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 REDEMPTION. 251

And Israel at least, must scorn to be

Unjust, e'en to the lowliest of their sons.

This Man may be all that you charge, and more;

Nor do I say that he Messias is,

For that ye could not bear; but this I say,

Our law condemns not any till it hear.

You all remember when, a youth, he stood

Before the learned, in the sacred courts,

Expounding Scripture, and amazed us all

With questions and replies. You did not doubt

His wisdom then, but wonder'd at his lore;

Nor with his doctrines did ye aught find fault.

There be who sit here, that have with him talk'd,

As friend with friend, familiar; whether at meat,

Or going to him by night ; they could tell,

If they would testify, whether he now,

From those great truths departs ; but those, who hear

Rather, impels to follow and obey.

Nor doth he secretly these counsels urge ;

But open, with loud voice, in synagogue,

In temple, midst the public ways, enjoins

All that you teach, to hear, observe and do.

This not the seeming hath, as though he strove

To draw the people from Mosaic rites,

Or of his words the strictest scrut'ny fear'd

Spare me a moment yet, my friends, I would

Not pain you ; but, perhaps, from rashness save.

For, if his works, or counsels, be of man,

They '11 come to naught ; but if of heav'n, refrain ;

Lest, hapless, ye be found to fight 'gainst God.

I would not rouse your wrath, his works to cite ;

But, who hath not seen Lazarus, once dead ?

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