Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-05-07


life has been righteous; but fire hath not yet
tried thee, nor the water purified thee. See
that thou stand fast whcn the time comcth."
At these words the stranger, with more
alertness than his seeming fecbleness indi-
Gated, turned into an obscure street, while
Abmelecl, bordering on the warning of the
strange man, took his way toward his own
dwelling. Upon reaching his house, Abb
melech retired to his private chamber. 1t
was small closet, or oratorio, on the house,
top, furnished in style of simplicity APP
preaching to rudeness, and cold, its cheer
less appearance being increased by the dim
twilight. There was still, however, sulli-
cicnt light for Abimclech to distinguish fe-
male figure standing in thoughtful position
in the centre of the apartment. A rich,
mellow ray fell upon her figure, which ex-
cccdcd in height the usual standard of her
sex, but yet so cxquisitely proportioncd, as
to convey only an idea of graceful dignity in
the beholder. Her eye, as she turned it
upon Abimclech, seemed dark and lustrous,
and her smile was as the sunbeam on the
bosom of the still waters. The rabbi stood
thundcr-struck, for he never before had be-
held so much beauty; new pulse stirred in
his bosom, and an unusual fire burned in his
veins. At length he found words to express
his admiration and astonishmcnt.
"Fair damscl," he cried, "thy visit is I'M
forescen but thou art more welcome to my
chamber than the pleasant odor Of the young
vines in the spring season. In what can
do thee service ~
81 am," said the abashcd intruder, while
roscatc blush overspread the marble whlte-
ness of her soft cheek and lofty brow, 81
am, as you may perceive, a stranger and a
Gentle, unworthy to come beneath the roof
of the far-iamed Rabbi Abimelech, the words
of whose lips are wisdom,and whose precepts
are as pearls Of grea, price; nevertheless, let
thy handmaiden find favor in thy sight, and
turn aside. pray thee, unto my lodgings,
which are nigh at hand, and let thy hand
maiden rejoice in the light of thy countenan-
ce, and in the sweet sound Of thy voice"
The rabbi, though surprised at this more
than novel address, felt strange sensation
thrill though his frame. Gazing upon the
lovely speaker, his resolution began 10 waver
and almost unconsciously he permitted him.
self to be led out by his unknown visitor
Proceeding at rapid pace toward the
western quarter of the city, they, a
length, soppcd before house of handsome
Exterior, but which Abmelech could not re.
member having seen before. A single tar
at the door caused it to open, and the rabbi
still following his mysterious conductor, en-.
tered hall tecbly lighted by single lamp
Here she motioned him to remain for shor
time, aud disappearing through passage
the rabbi was left alone to mediate on the
strange adventure in which he was engaged
But he had not much time allowed him, fol-
the partial withdrawal of the heavy folds o
"a curtain, which ovcrhung a small door, at
tracted his notice, and fair hand and sweet
soft voice invited him to enter. lie APP
preached, lifted up the curtain, and bchelt
IA superbly furnished chamber, lighted witt
silver lamps, fed with perfumed oil Of Sa
maria mirrors of polished metal hun.
around the room, while on low couch sat
whose charms now shone with splendor ia
SURPRISING any thing the rabbi could imagin,
Of mortal mould. lie essayed to speak, bu
the words dwclt upon his lips. She beckon
) ed him to take seat beside her. lie obeye'
trcmblingly but the gentle, assuring smile
which she cast upon him, at once banishe'
his timidty, and his eyes wandered in unrest
rained freedom over those voluptuous beau
ties, till the sight became painful from OK
trcmc delight. A female attendant sprea
before them a light but luxurious repast q
fresh and dried fruits, grapes, figs, apricots
olives, pomegrana,es, and dates, intcrspers
ed with pots of pure honey, rise cakes Z
Damascus, and bananas of Rosetta, Egyp
tian siruy, aud crystal vases in which tn
rich wine of Hcloon sparkled with temptin
brlliancy.
"Farest Of the daughters Of men, may
: crave thy name and that of thy father
house? :" said the rabbi, addressing his un
known companion.
"My name is Zorah," replied the damscl
: 'my father isof the children of lshmael, al
: abidcr in the desert the fame of the sag
, \bmclccl, has reached to the further border
: If the wilderness and behold, the heart q
, thine handmaiden was moved to see the ma
Of whose wisdom all nations spoke"
u "Lovely Zoral, my wisdom is become a
, withered grass before thy beauty, and til
strength of my heart as dew in the consum
d ing light of thine eyes. Suffer me, there
: fore to be unto thee even as Boaz was uni
Ruth, and to love thee with the love where
with Jacob loved Rachel
Zorah smiled at the carncstness with whic
: these words were uttered, and filling the cuI
e presented il to the delighted rabbi, who in
Z Stnctiycly shrunk from the dangerous lib;
S ton but Zorah would not be denied.
n "Urgc me not, fair damscl,' said he; :
j. have "A vow against the juice of the vine unit
u next new NOON"
n Zorah's countenancc fell, and the big tef
Z hung trembling on the dark, sullen las
o Abimelcch, torn with conflicting passion
passed, his arm round her waist, and DIRE
n her INCREASINGLY TO his bosom he felt II
n quick pulses of her heart throb against his
n her warm sig.s were upon his cheek, and Il