Year: 1879

OO'eos,.eSONN'


XII


What benefit do [ receive from my
regal crown ?'' exclaimed Shimeon with
a broken heart, and what good does it
do me if thousands of men crouch and
kneel at my feet? I have undertaken
to be the liberator of my nation, whilst
I cannot even help myself, nor have l
the power to hberate my soul from its
sorrow. Alas all the regal honors and
pleasures in the world can not recon-
pense me for the great misfortune that
came over me but there is no use in
crying like child, Or in wailing like a
woman No! it is the desire of my heart
to perform great deeds, to distinguish
myself as mighty warrior, and to make
my power known and felt by those who
have deprived me of happiness. Many
a time have | extended my arm and
felled Romans by my mighty sword, like
corn under the sickle of the harvestman;
they have received chastisements which
they will never forget, they suffered the
humiliation of defeat and retreat. Cour-
age and bravery have not yet deserted
the Jewish heart; when the children of
Jacob fight for their religion and coun-
try, they become like enraged lions
charging against thieves who would de-
prive them of their whelps; they follow
their enemies and pursue them, nor do
they retreat until they have destroyed
them or fallen in the contest But alas!
the heart Of the nation is divided, they
differ in their religious belief from time
immemorial, unjust hatred toward each
other dwells in their breasts, and there
exists among them an antipathy as silent
and as destructive as the pestilence,
which blunts their swords and takes the
edge from their arrows. Of what avail is
victory purchased by blood, if the ad-
vantage gained by it has no lasting value,
and leads to no benefit ? Why would
not my nation follow my advice and for
tify the ruined fortress of Cesarea, in
order to guard the entrances from the
sea,and to prevent the enemy from reach
ing the land And by what means did
Rufus escape from death if he had not
been assisted by some traitor ? It is
true that Severus, who has been defeated
by me for the tenth time, will not
dare to attack me whilst remain in this
fortified city, for he is afraid of my pow
erful arrows and deadly missiles but
neither dare I leave the city and fight
him in the open field, because have not
full confidence in my own nation
and though l am positive that I have
the power to defeat the strong enemy in
the field, it is impossible for me or any
one else to withstand an enemy who dis
guises himself as a friend The dis
guised traitor is like moth in a gar
ment, consuming it silently, without
threatening sound or warning whisper;
he is like a robber watching in the dark,
of whom no man knows until he falls
into his clutches. Alas ! that the days
of miracles are no more, and the prophet
Elijah does not reveal himself to me
Oh! may God grant that all the Jews
unite together, for Rome would then
again tremble before Jerusalem "


He was yet sitting with his mind
plunged in these mournful reflections,
when the door opened, and the prophet
Elijah stood by his side, and spoke
these words in a solemn voice =.


Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the
God of Israel, He who dwelleth between
the Cherubim, become not disheartened
nor discouraged, thy triumph will soon
appear, and thy power will in short
time be revealed.


Thus spoke the prophet, and disap-
peared Bar Cochba reused himself,