Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/47

 “He lived, he came! Speak, Michal!”

“On the third day at even, I slept, for I was faint with watching. The murmur of voices awoke me, and I looked from my lattice into the court. The slaves had gathered together round the fountain, I knew not wherefore. At the sound of my voice they turned, and lo! in the midst this child stood alone, no longer wasted with sickness, but even as thou seest him now. I had had faith while I saw him not, that he would indeed live again; but now that I beheld him, he seemed as a spirit. His eyes were fixed on the lattice, and he moved not; but when I unveiled my face, he stretched his arms towards me, and I knew by his cry of joy that he was indeed the child whom I had mourned.”

“And my father, did he behold also? And did Rachel bring thee tidings of the Mighty One?”

“I sought Rachel, and she wept, because my father yet scorned her faith, and him who had blessed it unto her. Ask her thyself how the Prophet spake, and how, as he gazed on the face of the dead, the eyes of the child unclosed, the bloom returned to his cheek, and