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‘THE royal brow was clouded,’ said Ithamar to Asriel, as, departing from the council, they entered their magnificent barque. |
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‘With thought; he has so much upon his mind, ’tis wondrous how he bears himself.’ |
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‘I have seen him gay on the eve of battle, and lively though calm, with weightier matters than now oppress him. His brow was clouded, but not, methinks, with thought; one might rather say with temper. Mark you, how he rated Jabaster?’ |
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‘Roundly! The stern priest writhed under it; and as he signed the ordinance, shivered his reed in rage. I never saw a man more pale.’ |
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‘Or more silent. He looked like an embodied storm. I tell you what, Asriel, that stern priest loves not us.’ |
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‘Have you just discovered that secret, Ithamar? We are not of his school. Nor, in good faith, is our ruler. I am glad to see the king is so staunch about Abidan. Were he in council he would support Jabaster.’ |
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‘Oh! his mere tool. What think you of Scherirah?’ |
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‘I would not trust him. As long as there is fighting, he will meddle with nothing else; but, mark my words, Ithamar: in quiet times he will support the priest.’ |
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‘Medad will have a place in council. He is with us.’ |
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‘Heart and soul. I would your brother were here, Asriel: he alone could balance Jabaster. Alroy loves your brother like himself. Is it true that he marries the Lady Miriam? |
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‘So the king wishes. ’Twill be a fine match for Abner.’ |
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‘The world is all before us. I wonder who will be viceroy of Syria.’ |
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‘When we conquer it. Not Scherirah. Mark my words, Ithamar: he never will have a government. You or I perchance. For my own part, I would rather remain as I am.’ |
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‘Yours is a good post; the best.’ |
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‘With the command of the city. It should go with the guard.’ |
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‘Well then help me in getting Syria, and you can ask for my command.’ |
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‘Agreed. Jabaster will have it that, in a Hebrew monarchy, the chief priest is in fact the grand vizir.’ |
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‘Alroy will be his own minister.’ |
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‘I am not so sure of that. He may choose to command the Syrian expedition in person; he must leave some head at Bagdad. Jabaster is no general.’ |
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‘Oh! none at all. Alroy will be glad to leave him at home. The Sultan of Roum may not be always so merciful.’ |
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‘Hah! hah! that was an escape!’ |
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‘By heavens! I thought it was all over. You made a fine charge.’ |
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‘I shall never forget it. I nearly ran over Jabaster.’ |
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‘Would that you had!’ |
