Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/78

Rh company, and roused by their presence, he raised himself, and looked haughtily round, like one startled and searching for an enemy—so dark, suspicious, and threatening was the glance. Such was Herod the Great—a body broken by diseases, a conscience seared with crimes, a mind magnificently capable, a soul fit for brotherhood with the Cæsars; now seven-and-sixty years old, but guarding his throne with a jealousy never so vigilant, a power never so despotic, and a cruelty never so inexorable.

There was a general movement on the part of the assemblage—a bending forward in salaam by the more aged, a rising-up by the more courtierly, followed by low genuflections, hands upon the beard or breast.

His observations taken, Herod moved on until at the tripod opposite the venerable Hillel, who met his cold glance with an inclination of the head, and a slight lifting of the hands.

&quot;The answer!&quot; said the king, with imperious simplicity, addressing Hillel, and planting his staff before him with both hands. &quot;The answer!&quot;

The eyes of the patriarch glowed mildly, and, raising his head, and looking the inquisitor full in the face, he answered, his associates giving him closest attention,

&quot;With thee, O king, be the peace of God, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!&quot;

His manner was that of invocation; changing it, he resumed:

&quot;Thou hast demanded of us where the Christ should be born.&quot;

The king bowed, though the evil eyes remained fixed upon the sage's face.

&quot;That is the question.&quot;

&quot;Then, king, speaking for myself, and all my brethren here, not one dissenting, I say, in Bethlehem of Judea.&quot;

Hillel glanced at the parchment on the tripod; and, pointing with his tremulous finger, continued, &quot;In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people Israel.&quot;