Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/137

Rh realize that I would gladly give my wealth, my possessions, even my life for the welfare of the land where I live. But there is a limit which I cannot trespass, and that is the limit of honor. You promise to confer upon me the greatest honors at your command. What are the honors which a Prince of flesh and blood can confer compared to the honors which God, the King of kings, confers on His servants? Can you moreover really find any distinction which can replace that which I believe has already been bestowed on me by God?"

"What do you mean?" asks the Prince.

"I refer to the honor and distinction of being a Jew, a member of God's Kingdom of priests, one of His Holy Nation."

"Enough, Jew!" cried the Prince in a furious rage. "I will give you five minutes to make up your mind; either you become a Christian or you perish with the other Jews at the stake."

At the expiration of the five minutes the Rabbi again addressed the Prince saying: "Dear Prince! I must admit that my present intention is not to be baptized. Nevertheless, there is just a possibility that I might alter my mind if I were to see my brethren in faith, the unfortunate Jews, perishing at the stake. This horrible vision might shake my fortitude, for I am very human and weak in my spirit. To think that I might also burn at the stake might make me afraid. My fear would probably be