Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/84

 of youth. No leper diggeth the ground, or scattereth seed. What other hands give us, we eat; if they withhold, we die. When they scorn us, we cannot avenge ourselves; if they flee, we may not pursue. When they with whom we once abode draw nigh, we must retire. When they behold our vessels empty, they sigh; when the food they bring is not consumed, they rejoice that we are dead.”

“Nay, my brother!” said Philip, “afflict not thus thyself and me. Well I know that we shall rejoice no more in the seeing of the eye, and the hearing of the ear; yet I have hope; for I verily believe that there is a paradise beyond the sepulchre where we shall be gathered under the tree of life with Abraham our father, and with our brethren of Israel.”

“Let thy faith sustain thee even now then, while the tempest beateth on our dwellings,” said Jotham. “The time was when I battled with the storm, and gazed into the firmament for the lightning. But now fear hath seized me, though I desire to die; and when the mutterings of the earth and sky are heard, my spirit melteth in me.”