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Article THE LEVITE. ← Page 6 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Levite.
fought ; mothers for their children , wives for their husbands ; here a devoted youth , wounded and helmless , casts aside his broken sword , and clasping his victorious adversary in his arms , leaps with him from the walls , content to die revenged ; here a Levite , his white robe stained with blood , fights for the Temple and the law . Mingling in the fight in all directions , enthusiasts might be seen prophesying aid Divine to the unshrinking defenders of the city . The battle ended not on the part of the
Hebrews with the defence of the walls , from street to street the conflict was continued ; each house-top became a point of defence , whence stones and weapons were hurled on the assailants . Vain was the fierce valour of the Israelites before the discipline and number of the Roman legion ; gradually the conflict subsided , or was carried on in detail , till massacre reigned triumphant through the city , and filled her palaces and courts with bloodSadthat fearful day the
. , , was condition of Jerusalem , her wealth the spoil of the licentious soldiery , her daughters forced to shame , or , terrible expedient , slain by a father ' s or a brother ' s trembling hand , to preserve them from dishonour . " To the Temple ! " exclaimed Titus , glancing his eye proudly around , as soon as he perceived that all serious opposition to his arms had ceased , his followers eagerly re-echoed the cry , and followed him to the consecrated pile .
Multitudes of desparing women and children had found refuge within the courts of the sacred building , trusting to its holiness as a protection from the swords of their enemies ; these , alarmed at the approach of the ruthless conquerors , endeavoured to conceal themselves yet further within its hallowed precincts , and rushed to the massive gates which led to the court before the sanctuary ; vain hope , the many bolts were drawn , and by the light of the golden lamp which burnt eternally before the awful veil
, the Levite and his daughter might be seen piling with incense and with gums an enormous pyre of combustible materials , which , witli infinite labour , they had raised before the Holy of Holies ; in vain were their cries for admission , the Levite heard , thought of them not , absorbed in the enthusiasm of his purpose , to which ho freely sacrificed his own life and that of his child , he gazed on the work of their joint toil wifch severe and lofty pride . " Well done , thou pious daughter of Jerusalem , " he exclaimed , as Rebecca poured forth the last vessel of oil upon the inflammable mass , "bright shall be thy reward for this in Paradise . " " Father , " said the exhausted girl , sinking : at his feet , " the
hour of death is upon me , lay thy hand upon me and bless me , soon shall we meet again . " The tears of the father mingled with the benediction of the priest , as the old man pronounced a blessing on his dying child . " I had hoped , " said the Levite , " that thy hands would have closed my eyes , that thy children would have mourned around my grave . " " Father , " replied the high-minded maiden , " HIS will be done . " These were the last words which fell on the ear of the bereaved
parent , her pure soul fled ivith tbe divine sentiment of resignation upon , her lips . " The Lord gives and the Lord taketh away , " exclaimed the Israelite , bowing his head in adoration before the sanctuary , " blessed be the name of the Lord . " The shrieks of the despairing Israelites announced the approach of the idolaters ; " they come , " said the old man sternly , " LORD , be thy will accomplished ; " as he spoke , the priest , lighted a torch , made of resinous wood , at the lamp before him . " Hebrew , " exclaimed Titus , who with his guard had reached the strongly barred gates , and recognized his former captive , " submit , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Levite.
fought ; mothers for their children , wives for their husbands ; here a devoted youth , wounded and helmless , casts aside his broken sword , and clasping his victorious adversary in his arms , leaps with him from the walls , content to die revenged ; here a Levite , his white robe stained with blood , fights for the Temple and the law . Mingling in the fight in all directions , enthusiasts might be seen prophesying aid Divine to the unshrinking defenders of the city . The battle ended not on the part of the
Hebrews with the defence of the walls , from street to street the conflict was continued ; each house-top became a point of defence , whence stones and weapons were hurled on the assailants . Vain was the fierce valour of the Israelites before the discipline and number of the Roman legion ; gradually the conflict subsided , or was carried on in detail , till massacre reigned triumphant through the city , and filled her palaces and courts with bloodSadthat fearful day the
. , , was condition of Jerusalem , her wealth the spoil of the licentious soldiery , her daughters forced to shame , or , terrible expedient , slain by a father ' s or a brother ' s trembling hand , to preserve them from dishonour . " To the Temple ! " exclaimed Titus , glancing his eye proudly around , as soon as he perceived that all serious opposition to his arms had ceased , his followers eagerly re-echoed the cry , and followed him to the consecrated pile .
Multitudes of desparing women and children had found refuge within the courts of the sacred building , trusting to its holiness as a protection from the swords of their enemies ; these , alarmed at the approach of the ruthless conquerors , endeavoured to conceal themselves yet further within its hallowed precincts , and rushed to the massive gates which led to the court before the sanctuary ; vain hope , the many bolts were drawn , and by the light of the golden lamp which burnt eternally before the awful veil
, the Levite and his daughter might be seen piling with incense and with gums an enormous pyre of combustible materials , which , witli infinite labour , they had raised before the Holy of Holies ; in vain were their cries for admission , the Levite heard , thought of them not , absorbed in the enthusiasm of his purpose , to which ho freely sacrificed his own life and that of his child , he gazed on the work of their joint toil wifch severe and lofty pride . " Well done , thou pious daughter of Jerusalem , " he exclaimed , as Rebecca poured forth the last vessel of oil upon the inflammable mass , "bright shall be thy reward for this in Paradise . " " Father , " said the exhausted girl , sinking : at his feet , " the
hour of death is upon me , lay thy hand upon me and bless me , soon shall we meet again . " The tears of the father mingled with the benediction of the priest , as the old man pronounced a blessing on his dying child . " I had hoped , " said the Levite , " that thy hands would have closed my eyes , that thy children would have mourned around my grave . " " Father , " replied the high-minded maiden , " HIS will be done . " These were the last words which fell on the ear of the bereaved
parent , her pure soul fled ivith tbe divine sentiment of resignation upon , her lips . " The Lord gives and the Lord taketh away , " exclaimed the Israelite , bowing his head in adoration before the sanctuary , " blessed be the name of the Lord . " The shrieks of the despairing Israelites announced the approach of the idolaters ; " they come , " said the old man sternly , " LORD , be thy will accomplished ; " as he spoke , the priest , lighted a torch , made of resinous wood , at the lamp before him . " Hebrew , " exclaimed Titus , who with his guard had reached the strongly barred gates , and recognized his former captive , " submit , and