrew in his ways ; A generous heart, an earnest soul is his, Compassion being of himself a part, And gratitude his quality withal, Else easy led astray by fashion and Surrounding vice, too ({uick to take offence And see the darker side of things ; yet once Convinced of error he will submissive yield. As earnest in his holy zeal as death.

Ahner. Thou hast depicted him I know too well And love not less because of his defects : Yet learn he shall to follow them who lead Unmurmuring, nor fault find with a King Who does in spirit tower high above The multitude as he in body dwarfs The tallest man on foot. The Ephraimites Among our adversaries are the worst. Who would not call the monarch r/rfat but loiirf.

Jonathan. Let Envy on her venom feed ; it is A sneer and should no bitterness engender ; Theirs is a haughty tribe and ours the least.

Abner. A sneer it was that Jonathan incensed. When single-handed ho a camp did storm To show himi?elf a man who dares a thing.

Jonathan. To show myself a man who dares a thing — - This was the cause and not the heathen's taunt That made me climb on hand and foot to spread Confusion on the height of Michmash, where, Intrenched amidst a maze of rock and crag, The Philistine his dragon's nest supposed Impregnable. " Behold, yon outpost of The foe an eyesore is to me and mine," I to my trusty armor-bearer said ; " Come, let us feel the heathen, whom perchance Almighty will deliver to our arms, He having might to save the many by The few." Agreed we cross the valley and Confront the garrison, they laughing at Our hardihood. " Come up that we see more Of you," they shout. And up we came to strike Them with astonishment ; full twenty fell Under my heavy blows, the others fled Pursued by father and thyself, who led The few to rout the multitude. — But why Rehash a story threadbare by this time ?

Abxek. No, never, modest tho' thou art, decline To tell a tale that Emulation stirs In young and old to do the like and be Renowned thro' a deed that never dies ; We need great memories to fire youth.

Jonathan. I heard enough of this, brave Abner, not Ungrateful for a generous word, but oft Embarrassed by unmeasured praise bestowed On me for victory that came of God. Philistia will give us chance to feel Her pulse again, when others — this I trust — And thou among them, will my transient fame Eclipse by such a brilliancy of deeds As will a brighter era in our annals Open, the House of Saul exalting high.

AbnePv. Take Abner's hand, my prince, which shall be thine As long as it may grasp a weapon in

19

\^i

Support of iron manhood tempered by The gentlest vein that graces womanhood.

Jonathan (taklin/ Abuer^'^ hand).

My father is the King thy loyalty

To own, which means not, Abner, on my part

Indifference to ihy friendship rated high

And treasured as a cherished boon. — Look there,

Who are those strangei*s coming hitherward ?

(Enter strangers, followed by a crowd.)

First Stranger. Good sirs, where may we see the mighty man Whom Samuel anointed King ? If ye Be men of standing save us from a fate Much worse than death,

Jonathan. A fate much worse than death,

It must be being eaten while alive.

Abner. Who is he that would hurt you, friends? be brief —

Second Stranger. We left our city Jabesh-gilead, In sore distress, with death without and pest Within, beleaguered by a wolfish foe, And if no help come in a week — such is Our state in brief — each Gileadite will have. Beside the yoke of slavery on his neck, His right eye from its socket plucked.

Jonathan and Abner. Horrible !

First Stranger. Who knows not Ammon's ruthleh^s] king, Nahash, Who with his cohorts waits for our return To do the thing that will our tribes disgrace ?

Jonathan. Be comforted, the King I Avill myself Advise of your distress, and arm he will, I doubt not, to oppose your cruel foe. {E.ui Joimthan:)

Abner. How strong are they who Jabesh hold besieged?

Second Stranger. Twelve thousand Ammonites encldso our wives And babes dofended by a ftiinishoil band, Who watch keep night and day, li-st thro' a breach

The insolent besiegers burst on them, As bloody tigers on a flock of sheep.

Abner. There is no atom in my blood that is

Not chilled with horror while I burn to fall Upon that pack of brutes and tear them all To shreds. I see the King there come apace ; Brave Jonathan inspired him to act.

{Enter Saul, Jonathan, Doeg, and a crowd of peoj)le.)

First Stranger. Oh, help us, lord, we are poor Gileadites.

Saul. Save us the loss of time thy words consume, And hurry home to comfort the distressed ; For as my name is Saul, before that orb Will gild the world a second time, it shall Be known three score of miles around, that he Who answers not our call to join our ranks Against a beastly enemy, will see His cattle cut till none is left to turn The fallow of his field. — A heifer, cut In quarters, send as warning, Jonathan, And have our forces mustered for the march.

(Exit Jonathan. Enter a Messenger.} What is it Samuel would have us do ?

Messenger. The prophet's vision augurs victory, 0 King, and that thy host undaunted breast Accursed Ammon, himself will share the risks And hardships of the war. The Jordan's bank Will see him ere thy warriors cross its tide.

Saul (to Abner). The rising moon shall find us on the road ; Summon at once all able-bodied men To swell our thin battalions hereabout, Our sons to follow up our force with such As hurry to obey our call ; for I Am hot with anger at the bestial chief Who shall the Hebrew's ire learn to rate.

ACT II.

Scene I, — Gibeaii. Home of Sall. A Room.

Saul. Oh, for the vast horizon fringed with Eternal rocks ; or forest ringing with The song of happy bird ; or meadow bathed In dew as liquid jewel hanging on Each blade and flower, with brook and fountain and The winged world that in the grass makes music ! I blame thee not, thrice blessed Serenity, For fleeing haunts unsuitable for peace To frequent, choosing thy abodes beneath The laughing sky where smiling Nature makes The heart respond to her unruflled mien. Sweet Peace, wouldst thou not on the dizzy heiglit Of royalty the herdsman fsivor who Unwilling left the turf? What change in me Did scare thee off" that Melancholy Alls Thy ever-blessed domain ? Come, pour thy balm Into my fevered brain disturbed by fear Of dark futurity yet unrevealed. When did the eminence I court that shows A fearful deep below ? — If into it I fall — forbid it, Lord ! — There comes my wife.

{Enter Ahinoain.)

It is an early hour for queens to rise, Ahinoam.

AiiiNOAM. And for kings to have no rest

Whatever seems more serious than an hour's Repose forfeited by a worried woman ; Thou art unhappy, Saul, unhappy as Thy wife thro' thy uuhappiness, unless

Thou wilt thy soul uuburdeu, so that I, If helpless to assuage thy troubled breast, At least have certainty thereof, which is Not half as bad as fearful doubt unuttered.

Saul. Enough if thou dost guess the cause, the rest Be undivided buried in my heart.

Ahinoam. Thy children's mother honor, Saul, and let Me of thy grief have part as of the fame Thy triumphs have of late brought on our house.

Saul {slmking hw head).

The fame, the fame — I would to God we were Unfamed, O wife, and with our sons unknown !

Ahinoaji. Then do the crown resign and watch our herds.

Saul. The ci-own, the crown — uncourted did it come To me, unwished ; but once anointed I Should rather lose my head than leave my post Unhonored. Woman, I shall die a King, And never was a prince more worthy of Succession than our valiant Jonathan, He having lustre shed upon our house — But will he be my heir?

Ahinoam. My Jonathan !

Beloved of all, the nation's favorite, Why weave far possibilities of doubt When, in the prime of manhood now, thou mayst A score of years and more be mighty King, And further shape this kingdom's destiny To suit thy purpose and the people's weal ? An army rose against thy harsh decree That doomed him, who has unconsciously Thy bidding slighted, binding all to touch Before the foe's defeat, nor food, nor drink. And now his name throughout the land resounds AVith valor coupled and the ring of praise, And virtue rare among the qualities Of giddy youth. The oldest being he

23

And worthiest of our house, why should the tribes A ruler elsewhere seek and him reject ?

Saui-. The wizard's voice, wlio made the herdsman King, Is not for us, Ahinoam, hereafter.

AuiNOAM. Thou art

The Lord's anointed by his lip, and they, Who first thy title questioned to the throne, Seeing the heathen smitten by thine hand, Rejoice at thy election more and more ; Why dread a man so near his death-bed, Saul ?

Saul. The man thou speakest of so lightly, wife, To prove himself resistless, made the skies Respond.to his appeal, when at his call The sun withdrew his beam, the thunder rolled, The torrents pouring in a deluge to Confirm his power. Him in Gilgal I Displeased unwilling. Impatient of delay I saw my army dwindle, gathered there To see him offer sacrifice and pray For new success against the enemy. Another hour and things had passed off well. He came too late, too late for me to show Him reverence ; there our doom I heard — our doom — Our Jonathan with me.

Ahinoam. What happened since

Was victory and conquest. Amnion, Edom, Philistia and Zobah being humbled By thee, the crowned head of Israel.

Saui,. Our Jonathan appears, it must be news. Too early to be good. — Thy tidings, boy?

(^Entcr Jo)iaf/ia)i.)

Jonathan. The message comes from Ramah.

Saul. From Samuel?

Jonathan. His messenger would have a word with tliee Alone.; he breathes war, meseems.

24

Saul. No peace

From yonder quarter I expect. — Admit The man, and be with Abner near at hand.

(Exeunt Jonathan and Ahinoam. Enter Messenger.^ Possess me briefly of thy master's will.

Messenger. Exhausted from the run I stand before Thee, King, the prophet's charge upon my lip. In dead of night, the first watch having passed, I heard him cry in ecstasy : " Arise, Arise, and post to Gibeah, that he Whom God has chosen smite Amalek with The sword, smite age and youth, no vestige leave Of them, abhorred of earth and heaven. Spare he The Kenites ever to the Hebrew friendly. Else havoc be the rule, unsparing aught, They having spared nor dame, nor child, as fierce Hyenas slaughtering the undefended." This uttered, he to rest retired, while I The saddle sought and mule, and here I am.

-Saul. Go, have thy sleep and meet me at the board This forenoon ere thou goest hence. — Doeg !

(Exit Messenger.) Doeg ! — It will be lively work. — Doeg! The old man might relent if I the foe Defeat, exterminate as he commands. Agag is mighty in the field, — Doeg ! (Enter Doeg.) Let Jonathan and Abner meet me at The council chamber ; it is war, Doeg ! War, with no room for pity left. (Exit Said.)

Doeg. No room

For pity left, poor King ! how happy to Subserve the fancies of a madman like The scold of Ramah. AVhat matters it to me AVho am devoid of holy sap, and would Be hedgehog rather than a monarch thus Encumbered with a raving maniac, whose Very sight gives me the jaundice and a score Of other ills. A full-fledged Edomite,

25

By lieritagc a hunter, titles seem Less valuable to me than Mammon's gift, A woman's welcome, and a hearty meal ; They of Hebraic bent a glittering show Of tinsel deem a prize worth dying for. — I serve my j)urpose here, and am no tool ; If Esau Jacob blinds, who is the fool ?

Scene 11. — Ramati. Houj^e of Samuel.

Samuel (jfurroamlfd by his pupils).

Thou Ever-One, in space and time Infinite, Revealing unrevealed, transcending mind's Ethereal faculty that longing would The endless and eternal fathom, One The All containing, therein uncontained. May heavenly Inspiration touch with flame Supernal my enraptured soul, so that The spirit sky-enkindled thrill with glow Prophetic, as Thy instrument of yore When Horeb rung the messages of heaven; For nor Ionia's Muse, nor Helicon's Hears invocation of Jehovah's bard. Who at the Holiest of Holies hath His mind in empyrean fire bathed. Then rises high above Parnassus as Aldebaran above the moon. Spirit Of Thy uncounted hosts a seraph send To cleanse this lip and sight give to the soul, So that I may commune with Thee, like him Who first beheld the thornbush glow, and on The top of Sinai heard the Holiest Voice ; For they around me, who Thy glories shall Recount to ages yet unborn, and earth Make sacred like a star in azure's deep. Are thirsting for Thy Truth, which I with awe

26

Contemplate, so deep that Meditation shrinks And speech recoils aghast from utterance Unuttered hitherto in any tongue.

Chorus. Reveal us, reveal us, O master, reveal The grandest of works God created ; We listen enravished with ecstatic zeal, Our hunger, our thirst unabated.

Samuel. Thy wing, Imagination, swifter than

The deathful spark that life destroys unhurt, Unfold that thereon sweeping over deeps Unfathomed, space unmeasured, I reveal To them I teach the secrets hidden from The mortal eye, unless by Thee enlightened. Into the Sanctuary of the increate Inane I thirst to peneti'ate, that I May tell how formless Chaos ruled the ^^oid, Thy Thought evolving myriad solar spheres That rose to vanish in unyielding Night. ( To the Chonis.) Nine billion cycles twelve times multiplied By twelve, then trebled by the years we count Since first the sun his radiance hither sent. Omnipotence with Self-sufficiency Communed, revolving whether it be Avise To bid eternal Silence ope the Vast Wherein in undisturbed dark lay hid Potential seed of constellations bright And elemental potencies, which since Made stir the upper and the nether spheres With multitudinous life, so manifest Below where marvelous creatures teem mid wealtl^ Of flower and herb, which healing virtues hide. Wisdom, Almighty's first-begotten, sprung then Of the Infinite Brain, to whom the All- Beholding Holy-One and Hidden thus :

" Thee, first-born of the Highest Essence, I Appoint creative Power, armed with Will Omnipotent, to whom the boundless Vast And what therein is latent of all things

27

To be in spirit or in grosser shape

01)eflience owe and render undelayed ;

Inscrutable designs are Mine conceived

For all futurity the compass of

Inferior being to surpass as does

Infinity each part thereof exceed,

And I Infinity in space, in time

I'^tcrnity, embracing unembraced.

Thus brooding since by Mine behest gray Time

Her wings outspread, I hold in jNIe mature

For birth Immensity to vest Myself

With glories praised by hosts of higher and

Of lower station, planned to worship Me,

Concealed in INIystery, My garments dim

Reflex proclaiming that I Am the One

Most Perfect and forever unfathomable.

My shadow, Light, now from the face of Night

And Chaos hidden, shall in great cataracts

A bursting fire-deluge spread throughout

Unbroken dark, assuming spheric shape,

And march in clustered lights innumerable,

Each other prompting by immutable Law ;

Not purposeless, but for mysterious ends,

Attained not ere I see Myself fulfilled

In them who shall, unseen or visible.

The higher heavens and the nether spheres

Control, endowed with freest choice to rise

As high as pure ethereal virtues may.

Or sink to pass probations long and hard,

Remote from Bliss, Avho in My Presence dwells ! "

Chorus. We arc overpowered, O Wisdom Supreme, ('reator of spirit and matter ; Thy grandeur l)e ever our loftiest theme. Than kingdoms Thy Wisdom is better.

Samuel. Thus brief the Fountain-head of all that was To be outlined Creation when, as from A thundercloud at night the lightning's flash Tlic thought outwings that would its course discern,

28

Our Universe once more burst into blaze,

Light-oceans darting thro' empyreal vasts,

Once more to vanish in the rayless deep,

No void henceforth, but full from heaven's top

Down to the nethermost abyss of God's

Similitude, Creation's holiest work,

A man in form of living radiance made

And burning flame, a sable vesture, as

A cloud the sun's effulgence, covered half.

And this not longer than it took the Voice

Of Mystery to say : " Let there be light."

Forthwith black Night her raven pennons spread*

To fly precipitous from Ether set

Ablaze by dazzling efiiuence that in

That mystic likeness focused, thence darted forth

A tenfold stream of generative worms.

The potent flood Commotion waking in

Responsive energies, stirring unformed

Cosmos, until each atom yielded to

Resistless Rule, now manifest with might

And glory vested, glowing like a host

Of suns unsheathed, ten in one, yet one

Complete in head and limb, less doubtful than.

The signs of Zodiac in significance.

Chorus (inspired).

The birth of the soul, the spirit was this

Whom later a body was given ; She sprung from the holiest regions of bliss

And longs to return to heaven ; Or was it a power of some higher mold ?

O master, enlighten us further ; That Godlike our soul be the Scriptures unfold,

The earth of the body is mother.

Samuel. Of the Unbounded One the Image this Creative by His Will omnipotent And perfect or imperfect rendered as He chooses to endow it full or otherwise ; And quicker than Medusa's fabled head

29

«!»1 C\

Sky-heariug Atlas turned into rock,

The tenfold wonder spread infinitely

Until Immensity was full thereof

When, multiplying, it breathed forth a maze

Of stars and brilliant galaxies, each one

The semblance bearing of the Archetype

Who bade them shine, Himself all undiminished.

So vast a Universe of liquid spheres

That numbers coukl not name their multitudes,

Nor parasangs their interspaces measure,

Unbroken yet by grosser orbs to be.

As head and heart the human form inspire

And blessed life shows happiness in joy.

The mystic firmament, instinct with soul.

The spheric march to heaven's new harp began

With such responses from all deeps and heights

As made the heavens resonant with song

And Harmony the starry spaces thrill,

Tho' over the lower hosts the higher are

So far that light requires myriad years

To twinkle at a sister star below.

In cadence wheeling to the self-same Jaw%

Thus heaven's primordial frame with emblems teemed

In constellations cut, God's Alphabet

Upon the face of azure written, often

Misread l)y him who misconstrues the speech

Of symbols misconceived, else fabulous brutes

Name in the skies had none, as Dragon, Hydra,

Aquarius, Chameleon and Centaur ; or beast

In forest, field or water seen ; or things

Of human make ; or names of myth, Orion

A"nd Cepheus, Andromeda and Hercules,

As tl'.o' to ])rove the childish sense of man.

Mammon this era governs unopposed.

That worships matter more than aught conceived

Of spiritual sway and, prone to scoff,

Of vision short, as owl that shuns the day

For overflow of light, percliance with scorn,

At best uncdified and slow will take

30

Enliglitenment of ethereal beiugs tirst

Created, first to be and holiest in

The scale of being, above all others sprung

Of highest Effluence, thence Seraphim

Their name, invisible ministers of Him

Whose Breath Infinity inflamed and then

Seraphic choirs, ten divisions, each

Too numerous for the mind to compass, all

A host outnumbering a thousandfold

The stars, thenceforward in their keeping, who

Before Matatron bow ; he, angels' chief

And master, full empowered from On High

To build the nether hosts, forthwith thro' space

The potency in him personified

Diffused ; his fiat rung in words to which

Responding Ether bodied forth a host

Of Cherubim, ordained inferior for

Inferior station ; harp in hand they sprung

As numberless as those of highest rank,

But able to assume corporeal shape.

The Cherub's recompense for being less

Than Seraph dowered, and in scale less high,

Tho' blissful like the other each, and than

Hyperion more beautiful and mighty,

In song surpassing him whose offspring moved

The nether world, and softened brute and stone.

Archangels marshal the celestial hosts,

Nine myriad squadrons form the vanguard's corps,

The rearfront's file twelve times that number make

That shoot from star to star like beams of light

And make the nether spheres resound in uiiison :

Chorus. "Creator, Thee we praise, ourselves Thy work And all the circling orbs and Seraphim Conceived in light for ends inscrutable ; We thus called forth Thy glories to extol. Who art exalted higher than all height. Thy Wisdom glorify as deep as all The deeps that give no measure of Thyself, Encompassing the void Inane, therein

3^

The Universe and what is yet unshaped. lu things revealed Thy wonders overawe Seraphic comprehension ; how sliall we The unrevealed Grandeur of Thyself Behold, unless sustained by Thee, who wilt Not suffer us to vanish, who thus dwell Enskied beneath Merchabah's holy Throne, That fills the endless empyrean with such Consuming blaze as would, uncovered, burn The creatures of Thy Love ; so fearful of Annihilation we, enshrined in Joy Immortal, hymning praise, our blissful share. With Thee Benignity and Grace upon Merchabah bide, thereon Intelligence And Justice hold their sway ; sweet Beauty beams, And Splendor shines therefrom, with Firmness and Foundation linked and Love ; and these beneath Thy Kingdom's Crown endure forevermore."

Samuel. Sublimer music so unlike is notes

Of heavenly Concord born, that soothing tho' And rapturous it be to heart and mind, It but cherubic strains re-echoes fiiint. Comparable to twilight breaking thro' A depth of cloud and making sunshine gloom ' Below, tho' welcomer than utter night. That song's supernal might to comprehend. It is enough to know that, flowing in Melodious waves, it charmed worlds, and in Chaotic deeps, beyond Creation's Vast, Another Vast of darkness conjured full Of legions numberless as they above. But hideous as to form, Plutonian black, With eyes that glow as burning coal, or as The hungry wolf's when roving for his prey, Yet orderly in line and phalanx ranked. With Samael as potentate and chief; Endowed, besides, with mighty wing the black Abyss to sweep, their empire, therein Confined to rule as destined from On High.

32

Inferior else and changeable as things

Corruption withers, they the Archityper's

Remotest issue represent, content

Withal in darkness to be dark and shun

Domains superior beings hold, except

It be to counteract whatever good

From yonder Power sprung, who made them less

To be the more when risen high by worth ;

For Grace no guiltless creature suffers to

Be doomed, nor unforgiven leaveth guilt,

However grave.

Betwixt those higher and These lower hosts stands man, created last And free, but tempted much by evil things Held out to lure hiin into Error ; they In darkness biding, labor to undo Him, sprung of God in spirit and of clay In mortal frame, long weltering in vice And carnal beastliness, till Israel Salvation heralded and wrought ere this, Tho' unsuccessful hitherto, himself A prey to sensual greed, degrading with Each fallen age, unless reclaimed by dire Adversity, or prophets fire-tongued. —

Chorus. Almighty's decree we know it to be

That Eden to man he returned ; Tho' cycles fly fast and dark be the past,.

We know why the thornbush burned ; God works not like men of limited ken.

His purpose the after-times read it ; By thy spirit fired we are all inspired.

Thy wisdom, dear master, Ave need it.

33

Scene III.— Gii.cal. An Open Place.

(Enter Ahner, Jonathan and I>oe(j, each leading a troop, fol/mved h;/ Saul, before whom Agag is led in chains, a crowd follows.')

Saul. Vcjur greatest day is this and mine, ye sous Of Israel, since He above made me Hi.s vengeful arm implacably to smite Implacable enemies, who ever since Our sires Egypt left hang at their heels, Like beasts of blood destroying in the rear The aged and the helpless wanderers, And laying ambush to ensnare the child. Our friends Amalek hated, with our foes Conspired to exterminate our tribes ; Wherefore Annihilation overtook Them whom to punish we cur weapons drew. — Behold him here who fed on massacre. And reveled in their agonies, who in His dens did under torture perish, he As tiger thirsting for the Hebrew's blood.

Ac.Ac. Thy God enjoins pity, King, which thou Deniest me, thus fallen deep beyond Recovery, disgraced, enslaved and doomed ; Wouldst thou not have me serve thee rather than To death deliver ? Alas, I fear the grave I

Saul. Our God commands to sweep Amalek's brood

And wipe it out from under heaven, slave! (To Docg.) fjCt bin) my verdict out of sight await. While for our triumph we the Lord extol, As when near Kishon's rushing tide of yore, Almighty having smitten Sissera's host, Inspired Deborah gave praise in song.

(Doeg removes Agag.)

Ai,i,. We thank thee, Lord, our heart is light, The mighty melt before thy Breath, Amalek vanislied at thy wrath As phantoms vanish with the night.

34

We pray, O Father, guard our land, May like Amalek all our foes Thy vengeance blast ; relieve our woes, Come Peace and Plenty from thy hand.

Abxer. I voice the people's prayer. King, who of Amalek's flocks the best for sacrifice Have hither brought unslain ; let these be spared For timely offerings, the warriors pray ; What good will slaughter do of harmless brute. Now that their owners swept are from the earth ?

Saul. Let their request be gratified, lest my Refusal mar the joyance of the hour.

Voices. The prophet, the prophet I

(Enter Samuel, who fi.re-^ a xfern look at Saul.)

Saul (admnei)uj reverent/ji). AVe bless thy coming, Thou blessed of the Lord ; thy bidding is Fulfilled, for utterly destroyed are they Abhorred of God.

Saaiuel (stern). What means the bleating then Of sheep I hear, the lowing of the herds That stir the air ? — They are the sounds of life ? —

Saul. For sacred rites the people spared the best That sacrifice of them be offered to Thy God.

Samuel. King, dead thy reverence for that God

Thou shouldst obey, unpardonable thy .sin, Defiance showing and a stubborn mind.

Saul. Unwise it seemed to curb the people's zeal To serve a holy purpose when thy life The lesson taught to serve the Only One.

Samuel. Unrighteous Disobedience grieves the Lord, Who in a lowly spirit takes delight, Rejects the offerings of rebellious hearts. The humble loves, who hearken to his Voice ; The sin of witchcraft from rebellion springs, From stubbornness iniquity and vice. —

35

Behold, thou didst the Lord's behest reject, He doth reject thee as his people's King.

Saul (pale). Reject lue, sir? if I have erred there will

Be mercy in the skies an error to

Forgive ; I meant not Heaven to offend

(Samuel turns to c/o.)

Nor thee. — Thou wilt not thus withdraw and leave

Me lowered in the nation's eye.

(Seizes Savni^Vs robe and tear^ it.) Samuel. And this

The sign ; the grace of royalty from thee

Almighty tore that it be given to

A better man.

Saul. Yet leave me not disgraced

But come that I before God's altar pray. — This honor grant me ere thou goest hence.

Samuel. Bring forth Agag whom God his breath denies. Why lives he, King, who should be food for birds ?

(Agag brought forth.) Saul. I held him that his death our triumph crown.

Agag. What fearful God is yours, who on my head His volleyed thunderbolts unloads ! O Death, Why spared thy myriad-winged agency My life where honor garlands winds for those Who warring fall to let me forfeit it In shame ? Oh, bitter, bitter is thy sting.

Samuel. Too long thy blood-polluted soul debased Creation's noblest mold ; as heretofore Thy feline rage bereavement made the cause Of thousand weeping dames, so be thy end Thereafter source of woe to her who bore Thee to her shame. The dogs devour thy flesh.

(The curtain faU.<.)

3t>

ACT in.

Scene I. — Gibeah. Home of Saul.

(Akinoam and 3Iicha/.)

Ahinoam. Thou, too, art not the same, my child, as the' Contagion of thy father's gathering gloom Gave thee a cloud ; if his unease be cause Of thy dejection, daughter, twilight will The hues of sable night to him assume If he suspect the workings of his mood On thee, the favored of his preference.

MiCHAL. Why give me this attention, mother, when He undivided needs thy sympathy And watchful care ? Nor grief nor grievance have I to account for cheerless thoughts that come And go.

Ahinoam. And go t and (jrow comes nearer truth. Dark Melancholy on thy forehead seats, The flower of beauty fading on thy cheek For want of rest and proper nourishment, Thyself consuming by a heartache none May cure because denied the confidence ; How, then, the healing i-emedy supply ?

MiCHAL. When did thy Michal secrecy toward thee A virtue make before Necessity Enforced the reticence she cannot break ? I am nor sick in body nor in mind Unsound, but somewhat moody, that is all ; And since my humor tortures thee I shall Hereafter smile, whatever pressure I Endure within. — Yes, father needs our cheer ; We must forget ourselves and live for him.

37

Ahinoam. Strauge world ! what may a daughter worry that Her mother must not know ! Of me a part Thy inward should to me unbosom as A flower does to the morning sun. Fie, fie, Necessity ! what know ye, girls of life's Anxieties a mother's love sustains ! If thou hast sounded love's unfathomed deep, Thou wouldst not with my sorrows trifle thus.

MiCHAL ((thseiit-iniitded).

If I had sounded love's unfathomed deep ! —

Ahinoam (attentive). Have incidentally I hit the clue?

MiCHAL (blushing). Must I betray my secret that thou laugli At me ?

Ahinoam. Oh, that is all — ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha I

MiCHAL. There, laugh again ; is it ridiculous

To be in love ? Why, all the girls are in it.

Ahinoam. Yes, and the boys. — Is it a boy thou lovest ?

MiCHAL (surprised). Why, no, a girl. — (Both /aiigh.)-

Ahinoam (heainng a sig/i of relief).

Thou didst relieve my heart Of anguish, child ; — no, speak to me of him Whose magic did my daughter thus bewitch ; Give me thy secret's other half, now that The half thereof I know. — A Benjamite ? —

MiCHAL. The coraeliest of Judah's youth is he

Who dreams not of my madness for his heart's Response, a raving hunger thus unfed By hope is mine ; I love unloved ; if this Suflacient be for thee to know, thou hast It all.

Ahinoa.m. a youth of Judah, — how did he come To thwart thy footway, girl ?

INIicHAL. We thwarted his

When I with Jonathan his tribe's domain Did traverse and near Bethlehem did halt To feed our caravan. The sun's decline

Soft radiance sent iu mellow streams and with His crimsoned glories flooded earth and sky ; Soft bounded from its spring the crystal brook ; Soft in the leafage chirp'd and warbled many A bird, while overhead in mid-air poured His cadence forth the winged musician who In azure sings ; but softer, sweeter than All melody flowed from a distance song So mighty and so weird that thitherward Resistless drawn with Jonathan I moved. There, at a limpid fount a youth, a harp In hand, a wreath as headgear wearing, armed With bow and quiver, like an angel sate Amid a numerous flock of scattered sheep. His eyes in ether lost, his fingers on The chords disporting, adding sweetness to A voice, itself a thrilling symphony. " Disturb we not the youth who praises God," Said Jonathan, withdrawing with my hand In his, the singer's image graven in My soul for aye. Ahinoam. a youth so gifted would

Our King delight; we should know more of him.

MiCHAL. If Jonathan had seen him with mine eyes He would no eflTort spare to draw him hither.

Ahinoam. That Jonathan thereafter took no thought Of him I wonder much ; — poor boy, too close The battles and the hazards followed, grave Enough to load a leader's memory. — Thy secret guarding I will prompt him to Inform himself about the youth we ought To know. — I see in self-discourse the king. (Exeunt.)

Saul (who enters from, the opposite door).

If man be nothing but a plaything iu The hands of a mysterious Destiny Then better for him never to be born Than drink the bitter goblet mixed for him By creatures meaner than himself. — Sweet Hope Wilt thou desert me with thy magic sights,

39

Thy golden vistas precious to the heart ?

How meet Vexation with her thousand shafts ?

Be hurt, tormented, and continue sane?

The last was I to covet royalty.

As now the la»t to give it up unfought ;

Once crownt'd I am King till death relieves

Me of my glittering agony, — Oh, that

The silent heavens are so high and God

Above, indifferent to a myriad woes

And throes, methinks, man's tragedy below

Unrolls ! The brute for slaughter marked, who tells

Me that, like man, it knoweth not its doom ?

What makes me think I am a victim born ?

A scapegoat marked to answer some design ?

Suspicion, press not on my brain this thought

That warps the brighter quality of the mind.

(Enter Jonathan.)

What is it, son, that makes thy look so grave?

JoxATHAN. Philistia is out in insolence

Upon Azekah's hills, and Abner asks Assistance ere it be too late. Shall we Judean territory enter and re — Enforcement hurry to the seat of war ? We cannot waste an hour, much less a day Without advantaging our adversaries.

Saul. Send forth thy troops and I the rear shall with My bodyguard take up, if Abner danger sees.

Jonathan. Full twenty thousand strong, and fortified. They on our fear their hopeful prospects ground To meet in single combat huge Goliath Of prodigious strength, their champion, A tower clad in armor, balancing A spear as rafter long and heavy, loud. Foul-mouthed in challenge to encounter him And C()n(juer or be conquered, enslave Or be enthralled. This troubles Abner much, Our camp embracing none the giant to r^onfront with fair success.

4^

Saul. The worse for 113

If he can unopposed defy our men. He must be met and beaten, and the one — Let this be far proclaimed — who smites him dead, The fairest of our home, our Michal, shall. Endowed with royal state, receive as wife. (E.munt.)

Scene II. — Bethlehem. House of Jesse.

Jesse (who enters with Samuers Messenger).

As he commands we shall his coming here Keep secret, honored as I am and proud To bless the prophet and be blessed by him.

Messenger. Have all thy sons assembled for his view, He having purpose to behold them all ; He was emphatic when he charged me thus.

Jesse. The man of God shall have in all his will ; — Shall I proceed to meet him on the highway ?

Messenger. I hurried to announce his coming, who Enjoined me to bear his message while He stopp'd to pray. Thou mayst expect to face Him in a moment. Lo ! here

{Enter Samuel. EAi 3fessenger.)

Jesse (bowing reverently). This house be thine Great man of God, and all therein are at Thy service, happy to be blessed by thee.

Samuel. Eight sons are thine of whom I seven saw Without, the one I seek I found not there. Let him appear that I God's bidding do.

Jesse. The youngest of my house is with our flocks And has been sent for to be here at once.

Samuel. The favored he of the Most High, who will His glory shed on him and his to come. —

41

(Enter Ddvid.)

Come, son, the Grace of God descends on tliee ; Be strong in trial, humble in success; Thou art the King to reign by Heaven's decree. Thy arm be steel, tliy nature gentleness.

(Pours oil on DavifJ's head.) liulc Israel, forever live thy name. Thy house endure in memory for aye, Thy song's delight immortalize thy fame. Thy sovereign might be spiritual sway. Write this in flaming letters on thy heart : God graces them who humbly pray for grace. The sceptre shall not from thy house depart, Thine be the kin<;dom of the chosen race.

Scene III. — Saul's Encampment. A Tent.

(Enter Saul (Did Jonathan.)

Saul. Who should have thought that with such promises Held out among twelve thousand warriors there AVould be no man to strike for love or fame That blasphemous Philistine ; in all a host No man to risk his life for such a prize !

Jonathan. Yet generous be thy judgment over men Than whom there breathe not braver fighters in The kingdoms we are combating ; but when A monstrous villain of enormous limb And muscle, fit for Samson's iron grip, Does challenge usual warriors to sure Defeat, it were unwise, yea, mad, to rush Into his arms and be undone ; I doubt Not that our hero will appear to do The wonder of the day.

Saul. Ah ! if he come.

And be victorious, Jonathan, dost thou Believe a Hebrew could that heathen smite ?

42

The Samsons lived in bygone times, I fear ; We must on lesser prodigies rely.

Jonathan. The Godsend and inspired, be he big Or small, will light on him as thunder from The cloud and cleave his massive bulk in twain.

Saul. That were the man to wed my daughter, boy ; But Samuel's spirit is against us, come What may, — against our cause.

Jonathan. AVhat is our cause

That is not his, who for the common weal Anointed thee, rejecting his own, because TJnwYjrthy to succeed their sire?

Saul. He spoke

The fatal word that disinherits thee And me makes puppet of a flimsy show.

Jonathan. Be this thy lesser grief that I my name Shall not have graven in the book of kings ; Grant God that glorious deeds thy rule adorn !

Saul (gloomy). Grant God that evil spirits enter not My head, for horrid are the nightmares which My pillow turn into a haunt of ghouls. The hideous dreams unhinging what is sound And sane in mind and heart. — His angry eyes, Yea, Samuel's eyes, they pierce me day and night Since last at GilgalT their fire stood. Not as a monarch crown'd with victory, But stung and humbled, lowered, lowered, deep, And buried, disenthroned, unkinged, disgraced. Because his best was in the letter slighted ! O Disappointment, bitter are thy dregs. Unbearable when mixed with grim Despair ! For man in memory lives and works in hope To see the harvest of his seed in days To come ; but from my hand a ruthless fate The wreath and palm of fame has torn ; down went Amalek, down with him his victor goes ! — —

Jonathan {looking toward the entrance).

News on the wing, with Abner flying and Another one I know not by his side. 43

{Enter Abner and David.')

Saul. Give up thy tidings, marshal, good or bad.

Abner. In earnest neither of this, my lord, for now As hitherto these forty days foul-mouthed Goliath unpunished heaps abuse on thy Enduring army, none, except this youth. Proposing to avenge the infamy We unrevengeful take.

Saul. What? this youth make

Our shield, an army standing idle and Unwounded in their pride ? I should not have Philistia laugh at us. — ( To David.) Whoever thou. Courageous youth, it is a giant who Will hurl thee whirling thro' the atmosphere.

David. My boldness pardon, sovereign liege, but were He thrice his volume, armed in steel, with sword And spear as sharp and venomous as tooth Of serpent, it would concern me little and Avail him less, who shall be struck before He knoweth how ; I scorn the Philistine. —

Saul. And who art thou, brave youth, and where thy home?

David. At Bethlehem in Judah Jesse dwells, My aged sire, whom eight sons relieve Of toil ; of them the youngest I, my liege. Long years in Judah's mountainous regions I Was guardian of our flocks, and were I vain, T could a lion's head as trophy wear And add the bear's, whom single-handed I Destroyed, tho' less for warfare fashioned than Poetic song with soft accompaniment Of harp or lute. But wheu that cursing cur I heard the sacred congregation taunt, I felt that naught betwixt his downfall stands And me but thy permission to insure His overthrow.

-.Ionatiian (a-nde). He is the one we heard Once sing and play in Judah's vale.

44

Abner. Give him

Thy sanction king, to test his valor's edge.

Saul. Go forth, my son, in this my armor clad, And this my sword around thee girt, lest he Find thee too vulnei'able in shepherd's garb.

( Offers him an armor.y

David. Unused, my liege, to wear a coat of mail, In lieu of arming me, it will impede My swiftness, which I count on in the fray ; The sling that in my hand did seldom miss Its aim will not untrustful prove this time. Be he as lion strong Goliath shall Go down this day.

Saul. Come, let us watch the youth

And have our forces ready for a move.

Jonathan. Thou hast no weapon to ward off a blow, O child of Judah, Goliath is all armor. —

David. Yes, prince, and Israel's God omnipotent. (Exeunt.)

Scene IV. — A Valley Between the Two Camps

Goliath {eiders in panoply).

I am Goliath, and this spear.

The heaviest beam a warrior saw,

Herewith I balance like a straw

To strike the Hebrews dumb Avith fear ;

Confounded at my sight they fly —

Ye dastard slaves, my challenge take,

Give me your stoutest neck to break,

A Samson give me to defy ;

In twain I'll split him with my brand,

His fall or mine this broil shall end — -

Ye freemen ? slaves, it is a lie !

Philistia has forged your chain,

I treat you, cowards, with disdain,

45

You shrink in silence, I know why.

By Dagon'p lioly head I swear

That if I fall ye shall be free,

Our masters you, your servants we ;

But if I slay him who will dare

To meet me fighting fair and square?

Yours be the yoke forever tight ;

As beasts of burden ye shall brave

The toil and scourging of the slave.

Send forth a man, a man to fight !

Ah, Israelites, and chosen, too !

Ye leprous brood begot of thieves,

I scorn your wizards, loathe your chiefs,

Your God is false, our Dagou true.

Come, bloated bellies, I will rip

And disembowel a score at once.

Bark, howl or cackle in response.

Come and be smothered by this grip. —

But, lioly Dagon, what is. that?

With stick and bag, — the shepherd's gear, —

A dwarf to wriggle on my spear.

As quick as mouse, as fierce as rat.

(Enter David.) Ha, ha, ha, ha ! what is it boy Thou wouldst discover hereabout? What fury, Dagou ! spit it out ; The nurse, the nurse — am I a toy ?

David. Thy death, thy death, foul heathen hear. Death follows me. Almighty's will On thee, base villain, to fulfill ; Cease cursing, dog, thy death is near.

Goliath. Death, short-legg'd puppy, follows thee, That by this trusty sword I may Divide thy corpse for beasts of prey ; Or will thy shabby panoply Defend thee, armed with a rod ? Hush, fly hence, dwarf, and be not loud, Or I will hurl thee to the cloud And scare the vanguard of thy God.

46

David. Thy tongue shall wither, filthy swine,

Whose boast is bulk of flesh and bone ;

My strength is Jah, the Only One,

Whose hosts throughout the heavens shine ;

The sea congealed before His Breath,

At His command the Jordan fled,

With manna He our sires fed,

He fights our battles, sealed thy death. —

Vile heathen, tremble at this hour,

Before God's Ark thy Dagon fell.

With him thy soul descends to hell,

Hyenas shall thy flesh devour. ■ (^Goliath aims a thrust at David, which he evades, draws a stone from his bar/, flings it at the Philistine's head, who fa lh< on. his face, whereupon David rushes at him, tears the sword from his side, beheads him and carries off the trophies. A great shout of joy is heard, followed by a cry : " They fly, they fly, pursue the Philistines!" Hebrew troops rash across the valley headed by Abiier, Jonathan, Doeg and Saul.)

Scene Y. — Gibeah. A Street. Citizens.

First CiTiZEN. They are all flocking to the gates to see The king and army march into the place, ' But stiffened limbs advise me that I wait Until they come this way.

Second Citizen. They say the girls

Are out to welcome them with dance and song ; The damsels will precede them hither dancing.

Third Citizen. 'Tis here the girls will gather to receive Our soldiers crowned with victory ; sure, sure, The Philistines have got it hot and heavy.

Fourth Citizen.

Hush, hush ! our soldiers crowned with victory — The merit is they sought the back of those Who ran ; it is that youth has done it all ; He must be mighty plucky, he —

47

FiH.-T CiTizKN. For sure,

It needed more than sneezing to undo That giant beast who cursed King and host.

Second Citizen. Our big-ones held aloof, 'twas too much fiin^

Third Citizen. That little one will be the son-in-law Of Saul, whatever be his pedigree.

Fourth Citizen. Pah, pedigree, he is a lion's cub, A son of Judah's lusty tribe and as A Hebrew claims his title rooted in The blood and story of the stiff-necked race. Our kinship dates from Abraham's household, thence- Unbroken till this day, cemented even By thousand faults and follies common to The stock that, heavenly choice advancing, errs.

Second Citizen. Why, yes, did we not all in common do Some good and evil things ?

First Citizen. Ay, ay, some good

And evil things, and of the evil more Than of the good we did, yea, all of us; The prophet's view thereof is mine ; we are So mad to ape their fooleries whom Israel Should lead, that were the pagans in a fit Of crazy wantonness to mutilate Their ears, or crop their noses, hang me, if Of twetity Hebrews five would be undipped.

Second Citizen. One, one, say, one ; grim ^loloch's patronage

Among us bears me out in this. Third Citizen. If we

Be such a pack, why not a Noah's flood

Invoke to drown us, worthless puppies? — Tush I tush|!

The Jingels make no golden calf, nor cry

For meat, or swear at obstacles, because

They get no chance to run astray, nor have

An appetite for aught Temptation shows

To wake a tenfold passion in man's heart.

Then answer this : The good are poor, the bad

Are rich ; the wicked rule, the pious suffer ;

The cripples live, the stately die; why ? — See,

48

This makes one doubtful as to matters here. Indifferent as to consequence hereafter.

First Citizen. Thou art not wise to question thus a Power We may well dream of, never comprehend ; If God to our conception open were He were too small to rule or be adored.

Second Citizen.

Make room, make room, the damsels and the King

(^Enter damsels, InstrumenU in hand, dancing and singing.} Joy throughout Jeshurun ring, Scattered lies the tyrant's host, Sing Jeshurun of thy King ! King and hero claim the deed, King and hero laureled come, Saul did strike the thousands dumb, David made the myriads bleed. {Exeunt damsels, troops pass, led by Jonathan in company of David and Abner,follo^ved by Saurs bodyguard and Doeg.)

Saul (remaining tvith Doeg). Doeg —

Doeg. Thy Majesty —

Saul. Did I hear right ? —

Doeg. What does Thy Majesty refer to?

Saul, What?

Fool, what ? I am not deaf, art thou ?

Doeg. My liege —

Saul. Dumb head, — thy ears — it is no dream, no, no ! The wenches said it, sung it, sing it as They pass along the highway, gall, gall, gall ! " Saul did strike the thousands dumb, David made the myriads bleed!" — (To Doeg.) Didst thou not hear it ?

Doeg. Sure, I did, my liege.

Saul. It is a lie, it is a lie — my head — (Touches his forehead.) It is a lie! — Go, have my coach prepared. — (Exit Doeg.) That was the ring of doom, the death-knell of

4 49

f1

The House of Saul ; be is the coming man, • The better man, my kingdom's heir ; none else But Jesse's son. Ob, that I cannot hate And rave more than I do. — Grim Destiny, Why call thee Providence, when things go wrong, Go queer, go strange, go mad, run riot here Below, where beast does feed on beast and man On man! {laughs ivildly) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Goliath, Goliath, live again Goliath ! Less hateful to my sight than that red-cheeked, Unspeakable executioner. — Who is he? The moon eclipse the sun ? a slave usurp A throne? If Samuel be for him — venom ! The nation's hero, who made the vujriads bleed, What stands between him and the kingdom's crown ? What ? Saul shall rise in manly majesty Unconquered till this heart, uprooted, cease To throb ; no, not unfought shall he my throne Ascend ! The son of Jesse — meseems the owls Are howling .ioti of Je-^se. Small thing, yet big And deathful as a drop of poison in The body coursing to the red roots of The vital seat. — My reason is untuned ; I burn as tho' a rotten swamp had all Its deadly fevers lodged in me, that Pest A centre have, delirium find a home. — Where Sodom and Gomorrah buried lie The sea is dead, its exhalations foul, The cloud thereof him maddens, who its shore His bed makes for a night ; what maddens me ? Saul, be not mad — my throne, — my head, my head —

(His is on the point of sinking ivhen Jonathan rushes in to catch his fall. The curtain falls.)

50

ACT IV.

Scene I. — House op Saul. A Room.

(David and Michal.)

JMiCHAL. He will not slight bis promise, now that thou Hast bravely thine redeemed, destroying thrice Their number whose defeat should make me wife To thee, beloved. It was a whim of his And thou hast gratified a gloomy King.

David. May thy prophetic spirit truer prove

Than mine, O precious girl, whom I by right Of love and conquest claim. How oft did I Not set my life at naught that I possess Thee, dearer to me than thy father's crown? Thy inspiration, dearest, braced my arm, That slew the giant Philistine ; since then No expedition failed entrusted me. Yet in acknowledgment thy father gives Me hollow promises and hollow looks, Tho' him I serve, revere and love but less Than thee, the focus of my blissful dreams.

MiCHAL. Oh, dear, believe me thy impatience is Of mine the smallest half, so do I burn To be in thy possession unreclaimed. Yet wait another change of moon ; bright hours May on my father dawn, who should our love's Profoundest pity move ; thou knowest well His heart, alas ! King Saul is not himself Of late, all drowned in his thickening night.

David. Am I not here his melancholy to

Dispel by harp and voice? And, lest my chance Be scarce to meet my soul's adored, I will Not pray that Saul to cheer return too soon.

51

MiCHAL. How cruel, naughty minstrel ! Davi<l, comes It from thy heart ?

David. Wouldst thou be happy if

I loved thee less ? MicHAL. No, love rae more, if room

Be in thy heart unfilled, let love prevail, David. There is no more of David, sweetest, than

The love he bears thee unrestrained ; the rest

Of him is worth its weight in useless dross. MiCHAL. Ah ! thine the word to utter forth thy heart,

While I, with flow of speech ungifted, must

^[y feelings leave unuttered, as for years

I buried them unquenched in smouldering flame. David. For yem-'^? how stands it with thy count, my girl?

Would months not nearer come reality ? MiCHAL. No, years, years, years ; the shepherd boy I loved

Not less than I the famous captain love ;

I then thy shadow worship'd, not thyself.

David (drawing her hand to his heart).

Ah, Jonathan hath told me how my song Had drawn you thro' the thicket where I sate Unconscious of Intrusion's curious eye. I sung of angels and a cherub came To bless me with a grace benign, and earth Make heaven in all that shapes felicity. If balance could affection weigh, or space Give yearning measurement, I have in moons Thy cravings of long years requited full.

MiCHAL, How deep, how great, how brave, how noble thou, And I untutored, risen to a title by No merit, thee to own ! How wonderful Is love ! And, idol of my heart, did not Love's Muse to thee her sacred seat reveal ?

David (drikes the harp).

In heaven there blossoms a fruit-bearing tree

Whose roots are as flowery and green as its crown. The fountains tluit water it send forth in glee A river, man's anguish and sorrows to drown :

52

4

Fresh in its fair branches the zephyrs take rise

Whence hope flows and rapture in unseen streams ; The cherub, the seraph, they reach in the skies.

Who earthward waft ever ethereal dreams ; Immortal its leafage, unfading its flower,

The choicest of wonders it bears in God's grove. Its fruit taste the lovers who mate in a bower.

We taste it, sweet maiden, thence radiates our love.

(She falls in his arms. Enter Jonathan.)

JoNATPiAN. Now, now, look out, brave minstrel — Michal, what Is this ? and wherefore thus ? (Exit Michal.)

David. Thou '? Jonathan —

Jonathan. I, Jonathan ? — be glad that I am he And she is she, else — very well, I see It is all settled as to thee and her.

David. And ought to be so as to everyone ; I hold thy father's promise unfulfilled ; Thy sister loves me and is loved, what more ?

Jonathan. My trouble is that I thy troubles share Too willing and no remedy can offer ; It will be thou, however, David, thou In all ; a little patience have and wait.

David. And wait! I do, reluctant, I confess ; Nor would another time I be deceived, If I delay can hinder for my best.

Jonathan. My father has his ways and whims and moods. And in this state I find it waste of breath To reason Melancholy out of him ; Thy harp can do it readier than thy friend.

David. The spell is broken, if I judge him well ; Meseems my strings affect him less and less, • While in his presence I uneasy feel, Who eyes me with a scorpion in his look.

Jonathan. Art thou unerring in thy inference ?

David. His actions undeceive me, Jonathan ;

There brews in him a something that forebodes

S3

No good for rae, I am afraid, despite

Of services I rendered at a risk

Your Abners would not run. Indeed, indeed,

He treats rae not like those he loves and honors.

Suspicion on his forehead brooding hovers,

And of his hatred I appear the butt.

Jonathan. Conjecture, nothing but conjecture is Thy fancy's food ; my father is at war With self and all the world, thyself within Its bounds, and everyone who smiles, as tho' In mockery of his dim unhappiness. If danger threaten thee will Jonathan Be far or lukewarm in his love to stand By him he of a people chose his friend ? Be unalarmed, Michal and myself Have eyes and ears, and in thy hand the key Is to our hearts. Begone, there comes the king ; Let us be hereabout — he is alone.

(Exeunt Jonathan and David.)

Saul {enterlmj gloomily).

If murder be a crime, who put in us

The passion that in Tophet revels ? and why

Is Youth, yea, Infancy nipped in the bud ?

So was I born unasked, unasking what

I should or should not be ; had I been asked

And shown futurity, I should have prayed

To be the dust of dust, the slime of streams.

The mud of slums, a stone, a tree, a nothing

Rather than a creature with a heart that aches.

That bleeds, that sighs, longs, feels, and hates, and plans

Forbidden things. — Forbidden things ? what is

Forbidden to a man who, drowning, on

A straw lays hold the current brings adrift?

The son of Jesse is the straw I would

Submerge to save my house ; but all the steel

Tliis earth contaiiicth forged into arms

Cannot a bubble under water longer hold

Than Nature's adamantine law would have it.

Him Samuel favors, I suspect, and him

54

The people lionize, tbe Chemosli of

The day, forgetting me and mine ; — gall, gall !

The son of Jesse, what is he and who ?

An instrument in hands I cannot see. —

I grapple with invisible foes of whom

The space is full : hobgoblins, witches, black thoughts,

Unsightly phantoms haunt my brain ; but I

Shall face my enemy with such a frown.

Shall strike such blows at them my hand may reach.

That ghost and ghoul will shudder at my wrath ! —

My wrath ! was it a voice that mocked me ?

It was a ghost that laughed — I see his eyes ;

Samuel, Samuel! thine eyes, thine eyes— avaunt!

{Sinks on a couch. Eider David.')

David (playing and singing).

The welkin is laughing, the East is aglow.

And hill, vale and meadow with pearls are strewed, The bright jewels of azure are spread here below,

Each morrow we see God's creation renewed ; His earth is and ocean, His all they contain.

But less than an angel man rules here supreme ; Why grieve, then ? why sorrow ? why wither in pain ?

Rejoice at thy station, make heaven thy theme. Pass thro' Baca's anguish, 0 creature of dust !

The stars are all rising and shining for thee ; Immortal thy spirit, forever to last,

From heaven to heaven it shall rise in glee.

Saul {laying his hand on his javelin).

What voice is this? and who art thou uncalled To harp on my derangement?

David. Thy servant, king,

And loyal minstrel, Jesse's son am I, Thy pleasure having prompted him to let His youngest thy convenience serve.

Saul, Thou son

Of Jesse, hast more demons harped into My crazy head than may three thousand trumps And cymbals exorcise, and lest thou darest

55

Another goblin conjure for my brain As lodging, let this javelin find a bed In Jesse's treacherous brood.

{He hurls the javelin ; David e-icapes.) I missed my aim — He fled unhurt, and I red-handed stand — A mad assassin. — It is he the whim Of Destiny has chosen my tormentor ; Had any girl a steel sent at my breast An evil spirit buried to the hilt Therein the weapon : ever true, mine eye This once was cheated of the hateful mark, Because the fiends are all in league against The house of Saul. — Well, now? he is not slain? The son of Jesse, is he dead ? (Enter Jonathan.)

Jonathan. Thank heaven

He is unhurt, tho' wretched we, my lord,

And bleeding from the wound of shame and sorrow.

Saul (shaking his head).

Ay, shame and sorrow — son, art thou his friend ?

Jonathan. There were but little left of manhood in Thy Jonathan were he not David's friend, Whose matchless prowess shed a glory on Thy rule, he, the terror of the Philistine.

Sai^l (aiif/rjj). Thou offspring of a stubborn mother, hear Me, son of blind perverseness ! die he must. The son of Jesse, or thou wilt live to see Our house the vulgar level take and he Assume ascendency above the sprouts Of Saul ; it must not be, it shall not be ! To-day, to-morrow, Jesse's whelp must die.

Jonathan. Forbid it, God, that Murder be thy prop ! Kind Providence decreed it otherwise ; One of thy issue shall thy sceptre hold, And this but thy acquiescence needs to be.

Saul. Give him my daughter? —

Jonathan. The best of maidens to

'Tlie best of men, and promised long ago.

56

Saul. Thou art not sure that Samuel favors him '?

Jonathan. I know on him the prophet's eye is fixed ; How far his favors go I cannot state.

Saul. He has the people's sympathy withal,

And thou and Michal scheme to make him safe.

Jonathan. He is beloved of all, the chivalry

And grace of Judah's tribe, a man of song And steel, undaunted as the lioness When after him who carried off her young, Thus fully worthy of a princely maid. — AVithhold no longer, father, thy consent; Make him thy pillar, making him thy child, Who honors thee and loves as one of thine ; Let Peace unruffled dwell within our house. Serene Benignity thy rulings grace, And may thy reign be long and prosperous.

Saul (after a pause).

The chick is wiser than the hen, such be

The newer course of things ; wherefore I do

Submit, outvoted, as I am and in

My judgment minor stamped. — But say, my boy,

Thy sister's readiness to be his wife.

Art thou thereof assured ?

Jonathan. As hungry babe

For mother's breast, or he for crystal fount. Who parched in the desert wanders, longs My sister for his life's companionship.

Saul. Enough, let shrine and altar for the rite

Be decked that will them husband make and wife. And let the ceremony be undelayed.

Jonathan (delighted). This moon ?

Saul (significantly). To-morrow — make it known ; to-morrow.

Jonathan. Thrice blessed the hour that shines with promise of Unclouded peace within and strength without. —

(Exit Jonathan.)

Saul. Suspicion led me not astray ; he is

The man who, tho' uncrowned, is deeper in

57

The people's favor rooted than their King,

Who am within the shadow of my Avails

Outwitted, isolated by his tricks ; —

]\Iy children his in heart and soul, and I

Alone, alone ! — It is unwise to let

One's reason go, or have it upside down.

But I am thus impelled beyond control. —

Perish, perish, the son of Jesse perish !

I have him now, I have him safe — Doeg I —

Frown Destiny, I am at odds with thee. (Enter Doeg.}

Doeg. My liege —

Saul. Art thou a man that fears a thing ?

Doeg. A man that fears a thing, is he a man ?

Saul. Well said, Doeg ; I'll put thee on thy mettle.

Doeg. Be hell or devil in the task, thy best. My liege, shall be fulfilled.

Saul. Now, hear and mark ;

My daughter, Michal, marries Jesse's son To-morrow.

Doeg. To-morrow ! —

Saul. I mean to mark the day

By an exploit to be remembered long, And thou shalt in this emprise be my arm. —

Doeg. Thy pleasure's instrument am I ; command. —

Saul. First, they of Gibeon, who dwell among Us, shall to-morrow's nuptials not survive.

Doeg. As chaff we sweep them off to-morrow, King.

Saul. The witches chase, and spare not one to see To-morrow's eve.

Doeg. They shall be blotted out.

Saul. Thy crowning work — recoil not from the task Whose execution I shall with a weight of gold Reward — his head, possess me of his head ; I hate the basilisk ; — get me his head. —

Doeg. His head ? whose head, my liege ?

Saul. Did I not speak

Of Jesse's traitorous offspring ? DoEG (astonished). The captain's head? —

Saul. Its weight in gold be thine. — DoEG. To-morrow night?

Saul. The bridal chamber hide his headless trunk. —

DoEG. It means to catch the devil in his den. {Aside.) — I wish he were not with his bride when I Descend on him ; the princess will protect him.

Saul. Tear him from her bosom, and if her heart

Be torn he shall his nuptials rue and bleed ! {Exit Saul.y

DoEG. It is a madman's charge, who is a king, And villain tho' I am, and hater of Old Jacob's progeny, a tiger in His lair I bearded sooner than that cub Of Jesse in his bride's embrace. It is A hawk of iron beak and claws I am To hug. As for the others Edom's thirst For sport is roused in me ; there be some fun In this and frolic ; I must pick my men. (Exit.)'

Scene II. — Ramah. House of Samuel.

Samuel {on his death-bed; his sons, with Nathan aild Gad). My sunset came, with night eternal for The flesh and light unebbing for the soul ; I had my fill of toil, my fill of years ; Farewell, farewell, my pilgrimage is closed ; Let earth her clay reclaim, the soul soar forth. — Now, come, sweet mother, angel, Hannah, come To meet me at the gate.

Nathan, She will arrive

Whose invocation heard at Shiloh's Fane Gave Israel thy self, endeared lord.

Samuel (pathetieally).

She wept and vowed : " If thou wilt look on the

Affliction of thy handmaid, and remember

Me " — saintly woman ! — " and not forget thy handmaid,

59

But wilt give to thy liandmaid a man-child, Then will I give him to the Lord forever, And there shall come no razor on his head." — Forgive, angelic dame, forgive, if I In aught ofiended thee unknowing, thou, INIy soul's ethereal insfpiration ; Oh, Descend, await me at the gate !

Oad. AVho shall

Hereafter lead us, master, thou being with Thy fathers gathered and in heaven's bliss?

Samuel (raisixg himself iiisj)ircd).

The Lord will Judah gird with might,

Jeshurun shall not orphaned be ; A vision rushes on my sight,

A maze of light and mystery. Upshoots the sprout of Jesse's line.

The world doth Avonder as it grows. The Voice I heard at Shiloh's Shrine,

Before my gaze a shadow throws, A shadow creeping over earth

With sorrows fraught and sights of woe, As woman in her throes of birth.

The tribes shall travail to and fro, Unpitied by a ruthless race

In error sunk, degraded, blind ; Dark powers rule. Truth hides her face,

The heart is frozen, dead the mind ! ]\Ian worships matter, idols vile,

Old Jacob's House the folly shares. False prophets Israel's seed beguile.

He sins, he sinks, his guilt he beai's ; But Heaven will INIessiah send

To heal mankind, arouse the dead, The mountains shake, the heavens bend — (Ecstatic.)

There she descends Elkanah wed. — Ah ! angel mother, Samuel yearns

To lay his head upon thy breast. With thee to God my soul returns —

Oh, kiss me. Lord ! — I sleep — I rest — (Dies). 60

Nathan {after a pause of grief ).

The King and nation be informed of

Their great bereavement ; Samuel, Samuel — dead !

Scene III. — Home of David. A Room. {Enter two servants.) First Servant. We had a good bite this time, had not we ? Second Servant. Yes, and a sip that savored well ; merry,

The gulp I had was worth a sea of — what

Shall I say ? — yes, a vintage of thin juice ;

It was a royal banquet all in all ;

The cook has done his best, and so the butler. First Servant. I should say royal ; such a heap of good

Things makes one dizzy to behold, and if

A fellow gets a taste thereof, he feels

Like whirling on his toes. (Dances.) Second Servant. Merry, merry,

The King was jolly, laughed and quaffed ; but

The gossips have their say as well, and I

Heard people Avhisper things I won't repeat. First Servant. I heard them say it boded evil, that

A raven lighted on the altar while

The priest the sacred wine the bridegroom gave

To taste. Second Servant. Prince Jonathan was pale as deaths

The black-bird screaming like a demon hoarse

And angry ; that was strange. First Servant. Maybe it was

The evil spirit that torments the King. Second Servant. Why not one of the witches slain by Saul's

Command ? Suppose it was a witch, why not ? First Servant. Maybe, maybe ; and what a horrid flock

It were if all the eighty witches killed

Had swarmed croaking o'er the couple's head. Second Servant. By Samson's beard, the couple will be here

Before we have their bridal chamber put

In trim ; — there they come cooing, cooing, cooing —

{Exeunt servants.)

6i

(Enter David and bride.) Mich A L {David' a arm around Iter waist").

The night is dark, yet do I sun and moon

And stars Ijehold ablaze, beloved, so bright

Appears all space and radiant since thy heart

With mine in blissful concord throbs ; it is

A harmony that holds the sum of all

Felicity ; if choice were given me

To pick of all the stars the fairest to

Be mine, or have thee as my lord to serve,

I would exclain) : Let me his handmaid be

Forever, ay, forever. — {Rests her head on his breast.)

David. His queen forever, —

Forever ! sweetest ; knowest thou the deej) That word conceals ?

MiciiAL (looking up to liim). If it be deeper than JNIy love for thee, thy love for me, then let The sounding lead descend for aye, it can No bottom strike.

Pavid (looking tenderly into her eyes).

My Eden's blessed cherub. Forever wedded means two souls on earth Forever welded into one to be Forever one hereafter ; such our union. Thou art my hope's fulfillment, with no wish Left, vast as is the boundless Universe. Of God's creations the most precious here Is virtue's loveliness personified In gentle womanhood, like sunshine rich, As moonlight mild, omnipotent as love ; And lovelier than Beauty clad in Grace ; — So much art thou to David, maiden blessed.

Mich a L (attentive). A hurried, heavy tramp I hear —

David. It is

The wind ; what else at this late hour ?

Michal. a man

Is at our entrance — (Jonathan knocking without).

Jonathan. Open, open at once!

62

David. 'Tis Jonathan — {Opem the door. Enter Jonaihmi). Jonathan (to David). Fly, fly ! save thy life, or death

Will overtake thee in a trice ! MiCHAL {terrified). Great God !

David. Who is he I am to evade ? Jonathan. Their hands

Are reeking with the blood of Massacre —

Get out — Doeg is after thee — get out — MiCHAL (in great fear).

Whither? there is one alley leading hence — Jonathan. And barred by Murder who is hither bound. — David (alarmed).

Hand me a sword — I am unarmed — a sword ! — Jonathan. That window pass for open space, I'll bear

Thee company.

{Exeunt David and Jonathan thro' the ivindoiv.) MiCHAL. The raven ! — Lord — my husband !

(Enter Doeg and men.)

Doeg. Forgive, my princess, but the King must have

His head. (Enters the next room followed by his men.)

MiCHAL (in agony).

The King must have his head ! A pit Of serpents hiss into my ear — the King Must have his head ! {Re-enter Doeg with men.)

Doeg. The captain is not home — {aside)

I could have caught the bird had I no cause To give him a wide berth. ( To his men.) Come, he is gone.

MiCHAL (as before).

The King must have his head ! my love,

My husband ! {to Doeg) Go, inform the King, that he

My blood may shed instead of his, whom all

The ministers of love and grace protect.

Doeg {whispers into her ear).

Thank Doeg, princess, for the captain's life. Or Jonathan had never got the wind Of Saul's design. — {aside) I'll get my favors thus Unhurt, and let the maniac yell with rage.

MiCHAL (as before).

The King must have his head ! my husband's head ! —

( The cnrtain falls.) 63

ACT V.

Scene I. — House of Saul. Saul (to Doeg). Whoever treats my euemy as friend I treat as enemy, is this correct ?

DoEG. Most proper, King.

Saul. The son of Jesse is

An outlaw doomed to perish if within My kingdom's reaches found sojourning, and A priest, who fealty owes my throne, and loans Him weapons in defiance of my will, Is he my friend?

DoEG. Thy enemy, ray liege.

Saul. How did the priests of Nob the outlaw treat?

DoEG. With hearty welcome and an open hand ; The Tabernacle's consecrated breads They offered him, and added thereunto The sword Goliath bore when overcome.

Saul (urathful). Let there be headless priests in Nob and blood And wailing, even as speedy as thy hand May strike the treacherous nest. Wipe out that pack Of hypocrites, that all who hear thereof May tremble at the vengeance of my wrath. Proceed at once, while I with Abner will The outlaw give the chase.

DoEG. It shall be done. (E.vit Doeg.)

Saul. Samuel, Samuel, of thy seed this harvest springs ; Thou art no more in flesh, yet of thy ghost I see the scowling visage dark and pale, The eye inflamed with ire, white the lip. The eyebrows ruffled, ruffled beard and lock. Thy warning comes too late ; I bear thy curse And would this world in blood submerge, could I

64

A gory deluge conjure to efface Mankind created to enshrine a hell Of tox'ture in a flimsy cell that holds A burning heart, an anguished brain. Madness^ Madness endures unmurmuring the stings And onslaughts of inexorable Fate. — Cut off my life, inscrutable Destiny, Why piecemeal tear my soul unguilty once As child's, now smirch'd with gore, devoid Of peace, the haunt of evil things ? Why not A friendly arrow let transpierce this breast So that therein the smouldering crater find An outlet and expire ? The day I hate And fear the night's approach when Lilith like Medusa frowns, the witches Murder ! howl Into my ear, with angered Samuel in The background lurking, ever piercing me With eyes that goggle from the grave. — Wizard, has death no pow'er over thee That thus thy image soars before my gaze ? A vaunt, grim eyes! The desert's lion send ^le to encounter, not that bleached face ! — Who there ? unfilial Jonathan, what comes ? (Enter Jonathan.} Jonathan. The people's lamentation rends the air Since Rumor charges thee with sending Death To Nob's devoted brotherhood ; if it be true. —

Saul. If thou beest Jonathan thy mother's blood

Has made thee pigeon-hearted, sired tho'

Thou art of an indomitable man. —

Say, shall the son of Jesse live ? Jonathan. Why fell

The tree that bore thy kingdom golden fruit ? Saul. That bore the plagues of Egypt for my house. —

Oh, my despondency ! my children dig

My grave and I am for their welfare bleeding. — (/// « rage.)

Preposterous brood, thy life is mine, thy heart

Is false, let me transfix it.

(Throivs his javelin at Jonathan.}: 5 65

Jonathan (calm). Strike again ;

The falchion missed the heart that throbs and weeps For thee ; ay, pierce it, I am loath to live.

( Offers his breast.)

Saul. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ! I am mad ; I

Am mad. The son of Jesse is alive. (Exit Saul.)

Jonathan. Yea, thy senses are unfixed, ill-fated soul And things move out of joint, slow and sure.

Michal (rushing in).

Great God, my husband, Jonathan, my husband !

Jonathan. AVhat stirs thy fear, unless thy tidings be

Alarming, which I know not of

Michal. His life

Jonathan. And mine are one, and please it Heaven that Saul's

Derangement pass as David's life is safe ! JMrcHAL. If his retreat be traced who will between

His heart and father's dagger place a shield ? Jonathan. He who the fire-pillar placed between

The Hebrew slave and Pharaoh's mighty host. INIiCHAL. Ah, me ! if on a miracle his life

Depend, then bury me before I know

Him dead. Jonathan. Unreasonable wench, thy lord

Needs less our sympathy than doth our sire.

Who in his morbid moods estranges, one

By one, the loyal tribes who round him rallied.

Thy husband has a following and wields

A sword with such dexterity and might

As would a score of lesser warriors blast ;

Nor shall the swiftest wind outspeed my haste

To ward off danger from the man I chose

Of all the idol of my inner self.

Because of all the noblest he I met,

And worth a kingdom, which is his by grace

Divine, I know, and yield ungrudging what

The Highest Will ordained. This knowledge drives

Our father mad, who wades in blood to mar

A rule that has been blessed many times.

66

MiCHAL. Thy step be winged that bears the warning him In hiding now and hunted by a band Of spies, with Saul and Abner after him. — Go, it means life or death to him and me.

Jonathan. He is as safe as I am sane and Saul Distracted and unjust ; alas ! that Reason, Disenthroned and dimmed, forever bides In dark ! How will it end ? The Philistine Is up and swarming, a bloody purpose in His bustle showing, while out of sense the Lord's Anointed slays his priests and meditates Destruction for the only arm the foe Has cause to dread !

MiCHAL (folding her hands). Alas !

Jonathan. Yea, weep and pray

That things wind up in brighter fashion than I apprehend they will.

MiCHAL (impatient). I stand on glowing coal ;

Five thousand swords are up to slay my love !

Jonathan. Within five hours my charger carries me To David in the thicket hidden, where He preconcerted waits to hear from us.

MiCHAL. Then hurry, lest thou come too late.

Jonathan. Too late !

Too late — it is a fearful sound — too late. (E.vit Jonathan.)

MiCHAL. (Looking after him).

Thou art a better man than I a woman

Whose newer bond of love all previous bondsi

Dissolved ; my husband claims my heart entire,

My father pity grudgingly bestowed ;

For dim as are his wits he fully knows

The schemings of his mind, which are unholy.

As tested by atrocious executions ;

It is a madness rooted in conceit

That would the sun make change liis course and of

The moon illumination borrow ; a King

Is but a man, and often not too wise. (Exit.)

67

Scene II. — Wilderness of Ziph. (Enter David and Joab.')

David. Have pickets on the outlook for the prince. Who shall be hither pointed, while patrols An eye have on all passers-by ; the spy ]\Iake his temerity regret, else harm No person thwarting us by chance.

Joab. It shall

Go hard with him who ferrets our retreat. Now, who is that, by Dagon's broken nose? —

(Enter AbiatJiar.^ David. Abiathar, sackcloth as thy robe, wherefore? Five days ago they welcomed me, thy kith And kin, all happy then ; what happened since ? — Abiathar. My kith and kin are better bedded than Myself, who live to howl their dirge, alone Of eighty-five, God's ministers; to tell Thee, son of Jesse, they who did befriend Thee murdered lay, unburied when I fled. David. Forbid it, Lord of Grace, that of a priest I learn a fabled tale, or truth unheard Of hitherto in Israel's wide domain ; — Confirm, Abiathar, what I dread to think Of — Murder in revenge for kindness shown ? — Abiathar. A slaughter, ruthless as of savage beasts, With one fell swoop removed old Ahimelech And all within the Tabernacle found, Four score and five of ministers, beside The habitants of Nob, the dame and babe Massacred like the rest of men and brute. Joab. It freezes me around the heart. — David. Mcseems

I hear the bittern's hollow scream, and all The goblins clamor — black, blm-l; black/ — Give me Thereof the fuller circumstance, Abiathar. Abiathar. In brief or full, the King's inveterate spy Saw us at Nob tliy hunger serve and want Of arms, reported this as treason to

68

His maddened Majesty, whose verdict and Its sequel I have told ; why was I spared ? — JoAB. That Idumean's flesh should feed the dogs.

David. Curse not the wolf a crazy shepherd puts Into his fold ; it is a monstrous deed Of horrid innocence we dread as we . The tiger shun who thirsts for blood unknowing. — If outlawed hospitality avail Thee, child of woe, be one of us, Abiathar.

Abiathar. Give me a sword, and place me where I may My father's murderer in deathful strife Encounter ; captain, pray, give me a sword !

David. Thy priesthood be thy panoply, my friend ; Thy prayer help, thy rank inspire us ; Let Retribution take her devious course.

A Voice (ivithout). The prince.

(Exeunt Joab and Abiathar. Enter Jonathan.)

David (after an embrace). Say nothing, for thy news is old ; —

How is my wedded girl ? Jonathan. As well as love

Unfed, as river running dry for want

Of rain ; she is not for the present thine.

Not thine perchance for many inoons to come. David. Say years, a future barren of all joy.

Jonathan. Let not thy voice bear witness to a flaw That is not part of thee — Ingratitude ; Who is of tieaven favored more than thou ?

David. An outlaw, Death and Hatred at my heel —

Jonathan. Not half as bad as being prince, to crave The outlaw's friendship as a precious boon.

David. Correct me, Jonathan, who art in sense And sentiment my paragon, a prince In royalty of heart, unlike myself Who am in selfish grievance all absorbed.

Jonathan. And I in thee my image would see mirrored. The greater and the deeper thou ; no, let The heart the tongue inspire, articulate

69

The soul, confirm the deed, and speak the eye,

Truth being many-tongued and plain. As tho*

Thou wert of maiden loveliness the charm,

Infatuation wove a dream of what

The world in man calls beautiful, divine,

And perfect, and thereon thy likeness stamped

An idol, an ideal Jonathan

Adores, Self-preservation yielding to

The spell which in me threatens Nature's tie

To loosen, child and parent binding as

Creation and the sacred canon bid ;

I love my sister more since thou of her

Art loved, thou being foremost in the heart.

D ■ viD (grasping Jonathan's hand).

And I could sing and play and weep my love To thee, my Jonathan, my Jonathan ! Should Heaven spare me His great purpose to Fulfill, whatever be my state, thou shalt Thereof be arbiter and master.

Jonathan. Whereof

Thou wilt be lord, I shall be pleased to be Thy next in rank.

David. No, thou shalt be the first.

Jonathan. Enough if I the next be in thy rule, Who destined art to fill my sire's throne, O David, torn hereafter from our house. — Look not surprised ; with Saul our glory fades. — Now, as the hour is come for us to part. The Lord our witness be this day, that we Henceforth be wedded heart to heart, in life, In death, thy seed and mine forever ; swear, Thy hand in mine, that as the rainbow shines For aye, a covenant between the Lord and man, So stand irrevocable our friendship's bond We herewith seal in face of heaven and earth.

David (embracing Jonathan).

So be it, and so help us God Almighty.

(Exeunt after embraces.y 70

Scene III. — Engedi, Before A Tent.

(Enter Saul, Doeg and Attendants.)

Saul (exeunt attendant^).

We left no rock nor cleft unscoured in search Of Jesse's outlaw who escapes our grasp And mocks our spying scouts ; conspiracy Assists him, else how could he thus escape?

DoEG. No doubt, my liege, some people stand by him.

Saul. They would not stand if I their mind could read, But Oh, no throne confers the wizard's eye ! — The skies are darkening, and if the clouds discharge On us the load they bear our tent will need A ship to be her sail. (Thunder and lightning.)

Doeg. The thundercloud

Is rushing past our heads, your Majesty.

Saul. It will not pass unbroken o'er my head, Unless it hath no thunderbolt to spare.

Doeg. I know a subterraneous refuge, if My liege be pleased —

Saul. What? underground a hole ?

Doeg. Ay, my liege, but large enough for thousand men To meet as many Philistines in feud.

(Thunder and lightning.)

Saul. Go have a berth for me who need some rest. (Exit Doeg.) Yea, wear thy grimmest visage, Nature, that There be no jar betwixt thy outer and My inner world. O Lord, Thy thunders loan Me for a day that I the graveyard's peace May spread and let Annihilation rule. I am the crazy Saul because, encaged And stung, I strike my head against the bars. A billion lunatics who vegetate And perish like the dog and cat, as dog And cat the shadow dread of things unknown, Discourse of free-will, sovereignty and choice,

71

When every grain of sand their potency Derides, and every cofRn clamors : Fool !

{Thunder and lightning.) Fool, count thy heart's pulsations ; fool, drink of The spring, the stream which, gathering underneath, A myriad rotten skeletons did soak, Then came to light to cool thy greedy maw, Then laugh, ay, laugh ! It is the thoughtlessness And not the thought that makes flesh happiest here. — The tempest sobers me of insane thought. —

(Looking skyward.) Majestic element, mysterious might. How free, how grand that frowning brow of thine ! What worms are we, who grope and fade in night. Lord, send me death, or send me peace divine ; In bone and marrow burned, for rest I yearn. Let me to heaven. Lord, or earth return. (Exit.)

Scene IV. — A Cave. (David, Joab and Ablathar.)

David. We need a day's good rest before we start And this broad cavern gives the shelter we Require ; let the entrance be well guarded ; I have been warned of the King's approach Whose chance we frustrate by a quick retreat.

(Exit Joab.)

Ahiatiiar. And if lie take us unawares?

David. We would,

There being no escape, resistance offer, Or cut our way, or perish in the strife. Who comes? and why in such a haste? — The King? —

Joab. We are cut off; his escort marches hither, A body armed well and numerous.

D.vvii). Have they an inkling of our presence here?

JoAH. No, pelted by the storm they hitlier fly

For shelter, I assume; our men arc ready. —

72

David. The darkest corner hide our force, while we, Observing unobserved, the sword in hand,

Await the sequel. — {Exeimt David, Joab and Abiathar ; enter Doeg and men.)

Do EG. Spread here the royal rug

And cushions for his INIajesty to rest. And- hurry back to lead him hitherward.

{Attendants do as bidden and go.) If a demented fool a villain makes His confidant, there is the dance of cat, And mouse. Between the son of Kish and him Of Jesse to bridge the chasm is neither in My interest nor lies it in my grain To foster peace, or shrink from furthering The devil's business at the Hebrew's cost. When Edom Jacob loved he reach'd the stage Of weak senility. Am I an idiot ?

(Enter Sau/ and Ab)ier.)

Saul. This couch recalls the time when on the turf The feathered warblers lulled me into sleep. —

{Exeunt Abner and Doeg.) Come sleep, I court thee, soother of my pain ; Come dreams of earlier years when royalty Was not the burning torment of my soul. When, clear of guilt, the heart was throbbing mild, Now sin-polluted, boiling like a hell ! — Poor man, poor King ! How miserable to hate. To be the hangman's mouthpiece, strangle lives, Then have a hideous nightmare woven of The hideous deed. Forgive, kind Lord, forgive ! I am so deep in crime, so deep in doubt, So deep in woe, in error, in despair, That God's infinite Mercy will be taxed To wash my bloody record of its stains. — Avaunt, ye haggard spectres, scare my soul Not in this cave, that I an hour may taste Of undisturbed rest. My soul, my s.'ul —

{Falh asleep. Enter David and Joab.)

73

JOAB (draws h!s sivonl).

Here, finish him, the hunter of thy life, Or give me leave to do the thing for thee.

David. Hold off thy weapon from the Lord's anointed, Whom I will shame unhurting, proving his Injustice and my innocence.

(He cuts off an end of SauVs robe and' they retire; whereupon yells are heard: "Abner, King, Saul!"}, Saul (upstarting). Who calls ? —

Who is it cries. King ? —

(Enter Abner and Doeg.) Abner. Who is he that cries Abner ?

DoEG. I hear the captain's voice. Saul. Who is the captain ? —

David. Thy watches are asleep, O Abner, and but

For God's unslumbering Guardianship, no king Is in thy keeping safe ; — see here the proof: The royal robe curtailing I withdrew ; Had I no love for Saul, his life I had In hand.

Saul (moved). Is that thy voice, my son ?

David. The voice

That Melancholy held aloof from thee.

Saul. I stand remorseful and ashamed ; henceforth, I swear by all that sacred is to man, No hair shall on thy head be touched against Thy will ; forgive, I see the wrong is mine.

David. (Approaching nearer with Joab and men.y

Thy enemies, O King, are they who with The serpent's forky tongue thy mind against Me poisoned, who am threefold bound to thee By faith and love and reverence Israel Holds high and holy. — Malice not thy word Distrusting, Oh my King, I feel constrained To let a season pass or two before I reassured thy presence seek, and her Embrace that harbors Eden's bliss for me.

74

Meanwhile farewell ; may glory crown tlie head And house of Saul. (Exeunt David and his followers.)'

Saul. . He doubts my promise, doubts

My constancy — the better man ; aye, he. The son of Jesse, is the better man. — Thy man, O Samuel, he is thy man. (Enter Messenger.) Who sends thee hither, and wherefore ?

Messenger. Grave news

I bear, my liege ; Philistia is out In panoply, and war is imminent. Is what Prince Jonathan has charged me to Impart your Majesty. (Enter another Messenger.)

Saul. And what hast thou ?

Second Mess. Grim war is knocking at thy kingdom's gate. My liege.

Saul. Where stands the Philistine embattled ?

Second Mess. His army's bulk round Endor gathers force, A mighty host defiant and equipped.

Saul. Gird on thy sword, proud house of Saul, and face Thy fate unflinching, come what may, aye, come What must. (To Abner.) Philistia is up and we Are weeks behind in warlike preparation ; I know my Jonathan is wide awake ; let war Our country's manhood rouse ; the trumpet sound. And I myself will lead the dance to death.

(Flourish of trumpets. Exeunt. y

Scene V. — Gibeah. House of Saul. (Enter Ahinoam and Michal.)

Ahinoam. Give it a second thought ; is he a man

To waver in his love ? Michal (in passion). Would not return

When reassured ! Ah, woman though I am.

My soul's devotion mocked the sight of fear

When love the deed inspired !

75

AiiiNOAM. Yes, men are men ;

Who ever dreamt of Saul's propensity To give his older heart to someone else Than his Ahinoam ? Yet Rizpah is His all in all ; I am the cast-off thing.

Mic'iiAL. If I could poison swallow that I spit My gall at Treason in an angel's shape I were not thus consumed with impotence That bites itself, as reptile wriggling in A rage ! O David, music, truth and love In thee I saw embodied, treacherous soul !

(^Enter Jonathan.^ Ahinoam. Here, Jonathan may give thee comfort, girl. Jonathan. I need the gift I should bestow, dear mother. Ahinoam. It is of David's absence that we spoke.

Jonathan. His presence would a host of armed men Outweigh at this uncheerful hour ; I am Distracted when I think of him and his Assistance lost to us thro' father's moods.

Mich A L. If he were what I took him for, he were

With us ere this ; he stole my heart, the traitor. —

Jonathan. What? sister, art thou mad?

MiCHAL. I hate his naqae.-

Jonathan. No, show thou hast a woman's dignity

And common sense, instead of passing off

The love-sick, inexperienced maid. Shall he

Return to be assassinated in

His bed or at the board ? I should not urge

His coming, knowing Saul's ill-hidden wrath.

Fret not thy temjier, he is thine and safe. —

I come to get thy blessing, mother, that thou

Mayst thy Jonathan behold again. Ahinoam. My pulse is beating fast, my sou ; I am

Not sure that matters look so grave. — Jonathan. So grave

That I suggest immediate packing of

Our household gear for flight —

76

Ahinoam. Why, Jouatlian ! —

Jonathan. God grant that I the darkness see too dark ! Prudence dictates the caution to provide You with an escort should it come to flight. The enemy, should we defeat sustain. Will make for Gibeah to sack our homes. — Thy blessing, mother. —

Ahinoam (lier hand on his head).

Thy guardian angels. Lord, Protect my Jonathan, and may the King Return victorious with our other sons !

Jonathan. Amen ! (to Michal) Dear girl, suspect thy David not Of base desertion, farther from his heart Than cowardice from mine. Like thee I should Prefer to have him by my side, alas ! We have a formidable army to Encounter and our King is drowned in gloom ! (Exit.y

Ahinoam. If Jonathan foretells calamity I fear we live to see reverses great And dark. The King for Endor left, but said No word about the dangers of the war ; Yes, he was drowned in gloom, and so am I. {Excnuit.)

Scene VI. — Home of the Witch of Endoe.

(A room hung with pictures of ivild animals around a7i oven where- on a kettle is seen boiling, the flames bursting forth now and then.)

Witch (a wand in hand).

The stars are bright, we hate the light,

The shades of night are on their flight

When day breaks forth, to west or north ;

For south and east, the Lilith-beast

No babe can harm with hell-brewed charm. —

This broth will foil a wizard's toil

By magics dark to see the spark

Of things to come from hearse or tomb. —

(^Mixing the broth.)

77

I mix herein a serpent's skin,

Nine limbs of lice, twelve teeth of mice,

A drop of gore, a tail I shore

Of an old rat ; and of a cat

This liver will with vapor fill

The space around, when every sound

Five miles away I hear and sway

The spirits small, whom I enthrall ;

Croak, croak and groan, I know the moan.

What comes ? who nears ? a man of fears.

(^Saul knocks af the door.)

I know the rap, I hear the step,

It is a man of doubtful ken,

Who wishes most to see a ghost.

Whom I should call that he forestall

Some pending change he would derange.

(Saul knocks again at the door.)

Come in, come in, I will begin

To weave the spell in name of hell. (Enter Saul disgxmed.)

Thy name, thy name is one of fame ;

I see yet more — 'tis one of gore ;

Whoever thou, here thou must vow

To be as brute forever mute

And shalt deny to be my spy. Saul. Believe a man of honor, witch, who will

Thy secrets not betray, and pay thee well

If thou canst conjure up the spirit I

AVould cause to prophesy events unborn. Witch. (Draws a circle around the oven.)

Prepare, prepare, while this I stir (stirs the broth),

Of hell a share and Lilith dare. —

Man be not weak, these brutes will speak

As I the froth touch of the broth.

(The a)iimals move and make hidcou--< noises.)

They rouse him all, thy spirit call ;

Why art thou i)ale ? He wnll not fail. Saul. If I thy spirit's peace disturb, forgive,

O Samuel, but rise. Samuel, Samuel !

78

Samuel's Ghost (appeaniuj in a haze). Who breaks my peace ?

Saul. Thy Saul in deep distress.

Witch. O Death ! I am betrayed ! .

Saul. Thy life is safe. (Exit Witch.)

Samuel's Ghost. Thou, son of Kish, to-morrow ends thy time ; To-morrow will be blood, confusion, woe. — (Exit Ghost.)

Saul. Woe, woe to me and mine ! Not that I from The shaft of death recoil. Oh, no ! as for His food and rest the tired slave does wait So long I for my grave, if but my sons. My Jonathan, at least, survive my fall. — Thee, son of Jesse, here I miss, too blind. Too jealous thy great qualities to make The prop and pillar of my house ; too late. Too late to live a hero's life, remains

For Saul to die a King, to die a man. (J. trumpet is heard.) The trumpet calls the squadrons to the fray. How, Jonathan! — (Enter Jonathan fully armed.)

Jonathan. My care has traced thee hither, King ;

We are on every side outnumbered and

Besieged ; the foe is insolent, our men

Disheartened ; wise it seems for thee to speak

To them a word .of cheer. Saul. It shall be done.

And, being done, we strike ere daybreak at

The enemy.

Jonathan. A blow well dealt might disconcert

His plans, confuse his ranks and give our men The top.

Saul (in a soft voice). My Jonathan —

Jonathan. Thy pleasure, father ? —

Saul (deej^ly moved). My Jonathan —

Jonathan (folds his hands in suppressed pahi).

So dost thou credit me With more than flesh can bear, my lord ; I oft

79

Thy auger stood, but Oh ! I cannot bear Thy tears.

Sat I.. No, let them flow, they thaw the I'rost

That ice-bound held this heart for years ; yea, let Them flow — Almighty's means and ends are dim. —

Jonathan {the trumpet is heard).

The Lord Almighty cure thee of all ills. —

Now, lead us. King, in battle with an arm

Of steel, a voice of thunder, and an eye

Of lightning ; lead us, for I see the gray

Of dawn the sable sunder in the east,

And hear the trumpet's call ; lead on, my lord. (Exeunt.)

Scene VII. — Hebrew Encampment.

{A wooden tower.)

Doeg. They are all off* to rout the enemy

Except myself and oue Amalekite

Who hangs about me like a frightened bat.

I have the cheaper part, unanxious to

Be hustled to the thick of battle and

Get ventilated by a Philistine.

I have a brain for management to suit

My peaceful nature ; ready tho' I am

To smother priests and witches, least and last

Am I disposed to j ump at bristling men ;

Wherefore I wisely chose this quiet post. —

Should Hebrew arms prevail, a flock of geese

Will not out-cackle me in noise as to

My daring feats, the scores I slew in passing,

The hits I gave and took, beside a string

Of miracles unheard of hitherto. —

The tide of battle turning for the heathen,

I am to hurry home and run off* with

The women. Esau was a simpleton.

(Noise of battle ; enter the Amalekite.) Amalekite. They came to blows, they could not be surprised. —

80

DoEG (ascending the toiver).

From this observatory I survey

The battlefield. — Aha, the ruse did fail ;

The Hebrews are outnumbered many times ; —

The dreadful Abner mows around him like

A Scythian — Where is Jonathan, and where

The King ? — Ah, there the crown, I see the crown ; —

Prodigious fighters, what a band ! — 'Tis Saul

Himself and Jonathan that cut amain. —

That Abner is a savage boar ; — hurrah !

Philistia is losing ground ! hurrah ! —

Mistake, mistake — the Hebrews waver ; now

There is a maze of swords and heads and spears.

Who fell ? — ah, valiant Jonathan ! — 'tis he,

'Tis he ; — confusion now and fury ; — Saul

Is raging like a tiger ; Abner has

His hands full to repel aggression from

The King; the King is wounded — Saul is wounded ;

In full retreat — flying the King, no prince.

No chief with him ; he runs for life — we lost,

The Hebrews lost the battle ; chaos, chaos —

The King is running hitherward unfollowed.

(Doeg descends.)

Saul (entering, while the din of battle is heard).

I bleed from fifty wounds, but none seems fatal ; —

My sons, my sons, not one of them alive —

My Jonathan the thrust did intercept

That should have pierced this frame — Oh, here

The man to end my wretchedness. This sword,

O Doeg, run it through this worthless trunk.

(Hands him the sivord.)

Doeg. My liege —

Saul. Spare me for agony and shame ?

Come, friendly Edomite, obey thy King.

Doeg. Impossible, my liege. —

Saul. Then perish, slave — (stabs Doeg).

Doeg (sinking).

The furies tear thee — death — curse — hell — (dies).

6 8i

Saul (the din of hritlle hfcinJ). If mau

Be faithless, metal will be true ; come, i'un Thro' me, my trusty javelin. (Falls on the weapon.) What am I made of, angry heavens, vengeful earth ? Ye angels, demons dark or black, the steel Has done its work, what binds the soul within ?

(Perceives the Amalekite.) Come, whosoever thou, give me to death, For pity's sake ! This bracelet take — my crown —

(Attendant stabs Saul, takes hv< bracelet and crotvn and runs off ; a band of Philistines enter, discover Saul, yell out wild with joy and carry off his body in triumph.)

Scene VIII. — Ziklag. A Roo3i.

(David and Joab.)

David. No tidings from the seat of war ; they deal In blood perchance, while we inactive let Our weapons rust ; I had a fearful dream. —

Joab. The kingdom is a trap thou hast to shun ;

Whose fault? No whim or treacherous choice has made Us exiles to Philistia's advantage. (Enter Abiathar.)

David. What news is thine, Abiathar, dark or bright?

Abiathar. My lord, all Ziklag is in tears, but I

Of Nob am thinking at this mournful hour. —

David. Bad news, Abiathar, unfold what has occurred. (Enter Messenger with crown and bracelet in hand.) Abiathar. Let him the tragedy confirm. Messenger (lays the valuables at David's feet). Joab. Be brief.—

David. This crown and bracelet are of Saul, great Lord ! Thou comest from the battlefield, report. —

Messenger. These from the corpse of Saul I took, who with His sons and thousands of his army fell Upon Gilboa's height. The land is terror-stricken ; Abuer alone escaped unhurt ; he fled. 82

JoAB. God's Judgment be extolled !

David (in extreme pa ui). Oh, darken, sun! —

And Jonathan, what knowest thou of him?

(Enter Elders.)

Amalekite. His father's breast defending in the brunt Of battle, he was slain.

David (in fireat pain). My Jonathan! —

Your message, hoary heads, how will it sound?

One of the Elders. (Exit Amaleldte.)

• The tribe of Judah speaks thro' us, who name Thee King, the House of Saul having ruled.

JoAB, Abiathar and Elders.

The House of David live ! King David live !

David. Give me a moment, that I gather thought Now overpowered by emotions deep ; I would to God I had that battle fought ! Let Joy be silent, Israel must weep. (Strikes the harp.)

My harp, my harp, thy gloomy strain

Vibrate and stir the solemn air ; The saddest, mildest note of pain,

I need to soften my despair ; Weep Israel, thy crowned head,

King Saul is gone — majestic man ! With him out sweetest prince is dead.

My Jonathan, my Jonathan.

In life they to each other clung,

United they are wreathed in death ; Their prowess shall not pass unsung.

Who often smote the strong of Gath. Tho' smitten by the heathen sword.

They fell not by the hand of man ; It was the anger of the Lord,

My Jonathan, my Jonathan.

Thy love than brother's more to me, As mother's care it, never failed ; „

As in tliQ maid Hex' lever's ^lfe4' ' } '■' Within ray soul thy love prevailed ;

My comfort thou in darkest hours, Tliy death hediras my life's brief span,

Thy grave my better joy devours, My Jonathan, my Jonathan.

Tell not in Gath our heroes fell,

Lest Gath and Ashkelon rejoice ; Weep age and youth, weep Israel,

Let woe and dirge your mourning voice ; Gilboa's height unfruitful be,

No dew fall there, no breezes fan Its rainless bleak sterility, •

My Jonathan, my Jonathan. {The curtain falh.)

S4

tt

^a QaE5T...

A MEMORIAL POEM

IN TWELVE BOOKS.

.OF

(olUtv^^Us"

The most pretentious work that has appeared is 'The Quest of Columbus," a memorial poem in twelve books. The author seems in many instances to have caught the true spirit of poetry, and sings the epic in heroic verse that carries with it much of beauty. His description of the lonely voyage, the threatened mutiny, the first sight of the beam of light through the darkness, and then the shore that broke on the explorer's view in the morning, are all graphic. He does not stoop below the plane of verse that he has set for him- self; he uses no tricks to win attention; the nar- rative and the lines are worthy. His verse flows easily. — Chicago Times.

Besides the central event of the narrative, it relates the siege and fall of Granada, and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. The verse is always smooth and sometimes of a decidedly super- ior order. Certainly the author went well equipped to his t3i.%\L.— Philadelphia Press.

One of the saddest and at the same time most important ir.cidents in Jewish history, the expul- sion of the Jews from Spain, is here dramatically and most sympathetically described. Rev. Uiov/izi seems to have a wonderful mastery over the English language, and the form he has chosen for his ever attractive subject is admirable.— y^ww/t Voice of St. Louis.

No grander theme could engage the pen of the poet, and while it is not to be expected that many Columbian epics will be as voluminous as this one, it is certain that Mr. Iliowizi will have many com- petitors in his chosen theme. This poem seems to deserve more attention than can be given it in a few \mss.— Philadelphia Times.

It tells the whole story of Columbus in verse which is correct in rhythm and rhyme. * * * Mr. Iliowizi has been a faithful explorer of the whole field of history in which the discoverer fig- ured, and those who like a metrical account of his labors and his mighty exploits may prefer the book to the many volumes of prose with which libraries are fiW&d.— Philadelphia Bulletin.

The story of America's discovery finds in Rev. Henry Iliowizi, a forcible, sympathetic and pic- turesque narrator, in a lengthy epic poem whose publication is timely, now that two continents are celebrating the work of Columbus. He has con- trived to increase the inierest of the poem by inter- weaving with "The Quest of Columbus," two memorable events of 1492, the fall of Granada

and the exile of the Jews from Spain. * * * The poem throughout is spiritedly written : the movement is rapid and stirring. — Jewish Messen- ger of New York.

Its purpose, as explained in a prefatory note, is to portray the almost superhuman endeavors of ColuP-ibus to attain his end, and his final triumph over well-nigh insurmountable obstacles. Inter- woven with "The Quest of Columbus" are the siege of Granada and the banishment of the Jews from Spain. The work is in several meters and the proportions are noble, comprising some 10,000 lines.— Philadelphia Inquirer.

MELODY AND INSPIRATION IN GLOWING POETRY.

An heroic subject, indeed ! A new world dis- covered ; a race overthrown ; a people exiled. In this poem Rev. Iliowizi presents the historic per- sonages of the time of his work with the power of a poet and the carefulness of a student. He has delved into the literature and history of his subject and has given poetic life to the lay figures of pro- saic chronicles and tedious tomes. * * * In books nine and ten we accompany Columbus upon his memorable voyage; live with him through the days of weary hope and agony and danger ; catch with him the first glimpse of the new world which was to be America, and throb with him in exulta- tion at the successful issue of his venture. * * * Full of glowing metaphors and replete with apos- trophes teeming with poetic fervor, the poem is one that can take rank with some of the best works of the century. There are passages that seem to have been inspired, so beautiful and felicitous is their construction. There are lines which in their power and beauty are equal to many found in works the fame of which will endure through the ages. Here and there the rhetorical moral admo- nition reveals the student and expounder of Holy Writ. Many lines are suggestive of Scriptural influences. * * * Many other passages in which melody and inspiration step forth in glow- ing poetry could be quoted, did space permit, but for the enjoyment of these we must refer the reader to the work itself, which is beautifully issued. — The Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia.

Rev. Mr. Iliowizi's poetic book, " The Quest of Columbus," has been very favorably com- mented upon and is regarded as one of the main productions of the time bearing upon the momen- tous discovery of the Genoese navigator. — Public Ledger, Philadelphia.

The verse is in pentameter, varied with ia mbic quatrain, and its heroic evenis are told with his- toric precision. The opening canto is a picture of rejoicing at Seville over the we<lding of Don Alonzo, heir apparent to Portugal. The second pictures Columbus with his son Diego, on his way to France, disgusted with his treatment at the Spanish court. The fourth canto pictures Granada beleaguered by the armies of Spain. The fifth, the fall of Granada. The sixth canto deals directly with the annoyances of the great discoverer, face to face with his enemies at Santa Fe, when De Talavera spurns his demands, and Columbus as firmly demands that they aie just. The eighth deals with the banishment of the Spanish Hebrews, and seems to be out of place in this story. Canto nine is finely descriptive of the de- parture of the Armada in quest of the new world, and is the best of the volume. The eleventh pictures the return of Columbus and the joy in Hispania over his discoveries. The descriptive pictures upon sighting the new world are of marked excellence. The twelfth and closing canto is a series of sketches of the beauty of the new discoveries of savage life, troubles with ene- mies and the homeward voyage. — Chicago Inter- Ocea >i .

PUBLIC LEDGER, Philadelphia.

Pleasing alike to Mind and Bar.

The whole is intended to teach the virtue of toleration and to portray the efforts of the Admiral to reach his long-sought goal. Mr. lliowizi has cast his poem in pentameter verse, which well ill.istrates the case and carries the theme forward with a sonorous roll, pleasing alike to mind and ear.

The author displays a faculty for character draw- ing and ability to keep in hand the three-fold design of his narrative, without loss to the general effect The style resembles that of " Marmion." Phila- delphia: H.J. Smith & Co.

THE HERALD OF CHICAGO.

The most astonishing work, however, of the Columbian output is "The Quest of Columbus"

a memorial poem in twelve books, by Henry Iliowizi. It is an octavo volume of 350 pages. The first four books are written in the heroic couplet, the other eight in the iambic quatrain. It is a very remarkable performance indeed.

THE QUEST OF COLUHBUS.

There has been somewhat of a shortage thus far in the poetical side of Columbian literature, though there has been such a superabundance on the prose side that the feeling of disappointment has not been keen. There need be no such feeling now. The lack has been supplied. At a single effort Rev. Henry Iliowizi, of Philadelphia, has more than filled the "aching void.''

It would be saying too much to intimate that there is anything Homeric or even Miltonic, in the " Quest," but it can truthfully be said that it is an exceedingly meritorious work. The theme is a lofty one, too lofty, perhaps, for the poet's muse ; but he has treated it with consummate skill.

Detroit News, Michigan.

Jewisl) Dreams and ReaiiliBS,

BY THE

SAME AUTHOR.

" 1 have read a great portion thereof," writes the Hon. Simon Wolf, of Washington, "and am not only pleased, but instructed. It certainly de- serves a wide circulation, and I will cheerfully speak of it at every opportunity. We need men and books to combat the growing prejudices."

"■ The Jew may be pardoned for an indignant state of mind toward mediaeval Christianity, and toward as much of modern Christianity as has not laid off ibo-ie grave-clothes with which its spirit was so long bound," says the Presbyterian and Reformed Review.

" 1 am indeed so charmed," writes Emma Collins, from England, "that I shall hope to see it adorn every table, every library, and fill the heart with the same elevated feelings which per- vade the soul of its gifted and enlightened author. Every page displays a mind of the highest culture, illumined wit \ the true spirit of our glorious faith."

" I am glad to see you have so strong an advo- cate in one of your faith," writes JV\r. Melville, of the Navy Department, to Simon Muhr. " I have read nearly a hundred pages and I need not say that I am charmed and delighted."

Says The Times, of this « ity : "Such a hook

PRICE, BOUND

is not likely to be welcomed by zealous but learned Christians; but in spite of this there is no reason why a Jew should not explain why he is a Jew."

"As to your book, ' Dreams and Realities,' I am pleased to tell you that 1 enjoyed reading it ; yea, I was delighted with the fervor, almost in- spiration of its diction. I learned a great deal o your praiseworthy work," writes Dr. Alex. Kohut.

" No Jew can read them without feeling proud of his faith, its history, and the cause for which he stands ; no man can read them without feeling a wondrous admiration for their loftiness, their humanity, their purity and their eminent practicability in regulating human conduct. * * A work written boldly, forcibly from the soul ; a bold defiance to the world, a ringing peal to Israel's sons and daughters to know their rights, and knowing, to maintain. "^/^«/jjA Exponent, Philadelphia.

" To all who are desirous of obtaining a clear, concise and correct view of Jewish mental and moral activity as it has become developed in the course of many centuries ol Jewish history, this work will prove of decided interest." — Sunday Metcu) \\ Philadelphia.

IN CLOTH, $2.00.

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