What is your name?
{JOAS.}
Eliacin.
They say I am an orphan, Cast from my birth into the arms of G.o.d, And who my parents were I never knew.
{ATHALIAH.}
Have you no parents?
{JOAS.}
They abandoned me.
{ATHALIAH.}
How? And how long ago?
{JOAS.}
At my birth.
{ATHALIAH.}
Do they, at least, not know your native country?
{JOAS.}
This temple is my country; none I know Besides--
{ATHALIAH.}
Your father?
Where is it said that chance discovered you?
{JOAS.}
Among the cruel wolves, their helpless prey.
{ATHALIAH.}
Who placed you in this temple?
{JOAS.}
An unknown woman, never looked on since, Who did not say her name.
{ATHALIAH.}
But who took charge of your most early years?
{JOAS.}
Does G.o.d e'er let his children want in vain?
He gives the smallest birds their nourishment, And over all His works extends His goodness.
Each day I call on Him. His care paternal Nourishes me with gifts presented at The altar.
{ATHALIAH.}
What strange event again perplexeth me?
The sweetness of his voice, his youthful grace, Cause my aversion imperceptably To be succeeded--I could be inclined To pity.
{ABNER.}
Is this, then, Madam, that terrific foe '?
The fraud of your false dreams is manifest: Unless 'tis sympathy that touches you, It is that fatal blow which makes you tremble.
{ATHALIAH (_to Joas and Josabet_).}
Are you going?
{JOSABET.}
His story you have heard: His further stay would be importunate.
{ATHALIAH.}
No, No, return. What do you every day?
{JOAS.}
Adore the Lord; they train me in His law, They teach me how to read His sacred book, And now I copy it with mine own hand.
{ATHALIAH.}
How does that law instruct you?
{JOAS.}
That love is what the Lord desires; that He Sooner or later will avenge His name, His holy name blasphemed; that He protects The timid orphan, that He breaks the proud, And punishes the murderer.
{ATHALIAH.}
I understand. But what do all the people Enclosed within that place?
{JOAS.}