REDEMPTION. 245
Be raised too high for envy's keenest shaft,
For, none shall envy, none say Would 'twere I.
Nor this the end. be ; but, suffice it now
The price thou askest shall be amply paid,
And more than may be mentioned in the pledge.
The Elders this debate; thither thy steps
Fleet speed thee; me, this way, now mine exact."
Ambiguous thus, with promise seeming fair, The grand Dissembler spoke, then straight pursued, Through gloom of night, his way, in varied guise, Alert his part nefandous, still to act ; Nor left his complice sole, but close begirt, With legions of bad spirits bent on ill. Not less than some great leader train'd to war, With myriads armed on some hostile shore, Deploys his forces, all his outposts sets, Then scours the wide champaign, and whom he finds, Imbanded holds, their country to betray. So Satan now, the victim in his toils Embraced, cautious invests the sacred hill ; Through Hinnom's vale, Cedron, and Josaphat, His legionary forces copious pours, And all the skirts of Sion close besets ; Invades the holy city, crowds its courts, And troubles with his presence, whom he will. Hebon the night grew, ominous with signs, Oppress' d the air, surcharged with baleful breath, Dull vapors, humors, mists, whilst howling winds, With doleful dirge, lament the coming storm.
Within the temple's sacred precincts, half, And half without, the hall of judgment stood, Where sat the Bethdin, high on burnish'd thrones,
21
�� �
