Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/69

 for who would dare to mourn on the gayest day of the most joyful of the feasts? But deep thoughts were working in the bosoms of those who had even now left the temple, and the women were silent when they knew what was in the hearts of their friends. The last cup of wine was blessed by Ozias, and drunk in silence with deep joy; and when the company had arisen to receive the benediction of their host, Sadoc prayed in spirit that ere they should again be assembled beneath a roof of boughs, the people of Jehovah should have become children of his new kingdom; and he trusted that at the next feast of joy, a loftier song of thanksgiving should arise from the holy city, and the Messiah be enthroned in the midst, instead of reposing, as now, in a vineyard on the Mount of Olives. While thus dreaming of the future, he plucked from the wall of the tabernacle a tuft of the pomegranate, which he hid in his bosom as a memorial of the most blessed feast which he had yet attended.

The company left the tabernacle to enter it no more; and, as they stood beneath the stars, they looked around on the scene of festivity.