"I was not half asleep, mother. I was looking at the lake."
"I cannot see much to look at, John. It's just as it has been ever since you were born, or since I was born."
"No, I suppose there's no change, mother; but I am never tired of looking at the sun shining on the ripples1, and the fishermen's boats, and the birds standing2 in the shallows or flying off, in a desperate hurry, without any reason that I can make out. Besides, mother, when one is looking at the lake, one is thinking of other things."
"And very often thinking of nothing at all, my son."
"Perhaps so, mother; but there's plenty to think of, in these times."
"Plenty, John; there are baskets and baskets of figs3 to be stripped from the trees, and hung up to dry for the winter and, next week, we are going to begin the grape harvest. But the figs are the principal matter, at present; and I think that it would be far more useful for you to go and help old Isaac and his son, in getting them in, than in lying there watching the lake."
"I suppose it would, mother," the lad said, rising briskly; for his fits of indolence were by no means common and, as a rule, he was ready to assist at any work which might be going on.
"I do not wonder at John loving the lake," his mother said to herself, when the lad had hurried away. "It is a fair scene; and it may be, as Simon thinks, that a change may come over it, before long, and that ruin and desolation may fall upon us all."
There were, indeed, few scenes which could surpass in tranquil5 beauty that which Martha, the wife of Simon, was looking upon--the sheet of sparkling water, with its low shores dotted with towns and villages. Down the lake, on the opposite shore, rose the walls and citadel6 of Tiberias, with many stately buildings; for although Tiberias was not, now, the chief town of Galilee--for Sepphoris had usurped7 its place--it had been the seat of the Roman authority, and the kings who ruled the country for Rome generally dwelt there. Half a mile from the spot where Martha was standing rose the newly-erected walls of Hippos.
Where the towns and villages did not engross8 the shore, the rich orchards9 and vineyards extended down to the very edge of the water. The plain of Galilee was a veritable garden. Here flourished, in the greatest abundance, the vine and the fig4; while the low hills were covered with olive groves10, and the corn waved thickly on the rich, fat land. No region on the earth's face possessed11 a fairer climate. The heat was never extreme; the winds blowing from the Great Sea brought the needed moisture for the vegetation; and so soft and equable was the air that, for ten months in the year, grapes and figs could be gathered.
The population, supported by the abundant fruits of the earth, was very large. Villages--which would elsewhere be called towns, for those containing but a few thousand inhabitants were regarded as small, indeed--were scattered12 thickly over the plain; and few areas of equal dimensions could show a population approaching that which inhabited the plains and slopes between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean13. None could then have dreamed of the dangers that were to come, or believed that this rich cultivation14 and teeming16 population would disappear; and that, in time, a few flocks of wandering sheep would scarce be able to find herbage growing, on the wastes of land which would take the place of this fertile soil.
Certainly no such thought as this occurred to Martha, as she re-entered the house; though she did fear that trouble, and ruin, might be approaching.
John was soon at work among the fig trees, aiding Isaac and his son Reuben--a lad of some fifteen years--to pick the soft, luscious17 fruit, and carry it to the little courtyard, shaded from the rays of the sun by an overhead trellis work, covered with vines and almost bending beneath the purple bunches of grapes. Miriam--the old nurse--and four or five maid servants, under the eye of Martha, tied them in rows on strings18, and fastened them to pegs19 driven into that side of the house upon which the sun beat down most hotly. It was only the best fruit that was so served; for that which had been damaged in the picking, and all of smaller size, were laid on trays in the sun. The girls chatted merrily as they worked; for Martha, although a good housewife, was a gentle mistress and, so long as fingers were busy, heeded20 not if the tongue ran on.
"Let the damsels be happy, while they may," she would say, if Miriam scolded a little when the laughter rose louder than usual. "Let them be happy, while they can; who knows what lies in the future?"
But at present, the future cast no shade upon the group; nor upon a girl of about fourteen years old, who danced in and out of the courtyard in the highest spirits, now stopping a few minutes to string the figs, then scampering21 away with an empty basket which, when she reached the gatherers, she placed on her head and supported demurely22, for a little while, at the foot of the ladder upon which John was perched--so that he could lay the figs in it without bruising23 them. But, long ere the basket was filled she would tire of the work and, setting it on the ground, run back into the house.
"And so you think you are helping24, Mary," John said, laughing, when the girl returned for the fourth time, with an empty basket.
"Helping, John! Of course I am--ever so much. Helping you, and helping them at the house, and carrying empty baskets. I consider myself the most active of the party."
"Active, certainly, Mary! but if you do not help them, in stringing and hanging the figs, more than you help me, I think you might as well leave it alone."
"Fie, John! That is most ungrateful, after my standing here like a statue, with the basket on my head, ready for you to lay the figs in."
"That is all very fine!" John laughed; "but before the basket is half full, away you go; and I have to get down the ladder, and bring up the basket and fix it firmly, and that without shaking the figs; whereas, had you left it alone, altogether, I could have brought up the empty basket and fixed25 it close by my hand, without any trouble at all."
"You are an ungrateful boy, and you know how bad it is to be ungrateful! And after my making myself so hot, too!" Miriam said. "My face is as red as fire, and that is all the thanks I get. Very well, then, I shall go into the house, and leave you to your own bad reflections."
"You need not do that, Mary. You can sit down in the shade there, and watch us at work; and eat figs, and get yourself cool, all at the same time. The sun will be down in another half hour, and then I shall be free to amuse you."
"Amuse me, indeed!" the girl said indignantly, as she sat down on the bank to which John had pointed26. "You mean that I shall amuse you; that is what it generally comes to. If it wasn't for me I am sure, very often, there would not be a word said when we are out together."
"Perhaps that is true," John agreed; "but you see, there is so much to think about."
"And so you choose the time when you are with me to think! Thank you, John! You had better think, at present," and, rising from the seat she had just taken, she walked back to the house again, regardless of John's explanations and shouts.
"They are ever too sharp for us, in words, John. The damsel is younger than you, by full two years; and yet she can always put you in the wrong, with her tongue."
"She puts meanings to my words which I never thought of," John said, "and is angered, or pretends to be--for I never know which it is--at things which she has coined out of her own mind, for they had no place in mine."
"Boys' wits are always slower than girls'," the old man said. "A girl has more fancy, in her little finger, than a boy in his whole body. Your cousin laughs at you, because she sees that you take it all seriously; and wonders, in her mind, how it is her thoughts run ahead of yours. But I love the damsel, and so do all in the house for, if she be a little wayward at times, she is bright and loving, and has cheered the house since she came here.
"Your father is not a man of many words; and Martha, as becomes her age, is staid and quiet, though she is no enemy of mirth and cheerfulness; but the loss of all her children, save you, has saddened her, and I think she must often have pined that she had not a girl; and she has brightened much since the damsel came here, three years ago.
"But the sun is sinking, and my basket is full. There will be enough for the maids to go on with, in the morning, until we can supply them with more."
John's basket was not full, but he was well content to stop and, descending28 their ladders, the three returned to the house.
Simon of Gadez--for that was the name of his farm, and the little fishing village close by, on the shore--was a prosperous and well-to-do man. His land, like that of all around him, had come down from father to son, through long generations; for the law by which all mortgages were cleared off, every seven years, prevented those who might be disposed to idleness and extravagance from ruining themselves, and their children. Every man dwelt upon the land which, as eldest29 son, he had inherited; while the younger sons, taking their smaller share, would settle in the towns or villages and become traders, or fishermen, according to their bent30 and means.
There were poor in Palestine--for there will be poor, everywhere, so long as human nature remains31 as it is; and some men are idle and self indulgent, while others are industrious32 and thrifty--but, taking it as a whole there were, thanks to the wise provisions of their laws, no people on the face of the earth so generally comfortable, and well to do. They grumbled33, of course, over the exactions of the tax collectors--exactions due, not to the contribution which was paid by the province to imperial Rome, but to the luxury and extravagance of their kings, and to the greed and corruption34 of the officials. But in spite of this, the people of rich and prosperous Galilee could have lived in contentment, and happiness, had it not been for the factions35 in their midst.
On reaching the house, John found that his father had just returned from Hippos, whither he had gone on business. He nodded when the lad entered, with his basket.
"I have hired eight men in the market, today, to come out tomorrow to aid in gathering36 in the figs," he said; "and your mother has just sent down, to get some of the fishermen's maidens37 to come in to help her. It is time that we had done with them, and we will then set about the vintage. Let us reap while we can, there is no saying what the morrow will bring forth38.
"Wife, add something to the evening meal, for the Rabbi Solomon Ben Manasseh will sup with us, and sleep here tonight."
John saw that his father looked graver than usual, but he knew his duty as a son too well to think of asking any questions; and he busied himself, for a time, in laying out the figs on trays--knowing that, otherwise, their own weight would crush the soft fruit before the morning, and bruise39 the tender skins.
A quarter of an hour later, the quick footsteps of a donkey were heard approaching. John ran out and, having saluted40 the rabbi, held the animal while his father assisted him to alight and, welcoming him to his house, led him within. The meal was soon served. It consisted of fish from the lake, kid's flesh seethed41 in milk, and fruit.
Only the men sat down; the rabbi sitting upon Simon's right hand, John on his left, and Isaac and his son at the other end of the table. Martha's maids waited upon them, for it was not the custom for the women to sit down with the men and, although in the country this usage was not strictly42 observed, and Martha and little Mary generally took their meals with Simon and John, they did not do so if any guest was present.
In honor of the visitor, a white cloth had been laid on the table. All ate with their fingers; two dishes of each kind being placed on the table--one at each end. But few words were said during the meal. After it was concluded, Isaac and his son withdrew and, presently, Martha and Mary, having taken their meal in the women's apartments, came into the room. Mary made a little face at John, to signify her disapproval43 of the visitor, whose coming would compel her to keep silent all the evening. But though John smiled, he made no sign of sympathy for, indeed, he was anxious to hear the news from without; and doubted not that he should learn much, from the rabbi.
Solomon Ben Manasseh was a man of considerable influence in Galilee. He was a tall, stern-looking old man, with bushy black eyebrows44, deep-set eyes, and a long beard of black hair, streaked45 with gray. He was said to have acquired much of the learning of the Gentiles, among whom, at Antioch, he had dwelt for some years; but it was to his powers as a speaker that he owed his influence. It was the tongue, in those days, that ruled men; and there were few who could lash46 a crowd to fury, or still their wrath47 when excited, better than Solomon Ben Manasseh.
For some time they talked upon different subjects: on the corn harvest and vintage, the probable amount of taxation48, the marriage feast which was to take place, in the following week, at the house of one of the principal citizens of Hippos, and other matters. But at last Simon broached49 the subject which was uppermost in all their thoughts.
"And the news from Tiberias, you say, is bad, rabbi?"
"The news from Tiberias is always bad, friend Simon. In all the land there is not a city which will compare with it, in the wrongheadedness of its people and the violence of its seditions; and little can be hoped, as far as I can see, so long as our good governor, Josephus, continues to treat the malefactors so leniently51. A score of times they have conspired53 against his life and, as often, has he eluded54 them; for the Lord has been ever with him. But each time, instead of punishing those who have brought about these disorders55, he lets them go free; trusting always that they will repent56 them of their ways, although he sees that his kindness is thrown away, and that they grow even bolder and more bitter against him after each failure.
"All Galilee is with him. Whenever he gives the word, every man takes up his arms and follows him and, did he but give the order, they would level those proud towns Tiberias and Sepphoris to the ground, and tear down stone by stone the stronghold of John of Gischala. But he will suffer them to do nothing--not a hair of these traitors57' heads is to be touched; nor their property, to the value of a penny, be interfered58 with.
"I call such lenity culpable59. The law ordains60 punishment for those who disturb the people. We know what befell those who rebelled against Moses. Josephus has the valor61 and the wisdom of King David; but it were well if he had, like our great king, a Joab by his side, who would smite62 down traitors and spare not."
"It is his only fault," Simon said. "What a change has taken place, since he was sent hither from Jerusalem to take up our government! All abuses have been repressed, extortion has been put down, taxes have been lightened. We eat our bread in peace and comfort, and each man's property is his own. Never was there such a change as he has wrought63 and, were it not for John of Gischala, Justus the son of Piscus, and Jesus the son of Sapphias, all would go quietly and well; but these men are continually stirring up the people--who, in their folly64, listen to them--and conspiring65 to murder Josephus, and seize upon his government."
"Already he has had, more than once, to reduce to submission66 Tiberias and Sepphoris; happily without bloodshed for, when the people of these cities saw that all Galilee was with Josephus, they opened their gates and submitted themselves to his mercy. Truly, in Leviticus it is said:
"'Thou shalt not avenge67, nor bear any grudge68 against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'
"But Josephus carries this beyond reason. Seeing that his adversaries69 by no means observe this law, he should remember that it is also said that 'He that taketh the sword shall fall by the sword,' and that the law lays down punishments for the transgressors. Our judges and kings slew70 those who troubled the land, and destroyed them utterly71; and Josephus does wrong to depart from their teaching."
"I know not where he could have learned such notions of mercy to his enemies, and to the enemies of the land," Simon said. "He has been to Rome, but it is not among the Romans that he will have found that it is right to forgive those who rise up in rebellion."
"Yes, he was in Rome when he was twenty-six years old," Solomon said. "He went thither72 to plead the cause of certain priests who had been thrown into bonds, by Felix, and sent to Rome. It was a perilous73 voyage, for his ship was wrecked74 in the Adriatic and, of six hundred men who were on board, only eighty were picked up--after floating and swimming all night--by a ship of Cyrene. He was not long in Rome for, being introduced to Poppaea, the wife of Caesar, he used his interest with her and obtained the release of those for whose sake he went there.
"No, if he gained these ideas from anyone, he learned them from one Banus--an Ascetic75, of the sect76 of the Essenes, who lived in the desert with no other clothing than the bark and leaves of trees, and no other food save that which grew wild. Josephus lived with him, in like fashion, for three years and, doubtless, learned all that was in his heart. Banus was a follower77, they say, of that John whom Herod put to death; and for aught I know, of that Jesus who was crucified, two years afterwards, at Jerusalem, and in whom many people believed, and who has many followers78, to this day. I have conversed79 with some of them and, from what they tell me, this Jesus taught doctrines80 similar to those which Josephus practices; and which he may have learned from Banus, without accepting the doctrines which the members of this sect hold, as to their founder81 being the promised Messiah who was to restore Israel."
"I, too, have talked with many of the sect," Simon said; "and have argued with them on the folly of their belief, seeing that their founder by no means saved Israel, but was himself put to death. From what I could see, there was much that was good in the doctrines they hold; but they have exaggerated ideas, and are opposed to all wars, even to fighting for their country. I hear that, since there has been trouble with Rome, most of them have departed altogether out of the land, so as to avoid the necessity of fighting."
"They are poor creatures," Solomon Ben Manasseh said, scornfully; "but we need not talk of them now, for they affect us in no way, save that it may be that Josephus has learned somewhat of their doctrines, from Banus; and that he is thus unduly82 and, as I think, most unfortunately for the country, inclined too much to mercy, instead of punishing the evildoers as they deserve."
"But nevertheless, rabbi, it seems to me that there has been good policy, as well, in the mercy which Josephus has shown his foes84. You know that John has many friends in Jerusalem; and that, if he could accuse Josephus of slaughtering85 any, he would be able to make so strong a party, there, that he could obtain the recall of Josephus."
"We would not let him go," Solomon said, hotly. "Since the Romans have gone, we submit to the supremacy86 of the council at Jerusalem, but it is only on sufferance. For long ages we have had nothing to do with Judah; and we are not disposed to put our necks under their yoke87, now. We submit to unity88 because, in the Romans, we have a common foe83; but we are not going to be tyrannized. Josephus has shown himself a wise ruler. We are happier, under him, than we have been for generations under the men who call themselves kings, but who are nothing but Roman satraps; and we are not going to suffer him to be taken from us. Only let the people of Jerusalem try that, and they will have to deal with all the men of Galilee."
"I am past the age at which men are bound to take up the sword, and John has not yet attained89 it but, if there were need, we would both go out and fight. What could they do, for the population of Galilee is greater than that of Judah? And while we would fight, every man, to the death; the Jews would, few of them, care to hazard their lives only to take from us the man we desire to rule over us. Still, Josephus does wisely, perhaps, to give no occasion for accusation90 by his enemies.
"There is no talk, is there, rabbi, of any movement on the part of the Romans to come against us, in force?"
"None, so far as I have heard," the rabbi replied. "King Agrippa remains in his country, to the east; but he has no Roman force with him sufficient to attempt any great enterprise and, so long as they leave us alone, we are content."
"They will come, sooner or later," Simon said, shaking his head. "They are busy elsewhere. When they have settled with their other enemies, they will come here to avenge the defeat of Cestius, to restore Florus, and to reconquer the land. Where Rome has once laid her paw, she never lets slip her prey91."
"Well, we can fight," Solomon Ben Manasseh said, sternly. "Our forefathers92 won the land with the sword, and we can hold it by the sword."
"Yes," Martha said quietly, joining in the conversation for the first time, "if God fights for us, as He fought for our forefathers."
"Why should He not?" the rabbi asked sternly. "We are still his people. We are faithful to his law."
"But God has, many times in the past, suffered us to fall into the hands of our enemies as a punishment for our sins," Martha said, quietly. "The tribes were carried away into captivity93, and are scattered we know not where. The temple was destroyed, and the people of Judah dwelt long as captives in Babylon. He suffered us to fall under the yoke of the Romans.
"In his right time, He will fight for us again; but can we say that that time has come, rabbi, and that He will smite the Romans, as He smote94 the host of Sennacherib?"
"That no man can say," the rabbi answered, gloomily. "Time only will show but, whether or no, the people will fight valiantly95."
"I doubt not that they will fight," Simon said; "but many other nations, to whom we are but as a handful, have fought bravely, but have succumbed96 to the might of Rome. It is said that Josephus, and many of the wisest in Jerusalem, were heartily97 opposed to the tumults98 against the Romans, and that they only went with the people because they were in fear of their lives; and even at Tiberias many men of worth and gravity, such as Julius Capellus, Herod the son of Miarus, Herod the son of Gamalus, Compsus, and others, are all strongly opposed to hostility99 against the Romans.
"And it is the same, elsewhere. Those who know best what is the might and power of Rome would fain remain friendly with her. It is the ignorant and violent classes have led us into this strait; from which, as I fear, naught100 but ruin can arise."
"I thought better things of you, Simon," the rabbi said, angrily.
"But you yourself have told me," Simon urged, "that you thought it a mad undertaking101 to provoke the vengeance102 of Rome."
"I thought so, at first," Solomon admitted, "but now our hand is placed on the plow103, we must not draw back; and I believe that the God of our fathers will show his might before the heathen."
"I trust that it may be so," Simon said, gravely. "In His hand is all power. Whether He will see fit to put it forth, now, in our behalf remains to be seen. However, for the present we need not concern ourselves greatly with the Romans. It may be long before they bring an army against us; while these seditions, here, are at our very door, and ever threaten to involve us in civil war."
"We need fear no civil war," the rabbi said. "The people of all Galilee, save the violent and ill disposed in a few of the towns, are all for Josephus. If it comes to force, John and his party know that they will be swept away, like a straw before the wind. The fear is that they may succeed in murdering Josephus; either by the knife of an assassin, or in one of these tumults. They would rather the latter, because they would then say that the people had torn him to pieces, in their fury at his misdoings.
"However, we watch over him, as much as we can; and his friends have warned him that he must be careful, not only for his own sake, but for that of all the people; and he has promised that, as far as he can, he will be on his guard against these traitors."
"The governor should have a strong bodyguard," John exclaimed, impetuously, "as the Roman governors had. In another year, I shall be of age to have my name inscribed104 in the list of fighting men; and I would gladly be one of his guard."
"You are neither old enough to fight, nor to express an opinion unasked," Simon said, "in the presence of your elders."
"Do not check the boy," the rabbi said. "He has fire and spirit; and the days are coming when we shall not ask how old, or how young, are those who would fight, so that they can but hold arms.
"Josephus is wise not to have a military guard, John, because the people love not such appearance of state. His enemies would use this as an argument that he was setting himself up above them. It is partly because he behaves himself discreetly105, and goes about among them like a private person, of no more account than themselves, that they love him. None can say he is a tyrant106, because he has no means of tyrannizing. His enemies cannot urge it against him at Jerusalem--as they would doubtless do, if they could--that he is seeking to lead Galilee away from the rule of Jerusalem, and to set himself up as its master for, to do this, he would require to gather an army; and Josephus has not a single armed man at his service, save and except that when he appears to be in danger many, out of love of him, assemble and provide him escort.
"No, Josephus is wise in that he affects neither pomp nor state; that he keeps no armed men around him, but trusts to the love of the people. He would be wiser, however, did he seize one of the occasions when the people have taken up arms for him to destroy all those who make sedition50; and to free the country, once and for all, from the trouble.
"Sedition should be always nipped in the bud. Lenity, in such a case, is the most cruel course; for it encourages men to think that those in authority fear them, and that they can conspire52 without danger; and whereas, at first, the blood of ten men will put an end to sedition, it needs, at last, the blood of as many thousands to restore peace and order. It is good for a man to be merciful, but not for a ruler, for the good of the whole people is placed in his hands. The sword of justice is given to him, and he is most merciful who uses it the most promptly107 against those who work sedition. The wise ruler will listen to the prayers of his people, and will grant their petitions, when they show that their case is hard; but he will grant nothing to him who asketh with his sword in his hand, for he knows full well that when he yields, once, he must yield always; until the time comes, as come it surely will, when he must resist with the sword. Then the land will be filled with blood whereas, in the beginning, he could have avoided all trouble, by refusing so much as to listen to those who spoke108 with threats.
"Josephus is a good man, and the Lord has given him great gifts. He has done great things for the land; but you will see that many woes109 will come, and much blood will be shed, from this lenity of his towards those who stir up tumults among the people."
A few minutes later the family retired110 to bed; the hour being a late one for Simon's household, which generally retired to rest a short time after the evening meal.
The next day the work of gathering in the figs was carried on, earnestly and steadily111, with the aid of the workers whom Simon had hired in the town and, in two days, the trees were all stripped, and strings of figs hung to dry from the boughs112 of all the trees round the house.
Then the gathering of the grapes began. All the inhabitants of the little fishing village lent their aid--men as well as women and children--for the vintage was looked upon as a holiday; and Simon was regarded as a good friend by his neighbors, being ever ready to aid them when there was need, judging any disputes which arose between them, and lending them money without interest if misfortune came upon their boats or nets, or if illness befell them; while the women, in times of sickness or trouble, went naturally to Martha with their griefs, and were assured of sympathy, good advice, and any drugs or dainty food suited to the case.
The women and girls picked the grapes, and laid them in baskets. These were carried by men, and emptied into the vat15; where other men trod them down, and pressed out the juice. Martha and her maids saw to the cooking and laying out, on the great tables in the courtyard, of the meals; to which all sat down, together. Simon superintended the crushing of the grapes; and John worked now at one task, and now at another. It was a pretty scene, and rendered more gay by the songs of the women and girls, as they worked; and the burst of merry laughter which, at times, arose.
It lasted four days, by which time the last bunch, save those on a few vines preserved for eating, was picked and crushed; and the vats113 in the cellar, sunk underground for coolness, were full to the brim. Simon was much pleased with the result; and declared that never, in his memory, had the vine and fig harvest turned out more abundant. The corn had long before been gathered, and there remained now only the olives; but it would be some little time yet before these were fit to be gathered, and their oil extracted, for they were allowed to hang on the trees until ready to drop.
The last basket of grapes was brought in with much ceremony; the gatherers forming a little procession, and singing a thanksgiving hymn114 as they walked. The evening meal was more bounteous115, even, than usual; and all who helped carried away with them substantial proofs of Simon's thankfulness, and satisfaction.
For the next few days Simon and his men, and Martha's maids, lent their assistance in getting in the vintage of their neighbors; for each family had its patch of ground, and grew sufficient grapes and fruits for its own needs. Those in the village brought their grapes to a vat, which they had in common; the measures of the grapes being counted as they were put in, and the wine afterwards divided, in like proportion--for wine, to be good, must be made in considerable quantities.
And now there was, for a time, little to do on the farm. Simon superintended the men who were plowing116 up the corn stubbles, ready for the sowing in the spring; sometimes putting his hand to the plow, and driving the oxen. Isaac and his son worked in the vineyard and garden, near the house; aided to some extent by John who, however, was not yet called upon to take a man's share in the work of the farm--he having but lately finished his learning, with the rabbi, at the school in Hippos. Still, he worked steadily every morning and, in the afternoon, generally went out on the lake with the fishermen, with whom he was a great favorite.
This was not to last long for, at seventeen, he was to join his father, regularly, in the management of the farm and, indeed, the Rabbi Solomon, who was a frequent guest, was of opinion that Simon gave the boy too much license117; and that he ought, already, to be doing man's work.
But Simon, when urged by him, said:
"I know that, at his age, I was working hard, rabbi; but the lad has studied diligently118, and I have a good report of him; and I think it well that, at his age, the bow should be unbent somewhat.
"Besides, who knows what is before us! I will let the lad have as much pleasure from his life as he can. The storm is approaching; let him play, while the sun shines."
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ripples
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standing
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figs
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fig
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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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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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usurped
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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8
engross
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| v.使全神贯注 | |
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9
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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vat
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| n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶 | |
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teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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17
luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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18
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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19
pegs
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| n.衣夹( peg的名词复数 )；挂钉；系帐篷的桩；弦钮v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的第三人称单数 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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22
demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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23
bruising
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| adj.殊死的；十分激烈的v.擦伤(bruise的现在分词形式) | |
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24
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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25
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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26
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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27
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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29
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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30
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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31
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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32
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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33
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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34
corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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35
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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36
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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37
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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38
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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39
bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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40
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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41
seethed
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| （液体）沸腾( seethe的过去式和过去分词 )； 激动，大怒； 强压怒火； 生闷气(~with sth|~ at sth) | |
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42
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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43
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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44
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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45
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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46
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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47
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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48
taxation
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| n.征税，税收，税金 | |
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49
broached
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| v.谈起( broach的过去式和过去分词 )；打开并开始用；用凿子扩大（或修光）；（在桶上）钻孔取液体 | |
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50
sedition
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| n.煽动叛乱 | |
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51
leniently
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| 温和地，仁慈地 | |
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52
conspire
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| v.密谋，（事件等）巧合，共同导致 | |
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53
conspired
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| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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54
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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55
disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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56
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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57
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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58
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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59
culpable
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| adj.有罪的，该受谴责的 | |
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60
ordains
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的第三人称单数 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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61
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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62
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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63
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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64
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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65
conspiring
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| 密谋( conspire的现在分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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66
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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67
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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68
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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69
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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70
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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71
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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72
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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73
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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74
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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75
ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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76
sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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77
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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78
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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79
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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80
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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81
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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82
unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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83
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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84
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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85
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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86
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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87
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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88
unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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89
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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90
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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91
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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92
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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93
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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94
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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95
valiantly
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| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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96
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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97
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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98
tumults
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| 吵闹( tumult的名词复数 )； 喧哗； 激动的吵闹声； 心烦意乱 | |
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99
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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100
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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101
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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102
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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103
plow
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| n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough | |
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104
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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105
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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106
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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107
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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108
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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109
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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110
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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111
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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112
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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113
vats
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| varieties 变化，多样性，种类 | |
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114
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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115
bounteous
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| adj.丰富的 | |
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116
plowing
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| v.耕( plow的现在分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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117
license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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118
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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