The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-05-02

riding by the brick ards in my chariot,
wearing the crown of upper and lower
Egypt; the bricSmakers forgot their
labor even the overseers were dazzled
by my exceeding splendor. All fell on
their knees as my chariot drove slowly
by the priests in my procession chant.
ing hymn to Ra and to me. While
students came from abroad to con-
suit our magi and the mobiles Of
Egypt feasted riotously, these captives
must needs labor in the brickyards, such
was their fortune appointed by the gods
1t were folly to make their task too easy,
and give them straw, too ready at hand
for their bricks; then would the chill
dren Of Israel get from under the hand
Of Pharaoh, and the land again be over
run by wandering tribes Nigh unto
my chariot that day stood a comely
young woman; she seemed of kin to
some workman in the briclSyard, for she
carried on her arm basket as If bring
ing food, and when she stretched her
neck to look at the procession her veil
fell back. saw her face and it found
favor in my sight; they told me her
name was Adah. The next morning
commanded that Adah be brought into
my palace. There was she given over
at once unto the landmarks, and the
kings messenger babe them treat her no
more as a captive, but like unto q guest
worthy Of all honor; so the handmade
ems did battle her feet in n silver basin,
and clothed her in fine linen IN the
place of her coarse garments; they an
nointed her hair vita sweet smelling oil
and Nreathed her shoulder with a gar
land Of choice roses. After refresh
ment she was led into my presence.
81 dismissed my attendants; it was
the kings will to be alone with this fair
lsraelte. A tame lion crouched at the
side of the couch on which was re-
clining The wont ms face blanched;
she gave terrified cry; but with one
hasty signal from lie the beast fawned
at her feet in welcome; then 1 saw the
rose return unto her cheek, and it was
beautiful.
"'Thou hast naught to fear in the
house Of Pharaoh, said; thou hast
spell truly to subdue the lion himself,
The Lord of Dadems and Dispenser of
Life invites thee from this hour to make
| thy home in his palace among his hand
mailens He shall be thy sun to give
thee light forgotten shall be the gloom
of this captivity
A swift shadow fell upon her fea-
lures. Mighty and most gracious king,
wouldst thou have me desert mine own
people2'
"'Thou shalt drink OF the wine of joy
that bringeth oblivion. Iwill have thee
remain with me, Adah
But thy servant has husband in
yonder brickyard; daughter of Israel
must be faithful to her husband and her
Cod
81 laughed with fine scorn. There
was no sign Of yielding in the woman's
| face Then I was ngered and ! raised
my voice, threatening her Guriously with
u dungeon beneath the palace, because
of her foul ingraHTude. The lion at my
feet knew well Lis masters tone; his
savage nature woke; he gave one low,
meaning growl and showed his teeth.
One gesture more from me and he had
sprung upon her; but would not this
horror so I strove to bride mine own
wrath and laid also my hand on the
lions neck. An answering CLEAN Of
fire leaped from the black eyes of the
Hebrew; she fixed them without quail
ing on the beast and then on me, as if
she dared despise us both, and then,
freezing all at once like unto a statue,
she gazed beyond me at a place in the
air over my head, as though she saw
something invisible to other eyes; it was
even as if some power mightier than
Phoraohs did govern her
"'rhou mayes5 chain my body to your
dungeon, she said, but my spirit will
take flight to its love and its duty in
yonder brickyard, thou oppressor of
Israell'-ainging, ms she spoke, the gar
land Of loTers fro n of her shoulders
to the floor. i spurn the delights of
this palace; give me rather the hardship5
Of captivity, which will be but for a
season. Then, Egypt herself shall
be captive, her gods shall be
silent, and the gates of their temples
closed forever. Yahveh shall reign
alone on the earth. The dynasty shall
be clean wiped out of the land, stran-
gers shall reign in her high places until
even the longing for liberty which is
deathless in the Israelite shall be no
more in the heart of the Egyptian.
Thou, Oh Pharaoh shalt be laid low;
even in thy sepulcher thy bones shall
find no rest, and the days of thy puri-
ncation shall not be accomplished until
the daughters Of Israel come to gaze
upon thee and thou art a spectacle unto
the curious
II glared at her, speechless, wonder
ing. Verify this woman must be Of un-
sound mind thus to defy the lord of the
earth with the senseless babble Of her
priestsl Would it Lehoove me TO take
revenge upon this daring, but weak and
helpless thing? She stood there silent
now, still beautiful How easy for me
to crush herl One intent then another,
swayed my will; her reckless courage
was Of the same fiber as my own felt
this kinship through my anger-it pre-
vailed at last Better 10 win her by
mercy than to punish her; let her sc
hence in safety now, and send for heI
again.
"'Get thee to the bricSyard at once
then l commanded, with a proud dis
dain, since it alone contents thy base
borne, fancyl The son Of Ra wars not
with fools and weaklingsl But keeT
thine own counsel, woman, or by
Ammon thou shalt have abundant cause
for repentancer
Il called the guards TO take her away,
without casting on her another look,
Soon after this, warfare with the Ghetto.
drove softer feelings far from my breast
Never again on earth did l behold this
Abah; inquiring for her when returned
q conqueror, they told me sho was dead
Thus twice did Abah, the Hebrew cap
tive. disappoint Pharaoh, the King ol
Egypt He might in time forget the
woman who adored him, but the only
one Of all her sex who repulsed an6
thwarted him-who dared tell him al