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He swallowed it and asked formore which he drank also. Would you work sacrilege
against the gods and their priests?
How long will the gods bearwith such a
man?
Swords were drawn; there was confused fighting.
I read of it in thestars,
though God alone can point it out. Far up the street I saw soldiers retreating
and in the midst of themtwo figures in white.
Perhaps you have been told the
story, Master. I know it, for the sister ofone of the messengers is a friend of
mine.
I would have risen to bow to him, but he stayed mewith his hand. Yet if
we do not act upon it, which waycan we turn? When I die my household is
dissolved, at leastafter a time, and I shall die soon.
What He reveals to me I
know, toall else my ears are shut.
He answered somewhat sternly,Did I not tell
you, Ramose, that here and nowhere else you are safe.
These you can have,
Belus, for they are here.
He smote at me and missed, I thrust my sword
throughhis throat and he fell, dead or dying.
Therefore I await the decrees of
God andwatch for the falling of His sword. Your pardon, said a gentle voice,
and I knew it for that of Myra!
Your pardon, said a gentle voice, and I knew it
for that of Myra! Is this all that your friends sister told you, Obil? Why did
you not go with him, seeing that it was Belus who hired youand not I? You are
weary, he said, and smitten to the heart.
Had it been otherwise Myrawould have
been seized long ago. What He reveals to me I know, toall else my ears are
shut. Then I inquiredof him whether I might now go abroad, seeing that all must
haveforgotten me.
Then I heard something else, namely, the sound of a horse
galloping. At that moment, while my heart was filled with this happy dream,
camethe first flash of the storm. Again a voice cried,A woman of the royal
household escapes.
Moreover it is too late for himto change who is past his
fiftieth year.
Yet itmay please Him to save her at the last, or it may not
please Him.
Does the prophet know that you have my secret?
The storm raged more
fiercely than before and the rain poured down.
What He reveals to me I know,
toall else my ears are shut. Myra is in the house of Belshazzarand who can save
her now?
How long will the gods bearwith such a man?
Again a voice cried,A
woman of the royal household escapes.
As they passed us I saw the tall lady
turn as though tostare at me through her veil.
I hear she swears it also, but
in suchmatters none can believe what comes out of a womans mouth. The lightning
flashed again piercing the gloom. Why did you not go with him, seeing that it
was Belus who hired youand not I? As they passed us I saw the tall lady turn as
though tostare at me through her veil.
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