Alroy: The Prince of the Captivity

  CHAPTER VII.

  _Conquest of the Seljuks_

  YOUR face is troubled, uncle.' 'So is my mind.' 'All may go well.''Miriam, we have seen the best. Prepare yourself for sorrow, gentlegirl. I care not for myself, for I am old, and age makes heroes of usall. I have endured, and can endure more. As we approach our limit, itwould appear that our minds grow callous. I have seen my wealth, raisedwith the labours of a thoughtful life, vanish in a morn: my people, afragile remnant, nevertheless a people, dispersed, or what is worse. Ihave wept for them, although no tear of selfish grief has tinged thiswithered cheek. And, were I but alone, ay! there's the pang. The solaceof my days is now my sorrow.'

  'Weep not for me, dear uncle. Rather let us pray that our God will notforsake us.'

  'We know not when we are well. Our hours stole tranquilly along, andthen we murmured. Prospering, we murmured, and now we are rightlystricken. The legend of the past is Israel's bane. The past is a dream;and, in the waking present, we should discard the enervating shadow. Whyshould we be free? We murmured against captivity. This _is_ captivity:this damp, dim cell, where we are brought to die.

  'O! youth, rash youth, thy being is destruction. But yesterday a child,it seems but yesterday I nursed him in these arms, a thoughtless child,and now our house has fallen by his deeds. I will not think of it;'twill make me mad.'

  'Uncle, dearest uncle, we have lived together, and we will die together,and both in love; but, I pray you, speak no harsh word of David.'

  'Shall I praise him?'

  'Say nothing. What he has done, if done in grief, has been done all inhonour. Would you that he had spared Alschiroch?'

  'Never! I would have struck him myself. Brave boy, he did his duty; andI, I, Miriam, thy uncle, at whom they wink behind his back and call himniggard, was I wanting in that hour of trial? Was my treasure spared tosave my people? Did I shrink from all the toil and trouble of that time?A trying time, my Miriam, but compared with this, the building of theTemple----'

  'You were then what you have ever been, the best and wisest. And sinceour fathers' God did not forsake us, even in that wilderness of wildestwoe, I offer gratitude in present faith, and pay him for past mercies bymy prayers for more.'

  'Well, well, life must end. The hour approaches when we must meet ourrulers and mock trial; precious justice that begins in threats and endsin torture. You are silent, Miriam.'

  'I am speaking to my God.'

  'What is that noise? A figure moves behind the dusky grate. Our gaoler.No, no, it is Caleb! Faithful child, I fear you have perilled much.'

  'I enter with authority, my lord, and bear good tidings.'

  'He smiles! Is't possible? Speak on, speak on!'

  'Alroy has captured the harem of our Governor, as they journeyed fromBagdad to this city, guarded by his choicest troops. And he has sent tooffer that they shall be exchanged for you and for your household. AndHassan has answered that his women shall owe their freedom to nothingbut his sword. But, in the meantime, it is agreed between him and themessenger of your nephew, that both companies of prisoners shall betreated with all becoming courtesy. You, therefore, are remanded toyour palace, and the trumpet is now sounding before the great mosqueto summon all the host against Alroy, whom Hassan has vowed to bring toHamadan dead or alive.'

  'The harem of the Governor, guarded too by his choicest troops! 'Tis agreat deed. He did remember us. Faithful boy! The harem of the Governor!his choicest troops! 'Tis a very great deed. Me-thinks the Lord is withhim. He has his great father's heart. Only think of David, a child! Inursed him, often. Caleb! Can this be David, our David, a child, a girl?Yet he struck Alschiroch! Miriam! where is she? Worthy Caleb, look toyour mistress; she has fallen. Quite gone! Fetch water. 'Tis not verypure, but we shall be in our palace soon. The harem of the Governor! Ican't believe it. Sprinkle, sprinkle. David take them prisoners! Why,when they pass, we are obliged to turn our heads, and dare not look.More water: I'll rub her hand. 'Tis warmer! Her eyes open! Miriam,choice news, my child! The harem of the Governor! I'll not believe it!

  'Once more within our walls, Caleb. Life is a miracle. I feel youngagain. This is home; and yet I am a prisoner. You said the host wereassembling; he can have no chance. Think you, Caleb, he has any chance?I hope he will die. I would not have him taken. I fear their tortures.We will die too; we will all die. Now I am out of that dungeon,me-thinks I could even fight. Is it true that he has joined withrobbers?'

  'I saw the messenger, and learnt that he first repaired to some banditsin the ruins in the desert. He had become acquainted with them in hispilgrimage. They say their leader is one of our people.'

  'I am glad of that. He can eat with him. I would not have him eatunclean things with the Ishmaelites.'

  'Lord, sir! our people gather to him from all quarters. 'Tis said thatJabaster, the great Cabalist, has joined him from the mountains with tenthousand men.'

  'The great Jabaster! then there is some chance. I know Jabaster well. Heis too wise to join a desperate cause. Art sure about Jabaster? 'Tisa great name, a very potent spirit. I have heard such things of thatJabaster, sir, would make you stare like Saul before the spirit! Onlythink of our David, Caleb, making all this noise! I am full of hope. Ifeel not like a prisoner. He beat the harem guard, and, now he has gotJabaster, he will beat them all.'

  'The messenger told me he captured the harem, only to free his uncle andhis sister.'

  'He ever loved me; I have done my duty to him; I think I have. Jabaster!why, man, the name is a spell I There are men at Bagdad who will get upin the night to join Jabaster. I hope David will follow his counselsin all things. I would I had seen his servant, I could have sent him amessage.'

  'Lord, sir! the Prince Alroy has no great need of counsellors, I cantell you. 'Tis said he bears the sceptre of great Solomon, which hehimself obtained in the unknown tombs of Palestine.'

  'The sceptre of Solomon! could I but believe it! 'Tis an age of wonders!Where are we? Call for Miriam, I'll tell her this. Only think of David,a mere child, our David with the sceptre of Solomon! and Jabaster too! Ihave great faith. The Lord confound his enemies!'

  'Gentle Rachel, I fear I trouble you; sweet Beruna, I thank you for yourzeal. I am better now; the shock was great. These are strange tidings,maidens.'

  'Yes, dear lady! who would have thought of your brother turning out aCaptain?'

  'I am sure I always thought he was the quietest person in the world,'said Beruna, 'though he did kill Alschiroch.'

  'One could never get a word out of him,' said Rachel.

  'He was always moping alone,' said Beruna.

  'And when one spoke to him he always turned away,' said Leah.

  'Or blushed,' added Imra.

  'Well, for my part,' said the beautiful Bathsheba, 'I always thoughtPrince David was a genius. He had such beautiful eyes!'

  'I hope he will conquer Hassan,' said Rachel.

  'So do I,' said Beruna.

  'I wonder what he has done with the harem,' said Leah.

  'I don't think he will dare to speak to them,' said Imra.

  'You are very much mistaken,' said Bathsheba.

  'Hark!' said Miriam.

  ''Tis Hassan,' said Bathsheba; 'may he never return!'

  The wild drum of the Seljuks sounded, then a flourish of their fiercetrumpets, and soon the tramp of horse. Behind the blinds of theirchamber, Miriam and her maidens beheld the magnificent troop oftur-baned horsemen, who, glittering with splendid armour and brightshawls, and proudly bounding on their fiery steeds, now went forth tocrush and conquer the only hope of Israel. Upon an Arab, darker thannight, rode the superb Hassan, and, as he passed the dwelling ofhis late prisoners, whether from the exulting anticipation of comingtriumph, or from a soft suspicion that, behind that lattice, brighteyes and brilliant faces were gazing on his state, the haughty buthandsome Seljuk flourished his scimitar over his head, as he threw hismanaged steed into attitudes that displayed the skill of its rider.

  'He is handsomer than Alschiroch,'
said Rachel.

  'What a shawl!' said Beruna.

  'His scimitar was like lightning,' said Leah.

  'And his steed like thunder,' said Imra.

  'The evil eye fall on him!' said Bathsheba.

  'Lord,' exclaimed Miriam, 'remember David and all his afflictions!'

  The deserted city of the wilderness presented a very differentappearance from that which met the astonished gaze of Alroy, when hefirst beheld its noble turrets, and wandered in its silent streets ofpalaces.

  Without the gates was pitched a numerous camp of those low black tentscommon among the Kourds and Turkmans; the principal street was fullof busy groups engaged in all the preparations of warfare, and all thebustling expedients of an irregular and adventurous life; steeds werestalled in ruined chambers, and tall camels raised their still visagesamong the clustering columns, or crouched in kneeling tranquillity amidfallen statues and prostrate obelisks.

  Two months had scarcely elapsed since Alroy and Jabaster had soughtScherirah in his haunt, and announced to him their sacred mission. Thecallous heart of him, whose 'mother was a Jewess,' had yielded to theirinspired annunciations. He embraced their cause with all the fervourof conversion, and his motley band were not long sceptical of a creedwhich, while it assuredly offered danger and adventure, held out theprospects of wealth and even empire. From the city of the wildernessthe new Messiah sent forth his messengers to the neighbouring cities, toannounce his advent to his brethren in captivity. The Hebrews, aproud and stiff-necked race, ever prone to rebellion, received theannouncement of their favourite prince with transport. The descendantof David, and the slayer of Alschiroch, had double claims upon theirconfidence and allegiance, and the flower of the Hebrew youth in theneighbouring cities of the Caliphate repaired in crowds to pay theirhomage to the recovered sceptre of Solomon.

  The affair was at first treated by the government with contempt, and thesultan of the Seljuks contented himself with setting a price upon thehead of the murderer of his brother; but, when several cities had beenplaced under contribution, and more than one Moslem caravan stopped,and plundered in the name of the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob,orders were despatched from Bagdad to the new governor of Hamadan,Hassan Subah, to suppress the robbers, or the rebels, and to send DavidAlroy dead or alive to the capital.

  The Hebrew malcontents were well apprised by their less adventurousbut still sympathising brethren of everything that took place at thehead-quarters of the enemy. Spies arrived on the same day at the cityof the wilderness, who informed Alroy that his uncle was thrown intoa dungeon at Hamadan, and that a body of chosen troops were about toescort a royal harem from Bagdad into Persia.

  Alroy attacked the escort in person, utterly discomfited them, andcaptured their charge. It proved to be the harem of the Governor ofHamadan, and if for a moment the too sanguine fancy of the captorexperienced a passing pang of disappointment, the prize at leastobtained, as we have seen, the freedom and security of his dear thoughdistant friends. This exploit precipitated the expedition which waspreparing at Hamadan for his destruction. The enraged Hassan Subahstarted from his divan, seized his scimitar, and without waiting for theauxiliaries he had summoned from the neighbouring chieftains, called tohorse, and at the head of two thousand of the splendid Seljuk cavalry,hurried to vindicate his love and satiate his revenge.

  Within the amphitheatre which he first entered as a prisoner, Alroy satin council. On his right was Jabaster, Scherirah on his left. A youth,little his senior, but tall as a palm-tree, and strong as a young lion,was the fourth captain. In the distance, some standing, some reclining,were about fifty men completely armed.

  'Are the people numbered, Abner?' inquired Alroy of the youth.

  'Even so; three hundred effective horsemen, and two thousand footmen;but the footmen lack arms.'

  'The Lord will send them in good time,' said Jabaster; 'meanwhile letthem continue to make javelins.'

  'Trust in the Lord,' murmured Scherirah, bending his head, with his eyesfixed on the ground.

  A loud shout was heard throughout the city. Alroy started from hiscarpet. The messenger had returned. Pale and haggard, covered with sweatand sand, the faithful envoy was borne into the amphitheatre almost uponthe shoulders of the people. In vain the guard endeavoured to stem thepassage of the multitude. They clambered up the tiers of arches,they filled the void and crumbling seats of the antique circus, theysupported themselves upon each other's shoulders, they clung to thecapitals of the lofty columns. The whole multitude had assembled tohear the intelligence; the scene recalled the ancient purpose of thebuilding, and Alroy and his fellow-warriors seemed like the gladiatorsof some old spectacle.

  'Speak,' said Alroy, 'speak the worst. No news can be bitter to thosewhom the Lord will avenge.'

  'Ruler of Israel! thus saith Hassan Subah,' answered the messenger: 'Myharem shall owe their freedom to nothing but my sword. I treat not withrebels, but I war not with age or woman; and between Bostenay and hishousehold on one side, and the prisoners of thy master on the other, letthere be peace. Go, tell Alroy, I will seal it in his best blood. Andlo! thy uncle and thy sister are again in their palace.'

  Alroy placed his hand for a moment to his eyes, and then instantlyresuming his self-possession, he enquired as to the movements of theenemy.

  'I have crossed the desert on a swift dromedary[54] lent to me byShelomi of the Gate, whose heart is with our cause. I have not tarried,neither have I slept. Ere to-morrow's sunset the Philistines will behere, led by Hassan Subah himself. The Lord of Hosts be with us! Sincewe conquered Canaan, Israel hath not struggled with such a power!'

  A murmur ran through the assembly. Men exchanged enquiring glances, andinvoluntarily pressed each other's arms.

  'The trial has come,' said a middle-aged Hebrew, who had fought twentyyears ago with Jabaster.

  'Let me die for the Ark!' said a young enthusiast of the band of Abner.

  'I thought we should get into a scrape,' whispered Kisloch the Kourd toCalidas the Indian. 'What could have ever induced us to give up robbingin a quiet manner?'

  'And turn Jews!' said the Guebre, with a sneer.

  'Look at Scherirah,' said the Negro, grinning. 'If he is not kissing thesceptre of Solomon!'

  'I wish to heaven he had only hung Alroy the first time he met him,'said Calidas.

  'Sons of the Covenant!' exclaimed Alroy, 'the Lord hath delivered theminto our hands. To-morrow eve we march to Hamadan!'

  A cheer followed this exclamation.

  'It is written,' said Jabaster, opening a volume, '"Lo! I will defendthis city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David'ssake."

  '"And it came to pass that night that the angel of the Lord went out,and smote in the camp of the Assyrians, an hundred four score and fivethousand; and when they arose early in the morning, behold! they wereall dead corpses."

  'Now, as I was gazing upon the stars this morn, and reading thecelestial alphabet known to the true Cabalist,[55] behold! the star ofthe house of David and seven other stars moved, and met together, andformed into a circle. And the word they formed was a mystery to me; butlo! I have opened the book, and each star is the initial letter of eachline of the Targum that I have now read to you. Therefore the fate ofSennacherib is the fate of Hassan Subah!'

  '_"Trust in him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before him."god is a refuge for us. Selah!_'

  At this moment a female form appeared on the very top of theamphitheatre, upon the slight remains of the upper most tier of whicha solitary arch alone was left. The chorus instantly died away, everytongue was silent, every eye fixed. Hushed, mute, and immovable, evenKisloch and his companions were appalled as they gazed upon Esther theProphetess.

  Her eminent position, her imposing action, the flashing of her immenseeyes, her beautiful but awful countenance, her black hair, that hungalmost to her knees, and the white light of the moon, just rising overthe opposite side of the amphitheatre, and which threw a silvery flashupon her form,
and seemed to invest her with some miraculous emanation,while all beneath her was in deep gloom,-these circumstances combinedto render her an object of universal interest and attention, while in apowerful but high voice she thus addressed them:

  'They come, they come! But will they go? Lo! hear ye this, O house ofJacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out ofthe waters of Judah! I hear their drum in the desert, and the voice oftheir trumpets is like the wind of eve, but a decree hath gone forth,and it says, that a mortal shall be more precious than fine gold, yea, aman than the rich ore of Ophir.

  'They come, they come! But will they go? I see the flash of theirscimitars, I mark the prancing of their cruel steeds; but a decree hathgone forth, and it says, a gleaning shall be left among them, as inthe shaking of the olive-tree; two or three berries on the top of theuppermost bough; four or five on the straggling branches.

  'They come, they come! But will they go? Lo! a decree hath gone forth,and it says, Hamadan shall be to thee for a spoil, and desolation shallfall upon Babylon. And there shall the wild beasts of the desert lodge,and howling monsters shall fill their houses, and there shall thedaughters of the ostrich dwell, and there shall the screech-owl pitchher tent, and there shall the night-raven lay her eggs, and there shallthe satyrs hold their revels. And wolves shall howl to one another intheir palaces, and dragons in their voluptuous pavilions. Her time isnear at hand; her days shall not be prolonged; the reed and the lotusshall wither in her rivers; and the meadows by her canals shall be asthe sands of the desert. For, is it a light thing that the Lord shouldsend his servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore thepreserved of Israel? Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, and breakforth into singing, O mountains, for the Lord hath comforted his people,and will have mercy upon his afflicted!'

  She ceased; she descended the precipitous side of the amphitheatre withrapid steps, vaulting from tier to tier, and bounding with wonderfulagility from one mass of ruin to another. At length she reached thelevel; and then, foaming and panting, she rushed to Alroy, threw herselfupon the ground, embraced his feet, and wiped off the dust from hissandals with her hair.

  The assembly broke into long and loud acclamations of supernaturalconfidence and sanguine enthusiasm. They beheld their Messiah wave hismiraculous sceptre. They thought of Hassan Subah and his Seljuks onlyas of victims, and of to-morrow only as of a day which was to commence anew era of triumph, freedom, and empire!

  Hassan Subah after five days' forced marches pitched his sumptuouspavilion in that beautiful Oasis, which had afforded such delightfulrefreshment to Alroy when a solitary pilgrim. Around for nearly a mile,were the tents of his warriors, and of the numerous caravan that hadaccompanied him, laden with water and provisions for his troops. Here,while he reposed, he also sought information as to the position of hisenemy.

  A party of observation, which he had immediately despatched, returnedalmost instantly with a small caravan that had been recently plunderedby the robbers. The merchant, a venerable and pious Moslem, was usheredinto the presence of the Governor of Hamadan.

  'From the robbers' haunt?' enquired Hassan.

  'Unfortunately so,' answered the merchant.

  'Is it far?'

  'A day's journey.'

  'And you quitted it?'

  'Yesterday morn.'

  'What is their force?'

  The merchant hesitated.

  'Do they not make prisoners?' enquired the Governor, casting ascrutinising glance at his companion.

  'Holy Prophet! what a miserable wretch am I!' exclaimed the venerablemerchant, bursting into tears. 'A faithful subject of the Caliph, I amobliged to serve rebels, a devout Moslem, I am forced to aid Jews! Orderme to be hanged at once, my lord,' continued the unfortunate merchant,wringing his hands. 'Order me to be hanged at once. I have lived longenough.'

  'What is all this?' enquired Hassan; 'speak, friend, without fear.'

  'I am a faithful subject of the Caliph,' answered the merchant; 'I am adevout Moslem, but I have lost ten thousand dirhems.'

  'I am sorry for you, sir; I also have lost something, but my losses arenothing to you, nor yours to me.'

  'Accursed be the hour when these dogs tempted me! Tell me, is it sin tobreak faith with a Jew?'

  'On the contrary, I could find you many reverend Mollahs, who will tellyou that such a breach is the highest virtue. Come! come, I see how itis: you have received your freedom on condition of not betraying yourmerciful plunderers. Promises exacted by terror are the bugbears offools. Speak, man, all you know. Where are they? What is their force?Are we supposed to be at hand?'

  'I am a faithful subject of the Caliph, and I am bound to serve him,'replied the merchant; 'I am a devout Moslem, and 'tis my duty to destroyall Giaours, but I am also a man, and I must look after my own interest.Noble Governor, the long and the short is, these scoundrels have robbedme of ten thousand dirhems, as my slaves will tell you: at least, goodsto that amount. No one can prove that they be worth less. It is truethat I include in that calculation the fifty per cent. I was to makeon my shawls at Hamadan, but still to me it is as good as ten thousanddirhems. Ask my slaves if such an assortment of shawls was ever yetbeheld.'

  'To the point, to the point. The robbers?' 'I am at the point. Theshawls is the point. For when I talked of the shawls and the heavinessof my loss, you must know that the captain of the robbers--'

  'Alroy?'

  'A fierce young gentleman, I do not know how they call him: said thecaptain to me, "Merchant, you look gloomy." "Gloomy," I said, "you wouldlook gloomy if you were a prisoner, and had lost ten thousand dirhems.""What, is this trash worth ten thousand dirhems?" said he. "With thefifty per cent. I was to make at Hamadan." "Fifty per cent.," said he;"you are an old knave." "Knave! I should like to hear any one call meknave at Bagdad." "Well, knave or not, you may get out of this scrape.""How?" "Why you are a respectable-looking man," said he, "and are a goodMoslem into the bargain, I warrant." "That I am," said I, "although yoube a Jew: but how the faith is to serve me here I am sure I don'tknow, unless the angel Gabriel, as in the fifty-fifth verse of thetwenty-seventh chapter of the Koran----"'

  'Tush, tush!' exclaimed Hassan; 'to the point.'

  'I always am at the point, only you put me out. However, to make itas short as possible, the captain knows all about your coming, and isfrightened out of his wits, although he did talk big; I could easily seethat. And he let me go, you see, with some of my slaves, and gave me anorder for five thousand dirhems on one Bostenay, of Hamadan (perhapsyou know him; is he a good man?), on condition that I would fall in withyou, and, Mohammed forgive me, tell you a lie!'

  'A lie!'

  'Yes, a lie; but these Jewish dogs do not understand what a trulyreligious man is, and when I began to tell the lie, I was soon putout. Now, noble Hassan, if a promise to a Jew be not binding on a truebeliever, and you will see me straight with the five thousand dirhems, Iwill betray everything at once.'

  'Be easy about the five thousand dirhems, good man, and tell me all.'

  'You will see me paid?'

  'My honour upon it.'

  ''Tis well! Know then, the infamous dogs are very weak, and terrifiedat the news of your progress: one, whom I think they call Jabaster, hasdeparted with the great majority of the people into the interior of thedesert, about seven hundred strong. I heard so; but mind, I do notknow it. The young man, whom you call Alroy, being wounded in a recentconflict, could not depart with them, but remains among the ruins withsome female prisoners, some treasure, and about a hundred companionshidden in sepulchres. He gave me my freedom on condition that I shouldfall in with you, and assure you that the dogs, full five thousandstrong, had given you the go-by in the night, and marched towardsHamadan. They wanted me to frighten you; it was a lie, and I could nottell it. And now you know the plain truth; and if it be a sin to breakfaith with an infidel, you are responsible for it, as well as for thefive thousand dirhems, which, by-the-bye, ought to have been ten.'

  'Where
is your order?'

  ''Tis here,' said the merchant, drawing it from his vest, 'a verybusiness-like document, drawn upon one Bostenay, whom they described asvery rich, and who is here enjoined to pay me five thousand dirhems, if,in consequence of my information, Hassan Subah, that is yourself, returnforthwith to Hamadan without attacking them.'

  'Old Bostenay's head shall answer for this.'

  'I am glad of it. But were I you, I would make him pay me first.'

  'Merchant,' said Hassan, 'have you any objection to pay another visit toyour friend Alroy?'

  'Allah forbid!'

  'In my company?'

  'That makes a difference.'

  'Be our guide. The dirhems shall be doubled.'

  'That will make up for the fifty per cent. I hardly like it; but in yourcompany that makes a difference. Lose no time. If you push on, Alroymust be captured. Now or never! The Jewish dogs, to rifle a truebeliever!'

  'Oglu,' said Hassan to one of his officers. 'To horse! You need notstrike the tents. Can we reach the city by sunset, merchant?'

  'An hour before, if you be off at once.' 'Sound the drums. To horse! tohorse!' The Seljuks halted before the walls of the deserted city. Theircommander ordered a detachment to enter and reconnoitre. They returnedand reported its apparent desolation. Hassan Subah, then directingthat a guard should surround the walls to prevent any of the enemy fromescaping, passed with his warriors through the vast portal into thesilent street. The still magnificence of the strange and splendid sceneinfluenced the temper even of this ferocious cavalry. They gazed aroundthem with awe and admiration. The fierceness of their visages wassoftened, the ardour of their impulse stilled. A supernatural feelingof repose stole over their senses. No one brandished his scimitar, thefiery courser seemed as subdued as his lord, and no sound was heard butthe melancholy, mechanical tramp of the disciplined march, unrelievedby martial music, inviolate by oath or jest, and unbroken even by theostentatious caracoling of any showy steed.

  It was sunset; the star of eve glittered over the white Ionian fane thatrose serene and delicate in the flashing and purple sky.

  'This way, my lord!' said the merchant guide, turning round to HassanSubah, who, surrounded by his officers, led the van. The whole of thegreat way of the city was filled with the Seljukian warriors. Their ebonsteeds, their snowy turbans, adorned with plumes of the black eagle andthe red heron, their dazzling shawls, the blaze of their armour inthe sunset, and the long undulating perspective of beautiful forms andbrilliant colours, this regiment of heroes in a street of palaces. Warhad seldom afforded a more imposing or more picturesque spectacle.

  'This way, my lord!' said the merchant, pointing to the narrow turningthat, at the foot of the temple, led through ruined streets to theamphitheatre.

  'Halt!' exclaimed a wild shrill voice. Each warrior suddenly arrestedhis horse.

  'Who spoke?' exclaimed Hassan Subah.

  'I!' answered a voice. A female form stood in the portico of the temple,with uplifted arms.

  'And who art thou?' enquired Hassan Subah, not a little disconcerted.

  'Thine evil genius, Seljuk!'

  Hassan Subah, pale as his ivory battle-axe, did not answer; every manwithin hearing shuddered; still the dread woman remained immovablewithin the porch of the temple.

  'Woman, witch, or goddess,' at length exclaimed Hassan Subah, 'whatwouldst thou here?'

  'Seljuk! behold this star. 'Tis a single drop of light, yet who evenof thy wild band can look upon it without awe? And yet thou worse thanSisera, thou comest to combat against those for whom even "the stars intheir courses fought."'

  'A Jewish witch!' exclaimed the Seljuk.

  'A Jewish witch! Be it so; behold, then, my spell falls upon thee, andthat spell is Destruction.

  'Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song; arise, Barak, andlead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam!'

  Immediately the sky appeared to darken, a cloud of arrows and javelinsbroke from all sides upon the clevoted Seljuks: immense masses of stoneand marble were hurled from all directions, horses were stabbed byspears impelled by invisible hands, and riders fell to the groundwithout a struggle, and were trampled upon by their disordered andaffrighted brethren.

  'We are betrayed,' exclaimed Hassan Subah, hurling a javelin at themerchant, but the merchant was gone. The Seljuks raised their famous warcry.

  'Oglu, regain the desert,' ordered the chieftain.

  But no sooner had the guard without the walls heard the war cry oftheir companions, than, alarmed, for their safety, they rushed to theirassistance. The retreating forces of Subah, each instant diminishing asthey retreated, were baffled in their project by the very eagerness oftheir auxiliaries. The unwilling contention of the two parties increasedthe confusion; and when the Seljuks, recently arrived, having at lengthformed into some order, had regained the gate, they found to theirdismay that the portal was barricadoed and garrisoned by the enemy.Uninspired by the presence of their commander, who was in the rear, thepuzzled soldiers were seized with a panic, and spurring theirhorses, dispersed in all directions of the city. In vain Hassan Subahendeavoured to restore order. The moment was past. Dashing with aboutthirty men to an open ground, which his quick eye had observed in hisprogress down the street, and dealing destruction with every blow, thedreaded Governor of Hamadan, like a true soldier, awaited an inevitablefate, not wholly despairing that some chance might yet turn up toextricate him from his forlorn situation.

  And now, as it were by enchantment, wild armed men seemed to arise fromevery part of the city. From every mass of ruin, from every crumblingtemple and mouldering mansion, from every catacomb and cellar, frombehind every column and every obelisk, upstarted some desperate warriorwith a bloody weapon. The massacre of the Seljuks was universal. Thehorsemen dashed wildly about the ruined streets, pursued by crowds offootmen; sometimes, formed in small companies, the Seljuks charged andfought desperately; but, however stout might be their resistance to theopen foe, it was impossible to withstand their secret enemies. They hadno place of refuge, no power of gaining even a moment's breathing time.If they retreated to a wall it instantly bristled with spears; if theyendeavoured to form, in a court, they sank under the falling masseswhich were showered upon them. Strange shouts of denunciation blendedwith the harsh braying of horns, and the clang and clash of cymbals andtambours sounded in every quarter of the city.

  'If we could only mount the walls, Ibrahim, and leap into the desert!'exclaimed Hassan Subah to one of his few remaining comrades; ''tis ouronly chance. We die here like dogs! Could I but meet Alroy!'

  Three of the Seljuks dashed swiftly across the open ground in front,followed by several Hebrew horsemen.

  'Smite all, Abner. Spare none, remember Amalek,' exclaimed theiryouthful leader, waving his bloody scimitar.

  'They are down; one, two, there goes the third. My javelin has done forhim.'

  'Your horse bleeds freely. Where's Jabaster?'

  'At the gates; my arm aches with slaughter. The Lord hath delivered theminto our hands. Could I but meet their chieftain!'

  'Turn, bloodhound, he is here,' exclaimed Hassan Subah.

  'Away, Abner, this affair is mine.'

  'Prince, you have already slain your thousands.'

  'And Abner his tens of thousands. Is it so? This business is for meonly. Come on, Turk.'

  'Art thou Alroy?'

  'The same.'

  'The slayer of Alschiroch?'

  'Even so.'

  'A rebel and a murderer.'

  'What you please. Look to yourself.'

  The Hebrew Prince flung a javelin at the Seljuk. It glanced from thebreastplate; but Hassan Subah staggered in his seat. Recovering, hecharged Alroy with great force. Their scimitars crossed, and the bladeof Hassan shivered.

  'He who sold me that blade told me it was charmed, and could be brokenonly by a caliph,' said Hassan Subah. 'He was a liar.'

  'As it may be,' said Alroy, and he cut the Seljuk to the ground. Abnerhad dispersed hi
s comrades. Alroy leaped from his fainting steed, and,mounting the ebon courser of his late enemy, dashed again into thethickest of the fight.

  The shades of night descended, the clamour gradually decreased, thestruggle died away. A few unhappy Moslemin who had quitted their saddlesand sought concealment among the ruins, were occasionally hunted out,and brought forward and massacred. Long ere midnight the last of theSeljuks had expired.[56]

  The moon shed a broad light upon the street of palaces crowded withthe accumulated slain and the living victors. Fires were lit, torchesillumined, the conquerors prepared the eager meal as they sang hymns ofpraise and thanksgiving.

  A procession approached. Esther the prophetess, clashing her cymbals,danced before the Messiah of Israel, who leant upon his victoriousscimitar, surrounded by Jabaster, Abner, Scherirah, and his chosenchieftains. Who could now doubt the validity of his mission? Thewide and silent desert rang with the acclamations of his enthusiasticvotaries.

  Heavily the anxious hours crept on in the Jewish quarter of Hamadan.Again and again the venerable Bostenay discussed the chances of successwith the sympathising but desponding elders. Miriam was buried inconstant prayer. Their most sanguine hopes did not extend beyond theescape of their Prince.

  A fortnight had elapsed, and no news had been received of the progressof the expedition, when suddenly, towards sunset, a sentinel on awatch-tower announced the appearance of an armed force in the distance.The walls were instantly lined with the anxious inhabitants, the streetsand squares filled with curious crowds. Exultation sat on the triumphantbrow of the Moslemin; a cold tremor stole over the fluttering heart ofthe Hebrew.

  'There is but one God,' said the captain of the gate.

  'And Mahomed is His prophet,' responded a sentinel.

  'To-morrow we will cut off the noses of all these Jewish dogs.'

  'The sceptre has departed,' exclaimed the despairing Bostenay.

  'Lord, remember David!' whispered Miriam, as she threw herself upon thecourt of the palace, and buried her face in ashes.

  The Mollahs in solemn procession advanced to the ramparts, to shed theirbenediction on the victorious Hassan Subah. The Muezzin ascended theminarets to watch the setting sun, and proclaim the power of Allah withrenewed enthusiasm.

  'I wonder if Alroy be dead or alive,' said the captain of the gate.

  'If he be alive, he will be impaled,' responded a sentinel.

  'If dead, the carcass will be given to the dogs,' rejoined the captain;'that is the practice.'

  'Bostenay will be hung,' said the sentinel.

  'And his niece, too,' answered the captain.

  'Hem!' said the sentinel. 'Hassan Subah loves a black eye.'

  'I hope a true Moslem will not touch a Jewess,' exclaimed an indignantblack eunuch.

  'They approach. What a dust!' said the captain of the gate.

  'I see Hassan Subah!' said the sentinel.

  'So do I,' said the eunuch, 'I know his black horse.'

  'I wonder how many dirhems old Bostenay is worth,' said the captain.

  'Immense!' said the sentinel.

  'No plunder, I suppose?' said the eunuch.

  'We shall see,' said the captain; 'at any rate, I owe a thousand to oldShelomi. We need not pay now, you know.'

  'Certainly not,' said the black eunuch. 'The rebels.'

  A body of horsemen dashed forward. Their leader in advance reined in hisfiery charger beneath the walls.

  'In the name of the Prophet, who is that?' exclaimed the captain of thegate, a little confused.

  'I never saw him before,' said the sentinel, 'although he is in theSeljuk dress. 'Tis some one from Bagdad, I guess.'

  A trumpet sounded.

  'Who keeps the gate?' called out the warrior.

  'I am the captain of the gate,' answered our friend.

  'Open it, then, to the King of Israel.'

  'To whom?' enquired the astonished captain.

  'To King David. The Lord hath delivered Hassan Subah and his host intoour hands, and of all the proud Seljuks none remaineth. Open thy gates,I say, and lose no time. I am Jabaster, a lieutenant of the Lord; thisscimitar is my commission. Open thy gates, and thou and thy people shallhave that mercy which they have never shown; but if thou delayest oneinstant, thus saith the King our master, "I will burst open your portal,and smite, and utterly destroy all that you have, and spare them not;but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, cameland ass."'

  'Call forth the venerable Lord Bostenay,' said the captain of the gate,with chattering teeth. 'He will intercede for us.'

  'And the gentle Lady Miriam,' said the sentinel. 'She is evercharitable.'

  'I will head the procession,' said the black eunuch; 'I am accustomed towomen.'

  The procession of Mollahs shuffled back to their college with profaneprecipitation; the sun set, and the astounded Muezzin stood with theirmouths open, and quite forgot to announce the power of their Deity,and the validity of their Prophet. The people all called out for thevenerable Lord Bostenay and the gentle Lady Miriam, and ran in crowds tosee who could first kiss the hem of their garments.

  The principal gate of Hamadan opened into the square of the greatmosque. Here the whole population of the city appeared assembled. Thegates were thrown open; Jabaster and his companions mounted guard. Theshort twilight died away, the shades of night descended. The minaretswere illumined,[57] the houses hung with garlands, the ramparts coveredwith tapestry and carpets.

  A clang of drums, trumpets, and cymbals announced the arrival of theHebrew army. The people shouted, the troops without responded with along cheer of triumph. Amid the blaze of torches, a youth waving hisscimitar, upon a coal-black steed, bounded into the city, at the headof his guards, the people fell upon their knees, and shouted 'Long liveAlroy!'

  A venerable man, leading a beauteous maiden with downcast eyes,advanced. They headed a deputation of the chief inhabitants of the city.They came to solicit mercy and protection. At the sight of them, theyouthful warrior leaped from his horse, flung away his scimitar, andclasping the maiden in his arms, exclaimed, 'Miriam, my sister, this,this indeed is triumph!'

  'Drink,' said Kisloch the Kourd to Calidas the Indian; 'you forget,comrade, we are no longer Moslemin.'

  'Wine, methinks, has a peculiarly pleasant flavour in a golden cup,'said the Guebre. 'I got this little trifle to-day in the Bazaar,' headded, holding up a magnificent vase studded with gems.

  'I thought plunder was forbidden,' grinned the Negro.

  'So it is,' replied the Guebre; 'but we may purchase what we please,upon credit.'

  'Well, for my part, I am a moderate man,' exclaimed Calidas the Indian,'and would not injure even these accursed dogs of Turks. I have not cutmy host's throat, but only turned him into my porter, and content myselfwith his harem, his baths, his fine horses, and other little trifles.'

  'What quarters we are in! There is nothing like a true Messiah!'exclaimed Kisloch, devoutly.

  'Nothing,' said Calidas; 'though to speak truth, I did not much believein the efficacy of Solomon's sceptre, till his Majesty clove the head ofthe valiant Seljuk with it.'

  'But now there's no doubt of it,' said the Guebre.

  'We should indeed be infidels if we doubted now,' replied the Indian.

  'How lucky,' grinned the Negro, 'as I had no religion before, that Ihave now fixed upon the right one!'

  'Most fortunate!' said the Guebre. 'What shall we do to amuse ourselvesto-night?'

  'Let us go to the coffee-houses and make the Turks drink wine,' saidCalidas the Indian.

  'What say you to burning down a mosque?' said Kisloch the Kourd.

  'I had great fun with some Dervishes this morning,' said the Guebre. 'Imet one asking alms with a wire run through his cheek,[58] so I caughtanother, bored his nose, and tied them both together!'

  'Hah! hah! hah!' burst the Negro.

  Asia resounded with the insurrection of the Jews, and the massacre ofthe Seljuks. Crowds of Hebrews, from the rich citi
es of Persia and thepopulous settlements on the Tigris and the Euphrates, hourly poured intoHamadan.

  The irritated Moslemin persecuted the brethren of the successful rebel,and this impolicy precipitated their flight. The wealth of Bagdadflowed into the Hebrew capital. Seated on the divan of Hassan Subah, andwielding the sceptre of Solomon, the King of Israel received the homageof his devoted subjects, and despatched his envoys to Syria and toEgypt. The well-stored magazines and arsenals of Hamadan soon convertedthe pilgrims into warriors. The city was unable to accommodate theincreased and increasing population. An extensive camp, under thecommand of Abner, was formed without the walls, where the troops weredaily disciplined, and where they were prepared for greater exploitsthan a skirmish in a desert.

  Within a month after the surrender of Hamadan, the congregation of thepeople assembled in the square of the great mosque, now converted into asynagogue. The multitude was disposed in ordered ranks, and the terraceof every house was crowded. In the centre of the square was an altar ofcedar and brass, and on each side stood a company of priests guardingthe victims, one young bullock, and two rams without blemish.

  Amid the flourish of trumpets, the gates of the synagogue opened, anddisplayed to the wondering eyes of the Hebrews a vast and variegatedpavilion planted in the court. The holy remnant, no longer forlorn,beheld that tabernacle of which they had so long dreamed, once moreshining in the sun, with its purple and scarlet hangings, its curtainsof rare skins, and its furniture of silver and gold.

  A procession of priests advanced, bearing, with staves of cedar, runthrough rings of gold, a gorgeous ark, the work of the most cunningartificers of Persia. Night and day had they laboured, under thedirection of Jabaster, to produce this wondrous spectacle. Once morethe children of Israel beheld the cherubim. They burst into a triumphanthymn of thanksgiving, and many drew their swords, and cried aloud to beled against the Canaanites.

  From the mysterious curtains of the tabernacle, Alroy came forward,leading Jabaster. They approached the altar. And Alroy took robes fromthe surrounding priests, and put them upon Jabaster, and a girdle, anda breastplate of jewels. And Alroy took a mitre, and placed it upon thehead of Jabaster, and upon the mitre he placed a crown; and pouring oilupon his head, the pupil anointed the master High Priest of Israel.

  The victims were slain, the sin-offering burnt. Amid clouds of incense,bursts of music, and the shouts of a devoted people; amid odour, andmelody, and enthusiasm, Alroy mounted his charger, and at the head oftwenty thousand men, departed to conquer Media.

  The extensive and important province of Aderbijan, of which Hamadan wasthe capital, was formed of the ancient Media. Its fate was decidedby one battle. On the plain of Nehauend, Alroy met the hastily-raisedlevies of the Atabek of Kermanshah, and entirely routed them. In thecourse of a month, every city of the province had acknowledged thesupremacy of the new Hebrew monarch, and, leaving Abner to complete theconquest of Louristan, Alroy entered Persia.

  The incredible and irresistible progress of Alroy roused Togrul, theTurkish Sultan of Persia, from the luxurious indolence of the palacesof Nishapur. He summoned his emirs to meet him at the imperial city ofRhey, and crush, by one overwhelming effort, the insolent rebel.

  Religion, valour, and genius, alike inspired the arms of Alroy, but hewas, doubtless, not a little assisted by the strong national sympathyof his singular and scattered people, which ever ensured him promptinformation of all the movements of his enemy. Without any preparation,he found agents in every court, and camp, and cabinet; and, by theirassistance, he anticipated the designs of his adversaries, and turnedeven their ingenuity to their confusion. The imperial city of Rhey wassurprised in the night, sacked, and burnt to the ground. The scaredand baffled emirs who escaped, flew to the Sultan Togrul, tearing theirbeards, and prophesying the approaching termination of the world. Thepalaces of Nishapur resounded with the imprecations of their master,who, cursing the Jewish dogs, and vowing a pilgrimage to Mecca, placedhimself at the head of a motley multitude of warriors, and rushed uponthe plains of Irak, to exterminate Alroy.

  The Persian force exceeded the Hebrew at least five times in number.Besides a large division of Seljuks, the Caucasus had poured forth itsstrange inhabitants to swell the ranks of the Faithful. The wild tribesof the Bactiari were even enlisted, with their fatal bows, and thesavage Turkmans, tempted by the sultan's gold, for a moment yieldedtheir liberty, and shook their tall lances in his ranks.

  But what is a wild Bactiari, and what is a savage Turkman, and whateven a disciplined and imperious Seljuk, to the warriors of the God ofAbraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob? At the first onset, Alroy succeeded individing the extended centre of Togrul, and separating the greater partof the Turks from their less disciplined comrades. At the head of hisMedian cavalry, the Messiah charged and utterly routed the warriors ofthe Caucasus. The wild tribes of the Bactiari discharged their arrowsand fled, and the savage Turkmans plundered the baggage of their owncommander.

  The Turks themselves fought desperately; but, deserted by their allies,and surrounded by an inspired foe, their efforts were unavailing, andtheir slaughter terrible. Togrul was slain while heading a desperate andfruitless charge, and, after his fall, the battle resembled a massacrerather than a combat. The plain was glotted with Seljuk gore. No quarterwas given or asked. Twenty thousand chosen troops fell on the sideof the Turks; the rest dispersed and gained the mountains. LeavingScherirah to restore order, Alroy the next morning pushed on to Nishapurat the head of three thousand horsemen, and summoned the city ere theinhabitants were apprised of the defeat and death of their sultan. Thecapital of Persia escaped the fate of Rhey by an inglorious treaty anda lavish tribute. The treasures of the Chosroes and the Gasnevideswere despatched to Hamadan, on which city day dawned, only to bringintelligence of a victory or a conquest.

  While Alroy dictated peace on his own terms in the palaces of Nishapur,Abner, having reduced Louristan, crossed the mountains, and enteredPersia with the reinforcements he had received from Jabaster. Leavingthe government and garrisoning of his new conquests to this valiantcaptain, Alroy, at the head of the conquerors of Persia, in consequenceof intelligence received from Hamadan, returned by forced marches tothat city.

  Leaving the army within a day's march of the capital, Alroy, accompaniedonly by his staff, entered Hamadan in the evening, and, immediatelyrepairing to the citadel, summoned Jabaster to council. The night waspassed by the king and the high priest in deep consultation. The nextmorning, a decree apprised the inhabitants of the return of theirmonarch, of the creation of the new 'Kingdom of the Medes and Persians,'of which Hamadan was declared the capital, and Abner the viceroy, andof the intended and immediate invasion of Syria, and re-conquest of theLand of Promise.

  The plan of this expedition had been long matured, and the preparationsto effect it were considerably advanced. Jabaster had not been idleduring the absence of his pupil. One hundred thousand warriors were nowassembled[59] at the capital of the kingdom of the Medes and Persians;of these the greater part were Hebrews, but many Arabs, wearied of theTurkish yoke, and many gallant adventurers from the Caspian, easilyconverted from a vague idolatry to a religion of conquest, swelled theranks of the army of the Lord of Hosts.

  The plain of Hamadan was covered with tents, the streets were filledwith passing troops, the bazaars loaded with military stores; longcaravans of camels laden with supplies every day arrived fromthe neighbouring towns; each instant some high-capped Tatar withdespatches[60] rushed into the city and galloped his steed up the steepof the citadel. The clang of arms, the prance of horses, the flourishof warlike music, resounded from all quarters. The business and thetreasure of the world seemed, as it were in an instant, to have becomeconcentrated in Hamadan. Every man had some great object; gold glitteredin every hand. All great impulses were stirring; all the causes of humanenergy were in lively action. Every eye sparkled, every foot trod firmand fast. Each man acted as if the universal fate depended upon hisexertions; as if the universal will sympathised w
ith his particulardesire. A vast population influenced by a high degree of excitement isthe most sublime of spectacles.

  The commander of the Faithful raised the standard of the Prophet on thebanks of the Tigris. It was the secret intelligence of this intendedevent that had recalled Alroy so suddenly from Persia. The latententhusiasm of the Moslemin was excited by the rare and mystic ceremony,and its effects were anticipated by previous and judicious preparations.The Seljuks of Bagdad alone amounted to fifty thousand men; the Sultanof Syria contributed the warriors who had conquered the Arabian princesof Damascus and Aleppo; while the ancient provinces of Asia Minor, whichformed the rich and powerful kingdom of Seljukian Roum, poured forth amyriad of that matchless cavalry, which had so often baffled the armiesof the Caesars. Never had so imposing a force been collected on the banksof the Tigris since the reign of Haroun Alraschid. Each day some warlikeAtabek, at the head of his armed train, poured into the capital of thecaliphs,[61] or pitched his pavilion on the banks of the river; each daythe proud emir of some remote principality astonished or affrightedthe luxurious Babylonians by the strange or uncouth warriors that hadgathered round his standard in the deserts of Arabia, or on the shoresof the Euxine. For the space of twenty miles, the banks of the riverwere, on either side, far as the eye could reach, covered with thevariegated pavilions, the glittering standards, the flowing streamersand twinkling pennons of the mighty host, of which Malek, the GrandSultan of the Seljuks, and Governor of the Caliph's palace, was chiefcommander.

  Such was the power assembled on the plains of Asia to arrest theprogress of the Hebrew Prince, and to prevent the conquest of thememorable land promised to the faith of his fathers, and forfeited bytheir infidelity. Before the walls of Hamadan, Alroy reviewed the armyof Israel, sixty thousand heavy-armed footmen, thirty thousand archersand light troops, and twenty thousand cavalry. Besides these, there hadbeen formed a body of ten thousand picked horsemen, styled the 'SacredGuard,' all of whom had served in the Persian campaign. In their centre,shrouded in a case of wrought gold, studded with carbuncles, and carriedon a lusty lance of cedar, a giant--for the height of Elnebar exceededthat of common men by three feet--bore the sceptre of Solomon. TheSacred Guard was commanded by Asriel, the brother of Abner.

  The army was formed into three divisions. All marched in solemn orderbefore the throne of Alroy, raised upon the ramparts, and drooped theirstandards and lances as they passed their heroic leader. Bostenay, andMiriam, and the whole population of the city witnessed the inspiringspectacle from the walls. That same eve, Scherirah, at the head of fortythousand men, pushed on towards Bagdad, by Kermanshah; and Jabaster,who commanded in his holy robes, and who had vowed not to lay aside hissword until the rebuilding of the temple, conducted his division overthe victorious plain of Nehauend. They were to concentrate at the passof Kerrund, which conducted into the province of Bagdad, and await thearrival of the king.

  At the dawn of day, the royal division and the Sacred Guard, the wholeunder the command of Asriel, quitted the capital. Alroy still lingered,and for some hours the warriors of his staff might have been observedlounging about the citadel, or practising their skill in throwing thejerreed as they exercised their impatient chargers before the gates.

  The king was with the Lady Miriam, walking in the garden of theiruncle. One arm was wound round her delicate waist, and with the otherhe clasped her soft and graceful hand. The heavy tears burst from herdowncast eyes, and stole along her pale and pensive cheek. They walkedin silence, the brother and the sister, before the purity of whosesurpassing love even ambition vanished. He opened the lattice gate.They entered into the valley small and green; before them was the marblefountain with its columns and cupola, and in the distance the charger ofAlroy and his single attendant.

  They stopped, and Alroy gathered flowers, and placed them in the hair ofMiriam. He would have softened the bitterness of parting with a smile.Gently he relaxed his embracing arm, almost insensibly he dropped herquivering hand.

  'Sister of my soul,' he whispered, 'when we last parted here, I was afugitive, and now I quit you a conqueror.'

  She turned, she threw herself upon his neck, and buried her face in hisbreast.

  'My Miriam, we shall meet at Bagdad.'

  He beckoned to her distant maidens; they advanced, he delivered Miriaminto their arms. He pressed her hand to his lips, and, rushing to hishorse, mounted and disappeared.

  A body of irregular cavalry feebly defended the pass of Kerrund. Itwas carried, with slight loss, by the vanguard of Scherirah, and thefugitives prepared the host of the caliph for the approach of the Hebrewarmy.

  Upon the plain of the Tigris the enemy formed into battle array. Thecentre was commanded by Malek, the Grand Sultan of the Seljuks himself;the right wing, headed by the Sultan of Syria, was protected by theriver; and the left, under the Sultan of Roum, was posted upon theadvantageous position of some irregular and rising ground. Thus proudin the number, valour, discipline, and disposition of his forces, Malekawaited the conqueror of Persia.

  The glittering columns of the Hebrews might even now be perceiveddefiling from the mountains, and forming at the extremity of the plain.Before nightfall the camp of the invaders was pitched within hearing ofthat of Malek. The moving lights in the respective tents might plainlybe distinguished; and ever and anon the flourish of hostile music fellwith an ominous sound upon the ears of the opposed foe-men. A few milesonly separated those mighty hosts. Upon to-morrow depended, perhaps, thefortunes of ages. How awful is the eve of battle!

  Alroy, attended by a few chieftains, personally visited the tents ofthe soldiery, promising them on the morrow a triumph, before which thevictories of Nehauend and Nishapur would sink into insignificance. Theirfiery and excited visages proved at once their courage and theirfaith. The sceptre of Solomon was paraded throughout the camp in solemnprocession. On the summit of a huge tumulus, perhaps the sepulchreof some classic hero, Esther, the prophetess, surrounded by the chiefzealots of the host, poured forth her exciting inspirations. It was agrand picture, that beautiful wild girl, the groups of stern, devotedwarriors, the red flame of the watch-fires mixing with the silvershadows of the moon as they illumined the variegated turbans andgleaming armour of her votaries!

  In the pavilion of Alroy, Jabaster consulted with his pupil on theconduct of the morrow.

  'This is a different scene from the cavern of the Caucasus,' said Alroy,as the high priest rose to retire.

  'It has one great resemblance, sire; the God of our fathers is with us.'

  'Ay! the Lord of Hosts. Moses was a great man. There is no career exceptconquest.'

  'You muse.'

  'Of the past. The present is prepared. Too much thought will mar it.'

  'The past is for wisdom, the present for action, but for joy the future.The feeling that the building of the temple is at hand, that the Lord'sanointed will once again live in the house of David, absorbs my spirit;and, when I muse over our coming glory, in my fond ecstasy I almost losethe gravity that doth beseem my sacred office.'

  'Jerusalem; I have seen it. How many hours to dawn?'

  'Some three.'

  ''Tis strange I could sleep. I remember, on the eve of battle I was everanxious. How is this, Jabaster?'

  'Your faith, sire, is profound.'

  'Yes, I have no fear. My destiny is not complete. Good night, Jabaster.See, Asriel, valiant priest. Pharez!'

  'My lord!'

  'Rouse me at the second watch. Good night, boy.'

  'Good night, my lord.'

  'Pharez! Be sure you rouse me at the second watch. Think you it wantsthree hours to dawn?'

  'About three hours, my lord.'

  'Well! at the second watch, remember; good night.'

  'It is the second watch, my lord.'

  'So soon! Have I slept? I feel fresh as an eagle. Call Scherirah, boy.'

  ''Tis strange I never dream now. Before my flight my sleep was evertroubled. Say what they like, man is made for action. My life is nowharmonious, and sle
ep has now become what nature willed it, a solace,not a contest. Before, it was a struggle of dark passions and brightdreams, in whose creative fancy and fair vision my soul sought refugefrom the dreary bale of daily reality.

  'I will withdraw the curtains of my tent. O most majestic vision! Andhave I raised this host? Over the wide plain, far as my eye can range,their snowy tents studding the purple landscape, embattled legionsgather round their flags to struggle for my fate. It is the agony ofAsia.

  'A year ago, upon this very spot, I laid me down to die, an unknownthing, or known and recognised only to be despised, and now the sultansof the world come forth to meet me. I have no fear. My destiny is notcomplete. And whither tends it? Let that power decide which hitherto hasfashioned all my course.

  'Jerusalem, Jerusalem! ever harping on Jerusalem. With all his lore,he is a narrow-minded zealot whose dreaming memory would fondly makea future like the past. O Bagdad, Bagdad, within thy glittering halls,there is a charm worth all his Cabala!

  'Hah! Scherirah! The dawn is near at hand, the stars are still shining.The air is very pleasant. Tomorrow will be a great day, Scherirah, forIsrael and for you. You lead the attack. A moment in my tent, my braveScherirah!'

  The dawn broke; a strong column of the Hebrews, commanded by Scherirah,poured down upon the centre of the army of the caliph. Another column,commanded by Jabaster, attacked the left wing, headed by the Sultanof Roum. No sooner had Alroy perceived that the onset of Scherirah hadsucceeded in penetrating the centre of the Turks, than he placed himselfat the head of the Sacred Guard, and by an irresistible charge completedtheir disorder and confusion. The division of the Sultan of Syria, anda great part of the centre, were entirely routed and driven into theriver, and the remainder of the division of Malek was effectuallyseparated from his left wing.

  But while to Alroy the victory seemed already decided, a far differentfate awaited the division of Jabaster. The Sultan of Roum, posted inan extremely advantageous position, and commanding troops accustomed tothe discipline of the Romans of Constantinople, received the onset ofJabaster without yielding, and not only repelled his attack, but finallymade a charge which completely disordered and dispersed the column ofthe Hebrews. In vain Jabaster endeavoured to rally his troops, in vainhe performed prodigies of valour, in vain he himself struck down thestandard-bearer of the sultan, and once even penetrated to the pavilionof the monarch. His division was fairly routed. The eagerness of theSultan of Roum to effect the annihilation of his antagonists preventedhim from observing the forlorn condition of the Turkish centre. Had he,after routing the division of Jabaster, only attacked Alroy in the rear,the fortune of the day might have been widely different. As it was, theeagle eye of Alroy soon detected his inadvertence, and profited by hisindiscretion. Leaving Ithamar to keep the centre in check, he chargedthe Sultan of Roum with the Sacred Guard, and afforded Jabaster anopportunity of rallying some part of his forces. The Sultan of Roum,perceiving that the day was lost by the ill-conduct of his colleagues,withdrew his troops, retreated in haste, but in good order to Bagdad,carried off the caliph, his harem, and some of his treasure, andeffected his escape into Syria. In the meantime the discomfiture ofthe remaining Turkish army was complete. The Tigris was dyed with theirblood, and the towns through which the river flowed were apprised of thetriumph of Alroy by the floating corpses of his enemies. Thirty thousandTurks were slain in battle: among them the Sultans of Bagdad and Syria,and a vast number of atabeks, emirs, and chieftains. A whole division,finding themselves surrounded, surrendered on terms, and delivered uptheir arms. The camps and treasures of the three sultans were alikecaptured, and the troops that escaped so completely dispersed, that theydid not attempt to rally, but, disbanded and desperate, prowled over andplundered the adjoining provinces. The loss of the division of Jabasterwas also severe, but the rest of the army suffered little. Alroy himselfwas slightly wounded. The battle lasted barely three hours. Its resultswere immense. David Alroy was now master of the East.

  The plain was covered with the corpses of men and horses, arms andstandards, and prostrate tents. Returning from the pursuit of the Sultanof Roum, Alroy ordered the trumpets to sound to arms, and, coveredwith gore and dust, dismounted from his charger, and stood before thepavilion of Malek, leaning on his bloody scimitar, and surrounded by hisvictorious generals.

  'Ah, Jabaster!' said the conqueror, giving his hand to the pontiff,''twas well your troops had such a leader. No one but you could haverallied them.

  You must drill your lads a little before they again meet the Cappadociancavalry. Brave Scherirah, we shall not forget our charge. Asriel, tellthe guard, from me, that the victory of the Tigris was owing to theirscimitars. Ithamar, what are our freshest troops?'

  'The legion of Aderbijan, sire.'

  'How strong can they muster?'

  'It counts twelve thousand men: we might collect two-thirds.'

  'Valiant Ithamar, take the Aderbijans and a division of the guards, pushon towards Bagdad, and summon the city. If his Sultanship of Roum offerbattle, take up a position, and he shall quickly have his desire. Forthe present, after these hasty marches and sharp fighting, the troopsmust rest. I think he will not tarry. Summon the city, and say that ifany resistance be offered, I will make it as desolate as old Babylon.Treat with no armed force. Where is the soldier that saved me a crackedskull; his name Benaiah?'

  'I wait your bidding, sire.'

  'You're a captain. Join the division of Ithamar, and win fresh laurelsere we meet again. Gentle Asriel, let your brother know our fortune.'

  'Sire, several Tartars have already been despatched to Hamadan.'

  ''Tis well. Send another with these tablets to the Lady Miriam. Despatchthe pavilion of Malek as a trophy for the town. Elnebar, Goliath ofthe Hebrews, you bore our sacred standard like a hero! How fares theprophetess? I saw her charging in our ranks, waving a sabre with hersnowy arm, her long, dark hair streaming like a storm, from which hereyes flashed lightning.'

  'The king bleeds,' said Jabaster.

  'Slightly. It will do me service. I am somewhat feverish. A kingdomfor a draught of water! And now for our wounded friends. Asriel, do youmarshal the camp. It is the Sabbath eve.[62] Time presses.'

  The dead were plundered, and thrown into the river, the encampment ofthe Hebrews completed. Alroy, with his principal officers, visited thewounded, and praised the valiant. The bustle which always succeeds avictory was increased in the present instance by the anxiety of the armyto observe with grateful strictness the impending Sabbath.

  When the sun set, the Sabbath was to commence. The undulating horizonrendered it difficult to ascertain the precise moment of the setting.The crimson orb sunk behind the purple mountains, the sky was flushedwith a rich and rosy glow. Then might be perceived the zealots, proud intheir Talmudical lore, holding a skein of white silk in their hands,and announcing the approach of the Sabbath by their observation ofits shifting tints. While the skein was yet golden, the forge of thearmourer still sounded, the fire of the cook still blazed, still thecavalry led their steeds to the river, and still the busy footmen bracedup their tents and hammered at their palisades. The skein of silk becamerosy, the armourer worked with renewed energy, the cook puffed withincreased zeal, the horsemen scampered from the river, the footmen castan anxious glance at the fading twilight.

  The skein of silk became blue; a dim, dull, sepulchral, leaden tingefell over its purity. The hum of gnats arose, the bat flew in circlingwhirls over the tents, horns sounded from all quarters, the sun had set,the Sabbath had commenced. 'The forge was mute, the fire extinguished,the prance of horses and the bustle of men in a moment ceased. A deep, asudden, an all-pervading stillness dropped over that mighty host. Itwas night; the sacred lamp of the Sabbath sparkled in every tent of thecamp, which vied in silence and in brilliancy with the mute and glowingheavens.

  Morn came; the warriors assembled around the altar and the sacrifice.The high priest and his attendant Levites proclaimed the unity and theomnipotence of the God of Isr
ael, and the sympathetic responses of hisconquering and chosen people reechoed over the plain. They retiredagain to their tents, to listen to the expounding of the law; eventhe distance of a Sabbath walk was not to exceed that space whichlies between Jerusalem and the Mourft of Olives. This was the distancebetween the temple and the tabernacle; it had been nicely measured, andevery Hebrew who ventured forth from the camp this day might be observedcounting the steps of a Sabbath-day's journey. At length the sun againset, and on a sudden fires blazed, voices sounded, men stirred, inthe same enchanted and instantaneous manner that had characterised thestillness of the preceding eve. Shouts of laughter, bursts of music,announced the festivity of the coming night; supplies poured in from allthe neighbouring villages, and soon the pious conquerors commemoratedtheir late triumph in a round of banqueting.

  On the morrow, a Tatar arrived from Ithamar, informing Alroy that theSultan of Roum had retreated into Syria, that Bagdad was undefended, butthat he had acceded to the request of the inhabitants that a deputationshould wait upon Alroy before the troops entered the city, and hadgranted a safe conduct for their passage.

  On the morrow, messengers announced the approach of the deputation. Allthe troops were under arms. Alroy directed that the suppliants shouldbe conducted through the whole camp before they arrived at the royalpavilion, on each side of which the Sacred Guard was mustered in array.The curtains of his tent withdrawn displayed the conqueror himself,seated on a sumptuous divan. On his right hand stood Jabaster in hispriestly robes, on his left Scherirah. Behind him, the giant Elnebarsupported the sacred sceptre. A crowd of chieftains was ranged on eachside of the pavilion.

  Cymbals sounded, muffled kettle-drums, and the faint flourish oftrumpets; the commencement of the procession might be detected in thelong perspective of the tented avenue. First came a company of beauteousyouths, walking two by two, and strewing flowers; then a band ofmusicians in flowing robes of cloth of gold, plaintively sounding theirsilver trumpets. After these followed slaves of all climes, bearinga tribute of the most rare and costly productions of their countries:Negroes with tusks and teeth of the elephant, plumes of ostrichfeathers, and caskets of gold dust; Syrians with rich armour; Persianswith vases of atar-gul, and Indians with panniers of pearls of Ormuz,and soft shawls of Cachemire. Encircled by his children, each of whomheld alternately a white or fawn-coloured gazelle, an Arab clothed inhis blue bornouz, led by a thick cord of crimson silk a tall and tawnygiraffe. Fifty stout men succeeded two by two, carrying in company asilver shield laden with gold coin, or chased goblets studded with gems.

  The clash of cymbals announced the presence of the robes of honour,[63]culled from the wardrobe of the commander of the Faithful; the silk ofAleppo and the brocade of Damascus, lined with the furs of the sableand the ermine, down from the breast of the swan, and the skins of whitefoxes.

  After these followed two grey dromedaries, with furniture of silver, andmany caparisoned horses, each led by a groom in rich attire. The lastof these was a snow-white steed, upon whose front was the likeness of aruby star, a courser of the sacred stud of Solomon, and crossed only bythe descendants of the Prophet.

  The muffled kettle-drums heralded the company of black eunuchs, withtheir scarlet vests and ivory battle-axes. They surrounded and shroudedfrom the vulgar gaze fourteen beautiful Circassian girls, whosebrilliant visages and perfect forms were otherwise concealed by theirlong veils and ample drapery.

  The gorgeous procession, as they approached the conqueror, bowed humblyto Alroy, and formed in order on each side of the broad avenue. Thedeputation appeared; twelve of the principal citizens of Bagdad, withfolded arms, and downcast eyes, and disordered raiment. Meekly andmutely each touched the earth with his hand, and kissed it in token ofsubmission, and then, moving aside, made way for the chief envoy andorator of the company, Honain!

  Humbly, but gracefully, the physician of the caliph bowed before theconqueror of the East. His appearance and demeanour afforded a contrastto the aspect of his brother envoys; not less calm or contented hiscountenance, not less sumptuous or studied his attire, than when hefirst rescued Alroy in the bazaar of Bagdad from the grip of the falseAbdallah.

  He spoke, and every sound was hushed before the music of his voice.

  'Conqueror of the world, that destiny with which it is in vain tostruggle has placed our lives and fortunes in your power. Your slavesoffer for your approbation specimens of their riches; not as tribute,for all is yours; but to show you the products of security and peace,and to induce you to believe that mercy may be a policy as profitableto the conqueror as to the conquered; that it may be better to preservethan to destroy; and wiser to enjoy than to extirpate.

  'Fate ordained that we should be born the slaves of the caliph; thatsame fate has delivered his sceptre into your hands. We offer you thesame devotion that we yielded to him, and we entreat the same protectionwhich he granted to us.

  'Whatever may be your decision, we must bow to your decree with thehumility that recognises superior force. Yet we are not without hope.We cannot forget that it is our good fortune not to be addressinga barbarous chieftain, unable to sympathise with the claims ofcivilisation, the creations of art, and the finer impulses of humanity.We acknowledge your irresistible power, but we dare to hope everythingfrom a prince whose genius all acknowledge and admire, who has sparedsome portion of his youth from the cares of government and the pursuitsof arms to the ennobling claims of learning, whose morality has beenmoulded by a pure and sublime faith, and who draws his lineage from asacred and celebrated race, the unrivalled antiquity of which even theProphet acknowledges.'

  He ceased: a buzz of approbation sounded throughout the pavilion, whichwas hushed instantly as the lips of the conqueror moved.

  'Noble emir,' replied Alroy, 'return to Bagdad, and tell yourfellow-subjects that the King of Israel grants protection to theirpersons, and security to their property.'

  'And for their faith?' enquired the envoy, in a lower voice.

  'Toleration,' replied Alroy, turning to Jabaster.

  'Until further regulations,' added the high priest.

  'Emir,' said Alroy, 'the person of the caliph will be respected.'

  'May it please your highness,' replied Honain, 'the Sultan of Roum hasretired with our late ruler.'

  'And his harem?'

  'And his harem.'

  'It was needless. We war not with women.'

  'Men, as well as women, must acknowledge the gracious mercy of yourhighness.'

  'Benomi,' said Alroy, addressing himself to a young officer of theguard, 'command the guard of honour that will attend this noble emir onhis return. We soldiers deal only in iron, sir, and cannot vie with themagnificence of Bagdad, yet wear this dagger for the donor's sake:' andAlroy held out to Honain a poniard flaming with gems.

  The Envoy of Bagdad advanced, took the dagger, pressed it to his lips,and placed it in his vest.[64]

  'Scherirah,' continued Alroy, 'this noble emir is your charge. Seethat a choice pavilion of the host be for his use, and that his traincomplain not of the rough customs of our camp.'

  'May it please your highness,' replied Honain, 'I have fulfilled myoffice, and, with your gracious permission, would at once return. I havebusiness only less urgent than the present, because it concerns myself.'

  'As you will, noble emir. Benomi, to your post. Farewell, sir.'

  The deputation advanced, bowed, and retired. Alroy turned to Jabaster.

  'No common person that, Jabaster?'

  'A very gracious Turk, sire.'

  'Think you he is a Turk?'

  'By his dress.'

  'It may be so. Asriel, break up the camp. We'll march at once toBagdad.'

  The chiefs dispersed to make the necessary arrangements for the march.The news that the army was immediately to advance to Bagdad sooncirculated throughout the camp, and excited the most lively enthusiasm.Every hand was at work, striking the tents, preparing the arms andhorses. Alroy retired to his pavilion. The curtains were drawn. He
wasalone, and plunged in profound meditation.

  'Alroy!' a voice sounded.

  He started, and looked up. Before him stood Esther the prophetess.

  'Esther! is it thou?'

  'Alroy! enter not into Babylon.'

  'Indeed.'

  'As I live, the Lord hath spoken it. Enter not into Babylon.'

  'Not enjoy my fairest conquest, maiden?'

  'Enter not into Babylon.'

  'What affrights thee?'

  'Enter not into Babylon.'

  'I shall surely change the fortunes of my life without a cause.'

  'The Lord hath spoken. Is not that a cause?'

  'I am the Lord's anointed. His warning has not reached me.'

  'Now it reaches thee. Doth the king despise the prophetess of the Lord?It is the sin of Ahab.'

  'Despise thee! Despise the mouth that is the herald of my victories!'Twere rank blasphemy. Prophesy triumph, Esther, and Alroy will neverdoubt thy inspiration.'

  'He doubts it now. I see he doubts it now. O my king, I say again, enternot into Babylon.'

  'Beauteous maiden, those eyes flash lightning. Who can behold their wildand liquid glance, and doubt that Esther is inspired! Be calm, sweetgirl, some dream disturbs thy fancy.'

  'Alroy, Alroy, enter not into Babylon!'

  'I have no fear, I bear a charmed life.'

  'Ah me! he will not listen.' All is lost!'

  'All is gained, my beautiful.'

  'I would we were upon the Holy Mount, and gazing on the stars of sacredZion.'

  'Esther,' said Alroy, advancing, and gently taking her hand, 'thecapital of the East will soon unfold its marvels to thy sight. Preparethyself for wonders. Girl, we are no longer in the desert. Forget thyfitful fancies. Come, choose a husband from my generals, child, and Iwill give a kingdom for thy dower. I would gladly see a crown upon thatimperial brow. It well deserves one.'

  The prophetess turned her dark eyes full upon Alroy. What passed in hermind was neither evident nor expressed. She gazed intently upon the calmand inscrutable countenance of the conqueror, then flung away his hand,and rushed out of the pavilion.