JOAS, JOSABET, ZACHARIAH, SALOMITH, A LEVITE,
THE CHOIR.

SALOMITH.
With a majestic step, beside my mother,
Near Zachariah, walks Eliacin.
What hide they, sisters, underneath their cloaks?
In short, what is that sword that's borne before them?


JOSABET (to Zachariah).
Place on that table, reverentially,
The book redoubted of our holy law:
And also you, my loved Eliacin,
This diadem place near the book divine.
Levites we must have there, Joad orders it,
The sword of David close beside the crown.


JOAS.
Princess, what then is this strange spectacle?
This sacred book, this diadem, this sword?
I ne'er have seen example of like form,
Since in His temple God accepted me.


JOSABET.
Soon all your doubts, my son, will be dispelled.


JOAS.
Why will you fit this diadem on my brow?
Ah, princess! keep its glory unprofaned!
Respect the memory of the king who wore it.
A wretched child abandoned to the bears—


JOSABET (tries on the diadem).
Allow me, son, I do what I am ordered.


JOAS.
But from your lips I hear your sobs arise!
Princess, you weep, What pity touches you?
To-day presented as burnt offering
Am I, as formerly was Jeptha's daughter,
By my own death to appease the wrath of God?
Alas! a child has nought a father may
Not claim.


JOSABET.
Here's one will tell you of the will of Heaven;
Fear nothing. Let us leave these precincts.


JOAD, JOAS.
( Joas running into the arms of the high-priest.)