Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/173

Rh do we know how the Romans rule the world. They rule according to their own ideas and not according to the wishes of their subjects.&quot;

"True, indeed,&quot; replied Eleazar, &quot;are thy words. Perhaps the good God will help us. Whenever Israel is in distress He also grieves with them. Their sorrows are also His. Come what may, we will present ourselves, if God will, at noon to-morrow at Cæsar's palace. The rest we will leave in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Now let us look for the Jewish quarter of this great city and find a lodging for the night.&quot;

They found what they required and sat down together to eat a very modest supper. They were alone. Suddenly they were startled to see in their room a little Goblin. It came near to Rabbi Simeon and said to him with a bow of its body: &quot;Peace be with you, O masters of the Law. Ye know me not. My name is Ben Temalion. You will probably not believe me when I tell you why I am here. The purpose of my visit is to help you. I know you have a most difficult task to perform. I think you know that this task is almost an impossible one. Is it not so?&quot;

&quot;It is as thou sayest,&quot; replied Simeon.

&quot;Do you care to employ my services?&quot;

&quot;I do not like to make use of thy evil power.&quot;

&quot;Stay, Master!&quot; cried Eleazar. &quot;Who knows whether the Heavenly Father has not sent this