Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/83

 threshold, and delight thyself in the feasts of our nation, though thou shalt go up to Zion no more. But from my memory the wisdom of the scribes hath departed; and as for rejoicing, I know no longer what it is. Only when the sun glares on the sandy plain, I remember the citron-groves of Mamre. The voice of the reapers also among the corn, and the mirth of children while the olives are shaken into the lap, come back unto me when the blast sweeps over us, as now."

He gathered his mantle round him as he trembled with the cold. Philip's frame was also shaken as he watered the ground with tears. Jotham had grieved his spirit; yet he reproached him not.

"If our limbs were strong to toil," said Jotham, after a while, "if our own hands could till the ground and gather food till we die, we might endure with a greater patience. Then no man should approach, and none should scorn or fear us. The eagle and the pelican alone should look upon us while we live, and none but the raven and the jackal should know where our bones are stretched on the earth. But our strength departeth in the day