Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mariamne.
MARIAMNE .
A TALE OF THE TEMPLE . IN the Bibliothe ' que Ambroisienne is an ancient Greek manuscript ¦ copy of an epistle by St . Thomas , rejected in the compilation ofthe New I estament as uninspired , but still regarded by the Church as the authentic production of that A postle . Among many passages of extreme beauty , I was much struck by the folloiving . " The worldly sighted are as the blind in the presence of the Lord . " "Neither shall the subtle triumph over the pure in heart . "
The fading rays of the sun had already cast their parting splendour -on the proud city of David , gilding the pinnacles of her magnificent I emple , the crested towers of her battlements , and the lofty summit of Mount Olivet , with that rosy hue which alike marks his rising and setting beauty . A throng of the inhabitants were issuing from the eastern gate , eager to enjoy the delicious coolness of the approaching evening , which is no where more appreciated than in the arid climate of the EastThe Elder and the sacred Levite
. sage might be seen bending their steps m sober gravity , pausing alternatel y to return the salutes of reverence bestowed upon them by the passers-by , or to contemplate , with benevolent satisfaction , the various groups of lovely children that , rejoicing in their freedom from the restraint which the intense heat of the day necessarily imposed , frolicked , in innocent play , by the side of their watchful mothers . Occasionall y , a stern Pharisee , the sanctimonious and scornful of whose counten
expression ance accorded with the exclusive and peculiar doctrines of his sect , hastily passed the cheerful parties m his way toivards the valley of Jehosaphat ; the gloom of which increased , rather than relieved , by the hoarse murmurs of the brook of Kedrem , harmonised with the unsocial complexion of his feelings . The golden beams of the fading luminary glanced yet more faintly from the horizonthe starsthe the mantle of niht be
; many , gems upon g , were - ginning to sparkle in the heavens , when the curiosity of the Hebrews was excited by the singular appearance of two traveUers , who , descending the mountain , where they had been detained by their involuntary admiration of the scene before them , guided their tired steeds towards Jerusalem Both were in the garb of Israelites ( probably from one of the cities of the Desert ) , but formed ivith an unusual richness of materialine
, emer was cfad m a vest of deep saffron-coloured cloth , worked at the hem with threads of gold and purple , which descended to his sandalled feet ; a belt of the same device , but exceeding it in cunning work , confined it to the waist ; his outer garment of Tyrian dye , ornamented with stripes from the skin of the fox , fell , in many folds , around his person , and fastened in front with clasps of goodly work The turban of twisted white and scarlet linen , was adorned with a scrollon which Hebrew characters traced
, were , signifying Aran of the tribe of Benjamin , a chief of Israel . The face of the wearer was of that expressive character which at once impresses the beholder with an opinion of its shrewdness and determination—an intellectual eye , a well SH "t T' v w \? Spirlt a , ld ™ city-sobered , perhaps , by the sable beard which fell gracefull y upon his breast ; in place of arms / he
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mariamne.
MARIAMNE .
A TALE OF THE TEMPLE . IN the Bibliothe ' que Ambroisienne is an ancient Greek manuscript ¦ copy of an epistle by St . Thomas , rejected in the compilation ofthe New I estament as uninspired , but still regarded by the Church as the authentic production of that A postle . Among many passages of extreme beauty , I was much struck by the folloiving . " The worldly sighted are as the blind in the presence of the Lord . " "Neither shall the subtle triumph over the pure in heart . "
The fading rays of the sun had already cast their parting splendour -on the proud city of David , gilding the pinnacles of her magnificent I emple , the crested towers of her battlements , and the lofty summit of Mount Olivet , with that rosy hue which alike marks his rising and setting beauty . A throng of the inhabitants were issuing from the eastern gate , eager to enjoy the delicious coolness of the approaching evening , which is no where more appreciated than in the arid climate of the EastThe Elder and the sacred Levite
. sage might be seen bending their steps m sober gravity , pausing alternatel y to return the salutes of reverence bestowed upon them by the passers-by , or to contemplate , with benevolent satisfaction , the various groups of lovely children that , rejoicing in their freedom from the restraint which the intense heat of the day necessarily imposed , frolicked , in innocent play , by the side of their watchful mothers . Occasionall y , a stern Pharisee , the sanctimonious and scornful of whose counten
expression ance accorded with the exclusive and peculiar doctrines of his sect , hastily passed the cheerful parties m his way toivards the valley of Jehosaphat ; the gloom of which increased , rather than relieved , by the hoarse murmurs of the brook of Kedrem , harmonised with the unsocial complexion of his feelings . The golden beams of the fading luminary glanced yet more faintly from the horizonthe starsthe the mantle of niht be
; many , gems upon g , were - ginning to sparkle in the heavens , when the curiosity of the Hebrews was excited by the singular appearance of two traveUers , who , descending the mountain , where they had been detained by their involuntary admiration of the scene before them , guided their tired steeds towards Jerusalem Both were in the garb of Israelites ( probably from one of the cities of the Desert ) , but formed ivith an unusual richness of materialine
, emer was cfad m a vest of deep saffron-coloured cloth , worked at the hem with threads of gold and purple , which descended to his sandalled feet ; a belt of the same device , but exceeding it in cunning work , confined it to the waist ; his outer garment of Tyrian dye , ornamented with stripes from the skin of the fox , fell , in many folds , around his person , and fastened in front with clasps of goodly work The turban of twisted white and scarlet linen , was adorned with a scrollon which Hebrew characters traced
, were , signifying Aran of the tribe of Benjamin , a chief of Israel . The face of the wearer was of that expressive character which at once impresses the beholder with an opinion of its shrewdness and determination—an intellectual eye , a well SH "t T' v w \? Spirlt a , ld ™ city-sobered , perhaps , by the sable beard which fell gracefull y upon his breast ; in place of arms / he