The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-04-28

| rabbi, lifting up his eyes, found that they had
come to the gates of city which he had
never before seen. Yet he knew all the cities
of the land of Egypt, and he had walked but
half an hour from his dwelling in Cairo. So
he knew not what to think, but followed the
man with trembling.
They soon entered the gates of the city,
which was lighted up as if there were
festival in every house. The streets were full
of jewellers, and nothing but sound of joy
could be heard. But when Jochonan looked
upon their faces, they were the faces of men
panied within; and he saw. by the marks
they bore, that they were Mazikin. He was
terrified in his soul; and. by the light of the
torches, he looked also upon the face of his
companion, and, behold he saw upon him
too, the mark that showed him to be demon.
The rabbi feared excessively almost to faint
ing; but he thought it better to be silent;
| and sadly he followed his guide, who brought
him to splendid house. in the most magnif-
cent quarter of the city.
:" Enter here" said the demon to Jochonan.
'for this house is mine. The lady and the
child are in the upper chamber" And ac-
cordingly the sorrowful rabbi assembled the
stair to find Them
The lady, whose dazzling beauty was
shrouded by melancholy beyond hope, lay in
bed the child, in rich raiment, slumbered on
the lap of the nurse, by her side.
81 have brought to Zee, light of my eyes !"
said the demon, "Rebecca, beloved of my
soul! have brought thee Rabbi Jochonan,
the wise, whom thou didst desire. Let him,
then, speedily begin his Office. shall fetch
all things necessary; for he is in haste to de-
part"
He smiled bitterly as he said these words,
looking at the rabbi, and left the room, follow
ed by the nurse.
When Joehonan and the lady were alone,
she turned in the bed towards him and said
"Unhappy man that thou art knowest
thou where thou hast been broughts"
81 do" said he, with heavy groan;
know that am in a city of the Maxim"
"Know, then, for her." said she-and the
Tears SuoiCN iiOtu cySo Va SHtCA tiioiA thC NAG
mond-"know then, further, that no one is
ever brought here, unless he hath sinned be-
tore the Lord. What my sin hath been, inn
ports not to thee; and seek not to know
thine. But here thou remainest forever-lost,
even as I am lost" And she wept again.
The rabbi dashed his turban on the ground
and tearing his HAIR, exclaimed, "Wois me!
| Who art thou, woman, that speakcst to me
thus:" 4 @
/ % am Hebrew woman" said she, "the
daughter of doctor of the laws, in the city
OF Basdad and being brought hither, it mat
tiers not how, am married 10 prince among
the Mazlkin, even him Who was sent fer thee'
And that child, whom thou sawest, is our
first born and could not bear the thought
that the soul of our innocent babe should !
perish. l therefore besought my husband to
try to bring hitner priest that the Law OF
Moses blessed be his memory y should be
done, and thy fame, which has spread to Bag
dad and lands farther towards the rising of
the sun, made me think of thee. Now my
husband, though great among the Mszkin, Is
more Just han the other demons; and he
loves me, whom he hath ruined, with love
of DESPAIR SO he said, that the name of
| Joshonan, the wise, Vas familiar unto him,
and that he knew thou wouldst not be able to
refuse. What thou hast done, to give him
mower over thee, is known to thyself"
|
81 swear, before Heaven said the rabbi,
that l have ever diligently kept the law. and
walked s,eadiastly according to the traditions
of Gu, fathers, from the day of my youth up