IT WAS midnight. Alroy slept upon the couch: his sleep was troubled. Jabaster stood by his side motionless, and gazing intently upon his slumbering2 guest.
‘The only hope of Israel,’ murmured the Cabalist,’ my pupil and my prince! I have long perceived in his young mind the seed of mighty3 deeds, and o’er his future life have often mused4 with a prophetic hope. The blood of David, the sacred offspring of a solemn race. There is a magic in his flowing veins5 my science cannot reach.
‘When, in my youth, I raised our standard by my native Tigris, and called our nation to restore their ark, why, we were numerous, wealthy, potent6; we were a people then, and they flocked to it boldly. Did we lack counsel? Did we need a leader? Who can aver7 that Jabaster’s brain or arm was ever wanting? And yet the dream dissolved, the glorious vision! Oh! when I struck down Marvan, and the Caliph’s camp flung its blazing shadow over the bloody8 river, ah! then indeed I lived. Twenty years of vigil may gain a pardon that I then forgot we lacked the chief ingredient in the spell, the blood that sleeps beside me.
‘I recall the glorious rapture9 of that sacred strife10 amid the rocks of Caucasus. A fugitive11, a proscribed12 and outlawed13 wretch14, whose life is common sport, and whom the vilest15 hind16 may slay17 without a bidding. I, who would have been Messiah!
‘Burn thy books, Jabaster; break thy brazen18 tables; forget thy lofty science, Cabalist, and read the stars no longer.11 But last night I stood upon the gulf19 which girds my dwelling20: in one hand, I held my sacred talisman21, that bears the name ineffable22; in the other, the mystic record of our holy race. I remembered that I had evoked23 spirits, that I had communed with the great departed, and that the glowing heavens were to me a natural language. I recalled, as consolation24 to my gloomy soul, that never had my science been exercised but for a sacred or a noble purpose. And I remembered Israel, my brave, my chosen, and my antique race, slaves, wretched slaves. I was strongly tempted25 to fling me down this perilous27 abyss, and end my learning and my life together.
‘But, as I gazed upon the star of David, a sudden halo rose around its rays, and ever and anon a meteor shot from out the silver veil. I read that there was trouble in the holy seed; and now comes this boy, who has done a deed which——’
‘The ark, the ark! I gaze upon the ark!’ ‘The slumberer28 speaks; the words of sleep are sacred.’ ‘Salvation only from the house of David.’ ‘A mighty truth; my life too well has proved it. ‘He is more calm. It is the holy hour. I’ll steal into the court, and gaze upon the star that sways the fortunes of his royal house.’
The moonbeam fell upon the fountain; the pavement of the court was a flood of light; the rocks rose dark around. Jabaster, seated by the spring, and holding his talisman in his left hand, shaded his sight with the other as he gazed upon the luminous29 heavens.
A shriek30! his name was called. Alroy, wild and panting, rushed into the court with extended arms. The Cabalist started up, seized him, and held him in his careful grasp, foaming31 and in convulsions.
‘Jabaster, Jabaster!’
‘I am here, my child.’
‘The Lord hath spoken.’
‘The Lord is our refuge. Calm thyself, son of David, and tell me all.’
‘I have been sleeping, master; is it not so?’
‘Even so, my child. Exhausted32 by his flight and the exciting narrative33 of his exploit, my Prince lay down upon the couch and slumbered34; but I fear that slumber1 was not repose35.’
‘Repose and I have naught36 in common now. Farewell for ever to that fatal word. I am the Lord’s anointed.’
‘Drink of the fountain, David: it will restore thee.’
‘The Spirit of the Lord hath fallen upon him. Son of David, I adjure38 thee tell me all that hath passed. I am a Levite; in my hand I hold the name ineffable.’
‘Take thy trumpet39 then, summon the people, bid them swiftly raise again our temple. “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with marble.” Didst hear that chorus, sir?’
‘Unto thy chosen ear alone it sounded.’
‘Where am I? This is not our fountain. Yet thou didst say, “the fountain.” Think me not wild. I know thee, I know all. Thou art not Miriam. Thou art jabaster; I am Alroy. But thou didst say, “the fountain,” and it distracted me, and called back my memory to——
‘God of Israel, lo, I kneel before thee! Here, in the solitude40 of wildest nature, my only witness here this holy man, I kneel and vow41, Lord! I will do thy bidding. I am young, O God! and weak; but thou, Lord, art all-powerful! What God is like to thee? Doubt not my courage, Lord; and fill me with thy spirit! but remember, remember her, O Lord! remember Miriam. It is the only worldly thought I have, and it is pure.’
‘Still of his sister! Calm thyself, my son.’
‘Holy master, thou dost remember when I was thy pupil in this cavern42. Thou hast not forgotten those days of tranquil43 study, those sweet, long wandering nights of sacred science! I was dutiful, and hung upon each accent of thy lore44 with the devotion that must spring from love.’
‘I cannot weep, Alroy; but were it in my power, I would yield a tear of homage45 to the memory of those days.’
‘How calmly have we sat on some high brow, and gazed upon the stars!’
‘‘Tis very true, sweet child.’
‘What would he now infer? No matter, he grows calmer. How solemn is his visage in the moonlight! And yet not Solomon, upon his youthful throne, could look more beautiful.’
‘I never told thee an untruth, Jabaster.’
‘My life upon thy faith.’
‘Fear not the pledge, and so believe me, on the mountain brow watching the starry47 heavens with thyself, I was not calmer than I feel, sir, now.’
‘I do believe thee.’
‘Tell me all, my child.’
‘Know, then, that sleeping on the couch within, my sleep was troubled. Many dreams I had, indefinite and broken. I recall none of their images, except I feel a dim sensation ‘twas my lot to live in brighter days than now rise on our race. Suddenly I stood upon a mountain tall and grey, and gazed upon the stars. And, as I gazed, a trumpet sounded. Its note thrilled through my soul. Never have I heard a sound so awful. The thunder, when it broke over the cavern here, and shivered the peak, whose ruins lie around us, was but a feeble worldly sound to this almighty49 music. My cheek grew pale, I panted even for breath. A flaming light spread over the sky, the stars melted away, and I beheld50, advancing from the bursting radiancy, the foremost body of a mighty host.
‘Oh! not when Saul led forth51 our fighting men against the Philistine52, not when Joab numbered the warriors54 of my great ancestor, did human vision gaze upon a scene of so much martial55 splendour. Chariots and cavalry56, and glittering trains of plumed57 warriors too robust58 to need a courser’s solace59; streams of shining spears, and banners like a sunset; reverend priests swinging their perfumed censers, and prophets hymning with their golden harps60 a most triumphant61 future.
‘“Joy, joy,” they say, “to Israel, for he cometh, he cometh in his splendour and his might, the great Messiah of our ancient hopes.”
‘And, lo! a mighty chariot now appeared, drawn62 by strange beasts whose forms were half obscured by the bright flames on which they seemed to float. In that glorious car a warrior53 stood, proud and immovable his form, his countenance63. Hold my hand, Jabaster, while I speak; that chieftain was myself!’
‘Proceed, proceed, my son.’
‘I started in my dream, and I awoke. I found myself upsitting on my couch. The pageantry had vanished. Naught was seen but the bright moonlight and the gloomy cave. And, as I sighed to think I e’er had wakened, and mused upon the strangeness of my vision, a still small voice descended64 from above and called, “Alroy!” I started, but I answered not. Methought it was my fancy. Again my name was called, and now I murmured, “Lord, I am here, what wouldst thou?” Naught responded, and soon great dread65 came over me, and I rushed out and called to thee, my master.’
‘It was “the Daughter of the Voice"12 that spake. Since the Captivity66 ‘tis the only mode by which the saints are summoned. Oft have I heard of it, but never in these sad degenerate67 days has its soft aspiration68 fallen upon us. These are strange times and tidings. The building of the temple is at hand. Son of David, my heart is full. Let us to prayer!’
Day dawned upon Jabaster, still musing69 in solitude among his rocks. Within the cavern, Alroy remained in prayer.
Often and anxiously the Cabalist shot a glance at his companion, and then again relapsed into reverie.
‘The time is come that I must to this youth reveal the secrets of my early life. Much will he hear of glory, much of shame. Naught must I conceal70, and naught gloss71 over.
‘I must tell how in the plains of Tigris I upraised the sacred standard of our chosen race, and called them from their bondage72; how, despairing of his recreant73 fathers, and inspired by human power alone, I vainly claimed the mighty office for his sacred blood alone reserved. God of my fathers, grant that future service, the humble74 service of a contrite75 soul, may in the coming glory that awaits us, atone76 for past presumption77!
‘But for him great trials are impending78. Not lightly must that votary79 be proved, who fain would free a people. The Lord is faithful to his promise, but the Lord will choose his season and his minister. Courage, and faith, and deep humility80, and strong endurance, and the watchful81 soul temptation cannot sully, these are the fruits we lay upon his altar, and meekly82 watch if some descending83 flame will vouchsafe84 to accept and brightly bless them.
‘It is written in the dread volume of our mystic lore, that not alone the Saviour85 shall spring from out our house of princes, but that none shall rise to free us, until, alone and unassisted, he have gained the sceptre which Solomon of old wielded86 within his cedar87 palaces.
‘That sceptre must he gain. This fragile youth, untried and delicate, unknowing in the ways of this strange world, where every step is danger, how much hardship, how much peril26, what withering88 disappointment, what dull care, what long despondency, what never-ending lures89, now lie in ambush90 for this gentle boy! O my countrymen, is this your hope? And I, with all my lore, and all my courage, and all my deep intelligence of man; unhappy Israel, why am I not thy Prince?
‘I check the blasphemous91 thought. Did not his great ancestor, as young and as untried, a beardless stripling, with but a pebble92, a small smoothed stone, level a mailed giant with the ground, and save his people?
It was at sunset, on the third day after the arrival of Alroy at the cave of the Cabalist, that the Prince of the Captivity commenced his pilgrimage in quest of the sceptre of Solomon.
Silently the pilgrim and his master took their way to the brink94 of the ravine, and there they stopped to part, perhaps forever.
‘It is a bitter moment, Alroy. Human feelings are not for beings like us, yet they will have their way. Remember all. Cherish the talisman as thy life: nay95! welcome death with it pressing against thy heart, rather than breathe without it. Be firm, be pious96. Think of thy ancestors, think of thy God.’
‘Doubt me not, dear master; if I seem not full of that proud spirit, which was perhaps too much my wont97, ascribe it not to fear, Jabaster, nor even to the pain of leaving thee, dear friend. But ever since that sweet and solemn voice summoned me so thrillingly, I know not how it is, but a change has come over my temper; yet I am firm, oh! firmer far than when I struck down the Ishmaelite. Indeed, indeed, fear not for me. The Lord, that knoweth all things, knows full well I am prepared even to the death. Thy prayers, Jabaster, and——’
‘Stop, stop. I do remember me. See this ring: ‘tis a choice emerald. Thou mayst have wondered I should wear a bauble98. Alroy, I had a brother once: still he may live. When we parted, this was the signal of his love: a love, my child, strong, though we greatly differed. Take it. The hour may come that thou mayst need his aid. It will command it. If he live, he prospers99. I know his temper well. He was made for what the worldly deem prosperity. God be with thee, sacred boy: the God of our great fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob!’
They embraced.
‘We linger,’ exclaimed the Cabalist, ‘we linger. Oh! in vain we quell100 the feelings of our kind. God, God bless and be with thee! Art sure thou hast all? thy dagger101 and thy wallet? That staff has seen some service. I cut it on the Jordan. Ah! that I could be thy mate! ‘Twould be nothing then. At the worst to die together. Such a fate seems sweeter now than parting. I’ll watch thy star, my child. Thou weepest! And I too. Why! what is this? Am I indeed Jabaster? One more embrace, and so——we’ll not say farewell, but only think it.’
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收听单词发音
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1
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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3
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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aver
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| v.极力声明；断言；确证 | |
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8
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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proscribed
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| v.正式宣布（某事物）有危险或被禁止( proscribe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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outlawed
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| 宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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vilest
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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evoked
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| [医]诱发的 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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slumberer
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| 睡眠者，微睡者 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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adjure
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| v.郑重敦促(恳请) | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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50
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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51
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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philistine
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| n.庸俗的人；adj.市侩的，庸俗的 | |
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53
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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54
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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55
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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56
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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60
harps
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| abbr.harpsichord 拨弦古钢琴n.竖琴( harp的名词复数 ) | |
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61
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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degenerate
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| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
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68
aspiration
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| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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69
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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70
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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71
gloss
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| n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰 | |
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72
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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73
recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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74
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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contrite
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| adj.悔悟了的，后悔的，痛悔的 | |
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76
atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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77
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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votary
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| n.崇拜者；爱好者；adj.誓约的，立誓任圣职的 | |
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humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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vouchsafe
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| v.惠予，准许 | |
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saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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lures
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| 吸引力，魅力（lure的复数形式） | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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bauble
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| n.美观而无价值的饰物 | |
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prospers
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| v.成功，兴旺( prosper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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quell
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| v.压制，平息，减轻 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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