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