Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/57

 till the crimson dawn began to break. He rose and worshiped, and immediately climbed the hill to look around. Beneath him was a valley, whence the blue mists were rolling away. Around him were hills, some rocky, others green and fair; for the verdure was renewed by the dews of the night. On the side of one eminence was a grove, where pines waved their dark boughs in the ruddy light, where wild olives spread forth their leafy branches, and the pomegranate hung forth its rich fruits, Thither Sadoc hastened, and while he made for himself a path among the shrubs, their freshness and odour were pleasant to him. There was, in the midst, an open space, where a spring watered the grass. The rose of Jericho flourished here, and the wild bees hummed around the stem on which flickered the beams and shadows of the morning.

Hither had the Prophet retired. Above him spread a terebinth of a thousand years: around his feet clustered the field lilies, which spring and fade in a day. Beholding Sadoc, he stretched forth his arm to invite him to draw nigh. The son of Imri bowed himself, saying,

“The spirit of thy servant is sunk within