Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/155

 the watchfires of the land, spread itself on the horizon, and sent up a light into the firmament which dimmed the stars.

The moon still rode high in the heaven when this pillar of fire was become a cloud. The silver beam shone on the grey hairs of Adonijah while his head was yet uncovered; and on the tears of the women ere they drew their veils around them, and sat down to mourn that the glory of Israel was extinguished.

As Hebrews they thus mourned; but already other thoughts were in their hearts, for they were also Christians. Though the heaven and the earth should pass away, they looked for new heavens and a new earth; for beauty out of ashes, even as they had seen life arise out of the dust. One among them said,

“When our city sat as a throned queen, a cry of woe was uplifted against her, amidst her song of rejoicing; but now when she hath been desolate for a while, music shall come unto her on the four winds. In the ends of the earth and the islands of the deep shall she