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Updated: May 7, 2025
So Metem went, to return presently with the Levite, to whom, without further ado, the prince told all, hiding nothing. Issachar listened in silence. When both Aziel and Metem had done speaking, he said: "At least, I thank you, Prince, for being open with me; and now without more words I pray you to abandon this rash plan, which can end only in pain, and perhaps in death."
"Lady, I am Metem the Phoenician, captain of the merchandise of the caravan of Hiram, King of Tyre, and this lord who slew the thief is none other than the prince Aziel, the twice royal, for he is grandson to the glorious King of Israel, and through his mother of the blood of the Pharaohs of Egypt."
"She is high-priestess because Metem and others brought about her election without her will, urged on to it by I know not whom." And he looked hard at Issachar, who turned away. "But what matters it who did the ill deed," he continued, "since this, at least, is certain, that here my presence breeds sorrow and bloodshed, and therefore I must go as I have promised."
Oh! if ever you have loved a woman, or have been loved of one, for her sake be pitiful. I must see him for the last time in farewell, and you can help me to it." "I! In the name of Baal, how?" "When do you have to leave the city, Metem?" "At moonrise on the night after next."
He was a Phoenician merchant, much trusted by Hiram, the King of Tyre, who had made him captain of the merchandise of this expedition. "Ah! is it you, Metem?" said Aziel. "Why do you leave your charge to return to me?" "That I may guard a more precious charge yourself, Prince," replied the merchant courteously.
Farewell," and with a grave inclination of the head he left the room. Metem watched him go, then he turned to Issachar and said: "I have earned my hire well, and you must pay the price, but now it troubles me to think that I touched this business.
Metem, you love gain; remember that if you humour me in this and other matters which may arise, doing my bidding faithfully, I have the treasury of Jerusalem to draw upon." "No ill paymaster," replied Metem cheerfully. "Certainly I will obey you in all things, holy Issachar, as the king commanded me yonder in Judea."
"I know it, Metem; there runs the path by which we travelled from the coast, and there is the tomb of Baaltis. Why have we been brought here?" "The lady Elissa sits behind the bars of yonder tomb whence her view of all that happens upon this mount must be very good indeed," answered Metem with meaning. "Now, can you guess why you were brought here, prince Aziel."
Scarcely could they have been heavier, indeed, had they seen a white-faced woman creep from the pit of death and follow them stealthily till they had passed from the temple into the palace doors, then turn and run at full speed towards the college of the priests of El. In the chamber of Aziel they found Metem.
Then lifting his hands towards the skies, he began to pray aloud that Aziel might be constant in his trial. Meanwhile, Metem, who had drawn near, spoke in a low voice:
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