Chapter 14 - Page 2

"I am as a child here in Judea and seek understanding. You shall be my
teacher."

For a time neither spoke; soon David asked: "Will you tell me of her my
sister is now serving?"

"Of all the daughters of Rome she is noblest. We love each other. Ah,
friend! 'Tis a wonder--this great love. My tongue halts when I think
of it."

He paused, in meditation.

"I have heard much of it here in Judea--a love that exalts the soul,"
said David.

"And changes the heart of man with all that is in it. My love has
filled me with a tender feeling for all women; it has made me to hate
injustice and even to complain of the gods."

"To complain of the gods!" said David, turning and looking into the
face of his friend.

"It does seem to me they set a bad example and are too childish for the
work they have to do, but still--still I bow before them."

"I do not understand you," said David.

"They are given to spite, anger, vanity, lust, revenge, and idleness.
Caesar is greater than they. He has learned self-control. And this
new king of your faith, who, you tell me, is to conquer the world--he
is no better."

"And why think you so?"

"He is to conquer the world. Good sir, it has been conquered--how many
times! He shall make the mighty afraid--have they not often trembled
with fear and perished by the sword? He shall fling arrows of just
revenge, as if our old earth were not already soaked in the blood of
the wicked. Ah, my David, I wonder not you long for a king of the
sword and the arrow. Revenge is ever the dream of the oppressed. But
I have dreamed of a greater king."

"Tell me who?"

"He would be like this love in me," said Vergilius. "If it were to go
abroad--if it were only to find the hearts of the mighty--what, think
you, would happen?"

"Ay, if it were to go from friend to friend and from neighbor to
neighbor," said the young Jew, "it would indeed conquer the world."

"And there would be neither war nor injustice."

"Tell me," said David. "Are there many lovers like you in Rome?"

"Some half a score that I have heard of, and I doubt not there be many."

"'Tis the candle of the Lord--the preparation of the heart of man,"
said David. "I do believe his arrow shall be that of love."

"This feeling in me has kindled a great desire," said Vergilius. "I
burn for knowledge."

Then said the young Jew: "Let us find my kinsman, Zacharias--a priest
of holy life and great learning. Through his aged