Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-06-02

great nall, opposite tile bridegroom an
his companions. Berenice tlen advanc
ed towards her father, and knelt hefor
him. Eleazar blessed her solemnly, pla
cling both his hands on her head; then raj
sing her and taking her hand, he place
it in that of David.
My daughter" said he, "behold tn
husband! BE to him what the vine is t
the elm; let him find i'm thee the faithful
ness of Sarah, the tenderness Of Rachel
the fruitfulness of Leah, and The wisdom
of Re becca.i
Daughter Of Eleazar," said David, a
he gently pressed the hand of his youn;
bride, Sin after years it shall pass into ;
proverb in Israel-Beloved as Berenice!'
Then the marriage song began; ths
harps and the cymballs mingled thei
sounds with the rich sweet tones of tn,
choral voices. A sumptuous display o
the splendid presents bestowed by the
chief priest on his daughters husband
succeeded TO the concert. Afterwards
preceded by the young men and maidens
bearing branches of myrtle and palm
David and Berenice entered the banquet
hall. There the abundance of the He
brews was united to the luxury Of the
Romans. Rich draperies, heavy with
purple and gold, shadowed the downy
perfumed coaches prepared for the guests.
Delicious wines sparkled in cups of gold;
while on the tables roasted sheep and OK
en- were mingled with the delicate dain-
! ties Of Greece and Rome. The bird oil
Lamas. the gazelle Of Shenir. appeared
with game from Sicily. and fish from the
Iberian Sea; while the dates of Africa
were mingled with the golden apples OF
Persia. and the luscious fruits of Cyprus
with the varied confectionery of Italy.
Suddenly a clarion sounded, and an at
tendant entered to announce that mes
senger from Titus waited without the
gate.
'.Let him enter" said Eleazar.
Covered with dust, and dress disor-
dered by hard riding. a sta!wart Roman
came in. He raised his casque. and said:
Listen, o Eleazar! harken to my words,
and despise them not. Titus, deploring
the caiamities which his vengeance will
bring on thy country, holds in his elem
ency the sword still suspended, and offers
thee pardon and peace. Nothing shall be
added to the required tribute. and he gives
thy citizens three days to pay it,"
Are the foftsesses of Jerusalem burn
ed down. and her defenders in the tomb.
that thy master should thus address us,
young madman?" replied Eleazar.
''Chief of Israel" said the Roman. in
loud voice, "here is my olive branch
Before break it. think of thy city, of its
Temple, of thy people. of thy family. and
of thy daughter, whose days of wedlock
will else be early ended
81 think but of conquering tyrants!"
acclaimed Eleazar.
''Weli!" replied the am bassador. as he
broke the branch and cast it from him,
'thou askest war. and thou shalt have it.
fierce, bloody. and extermina ting
A shout of rage burst simultaneously
from the young Hebrews present. Bere-
nice arose. pale and trembling. my fa-
ther," said she, 'give this Roman safe
conduct; else our people will tear him to
pieces"
"Spouse of David, cannot refuse thy
first request" replied Eleazar; ''let thy
law Daniel conduc. this young
lunatic through the camp"
Hurriedly the guests quilted the hall;
their joyous bridal songs changed into
sounds of war. The young men dropped
their festal garments, and donned their
armor; each hand threw away its flowers
and grasped sword. Meantime, prepa-
tions were making in the plain; palisades /
were raised, trenches dug. Notifications
While the soldiers flock
I'd to the ramparts. Eeazar took leave of |
his wife and two daughters, and giving
them III charge to David, said: "To-mor-
row at day break you will set out, take
he women, and conduct them in safety
10 your tranquil home. If the God O:
Isreal has wlled the destruction of his
people. and the death of its chiefs, you
will protect these helpless Ones"
As soon as the morning dawned. Abb
Jail, Berenice and Paulina entered a COW
red litter, and. escorted by David and
mounted party of servants, took the road
hat leads from Jerusalem towards the
outh. When they reached the summit {
If the first hill. they beheld the Roman
amp extended before their eyes. Abb
ail, seeingt he number and martial Or
er of the legions. wept and said {
"The hand of the Lold is heavy on his t
eople! Oh, God of Israeli shall thy a
hosen city be indeed cast down 20 the t
round?"
"What signifies the destruction of the e
arthly Temple. o my mother!" said Pau |
ina, gently, ''if on its ruins our Lord
hall build his spiritual church?"
"Child thou art Christian" replied e
bigail, land canst not comprehend the a
orrows of Jew" S
But may not seek to assuage them
y pointing to the comfort which come tn f
.on ahnue9n n