Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/152

 had contended among themselves, as if they hungered for slaughter rather than food, and thirsted above all for blood. He told how the people had perished of famine, even while lambs were spared for the offering; how the smoke had daily risen, while the battle was carried to the very gates of the temple; and how the Roman general had had respect unto the sanctuary, and desired that the priests should not be hindered in their office. Yet the sacrifice had ceased, for there were at length none left to minister save he alone.

When he saw the last spark of the holy fire blown out, and its ashes scattered by the winds which entered through the breaches of the walls; when he traversed the priests' apartments and found no son of Aaron there; when he looked how deadly foes grappled in the holy courts, he knew that the glory of Jehovah had departed from behind the veil, and that the place where he stood was no longer sanctified. He took his staff and crossed the threshold, casting no look behind. He sent forth in his priests' garments, in sight of the Romans; and when they saw that he was a man of peace, full of years also and wasted