ISHMAEL, JOAS, JOAD, ATHALIAH, AND ALL THE
OTHERS OF THE LAST SCENE.

ISHMAEL (to Joad).
The temple, sire, is free, the foe's no more;
The stranger's army's fled, the Jewish docile;
As wind disperses vapour in the air,
The voice of the Almighty's chased that army.
Our Levites, from the sacred porches' height,
The son of Ochoziah have proclaimed
Unto the people, and recited how
His infancy was stolen from the sword;
How Ahab's daughter's buried in the snare.
At the same time the trumpet on all sides
Resounded, and its blasts, blent with their shouts,
Into the astonished camp disorder spread,
And utter panic: (as proud Midianite
Was struck by Gideon) Tyrians threw away
Their arms and bucklers, and by diverse roads
Scattered the first; some Hebrews next took flight;
But with loud voice the rest declared for Joas;
Admiring how the Lord had dealt with him.
At length the people, by one spirit moved,
The women, children, and old men, with joy
Embraced each other, blessing God who sent,
And those who tended him, celebrating Joas
With hymns, the son of David come again to life!
Baal in the holy city is in horror!
His temple's doors are shivered Mathan's slain!


ATHALIAH.
God of the Jews, Thou conquerest!
Yea, it is Joas, I try deceit in vain;
I see where I did cause him to be struck;
I own the port and mien of Ochoziah;
True, all remind me of the blood I hate;
David's triumphant; Ahab is destroyed.
Merciless God Thou hast o'erruled the whole:
Who, with an easy vengeance flattering me,
Hast made me self-conflicting through the day.
Now, by a child exciting my remorse;
Now, dazzling me with lust of Thy rich treasures,
I feared to give this temple to destruction.
Then let that son be king, Thy care, Thy work,
And that to signalize his new dominion,
Cause him to plunge his knife into my breast!
This is his dying mother's wish towards him.
What do I say? I soothe myself with hopes,
That to Thy yoke unbent, tired of Thy law,
Faithful to Ahab's blood received from me,
In his grandfather's steps, and like his sire,
The hateful heir of David will be found
To abrogate Thy honour, and profane
Thy temple, Venging Ahab, Jezebel,
And Athaliah!


JOAD.
Let her at once be taken from the temple,
So that its sanctity be not profaned.
Go, sacred Vengers of our murdered princes,
Stay, by her death, the outcry of their blood.
If any rash adherent take her part,
Let him be given to the sword with her.