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FROM
.....Hl.t.(i...l?!9.R9.Xop.«...No.;Aft..
V
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riiiiimmnnmimnimiiiiiniiiiiiimi
ATHALIE
RACINE
k
ATHALIE,
TRAGEDIE,
TIREE DE L'ECRITURE SAINTE
Par jean RACINE.
TRADUITE EN ANGLAIS
Par F, C. de SUMICHRAST.
AVEC QUATRE ILLUSTRATIONS.
CAMBRIDGE.
1897.
J. ATKINS NOYES,
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
ATHALIAH,
A TRAGEDY,
DRAWN FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
By jean RACINE.
.So
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH
By F. C. de SUMICHRAST.
WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS.
CAMBRIDGE.
1897.
3 8-5^5. a.0./6
1
TsY^'f
CopyHght, i8<yj.
By F. C. de Sumichrast.
ATHALIE.
A
M. CHARLES ELIOT NORTON,
HOMMAGE AFFECTUEUX ET RECONNAISSAtrT.
F. C. DE SUMICHRAST,
To
CHARLES ELIOT NORTON,
IN TOKEN OF GRATEFUL REGARD.
F. C. DE SUI^ICHRAST.
PREMIERE REPRisENTATION, EN RfeP^TITION, A SAINT-CYR,
DANS LA SALLE DE LA CLASSE BLEUE, PAR LES DEMOI-
SELLES DE SAINT-CYR, LE VENDREDI, CINQ JANVIER, MIL
SIX CENT QUATRE-VINGT-ONZE, DEVANT LE ROI LOUIS
XIV, MONSEIGNEUR, ET MADAME DE MAINTENON.
PREMIERE REPRESENTATION A PARIS, SUR LA SC^NE DES
COMEDIENS DU ROI, LE MARDI, TROIS MARS, MIL SEPT
CENT SEIZE.
REPRiSENTfeE DANS L'AMPHfTHfeATRE SANDERS DE L'UNI-
VERSITE HARVARD, LE LUNDI, SIX D^CEMBRE, MIL HUIT
CENT QUATRE-VINGT-DIX-SEPT, PAR DES ETUDIANTS,
DIPLOMAS, MAITRES ET PROFESSEURS DE L* UNIVERSITY
HARVARD ET DU COLLEGE RADCLIFFE.
FIRST PERFORMED, AS A REHEARSAL, AT SAINT-CYR, IN THE
RECITATION ROOM OF THE BLUE CLASS, BY THE PUPILS
OF SAINT-CYR, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY FIVE, ONE THOUSAND
SIX HUNDRED AND NINETY-ONE, IN PRESENCE OE KING
LOUIS THE FOURTEENTH, MONSEIGNEUR THE DAUPHIN
OF FRANCE, AND MADAME DE MAINTENON.
FIRST PERFORMED AT PARIS, ON THE STAGE OF THE KING'S
PLAYERS, ON TUESDAY, MARCH THREE, ONE THOUSAND
SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN.
PERFORMED IN SANDERS THEATRE, HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
ON MONDAY, DECEMBER SIX, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT
HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVEN, BY STUDENTS, GRADUATES
AND INSTRUCTORS OF HARVARD UNIVERTITY AND
RADCLIFFE COLLEGE.
ATHALIAH.
NOTE.
La traduction a ^t^ faite sur le texte de T^dition de
1697, la dernifere publi^e du vivant de Racine.
LISTE DES ILLUSTRATIONS.
/ . Portrait de Racine par Santerre.
2. Portrait de Mme. de Maintenon par tMigruird.
), Due de Saint-Cyr en i6gi. Le roi Louis Xiy refu par
Mme. de Maintenon et les dames de Saint-Cyr.
4. Costumes des religieuses et des demoiselles de Saint-
Cyr.
NOTE.
The translation has been made from the text of the
edition of 1697, the latest published during Racine's life-
time.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
/ . The portrait of Racine, by Santerre.
2. The portrait ofMme. de Maintenon, by 04ignard.
), A view of Saint-Cyr in 1691 . King Louis XIV received
by the ladies and pupils of Saint-Cyr.
4. An engraving of the costume worn by the ladies and
the pupils of Saint'Cyr.
PREFACE.
OUT le monde fgait que le Royaume de Juda
eftoit compoft des deux Tribus de Juda &
de Benjamin, & que les dix autres Tribus qui
fe revolterent centre Roboam, compofoient le
Royaume d'Ifrael. Comme les Rois de Juda eftoient de la
Maifon de David, & qu'ils avoient dans leur partage la
Ville & le Temple de Jerufalem, tout ce qu'il y avoit de
Preftres & de Levites fe retirerent aupr^s d'eux, & leur
demeurerent toujours attachez. Car depuis que le Temple
de Salomon fut bafti, il n'eftoit plus permis de facrifier
ailleurs, & tous ces autres Autels qu'on ^levoit i Dieu fur
des montagnesy appellez par cette raifon dans TEcriture
les hauts Lieux, ne luy eftoient point agreables. Ainfi le
culte legitime ne fubfiftoit plus que dans Juda. Les dix
Tribus, excepts un tres-petit nombre de perfonnes, eftoient
ou IdolAtres, ou Schifmatiques.
Au refte ces Preftres & ces Levites faifoient eux-mdmes
une Tribu fort nombreufe. lis f urent partagez en diverfes
ClafTes pour fervir tour a tour dans le Temple, d'un jour
de Sabbath d Tautre. Les Preftres eftoient de la Famille
d' Aaron, & il n'y avoit que ceux de cette Famille, lefquels
pufTent exercer la facrificature. Les Levites leur eftoient
fubordonnez, & avoient foin entre-autres chofes du chant,
de la preparation des vidlimes, & de la garde du Temple.
Ce nom de Levite, ne laiffe pas d'eftre donn6 quelquefois
PREFACE.
JVERYONE knows that the kingdom of Judah
consisted of the two tribes of Judah and Ben-
jamin, and that the other ten tribes which
rebelled against Rehoboam constituted the
kingdom of Israel. As the kings of Judah were of the
house of David and as the city and the Temple of Jerusa-
lem had fallen to their share, the whole body of the
Priests and Levites repaired to them and remained con-
stantly attached to them. For since Solomon's temple
had been built, it was no longer permissible to sacrifice
elsewhere; and all the other altars erected to God on
mountains, called therefore in the Scriptures "high places,"
did not find favour in His eyes. Thus orthodox worship
existed now in Judah only. The ten tribes, except a
very small number of persons, were either schismatic or
idolatrous.
Besides, these Priests and Levites constituted among
them a very numerous tribe. They were divided into
different classes to serve in turns in the Temple, from
one Sabbath to the other. The Priests were of the family
of Aaron ; and only members of this family could exercise
the sacrificial office. The Levites were subordinate to
them, and had charge, among other matters, of the singing,
of the preparation of victims, and of the guard of the
Temple. The name Levite is not unfrequently given in-
xvi PREFACE.
indifferemment a tous ceux de la Tribu. Ceux qui
eftoient en femaine avoient, ainfi que le grand Preftre, leur
logement dans les portiques ou galeries, dont le Temple
eftoit environn^, & qui faifoient partie du Temple m6me.
Tout r^difice s'appelloit en general le Lieu faint. Mais
on appelloit plus particulierement de ce nom cette partie
du Temple interieur, ou eftoit le Chandelier d'or, I'Autel
des parfums, & les Tables des pains de propofition. Et
cette partie eftoit encore diftingu^e du Saint des Saints,
oil eftoit TArche, & ou le grand Preftre feul avoit droit
d'entrer une fois Tannic. C'eftoit une Tradition affez con-
ftante que la Montague fur laquelle le Temple fut bafti,
eftoit la meme Montagne, ou Abraham avoit autrefois
offert en facrifice fon fils Ifaac.
J'ay cru devoir expliquer icy ces particularitez, afin que
ceux i qui THiftoire de Tancien Teftament ne fera pas
affez prefente, n'en foient point arreftez en lifant cette
Tragedie. EUe a pour fujet, Joas reconnu & mis fur le
Throne; & j'aurois dft dans les regies Tintituler Joas.
Mais la plufpart du monde n'en ayant entendu parler que
fous le nom d'Athalie, je n'ay pas fug6 k propos de la leur
prefenter fous un autre titre, puifque d'ailleurs Athalie y
joue un perfonnage fi conliderable, & que c'eft fa mort qui
termine la Piece. Voicy une partie des principaux 6vene-
mens qui devancerent cette grande a6lion.
Joram Roy de Juda, fils de Jofaphat, & le fepti^me Roy
de la race de David, 6poufa Athalie fille d'Achab & de
Jezabel, qui regnoient en Ifrael, fameux Tun & Tautre,
mais principalement Jezabel, par leurs fanglantes perfecu-
tions contre les Prophetes. Athalie, non moins impie que
PREFACE. xvii
differently to all members of the tribe. Those who were
on duty for the week lodged, as did the High Priest, in
the porticoes or galleries by which the Temple was sur-
rounded and which formed part of the Temple itself. The
whole pile of buildings was generally called the Holy Place.
But this name was more particularly applied to that part
of the inner Temple where were the golden candlestick,
the Altar of Incense, and the tables of the shew-bread.
And that part was further distinguished from the Holy of
Holies, where stood the Ark, and into which the High
Priest alone had the right to enter once a year. There
was an old tradition that the mount on which the Temple
was built was the mountain on which Abraham had for-
merly offered up his son Isaac in sacrifice.
I have thought it right to explain these points here, so
that those who do not readily recall the history of the Old
Testament may not be inconvenienced while reading this
tragedy. The subject of the play is Joash acknowledged
and placed on the throne, and I ought, in accordance
with the rules, to have entitled it Joash. But most people
having heard it spoken of only under the name of Athaliah,
I did not think it desirable to present it to them under
another title ; also, because Athaliah plays so important a
part in it, and because it is her death which ends the play.
Here now are some of the principal occurrences which
preceded this great event.
Jehoram, king of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat, and seventh
king of the line of David, married Athaliah, daughter to
Ahab and Jezebel, who reigned over Israel, famous both
of them, but chiefly Jezebel, for their bloody persecutions
xviii PREFACE.
fa mere, entraina bien-toft le Roy fon Mary dans Tldolatrie,
& fit mfime conftruire dans Jerufalem un Temple d Baal,
qui eftoit le Dieu du pais de Tyr & de Sidon, ou Jezabel
avoit pris naiffance. Joram, apr^s avoir veu perir par les
mains des Arabes & des Philiftins tous les Princes fes
Enfans k la referve d'Okofiais, mourut luy-m6me miferable-
ment d'une longue maladie qui luy confuma les entrailles.
Sa mort funefte n'empefcha pas Okofias d'imiter fon
impiety & celle d'Athalie fa mere. Mais ce prince, apr^s
avoir regn6 feulement un an, eftant all6 rendre vifite au
Roy d'Ifrael frere d'Athalie, fut envelopp6 dans la ruine de
la Maifon d'Achab ; '& tu6 par Tordre de Jehu, que Dieu
avoit fait facrer par fes Prophetes, pour regner fur Ifrael,
& pour eftre le Miniftre de fes vengeances. Jehu exter-
mina toute la pofterit^ d'Achab, & fit jetter par les fenef-
tres Jezabel, qui felon la predi6lion d'Elie, fut mangle des
chiens dans la vigne de ce mfeme Naboth, qu'elle avoit fait
mourir autrefois pour s'emparer de fon heritage. Athalie
ayant appris k Jerufalem tous ces maffacres, entreprit de
fon coft6 d'6teindre entierement la Race royale de David,
en faifant mourir tous les Enfans d'Okofias fes Petits-fils.
Mais heureufement Jofabet foeur d'Okofias, & fiUe de
Joram, mais d'une autre mere qu* Athalie, eftant arriv6e
lors qu'on 6gorgeoit les Princes fes Neveux, elle trouva
moyen de d^rober du milieu des morts le petit Joas encore
k la mammelle, & le confia avec fa Nourrice au grand
Preftre fon mary qui les cacha tous deux dans le Temple,
ou TEnfant fut 61qw6 fecretement jufqu'au jour qu'il fut
proclam6 Royde Juda. L'Hiftoire des Rois dit que ce fut
la fepti^me ann6e d'apr^s. Mais le Texte Grec des Para-
PREFACE. xix
of the Prophets. Athaliah, no less impious than her
mother, soon drew away her husband to idolatry, and even
caused to be built in Jerusalem a temple to Baal, which
was the god of the country of Tyre and Sidon, where Jeze-
bel was born. Jehoram, after having seen all the princes
his children, with the single exception] of Ahaziah, perish
by the hands of the Arabians and the Philistines, himself
died wretchedly from a lingering sickness which consumed
his bowels. His fearful death did not prevent Ahaziah
from imitating his impiety and that of Athaliah his mother.
But this prince, after a reign of one year only, having
gone to pay a visit to the king of Israel, brother to Ath-
aliah, was included in the fall of the house of Ahab and
slain by order of Jehu, whom God had caused to be anointed
by his prophet to reign over Israel, and to be the instru-
ment of his vengeance. Jehu utterly destroyed the pos-
terity of Ahab and caused Jezebel to be thrown from a
window; she, in fulfilment of Elijah's prophecy, was eaten
by dogs in the vineyard of that same Naboth whom she had
formerly had put to death in order to seize upon his inheri-
tance. Athaliah, having learned in Jerusalem of all these
massacres, undertook on her part to extinguish finally the
royal line of David by putting to death all the children of
Ahaziah, her grandsons. But fortunately, Jehoshabeath,
sister to Ahaziah, and daughter to Jehoram, but by another
mother than Athaliah, having come up while the princes,
her nephews, were being slain, found means to remove
from among the dead the young Joash, still a child at the
breast, and confided him with his nurse to the High Priest,
her husband, who concealed them both in the Temple,
XX PREFACE.
lipomenes que Severe Sulpice a fuivi, dit que ce fut la
huitiime. C'eft ce qui m'a autorift 4 donner k ce Prince
neuf k dix ans, pour le mettre d^ja en eftat de r^pondre
aux queftions qu'on luy fait.
Je croy ne luy avoir rien fait dire, qui foit au deffus de
la port^e d'un enfant de cet Age, qui a de Tefprit & de la
memoire. Mais quand j'aurois eft^ un peu au-deld, il faut
confiderer que c'eft icy un Enfant tout extraordinaire,
61ev6 dans le Temple par un grand Preftre, qui le regardant
comme Tunique efperance de fa Nation, I'avoit inftruit de
bonne heure dans tous les devoirs de la Religion & de la
Royaute. II n'en eftoit pas de mftme des Enfans des Juif s,
que de la plufpart des noftres. On leur apprenoit les
faintes Lettres, non feulement d^s qu*ils avoient atteint
Tufage de la raifon, mais, pour me fervir de Texpreflion de
Saint Paul, d6s la mammelle. Chaque Juif eftoit oblige
d*6crire une f ois en fa vie de fa propre main le volume de la
Loy tout entier. Les Rois eftoient mfeme obligez de
r^crire deux fois, & il leur eftoit enjoint de Tavoir continu-
ellement devant les yeux, Je puis dire icy que la France
voit en la perfonne d'un Prince de huit ans & demi, qui
fait aujourd'huy fes plus cheres d^lices, un exemple illuftre
de ce que peut dans un Enfant un heureux naturel aid6 d'une
excellente Education : & que fi j'avois donn6 au petit Joas
la mftme vivacity & le mSme difcernement qui brille dans les
reparties de ce jeune Prince, on m auroit accuf6 avec raifon
d'avoir pech6 contre les regies de la vray-femblance.
L'Age de Zacharie fils du grand Preftre n'eftant point
marqu6, on peut luy fuppofer fi Tonveut deux ou trois ans
de plus qvCk Joas.
PREFACE. xxi
where the child was brought up secretly until the day
when he was proclaimed king of Judah. The Book of
Kings states that this was seven years later. But the
Greek text of the Chronicles, which Severus Sulpicius
followed, says that it was in the eighth year. This has
been my authority for making this prince nine to ten years
of age, so that he might be already capable of answering
the questions put to him.
I believe I have not made him say anything beyond the
capacity of a bright boy of that age who has a good mem-
ory. But even if I had somewhat exceeded in this matter,
it must be considered that we have here a child quite out
of the common, brought up in the Temple by a High Priest
who, looking upon him as the sole hope of his nation, had
early instructed him in all the duties of religion and royalty.
It was not with the children of the Jews as with most of
ours. They were taught the Holy Scriptures not merely
when they had attained the use of their reason, but, to use
Saint PauFs expression, while at the breast. Every Jew
was bound to write, once in his life-time, and with his own
hand, the whole book of the Law. The kings were even
obliged to write it twice, and it was enjoined on them to
keep it constantly before their eyes. I may say here that
France sees in the person of a prince of eight and a half
years, who is today its dearest delight, an example of what
a fine disposition aided by an excellent education can do
for a child ; and that if I had bestowed on young Joash
the same quickness and the same intelligence which shine
in the repartees of this young prince, I should have been
justly charged with sinning against the laws of probability.
xxii PREFACE.
J'ay fuivi Texplication de plufieurs Commentateurs fort
habiles, qui prouvent par le Texte mftme de TEcriture, que
tous ces foldats a qui Jo'iada, ou Joad, comme il eft appellfe
dans Jofephe, fit prendre les armes confacr^es a Dieu par
David, eftoient autant de Preftres & de Levites auffi bien
que les cinq Ccnteniers qui les commandoient. En eflfet
difent ces Interpretes, tout devoit eftre faint dans une (i
fainte aftion, & aucun Profane n'y devoit eftre employ^.
II s'y agiffoit non feulement de conferver le Sceptre dans la
maifon de David, mais encore de conferver k ce grand Roy
cette fuite de Defcendans dont devoit naiftre le Meffie.
Car ce Meffte tant de fois promts comme Fits d' Abtakam^
devoit aufft eftre Fits de David & de tous les Rois de Juda*
De la vient que^ Tilluftre & fgavant Prelat, de qui j'ay em-
prunt6 ces paroles, appelle Joas le precieux refte de la
maifon de David. Jofephe en parle dans les mSmes
termes. Et TEcriture dit expreff^ment, que Dieu n'exter-
mina pas toute la famille de Joram, voulant conferver k
David la Lampe qu'il luy avoit promife. Or cette Lampe
qu'eftoit-ce autre chofe que la lumiere qui devoit eftre un
jour revel^e aux Nations ?
UHiftoire ne Ipecifie point lejour ou Joas fut proclame,
Quelques interpretes veulent que ce fuft un jour de Fefte.
J'ay choifi celle de la Pentecofte, qui eftoit Tune des trois
grandes Feftes des Juifs. On y celebroit la memoire de
la publication de la Loy fur le Mont de Sinai, & on y
offroit aufli k Dieu les premiers pains de la nouvelle moif-
fon ; ce qui faifoit qu*on la nommoit encore la Fefte des
♦ M. de Meaux,
PREFACE. xxiii
The age of Zechariah, the High Priest's son, not being
indicated, he may be assumed, if desired, to be two or
three years older than Joash.
I have followed the explanation of several highly accom-
plished commentators who prove, by the text of the Scrip-
tures themselves, that all those soldiers whom Joiada, or
Jehoiada, as Josephus calls him, armed with the weapons
consecrated to God by David, were all Priests or Levites,
as were also the captains over the hundreds who com-
manded them. As a matter of fact, say these interpreters,
everyone engaged in so holy a deed must have been sancti-
fied, and no profane person could be employed in it. The
object was not only to preserve the sceptre to the house
of David, but also to preserve to that great king the line
of descendants from whom the Messiah was to be born.
" For this Messiah, so often promised as the son of Abra-
ham, was also to be the son of David and of all the kings
of Judah.*' Hence the illustrious and learned prelate * from
whom I have borrowed these words calls Joash the precious
remnant of the house of David. Josephus speaks of him
in the same terms. The Scriptures state expressly that
God did not utterly destroy the seed of Jehoram, because
He willed to keep unto David the light He had promised.
Now what was that light but the light which was one day
to be revealed to the nations ?
History does not specify the day on which Joash was
crowned. Some interpreters affirm that it was on a feast
day. I have chosen that of Pentecost, which was one
♦ Bossuet
xxiv PREFACE.
Pr^mices. J'ay fong^ que ces circonftances me foumiroient
quelque variety pour les chants du Choeur.
Ce Choeur eft compoft de jeunes Filles de la Tribu de
Levi, & je mets d leur tefte une Fille, que je donne pour
foeur k Zacharie. C'eft elle qui introduit le Choeur chez
fa Mere : Elle chante avec luy, porte la parole pour luy,
& fait enfin les londions de ce Perfonnage des anciens
Choeurs qu'on appelloit le Coryphee. J'ay auffi eflay6
d'imiter des Anciens cette continuity d'Adlion, qui fait
que leur Theatre ne demeure jamais vuide ; les intervalles
des A6les n'eftant marquez que par des hymnes & par des
moralitez du Choeur, qui ont rapport k ce qui fe paffe.
On me trouvera peut-eftre un peu hardi d*avoir oft
mettre fur la Scene un prophete infpir^ de Dieu, & qui
pr6dit Tavenir. Mais j'ay eH la precaution de ne mettre
dans fa bouche que des expreffions tiroes des Prophetes
mfemes. Quoique TEcriture ne dife pas en termes expr^s
que Joiada ait eA Tefprit de prophetie, comme elle le dit
de fon Fils, elle le reprefente comme un homme tout plein
de TEfprit de Dieu. Et d'ailleurs ne paroift-il pas par
TEvangile qu'il a pA prophetifer en quality de fouverain
Pontife? Je fuppofe done qu'il voit en efprit le funefte
changement de Joas, qui apres trente ann^es d'un regne
fort pieux, s'abandonna aux mauvais confeils des Flatteurs,
& fe fouilla du meurtre de Zacharie fils & fucceffeur de ce
grand Preftre. Ce meurtre commis dans le Temple f ut
une des principales caufes de la colere de Dieu contre les
Juifs, & de tous les malheurs qui leur arriverent dans la
fuite. On pretend mfeme que depuis ce jour la les reponfes
de Dieu cefferent entierement dans le San6luaire. C'eft ce
PREFACE. XXV
of the great feasts of the Jews. On that day they cele-
brated the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, and they
offered up to God the first-fruits of their harvest ; hence
it was called also the Feast of First-fruits. I deemed that
these facts would enable me to introduce some variety in-
to the songs of the chorus.
This chorus is composed of young girls of the tribe of
Levi, and I have put at their head a maiden whom I have
assumed to be the sister of Zechariah. It is she who
brings in the chorus to her mother's presence. She sings
with it, speaks for it, and fulfils in short the functions of
that personage which the ancients called the Coryphaeus.
I have further endeavoured to imitate from the ancients
that continuity of action thanks to which their stage is
never empty, the intervals between the acts being marked
merely by the hymns and by the moral reflexions of the
chorus on the matters which are happening.
I may be thought somewhat over bold in having ven-
tured to place on the stage a Prophet who is inspired of
God and who foretells the future. But I have taken the
precaution to put into his mouth only expressions drawn
from the Prophets themselves. Although the Holy Scrip-
tures do not expressly state that Jehoiada was endowed
with the spirit of prophecy, as they do state concerning
his son, they represent him as a man full of the Spirit of
God. And besides, is it not plain, from Scripture itself,
that he might have prophesied in virtue of his office of
sovereign pontiff.? I have supposed then that he sees in
the Spirit the unhappy change in Joash who, after thirty
years of a very pious reign, yielded to the evil advice of
xxvi PREFACE.
qui m'a donn6 lieu de faire pridire tout de fuite k Joad &
la deftru<5lion du Temple & la ruine de Jerufalem. Mais
comme les Prophetes joignent d'ordinaire les confolations
aux menaces, & que d'ailleurs il s'agit de mettre fur le
thrdne un des Anceftres du Meflie j'ay pris occafion de
faire entrevoir la venue de ce Confolateur, apr^s lequel
tous les anciens Juftes foupiroient. Cette Scene qui eft
une efpece d'Epifode, ameine tres naturellement la Muiique,
par la coAtume qu'avoient plufieurs Prophetes d'entrer dans
leurs lamts tranfports au fon des inftrumens. T^moin
cette troupe de Prophetes, qui vinrent au devant de Saiil
avec des harpes & des lyres, qu'on portoit devant eux ;
& t^moin Elif6e luy mfeme, qui eftant confult^ fur Tavenir
par le Roy de Juda & par le Roy d'Ifrael, dit comme fait
icy Joad, Adducite mihi Pfaltem. Ajoutez i cela, que cette
Prophetie fert beaucoup i augmenter le trouble dans la
Piece, par la confternation & par les differens mouvemens
ou elle jette le Choeur & les principaux A6leurs.
PREFACE. xxvii
his flatterers and stained his hands with the blood of
Zechariah, son and successor to the High Priest. This
murder, which took place within the Temple, was one of
the chief causes of the wrath of God against the Jews and
of all the misfortunes which subsequently befell them. It
is even asserted that after that day the oracles ceased
entirely in the Sanctuary. It is for this reason that I have
caused Jehoiada to foretell at once the destruction of the
Temple and the fall of Jerusalem. But as the prophets
usually join consolations to menaces, and as, besides, it is
a matter of placing on the throne one of the ancestors of
the Messiah, I have taken occasion to hint at the coming
of this Comforter for whom all the just men in olden times
longed. This scene, which is a sort of episode, very
naturally introduces the music, on account of the custom
of many Prophets to enter into their holy transports to
the sound of instruments, for instance, that troop of
Prophets who came to meet Saul with harps and lyres
borne before them ; witness also Elijah himself who, being
questioned as to the future by the king of Judah and the
king of Israel, said, as says Jehoiada here : Adducite mihi
psaltem. To this is to be added that this prophecy con-
tributes greatly to increase the animation of the play by
the terror and the different emotions it calls forth in the
chorus and in the principal personages.
LES S^MS DES PE^SONNAGbS.
JOAS, Roy de Juda, fils d'Okofias.
ATHALIE, Veuve de Joram, Ayeule de Joas.
JOAD, autrement JOIADA, Grand Preftre.
JOSABET, Xante de Joas, Femme du Grand
Preftre.
ZACHARIE, fils de Joad & de Jofabet.
SALOMITH, Soeur de Zacharie.
ABNER, Tun des principaux OfEciers des Rois
de Juda.
AZARIAS.
ISMAEL.
Et LES TR0I3 AUTRES Chefs des Preftres
& des Levites.
'MATH AN, Preftre Apoftat, Sacrificateur de
Baal.
NABAL, Confident de Mathan.
AGAR, Femme de la ftiite d'Athalie.
Troupe de Prestres et de Levites.
Suite d'Athalie.
LA NOURRICE de Joas.
CHCEUR de jeunes Filles de la Tribu de Levi.
La Scene eft dans le Temple de Jeru/alem, dans un
Veftibule de Pappartement du Grand Preftre,
"DRAMATIS PERSON/E.
JOASH, King of Judah, son to Ahaziah.
ATHALIAH, widow of Jehoram and grand-
mother to Joash.
JEHOIADA, High Priest.
JEHOSHABEATH, aunt to Joash and wife to
Jehoiada.
ZECHARIAH, son to Jehoiada and Jehosha-
beath.
SALOME, sister to Zechariah.
ABNER, one of the chief officers of the Kings
of Judah.
AZARIAH,
ISHMAEL,
And the three other Chiefs of the Priests
and Levites.
MATTAN, apostate priest of Baal.
NABAL, confidant to Mattan.
HAGAR, a woman of Athaliah's train.
A Number of Priests and Levites.
Followers of Athaliah.
THE NURSE of Joash.
CHORUS of maidens of the tribe of Levi.
The scene is in the Temple at Jerusalem^ in a vestibule
of the High Priests dwelling.
ATHALIE.
TRAGEDIE.
ACTE I.
SCENE PREtMIE%E.
JOAD, ABNER.
ABNER.
Ouy, je viens dans fon Temple adorer TEtemel.
Je viens, felon Tufage antique & folemnel,
Celebrer avec vous la fameufe journ^e,
Oil fur le Mont Sina la Loi nous fut donn^e.
Que les temps font changez ! Si-toft que de ce jour
La Trompette faerie annongoit le retour,
Du Temple orn6 par tout de feftons magnifiques,
Le peuple faint en foule inondoit les portiques,
Et tous devant TAutel avec ordre introduits,
De leurs champs dans leurs mains portant les nouveaux fruits,
Au Dieu de TUnivers confacroient ces pr^mices.
Les Preftres ne pouvoient fuffire aux facrifices.
ATHALIAH.
A TRAGEDY.
ACT I.
SCENE FIRST.
JEHOIADA, ABNER.
ABNER.
Yes; I have come to worship the LORD in His Holy Temple:
I have come, according to our ancient and solemn use,
To celebrate with you the famous day
When from Mount Sinai the Law was given unto us.
How times are changed ! Of yore, as soon as of this day
The sacred trumpets proclaimed the dawn.
The Temple, in every part adorned with richest garlands.
Saw its porches crowded by the people of the LORD ;
And all, brought in due order before the altar,
Bearing in their hands the first growth of their fields.
To the GOD of the world offered up these first-fruits :
The Priests were all too few for the sacrifices.
2 ^THALIE.
L'audace d'une Femme arreftant ce concours,
En des jours tenebreux a change ces beaux jours.
D'Adorateurs zelez k peine un petit nombre
Ofe des premiers temps nous retracer quelque ombre.
Le refte pour Ton Dieu montre un oubli fatal,
Ou m^me s'empressant aux autels de Baal,
Se fait initier k fes honteux myileres,
Et blafpheme le nom qu'ont invoqu^ leurs peres.
Je tremble qu'Athalie, k ne vous rien cacher,
Vous-m6me de TAutel vous faifant arracher,
N'acheve enfin sur vous fes vengeances funeftes,
Et d'un refpe<5l forc6 ne d^pouille les reftes.
JOAD.
D'oii vous vient aujourd'huy ce noir pressentiment ?
ABNER.
Penfez-vous eftre faint & jufte impun^ment ?
D^s long-temps elle hait cette fermet6 rare
Qui rehauffe en Joad T^clat de la tiare.
D^s long-temps voftre amour pour la Religion
Eft traits de revoke & de fedition.
Du merite ^clatant cette Reine jaloufe,
Hait fur tout Jofabet voftre fidelle 6poufe.
Si du grand Preftre Aaron Joad eft fucceffeur,
De noftre dernier Roy Jofabet eft la foeur.
Mathan d'ailleurs, Mathan, ce Preftre facrilege,
Plus m^chant qu'Athalie, k toute heure Tafliege ;
Mathan de nos autels infame deferteur,
Et de toute vertu zel^ perfecuteur.
^THALIAH.
A woman's tyranny has scattered these crowds
And turned to days of gloom those days of joy.
Scarcely a scanty band of zealous worshippers
Dares to afford us a shadow of those former days ;
The rest exhibits fatal forgetfulness of our GOD
Or even, hastening away to the altars of Baal,
There learn to share in his shameful mysteries.
And blaspheme the Name which their sires invoked.
Nay, more : I tremble lest Athaliah,
Causing yourself to be dragged from the altar.
Wreak her deadly vengeance at last on you
And of her forced respect cast off the final shred.
JEHOIADA.
Whence comes to you such sombre dread to-day }
ABNER.
Think you to be just and holy with impunity ?
Long has the Queen hated that wondrous firmness
Which enhances the splendour of your rank ;
Long has your fidelity to our religion
Been regarded as revolt and sedition.
The Queen, ever jealous of shining merit,
Hates above all Jehoshabeath, your faithful spouse.
If you, as High Priest, are Aaron's successor,
To our last king Jehoshabeath is sister.
Yet more, Mattan, Mattan, the sacrilegious priest,
Worse even than Athaliah, leaves her no peace.
Mattan, who shamelessly deserted our altars.
Of all virtue the unwearied persecutor.
4 ^THALIE.
C'est peu que le front ceint d*une m!tre ^trangere,
Ce Levite k Baal prefte fon miniftere.
Ce Temple Timportune, & fon impiet6
Voudroit aneantir le Dieu qu'il a quitt^.
Pour vous perdre il n'eft point de refforts qu'il n'invente.
Quelquefois il vous plaint, fouvent m6me il vous vante.
II affefte pour vous une fauffe douceur.
Et par 14 de fon fiel colorant la noirceur,
Tantoft k cette Reine il vous peint redoutable,
Tantoft voyant pour Tor fa foif infatiable,
II luy feint qu'en un lieu que vous feul connoiffez,
Vous cachez des trefors par David amaffez.
Enfin depuis deixx jours la fuperbe Athalie,
Dans un fombre chagrin paroift enfevelie.
Je Tobfervois hier, & je voyois fes yeux
Lancer fur le Lieu faint des regards f urieux ;
Comme fi dans le fond de ce vafte Edifice
Dieu cachoit un Vengeur arm^ pour fon fuplice.
Croyez-moy, plus j'y penfe, & moins je puis douter,
Que fur vous fon courroux ne foit preft d'^clater,
Et que de Jezabel la fille fanguinaire,
Ne vienne attaquer Dieu jufqu'en fon Sanftuaire.
JOAD
Celuy qui met un frein k la fureur des flots,
S^ait aufli des M^chans arrefter les complots.
So6mis avec refpe<5l k fa volont^ fainte,
Je crains Dieu, cher Abner, & n'ay point d'autre crainte.
Cependant je rends grace au zele officieux
Qui fur tous mes perils vous fait ouvrir les yeux.
^THALIAH. 5
For him 'tis not enough that, wearing the idolatrous mitre,
He, a Levite once, to Baal should minister :
This Temple galls him, and in his impiety
He seeks to destroy the GOD he has forsaken.
To compass your ruin to every trick resorts ;
Sometimes he pities you, oft, indeed he praises you ;
Affects, in speech of you, a lying mildness,
And, thus concealing the blackness of his rancor.
Sometimes to the Queen he depicts you terrible,
Sometimes, seeing her ravenous thirst for gold.
Pretends that, in a spot known to you alone.
You still conceal treasures by David once amassed.
In brief, for two days past, the haughty Athaliah
Seems buried in some sombre vexing thought.
I watched her yesterday and I saw her eyes
Cast on the Holy Place fierce looks of hate.
As if within the depth of this vast pile
GOD hid an armed avenger for her doom.
Trust me, the more I think the less I doubt
That her wrath on you is soon to break.
And that Jezebel's blood-loving child
Means to attack the LORD within His holy fane.
JEHOIADA.
He who restrains the raging of the seas
Can bring to naught the plots of wicked men.
Bowing with reverence to his sacred will,
I fear GOD, Abner, and have no other fear.
Yet I am thankful for the kindly zeal
Which makes you note each peril that threatens me.
6 JITHALIE.
Je voy que Tinjuftice en fecret vous irrite,
Que vous avez encor le coeur Ifraelite.
Le Ciel ai foit beni. Mais ce fecret courroux,
Cette oifive vertu, vous en contentez-vous ?
La f oy qui n'agit point, eft-ce une foy fincere ?
Huit ans d^ja paffez, une impie Etrangere
Du fceptre de David ufurpe tous les droits,
Se baigne impun^ment dans le fang de nos Rois,
Des enfans de fon fils d^teftable homicide,
Et m6me contre Dieu leve fon bras perfide.
Et vous. Tun des fofltiens de ce tremblant Etat,
Vous nourri dans les camps du faint Roy Jofaphat,
Qui fous fon fils Joram commandiez nos armies,
Qui raffurAtes feul nos villes allarm^es,
Lorfque d'Okofias le tr^pas impr6v6,
Difperfa tout fon camp i Tafpeft de Jehu ;
Je crains Dieu, dites-vous, fa verity me touche.
Voicy com me ce Dieu vous r^pond par ma bouche :
Du zele de ma loi que fert de vous parer ?
Par de fteriles voeux penfez-vous m'honorer?
Quel fruit me revient-il de tous vos facrifices ?
Ay-je befoin du fang des boucs & des genifles?
Le fang de vos Rois crie, & n'eft point 6cout6.
Rompez, rompez tout pa6le avec Timpiet^.
Du milieu de mon peuple exterminez les crimes,
Et vous viendrez alors m'immoler vos viftimes.
ABNER.
H6 que puis-je au milieu de ce peuple abbatu ?
Benjamin eft fans force, & Juda fans vertu.
^ATHAUAH. 7
I see your inward wrath is roused by wrong.
That yours is still an Israelite's heart.
For this the LORD be praised ! But secret anger,
But idle virtue, are you content with these }
Is then a passive faith a faith sincere ?
For eight years now an impious woman
Of foreign race usurps the rights of David's throne.
The blood of our kings unpunished sheds,
The hateful murderess of her son's own sons,
And even 'gainst GOD lifts her unholy hand.
And you, a prop of this now tottering state.
You, bred in the tents of sainted Joshaphat,
You, who under Joram his son our hosts did lead,
You, who alone brought calm to our frightened towns
When Ahaziah's unexpected fall
Scattered in flight his troops at Jehu's sight —
"I fear the LORD," you say; "His truth is in my heart!"
Thus doth the LORD to you by my mouth reply :
** What boots it for my law to boast your zeal f
By empty praise think you to honor me }
What do your sacrifices profit me }
What need have I for blood of bulls or goats 1
The blood of your slain kings still calls, unheard.
Renounce, break off your pact with impious folk.
From 'mid my people root out these crimes,
And then come make your offerings to me ! "
ABNER.
Alas ! What can I do with this stricken people }
Benjamin is powerless and Judah's valor gone :
8 ^THAUE.
Le jour qui de leur Roy vit ^teindre la race,
Eteignit tout le feu de leur antique audace.
Dieu mfime, difent-ils, s'eft retire de nous.
De Thonneur des Hebreux autrefois fi jaloux,
II voit fans intereft leur grandeur terraff^e,
Et fa mifericorde k la fin s'eft lafllie.
On ne voit plus pour nous fes redoubtables mains,
De merveilles fans nombre effrayer les humains.
L'Arche fainte eft muette, & ne rend plus d'oracles.
JOAD.
Et quel temps fut jamais fi fertile en miracles ?
Quand Dieu par plus d'effets montra-t-il fon pouvoir ?
Auras-tu done tofljours des yeux pour ne point voir,
Peuple ingrat ? Quoy toCijours les plus grandes merveilles
Sans ^branler ton coeur frapperont tes oreilles ?
Faut-il, Abner, faut-il vous rappeller le cours
Des prodiges fameux accomplis en nos jours ?
Des Tyrans d'Ifrael les celebres difgraces,
Et Dieu trouv6 fidelle en toutes fes menaces ;
L'impie Achab detruit, & de fon fang tremp6
Le champ que par le meurtre il avoit ufurp^ ;
Pr^s de ce champ fatal Jezabel immol^e.
Sous les pieds des chevaux cette Reine f oul^e ;
Dans fon fang inhumain les chiens defalterez,
Et de fon corps hideux les membres d^chirez ;
Des Prophetes menteurs la troupe conf ondue ;
Et la flamme du Ciel fur Tautel defcendue ;
Elie aux Elemens parlant en Souverain,
Les Cieux par luy fermez & devenus d'airain,
^THALIAH.
The day that saw the last of their royal race
Saw the last flash of their courage of old.
"The LORD," they say, "has hid His face from us.
He, once so jealous of His people's honor,
Sees, unheeding, their greatness cast to earth.
His mercy now at length is wearied out.
No more do we behold His mighty hands
With wonders endless terrify mankind :
The sacred Ark is dumb ; the oracle heard no more."
JEHOIADA.
And yet what age was e'er so rich in wonders }
When by more deeds did GOD His power display .?
Has thou then always eyes which will not see.
Ungrateful race ? What ! shall the mightiest deeds
Strike ever on thy ear and leave thy heart untouched ?
Must I, Abner, must I to you recall the roll
Of mighty prodigies in our days done ?
Of Israel's tyrants the famed overthrows,
And GOD proved faithful in his every threat ;
The impious Ahab slain, his blood poured out
Upon the field that by blood he gained ;
Near that field of death Jezebel also slain ;
By horses the queen trampled under foot,
In her inhuman gore dogs slaking thirst.
And tearing limb from limb her horrid corpse ;
The band of lying prophets put to shame.
And fire from heaven on the altar falling ;
Elijah uttering his commands to the elements.
The heavens closed by him and become as brass.
10 ^THAUE.
Et la terre trois ans fans pluye & fans rof^e ;
Les morts fe ranimans k la voix d'Elif(ie ;
Reconnoiffez, Abner, k ccs traits ^clatans,
Un Dieu, tel aujourd*huy qu'il fut dans tous les temps.
11 fgait quand il luy plaift faire ^clater (a gloire,
Et fon peuple eft toOjours prefent k sa memoire.
ABNER.
Mais 06 font ces honneurs k David tant promis,
Et pr^dits mfime encore k Salomon fon fils ?
Helas ! Nous efperions que de leur race heureufe,
Devoit fortir de Rois une fuite nombreufe,
Que fur toute tribu, fur toute nation,
L'un d'eux ^tabliroit fa domination,
Feroit ceffer par tout la difcorde & la guerre,
Et verroit k fes piez tous les Rois de la terre.
JOAD.
Aux promeffes du Ciel pourquoy renoncez-vous ?
ABNER.
Ce Roy fils de David oil le chercherons-nous ?
Le Ciel m6me peut-il reparer les mines
De cet arbre f<ich6 jufques dans fes racines ?
Athalie ^touffa Tenfant mfime au berceau.
Les morts apr^s huit ans, fortent-ils du tombeau }
Ah ! Si dans fa fureur elle s'eftoit tromp^e,
Si du fang de nos Rois quelque goutte ^chap^e. . .
JOAD.
H6 bien } Que f eriez-vous }
^THALIAH. II
And on the earth, for three years, nor dew nor rain ;
At Elisha's voice life returning to the dead :
Know, Abner, by these overwhelming deeds,
GOD is the same to-day as He hath ever been.
He, when He wills, can make His glory shine,
And o'er His people ever broods His care.
ABNER.
But where are those honors promised unto David
And unto Solomon his son foretold again }
Alas ! we hoped that from their fortunate race
A long line of kings should spring ;
That over every tribe and every nation
One of them should assert his sway
Should put an end to discord and to war.
And should see at his feet all kings of the earth.
JEHOIADA.
Why in GOD'S promises do you lose faith }
ABNER.
Where shall we seek that king, the son of David ^
Can heaven itself restore life to the ruins
Of that stock cut off at its very roots }
Even the child in arms did Athaliah slay :
After eight years can the dead rise from the tomb 1
Ah ! if in her rage she had been thwarted !
If of our royal line some scion had escaped, . . .
JEHOIADA.
Well, in that case what would you do }
12 JITHALIE.
ABNEEL
O jour heureux pour moy !
De quelle ardeur j'irois reconnoiftre mon Roy !
Doutez-vous qu'4 fes pieds nos tribus emprefliSes. . .
Mais pourquoy me flatter de ces vaines penftes ?
Deplorable heritier de ces Rois triomphans,
Okofias reftoit feul avec fes enfans.
Par les traits de Jehu je vis percer le pere,
Vous avec veii les fils maffacrez par la mere.
JOAD.
Je ne m'explique point. Mais quand Taftre du jour
Aura fur rhorifon fait le tiers de fon tour,
Lorfque la troifi^me heure aux prieres rappelle,
Retrouvez-vous au Temple avec ce m6me zele.
Dieu pourra vous montrer par d'importans bienfaits,
Que fa parole eft ftable, & ne trompe jamais.
AUez, pour ce grand jour il faut que je m'apprefte.
Et du Temple d^ja Taube blanchit le faifte.
ABNER.
Quel fera ce bienfait que je ne comprens pas }
L'illuftre Jofabet porte vers vous fes pas.
Je fors, & vais me joindre k la troupe fidelle
Qu' attire de ce jour la pompe folemnelle.
zATHAUAH. 13
ABNER.
Oh day of joy for me !
With what delight would I own my king !
Doubt you that at his feet our eager tribes. . . .
But wherefore flatter me with these vain thoughts ?
The hapless heir of these triumphant kings,
Alone Ahaziah with his sons remained :
By Jehu's shafts I saw the father fall ;
You have beheld the sons by the mother murdered.
JEHOIADA.
More now I cannot say ; but, when the orb of day
The third of its race this mom hath run,
When the third hour doth call you unto prayer.
Come to the Temple then with unchanged zeal.
The LORD may prove to you, by wondrous blessings.
That His word is true and never fails.
Go : for this great day I must needs prepare.
And the dawn's pale gleam tips the Temple's top.
ABNER.
What that blessing may be I fail to grasp.
Illustrious Jehoshabeath to you now bends her steps.
As for me, I go to join the faithful few
Drawn hither by this day's solemn festival.
14 JITHAUE.
SCENE II.
JOAD, JOSABET.
JOAD.
Les temps font accomplis, Princeffe, il faut parler,
Et voftre heureux larcin ne fe peut plus celer.
Des ennemis de Dieu la coupable infolence
Abufant centre luy de ce profound filence,
Accufe trop long-temps fes promeffes d'erreur.
Que dis-je ? Le fucc^s animant leur fureur,
Jufques fur noftre Autel voftre injufte Mardtre,
Veut offrir k Baal un encens idolitre.
Montrons ce jeune Roy que vos mains ont fauv6,
Sous Taile du Seigneur dans le Temple 6lev6.
De nos Princes Hebreux il aura le courage,
Et d^ja fon efprit a devanc^ fon Age.
Avant que fon deftin s'explique par ma voix,
Je vais Toffrir au Dieu, par qui regnent les Rois.
Aufli-toft affemblant nos Levites, nos Preftres,
Je leur declareray Theritier de leurs Maiftres.
JOSABET.
Sgait-il deja fon nom, & fon noble deftin ?
JOAD.
II ne r^pond encor qu'au nom d'Eliacin,
Et fe croit quelque enfant rejett6 par fa mere,
A qui j'ay par piti6 daign6 servir de pere.
^THALIAH. 15
SCENE II.
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH.
JEHOIADA.
The times are ripe, princess : we must now speak.
Your happy theft no longer may be hid.
The sinful insolence of the foes of GOD
Using His deep silence to do Him wrong.
Too long asserts His promises are vain.
Nay more ! Their rage emboldened by success.
Even in our shrine your wicked step-mother
Idolatrous incense to Baal means to bum.
The young king must be shown whom your hands saved,
Bred in the Temple 'neath the wing of GOD.
The courage of our Hebrew princes will be his.
Who now in mind is older than in years.
Yet ere his fate is revealed by my voice,
I will consecrate him to the GOD by whom kings reign ;
Then our Levites and our priests assembling.
To them I will disclose the royal heir.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Knows he as yet his name and noble fate }
JEHOIADA.
He only knows his name Eliakim,
Thinks himself a child abandoned by his mother,
For whom I, pitying, have as a father cared.
i6 tATHAUE.
JOSABET.
Helas ! De quel peril je Favois f5(i tirer !
Dans quel peril encore eft-il preft de rentrer !
JOAD.
Quoy ? D^ja voftre foy s'afifoiblit & s'^tonne ?
JOSABET.
A vos fages confeils, Seigneur, je m'abandonne.
Du jour que j'arrachay cet Enfant k la mort,
Je remis en vos mains tout le foin de fon fort.
M6me de mon amour craignant la violence,
Autant que je le puis, j'^vite fa prefence,
De peur qu'en le voyant, quelque trouble indifcret
Ne faffe avec mes pleurs 6chaper mon fecret.
Sur-tout j'ay crft devoir aux larmes, aux prieres,
Confacrer ces trois jours & ces trois nuits entieres.
Cependant aujourd'huy puis-je vous demander
Quels amis vous avez prefts k vous feconder ?
Abner, le brave Abner viendra-t-il nous d^f endre ?
A-t-il pr^s de fon Roy fait ferment de fe rendre i
JOAD.
Abner, quoiqu'on fe p6t affurer fur fa foy,
Ne fgait pas m6me encor fi nous avons un Roy.
JOSABET.
Mais k qui de Joas confiez-vous la garde ?
Eft-ce Obed ? Eft-ce Amnon que cet honneur regarde ?
De mon Pere fur eux les bienfaits r^pandus. . .
^THALIAH. 17
JEHOSHABEATH.
Alas ! from what peril did I save him once !
Into what peril dread is he about to fall !
JEHOIADA.
What ! already your faith weakens and fails ?
JEHOSHABEATH.
In your sage counsels, my lord, I wholly trust.
From the day when I snatched that child from death
To you I left the sole care of his fate ;
Nay more, fearful of the ardor of my love,
So far as may be I avoid his presence.
Lest, seeing him, some untoward dread
Should manifest my secret with my tears.
Yet more, I thought it right to tears and prayers
To consecrate these three past days and nights.
And now, this day, may I not ask of you
What friends stand ready to afford you aid }
Will Abner, the brave Abner, be our stay }
Has he sworn devotion to his king ?
JEHOIADA.
Abner, though there be firm assurance of his faith
Knows not as yet whether we have a king.
JEHOSHABEATH.
But to whom do you trust the guarding of Joash ?
To Obed or Amnon does the honor fall ?
The favours bestowed by my father upon them. . .
i8 tATHAUE.
JOAD.
A rinjufte Athalie Us fe font tous vendus.
JOSABET.
Qui done oppofez-vous contre fes fatellites ?
JOAD.
Ne vous Tay-je pas dit ? Nos Preftres, nos Levites.
JOSABET.
Je f^ay que pr^s de vous en fecret aflembl6
Par vos foins pr^voyans leur nombre eft redouble ;
Que pleins d'amour pour vous, d'horreur pour Athalie,
Un ferment folennel par avance les lie
A ce fils de David qu'on leur doit reveler.
Mais quelque noble ardeur dont ils puiflfent bruler,
Peuvent-ils de leur Roy venger feuls la querelle ?
Pour un fi grand ouvrage, eft-ce affez de leur zele ?
Doutez-vous qu* Athalie, au premier bruit fem6
Qu'un fils d'Okofias eft ici renferm6,
De fes fiers Etrangers affemblant les cohortes,
N'environne le Temple & n'en brife les portes }
Suffira-t-il contre eux de vos Miniftres faints,
Qui levant au Seigneur leurs innocentes mains,
Ne fgavent que gemir, & prier pour nos crimes,
Et n'ont jamais verf^ que le fang des Vidlimes ?
Peut-eftre dans leurs bras Joas perc6 de coups. . .
JOAD.
Et comptez-vous pour rien Dieu qui combat pour nous }
Dieu, qui de Torphelin protege Tinnocence,
^THALIAH. 19
JEHOIADA.
To Athaliah they all have sold themselves.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Whom then do you oppose to her satellites ?
JEHOIADA.
Have I not told you } Our priests, our Levites.
JEHOSHABEATH.
I know that in secret assembled here,
Your vigilant care has increased their numbers ;
That full of love for you, of hatred for the Queen,
By a solemn oath they are bound in advance
To that son of David whom you are to make known.
But however great the ardor that inspires.
Can they, unaided, avenge the wrong of their king }
For so great an emprise will their mere zeal suffice }
Doubt you that Athaliah at the very first rumor
That a son of Ahaziah in refuge is here.
Assembling the bands of her fierce foreign troops,
Will surround the Temple and break down its gates.
How can 'gainst her your saintly priests prevail
Who, raising their innocent hands to the LORD,
Know but to lament and weep for all our crimes.
And have never shed blood but that of sacrifice }
Perchance within their arms, Joash, pierced with wounds. . .
JEHOIADA.
And count you for naught GOD who fights for us ?
GOD, who protects the orphan's helplessness,
20 JITHALIE.
Et fait dans la f oibleffe ^clater fa puiflance ;
Dieu, qui hait les Tyrans, & qui dans Jezrael
Jura d'exterminer Achab & Jezabel ;
Dieu, qui frappant Joram, le mary de leur fiUe,
A jufques fur fon fils pourfuivi leur famille ;
Dieu, dont le bras vengeur, pour un temps fufpendu,
Sur cette race impie eft to6 jours 6tendu.
JOSABET.
Et c'eft fur tous ces Rois fa juftice fevere.
Que je crains pour le fils de mon malheureux frere.
Qui fgait fi cet enfant par leur crime entrain^,
Avec eux en naiffant ne fut pas condamn6 ?
Si Dieu le feparant d'une odieufe race,
En f aveur de David voudra luy f aire grace ?
Helas ! T^tat horrible oH le Ciel me Toffrit,
Revient k tout moment effrayer mon efprit.
De Princes ^gorgez la chambre eftoit remplie.
Un poignard k la main Timplacable Athalie
Au carnage animoit fes barbares Soldats,
Et pourfuivoit le cours de fes affaffmats.
Joas laiff^ pour mort frappa foudain ma veue.
Je me figure encor fa Nourice ^perdue.
Qui devant les Bourreaux s'eftoit jett^e en vain,
Et foible le tenoit renverfe fur fon iein.
Je le pris tout fanglant. En baignant fon vifage,
Mes pleurs du fentiment luy rendirent Tufage.
Et foit frayeur encore, ou pour me carefTer,
De fes bras innocens je me fentis prefTer.
Grand Dieu ! que mon amour ne luy foit point funefte.
^THALIAH. 21
And through the weak displays His power.
GOD, who hates tyrants, and who in Jezrael,
Swore to destroy Ahab and Jezebel ;
GOD, who, striking Jehoram, the spouse of their daughter.
Punished their household even in the son.
GOD, whose avenging arm, stayed but for a time.
Hangs threatening ever o'er this impious race.
JEHOSHABEATH.
And 'tis His stern justice to all these kings
That I dread for the son of my wretch'd brother.
Who knows but that child, dragged down by their crimes
Was at his very birth with them condemned ?
Or whether GOD, singling him from out a sinful race.
For David's sake will show him favour }
Ah ! the dread scene when Heaven first showed him to me
Ever recurs to my affrighted thought.
With slaughtered princes the hall was filled;
Dagger in hand the implacable Queen
To the carnage urged on her ruffian soldiers
And added to her deeds of blood.
My eyes fell suddenly on Joash, left for dead.
I still can see his distracted nurse
Who before the murderers had thrown herself in vain,
And with weak hand still pressed him to her breast.
I took him, blood imbrued. My falling tears
Bathing his face called him back to life ;
And, whether 'twas through fear or to caress,
I felt his innocent arms fast holding me.
Great GOD I Let not my love be fatal to him !
22 tATHALIE.
Du fiddle David, c'eft le precieux refte.
Nourri dans ta maifon en Tamour de ta Loy,
II ne connolt encor d'autre pere que toy.
Sur le point d'attaquer une Reine homicide,
A Tafpeft du peril, fi ma foy s'intimide,
Si la chair & le fang fe troublant aujourd'huy,
Ont trop de part aux pleurs que je repans pour luy ;
Conferve Theritier de tes faintes promeffes,
Et ne punis que moy de toutes mes foibleffes.
JOAD.
Vos larmes, Jofabet, n'ont rien de criminel.
Mais Dieu veut qu'on efpere en fon foin paternel.
II ne recherche point, aveugle en fa colere,
Sur le fils qui le craint, Timpiet^ du pere.
Tout ce qui refte encor de fidelles Hebreux
Luy viendront aujourd'huy renouveller leurs voeux.
Autant que de David la race eft refpe6l6e,
Autant de Jezabel la fille eft d^teft^e.
Joas les touchera par fa noble pudeur,
Oil femble de fon fang reluire la fplendeur.
Et Dieu par fa voix m^me appuyant noftre exemple,
De plus pres i leur cceur parlera dans fon Temple.
Deux infidelles Rois tour k tour Font brav6.
II faut que fur le tr6ne un Roy foit 61ev6,
Qui fe fouvienne un jour qu*au rang de fes Anceftres,
Dieu Ta fait remonter par la main de fes Preftres,
L*a tir6 par leur main de Toubli du tombeau,
Et de David ^teint rallum6 le flambeau.
Grand Dieu ! fi tu prevois qu'indigne de fa race,
^THALIAH. 23
Of David's line he is the precious remnant ;
Bred up within Thy house, loving Thy law,
No other father knows he yet but Thee.
And now about to assail a murderous Queen,
If my faith tremble at approach of peril,
If the woman in me, quailing at this hour,
Have too great share in tears I shed for him,
Preserve Thou the heir unto Thy promises.
And punish me alone for all my weakness !
JEHOIADA.
Your tears, Jehoshabeath, are nowise criminal ;
But GOD bids us trust His care paternal.
He doth not visit, blinded by His anger.
The father's crime upon the son who fears Him.
All of the faithful Hebrews that are left
Will on this day renew their vows to Him.
And as the line of David is revered,
So is the child of Jezebel abhorred.
Joash will touch them by his noble mien
Wherein shines forth the splendour of his race ;
And GOD'S own voice, sustaining our example,
Will speak louder to them within His Temple.
Two faithless kings in turn have braved Him :
Now on the throne a monarch must be placed
Who shall remember that to his sires' rank
GOD restored him by the hand of His own priests ;
Forth drew him from th' oblivion of the tomb.
And the quenched light of David's line rekindled.
Great GOD ! If Thou f oreseest that, unworthy of his race.
24 tATHAUE.
II doive de David abandonner la trace ;
Qu'il foit comme le fruit en naifTant arrach^,
Ou qu'un fouffle ennemi dans fa fleur a f^ch^.
Mais fi ce m6me Enfant k tes ordres docile.
Doit eftre k tes deffeins un inftrument utile ;
Fay qu'au jufte heritier le fceptre foit remis.
Livre en mes foibles mains fes puifTans ennemis.
Confons dans fes confeils une Reine cruelle.
Daigne, daigne, mon Dieu, fur Mathan & fur elle,
R^pandre cet efprit d'imprudence & d'erreur,
De la chAte des Rois f unefte avancoureur.
L'heure me preffe. Adieu. Des plus faintes families
Voftre fils & fa foeur vous amenent les filles.
SCEU^E III.
JOSABET, ZACHARIE, SALOMITH,
LE CHCEUR.
JOSABET.
Cher Zacharie, allez, ne vous arreftez pas,
De voftre augufte Pere accompagnez les pas.
O filles de Levi, troupe jeune & fidelle,
Que d^ja le Seigneur embrafe de fon zele,
Qui venez fi fouvent partager mes foupirs,
Enfans, ma f eule joye en mes longs d^plaifirs ;
Ces feftons dans vos mains, & ces fleurs fur vos teftes.
Autrefois convenoient a nos pompeufes feftes.
Mais, helas ! en ce temps d'opprobre & de douleurs.
^THALIAH. 25
He will forsake one day the path that David trod,
Let him be as the fruit blasted in its birth,
Or withered in its bloom by deadly wind !
But if, Thy laws obeying, this same child,
Is to be a useful tool for Thy plans.
Restore the sceptre to its rightful heir ;
Deliver his mighty enemies to my hands ;
Confound the purposes of that cruel Queen :
Deign, deign, O GOD, on Mattan and on her
To pour that spirit of imprudence and error.
Of the fall of kings the dread forerunner !
The time is up : farewell. Your son and daughter
Bring you the daughters of our pious houses.
SCEU^E III.
JEHOSHABEATH, ZECHARIAH, SALOME, THE
CHORUS.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Beloved Zechariah, go, stay not ;
Follow the footsteps of your noble father.
O daughters of Levi, young and faithful band.
In whom the LORD already has kindled His zeal.
Who come to me so oft to share my griefs.
Children, mine only joy in my long woes.
These garlands in your hands, these flowers you wear
Did once beseem our pompous feasts.
But ah ! in these sad times of grief and shame.
26 ^THALIE.
Quelle oflfrande fied mieux que celle de nos pleurs ?
J'entens d^ja, j'entens la trompette faerie,
Et du Temple bien-toft on permettra Tentr^e.
Tandis que je me vais preparer a marcher,
Chantez, louez le Dieu que vous venez checher.
SCESr^E IK
LE CHCEUR.
TOUT LE CHCEUR CHANTE.
Tout rUnivers eft plein de fa magnificence.
Qu'on Tadore, ce Dieu, qu*on Tinvoque a jamais.
Son Empire a des temps pr^ced^ la naiffance.
Chantons, publions fes bienfaits.
UNE VOIX SEULE.
En vain Tinjufte violence
Au peuple qui le loue, impoferoit filence,
Son nom ne perira jamais.
Le jour annonce au jour fa gloire & fa puiffance,
Tout rUnivers eft plein de fa magnificence,
Chantons, publions fes bienfaits.
TOUT LE CHCEUR REPETE.
Tout rUnivers eft plein de fa magnificence,
Chantons, publions fes bienfaits.
UNE VOIX SEULE.
II donne aux fleurs leur aimable peinture.
II fait naitre & meurir les fruits.
^THALIAH. 27
What offering so meet as that of tears ?
Already I hear the sacred trumpet,
And soon the Temple gates will open wide.
While I go to make ready for the feast,
Sing praise to the LORD whom here you seek.
SCEt^E ly.
THE CHORUS.
THE WHOLE OF THE CHORUS SINGS.
The whole earth declareth the glory of GOD :
Let us worship the LORD ; let us call on His Name !
His rule was established before Time was born ;
Let us sing and His loving-kindness e;ctol.
ONE SINGER ALONE.
Vainly would violent men
Bid us cease from the praise of the LORD :
Forever His Name shall endure.
His glory and power day shews unto day ;
The whole earth declareth the glory of GOD :
Let us sing and His loving-kindness extol.
THE WHOLE OF THE CHORUS REPEATS.
The whole earth declareth the glory of GOD :
Let us sing and His loving-kindness extol.
ONE SINGER ALONE.
He giveth their beauty to the flowers,
Their growth and ripening to the fruit,
28 tATHALIE.
II leur difpenfe avec mefure
Et la chaleur des jours, & la f raicheur des nuits ;
Le champ qui les regut, les rend avec ufure.
UNE AUTRE.
II commande au Soleil d'animer la nature,
Et la lumiere eft un don de fes mains.
Mais fa Loy fainte, fa Loy pure,
Eft le plus riche don qu'il ait fait aux humains.
UNE AUTRE.
O Mont de Sinai, conferve la memoire
De ce jour a jamais augufte & renomm^,
Quand fur ton fommet enflamm^
Dans un nuage 6pais le Seigneur enferm^
Fit luire aux yeux mortels un rayon de fa gloire.
Dis-nous, pourquoy ces feux & ces Eclairs,
Ces torrens de fum^e, & ce bruit dans les airs,
Ces trompettes & ce tonnerre .?
Venoit-il renverfer Tordre des Clemens }
Sur fes antiques fondemens
Venoit-il 6branler la terre ?
UNE AUTRE.
II venoit reveler aux enfans des Hebreux,
De fes preceptes faints la lumiere immortelle.
II venoit k ce peuple heureux
Ordonner de Taimer d*une amour ^ternelle.
^THAUAH. 29
And He meteth in order due
The heat of the day and the coolness of the night ;
The earth that received them returns them fourfold.
ANOTHER SINGER.
He bids the sun make Nature live,
And the light is the gift of His hand ;
But His holy law, His law so pure.
Is His richest gift to mortal man.
ANOTHER SINGER.
O Sinai's mount, hold fast the memory
Of that day forever wondrous and renowned.
When, on thy summit, flame-enwrapped,
From within the thick cloud where stood the LORD,
He flashed on mortal eyes a ray of His glory !
Wherefore those flames and wherefore those lightnings.
Those torrents of smoke and the roar in the air,
The voice of the trumpet and the voice of the
Came He to o'erthrow the order of the world > [thunder ?
Or on its foundations
To shake the earth t
ANOTHER SINGER.
To the children of Israel He came to reveal
The light undying of His sacred law
He came this happy people to command.
To love Him with a love that ne'er should change.
30 ^THALIE.
TOUT LE CHCEUR,
O divine, 6 charmante Loy !
O juftice, 6 bont6 fuprfeme
Que de raifons, quelle douceur extreme
D'engager a ce Dieu fon amour & (a foy !
UNE VOIX SEULE.
D'un joug cruel il fauva nos ayeux,
Les nourrit au defert d'un pain d^licieux.
II nous donne fes loix, il fe donne luy-meme :
Pour tant de biens il commande qu'on Taime.
LE CHCEUR.
O juftice ! 6 bont6 fuprfeme !
LA MEME VOIX.
Des mers pour eux il entr'ouvrit les eaux,
D*un aride rocher fit fortir des ruiffeaux.
II nous donne fes loix, il fe donne luy-mfeme.
Pour tant de biens il commande qu'on Taime.
LE CHCEUR.
O divine, 6 charmante Loy !
Que de raifons, quelle douceur extreme,
D'engager a fon Dieu fon amour & fa foy !
UNE AUTRE VOIX SEULE.
Vous, qui ne connoiffez qu'une crainte fervile,
Ingrats, un Dieu fi bon ne peut-il vous charmer }
Eft-il done a vos coeurs, eft-il fi difficile
Et fi penible de Taimer }
^THALIAH. 31
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
O law divine, O blessed law !
O justice, O Love supreme !
How right, how sweet it is
To pledge to our GOD our love and our faith ?
ONE SINGER ALONE.
From a cruel yoke our sires He freed,
In the desert fed them with bread from heaven ;
He gives us His laws. He gives us Himself :
In return for all this, He commands us to love Him.
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
O justice, O Love supreme.
THE SAME SINGER.
For them the waters of the sea He divided ;
From the barren rock caused the water to spring ;
He gives us His laws. He gives us Himself :
In return for all this. He commands us to love Him.
THE CHORUS.
O law divine, O blessed law !
How right, how sweet it is
To pledge to our GOD our love and our faith !
ANOTHER SINGER, ALONE.
Ingrates, who know but servile fear.
Has so gracious a GOD no charms for you }
Are your hearts so hard that ye must feel
It hard to love Him, too }
32 ^THALIE.
L'efclave craint le Tyran qui Toutrage.
Mais des enfans Tamour eft le partage.
Vous voulez que ce Dieu vous comble de bienfaits,
Et ne Taimer jamais ?
TOUT LE CHCEUR.
O divine, 6 charmante Loy, &c.
^THAUAH. 33
The slave fears the tyrant's oppression ;
But Love is the share of the children.
Blessings manifold ye ask from above,
But withhold from the LORD the gift of your love !
THE WHOLE OF THE CHORUS.
O law divine, O blessed law, &c.
ACTE II.
SCECSCE P%EMIERB.
JOSABET, SALOMITH,
LE CHCEUR.
JOSABET.
Mes fiUes, c'eft affez, fufpendez vos cantiques :
II eft temps de nous joindre aux prieres publiques,
Voicy noftre heure. AUons celebrer ce grand jour,
Et devant le Seigneur paroiftre k noftre tour.
SCEO^E II.
ZACHARIE, JOSABET, SALOMITH,
LE CHCEUR.
JOSABET.
Mais que vois-je ? mon fils, quel fujet vous rameine?
Ou courez-vous ainfi tout pale & hors d'haleine ?
ZACHARIE.
O ma Mere !
JOSABET.
Hi bien, quoy ?
ACT II.
SCENE FIRST.
JEHOSHABEATH, SALOME,
THE CHORUS.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Daughters, enough ; suspend your songs.
It is time to join in the public prayers.
The hour has come. Let us go to keep the feast,
And before the LORD appear in our turn.
SCENE II.
JEHOSHABEATH, ZECHARIAH, SALOME,
THE CHORUS.
JEHOSHABEATH.
But what see I f My son, what hither brings you back !
Where run you so pale and out of breath !
ZECHARIAH.
O mother !
JEHOSHABEATH.
Well! What.?
36 ^THAUE.
ZACHARIE.
Le Temple eft profane.
JOSABET.
Comment ?
ZACHARIE.
Et du Seigneur TAutel abandonn^.
JOSABET.
Je tremble. Hatez-vous d'^claircir voftre mere.
ZACHARIE.
D6ja, felon la Loy, le grand Preftre mon pere,
Apr^s avoir au Dieu qui nourrit les humains,
De la Moiflbn nouvelle offert les premiers pains,
Luy prefentoit encore entre fes mains fanglantes
Des vidlimes de paix les entrailles fumantes.
Debout k fes c&tez le jeune Eliacin,
Comme moy, le fervoit en long habit de lin ;
Et cependant, du fang de la chair immol^e,
Les Preftres arrofoient TAutel & Taflembl^e.
Un bruit confus s*61eve, & du peuple furpris
D^tourne tout k coup les yeux & les efprits.
i Une Femme. . . Peut-on la nommer fans blafpheme ?
VUne Femme. . . C'eftoit Athalie elle-mfeme.
Ciel!
JOSABET.
ZACHARIE.
Dans un des parvis aux hommes referv^,
Cette Femme fuperbe entre le front lev6,
How!
^THAUAH. 37
ZECHARIAH.
The Temple is profaned !
JEHOSHABEATH.
ZECHARIAH.
And the altar of the LORD is deserted !
JEHOSHABEATH.
I tremble. Hasten to enlighten me, my son.
ZECHARIAH.
Already, as the Law directs, my father, as High Priest,
After having to GOD, Who feeds mankind,
Offered the first-fruits of the harvest sheaves.
Was then presenting with his blood-stained hands
The smoking entrails of the offerings of peace ;
Standing by his side, young Eliakim,
With me was serving in a long linen robe ;
And meanwhile, with the blood of sacrifice.
The priests were sprinkling the altar and the men :
A strange noise is heard, and of a sudden
Surprises the eyes and minds of the people.
A woman .... whom 'tis blasphemy even to name !
A woman . . . '. 'twas Athaliah herself —
Heavens !
JEHOSHABEATH.
ZECHARIAH.
Into one of the courts reserved for men
This proud woman enters with haughty mien,
(
38 ^THAUE.
Et fe preparoit mSme a pafler les limites
De Tenceinte faerie ouverte aux feuls Levites.
Le peuple s'^pouvante & fuit de toutes parts.
Mon pere. . . Ah, quel courroux animoit fes regards ?
Mo'ife k Pharaon parut moins formidable.
Reine, fors, a-t-il dit, de ce lieu redoubtable,
D'oii te bannit ton fexe & ton impiety.
Viens-tu du Dieu vivant braver la majeft^.^
La Reine alors fur luy jettant un ceil farouche.
Pour blafphemer fans doute ouvroit d6ja la bouche.
J'ignore fi de Dieu TAnge fe d^voilant,
Eft venu luy montrer un glaive ^tincelant.
Mais fa langue en fa bouche a Tinftant s'eft glacee,
Et toute fon audace a paru terrafliie.
Ses yeux comme effrayez n'ofoient fe d^toumer.
Sur tout, Eliacin paroiffoit T^tonner.
JOSABET.
Quoy done } Eliacin a paru devant elle }
ZACHARIE.
Nous regardions tous deux cette Reine cruelle,
Et d*une ^gale horreur nos coeurs eftoient frappez
Mais les Preftres bien-toft nous ont enveloppez.
On nous a fait fortir. J'ignore tout le refte,
Et venois vous center ce defordre funefte.
JOSABET.
Ah ! de nos bras fans doute elle vient Tarracher.
Et c'eft luy qu*a TAutel fa fureur vient chercher.
^THALIAH. 39
And was even about to pass the bounds
Of the sacred place open to Levites alone :
The people, terror stricken, flee on every side.
My father .... Ah ! what wrath blazed in his glance !
Moses to Pharoah less dreadful appeared :
"Begone, Queen," said he, "from this awful place,
Whence thy sex and thy impiety exclude thee.
Dost thou come of the Living GOD the majesty to brave ?"
The Queen then, casting on him fierce glances.
To blaspheme, no doubt, her lips was opening.
I know not whether GOD*s angel suddenly revealed
Flashed before her his flaming sword.
But in her mouth at once her tongue was frozen.
And all her arrogance forthwith disappeared;
Her eyes, terror stricken, could not avert their gaze ;
Eliakim seemed most to fill her with fear.
JEHOSHABEATH.
What } Did Eliakim appear before her !
ZECHARIAH.
We both were gazing at that cruel Queen,
And with equal horror our hearts were filled.
But soon the priests surrounded us both :
We were hurried out. I know not the rest,
And came to tell you of this dire event.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Ah ! from our arms, sure, she comes to drag him ;
And it is he whom her rage seeks at the altar.
40 ^THAUE.
Peut-eftre en ce moment Tobjet de tant de larmes. . .
Souvien-toy de David, Dieu, qui vois mes allarmes.
SALOMITH.
Quel eft-il, cet objet des pleurs que vous verfez ?
ZACHARIE.
Les jours d'Eliacin feroient-ils menacez?
SALOMITH.
Auroit-il de la Reine attir^ la colere ?
ZACHARIE.
Que craint-on d'un enfant fans fupport, & fans pere }
JOSABET.
Ah ! la voici. Sortons. II la faut 6viter.
SCEd^E III.
ATHALIE, AGAR, ABNER,
SUITE D' ATHALIE.
AGAR.
Madame, dans ces lieux, pourquoy vous arrfeter ?
Ici tous les objets vous bleffent, vous irritent,
Abandonnez ce Temple aux Preftres qui Thabitent.
Fuyez tout ce tumulte, & dans voftre Palais
A vos fens agfitez venez rendre la paix.
^THALIAH. 41
At this instant, perchance, this object of many tears ....
Remember David, O LORD that seest my fears !
SALOME.
Who is he, this boy for whom you weep ?
ZECHARIAH.
Is the life of Eliakim threatened ?
SALOME.
Has he drawn on himself the wrath of the Queen .?
ZECHARIAH.
What can they fear from a fatherless child ?
JEHOSHABEATH.
Ah ! she comes. Let us begone. We must avoid her.
SCENE III.
ATHALIAH, HAGAR, ABNER, SUITE OF
ATHALIAH.
HAGAR.
Madam, why remain in this place?
Here, everything wounds and irritates you.
Leave this Temple to the priests who inhabit it ;
Withdraw from this tumult, and in your palace
To your agitated mind restore some calm.
42 tATHALIE.
ATHALIE.
Non, je ne puis, tu vols mon trouble & ma foibleffe.
Va, fay dire a Mathan qu'il vienne, qu'il fe preffe,
Heureufe, fi je puis trouver par fon fecours
Cette paix que je cherche, & qui me fuit toujours.
Elle s'affied,
SCES^E IV.
ATHALIE, ABNER, &c.
ABNER.
Madame, pardonnez fi j'ofe le d^fendre.
Le zele de Joad n'a point du vous furprendre.
Du Dieu que nous fervons, tel eft Tordre ^ternel.
Luy-mfeme il nous traga fon Temple & fon Autel,
Aux feuls enfans d' Aaron commit fes facriRces,
Aux Levites marqua leur place & leurs offices,
Et fur tout d^fendit k leur pofterit6,
Avec tout autre Dieu toute fociet^.
H^ quoy ? Vous de nos Rois & la femme & la mere,
Eftes-vous a ce point parmi nous ^trangere ?
Ignorez-vous nos loix ? Et faut-il qu'aujourd'huy. . .
Voici voftre Mathan, je vous laiffe avec luy.
ATHALIE.
Voftre prefence, Abner, eft ici neceffaire.
Laiffons-lk de Joad Taudace temeraire,
Et tout ce vain amas de fuperftitions.
Qui ferment voftre Temple aux autres Nations.
^THALIAH. 43
ATHALIAH.
No, I cannot : thou seest my emotion and weakness.
Go, send word to Mattan to come with speed ;
Fortunate shall I be if, by his help, I find
That peace I seek and ever seek in vain !
She sits down.
SCENE ly.
ATHALIAH, ABNER, ETC.
ABNER.
Madam, forgive me if I venture to defend him :
Jehoiada's zeal cannot have surprised you.
Of the GOD Whom we serve such is the changeless law ;
Himself appointed His Temple and His altar, -^
To the sons of Aaron alone entrusted His sacrifices,
To the Levites assigned their station and office.
And above all forbad their posterity
To bow the head to any other GOD.
Nay, indeed, you, wife and mother of our kings.
Can you be so far a stranger among us }
Know you not our laws.? And must I to-day. . . .
But here is that Mattan of yours : I leave you with him.
ATHALIAH.
Your presence, Abner, truly is needed here.
Let us forget Jehoiada's temerity
And all that foolish mass of superstitions
Which bar from your Temple all other nations.
44 ^THALIE.
Un fujet plus preflant excite mes allarmes.
Je fgay que d^s Tenfance 61ev6 dans les armes,
Abner a le coeur noble, & qu'il rend k la fois
Ce qu*il doit k fon Dieu, ce qu'il doit k fes Rois.
Demeurez.
SCENE V.
MATHAN, ATHALIE, ABNER, &c.
MATHAN.
Grande Reine, eft-ce icy voftre place ?
Quel trouble vous agite, & quel effroy vous glace ?
Parmy vos ennemis que venez-vous chercher ?
De ce Temple profane ofez-vous approcher ?
Avez-vous d^pouill^ cette haine fi vive. . .
ATHALIE.
Preftez-moy Tun & Tautre une oreille attentive.
Je ne veux point icy rappeller le pafK,
Ny vous rendre raifon du fang que j'ay verft.
Ce que j'ay fait, Abner, j'ay cru le devoir faire.
Je ne prens point pour juge un peuple temeraire.
Quoy que fon infolence ait of(i publier,
Le Ciel mfeme a pris Coin de me juftifier.
Sur d'^clatans fucc^s ma puiflance ^tablie
A fait jufqu'aux deux Mers refpedler Athalie.
Par moy Jerufalem goufte un calme profond.
Le Jourdain ne voit plus TArabe vagabond,
Ny Taltier Philiftin, par d'eternels ravages,
Comme au temps de vos Rois, defoler fes rivages ;
^THAUAH. 45
A subject more pressing excites my alarms.
I know that from childhood bred up to war,
Abner has a true heart, and pays duly alike
What he owes to his GOD, what he owes to his king.
Remain.
SCENE V.
MATTAN, ATHALIAH, ABNER.
MATTAN.
Great Queen, is this a place for you }
What emotion moves, what terror makes you blench }
Among your enemies what seek you now }
How venture to approach this Temple profane }
Have you cast off that burning hatred. . . .
ATHALIAH.
Lend me, both, an attentive ear.
I mean not here to recall the past.
Or account to you for the blood I have shed :
What I have done, Abner, I thought it right to do.
I accept not for judge an audacious race.
Whatever its insolence has dared to say.
Heaven itself has willed to justify me.
My power firm-based on shining victories
Has caused me to be feared from sea to sea ;
Through me Jerusalem enjoys deep peace;
No more are Jordan's banks by nomad Arab
Or haughty Philistine laid waste
With ceaseless ravage, as in your king's days :
46 tATHALIE.
Le Syrien me traitte & de Reine & de Soeur.
Enfin de ma Maifon le perfide Oppreffeur,
Qui devoit jufqu'i moy pouffer fa barbaric,
Jehu, le fier Jehu tremble dans Samarie.
De toutes parts preflte par un puiffant Voifin
Que j'ay fceu foulever centre cet Affaffm,
II me laiffe en ces lieux fouveraine maiftreffe.
Je jouiffois en paix du fruit de ma fageffe.
Mais un trouble import un vient depuis quelques jours
De mes profperitez interrompre le cours.
Un fonge (Me devrois-je inquieter d'un fonge ?)
Entretient dans mon cceur un chagrin qui le ronge.
Je r^vite par tout, par tout il me pourfuit.
C'eftoit pendant I'horreur d'une profonde nuit.
Ma mere Jezabel devant moy s'eft montr^e,
Comme au jour de fa mort pompeufement par^e.
Ses malheurs n'avoient point abbatu fa fiert^.
Mfeme elle avoit encor cet 6clat emprunte,
Dont elle eut foin de peindre & d'orner fon vifage.
Pour reparer des ans Tirreparable outrage.
Tremble, m'a-t-elle dit, fille digne de moy.
Le cruel Dieu des Juifs Temporte aufli fur toy.
Je te plains de tomber dans fes mains redoutables.
Ma fille. En achevant ces mots ^pouvantables.
Son Ombre vers mon lit a paru fe baiffer.
Et moy, je luy tendois les mains pour Tembraffer.
Mais je n'ay plus trouv6 qu'un horrible melange
D*os & de chair meurtris, & trainez dans la fange,
Des lambeaux pleins de fang, & des membres affreux.
Que des chiens devorans fe difputoient entr'eux.
.ATHALIAH. 47
The Syrian calleth me both Queen and sister :
Lastly of my house the treacherous oppressor,
Who was even on me to wreak his rage,
J6hu, proud Jehu, trembles in Samaria.
On all sides harried by a powerful neighbour
Whom I have raised against that murderer.
He leaves me sov'ran mistress of this realm.
Of my wisdom in peace I thus enjoyed the fruit ;
But now for some days past a vexing trouble
Doth interrupt the course of my prosperity.
A dream (should I be troubled by a dream })
Feeds within my heart a gnawing care ;
From which the more I flee the more doth it pursue.
'Twas midst the gloomy horror of the night ;
My mother Jezebel appeared before me.
Richly apparelled as on the day she died ;
Her pride unbroken by her misfortunes dire :
She still displayed the borrowed loveliness
With which she did adorn and paint her face.
To efface Time's ineffaceable marks.
** Tremble," she said, " O worthy daughter mine :
The Hebrews* cruel GOD over thee triumphs too
I pity thee falling in His dreadful hands.
My daughter ! " As she spoke these words of dread,
Down toward my couch her shade appeared to bend ;
And I, to her embrace held out mine arms ;
But I found only a sickening heap
Of bruised flesh and bones, dragged through the mire.
Raiment full of blood and loathsome limbs
Over which devouring dogs did snarl and fight.
48 .ATHAUE.
ABNER.
Grand Dieu !
ATHALIE.
Dans ce defordre k mes yeux fe prefente
Un jeune Enfant convert d'une robbe 6clatante,
Tels qu'on voit des Hebreux les Preftres revfetus.
Sa veue a ranim^ mes efprits abattus.
Mais lors que revenant de mon trouble funefte,
J'admirois fa douceur, fon air noble & modefte,
J'ay fenti tout k coup un homicide acier,
Que le traiftre en mon fein a plong6 tout entier.
De tant d'objets divers le bizarre affemblage
Peut-eftre du hazard vous paroift un ouvrage.
Moy-mefme quelque temps honteufe de ma peur
Je Tay pris pour Teffet d'une fombre vapeur,
Mais de ce fouvenir mon ame poffed^e
A deux fois en dormant reveu la mefme id^e.
Deux fois mes triftes yeux fe font veu retracer
Ce mefme Enfant toujours tout preft a me percer.
Laffe enfin des horreurs dont j'eftois pourfuivie
J'allois prier Baal de veiller fur ma vie,
Et chercher du repos au pi6 de fes Autels.
Que ne pent la frayeur fur Tefprit des mortels !
Dans le Temple des Juifs un inftinft m'a pouCKe,
Et d'appaifer leur Dieu j'ay conceu la penfee.
• J'ay cru que des prefens calmeroient fon courroux,
/ Que ce Dieu, quel qu'il foit, en deviendroit plus doux.
Pontife de Baal, excufez ma foibleffe.
J'entre. Le peuple fuit. Le facrifice ceffe.
Le grand Preftre vers moy s'avance avec fureur.
^THAUAH. '49
ABNER.
Great God !
ATHALIAH.
In this mad medley dawned upon my sight
A young child dressed in robes of shining white,
Such as the priests of Hebrews wear.
At view of him my sinking soul revived :
But, as slow recovering from the dreadful shock,
I admired his sweetness, his high and modest mien,
I on a sudden felt a murderous steel
Which, treacherous, he plunged into my breast.
This nightmare mingling of conflicting sights
To you appears, mayhap, a freak of chance :
Myself, for a time, of all my fears ashamed,
Thought it the offspring of a dark distemper.
But with its remembrance, my soul possessed
Twice, during sleep, that vision since has seen :
Twice have my woeful eyes beheld appear
That selfsame child ever ready to slay me.
By these haunting horrors wearied out at length,
I was about to pray to Baal to watch o'er my life.
And to seek repose at his altar's foot,
(For unto what may fear not drive a mortal heart !)
When to the Temple of the Jews by impulse drawn,
I bethought me to seek to appease their GOD ;
I deemed His rage might be by gifts assuaged —
That this God, whate'er He be, would more mild become.
PontiflF of Baal, forgive my feebleness.
I enter : the people flee, the sacrifice is stayed :
The High Priest towards me in fury stalks :
50* JITHAUE.
Pendant qu'il me parloit, 6 furprife ! 6 terreur !
J'ay veu ce m6me Enfant dont je fuis menac^e,
Tel qu'un fonge effrayant Ta peint a ma penfte.
Je Tay veil, fon mefme air, fon mefme habit de lin,
Sa d-marche, fes yeux, & tous fes traits eniin.
C'eft luy-mefme. II marchoit k coft6 du grand Preftre.
Mais bien-toft a ma veue on Ta fait difparaiftre.
Voili quel trouble icy m'oblige k m'arrefter.
Et fur quoy j'ay voulu tous deux vous confulter.
Que prefage, Mathan, ce prodige incroyable?
MATHAN.
Ce fonge, & ce rapport, tout me femble effroyable.
ATHALIE.
Mais cet Enfant fatal, Abner, vous Tavez vu.
Quel eft-il ? De quel fang? Et de quelle tribu ?
ABNER.
Deux Enfans a TAutel preftoient leur miniftere.
L'un eft fils de Joad, Jofabet eft fa mere.
L'autre m'eft inconnu.
MATHAN.
Pourquoy deliberer }
De tous les deux, Madame, il fe faut afTurer.
Vous fgavez pour Joad mes ^gards, mes mefures.
Que je ne cherche point k venger mes injures.
Que la feule 6quit6 regne en tous mes avis.
Mais luy-mefme apres tout, fuft-ce fon propre fils,
Voudroit-il un moment laiffer vivre un coupable }
tATHALIAH. 51
Even as he spake, O surprise ! O terror !
I saw the very child that threatens my life,
Just as that dreadful dream showed him to me.
Him I beheld : his very mien, his very linen robe,
His gait, his glance, yes, his every feature :
*Twas he. He walked by the High Priest's side :
But soon from my gaze they snatched him away.
This is the trouble compels me here to stay.
And in regard to which I would consult you both.
What means, Mattan, this ominous prodigy }
MATTAN.
Your dream and your report are fearful both.
ATHALIAH.
That fateful child, Abner, yourself beheld :
Who is he ? Of what race and of what tribe }
ABNER.
Two were the children serving at the altar ;
One is Jehoiada's son, Jehoshabeath his mother is :
The other is unknown to me.
MATTAN.
Wherefore delay }
Of both, Madam, we must at once make sure.
You know my constant bearing towards Jehoiada :
That I seek not for vengeance of my wrongs :
That equity alone my counsels rules.
But even he, were it his very son.
Would he for a moment spare a guilty one }
52 tATHAUE.
, ABNER.
De quel crime un enfant peut-il eftre capable ?
MATHAN.
Le Ciel nous le fait voir un poignard k la main.
Le Ciel eft jufte & fage & ne fait rien en vain.
Que cherchez-vous de plus }
ABNER.
Mais fur la foy d'un fonge
Dans le fang d'un enfant voulez-vous qu'on fe plonge }
Vous ne fgavez encore de quel pere il eft n6,
Quel il eft.
MATHAN.
On le craint, tout eft examine.
A d'illuftres parens s'il doit fon origine,
La fplendeur de fon fort doit hafter fa ruine.
Dans le vulgaire obfcur fi le fort Ta plac6,
Qu'importe qu'au hazard un fang vil foit verf(4 ?
Eft-ce aux Rois i garder cette lente juftice ?
Leur feuret^ fouvent depend d'un prompt fupplice.
N'allons point les g^ner d'un foin embarraffant.
D6s qu'on leur eft fufpeft on n'eft plus innocent.
ABNER.
H6 quoy, Mathan ? D'un Preftre eft-ce la le langage }
Moy, nourri dans la guerre aux horreurs du carnage,
Des vengeances des Rois miniftre rigoureux,
C'eft moy qui prefte icy ma voix au Malheureux.
^THALIAH. S3
ABNER.
Of what crime can a little child be guilty ?
MATTAN.
Heaven has shown him to us knife in hand ;
Heaven, just and wise, never does aught in vain.
What want you more ?
ABNER.
But on the strength of a dream
Would you have us shed a young boy's blood ?
You know not yet who may his father be,
Nor whence he comes.
MATTAN.
He is to be feared : and that is enough.
If from illustrious parents he is sprung,
The splendor of his rank must speed his death :
If 'mid the vulgar crowd he saw the light.
What matter that mere vulgar blood be shed }
Is it for kings to be in justice slow }
Oft on action prompt their lives depend.
Hamper them not by vexing caution :
Suspected by them, no one is innocent.
ABNER.
What, Mattan, is this the language of a priest ?
I, bred to war and to carnage
The pitiless minister of royal vengeance,
T'is I who plead here for the unhappy !
54 tATHAUE.
' Et vous, qui luy devez des entrailles de pere,
'{ Vous, miniftre de paix dans les temps de colere,
I Couvrant d'un zele faux voftre reffentiment,
Le fang k voftre gr6 coule trop lentement !
Vous m'avez command^ de vous parler fans feinte,
Madame. Quel eft done ce grand fujet de crainte ?
Un fonge, un foible Enfant, que voftre ceil pr^venu
Peut-eftre fans raifon croit avoir reconnu.
ATHALIE.
Je le veux croire, Abner ; je puis m'eftre tromp^e.
Peut-eftre un fonge vain m'a trop preoccup^e.
Hi bien ! II faut revoir cet Enfant de plus pr^s.
II en faut a loifir examiner les traits.
Qu'on les faffe tous deux paroiftre en ma prefence.
ABNER.
Je Grains. . .
ATHALIE.
Manqueroit-on pour moy de complaifance .^
De ce refus bizarre ou feroient les raifons ?
II pourroit me jetter en d*6tranges foupgons }
Que Jofabet, vous dis-je, ou Joad les ameine.
Je puis, quand je voudray, parler en Souveraine.
Vos Preftres, je veux bien, Abner, vous Tavouer,
Des bontez d'Athalie ont lieu de fe louer.
Je fgay fur ma conduite & contre ma puiffance
Jufqu'oii de leurs difcours ils portent la licence,
lis vivent cependant, & leur Temple eft debout.
Mais je fens que bien-toft ma douceur eft k bout.
tATHAUAH. 55
And you, who should feel with a father's heart,
You, minister of peace in times of wrath.
Cloaking your hatred with assumed zeal.
Blood to your liking too slowly flows !
You ordered me to speak the truth. Madam :
Behold then this great subject of your fears :
A dream, a child, whom your illusioned eyes
Believe, perchance unrightly, to have recognized.
ATHALIAH.
Well, be it so, Abner ; I may have been deceived ;
An empty dream too much, perchance, has troubled me.
Well, then, that child I must more closely see ;
I must at leisure note his every feature.
Let both of them before me now be brought.
ABNER.
I fear lest ....
ATHALIAH.
Would they fail in courtesy to me }
What reason could there be for such refusal }
In me it might excite a strange suspicion.
Let Jehoshabeath, I say, or Jehoiada bring them.
I can, whene'er I choose, as sovereign speak.
Abner, your priests, I must indeed declare.
Good reason have to praise my kindliness.
I know full well with what audacious licence
Against the Queen, the woman they declaim :
And yet they live, and yet their Temple stands.
But I feel my patience well nigh exhausted.
$6 ^THAUE.
Que Joad mette un f rein k fon zele fauvage,
Et ne m'irrite point par un fecond outrage,
AUez.
SCENE A7.
ATHALIE, MATHAN, &c.
MATHAN.
Enfin je puis parler en liberty.
Je puis dans tout fon jour mettre la verity.
Quelque Monftre naiflant dans ce Temple s'^leve,
Reine. N'attendez pas que le nuage cr^ve.
Abner chez le grand Preftre a devanc^ le jour.
Pour le fang de fes Rois vous fgavez fon amour.
Et qui fgait fi Joad ne veut point en leur place
Subftituer Tenfant dont le Ciel vous menace,
Soit fon fils, foit quelque autre. . .
ATHALIE.
Ouy, vous m'ouvrez les yeux,
Je commence k voir clair dans cet avis des Cieux.
Mais je veux de mon doute eftre debaraCKe.
Un enfant eft peu propre a trahir fa penCSe.
Souvent d'un grand deffein un mot nous fait juger.
Laiffez-moy, cher Mathan, le voir, Tinterroger.
Vous cependant allez, & fans jetter d'allarmes,
A tous mes Tyriens faites prendre les armes.
tATHALIAH. S7
Let then Jehoiada curb his zeal untamed,
And not provoke me by a further insult.
Go.
SCENE yi.
ATHALIAH, MATTAN, &c.
MATTAN.
At last I can speak freely ;
I can reveal the truth in the fullest light.
Within this Temple looms a danger dire,
O Queen : wait not until the storm-cloud bursts
Even before dawn Abner was with this priest;
You know his love for the race of his kings.
May be Jehoiada means into their place
To set the child with whom Heaven threatens you,
Perchance his son, perchance some other. . . .
ATHALIAH.
You ope mine eyes :
Heaven's warning I begin to understand.
But of all doubts I mean now to be freed :
A child scarce ever can conceal his thoughts :
One word will oft a great design reveal.
Let me, dear Mattan, see and question him.
Meanwhile, go you, and without rousing alarms.
Order my Tyrians all to take up arms.
S8 tATHAUE.
SCENE yiL
JOAS, JOSABET, ATHALIE,
ZACHARIE, ABNER, SALOMITH,
DEUX LEVITES, LE CHCEUR, &c.
JOSABET aux deux Levites,
O vous, fur ces enfans fi chers, fi precieux,
Miniftres du Seigneur, ayez toujours les yeux.
ABNER d Jo/abet.
Princeffe, affurez-vous, je les prens fous ma garde.
ATHALIE.
O Ciel ! plus j'examine, & plus je le regarde,
C'eft luy. D'horreur encor tous mes fens font faifis.
Epoufe de Joad, eft-ce la voftre Fils ?
JOSABET.
Qui } Luy, Madame }
ATHALIE.
Luy.
JOSABET.
Je ne fuis point fa mere.
Voila mon Fils.
ATHALIE.
Et vous, quel eft done voftre pere }
Jeune Enfant, r^pondez.
tATHALIAH. 59
SCENE yil.
JOASH, JEHOSHABEATH, ATHALIAH,
ZECHARIAH, ABNER, SALOME,
TWO LEVITES, THE CHORUS, &c.
JEHOSHABEATH, to the two Levites.
O ye, over these children so beloved, so dear.
Servants of the LORD, keep watch and ward.
ABNER, to Jehoshabeath,
Princess, fear nothing, I take them in my care.
ATHALIAH.
Heavens ! the more I look, the more I see. . . .
'Tis he ! with horror yet my soul is filled.
Consort of Jehoiada, is that your son >
JEHOSHABEATH.
Who } He, Madam ?
ATHALIAH.
He.
JEHOSHABEATH.
I am not his mother.
This is my son.
ATHALIAH, tO Joosh,
And you, whom own you then as father }
Answer me, my child.^
6o ^THAUE.
JOSABET.
Le Ciel jufqu'aujourd'huy. . .
ATHALIE.
Pourquoy vous preffez-vous de r^pondre pour luy ?*
C'eft a luy de parler.
JOSABET.
Dans un &ge fi tendre
Quel ^clairciffement en pouvez-vous attendre ?
ATHALIE.
Cet &ge eft innocent. Son ingenuity
N'altere point encor la fimple Verity.
Laiffez-le s'expliquer fur tout ce qui le touche.
JOSABET tout bos.
Daigne mettre, grand Dieu, ta fageffe en fa bouche.
ATHALIE.
Comment vous nommez-vous }
JOAS.
J 'ay nom Eliacin.
ATHALIE.
Voftre pere }
JOAS.
Je fuis, dit-on, un orphelin
Entre les bras de Dieu jett6 d^s ma naiffance,
Et qui de mes parens n'eus jamais connoiflance.
^THAUAH. 6i
JEHOSHABEATH.
Heaven until this day. . . .
ATHALIAH.
Wherefore this haste to make reply for him ?
Tis he must speak.
JEHOSHABEATH,
From such tender years
What knowledge can you expect ?
ATHALIAH.
A child is innocent : its artlessness
Does not as yet corrupt the simple truth.
Of what concerns him, let him only speak.
JEHOSHABEATH, UStde.
Great GOD, with wisdom let his mouth be filled.
ATHALIAH.
What is your name }
JOASH.
It is Eliakim.
ATHALIAH.
Your father, who }
JOASH.
An orphan I, they say.
Into the arms of GOD thrown from my birth ;
Who were my parents I have never known.
62 ^THAUE.
ATHALIE.
Vous eftes fans parens ?
JOAS.
lis m'ont abandonn^.
ATHALIE.
Comment ? Et depuis quand ?
JOAS.
Depuis queje fuis n6.
ATHALIE.
Ne fgait-on pas au moins quel pais eft le voftre }
JOAS.
Ce Temple eft mon pais, je n'en connois point d'autre.
ATHALIE.
Oil dit-on que le fort vous a fait rencontrer }
JOAS.
Parmy des loups cruels prefts a me devorer.
ATHALIE.
Qui vous mit dans ce Temple ?
JOAS.
Une femme inconnue,
Qui ne dit point fon nom, & qu'on n'a point reveue.
ATHALIE.
Mais de vos premiers ans quelles mains ont pris foin }
You have no parents ?
^THAUAH. 63
ATHALIAH.
JOASH.
They have abandoned me.
ATHALIAH.
How > And since when }
JOASH.
Since the day of my birth.
ATHALIAH.
Is not at least your country known to you ?
JOASH.
This Temple is my country ; I know no other.
ATHALIAH.
Where were you told that fate did have you found }
JOASH.
Mid ravening wolves threatening to devour me.
ATHALIAH.
Who brought you to this Temple ?
JOASH.
An unknown woman
Who secret kept her name and ne'er was seen again.
ATHALIAH.
But in your early years who cared for you }
64 ^THAUE.
JOAS.
Dieu laifla-t-il jamais fes enfans au befoin ?
Aux petits des oifeaux il donne leur pafture,
£t fa bont^ s'etend fur toute la nature.
Tous les jours je Tinvoque, & d'un foin paternel
II me nourrit des dons offerts fur fon Autel.
ATHALIE.
Quel prodige nouveau me trouble & m'embarraffe ?
La douceur de fa voix, fon enfance, fa grace,
r Font infenfiblement k mon inimiti^
I Succeder . . . Je ferois fenfible k la piti6 ?
ABNER.
Madame, voila done cet ennemi terrible.
De vos fonges menteurs Timpofture eft vifible,
A moins que la piti6, qui femble vous troubler,
Ne foit ce coup fatal qui vous faifoit trembler.
ATHALIE d Joas & d Jofabet.
Vous fortez ?
JOSABET.
Vous avez entendu fa fortune.
Sa prefence d la fin pourroit eftre importune.
ATHALIE.
Non. Revenez. Quel eft tous les jours voftre employ }
JOAS.
J'adore le Seigneur. On m'explique fa Loy.
^THAUAH. 65
JOASH.
Did GOD e'er leave His children to feel want ?
To the young birds He gives their food,
His loving-kindness o'er the world extends.
I daily pray to Him and with fatherly care
He feeds me with the offerings on His altar.
ATHALIAH.
What wonder strange amazes me and moves }
The sweetness of his voice, his youth, his grace
Within my heart unwittingly dispel
The enmity . . . Yet in my soul can pity spring }
ABNER.
So ! Madam, this then is that dreadful foe !
Of your vain dreams the falsity is plain
Unless, perchance, the pity that you feel
Be the fatal stroke at which you trembled.
ATHALIAH, to Joash and JehosJiabeath.
You are going ?
\ JEHOSAHBEATH.
I You have now heard his tale ;
His longer presence might but weary you.
ATHALIAH, tO Joosh.
No : return. What is your daily occupation here ?
) JOASH.
The LORD I worship : His Law is taught to me ;
66 ^THAUE.
Dans fon Livre divin on m'apprend d la lire,
Et d^ja de ma main je commence d T^crire.
ATHALIE.
Que vous dit cette Loy ?
JOAS.
Que Dieu veut eftre aim6,
Qu'il vange toft ou tard fon faint Nom blafphem^,
Qu'il eft le d^fenfeur de TOrphelin timide,
Qu'il refifte au Superbe, & punit I'Homicide.
ATHALIE.
J'entens. Mais tout ce peuple enferm^ dans ce lieu,
A quoy s'occupe-t-il ?
JOAS.
II loue, il benit Dieu.
ATHALIE.
Dieu veut-il qu'd toute heure on prie, on le contemple ?
JOAS.
Tout profane exercice eft banni de fon Temple.
ATHALIE.
Quels font done vos plaifirs }
JOAS.
Quelquefois d TAutel
Je prefente au grand Preftre ou Tencens, ou le fel.
^THALIAH. 67
I learn to read it in His Holy Book
And with my own hand I begin to write it.
ATHALIAH.
What does that Law teach ?
JOASH.
That GOD wills to be loved ;
That soon or late He vengeance takes on blasphemy :
That of the orphan He the defender is ;
The proud He thwarts, the slayer punishes.
ATHALIAH.
I understand. But all who in this place abide,
What do they do ?
JOASH.
They praise and bless the LORD,
ATHALIAH.
Does GOD wish prayer and worship all the time ?
JOASH.
All works profane are from His Temple banished.
ATHALIAH.
What are your pleasures then ?
JOASH.
Sometimes I present
To the High Priest the incense or the salt ;
68 ^THAUE.
J'entens chanter de Dieu les grandeurs infinies.
Je voy I'ordre pompeux de fes ceremonies.
ATHALIE.
H^ quoy ? Vous n'avez point de paffe-temps plus douxj?
Je plains le trifte fort d'un Enfant tel que vous.
Venez dans mon Palais, vous y verrez ma gloire.
JOAS.
Moy des bienfaits de Dieu je perdrois la memoire ?
ATHALIE.
Non, je ne vous veux pas contraindre d Toublier.
JOAS.
Vous ne le priez point.
ATHALIE,
Vous pourrez le prier.
JOAS.
Je verrois cependant en invoquer un autre }
ATHALIE.
J 'ay mon Dieu que je fers. Vous fervirez le voftre.
I Ce font deux puiflans Dieux.
JOAS.
II faut craindre le mien,
Luy feul eft Dieu, Madame, & le voftre n'eft rien.
ATHALIE.
Les plaifirs pr^s de moy vous chercheront en foule.
^THAUAH. 69
I hear them sing of GOD's infinite grandeur :
And I watch the pomp of His sacred rites.
ATHALIAH.
What ! Have you no pleasanter pastimes ?
I pity the sad fate of such a child as you.
Come to my palace, there behold my glory.
JOASH.
I } Of GOD's goodness I should lose the memory.
ATHALIAH.
No, I mean not that you should Him forget.
JOASH.
You pray not to Him.
ATHALIAH.
You may pray to Him.
JOASH.
But I shall see you call upon another.
ATHALIAH.
I have my God whom I serve : you can serve your own :
Both are mighty.
JOASH.
Mine is to be feared ;
He, Madam, is GOD alone, yours is naught.
ATHALIAH.
Pleasures at my side will around you crowd.
70 ^THAUE.
JOAS.
Le bonheur des M^chans comme un torrent s'^coule,
!
i
ATHALIE. <
Ces M^chans, qui font-ils ?
JOSABET.
H^, Madame I Excufez
Un Enfant. . .
ATHALIE djofabet. ^
J'aime d voir comme vous Tinftruifez.
Enfin, Eliacin, vous avez fgeu me plaire.
Vous n'eftes point fans doute un Enfant ordinaire.
Vous voyez, je fuis Reine, & n'ay point d*heritier.
Laiffez-Id cet habit, quittez ce vil meftier,
Je veux vous faire part de toutes mes richeffes.
Effayez d^s ce jour Teffet de mes promeffes.
A ma table, par tout, k mes coftez affis,
Je pretens vous traiter comme mon propre fils.
JOAS.
Comme voftre fils }
ATHALIE..
Ouy. Vous vous taifez >
JOAS.
Quel Pere
Je quitterois ! Et pour. . . i
ATHALIE.
H^bien.?
^THALIAH. 71
JOASH.
The pleasures of the wicked as waters melt away.
ATHALIAH.
The wicked ? Who are they ? ,
JEHOSHABEATH.
Nay, Madam, forgive
A child. . .
ATHALIAH, to Jehoshabeuth.
It charms me to learn what you are teaching.
Eliakim, you have contrived to charm me ;
You are, no doubt, no ordinary child.
You see, I am the Queen, I have no heir :
Throw off that robe, abandon this vile trade ;
I mean that you shall share in all my wealth ;
This day put then my promise to the test.
At table, everywhere, seated by my side,
Henceforth I treat you as my very son.
JOASH.
As your very son }
ATHALIAH.
Yes
. . . . You are silent ?
JOASH.
What
a father
Should I leave!
And for ... .
ATHALIAH.
Well?
72 ^THAUE.
JOAS.
Pour quelle Mere J
ATHALiE djofabet.
Sa memoire eft fidelle, & dans tout ce qu'il dit
De vous & de Joad je reconnois Tefprit.
Voild comme infedlant cette fimple jeuneffe,
Vous employez tous deux le calme oil je vous laiffe.
Vous cultivez d6ja leur haine & leur fureur.
Vous ne leur prononcez mon nom qu'avec horreur.
JOSABET.
Peut-on de nos malheurs leur derober Thiftoire ?
Tout rUnivers les f5ait. Vous-mefme en faites gloire.
ATHALIE.
Ouy, ma jufte fureur, & j'en fais vanite,
A vang^ mes Parens fur ma pofterit^.
J'aurois ve6 maflacrer & mon Pere, & mon Frere,
Du haut de fon Palais precipiter ma Mere,
Et dans un mefme jour 6gorger i la fois,
Quel fpedlacle d'horreur! quatre-vingt fils de Rois!
Et pourquoy ? Pour venger je ne f^ay quels Prophetes,
Dont elle avoit puni les fureurs indifcretes.
Et moy, Reine fans coeur, Fille fans amiti^,
Efclave d'une lafche & frivole piti6,
Je n'aurois pas du moins k cette aveugle rage
Rendu meurtre pour meurtre, outrage pour outrage,
Et de voftre David traits tous les neveux,
Comme on traitoit d' Achab les reftes malheureux ?
^THALIAH. 73
JOASH.
For what a mother !
ATHALiAH, to Jehoshubeath.
His memory is good ; and in all he says
I recognize the teaching of Jehoiada and you.
So, this is how, perverting innocence,
The peace I have vouchsafed you, you employ.
Even now their hatred and their rage you foster :
Never but with horror do you breathe my name.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Can we hide from them the sorrows of our race }
The wide world knows them : you glory in them.
ATHALIAH.
Yes, my righteous wrath, and I of it make boast,
Has avenged my parents upon my posterity.
Shall I have seen my father and my brother slain.
And from her palace roof my mother hurled.
And in a single day slaughtered at once
( O sight of horror ! ) eighty sons of kings ;
And wherefore } To avenge I know not what prophets
Of whom she had punished the fury indiscreet :
And I, a heartless Queen, a loveless daughter.
Slave to a pity base and frivolous
Should I not have repaid that rage so blind.
Murder for murder and outrage for outrage }
And treated the descendants of your David
As had been treated Ahab's luckless line.^
74 ^THAUE. <
Oil ferois-je aujourd'huy, fi domtant ma foibleffe
Je n'euffe d'une Mere ^touflf^ la tendreffe,
Si de mon propre iang ma main verfant des flots,
N'euft par ce coup hardi reprimi vos complots ? ^
Enfin de voftre Dieu Timplacable vengeance
Entre nos deux Maifons rompit toute alliance.
David m'eft en horreur, & les fils de ce Roy
Quoique nez de mon iang, font eftrangers pour moy.
JOSABET.
Tout vous a r^ufli ? que Dieu voye, & nous juge.
ATHALIE.
Ce Dieu depuis long-temps voftre unique refuge,
Que deviendra Teffet de fes predidlions ?
Qu'il vous donne ce Roy promis aux Nations,
Cet Enfant de David, voftre efpoir, voftre attente. . .
Mais nous nous reverrons. Adieu, je fors contente,
J'ay voulu voir, j'ay ve6!
ABNER djofabet
Je vous Tavois promis,
Je vous rens le depoft que vous m'avez commis.
^THAUAH. 75
Where should I be, if, mastering my weakness,
I had not stifled down a mother's love ?
And with mine own hands shedding mine own blood
By that bold stroke your treacherous plots repressed ?
Then to crown all, your GOD's implacable vengeance
Broke the last tie that bound our houses twain.
David I execrate : and the sons of that king,
Though sprung from my own blood, are foreign to me.
JEHOSHABEATH.
All prospers with you. May the LORD see and judge.
ATHALIAH.
That LORD, so long time now your only refuge.
When will He bring to pass His predictions ?
Let Him give that king the promise of the nations.
That child of David, your hope, your expectation . . .
But we shall meet again. Farewell. I go content.
I wished to see : and seen I have.
ABNER, to Jehoshabeath.
I promised.
And safe I return the charge entrusted to me.
76 tATHAUE.
SCENE yiii.
JOAD, JOSABET, JOAS, ZACHARIE,
ABNER, SALOMITH, LEVITES,
LE CHCEUR.
JOSABET d Joad.
Avez-vous entendu cette fuperbe Reine,
Seigneur ?
Joad.
J'entendois tout, & plaignois voftre peine.
Ces Levites & moy prefts k vous fecourir
Nous eftions avec vous refolus de perir.
Que Dieu veille fur vous,
A Joas^ en Vembrajfant
Enfant dont le courage
Vient de rendre ^ fon nom ce noble t^moignage.
Je reconnois, Abner, ce fervice important.
Souvenez-vous de Theure ou Joad vous attend.
Et nous, dont cette Femme impie & meurtriere
r A fouill6 les regards & trouble la priere,
Rentrons, & qu'un fang pur par mes mains ^panch6
Lave jufques au marbre ou fes pas ont touch^.
^THAUAH. 77
SCEU^E yiii.
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH, JOASH,
ZECHARIAH, ABNER, SALOME, LEVITES,
THE CHORUS.
JEHOSHABEATH, to Jehoiadu.
Did hear the speech of that imperious Queen,
My lord ?
JEHOIADA.
No word I lost ; I felt for you.
These Levites and I, ready to help you.
Were one and all resolved with you to die.
May GOD watch o'er you,
tojoash^ embracing him.
Child whose courage
Has to His Name such noble witness borne.
I thank you, Abner, for this service great :
Mind well the hour when I await you here.
And we, by that woman of sin and blood.
Our sight oflfended and our prayers disturbed.
Let us within ; and let th' atoning blood, poured by my hands.
Lave even the marble where her feet have trod.
78 ^THAUE.
SCEU^E IX.
LE CHCEUR.
UNE DES FILLES DU CHCEUR.
Quel aftre k nos yeux vient de luire ?
Quel fera quelque jour cet Enfant merveilleux ?
II brave le fade orgueilleux,
Et ne fe laiffe point feduire
A tous fes attraits perilleux.
UNE AUTRE.
Pendant que du Dieu d'Athalie
Chacun court encenfer Tautel,
Un Enfant courageux public
Que Dieu luy feul eft ^tcrnel,
Et parle comme un autre Elie
Devant cette autre Jezabel.
UNE AUTRE.
\ Qui nous revelera ta naiffance fecrete,
\_ Cher Enfant ? Es-tu fils de quelque faint Prophete ?
UNE AUTRE.
Ainfi Ton vit Taimable Samuel
Croiftre i Tombre du Tabernacle.
II devint des Hebreux Tefperance & Toracle.
Puiffes-tu, comme luy, confoler Ifrael !
JITHAUAH. 79
SCEU^E IX.
^ THE CHORUS.
ONE OF THE MAIDENS OF THE CHORUS.
What Star has just shone on our eyes ?
What shall this wondrous child some day become ?
\ He braves the pomp of the proud
And resists the temptation
Of all its dangerous charms.
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
While to Athaliah's god
All hasten their incense to burn,
A child courageous declares
That his GOD alone is eternal.
And like to a new Elijah
To this second Jezebel speaks.
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
I Who shall reveal the secret of thy buth,
Dear child ? A holy prophet's son art thou ?
I ANOTHER MAIDEN.
' Thus lovely was Samuel seen growing up,
• In the shadow of the Temple of God :
* The hope and the help of the Jews he became.
So may Israel by thee be consoled.
8o .ATHAUE.
UNE AUTRE chatite,
O bienheureux mille fois
L'Enfant que le Seigneur aime,
Qui de bonne heure entend fa voix,
Et que ce Dieu daigne inftruire luy-mfime !
Loin du monde ^Iev6, de tons les dons des Cieux
II eft om^ d^s ia naiflance ;
Et du M^chant Tabord contagieux
N'altere point fon innocence.
TOUT LE CHCEUR.
Heureufe, heureufe Tenfance
Que le Seigneur inftruit & prend fous fa d^fenfe !
LA MEME VOIX 8EULE.
Tel en un fecret vallon
Sur le bord d'une onde pure
Croift i Tabri de TAquilon
Un jeune lys, I'amour de la Nature.
Loin du monde 61eve, &c.
TOUT LE CHCEUR.
Heureux, heureux mille fois
L'enfant que le Seigneur rend docile 4 fes lois !
UNE VOIX SEULE.
Mon Dieu, qu'une vertu naiffante
Farmi tant de perils marche k pas incertains !
Qu'une Ame qui te cherche, & veut eftre innocente,
Trouve d'obftacle 4 fes deffeins !
Que d'Ennemis luy font la guerre !
^THALIAH. 8i
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
O blest, forever blest
The child beloved of the LORD,
Who hears His voice in early age.
And whom GOD doth deign to teach !
Far from the world brought up, with gifts of Heaven
From his childhood he is adorned :
Nor shall the touch of the wicked
His innocence ever impair
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
Happy, happy the child
Whom the LORD doth instruct and protect !
THE SAME MAIDEN, ALONE.
So, in secluded vale,
On the bank of a crystal stream.
Grows, sheltered from the gale,
A lily, by nature belov'd.
Far from the world brought up, &c.
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
Happy, happy the child
Whom the LORD has made docile to His laws.
A MAIDEN, ALONE.
O GOD, with what uncertain steps
And 'mid how many perils doth youthful virtue walk !
The soul that seeks Thee, and holds innocence fast,
What hindrances it finds to its design !
'Gainst it what enemies make war !
82 tATHAUE.
Oil fe peuvent cacher tes Saints ?
Les Pecheurs couvrent la terre.
UNE AUTRE.
O Palais de David, & fa chere Cit6,
Mont fameux, que Dieu mefme a long-temps habits,
Comment as-tu du Ciel attir^ la colere ?
Sion, chere Sion, que dis-tu quand tu vois
Une impie Eftrangere
Aflife, helas ! au throne de tes Rois ?
TOUT LE CHOEUR.
Sion, chere Sion, que dis-tu quand tu vois
Une impie Eftrangere
Aflife, helas ! au throne de tes Rois ?
LA MEME VOIX CONTINUE.
Au lieu des Cantiques charmans,
Ou David t'exprimoit fes faints raviflemens,
Et beniflbit fon Dieu, fon Seigneur, & fon Pere ;
Sion, chere Sion, que dis-tu quand tu vois
Loiier le Dieu de Timpie Eftrangere
Et blafphemer le nom qu'ont ador6 tes Rois ?
UNE VOIX SEULE.
Combien de temps. Seigneur, combien de temps encore
Verrons-nous contre toy les M^chans s'^lever?
Jufques dans ton faint Temple ils viennent te braver,
lis traitent d*infenf6 le peuple qui t'adore.
Combien de temps, Seigneur, combien de temps encore
Verrons-nous contre toy les michans s'^lever }
^THAUAH. 83
Where can Thy saints a refuge find ?
For the sinners possess the earth.
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
O palace of David, and city dear to him,
O famous mount, where GOD so long did dwell,
How hast thou the wrath of Heaven drawn down }
Zion, loved Zion, what say'st thou when thou seest
A foreigner idolatrous
Seated, alas !. on the throne of thy kings ?
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
Zion, loved Zion, what say'st thou when thou seest
A foreigner idolatrous
Seated, alas ! on the throne of thy Kings ?
THE SAME MAIDEN CONTINUES.
Instead of the beautiful psalms
In which David sang his ecstacies divine,
And praised his GOD, his Father, and his LORD,
Zion, lov'd Zion, what say'st thou when thou hearest
The praise of the god of the impious foreigner.
And that Name blasphemed which thy kings of old adored ?
ONE MAIDEN, ALONE.
How long, O LORD,— O LORD, how long
Shall we see the wicked exalt himself against Thee ?
Within Thy very Temple they come to flout Thee :
Mad, they say, is the people that adores Thee.
How long, O LORD,— O LORD, how long
Shall we see the wicked exalt himself against Thee ?
84 ^THAUE.
UNE AUTRE.
Que vous fert, difent-ils, cette vertu fauvage ?
De tant de plaifirs fi doux
Pourquoy fuyez-vous Tufage ?
Voftre Dieu ne fait rien pour vous.
UNE AUTRE.
Rions, chantons, dit cette Troupe impie,
De fleurs en fleurs, de plaifirs en plaifirs
Promenons nos defirs.
Sur Tavenir, infenft qui fe fie.
De nos ans paflagers le nombre eft incertain.
Haftons-nous aujourd'huy de jouir de la vie,
Qui Cjait li nous ferons demain !
TOUT LE CHCEUR.
Qu'ils pleurent, 6 mon Dieu, qu'ils fremiffent de crainte
Ces Malheureux, qui de ta Cit6 fainte
Ne verront point Teternelle fplendeur.
C'eft k nous de chanter, nous, i qui tu reveles
Tes clartez immortelles,
C'eft k nous de chanter tes dons & ta grandeur.
UNE VOIX SEULE.
De tous ces vains plaifirs oi leur ame fe plonge,
Que leur reftera-t-il } Ce qui refte d'un fonge
Dont on a reconnu Terreur !
A leur r^veil, 6 rdveil plein d'horreur !
Pendant que le pauvre k ta table
Gouftera de ta paix la douceur ineffable ;
^THALIAH. 8s
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
Of what use, they say, your strict virtue ?
Of pleasures many and sweet
Wherefore the delight forsake ?
Careless of you is your GOD.
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
O sing and laugh, cry these impious ones :
From flower to flower and from pleasure to pleasure
Let us rove with inconstant desire.
He who trusts to the future is mad :
Of the swift years who tells the tale }
Let us hasten to-day to enjoy:
Who knows if we see a to-morrow?
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
Tears, rather, and terror, O GOD, is the portion
Of those hapless ones who shall never behold
The light everlasting of Thy Holy City.
It is ours to sing, for to us Thou revealest
Thy brightness immortal :
It is ours to sing of Thy gifts and Thy power.
A MAIDEN, ALONE.
Of all the vain pleasures in which their soul revels
What will remain to them } Naught more than remains
Of a dream which has vanished.
When they wake, what a horrible waking !
While the poor at Thy table
Shall taste of Thy peace the ineffable sweetness,
86
tATHAUE.
lis boiront dans la coupe affreufe, in^puifable,
Que tu prefenteras au jour de ta fureur
A toute la Race coupable.
TOUT LE CHCEUR.
O r^veil plein d'horreur !
O fonge peu durable !
O dangereufe erreur !
Fin du/econd Acte,
^THAUAH. 87
They shall drink to the dregs the dreadful cup
Which, on the day of Thy wrath, Thou shalt give
To the whole of the race of the wicked.
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
O horrible waking !
O swift vanishing dream !
O dangerous error !
End of the second Act.
ACTE III.
SCEU^E P%EMIERE.
MATHAN, NABAL, LE CHCEUR.
MATHAN.
Jeunes Filles, allez. Qu'on dife d Jofabet
Que Mathan veut icy luy parler en fecret.
UNE DES FILLES DU CHCEUR.
Mathan ! O Dieu du Ciel, puiffes-tu le conf ondre.
NABAL.
H6 quoy ? Tout fe difperse & fuit fans vous r^pondre ?
MATHAN.
Approchons.
SCEU^E II.
ZACHARIE, MATHAN, NABAL.
ZACHARIE.
Temeraire. ou voulez-vous paffer ?
Au delA de ce lieu gardez-vous d'avancer.
C'eft des Ministres faints la demeure faerie.
ACT III.
SCEO^E FI%ST.
MATTAN, NABAL, THE CHORUS.
MATT AN.
Maidens, depart, and tell Jehoshabeath
That private speech of her doth Mattan seek.
ONE OF THE MAIDENS OF THE CHORUS.
Mattan ! O GOD of Heaven, do thou discomfit him !
NABAL.
How now ! They scatter, flee, and answer vouchsafe none.
MATTAN.
Let us draw near.
SCENE 11.
ZECHARIAH, MATTAN, NABAL.
ZECHARIAH.
Rash man, where would you go }
Beyond this place beware how you proceed :
This is the dwelling of GOD's ministers :
90 ^THAUE.
Les loix k tout profane en d^fendent Tentr^e.
Qui cherchez-vous ? Mon Pere en ce jour folemnel
De Tidolitre impur fuit Tafpeft criminel.
Et devant le Seigjneur maintenant proftem^e
Ma Mere en ce devoir craint d'eftre d6toum6e.
MATHAN.
Mon fils, nous attendrons, ceflez de vous troubler.
C'eft voftre illuftre Mere k qui je veux parler.
Je viens icy charg^ d'un ordre de la Reine.
SCE^E III.
MATHAN, NABAL.
NABAL.
Leurs enfans ont d^ja leur audace hautaine.
Mais que veut Athalie en cette occafion ?
D'ou naift dans fes confeils cette confufion ?
Par rinfolent Joad ce matin offenfiSe,
Et d'un Enfant fatal en fonge menac^e,
EUe alloit immoler Joad 4 fon courroux,
Et dans ce Temple enfin placer Baal & vous.
Vous m'en aviez d^ja confix voftre joye,
Et j'efperois ma part d'une fi riche proye.
Qui fait changer ainfi fes voeux irrefolus ?
MATHAN.
I Ami, depuis deux jours je ne la connois plus.
Ce n'eft plus cette Reine 6clair6e, intrepide.
^THALIAH. 91
The Law permits not the profane to enter.
Whom seek you ? My father, on this solemn day,
Avoids the evil sight of the unclean idolater :
And now before the LORD prostrate in prayer
My mother wills to be uninterrupted.
MATTAN.
My son, we here will wait : be not disturbed.
Tis with your noble mother I would speak :
Bearing the orders of the Queen I come.
SCES^E III.
MATTAN, NABAL.
NABAL.
Their sons e'en now display their insolence.
But what is now the purpose of the Queen ?
Whence springs this strange confusion in her counsels, i
This morn insulted by the bold Jehoiada
And by a murderous child in a vision threatened.
She was about to slay the priest in her wrath
And here at last to place Baal and you.
Already was I partner of your joy,
And for my share of this rich prey I hoped.
What makes her thus to change her shifting will ?
MATTAN.
My friend, for two days past I know her not.
No more is she that fearless, clear-eyed Queen,
92 ^THAUE.
Elev6e au deflus de fon fexe timide, \
Qui d'abord accabloit fes ennemis furpris,
Et d'un inftant perdu connoiflbit tout le prix.
La peur d'un vain remords trouble cette grande ame,
EUe flotte, elle hefite, en un mot elle eft femme.
J'avois tantoft rempli d'amertume & de fiel
Son coeur d^ja faifi des menaces du Ciel. ^
Elle mefme k mes foins confiant fa vengeance
M'avoit dit d'affembler fa garde en diligence.
Mais foit que cet Enfant devant elle amen^,
De fes parens, dit-on, rebut infortun^,
EOt d'un fonge effrayant diminui Tallarme,
Soit qu'elle edit mefme en luy veu je ne fgay quel charme ;
J'ay trouv^ fon courroux chancelant, incertain,
Et d^ja remettant fa vengeance k demain.
Tons fes projets fembloient Tun Tautre fe d^truire.
Du fort de cet Enfant je me fuis fait inftruire,
Ay-je dit. On commence k vanter fes ayeux.
, Joad de temps en temps, le montre aux fadlieux,
- Le fait attendre aux Juifs comme un autre Moife,
• Et d'oracles menteurs s'appuye & s'autorife.
Ces mots ont fait monter la rongeur fur fon front.
Jamais menfonge heureux n'eut un effect fi pront.
Eft-ce k moy de languir dans cette incertitude }
Sortons, a-t-elle dit, fortons d'inquietude.
Vous-mefme k Jofabet prononcez cet arreft.
Les feux vont s'allumer, & le fer eft tout preft.
I* Rien ne pent de leur Temple empefcher le ravage,
[ Si je n*ay de leur foy cet Enfant pour oftage.
^THAUAH. 93
Raised far above her weak and timid sex,
Who suddenly fell on her unexpectant foes
And knew the full worth of a moment lost.
Fear, caused by vain remorse, shakes her great soul :
She wavers, hesitates, in brief, a woman is.
Lately I filled with bitterness and gall
Her heart which trembled at the threats of Heaven,
And she, confiding her vengeance unto me.
Bade me to summon speedily her guard.
But, whether 't was that child before her brought, —
An outcast, by its parents left, they say, —
Lessened the terror her dread dream inspired.
Or whether she perceived in him some subtle charm,
I found her rage uncertain, wavering,
And delaying vengeance till the morn.
All her plans did each the other overthrow.
" Of that child's birth I have myself informed,"
Said I : " already of his race they 'gin to boast.
To malcontents from time to time Jehoiada shows him,
And bids the Jews a Moses to expect.
Basing his authority on false prophecies."
These words sent the blood mantling to her brow :
Never did well-timed lie more promptly speed,
" Is it for me to languish in this doubt }
Of this disquietude let me rid myself.
Yourself to Jehoshabeath this decree shall bear :
The flames at once shall blaze, the swords be drawn.
And naught shall stay the ruin of their Temple
If I have not that child for surety of their faith."
94 ^THAUE.
NABAL.
H6 bien I Pour un Enfant qu'ils ne connoiflent pas^
Que le hazard peut-eftre a jett6 dans leurs bras,
Voudront-ils que leur Temple enfeveli fous Therbe. .
MATHAN.
Ah ! de tous les mortels connois le plus fuperbe.
Pluftoft que dans mes mains par Joad foit livr^
Un Enfant qu'4 fon Dieu Joad a confacri,
Tu luy verras fubir la mort la plus terrible.
D'ailleurs pour cet Enfant leur attache eft vifible.
Si j'ay bien de la Reine entendu le recit,
Joad fur fa naiflfance en fgait plus qu'il ne dit.
Quel qu41 foit, je pr^voy qu'il leur fera funefte.
lis le refuferont. Je prens fur moy le refte.
Et j'efpere qu'enfin de ce Temple odieux
Et la flamme & le fer vont d^livrer mes yeux.
NABAL.
Qui pent vous infpirer une haine fi forte }
Eft-ce que de Baal le zele vous tranfporte }
Pour moy, vous le fgavez, defcendu d'Ifmael
Je ne fers ni Baal, ni le Dieu d'Ifrael.
MATHAN.
Ami, peus-tu penfer que d'un zele frivole
Je me laiffe aveugler par une vaine idole,
Pour un fragile bois, que malgr6 mon fecours
Les vers fur fon autel confument tous les jours }
N6 Miniftre du Dieu qu'en ce Temple on adore.
^THALIAH. 95
NABAL.
And, for a child of whom they nothing know,
Whom chance perhaps within their arms has cast,
Will they allow their Temple to be razed. . . .
MATTAN.
Ah ! learn to know the haughtiest of men.
Rather than Jehoiada would give to me
A child whom to his GOD Jehoiada sanctified.
He would submit to the most cruel death.
Besides, for this child their deep love is plain.
If right I understand the story of the Queen,
More knows Jehoiada than he tells.
Whoe'er he is, he will to them be fatal :
They will refuse him : I take the rest on me
And hope that now at last the flames and sword
Shall rid mine eyes of this detested Temple.
NABAL.
How is it that you feel a hate so fierce }
Is it pure zeal for Baal which thus moves you >
For mei, a descendant, as you know, of Ishmael,
I serve nor Baal nor the GOD of Israel.
MATTAN.
Friend, can you fancy that a foolish zeal
Blinds me in favour of a powerless idol.
For a mere log, which, spite my of care.
The worms upon its altar day by day destroy ?
Born a servant of the GOD worshipped herein.
i
96 ^THALIE.
Peut-eftre que Mathan le ferviroit encore,
Si Tamour des grandeurs, la foif de commander
Avec fon joug eftroit pouvoient s'accommoder.
Qu'eft-il befoin, Nabal, qu'4 tes yeux je rappelle
De Joad & de moy la fameufe querelle,
Quand j'ofay centre luy difputer Tencenfoir,
Mes brigues, mes combats, mes pleurs, mon defefpoir?
Vaincu par luy, j'entray dans une autre carriere,
Et mon ame k la Cour s'attacha toute entiere.
J'approchay par degrez de Toreille des Rois,
Et bien-toft en oracle on ^rigea ma voix.
J'eftudiay leur coeur, je flattay leurs caprices,
Je leur femay de fleurs le bord des precipices,
Pr6s de leurs paflions rien ne me fut facr6.
De mefure & de poids je changeois a leur gxL
Autant que de Joad Tinflexible rudefle
De leur fuperbe oreille offenfoit la moUeffe ;
Autant je les charmois par ma dexterity,
D^robant 4 leurs yeux la trifte Verity,
Preftant 4 leurs f ureurs des couleurs favorables,
Et prodigue fur tout du fang des Miferables.
Enfin au Dieu nouveau qu'elle avoit introduit,
Par les mains d'Athalie un Temple fut conftruit.
Jerufalem pleura de fe voir profande.
Des enfans de Levi la troupe conftem^e
En poufTa vers le Ciel des hurlemens affreux.
Moy seul donnant Texemple aux timides Hebreux,
Deferteur de leur Loy, j'approuvay Tentreprife,
Et par 14 de Baal meritay la Preftrife.
Par 14 je me rendis terrible 4 mon Rival,
^THALIAH. 97
Perchance even now Mattan might serve Him still ;
If love of power and the thirst for command
With his unbending yoke were compatible.
What need, Nabal, to your mind to recall
The famous rivalry 'twixt Jehoiada and me,
When against him I claimed the primacy ?
My plots, my efforts, my tears and my despair ?
Vanquished by him, other career I chose.
And heart and soul unto the court I gave.
I won by degrees the confidence of kings
And soon my words to them were oracles.
I studied their hearts, flattered their desires.
With flowers I hid the brink of the abyss.
Nothing was sacred to me if their passions spake :
As changed their fancy, so did change mine arts.
And as Jehoiada's stem severity
Grated upon their wretched weakling pride.
So did I charm them by my dexterity,
Concealing from their sight the ugly truth,
Painting their rage in favourable hues.
Prodigal above all of wretches' blood.
At last, to the new god she had introduced,
By Athaliah's orders a temple was built.
Jerusalem wept to see herself profaned ;
Of Levi's children the astonied band
Raised to high Heaven most doleful plaints.
I alone, to the weak Hebrews the example setting.
Deserting their Law, approved the enterprise.
And thus of Baal won the priesthood high.
Thus to my rival I became formidable ;
98 tATHALIE.
Je ceignis la tiare, & marchay fon ^gal.
Toutefois, je Tavoue, en ce comble de gloire
Du Dieu que j'ay quitt6 Timportune memoire
Jette encore en mon ame un refte de terreur.
Et c'eft ce qui redouble & nourrit ma f ureur.
Heureux ! fl fur fon Temple achevant ma vengeance,
Je puis convaincre enfin fa haine d'impuiflance,
Et parmi le debris, le ravage, & les morts,
A force d'attentats perdre tons mes remords.
Mais voicy Jofabet.
SCEd^EIJ/.
JOSABET, MATHAN, NABAL.
MATHAN.
Envoys par la Reine
Pour reftablir le calme & difliper la haine,
Princefle, en qui le Ciel mit un efprit li doux,
Ne vous eftonnez pas fi je m*adreffe k vous.
Un bruit, que j 'ay pourtant foupgonn6 de menfonge,
Appuyant les avis qu'elle a regfls en fonge,
Sur Joad accufiS de dangereux complots,
Alloit de fa colere attirer tous les flots.
Je ne veux point ici vous vanter mes fervices.
De Joad contre moy je fgay les injuftices.
Mais il faut a Toffenfe oppofer les bienfaits.
Enfin je viens charg^ de paroles de paix.
Vivez, folemnifez vos feftes fans ombrage.
De voftre obeiffance elle ne veut qu'un gage.
^THALIAH. 99
I too wore the mitre and was his equal.
And yet, in this high triumph, I confess,
The haunting memory of the GOD I have left
Still a vague terror wakes within my soul,
And this it is which feeds and swells my rage.
Happy if, on His Temple wreaking vengeance,
I can prove at last His hatred powerless.
And mid its ruins, 'mid ravages and death.
By dint of awful crimes forget remorse. . . .
But here comes Jehoshabeath.
SCESI^E ly.
JEHOSHABEATH, MATTAN, NABAL.
MATTAN.
Deputed by the Queen
Peace to restore and hatred to dispel.
Princess, to whom Heaven has given a gentle soul.
Be not surprised if 'tis to you I come.
Rumor, which, however, I suspect as false.
Strengthening the warnings she received in dream.
Upon Jehoiada, charged with dangerous plots.
Was about to let loose her floods of wrath.
I mean not now to extol my service :
'Tis known Jehoiada is unjust towards me:
But all wrongs must with kindness be repaid.
Briefly, I come bearing the words of peace.
Live and fearless celebrate your feasts.
Of your allegiance the Queen asks one gage :
loo tATHAUE.
C'eft, pour Ten d^touraer j'ay fait ce que j'ay pA,
Cet Enfant fans parens, qu'elle dit qu'elle a vu.
JOSABET.
Eliacin !
MATHAN.
J*en ay pour elle quelque honte.
D'un vain fonge peut-eftre elle fait trop de conte :
Mais vous vous declarez fes mortels ennemis,
Si cet Enfant fur Theure en mes mains n'eft remis.
La Reine impatiente attend voftre r^ponfe.
JOSABET.
Et voila de fa part la paix qu'on nous annonce !
MATHAN.
Pourriez-vous un moment douter de Taccepter f
D'un peu de complaifance, eft-ce trop Tacheter?
JOSABET.
r J'admirois fi Mathan d^pouillant Tartifice,
Avoit pu de fon coeur furmonter Tinjuftice,
Et fi de tant de maux le funefte inventeur,
De quelque ombre de bien pouvoit eftre Tauteur.
MATHAN.
De quoy vous plaignez-vous } Vient-on avec f urie
Arracher de vos bras voftre fils Zacharie }
Quel eft cet autre Enfant fi cher k voftre amour }
Ce grand attachement me furprend k mon tour.
JITHALIAH. loi
It is, to turn her from it I have done my best,
That orphan child she says that she has seen.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Eliakim ?
MATTAN.
Somewhat ashamed for her I feel :
Of a vain dream, no doubt, she makes too much.
But you proclaim yourselves her mortal foes
Unless the child to me at once be given.
The Queen impatiently now your answer waits.
JEHOSHABEATH.
And this the peace she proffers unto us !
MATTAN.
Can you one moment to accept it doubt ?
Is this compliance too high a price to pay }
JEHOSHABEATH.
I marvelled if Mattan, throwing off deceit,
The evil dictates of his heart subdued,
And if the inventor of so many ills
Of the least trace of good could be the source.
MATTAN.
Of what do you complain } Do I ravening come
To drag your son Zechariah from your arms 1
Who is this other child so dear to you ?
This great fondness surprises me in turn.
102 tATHAUE.
Eft-ce un trefor pour vous fi precieux, fi rare ?
Eft-ce un Iiberateur que le Ciel vous prepare !
Songez-y. Vos ref us pourroient me confirmer
Un bruit fourd, que d^ja Ton commence 4 femer.
JOSABET.
Quel bruit ?
MATHAN.
Que cet Enfant vient d'illuftre origine,
Qu'i quelque grand projet voftre Epoux le deftine.
JOSABET.
Et Mathan par ce bruit qui flatte fa fureur. . .
MATHAN.
Princeffe, c'eft i vous k me tirer d'erreur.
Je fgay que du menfonge implacable ennemie,
Jofabet livreroit mfime fa propre vie,
S'il falloit que fa vie k fa fmcerit^
CoAtaft le moindre mot contre la verity.
Du fort de cet Enfant on n'a done nulle trace ?
Une profonde nuit enveloppe fa race ?
Et vous-m6me ignorez de quels parens iffu,
De quelles mains Joad en les bras Ta re^ii ?
Parlez, je vous ^coute, & fuis preft de vous croire.
Au Dieu que vous fervez, Princeffe, rendez gloire.
JOSABET.
M6chant, c'eft bien k vous d'ofer ainfi nommer
Un Dieu que voftre bouche enfeigne k blafphemer.
^THAUAH. 103
Is he a treasure so precious and so rare ?
Is he a deliverer for you by Heaven prepared ?
Ponder well : your refusal might confirm
A rumor strange even now spreading abroad.
JEHOSHABEATH.
What riraior ?
MATT AN.
That the child comes of high race :
And for some great scheme your husband destines him.
JEHOSHABEATH.
And Mattan, whose hate this rumor serves . . .
MATTAN.
Princess, 'tis for you my doubts to dispel.
I know that, to falsehood an implacable foe,
Jehoshabeath would yield her very life,
If to save that life cost her sincerity
The slighest deviation from the truth.
So then of this child's birth no trace exists .^j
And utter darkness doth his race enshroud .?
You yourself know not from what parents sprung,
Or from whose hands Jehoiada him received 1
Speak ; I listen, and am ready to believe :
Give glory, Princess, to the GOD you serve.
JEHOSHABEATH.
O man of evil, how dare you thus to speak
Of a GOD of Whom your lips teach blasphemy !
I04 ^THAUE.
Sa verity par vous peut-elle eftre atteft^e,
Vous, Malheureux, aflfis dans la chaire empeft^e
Oil le menfonge regjne & r^pand fon poifon,
Vous, nourri dans la fourbe & dans la trahifon ?
S GESTAE y.
JOAD, JOSABET, MATHAN,
NABAL.
JOAD.
Ou fuis-je ? De Baal ne vois-je pas le Preftre ?
Quoy, Fille de David, vous parlez & ce traiftre ?
Vous fouffrez quHl vous parle ? Et vous ne craignez pas
Que du fond de Tabyfine entr'ouvert fous fes pas,
II ne forte k Tinftant des feux qui vous embrafent,
Ou qu'en tombant fur luy ces murs ne vous ^crafent ?
Que veut-il ? De quel front cet ennemi de Dieu
Vient-il infefter Tair qu'on refpire en ce lieu ?
MATHAN.
On reconnoift Joad 4 cette violence.
Toutefois il devroit montrer plus de prudence,
Refpedler une Reine, & ne pas outrager
Celuy que de fon ordre elle a daigni charger.
JOAD.
H6 bien que nous fait-elle annoncer de finiftre }
Quel fera Tordre affreux qu'apporte un tel Miniftre }
tATHALIAH. 105
Can His truth by you to witness be called,
By you, vile wretch, set in the pestilent place
Where falsehood reigns and whence its poison spreads ;
By you, in perfidy and in treason bred ?
SCEO^E V.
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH, MATTAN,
NABAL.
JEHOIADA.
Where am I ? Of Baal do not I see the priest ?
What ! daughter of David, speak you to that traitor !
Suffer you speech from him ! Have you no fear
That from the abysmal depths at his feet that yawn
There sudden blaze an all consuming fire.
Or that these falling walls crush you with him !
What doth he seek ? How dares this foe to GOD
Poison the air which in this place we breathe ?
MATTAN.
'Tis easy to know Jehoiada by his violence.
Yet he should use somewhat more of prudence.
Respect the Queen, and not cast outrage on
Him on whom her commands she deigns to lay.
JEHOIADA.
Well ! what sinister announcement doth she make f
What is the ill command by such a servant sent ?
io6 tATHAUE.
MATHAN.
J'ay fait k Jofabet f^avoir (a volenti.
JOAD.
Sors done de devant moy, Monftre d*impiet6.
De toutes tes horreurs, va, comble la mefure.
Dieu s'apprefte d te joindre d la race parjure,
Abiron, & Dathan, Doeg, Achitophel.
Les chiens, k qui fon bras a livr6 Jezabel,
Attendant que fur toy fa f ureur fe d^ploye,
D6ja font d ta porte & demandent leur proye.
MATHAN. II fe trouble,
Avant la fin du jour ... on verra qui de nous. . .
Doit. . . Mais fortons, Nabal.
NABAL.
^ Oil vous 6garez-vous }
I De vos fens ^tonnez, quel defordre s'empare i
Voila voftre chemin.
SQEir^E yi.
JOAD, JOSABET.
JOSABET.
L'orage fe declare.
Athalie en fureur demande Eliacin.
D6ja de fa naiflance & de voftre deffein
On commence, Seigneur, k percer le myftere.
Peu s*en faut que Mathan ne m*ait nomm6 fon pere.
ly
JITHALIAH. 107
MATTAN.
To Jehoshabeath I have made known her will.
JEHOIADA.
Begone then from before me, monster of impiety !
Of all thy hideous crimes, go, fill the sum.
GOD with the perjured breeds prepares to join thee,
Abiram, Dathan, Doeg, Achitopel :
The dogs, to whom His might threw Jezebel.
Waiting until His wrath on thee break out.
Even now at thy gates are clamoring for their prey.
MATTAN, terror stricken.
Ere set of sun 'twill be seen which of us . . .
Is to ... . But let us forth, Nabal.
NABAL.
Whither wander you ?
What sickness seizes your bewildered mind ?
Here lies your road.
SCEV^E yi.
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH.
JEHOSHABEATH.
The Storm is about to burst :
Mad Athaliah calls for Eliakim.
Already, of his birth and of your scheme
The mystery, my lord, they begin to pierce :
Wellnigh did Mattan to me his father name.
io8 ^THALIE.
JOAD.
Au perfide Mathan, qui Tauroit rev^l6 ?
Voftre trouble d Mathan n'a-t-il point trop parl6 ?
JOSABET.
J*ay fait ce que j'ay pu pour m'en rendre maitreffe.
Cependant, croyez-moy, Seigneur, le peril preffe.
Refervons cet Enfant pour un temps plus heureux,
Tandis que les M^chans d^liberent entre-eux,
Avant qu'on Tenvironne, avant qu'on nous I'arrache,
Une feconde fois fouffrez que je le cache.
Les portes, les chemins luy font encore ouverts.
Faut-il le tranfporter aux plus afFreux deferts ?
Je fuis prefte. Je fgais une fecrette iffue
Par oil, fans qu'on le voye, & fans eftre appergue,
De Cedron avec luy traverfant le torrent,
r J*iray dans le defert, oil jadis en pleurant,
j Et cherchant comme nous fon falut dans la fuite,
I David d'un fils rebelle 6vita la pourfuite.
Je craindray moins pour luy les lions, & les ours. . .
Mais pourquoy de Jehu refufer le fecours ?
Je vous ouvre peut-eftre un avis falutaire.
Faifons de ce trefor Jehu d^pofitaire.
On pent dans fes Etats le conduire aujourd'huy,
Et le chemin eft court qui mene jufqu'i luy.
Jehu n*a point un coeur farouche, inexorable,
De David i fes yeux le nom eft favorable,
Helas ! Eft-il un Roy fi dur & fi cruel,
A moins qu'il n'euft pour mere une autre Jezabel,
tATHALIAH. 109
JEHOIADA.
To treacherous Mattan who could that reveal ?
Was it your emotion spoke too clear to him ?
JEHOSHABEATH.
I did my best my feeling to control :
And yet, believe, my lord, the peril presses.
Let us reserve the child for happier days ;
While these wicked ones still are plotting.
Ere they surround us, ere they snatch him from us.
For the second time permit me to conceal him.
The gates, the roads are open still to him.
Shall I transport him to the dreariest of deserts 1
I am ready : I know a secret way
By which, unnoticed and avoiding sight,
Crossing over Kedron's torrent with him
I reach the desert, where in tears, of yore,
And like us seeking safety in his flight,
David escaped pursuit of his rebellious son.
Less fear I for the child the wolves and bears. . .
But why of Jehu the succor refuse i
I suggest to you perchance counsel wise.
Let Jehu be the guardian of this treasure :
To-day we can convey him to Jehu's realm.
The road is short that leadeth thither.
Jehu is not hard hearted, not severe,
And David's name finds favour in his eyes.
Alas ! is there a king so harsh and so cruel.
Unless he had a Jezebel for mother.
f
no ^THALIE.
Qui d*un tel Suppliant ne plaignift Tinfortune ?
Sa cauf e k tous les Rois n'eft-elle pas commune ?
/■ JOAD.
' Quels timides confeils m'ofez-vous fuggerer ?
En I'appuy de Jehu pourriez-vous efperer ?
JOSABET.
Dieu d^f end-il tout foin & toute pr^voyance ?
Ne roflfenfe-t-on point par trop de confiance ?
A fes defleins (acrez employant les Humains,
N'a-t-il pas de Jehu luy-m6me arm6 les mains ?
JOAD.
Jehu qu'avoit choifi fa (ageffe profonde,
Jehu fur qui je voy que voftre efpoir fe fonde,
D'un oubli trop ingrat a pay6 fes bienfaits.
Jehu laiffe d'Achab Taffreufe Fille en paix,
Suit des Rois d'Ifrael les profanes exemples,
Du vil Dieu de TEgypte a conferva les Temples.
Jehu fur les hauts Lieux enfin ofant oflfrir
Un temeraire encens que Dieu ne pent fouffrir,
N'a pour fervir fa caufe & venger fes injures,
Ni le coeur affez droit, ni les mains affez pures.
Non, non, c*eft a Dieu feul qu'il nous faut attacher.
Montrons Eliacin, & loin de le cacher,
Que du bandeau royal fa tefte foit orn^e.
Je veux mfeme avancer Theure d^termin^e,
Avant que de Mathan le complot foit form6.
f
^THAUAH. Ill
Who such a suppliant would not pity ?
Is not his cause the common cause of kings ?
JEHOIADA.
What timid counsels dare you to suggest ?
In the support of Jehu can you hope?
JEHOSHABEATH.
Are care and foresight then forbid by GOD ?
Do we not offend Him by too fond a trust ?
And, making use of men for His designs
Did not himself to Jehu hand the sword ?
JEHOIADA.
Jehu, whom with deep wisdom He chose out,
Jehu, on whom I see you base your hopes.
Repays His mercies with ingratitude :
Ahab's evil daughter Jehu leaves at peace.
Of Israel's kings the steps profane he follows.
Of Egypt's vile god he maintains the temples.
Jehu, on the high places daring, in fine, to offer
Unhallowed incense the LORD cannot endure,
To serve GOD's cause and His wrongs to avenge.
Has neither a heart upright nor hands unstained.
No, no : on GOD alone we must rely.
Show we Eliakim : and, far from hiding him.
The royal turban shall adorn his head.
I even will forestall the appointed hour.
Ere Mattan's plot unto a head can come.
112 tATHAUE.
SCENE yii.
JOAD, JOSABET,
AZARIAS/«m du CfuBur & de plufieurs Levites,
JOAD.
H6 bien, Azarias, le Temple eft-il ferm6 ?
AZARIAS.
J'en ay fait devant moy fermer toutes les portes.
JOAD.
N*y refte-t-il que vous, & vos faintes Cohortes t
AZARIAS.
De fes parvis facrez j'ay deux fois fait le tour.
Tout a fuy. Tous fe font feparez fans retour,
Miferable troupeau, qu'a difperf^ la crainte.
Et Dieu n'eft plus fervi que dans la Tribu fainte.
Depuis qu'^ Pharaon ce Peuple eft 6chapp6,
Une 6gale terreur ne I'avoit point frapp6.
JOAD.
Peuple liche en effet, & n6 pour Tefclavage,
Hardi contre Dieu feul ! Pourfuivons noftre ouvrage.
Mais qui retient encor ces Enfans parmi nous }
UNE DES FILLES DU CHCEUR.
H6 ! pourrions-nous, Seigneur, nous feparer de vous ?
Dans le Temple de Dieu fommes-nous 6trangeres ?
Vous avez pr6s de vous nos peres, & nos freres.
JITHALIAH. 113
SCENE yii.
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH,
AZARI AH, followed by the Chorus and several Levites^
JEHOIADA.
Well, Azariah, is the Temple closed ?
AZARIAH.
Under mine own eyes has every gate been closed.
JEHOIADA.
And none but your holy bands and you within }
AZARIAH.
Twice have I traversed the sacred precincts.
All thence have fled, all gone not to return,
A wretched herd scattered abroad by fear ;
Only the sacred tribe does service to the LORD.
Not since our people from Pharaoh's grasp escaped
Has so great a panic filled their hearts with dread.
JEHOIADA.
A coward race, in truth, and born to be enslaved ;
Bold 'gainst GOD alone 1 Still let our work proceed.
But who yet detains these children among us t
A MAIDEN OF THE CHORUS.
Ah ! how could we depart, my lord, from you ?
Are we strangers in the Temple of the LORD }
Our fathers and our brothers are with you.
114 tATHAUE.
UNE AUTRE.
Helas ! fi pour venger Topprobre d*Ifrael
V^^f-f* Nos mains ne peuvent pas, comme autrefois* Jahel,
Des ennemis de Dieu percer la tefte impie,
Nous luy pouvons du moins immoler noftre vie.
Quand vos bras combattront pour fon Temple attaqu^,
Par nos larmes du moins il peut eftre invoqu^.
JOAD.
Voil^ done quels vengeurs s'arment pour ta querelle,
Des Preftres, des Enfans, 6 Sageffe ^temelle!
Mais ft tu les foutiens, qui peut les 6branler ?
Du tombeau quand tu veux tu fjais nous rappeller.
Tu f rappes, & gueris. Tu perds, & reffufcites.
. lis ne s'affurent point en leurs propres merites,
Mais en ton nom fur cux invoqu6 tant de fois,
En tes fermens jurez au plus faint de leurs Rois,
En ce Temple oil tu fais ta demeure faerie,
Et qui doit du Soleil ^galer la dur^e.
Mais d*ou vient que mon coeur f remit d'un faint eflfroi i
Eft-ce TEfprit divin qui s'empare de moy }
C'eft luy-mfime. II m'^chauffe. II parle. Mes yeux s'ouvrent
Et les fiecles obfcurs devant moy fe d^couvrent.
Levites, de vos fons, preftez-moy les accords,
Et de fes mouvemens fecondez les tranfports.
L£ CHCEUR chante au fon de ioute la fimphonie
des inftrumens.
Que du Seigneur la voix fe faffe entendre,
Et qu*a nos cceurs fon Oracle divin
^THALIAH. 115
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
Alas ! if to avenge Israel's shame,
Our hands cannot, as Jael's in old time,* J^dges^
Smite the impious head of the foes of the LORD, ^ ' '^'
At least we can offer our lives to Him,
And while your arms defend this Temple
We can at least invoke Him with our tears. ,
JEHOIADA.
Behold the champions arming for Thy quarrel !
Children and priests, O Wisdom eternal !
But if Thou art with them, who shall o'erthrow ?
Even from the grave Thou canst recall us ;
Thou dost smite and heal, cast down and lift up.
Their trust is not in merit of their own,
But in Thy Name on them so oft invoked.
In Thy promise to the holiest of their kings.
In this Temple which Thou mak'st Thy dwelling place
And which shall last as long as lasts the sun.
But whence, within my heart, this sacred terror ?
Is it Thy Spirit divine possessing me .^
'Tis He, in me He burns, in me He speaks.
Mine eyes ope wide, before me time unrolls.
Levites, of your music lend me the strains.
And while He works mine ecstacy sustain.
THE CHORUS siftgs to the accompaniment of all
the instruments.
Let the voice of the LORD be heard,
And be to our hearts His words divine
ii6 t/ITHAUE.
Soit ce qu*4 Therbe tendre
Eft au Printemps la fraicheur du matin.
JOAD.
Cieux, ^coutez ma voix, Terre, prefte Toreille.
Ne dis plus, 6 Jacob, que ton Seigneur fommeille.
Pecheurs difparoiffez, le Seigneur fe reveille.
Id recommence la fymphonie^ & Joad auffp-toft
reprend la parole,
*Joas, Comment en un plomb vil* Tor pur s'eft-il chang^ ?
* ZcLcharU. Quel eft dans le lieu faint * ce Pontife ^gorge ?
Pleure, Jerufalem, pleure, Cit6 perfide !
Des Prophetes divins malheureufe homicide.
De fon amour pour toy ton Dieu s*eft d^pouill^.
Ton encens a fes yeux eft un encens foiiill^.
♦ CaptivUS * Oil menez-vous ces enfans, & ces f emmes }
Babylone ^^ Seigneur a d^truit la Reine des Citez.
Ses Preftres font captifs, fes Rois font rejettez.
Dieu ne veut plus qu'on vienne a fes folemnitez.
Temple, renverfe-toy, Cedres, jettez des flammes.
Jerufalem, objet de ma douleur,
Quelle main en ce jour t'a ravi tous tes charmes.^
Qui changera mes yeux en deux fources de larmes
Pour pleurer ton malheur ?
AZARIAS.
O faint Temple !
JOSABET.
O David !
^THALIAH. 117
As to the young grass
Is the morning dew in the springtime.
JEHOIADA.
Hear, O Heavens, and give ear, O Earth !
Say no more, O Jacob, that thy GOD is sleeping !
Sinners, begone : the LORD is awaking.
The music sounds again, and forthwith yehoiada
speaks again.
How to vile dross* has the fine gold been changed } *joash.
In the Holy Place who is that pontiff * slain } « Zecha-
Howl, O Jerusalem ! Weep, city perfidious ! '^^•
Wretched murderess of the prophets of GOD !
Thy GOD has cast away His love for thee ;
Thine incense is abomination in His eyes.
* Whither lead you away, these children, these women } * ^^ptivity
Of the crowning city the LORD hath made a heap. Babylon.
Captive are her priests, outcast are her kings ;
GOD forbids our gathering at His solemn feasts.
O thou Temple, in ruins fall ! Ye cedars, break out in flames !
Jerusalem, for whom my heart doth mourn,
Whose hand in one day hath ravished thy charms }
Who shall change mine eyes into two streams of tears
That thy woes they may deplore i
AZARIAH.
O holy Temple !
JEHOSHABEATH.
O David!
ii8 tATHAUE.
LE CHOeUR.
Dicu de Sion, rappelle,
Rappelle en fa faveur tes antiques bontez.
La fymphonie recommence encore^ & Joad un mo-
ment apris Vinterrompt,
JOAD.
TEglts$. Quelle * Jcrufalem nouvelle
Sort du fond du defert brillante de clartez,
Et porte fur le front une marque immortelle ?
Peuples de la terre, chantez.
Jerufalem renaift plus charmante, & plus belle.
D'ou luy viennent de tous c6tez
* Les Gen^ Ces * enf ans qu'en fon fein elle n'a point portez ?
Leve, Jerufalem, leve ta tefte altiere.
Regarde tous ces Rois de ta gloire 6tonnez,
Les Rois des Nations devant toy proftemez,
De tes pieds baifent la pouffiere.
Les peuples 4 Tenvi marchent a ta lumiere.
Heureux ! qui pour Sion d'une fainte ferveur
Sentira fon ame embraf^e.
Cieux, r^pandez voftre rof(6e,
Et que la Terre enfante fon Sauveur.
JOSABET.
Helas I d*ou nous viendra cette infigne faveur,
Si les Rois de qui doit defcendre ce Sauveur . . .
JOAD.
Preparez, Jofabet, le riche diademe.
Church.
JITHAUAH. 119
THE CHORUS.
O GOD of Zion, renew,
Renew in her favour Thy love of old.
Again the music sounds^ and Jehoiada^ a moment
later, interrupts it.
JEHOIADA.
What* new Jerusalem * The
Comes from out the desert brilliant with light,
And bears upon her brow an immortal sign ?
Cry out and shout, ye peoples of the earth :
Jerusalem is born again fairer and lovelier still.
Whence come to her from all lands
These* children whom she bore not in her breast? * The Gen-
Lift up, Jerusalem, lift thy head with pride :
Behold all these kings at thy glory amazed,
The kings of the earth, before thee all prostrate.
Of thy feet are kissing the dust ;
The nations of the world walk eager by thy light.
Happy he whose heart with holy fervor
For Zion then shall burn !
Drop down your dews, ye heavens,
And, Earth, bring thou thy Saviour forth !
JEHOSHABEATH.
Alas ! whence shall this signal favour come to us,
The kings from whom the Saviour was to spring. . . .
JEHOIADA.
Bring forth, Jehoshabeath, the costly diadem
I20 t/ITHAUE.
Que fur fon front facr6 David porta luy-mfeme.
* AuxLe''£^^0 yQ^g p^m- y^^g armer, fuivez-moy dans ces lieux
^jOu fe garde cach6, loin des profanes yeux,
/ Ce formidable amas de lances & d'^p^es,
Qui du fang Philiftin jadis furent tremp6es,
t Et que David vainqueur, d'ans & d'honneurs charge,
Fit conlacrer au Dieu qui Tavoit proteg^.
Peut-on les employer pour un plus noble ufage ?
Venez, je veux moy-mfeme en faire le partage.
SCENE yilL
SALOMITH, LE CHCEUR.
SALOMITH.
Que de craintes, mes Soeurs, que de troubles mortels I
Dieu tout-puiffant, font-ce \k les pr^mices,
Les parfums, & les facrifices
Qu'on devoit en ce jour offrir fur tes autels ?
UNE FILLE DU CHCEUR.
Quel fpe6lacle a nos yeux timides !
Qui Teuft cru, qu'on duft voir jamais
Les glaives meurtriers, les lances homicides
Briller dans la Maifon de paix ?
UNE AUTRE.
D*ou vient que pour fon Dieu pleine d'indifference,
Jerufalem fe taift en ce preflant danger }
^/ITHALIAH. 121
Which David on his sacred brow did wear.
And ♦ you, to arm yourselves, follow me within * ^ ^^
Where lies concealed, hidden from eyes profane,
That mighty mass of lances and of swords
Which in Philistines* blood of old were steeped.
And which victorious David, with years and honors crowned,
Did dedicate to GOD who had protected him.
For to a nobler use could they be turned ?
Come, I myself will among you them divide.
SCENE yiii.
SALOME, THE CHORUS.
SALOME.
How many fears, my sisters, and what dread troubles I
Almighty GOD, are these the first-fruits.
The incense and the sacrifice
To be offered on Thine altar this day }
A MAIDEN OF THE CHORUS.
What a sight to meet our timid gaze !
Who could have thought there would be seen
The murderous swords, the deadly spears
Gleaming in the House of Peace }
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
Whence comes it that, indifferent to her GOD,
Jerusalem sits mute in this peril ?
122 ^THAUE.
D*ou vient, mes foeurs, que pour nous proteger,
Le brave Abner au moins ne rompt pas le filence ?
SALOMITH.
Helas I dans une Cour, ou Ton n'a d'autres loix
Que la force & la violence,
Ou les honneurs & les emplois
Sont le prix d'une aveugle & baffe obeiffance,
Ma foeur, pour la trifle innocence,
Qui voudroit Clever fa voix ?
UNE AUTRE.
Dans ce peril, dans ce defordre extreme.
Pour qui prepare-t-on ce facr^ diadfeme ?
SALOMITH.
Le Seigneur a daign6 parler,
Mais ce qu'a fon Prophete il vient de reveler.
Qui pourra nous le f aire entendre ?
S'arme-t-il pour nous d6f endre ?
S*arme-t-il pour nous accabler ?
TOUT LE CHCEUR CHANTE.
f O promeffe ! 6 menace ! 6 tenebreux myftere !
I Que de maux, que de biens font pr^dits tour k tour !
\ Comment peut-on avec tant de colere,
\ Accorder tant d*amour ?
UNE VOIX SEULE.
Sion ne fera plus. Une flame cruelle
D^truira tous fes omemens.
^THALIAH. 123
How is it, my sisters, that, to protect us
Not even brave Abner the silence doth break ?
SALOME.
Alas ! in a court where reigns no other law
But might and violence,
Where honors and office
Reward a blind, a base obedience,
Who, sister, for afflicted innocence
Shall dare to raise his voice ?
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
In midst of peril and this great confusion,
For whom is the sacred diadem made ready ?
SALOME.
The LORD has deigned to speak ;
But that which to His prophet He reveals.
Who shall declare to us ?
Is He arming to defend us ?
Is He arming us to destroy }
TITE WHOLE CHORUS SINGS.
O promise I O threat ! O mystery dark !
What blessings, what woes, in turn are foretold !
How can, with such consuming wrath.
Such love be reconciled }
A MAIDEN ALONE.
Zion shall be no more : by cruel flames
Shall all its beauties be consumed.
124 ^THAUE.
UNE AUTRE VOIX.
Dieu protege Sion. EUe a pour fondemens
Sa parole 6ternelle.
LA PREMIERE.
Je voy tout fon 6clat difparoitre i mes yeux.
LA SECONDE.
Je voy de toutes parts fa clart6 r^pandue.
LA PREMIERE.
Dans un gouffre prof ond Sion eft defcendue.
LA SECONDE.
Sion a fon front dans les Cieux«
LA PREMIERE.
Quel trifte abaiffement !
LA SECONDE.
Quelle immortelle gloire !
LA PREMIERE.
Que de cris de douleur !
LA SECONDE.
Que de chants de vi6loire !
^ UNE TROISIEME.
■ Ceffons de nous troubler. Noftre Dieu quelque jour
Devoilera ce grand myftere.
^THAUAH. 12 s
ANOTHER MAIDEN.
The LORD guards Zion : her foundations rest
On His eternal word.
THE FIRST MAIDEN.
I see her glory vanish from my sight.
THE SECOND MAIDEN.
I see her splendor spreading far and wide.
THE FIRST MAIDEN.
Down to the lowest depth has Zion fallen.
THE SECOND MAIDEN.
Her brow doth touch high Heaven itself.
THE FIRST MAIDEN.
O woeful fall!
THE SECOND MAIDEN.
O glory immortal !
THE FIRST MAIDEN.
What cries of grief !
THE SECOND MAIDEN.
What songs of victory !
A THIRD MAIDEN.
Forbear to wonder more : some day, our GOD,
This great mystery shall reveal.
126 olTHAUE.
TOUTES TROIS.
Reverons fa colere.
Efperons en fon amour.
UNE AUTRE.
D'un coeur qui t'aime,
Mon Dieu, qui peut troubler la paix }
II cherche en tout ta volont6 fuprtme,
Et ne fe cherche jamais.
Sur !a terre, dans le Ciel m^me,
Eft-il d'autre bonheur que la tranquille paix
D'un cceur qui t'aime }
Fin du traiJUme AcU,
,/ITHALIAH. 127
S THE THREE MAIDENS.
) Reverently to His anger bow,
f And in His love forever hope.
I ANOTHER MAIDEN.
Of a heart that loves Thee
j What can, O LORD, disturb the peace }
S In all it seeks Thy will supreme,
And never seeks its own.
Or on earth or in Heaven itself
What is happiness but the tranquil peace
Of the heart that loves Thee }
End of the third Act.
ACTE IV.
SCES^E PREOAIERE.
JOAS, JOSABET, ZACHARIE,
SALOMITH, UN LEVITE,
LE CHCEUR.
SALOMITH.
D'un pas majeftueux k c6t6 de ma Mere,
Le jeune Eliacin s'avance avec mon Frere.
Dans ces voiles, mes Soeurs, que portent-ils tous deux?
Quel eft ce glaive enfin qui marche devant eux?
JOSABET d Zacharie.
Mon fils, avec refpeft pofez fur cette table
De noftre fainte Loy le Livre redoutable.
Et vous aufli pofez, aimable Eliacin,
Cet augufte Bandeau pr6s du Livre divin.
Levite, il faut placer, Joad ainfi I'ordonne,
Le glaive de David aupr^s de fa couronne.
JOAS.
Princeffe, quel eft done ce fpeftacle nouveau ?
Pourquoy ce Livre faint, ce glaive, ce bandeau?
Depuis que le Seigneur m'a re^u dans fon Temple,
D*un femblable appareil je n*ay point vu d'exemple.
ACT IV.
SCENE FI%ST.
JOASH, JEHOSHABEATH, ZECHARIAH,
SALOME, A LEVITE,
THE CHORUS.
SALOME.
With stately tread by my mother's side,
Young Eliakim with my brother comes.
Sisters, what bear they both beneath these veils }
And whose the sword which is before them borne ?
JEHOSHABEATH, to ZechaHah,
My son, reverently on this table place
The venerable book of our Holy Law.
And you too place, beloved Eliakim,
The royal turban by the Book divine.
Levite, you are to lay, Jehoiada so commands,
The sword of David beside his crown.
JOASH.
Princess, what means this ceremony strange ?
Wherefore the holy Book, the sword, the crown }
Since the LORD received me within His Temple,
Such preparations have I never seen.
I30 JITHAUE.
JOSABET.
Tous vos doutes, mon fils, bien-toft s'^clairciront.
JOAS.
Vous voulez effayer ce bandeau fur mon front ?
Ah, Princefle, gardez d'en profaner la gloire.
Du Roy qui Ta port6 refpe6lez la memoire.
Un malheureux Enfant aux Ours abandonn^. . .
JOSABET luy effayant le Diadhne.
Laiflez, mon fils, je fais ce qui m'eft ordonn^.
JOAS.
Mais j'entens les (anglots fortir de voftre bouche !
Princeffe, vous plcurez ! Quelle piti6 vous touche ?
Eft-ce qu'en holocaufte aujourd'huy prefent^
Je dois, comme autrefois la fiUe de Jepht6,
Du Seigneur par ma mort appaifer la colere?
H^las ! un fils n'a rien qui ne foit k fon pere.
JOSABET.
Void qui vous dira les volontez des cieux.
Ne craignez rien. Et nous, fortons tous de ces lieux.
SCENE II.
JOAD, JOAS.
JOAS courant dans les bras du grand Pteftre,
Mon pere !
^THAUAH. 131
JEHOSHABEATH.
Your questionings, my son, shall soon be satisfied.
JOASH.
Wish you to place this turban on my brow ?
Princess, beware of profaning its glory :
Of the king who wore it respect the memory.
Shall a poor child, to wild beasts abandoned. . . .
JEHOSHABEATH, trying the royal turban ou his head.
Do not object, my son; my orders I obey.
JOASH.
But I hear the sobs your voice are breaking !
Princess, you weep! For whom your pity now.?
Can it be that on the altar laid this day,
I am, as Jephthah's daughter in olden times.
By my death to appease the anger of the LORD ?
Alas ! a child has naught but what his father's is.
JEHOSHABEATH.
He comes who shall reveal the will of Heaven.
Fear naught. And we, let us go forth from here.
SCENE II.
JEHOIADA, JOASH.
JOASH, throwing himself into the High Pries fs arms.
O father!
132 ^THAUE.
JOAD.
H6 bien, mon fils ?
JOAS.
Qu'eft-ce done qu'on prepare ?
JOAD.
II eft jufte, mon fils, que je vous le declare.
II faut que vous foyez inftruit, m6me avant tous,
Des grands deffeins de Dieu fur fon peuple & fur vous.
Armez-vous d'un courage & d'une foy nouvelle.
II eft temps de montrer cette ardeur & ce zele,
Qu'au fond de voftre coeur mes foins ont cultivez,
Et de payer k Dieu ce que vous luy devez.
Sentez-vous cette noble & genereufe envie }
JOAS.
Je me fens preft, s*il veut, de luy donner ma vie.
JOAD.
On vous a lu fouvent Thiftoire de nos Rois.
Vous fouvient-il, mon fils, quelles ^troites loix
Doit s'impofer un Roy digne du diadfime }
JOAS.
* Deift, Un Roy fage, ainii Dieu Ta ♦ prononc6 luy-mfeme,
^' y* Sur la richeffe & Tor ne met point fon appuy,
^ Craint le Seigneur fon Dieu ; fens ceffe a devant luy
Ses preceptes, fes loix, fes jugemens feveres.
Et d'injuftes fardeaux n'accable point fes freres.
olTHAUAH. 133
JEHOIADA.
What then, my son ?
JOASH.
What is about to happen ?
JEHOIADA.
'Tis right, my son, that I tell it to you.
For you, the first of all, must be apprised
Of what GOD plans for His people and for you.
Arm yourself with courage and fresh faith :
'Tis time to prove the fervor and the zeal
Which deep within your heart my care has bred,
And to pay the LORD the debt you owe.
Feel you this noble, generous desire 1
JOASH.
I am ready, if He wills it, to give Him my life.
JEHOIADA.
You have oft heard read the story of our kings :
Do you remember, son, what rigid laws
A worthy king, upon himself must lay }
JOASH.
A wise king, so hath ♦ GOD himself declared, ♦ Deut.
In the riches of this world puts not his trust, ^^' ^'5-
He fears the LORD his GOD, and bears in mind
His precepts, His strict judgments, and His laws,
And burdens not his brethren with heavy loads.
134 ^THAUE.
JOAD.
Mais fur Tun de ces Rois s'il falloit vous regler,
A qui choifiriez-vous, mon fils, de reffembler ?
JOAS.
David, pour le Seigneur plein d'un amour fidelle,
Me paroift des grands Rois le plus parfait modelle.
JOAD.
Ainfi dans leur exc6s vous n'imiteriez pas
L'infidelle Joram, Timpie Okofias.
JOAS.
O mon pere !
JOAD.
Achevez, dites, que vous en femble }
JOAS.
Puiffe perir comme eux quiconque leur reffemble.
Mon pere, en quel 6tat vous vois-je devant moy ?
JOAD fe proftemant d fes pieds,
Je vous rends le refpeft que je dois i mon Roy.
De voftre ayeul David, Joas, rendez-vous digne.
JOAS.
Joas.'' Moy.?
JOAD.
Vous Cfaurez par quelle grace infigne,
D'une Mere en fureur Dieu trompant le deffein.
^THALIAH. 135
JEHOIADA.
And if one of these kings you took for pattern,
Which would you choose, my son, to resemble ?
JOASH.
David, filled with a constant love of GOD,
Seems to me the true model of a great king.
JEHOIADA.
Then in their sinful ways you would not follow
Faithless Jehoram or impious Ahaziah ?
JOASH.
O father!
JEHOIADA.
Tell me : what think you of them|.?
JOASH.
May all such as they perish as they did.
My father, how see I you before me !
JEHOIADA, prostrating himself at the feet ofjoash.
So I pay you the homage due to my king.
Live worthy, Joash, of your sire David.
JOASH.
Joash! U
JEHOIADA.
You shall learn by what strange grace
GOD, thwarting the designs of a mad mother
136 tATHAUE.
Quand d^ja fon poignard eftoit dans voftre fein,
Vous choifit, vous feuva du milieu du carnage.
Vous n'eftes pas encore ^chapp^ de la rage.
Avec la mfeme ardeur qu'elle voulut jadis
Perdre en vous le dernier des Enfans de fon Fils,
A vous faire perir fa cruaut6 s'attache,
Et vous pourfuit encor fous le nom qui vous cache.
Mais fous vos ^tendars j*ay d^ja f^u ranger
Un peuple obeiflant & prompt k vous venger.
Entrez, genereux Chefs des Families faeries,
Du miniftere faint tour k tour honor^es.
SCE£^E III.
JOAS, JOAD, AZARIAS,
ISMAEL, & les trois autres Chefs des Levites.
JOAD continue',
Roy, voili vos Vengeurs contre vos ennemis,
Preftres, voili le Roy que je vous ay promis.
AZARIAS.
Quoy c'eft Eliacin ?
ISMAEL.
Quoy cet Enfant aimable. . .
JOAD.
Eft des Rois de Juda Theritier veritable,
Dernier ni des Enfans du trifte Okofias ;
^THALIAH. 137
Whose knife already was plunged in your breast,
Chose you and saved you from amid the carnage.
Not yet have you safe escaped her fury :
With the same hate that made her wish of yore
To slay in you the child of her son,
Vindictive still she seeks to slay you now,
And hunts you even under the name that hides you.
But 'neath your standards already have I rallied
A loyal people eager your cause to avenge.
Enter, great-hearted chiefs of the sacred families,
Who, in His Temple, alternate serve the LORD.
SCEU^E III.
JOASH. JEHOIADA, AZARIAH, ISHMAEL,
and the Three other Chiefs of Levites,
JEHOIADA.
O King, behold your avengers on your foes !
O Priests, behold the King I promised you !
AZARIAH.
What! Eliakim?
ISHMAEL.
What ! That lovely child. . .
JEHOIADA.
Is of the kings of Judah the true heir ;
The youngest child of wretched Ahaziah,
138 JtTHAUE.
Nourri, vous le fgavez, fous le nom de Joas.
De cette fleur fi tendre & fi-toft moiffonnee,
Tout Juda, comme vous, plaig^ant la deftin^e,
Avec fes Freres morts le crut envelopp^.
Du perfide couteau comme eux il fut frapp^.
Mais Dieu du coup mortel f^ut d^toumer Tatteinte,
Conferva dans fon coeur la chaleur prefque 6teinte,
Permit que des bourreaux trompant Toeil vigilant
Jofabet dans fon fein Temportaft tout (anglant,
Et n'ayant de fon vol que moy feul pour complice,
Dans le Temple cachaft I'Enfant & la Nourrice.
JOAS.
Helas ! de tant d'amour & de tant de bienfaits,
Mon pere, quel moyen de m'acquitter jamais ?
JOAD.
Gardez pour d'autres temps cette reconnoiffance.
Voili done voftre Roy, voftre unique efperance.
J*ay pris foin jufqu'ici de vous le conferver.
Miniftres du Seigneur, c'eft k vous d'achever.
Bien-toft de Jezabel la Fille meurtriere,
Inftruite que Joas voit encor la lumiere,
Dans rhorreur du tombeau viendra le replonger.
D6ja fans le connoiftre elle veut T^gorger.
Preftres faints, c*eft a vous de prevenir fa rage.
II faut finir des Juifs le honteux efclavage,
Venger vos Princes morts, relever voftre Loy,
Et faire aux deux Tribus reconnoitre leur Roy.
L'entreprife fans doute eft grande & perilleufe.
^THALIAH. 139
Bred up, as you know, under the name of Joash.
Of that tender flower, so soon cut down,
All Judah, mourning his destiny, like you
Believed him sharer of his brethren's death.
The treacherous dagger did, in truth, strike him,
But the LORD caused the deadly blow to fail,
Preserved within his breast the spark of life.
Enabled Jehoshabeath, murdVous eyes eluding,
To carry him away, all bleeding, in her arms.
And with me of her theft sole accomplice.
Within the Temple nurse and child lay hid.
JOASH.
Alas ! for so much love and so much kindness
Father, what requital can I ever make "i
JEHOIADA.
For later times your gratitude retain.
Behold then your King, your only hope.
Until this day I have for you preserved him.
Servants of GOD, 'tis yours my work to crown.
Soon will Jezebel's blood-thirsty daughter.
Learning that Joash still beholds the light.
Come to plunge him in the darkness of the grave.
Even now, his rank unknown, she seeks to slay him.
O sacred priests, 'tis yours to forestall her rage :
Yours the shameful slavery of the Jews to end.
Your slain Kings to avenge, your Law to restore,
And bring the two tribes to acclaim their King.
* The enterprise, no doubt, is great and perilous :
* Thirty-two lines, beginning here, are omitted in the performance.
I40 ^THAUE.
J'attaque fur fon tr6ne une Reine orgueilleufe,
Qui voit fous fes drapeaux marcher un camp nombreux
De hardis Etrangers, d'infidelles Hebreux.
Mais ma force eft au Dieu, dont Tintereft me guide.
Songez qu'en cet Enfant tout Ifrael refide.
D6ja ce Dieu vengeur commence 4 la troubler.
D6ja trompant fes foins j*ay f5u vous raffembler.
EUe nous croit ici fans armes, fans d^fenfe.
Couronnons, proclamons Joas en diligence.
De la, du nouveau Prince intrepides foldats,
Marchons en invoquant TArbitre des combats ;
Et reveillant la foy dans les coeurs endormie,
Jufques dans fon Palais cherchons noftre Ennemie.
Et quels coeurs (1 plongez dans un lache fommeil,
Nous voyant avancer dans ce faint appareil,
Ne s'emprefleront pas k fuivre noftre exemple ?
Un Roy que Dieu luy-mfime a nourri dans fon Temple,
Le fucceffeur d* Aaron de fes Preftres fuivi,
Conduifant au combat les Enfans de Levi,
Et dans ces mfimes mains des peuples reverses,
Les armes au Seigneur par David confacr^es ?
Dieu fur fes ennemis r^pandra fa terreur.
Dans Tinfidelle fang baignez-vous fans horreur.
Frappez & Tyriens, & meme Ifraelites.
Ne defcendez-vous pas de ces fameux Levites,
Qui lors qu'au Dieu du Nil le volage Ifrael
Rendit dans le defert un culte criminel,
r De leurs plus chers parens faintement homicides,
Confacrerent leurs mains dans le fang des perfides,
; Et par ce noble exploit vous acquirent Thonneur
^THALIAH. 141
I attack a haughty Queen upon her throne
Around whose standards a vast host is ranged
Of faithless Hebrews and bold foreigners ;
My strength is in the GOD whose cause I serve.
Remember Israel in this child exists !
E*en now the GOD of wrath begins to vex her ;
E'en now, in spite of her cares, Tve assembled you.
Unarmed, without defence, she thinks us here.
Let us proclaim and crown Joash with speed :
Then, intrepid soldiers of our King,
Let us march, on the GOD of battles calling.
And, rousing faith once more in hearts that sleep.
Even in her palace seek our deadliest foe.
And what hearts can be so sunk in coward sleep
That, seeing us march on in sainted array.
Will not make haste to follow on our steps 1
A King, nurtured by GOD Himself within His Temple ;
Aaron's successor, followed by his priests.
Leading the sons of Levi to the fight ;
And, in their hands, which the people revere.
The weapons David dedicated to the LORD !
GOD o'er His foes His terrors shall pour out.
In the blood of the infidel plunge without a shudder !
Smite the Tyrian : smite even the Israelite !
Are you not offspring of those famous Levites
Who, when to the god of Nile faithless Israel
Offered a worship criminal in the desert.
Their nearest and dearest piously slaying.
Made holy their hands with the blood of the false
And by that high deed won for you the honor
142 t/ITHAUE.
D'eftre feuls employez aux Autels du Seigneur ?
Mais je voy que d^ja vous brOlez de me fuivre.
Jurez done avant tout fur cet augufte Livre,
A ce Roy que le Ciel vous redonne aujourd'huy,
De vivre, de combattre, & de mourir pour luy.
AZARIAS.
Ouy, nous jurons ici pour nous, pour tous nos Freres,
De r^tablir Joas au tr6ne de fes Peres,
De ne pofer le fer entre nos mains remis,
Qu*apr6s Tavoir veng6 de tous fes ennemis.
Si quelque tranfgreffeur enfreint cette promeffe,
Qu'il eprouve, grand Dieu, ta fureur vengereffe :
Qu'avec luy, fes enfans de ton partage exclus,
Soient au rang de ces morts que tu ne connois plus.
JOAD.
Et vous, k cette Loy, voftre regie 6temelle,
Roy, ne jurez-vous pas d'eftre toujours fidelle ?
JOAS.
Pourrois-je k cette Loy ne me pas conformer?
JOAD.
O mon fils, de ce nom j'ofe encor vous nommer,
Souffrez cette tendreffe, & pardonnez aux larmes
Que m'arrachent pour vous de trop juftes allarmes.
Loin du tr6ne nourri, de ce fatal honneur,
Helas ! vous ignorez le charme empoifonneur.
De Tabfolu pouvoir vous ignorez Tyvreffe,
^THALIAH. 143
To serve alone the altar of the LORD ?
I see that already you bum to follow :
But, first, take oath upon this august book.
To the King whom Heaven restores to you to-day,
To live, to battle and to die for him.
AZARIAH.
We swear, for ourselves and for our brethren all.
Upon his father's throne Joash to set.
And ne'er to lay down the sword now to us given
Till he has triumphed o'er all his foes.
If any man transgressing break this pledge.
Smite him, great GOD, with Thine avenging arm ;
Let him and his from Thy realm outcast
Be as the dead whom Thou no more dost know.
JEHOIADA.
And you, to this law, your eternal guide,
O King, will you not swear fidelity }
JOASH.
Could I then ever fail to keep this Law }
JEHOIADA.
O my son I by that name still let me call you.
Bear with my love and pardon grant these tears
Which are forced from me by my fears for you.
Brought up far from the throne, of that fatal honor,
Alas ! you know not the poisoning charm :
Of absolute power you know not the sweets,
144 ^THAUE.
Et des lAches flatteurs la voix enchantereffe.
Bientoft ils vous diront, que les plus faintes Loix,
Maitreffes du vil peuple, obe'iffent aux Rois ;
Qu'un Roy n'a d'autre f rein que la volont6 mfeme ;
Qu'il doit immoler tout a fa grandeur fuprfime ;
Qu*aux larmes, au travail le Peuple eft condamn^,
Et d'un fceptre de fer veut eftre gouvern^ ;
Que s*il n'eft opprim^, toft ou tard il opprime.
Ainfi de piege en piege, & d'abime en abfme,
Corrompant de vos moeurs Taimable puret6,
lis vous feront enfin hair la Verity,
Vous peindront la vertu fous une afFreufe image.
Helas ! ils ont des Rois 6gar6 le plus fage.
Promettez fur ce Livre & devant ces Temoins,
Que Dieu fera toujours le premier de vos foins.
Que fevere aux Medians, & des Bons le refuge,
Entre le Pauvre & Vous, vous prendrcz Dieu pour juge ;
Vous fouvenant, mon fils, que cach6 fous ce lin,
Comme eux vous futes pauvre, & comme eux orphelin.
JOAS.
Je promets d'obferver ce que la Loy m'ordonne.
Mon Dieu, puniffez-moy, fi je vous abandonne.
JOAD.
Venez, de Thuile fainte il faut vous confacrer.
Paroiffez, Jofabet, vous pouvez vous montrer.
JITHALIAH. 145
Nor the enchanting voice of flattery.
Soon will you hear that the most sacred laws
Rule the vile herd, but to the sovereign yield :
That a king knows no bridle but his will ;
That all must give way to his rank supreme ;
That tears and labour are the people's doom,
And with an iron hand must needs be ruled ;
For, not oppressed, oppressor it becomes :
Thus you ever duping and ever dragging down,
Corrupting the fresh purity of your life.
They will at length make you detest the truth
Depicting virtue as an odious thing.
Alas ! the wisest king they led astray !
Promise then on this Book, with these to witness,
That GOD shall ever be your foremost care ;
That stern to the wicked, a refuge to the good,
Between the poor and you GOD shall be judge ;
Remembering, my son, that, while you wore this robe.
Poor and an orphan like them you have been.
JOASH.
I swear to observe that which the Law prescribes.
And punish me, O GOD, if I forsake Thy way !
JEHOIADA.
Come : with sacred oil anointed you must be.
Come forth, Jehoshabeath ; you may enter now.
146 ^THALIE.
SCENE ly.
JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET, ZACHARIE, AZARIAS,
&c., SALOMITH, LE CHCEUR.
JOSABET embrajfant Joas.
O Roy, fils de David !
JOAS.
O mon unique Mere !
Venez, cher Zacharie, embraffez voftre frere.
JOSABET d Zacharie,
Aux pieds de voftre Roy profternez-vous, mon Fils.
JOAD pendant qu'ils s' embrajfent
Enfans, ainfi toiijours puifliez-vous eftre unis !
JOSABET d Joas,
Vous fgavez done quel fang vous a donn^ la vie ?
JOAS.
Et je fgay quelle main fans vous me Teuft ravie.
JOSABET.
De voftre nom, Joas, je puis done vous nommer.
JOAS.
Joas ne ceflera jamais de vous aimer.
LE CHCEUR.
Quoy, c'eft la. . . .
JITHALIAH. 147
SCEU^E It^.
JOASH, JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH, ZECHA-
RIAH, AZARIAH, SALOME, &c., THE CHORUS.
JEHOSHABEATH, embracing Joosh.
O King, son of David !
JOASH.
O only mother mine I
Loved Zechariah, come, embrace your brother.
JEHOSHABEATH, to Zechariah.
At your King's feet prostrate yourself, my son.
JEHOIADA, as the two embrace each other.
My children, may love unite you ever thus.
JEHOSHABEATH.
You know, then, from what race your life proceeds }
JOASH.
And but for you, by whose hands life had ended.
JEHOSHABEATH.
At length by your own name, Joash, I may call you.
JOASH.
And I will never cease to love you.
THE CHORUS.
What ! he
148 ^THALIE.
JOSABET.
C'eft Joas.
JOAD.
Ecoutons ce Levite.
SCEUsQE V.
JOAS, JOSABET, JOAD, &c.,
UN LEVITE.
UN LEVITE.
J'ignore centre Dieu quel projet on medite.
Mais Tairain menagant fremit de toutes parts.
On voit luire des feux parmi des 6tendarts ;
Et fans doute Athalie aflemble Ton arm^e.
D6ja mfeme au fecours toute voye eft ferm^e.
D^ja le facr^ mont, oii le Temple eft biti,
D'infolens Tyriens eft par tout invefti.
L'un d'eux en blafphemant, vient de nous faire entendre
Qu'Abner eft dans les fers, & ne pent nous d^fendre.
JOSABET d. Joas.
Cher Enfant, que le Ciel en vain m'avoit rendu,
Helas ! pour vous fauver j'ay fait ce que j'ay pu.
Dieu ne fe fouvient plus de David voftre pere.
JOAD d Jofabet
Quoy ! Vous ne craignez pas d'attirer fa colere
Sur vous, & fur ce Roy fi cher d voftre amour ?
^THALIAH. 149
JEHOSHABEATH.
He is Joash.
JEHOIADA.
Let us hear this Levite.
SCENE V.
JOASH, JEHOSHABEATH, JEHOIADA, &c.,
A LEVITE.
A LEVITE.
I know not what scheme 'gainst GOD is planned ;
But everywhere resounds the threatening brass.
Amid the standards fires brightly gleam,
And doubtless Athaliah her hosts compels.
All roads for help are even now closed up ;
Already the Holy Mount whereon our Temple stands
By braggart Tyrians is invested round :
Of whom, with curses, one has just proclaimed
That Abner is a captive and cannot be our help.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Beloved child, whom vainly Heaven restored,
Alas ! to save you I have done my best :
But GOD remembers not David your sire.
JEHOIADA, to Jehoshabeatk.
What ! fear you not His anger to draw down
On you and on this King so dear to you }
ISO ^THAUE.
Et quand Dieu de vos bras rarrachant fans retour,
Voudroit que de David la Maifon fuft 6teinte ;
N'eftes-vous pas ici fur la Montague fainte,
♦ Abra- Oil* le Pere des Juif s fur fon fils innocent,
^' Leva fans murmurer un bras obeiffant,
Et mit fur un bucher ce fruit de fa vieillefle,
Laiflant k Dieu le foin d'accomplir fa promeffe,
Et luy facrifiant avec ce fils aim^
Tout Tefpoir de fa Race en luy feul renferm^ ?
Amis, partageons-nous. Qu'Ifmael en fa garde,
Prenne tout le c6t6 que T Orient regarde.
Vous, le c6te de I'Ourfe, & vous de T Occident.
Vous, le Midi. Qu'aucun par un zele imprudent,
D^couvrant mes deffeins, foit Preftre, foit Levite,
Ne forte avant le temps, & ne fe precipite.
Et que chacun enfin d*un mfime efprit poufEi,
Garde en mourant le pofte ou je Tauray plac6.
L'Ennemi nous regarde en fon aveugle rage
Comme de vils troupeaux refervez au carnage,
Et croit ne rencontrer que defordre & qu'eflfroy.
Qu*Azarias par tout accompagne le Roy.
*A/oas.yentz,* cher rejetton d'une vaillante Race,
Remplir vos D^fenfeurs d'une nouvelle audace.
Venez du diademe k leurs yeux vous couvrir,
Et perifTez du moins en Roy, s*il faut perir.
* A un Suivez-le, Jofabet. Vous,* donnez-moy ces armes.
^^^' Enfans, offrez k Dieu vos innocentes larmes.
^THALIAH. 151
Nay, even if GOD, snatching him from you.
Should will that of David the line should end,
Are you not here upon the sacred mount
Where* father Abraham 'gainst his innocent son * ^^/^'
Lifted, unmurmuring, his obedient hand
And placed upon the pile the child of his old age,
Leaving to GOD fulfilment of His promise
And offering up to Him, in that dear son.
The sole hope of his race in him contained ?
Friends, let us divide : Ishmael shall guard
The stretch of wall whereon the East doth flame ;
You, the North side ; and you, that of the West ;
You, the South. Let none, swayed by rash zeal,
Discovering my plans, be he Levite or priest.
Step forth before the time or forward dash ;
And let every man, by equal fire inspired,
Keep to the death the post entrusted to him.
Blinded by mad frenzy, the foe regards us
As a vile flock reserved for massacre.
And thinks to find confusion and alarm.
Let Azariah keep always by the King.
Come * now, dear scion of a valiant race, * ^^- .
Fill your defenders with a greater fire ;
Come, and before them putting on the crown.
Die as a King, if you must die to-day !
Follow him, Jehoshabeath. * Give me those arms. * To a
Children, offer to GOD your innocent tears.
152 mATHAUE.
SCEH^E yi.
SALOMITH, LE CHCEUR.
TOUT LE CHCEUR cfuinte.
Partez, Enfans d* Aaron, partez,
Jamais plus illuftre querelle
De vos ayeux n'arma le zele.
Partez, Enfans d' Aaron, partez.
C'eft voftre Roy, c'eft Dieu, pour qui vous combattez.
UNE VOIX SEULE.
Ou font les traits que tu lances,
Grand Dieu, dans ton jufte courroux ?
N*es-tu plus le Dieu jaloux ?
N'es-tu plus le Dieu des vengeances ?
UNE AUTRE.
Ou font, Dieu de Jacob, tes antiques bontez }
Dans Thorreur qui nous environne,
N'entens-tu que la voix de nos iniquitez ?
N'es-tu plus le Dieu qui pardonne }
TOUT JLE CHOEUR.
Ou font, Dieu de Jacob, tes antiques bontez >
UNE VOIX SEULE.
C'eft k toy que dans cette guerre
Les filches des Medians pretendent s'adreffer.
Faifons, difent-ils, ceffer
^THALIAH. 153
SCENE VI.
SALOME, THE CHORUS.
THE WHOLE CHORUS SINGS.
Forth, sons of Aaron, forth :
Never did nobler cause
Call your sires to arms.
Forth, sons of Aaron, forth :
For your King and your GOD you fight to-day.
A SINGER, ALONE.
Where be the bolts Thou launchest
In Thy just anger, great GOD.?
No longer a jealous GOD,
Nor the LORD of vengeance art Thou ?
ANOTHER SINGER.
O GOD of Jacob, wherefore fails Thy love }
In the horror that surrounds us with gloom
Hearest Thou only the voice of our crimes
And art Thou no more the long-suflfering LORD ?
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
O GOD of Jacob, wherefore fails Thy love }
A SINGER, ALONE.
Against Thee, in this war.
The arrows of the wicked are aimed.
" Let us," say they, " make an end
154 ^THAUE.
Les Feftes de Dieu fur la terre.
De fon joug importun d^livrons les Mortels.
Maflacrons tous fes Saints. Renverfons fes Autels.
Que de fon Nom, que de fa gloire
II ne refte plus de memoire.
Que ni luy, ni fon Chrift ne regnent plus fur nous.
TOUT LE CHCEUR.
Ou font les traits que tu lances,
Grand Dieu, dans ton jufte courroux.?
N'es-tu plus le Dieux jaloux }
N*es-tu plus le Dieu des vengeances }
UNE VOIX SEULE.
Trifle refle de nos Rois,
Chere & derniere fleur d*une tige fi belle,
Helas ! fous le couteau d'une Mere cruelle
Te verrons-nous tomber une feconde f ois i
Prince aimable, dy-nous, fi quelque Ange au berceau
Contre tes AfTafTins prit foin de te d^f endre ;
Ou fi dans la nuit du tombeau
La voix du Dieu vivant a ranim^ ta cendre.
UNE AUTRE.
D'un Pere & d'un Ayeul contre toy revoltez.
Grand Dieu, les attentats luy font-ils imputez }
Efl-ce que fans retour ta piti6 Tabandonne }
LE CHOEUR.
Oil font, Dieu de Jacob, tes antiques bontez ?
N'es-tu plus le Dieu qui pardonne?
^THALIAH. 155
Of the feasts of GOD on earth :
Let us rid mankind of His wearisome yoke :
Let us slaughter His saints, and His altars overthrow,
And as for His Name, and His glory,
No record of them shall be left :
Neither He nor His Christ shall over us reign."
THE WHOLE CHORUS.
Where be the bolts Thou launchest
In Thy just anger, great LORD }
No longer a jealous GOD
Nor the LORD of vengeance art Thou }
A SINGER, ALONE.
O wretched and last of our kings,
Dear latest bloom of fairest growth,
Alas ! beneath a cruel mother's stroke
Are we once more to see thee fall }
O prince, did an angel, at thy birth.
Stand ever ready to defend thee }
Or in the night of the tomb did the voice
Of the living GOD to thy ashes give life 1
ANOTHER SINGER.
Upon his head dost Thou visit, O GOD,
The sins of his forefathers, rebels to Thee,
Doth Thy pity forsake him forever }
THE CHORUS.
O GOD of Jacob, wherefore fails Thy love?
Art Thou no more the long-suflfering LORD ?
IS6 ^THAUE.
UNE DES FiLLES DU CH(EUR fam chantet.
Cheres Soeurs, n'entendez-vous pas
Des cruels Tyriens la trompette qui fonne ?
SALOMITH.
J'entens mefme les cris des barbares foldats,
Et d'horreur j'en friffonne.
Courons, fuyons, retirons-nous
A Tombre falutaire
Du redoutable Sandluaire.
Fin du quatrUme Affie.
M^Y(0S)^
"^U^SKi^^
nATHALIAH. 157
ONE OF THE MAIDENS OF THE CHORUS Speuks,
Dear sisters, hear you not
The cruel Tyrians' trumpets sounding ?
SALOME.
I hear the shouts of the barbarous soldiers ;
With horror I shudder.
O haste, let us flee
Safe in the shadow
Of the dread sanctuary.
End of the fourth Act,
ACTE V.
SCEO^E PRECMIERE.
ZAGHARIE, SALOMITH, LE CHOEUR.
SALOMITH.
Cher Zacharie, h6 bien ? Que nous apprenez-vous ?
ZACHARIE.
Redoublez au Seigneur voftre ardente priere.
Peut-eftre nous touchons k noftre heure derniere.
Pour Thorrible combat, ma Soeur, Tordre eft donn6.
SALOMITH.
Que fait Joas ?
ZACHARIE
Joas vient d'eftre couronn6.
Le grand Preftre a fur luy repandu Thuile fainte.
O Ciel ! dans tous les yeux quelle joye eftoit peinte
A Tafpeft de ce Roy rachet6 du tombeau !
Ma Soeur, on voit encor la marque du couteau.
On voit paroiftre aufli fa fidelle Nourrice,
Qui cach^e en un coin de ce vafte Edifice
Gardoit ce cher d^poft, & n'avoit de fes foins
Que les yeux de ma Mere, & que Dieu pour t^moins.
Nos Levites pleuroient de joye & de tendreffe.
ACT V.
SCEV^E FIRST.
ZECHARIAH, SALOME, THE CHORUS.
SALOME.
Ah, Zechariah, what news do you bring }
ZECHARIAH.
Pray to the LORD with redoubled fervor :
Perchance our last hour even now has come.
For the dread battle, sister, the order is given.
SALOME.
What does Joash ?
ZECHARIAH.
Joash has just been crowned :
With the sacred oil by the High Priest anointed.
O Heavens ! what joy in every eye did shine
At sight of that king raised from the tomb !
The dagger's mark, sister, may still be seen :
Forth also has come His faithful nurse,
Who, remotely hid in this vast edifice,
Watched o'er her charge, and in this tender care
Was seen by my mother and by GOD alone.
Our Levites wept for love and for delight,
i6o tATHAUE.
•
Et mefloient leurs (anglots 4 leurs cris d'allegrefle.
Luy, parmi ces tranfportSi affable, & fans orgueil,
A Tun tendoit la main, flattoit Tautre de Toeil,
Juroit de fe regler par leurs avis finceres,
Et les appelloit tous fes peres ou fes freres.
SALOMITH.
Ce fecret au dehors eft-il aufli fem6 ?
ZACHARIE.
Ce fecret dans le Temple eft encor renferm^.
Des Enf ans de Levi la troupe partag^e
Dans un profond filence aux portes s'eft rangee.
Tous doivent i la fois precipiter leurs pas,
Et crier pour fignal, Vive le Roy Joas.
Mais mon Pere defend que le Roy fe hazarde,
Et veut qu'Azarias demeure pour fa garde.
Cependant Athalie un poignard k la main
Rit des foibles rempars de nos portes d'airain.
Pour les rompre, elle attend les fatales machines,
Et ne refpire enfin que lang & que mines.
Quelques Preftres, ma Soeur, ont d'abord propof6
Qu*en un lieu foftterrain par nos peres creuf^
On renfermaft du moins noftre Arche precieufe.
O crainte, a dit mon Pere, indigne, injurieufe !
L' Arche, qui fit tomber tant de fuperbes tours,
Et forja le Jourdain de rebrouffer fon cours,
Des Dieux des Nations tant de fois triomphante,
Fuiroit done 4 Tafpeft d*une Femme infolente }
Ma Mere aupres du Roy, dans un trouble mortel.
^THALIAH. i6i
And mingled with their sobs their shouts of joy.
He, modest, aflfable, amid all the uproar,
To one he gave his hand, looked kindly on another.
Swore by their counsel he would guide his steps,
And called them all his fathers and brethren,
SALOME.
This secret — is it known beyond the walls }
ZECHARIAH.
As yet within the Temple only is it known.
The children of Levi into bands divided
In deepest silence at the gates are posted.
All, at one same instant, are to rush forth
And shout, as signal, GOD save King Joash !
My father forbids the King to venture out,
And orders Azariah to stay by him as guard.
Meanwhile Athaliah, dagger in hand,
Laughs at the weak defence of our gates of brass.
To break them in she but awaits the rams,
And, in a word, breathes only blood and ravage.
Some priests, my sister, did at first propose
That in a secret vault, of old prepared,
Our precious Ark, at least, should be concealed.
" O fear,** exclaimed my father, " unworthy, vile !
The Ark, before which fell so many towers,
Which forced the Jordan to retrace its course,
Over strange gods so oft victorious,
Shall it then flee at sight of an audacious woman!"
My mother, near the King, in mortal terror,
1 62 ^THAUE.
L'oeil tantoft fur ce Prince, & tantoft vers TAutel,
Muette, & fuccombant fous le poids des allarmes,
Aux yeux les plus cruels arracheroit des larmes.
Le Roy de temps en temps la preffe entre fes bras,
La flatte. . . Cheres Soeurs, fuivez toutes mes pas.
Et s'il faut aujourd'huy que noftre Roy periffe,
AUons, qu'un mefme fort avec luy nous unifle.
SALOMITH.
Quelle infolente main f rappe i coups redoublez ?
Qui fait courir ainli ces Levites troublez ?
Quelle precaution leur fait cacher leurs armes ?
Le Temple eft-il forc6 ?
ZACHARIE.
Diffipez vos allarmes.
Dieu nous envoye Abner.
SCES^E II.
ABNER, JOAD, JOSABET,
ZACHARIE, SALOMITH, ISMAEL,
DEUX LEVITES, &c.
JOAD.
En croiray-je mes yeux,
Cher Abner.? Quel chemin a pu jufqu'en ces lieux
Vous conduire au travers d*un camp qui nous affiege }
On difoit que d* Achab la Fille facrilege
Avoit, pour affurer fes projets inhumains,
Charg6 d'indignes fers vos genereufes mains.
^THALIAH. 163
Gazing by turns on the altar and on him,
Silent, and yielding to her load of fears.
Might well draw tears from the most cruel eyes.
The King from time to time enfolds her in his arms,
Soothes her. . . . Dear sisters all, now follow me.
And if needs must our King's life end to-day
Let us share the fate that doth fall on him.
SALOME.
What insolent hand thus loud knocks at the gates }
What means the rush of these excited Levites }
Why with such caution do they hide their arms ?
Is the Temple stormed ?
ZECHARIAH.
Allay your fears :
The LORD has sent us Abner.
SCE^E II.
ABNER, JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH,
ZECHARIAH, SALOME, ISHMAEL,
TWO LEVITES, &c.
JEHOIADA.
Can I believe mine eyes.
Dear Abner } What road to reach this place
Has brought you safe thro' this beleaguering host ?
We heard that Ahab's sacrilegious daughter
Had, to secure success to her projects inhuman.
With infamous fetters laden your brave hands.
i64 JITHAUE.
ABNER.
Ouy, Seigneur, elle a craint mon zele & mon courage.
Mais c'eft le moindre prix que me gardoit fa rage.
Dans rhorreur d'un cachot par fon ordre enferm6,
J'attendois que le Temple en cendre confum^,
De tant de flots de fang non encore affouvie,
Elle vinft nJ'affranchir d'une importune vie,
Et retrancher des jours, qu'auroit dii mille fois
Terminer la douleur de furvivre k mes Rois.
JOAD.
Par quel miracle a-t-on obtenu voftre grace.?
ABNER.
Dieu dans ce cceur cruel fjait feul ce qui fe paffe.
Elle m'a fait venir, & d'un air 6gar^,
Tu vois de mes foldats tout ce Temple entour^,
Dit-elle. Un feu vengeur va le reduire en cendre.
Et ton Dieu contre moy ne le fgauroit d^fendre.
Ses Preftres toutefois, mais il faut fe hiter,
A deux conditions peuvent fe racheter :
Qu'avec Eliacin on mette en ma puiffance
Un trefor, dont je Cjay quails ont la connoiflance.
Par voftre Roy David autrefois amafle.
Sous le fceau du fecret au grand Preftre laiiK.
Va, dy-leur, qu'i ce prix je leur permets de vivre.
JOAD.
Quel confeil, cher Abner, croyez-vous qu'on doit fuivre ?
tATHAUAH. i6s
ABNER.
'Tis true, my LORD, she feared my zeal and courage :
But fetters were the least reward her fury meant for me.
Plunged by her orders in a gloomy dungeon,
I looked, as soon as our Temple was in ashes,
That she, yet unslaked by streams of blood,
Should come to rid me of my weary life
And end my days, which long since the grief
To have survived my Kings should have cut short.
JEHOIADA.
And by what miracle was your pardon gained }
ABNER.
GOD only knows what moves her cruel heart.
She sent for me and, with most haggard mien :
"You see by my hosts your Temple begirt,"
Said she ; " and now avenging flames shall lay it low.
Your GOD Himself 'gainst me cannot defend it.
Nathless its priests, but I brook no delay.
On two conditions may their lives redeem:
That with Eliakim they in my hands must place
A treasure, of which I know they are aware.
Which David your King did of yore amass,
And left in *secrecy to the High Priest.
Go : say, that on these terms I grant their lives."
JEHOIADA.
What counsel think you, Abner, we should follow ?
i66 t/ITHAUE.
ABNER.
Et tout Tor de David, s'il eft vray qu'en effet
Vous gardiez de David quelque trefor fecret,
Et tout ce que des mains de cette Reine avare
Vous avez pA fauver & de riche & de rare,
Donnez-le. Voulez-vous que d'impurs aflaflins
Viennent brifer TAutel, briiler les Cherubins,
Et portant fur noftre Arche une main temeraire,
De voftre propre fang fotiiller le San<5luaire ?
JOAD.
Mais fieroit-il, Abner, k des coeurs genereux
De livrer au fupplice un Enfant malheureux,
Un Enfant, que Dieu mfime i ma garde confie,
Et de nous racheter aux d^pens de fa vie ?
ABNER.
Helas ! Dieu voit mon coeur. Pleuft d ce Dieu puiffant
Qu'Athalie oubliaft un Enfant innocent,
Et que du fang d' Abner fa cruaute contente
Cruft calmer par ma mort le Ciel qui la tourmente !
Mais que peuvent pour luy vos inutiles foins ?
Quand vous perirez tons, en perira-t-il moins ?
Dieu vous ordonne-t-il de tenter rimpoflible ?
Pour obeir aux loix d'un Tyran inflexible,
Mo'ife par fa Mere au Nil abandonn^,
Se vit, prefque en naiflant, k perir condamn^.
Mais Dieu le confervant contre toute efperance,
Fit par le Tyran mefme Clever fon enfance.
Qui fgait ce qu'il referve i voftre Eliacin,
t/ITHALIAH. 167
ABNER.
Why, all the gold of David, if it be true
That you from him a secret treasure have ;
And everything of precious and of rare
Which you have saved from the Queen's greedy clutch.
Give all. Wish you to have her foul assassins
Break down our altars, burn its cherubim.
And, laying their rash hands upon our Ark,
Profane the Holy Place with your own blood ?
JEHOIADA.
But is it right, Abner, for true-hearted men
To yield up to death an ill-fated child ?
A child whom GOD has trusted to my care ?
And to redeem our lives at cost of his ?
ABNER.
Alas ! GOD reads my heart. Would but the LORD
Make Athaliah forget the innocent child.
And that, by Abner* s death her blood-thirst slaked,
Tormenting Heaven she might deem appeased !
But what avail for him your useless cares ?
When you have perished all shall he escape ?
Does GOD demand of you the impossible ?
* In obedience to a harsh tyrant's laws,
Moses, abandoned by his grieving mother,
Was doomed, scarce born, to perish on the Nile ;
But GOD preserved his life when hope seemed gone,
And made the tyrant o'er his childhood watch.
Who knows what He reserves for Eliakim,
* This and the next sixteen lines are omitted in the performance.
i68 tATHAUE.
Et fi luy preparant un femblable deftin,
II n'a point de piti6 d6ja rendu capable
De nos malheureux Rois Thomicide implacable ?
Du moins, & Jofabet, comme moy, I'a pu voir,
Tantoft k fon afpe6l je Tay veii s'^mouvoir.
J'ay ved de fon courroux tomber la violence.
Princefle, en ce peril vous gardez le filence ?
H6 quoy ? Pour un Enfant, qui vous eft eft ranger,
Souffrez-vous que fans fruit Joad laiffe ^gorger
Vous, fon Fils, tout ce peuplc, & que le feu devore
Le feul Lieu fur la terre oil Dieu veut qu'on Tadore ?
Que feriez-vous de plus, fi des Rois vos ayeux
Ce jeune Enfant eflx)it un refte precieux?
J OS ABET tout bos d Joad.
Pour le fang de fes Rois vous voyez fa tendreffe.
Que ne luy parlez-vous ?
JOAD.
II n'eft pas temps, Princefle.
ABNER.
Le temps eft cher. Seigneur, plus que vous ne penfez.
Tandis qu'i me r^pondre icy vous balancez,
Mathan pr6s d'Athalie ^tincelant de rage,
Demande le fignal, & prefle le carnage.
Faut-il que je me jette i vos facrez genoux?
Au nom du Lieu fi faint, qui n'eft ouvert qu'4 vous.
Lieu terrible, ou de Dieu la majeft^ repofe.
Quelque dure que foit la loy qu'on vous impofe,
De ce coup improved fongeons 4 nous parer.
^THALIAH. 169
And whether preparing a like fate for him.
He has not even now inspired with pity
The implacable murderess of our wretched kings ?
At least, and Jehoshabeath beheld it with me,
Lately at sight of him I saw her moved ;
I saw of her rage the violence subdued.
Princess, in this peril why keep you silence !
What ! for a child, a stranger unto you.
Will you permit Jehoiada, profitless, to slay
His son and you, these people all, and let flames devour
The only place where GOD wills to be adored ?
What more could you, if of your ancestral kings
This young child were the sole priceless remnant ?
JEHOSHABEATH, aside to Jehoiada.
Unto the royal race you see his love :
Why not tell all?
JEHOIADA.
The time is not yet ripe.
ABNER.
Time is precious, my lord, more than you think.
While to answer me here you hesitate,
Mattan, at Athaliah's side, flaming with rage.
Calls for the signal, and to slaughter urges.
Must I throw myself at your sacred feet }
By that most Holy Place open to you alone,
That place of awe where the LORD'S glory shines,
However harsh the terms on you imposed.
Let us ward off this unexpected stroke.
170 tATHAUE.
Donnez-moy feulement le temps de refpirer.
Demain, d6s cette nuit, je prendray des mefures
Pour affurer le Temple, & vanger fes injures.
Mais je voy que mes pleurs & que mes vains difcours
Pour vous perfuader font un foible fecours.
Voftre auftere vertu n'en peut eftre frapp^e.
H6 bien ! Trouvez-moy done quelque arme, quelque 6p6e.
Et qu'aux portes du Temple, oil TEnnemi m'attend,
Abner puifle du moins mourir en combattant.
JOAD.
Je me rends. Vous m'ouvrez un avis que j'embraffe.
De tant de maux, Abner, d^toumons la menace.
II eft vray, de David un trefor eft refte.
La garde en fut commife i ma fidelity.
C'eftoit des triftes Juifs Tefperance derniere,
Que mes foins vigilans cachoient k la lumiere.
Mais puifqu'i voftre Reine il faut le d^couvrir,
Je vais la contenter, nos portes vont s'ouvrir.
De fes plus braves Chefs qu'elle entre accompagn^e,
Mais de nos faints Autels qu*elle tienne 61oign6e,
D'un ramas d*Eftrangers Tindifcrette fureur.
Du pillage du Temple ^pargnez -moy Thorreur.
Des Preftres, des Enfans luy feroient-ils quelque ombre .^
De fa Suite avec vous qu'elle regie le nombre.
Et quant k cet Enfant fi craint, fi redouts,
De voftre coeur, Abner, je connoy T^quit^.
Je vous veux devant elle expliquer fa naiffance.
Vous verrez, s'il le faut remettre en fa puiflance.
Et je vous feray juge entre Athalie & luy.
tATHALIAH. 171
Give me a moment to recover breath :
To-morrow, nay, this night, I shall take steps
The Temple to secure and to avenge its wrongs.
But I perceive my tears and my weak words
Little avail to sway your lofty mind ;
By them your stern resolve remains unshaken :
Well, find me then a weapon, find me a sword,
And at the Temple gates where the foe waits me,
Abner at least can perish in the fight.
JEHOIADA.
Nay, I yield. Your suggestion I adopt :
Let us ward off these many threatened ills.
Tis true, a treasure, David's once, remains ;
Its keeping was confided to my trust.
It was the last hope of the wretched Jews,
And by my vigilant cares from light concealed.
But since to your Queen it must now be shown,
I will content her, our gates open wide.
With her bravest chiefs let her enter here ;
But from our altars she must keep away
The unbridled fury of her foreign hordes :
Spare me the horror of the Temple pillaged.
Can priests, can children cause in her alarm }
Let her with you her escort's numbers fix.
And, for that child, so dreaded and so feared.
As I know your heart, Abner, to be upright,
I in her presence will tell you his birth :
You shall decide if I must give him up.
You shall be judge between the child and her.
172 tATHAUE.
ABNER.
Ah 1 je le prens d^ja. Seigneur, fous mon appuy.
Ne craignez rien. Je cours vers celle qui m'envoye.
SCEUsQE III.
JOAD, JOSABET, ISMAEL,
ZACHARIE, &c.
JOAD.
Grand Dieu, voicy ton heure, on t'ameine ta proye.
Ifmael, 6coutez.
// luy park d Voreille.
JOSABET.
Puiflant Maiftre des Cieux,
Remets-luy le bandeau dont tu couvris fes yeux,
Lors que luy d^robant tout le fruit de fon crime,
Tu cachas dans mon fein cette tendre vidlime.
JOAD.
AUez, fage Ifmael, ne perdez point de temps.
Suivez de point en point ces ordres importans.
Sur tout, qu'a fon entree, & que fur fon paflage.
Tout d'un calme profond luy prefente Timage.
Vous, Enfans, preparez un throne pour Joas.
Qu'il s'avance fuivi de nos facrez foldats.
Faites venir aufli fa fidelle Nourrice,
Princeffe, & de vos pleurs que la fource tariffe.
^THALIAH. 173
ABNER.
My lord, from this moment, I take him in charge.
Fear nothing. I haste to her who sent me.
SCES^E III.
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH, ISHMAEL,
ZECHARIAH, &c.
JEHOIADA.
O GOD ! Thine hour has come ; they bring Thy prey.
List, Ishmael.
He whispers to Ishmael.
JEHOSHABEATH.
O mighty LORD of Heaven,
Blind her again as Thou before didst blind
When, of the fruit of crime depriving her.
In my breast Thou didst hide that tender child.
JEHOIADA.
Go, prudent Ishmael, and lose no time ;
Perform in every point these weighty orders.
Above all, as she enters and proceeds.
Of peace profound let all the aspect wear.
You, children, make ready a throne for Joash ;
Let him advance with all our sacred troops.
Let too his faithful nurse be present here.
Princess, and let your tears no longer flow.
174 tATHAUE.
Vous. . .
d un Levite.
d^s que cette Reine yvre d'un fol orgueil,
De la porte du Temple aura paCK le feuil,
Qu'elle ne pourra plus retourner en arriere,
Prenez foin qu*4 Tinftant la trompette guerriere
Dans le camp ennemi jette un fubit effroy.
Appelez tout le Peuple au fecours de fon Roy.
Et faites retentir jufques i fon oreille.
De Joas conferv6 T^tonnante merveille.
II vient.
SCEU^E ly.
JOAS, JOAD,
JOSABET, TROUPE DE PRESTRES
ET DE LEVITES, &c.
JOAD, continue.
Levites faints, Preftres de noftre Dieu,
Par tout, fans vous montrer, environnez ce lieu.
Et laiffant i mes foins gouverner voftre zele,
Pour paroiftre attendez que ma voix vous appelle.
Ils/e cachent tons,
Roy, je croy qu'k vos vceux cet efpoir eft permis,
Venez voir i vos pieds tomber vos ennemis.
Celle dont la fureur pourfuivit voftre enfance,
Vers ces lieux k grands pas pour vous perdre s'avance.
Mais ne la craignez point. Songez qu'autour de vous
L' Ange exterminateur eft debout avec nous.
t/ITHALIAH. 175
You. . .
To a Levite.
as soon as the Queen, drunk with mad pride,
Has passed the threshold of the Temple gates.
And when no more she can her steps retrace,
See that at once the clarions of war
Within the enemy's camp cast sudden fright ;
Summon the people to support their King :
And loud proclaim that even all may hear
Of Joash*s safety the wondrous news :
He comes.
SCEU^E /K.
JOASH, JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH, THE
TROOP OF PRIESTS AND
LEVITES, &c.
JEHOIADA, continuing.
Ye holy Levites, Priests of our GOD,
On all sides, but unseen, this place surround ;
Letting your zeal be governed by my word.
To appear, await the summons of my voice.
They all conceal themselves.
Sire, I think this hope you may indulge :
Soon shall you see your foes fall at your feet
She, whose hot rage pursued you when a child.
Comes, hastening to destroy you, to this place.
But fear her not : remember, at your side
The destroying angel with us doth stand.
176 • tATHAUE.
Montez fur voftre thr6ne, & . . . Mais la porte s'ouvre.
Permettez un moment que ce voile vous couvre,
// tire un rideau,
Vous changez de couleur, Princeffe ?
JOSABET.
Ah ! fans pilir,
Puis-je voir d'affaffms le Temple fe remplir ?
Quoy ? Ne voyez-vous pas quelle nombreufe efcorte. . .
JOAD.
Je voy que du faint Temple on referme la porte.
Tout eft en feuret^.
SCEV^E V.
ATHALIE, JOAS, cachi derriere le rideau, JOAD,
JOSABET, ABNER, SUITE
D'ATHALIE.
ATHALIE d Joad.
Te voili, Sedu6leur,
De ligues, de complots pernicieux auteur.
Qui dans le trouble feul a mis tes efperances,
Eternel ennemi des fuprfemes puiffances.
En Tappui de ton Dieu tu t'eftois repoft.
De ton efpoir frivole es-tu defabuCi ?
II laiffe en mon pouvoir & fon Temple & ta vie.
Je devrois fur TAutel, ou ta main facrifie,
Te . . . Mais du prix qu*on m'offre il faut me contenter.
^THAUAH. 177
Mount on your throne, and. . . . But now they ope the gates.
Allow this veil to hide you for a moment.
He draws a curtain.
You turn pale, Princess.
JEHOSHABEATH.
Can I help turning pale
When I behold the Temple filled with murderers ?
See you not with what a numerous train. . . .
JEHOIADA.
I see the Temple gates are closed again :
Now, all is well.
SCEd^EV.
ATH ALIAH, JOASH, concealed behind the curtain^
JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH, ABNER,
TRAIN OF ATHALIAH.
ATHALIAH, to Jehoiada. ,
So *tis thou, vile intriguer.
Of conspiracies and plots pernicious author.
Who on troubles only all thy hopes hast based :
Thou unwearied foe of our sovereign power !
In the help of thy GOD thy trust was placed :
Art thou at last aware thy hope was frivolous }
He yields to me His Temple and thy life.
On the altar where thou worshippest, I ought. . . .
But with the ransom I must be content.
178 ^THAUE.
Ce que tu m'as promis fonge k Texecuter.
Cet Enfanti ce trefor qu'il faut qu'on me remette.
Oil font-ils?
JOAD.
Sur le champ tu feras fatisfaite.
Je te les vais montrer Tun & Tautre & la fois.
Le rideau fe tire.
Paroiflez, chcr Enfant, digne fang de nos Rois.
Connois-tu Theritier du plus faint des Monarques,
Reine? De ton poignard connois du moins ces marques.
Voiia ton Roy, ton Fils, le Fils d'Okofias.
Peuples, & vous Abner, reconnoiflfez Joas.
ABNER.
Ciel!
ATHALiE d Joad,
Perfide!
JOAD.
Vois-tu cette Juive fidelle,
Dont tu f5ais bien qu'alors il fugoit la mammelle ?
II fut par Jofabet 4 ta rage enlev6.
Ce Temple le receut, & Dieu Ta conferva.
Des trefors de David voild ce qui me refte.
ATHALIE.
Ta fourbe i cet Enfant, Traiftre, fera funefte.
D'un Fantofme odieux, foldats, d^livrez-moy.
.ATHALIAH. 179
What thou hast promised, see thou dost perform :
The child, the treasure thou art pledged to give,
Where are they?
JEHOIADA.
Without delay thou shalt be satisfied :
I show the treasure and the child in one.
The curtain is drawn aside.
Appear, my child, worthy scion of our kings !
Know' St thou the heir of the holiest of Kings,
O Queen ? At least thou knowest thy dagger's marks !
Behold thy King, thy son, Ahaziah's son !
Ye people, and you, Abner, hail King Joash !
ABNER.
O Heaven !
ATHALIAH, to Jehoiada.
Perfidious one !
JEHOIADA.
Seest thou that faithful Jewess
On whose breast thou knowest he then did hang ?
By Jehoshabeath from thy rage he was saved :
This Temple received him, and GOD has preserved him.
Of David's treasures this is left to me.
ATHALIAH.
To the child, traitor, thy trick shall fatal be.
Of this hateful phantom, soldiers, rid me !
i8o .ATHAUE.
JOAD.
Soldats du Dieu vivant, d^fendez voftre Roy.
Icy Ufond du Theatre s'ouvre. On voit le dedans
du Temple^ & les Levites armez f orient de tous
coftezfur la Scene.
ATHALIE.
Oil fuis-je ? O trahifon ! O Reine infortun^e !
D'armes & d'ennemis je fuis environn^e.
JOAD.
Tes yeux cherchent en vain, tu ne peus ^chapper,
Et Dieu de toutes parts a fceu t'envelopper.
Ce Dieu que tu bravois, en nos mains t'a livr^e.
Rens-luy compte du fang dont tu t'es enyvr^e.
ATHALIE.
Quoy } La peur a glac6 mes indignes foldats }
L&che Abner, dans quel piege as-tu conduit mes pas ?
ABNER.
Reine, Dieu m'eft t^moin. . .
ATHALIE,
Laiffe-la ton Dieu, traiftre,
Et venge-moy.
KBiu'EK fe jettant aux pieds de Joas,
Sur qui } Sur Joas ! Sur mon Maiftre !
ATHALIE.
Luy Joas } Luy ton Roy } Songez, m^chans, fongez
^THALIAH. i8i
JEHOIADA.
Soldiers of the living GOD, defend your King !
The back of the stage opens : the interior of the
Temple is seen, and the armed Levites rush in
on the stage from, all sides,
ATHALIAH.
Where am I ? O treason ! O Queen undone !
By arms and enemies I am surrounded !
JEHOIADA.
Thine eyes look round in vain, thou canst not fly,
GOD on all sides has compassed thee about.
And He, thy scorn, delivered thee to us ;
Make answer to Him for the blood thou hast shed.
ATHALIAH.
What ! are my wretched soldiers stiff with fear !
Base Abner, into what snare hast thou led me }
ABNER.
Queen, be GOD my witness. . . .
ATHALIAH.
Name not thy GOD, traitor,
But avenge me.
ABNER, casting himself at the feet of Joash.
On whom } On Joash ! On my King !
ATHALIAH.
He, Joash ! He, thy King ! Mind, traitors, mind.
1 82 tATHAUE.
Que mes armes encor vous tiennent afliegez.
J'entens k haute voix tout mon camp qui m'appelle.
On vient k mon fecours. Tremblez, troupe rebelle.
SCEU^E yi.
ISMAEL, JOAS,
JOAD, ATHALIE, &c.
ISMAEL d Joad.
Seigneur, le Temple eft libre, & n'a plus d'ennemis.
L'Eftranger eft en fuite, & le Juif eft foumis.
Comme le vent dans Tair diffipe la fum^e,
La voix du Tout-puiflant a chafK cette Arm^e.
Nos Levites, du haut de nos facrez parvis,
D'Okofias au peuple ont annonc6 le Fils,
Ont cont6 fon enfance au glaive d^rob^e,
Et la fiUe d'Achab dans le piege tomb^e.
Par tout en mfeme temps la trompette a fonn6.
Et fes fons, & leurs cris dans fon camp eftonn^
Ont r^pandu le trouble & la terreur fubite,
Dont Gedeon frappa le fier Madianite.
Les Tyriens jettant armes & boucliers,
Ont par divers chemins difparu les premiers.
Quelques Juifs 6perdus ont auffi pris la fuite.
Mais de Dieu ftir Joas admirant la conduite
Le refte k haute voix s'eft pour luy declare.
Enfin d'un mfime efprit tout le Peuple infpir^,
Femmes, vieillards, enfans, s'embraflant avec joye,
^THALIAH. 183
My forces still surround you fast besieged,
I hear the loud call of my troops for me.
They hasten to my help : ye rebels, tremble !
SCED^E yi.
ISHMAEL, JOASH, JEHOIADA,
ATHALIAH, &c.
ISHMAEL, to Jehoiada,
My lord, the Temple's free, and gone the foe :
The foreigner has fled, the Jew returned.
As the wind's blast in air dispels the smoke
The voice of GOD has scattered that host.
Our Levites, from the summit of the walls.
Proclaimed the son of Ahaziah King,
Told how, a child, he was saved from the sword.
And told of Ahab's daughter now ensnared.
From all sides at once the trumpets sounded.
And its blasts and their shouts through her terrified camp
Spread wide disorder and fear like to that
With which Gideon quelled the Midianites.
The Tyrians, casting down their arms and shields.
By various roads were first to disappear.
Some Jews bewildered, have also taken flight :
But, GOD's wondrous guidance of Joash admiring,
All others loudly have declared for him.
Briefly, the people by one feeling swayed.
Women, old men, children, filled with joy.
1 84 tATHAUE.
Beniffent le Seigneur, & celuy qu'il envoye.
Tous chantent de David le Fils reflufcit^.
Baal eft en horreur dans la fainte Cit^.
De fon temple profane on a brift les portes.
Mathan eft 6gorg^.
ATHALIE.
Dieu des Juif s, tu Temportes !
Ouy, c*eft Joas. Je cherche en vain k me tromper,
Je reconnois Tendroit 06 je le fis frapper.
Je voy d'Okofias & le port, & le gefte.
Tout me retrace enfin un fang que je detefte.
David, David, triomphe. Achab feul eft d^truit.
Impitoyable Dieu, toy feul as tout conduit.
C'eft toy, qui me flattant d'une vengence aif^e,
M'as vingt fois en un jour a moy-mefme oppof^e,
Tantoft pour un enfant excitant mes remors,
Tantoft m'eblouiflant de tes riches trefors.
Que j'ay craint de livrer aux flames, au pillage.
Qu'il regne done ce Fils, ton foin, & ton ouvrage ;
Et que pour fignaler fon empire nouveau
On luy faffe en mon fein enfoncer le couteau.
Voicy ce qu'en mourant luy fouhaite fa Mere
Que dis-je fouhaiter.? Je me flatte, j'efpere,
Qu'indocile k ton joug, fatigu6 de ta Loy,
Fidelle au fang d' Achab, qu'il a reced de moy,
Conforme k fon Ayeul, a fon Pere femblable.
On verra de David Theritier deteftable
Abolir tes honneurs, profaner ton Autel,
Et venger Athalie, Achab & Jezabel.
^THALIAH. 185
All praise the LORD and him whom He has sent.
All sing of David's son to life restored.
Baal, in our Holy City is overthrown
And his foul temple gates are broken down ;
Mattan is slain.
ATHALIAH.
GOD of the Jews, victory is Thine !
Yes, 'tis Joash ; denial is all in vain :
I recognize the scar where he was stabbed ;
Ahaziah's mien and port in him I see ;
All in him doth recall a hateful race.
David now triumphs : Ahab alone is fallen
O pitiless GOD ! 'tis Thou hast ruled it all !
Thou Who, blinding me with hope of vengeance.
Filled me with contradictions every day :
Now for the child in me remorse awaking,
Now with treasures rich my lust of gold exciting.
Treasures I feared to lose by flame and pillage.
Let him reign, then, that son. Thy care, Thy creature ;
And, to make glorious his new-bom rule.
Let him the dagger plunge into my breast.
And this for him his dying mother wishes :
Wish, say I } Nay, I long, I hope
That to Thy yoke rebellious, weary of Thy law.
And true to Ahab's blood, thro' me received.
His sire and his grandsire both alike resembling.
This hateful heir of David shall be seen
Abolishing Thy honors, profaning Thy altar.
Avenging Athaliah, Ahab, and Jezebel !
1 86 .ATHAUE.
JOAD.
Qu'i rinftant hors du Temple elle foit emmen^e,
Et que la faintet^ n'en foit point profan^e.
AUez, facrez Vengeurs de vos Princes meurtris,
De leur fang par fa mort faire cefler les cris.
Si quelque audacieux embrafle fa querelle,
Qu'i la fureur du glaive on le livre avec elle.
scEir^E yiL
JOAS, JOAD, JOSABET,
ABNER, &c.
JOAS.
Dieu, qui voyez mon trouble & mon affliftion,
D6toumez loin de moy fa malediftion,
Et ne fouflrez jamais qu'elle foit accomplie.
Faites que Joas meure, avant qu'il vous oublie.
JOAD aux Levites,
Appellez tout le Peuple, & montrons-luy fon Roy,
Qu'il luy vienne en fes mains renouveller fa foy.
Roy, Preftres, Peuple, allons, pleins de reconoiffance,
De Jacob avec Dieu confirmer Talliance^
Et faint em ent confus de nos egaremens.
Nous rengager k luy par de nouveaux fermens.
Abner, aupr^s du Roy reprenez voftre place.
H6 bien ! de cette Impie a-t-on puni Taudace }
^THALIAH. 187
JEHOIADA.
Let her be led at once outside the Temple
And let its sanctity be not profaned.
Go, holy avengers of your slaughtered Kings,
The cry of their blood end ye by her death.
If any be mad enough her cause to embrace,
By the pitiless sword let him fall with her.
SCEU^E yii.
JOASH, JEHOIADA, JEHOSHABEATH,
ABNER, &c.
JOASH.
O GOD, Who seest my trouble and affliction.
Turn far from me her awful malediction.
And never suffer it to be fulfilled :
Let Joash die before he Thee forgets.
JEHOIADA, to the Levites,
Summon the people and show them their King ;
And their allegiance let them now renew.
Let us. King, priests, people, with grateful hearts.
Confirm the covenant of Jacob with the LORD,
And, piously repentant of our sinful ways.
Pledge our faith to Him by vows renewed.
Abner, by the King's side your place resume.
Well ! has that proud impious woman met her doom ?
i88 ^THALIE.
SCEl^E T>E%NIERE.
UN LEVITE, JOAS, JOAD, &c.
UN LEVITE.
Le fer a de fa vie expi^ les horreurs.
Jenifalem long-temps en proye k fes fureurs,
De fon joug odieux k la fin foulag^e,
Avec joye en fon fang la regarde plong^e.
JOAD.
Par cette fin terrible, & due a fes forfaits,
Apprenez, Roy des Juifs, & n'oubliez jamais,
Que les Rois dans le Ciel ont un Juge fevere,
L'Innocence un Vengeur, & TOrphelin un Pere.
Fin du cinquiime Adle»
^THALIAH. 189
SCEU^E THE LAST.
A LEVITE, JOASH, JEHOIADA, &c.
THE LEVITE.
The sword has closed the horrors of her life.
Jerusalem, so long the victim of her rage,
From her detested yoke relieved at last,
Joyful beholds her bathed in her own blood.
JEHOIADA.
From this fell death which her misdeeds deserved.
King of the Jews, learn thou and ne'er forget
That Kings have in GOD a judge severe
Who Venges the innocent and the orphan loves.
End of the fifth Act
Achevk d'imprimer^
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eighteenth November, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven,
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