Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/30

 By break of day all was prepared for their departure. The meal was spread, the hostess was ready with her parting blessing, and her son took his staff in his hand, that he might accompany his guests to the verge of the plain which they desired to traverse before noon.

“Return hither, my sons,” said the hostess, “that if Jehovah be indeed about to establish the glory of our nation for ever, we may rejoice together. If our hope is vain, let us comfort each other with the words of promise. Let us not be as strangers henceforth. And now, my sons, God be with you on the way, and his angel lead you!”

Their host parted not from their company till they issued from the valleys, and saw before them the plain from the midst of which rises Mount Tabor in solitary grandeur. No other hill swells from the surrounding level to contrast with its height or impair its appearance of singularity. Its sides, towards the summit, were verdant with groves, and its rocky base rose abruptly from the plain. The ascent, though steep, was not long, and at the summit was a level space, whence a vast extent of country could be seen. Sadoc had