The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-27
MISCELLANY.
From Peterson's National Magazine.
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM.
BY JAMES II. DANA.

IT was a summer evening in Judea. The
olives on the higher grounds were Just putting
forth their early green; the meadows were
dotted with sheep and camels and the bird:
sang from every bush. The distant hills were
crowned each With its village or city. Maid
ems, bearing water,jars, we're seen gracefully
winding, in long lines, to the fountains. The
sun had Just set, but the Western Heavens
we're vet in a glow; while in the East, the
young and slvery moon hung, like an Arab
scimetar, above the horizon.
In the gardens of large and princely man.
sion, overlooking this lovely scene, were two
individuals One was female, on the verge
of womanhood, and beautiful even beyond
her beautiful race; for the luxuriant raven
hair, the bold profile, the flashing eye, and the
majestic form proclaimed her Jewess. Her
attire was rich and betokened rank. She
stood, looking musngly on the ground while
her companion, who was of the other sex, and
who wore the dress of Roman, earnestly re-
garded her.
"Nay Miriam" he said, surely you have
some answer for me. By the happy hours we
have spent together-by the hope of felicity
here on earth-answer me one word, do you
love me 2"
"Publius," she said, lifting her eyes to his
face, "you know not what you ask. The Gus
IONS of my race are immutable, and forbid its
maidens to match with strangers. My father
would never consent that ] should wed you.
Much as he esteems you, great as is the graft
tude he owes you for saving his life from the
proconsul's rage, he would sooner behold me a
corpse at his feet than the bride of an alien.
Had he known, when he invited YOU home
from Jerusalem with him, that you would pre-
fer this suit to his daughter, he would have cut
off his right hand before extending it TO you
in amity."
"And yet" said her companion, " all this is
no answer to my question. | know, dear Mi
RAM, the hard customs Of your race, and how
all Jews shun connection with aliens. know
too that among the strictest Of his tribe, your
father is one of the most strict. But, only as
sure me of your love, and | will hope for the
removal of all obstacles. have high connex-
ioEs in the Roman court, and, in troubled times
like these, might oe of service to your family"
Miriam shook her head, as she answered.
Alas that would be only an additional
reason why my father would refuse you. In
the struggle that seems approaching, between
this il-fated nation and the Roman power, my
parent will be found with his countrymen, and
he would reject with scorn any thing ike cor
respondence with the foe"
The Young Roman, for he was both young
and of great manly beauty, sighed, and was
silent for while. But he again essayed his
sait.
Miriam" he said know you love nc
then why this concealment? l know 1t by a
thousand things Have we not been daily to-
gether almost since The SHOWS melted from the
higher hills Have we not read the poets OF
my native land in company, until our hearts
beat responsive? Have we not talked of the
future, and felt the bond of sympathy drawing
us together the while? And have we not,
each with the other, perused the sacred books
of YOUR religion, and read those sublime proph-
ecies which point to the Redeemer in whom
we both believe? Oh Miriam, when think
that we alone of all this household are Chris
.ians-that we, though born of different races,
are now brother and sister in one faith-l can
not but believe that God has marked us out
for each other, and in thus bringing us togeth-
er. has united our destinies for this world, and
the world to come. BY that common faith
coniure you," he said, earnestly, taking her
hand, L" to answer me truly, and without eva
sion. Do you not love me 2"
Miriam's ewes were suffused with tears al
this GOODNESS and its solemnity overcoming
her resolution, she looked con6dingly into hel
lovers face, and said,
"Thus adjured, Publius, | answer that dc
| love vou But there my concessions must stop
| cannot disobey my father, nor will you, ! an
sure ask me for, by so doing, you will violate
that holy religion we both secretly profess.
will never marry another however. No, while
life endures, your image shall be ever before
me- and it." she continued with streaming eyes
"we should never meet again in this life, may
we look forward to blissful reunion anon:
the redeemed. And that we may do that. oh
beloved of my heart, keep true to your faith
| 81 will not plead further" said the iover,deep
iy affected /" But some happy days yet re
main to US, for my duties do not call me ava!
for some time. And who knows what the fu
ture may have in store? Perhaps"
But at that instant shrek from Miriam ar
rested his speech, and Immediately he became
sensible of the presence of her father. Th'
old man had accidentally been listener t.
that part of the conversation which we hav,
recorded and surprise had hitherto restrained
him from interrupting the interview. His fac
was flushed, his speech excited, his dress dis
ordered in the extremity of his rage. III
rushed between the lovers, repelling the ap
proach of Publius to Miriam, who had SUM
senseless.
Away :" he cried. l." Defile her not by you
touch, false Roman. Hypocrite, serpant, Sc
Queer, avauntI" Then with burst Of anguish
he continued, " oh would that i had died b.
the hands of the proconsuls myrmidons, soon
er than have brought into my family one Wit
has alienated my child from the hearts of he
parents, and from the religion Of her race.
At the approbrious terms heaped on him
the face of Publius grew red but he CONTROL
ed himself by violent effort, and replied,
You are the father of Miriam, and, there
fore, forgive what you have said. Besides
though a soldier, Christianity teaches me
when reviled, to revile not again. You wron!
me fearfully, old man, for I am unworthy Q
taking any advantage of your child, even !
she would consent to disobey her parent, which
she will not. Suffer me, beseech you, to SCI
her restored to life"
He pushed by the old man as he spoke, ant
kneeling b, Miriam, sprinkled her with waite
| from fountain at whose brink she had sunk
She soon revived. Her eyes first fell on he
I L.. o,d N e1voat emilio sf0le over fer face