ben-hur-第7章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



〃A　fig；　but　not　one　of　thy　best；　for　the　singers　of　Antioch！〃　says　the　Greek。　〃Thou　art　a　worshiper　of　Aphrodite；　and　so　am　I；　as　the　myrtle　I　wear　proves；　therefore　I　tell　thee　their　voices　have　the　chill　of　a　Caspian　wind。　Seest　thou　this　girdle？a　gift　of　the　mighty　Salome〃

〃The　king's　sister！〃　exclaims　the　Cypriote；　with　another　salaam。

〃And　of　royal　taste　and　divine　judgment。　And　why　not？　She　is　more　Greek　than　the　king。　Butmy　breakfast！　Here　is　thy　moneyred　coppers　of　Cyprus。　Give　me　grapes；　and〃

〃Wilt　thou　not　take　the　dates　also？〃

〃No；　I　am　not　an　Arab。〃

〃Nor　figs？〃

〃That　would　be　to　make　me　a　Jew。　No；　nothing　but　the　grapes。　Never　waters　mixed　so　sweetly　as　the　blood　of　the　Greek　and　the　blood　of　the　grape。〃

The　singer　in　the　grimed　and　seething　market；　with　all　his　airs　of　the　court；　is　a　vision　not　easily　shut　out　of　mind　by　such　as　see　him；　as　if　for　the　purpose；　however；　a　person　follows　him　challenging　all　our　wonder。　He　comes　up　the　road　slowly；　his　face　towards　the　ground；　at　intervals　he　stops；　crosses　his　hands　upon　his　breast；　lengthens　his　countenance；　and　turns　his　eyes　towards　heaven；　as　if　about　to　break　into　prayer。　Nowhere；　except　in　Jerusalem；　can　such　a　character　be　found。　On　his　forehead；　attached　to　the　band　which　keeps　the　mantle　in　place；　projects　a　leathern　case；　square　in　form；　another　similar　case　is　tied　by　a　thong　to　the　left　arm；　the　borders　of　his　robe　are　decorated　with　deep　fringe；　and　by　such　signsthe　phylacteries；　the　enlarged　borders　of　the　garment；　and　the　savor　of　intense　holiness　pervading　the　whole　manwe　know　him　to　be　a　Pharisee；　one　of　an　organization　（in　religion　a　sect；　in　politics　a　party）　whose　bigotry　and　power　will　shortly　bring　the　world　to　grief。

The　densest　of　the　throng　outside　the　gate　covers　the　road　leading　off　to　Joppa。　Turning　from　the　Pharisee；　we　are　attracted　by　some　parties　who；　as　subjects　of　study；　opportunely　separate　themselves　from　the　motley　crowd。　First　among　them　a　man　of　very　noble　appearanceclear；　healthful　complexion；　bright　black　eyes；　beard　long　and　flowing；　and　rich　with　unguents；　apparel　well…fitting；　costly；　and　suitable　for　the　season。　He　carries　a　staff；　and　wears；　suspended　by　a　cord　from　his　neck；　a　large　golden　seal。　Several　servants　attend　him；　some　of　them　with　short　swords　stuck　through　their　sashes；　when　they　address　him；　it　is　with　the　utmost　deference。　The　rest　of　the　party　consists　of　two　Arabs　of　the　pure　desert　stock；　thin；　wiry　men；　deeply　bronzed；　and　with　hollow　cheeks；　and　eyes　of　almost　evil　brightness；　on　their　heads　red　tarbooshes；　over　their　abas；　and　wrapping　the　left　shoulder　and　the　body　so　as　to　leave　the　right　arm　free；　brown　woollen　haicks；　or　blankets。　There　is　loud　chaffering；　for　the　Arabs　are　leading　horses　and　trying　to　sell　them；　and；　in　their　eagerness；　they　speak　in　high；　shrill　voices。　The　courtly　person　leaves　the　talking　mostly　to　his　servants；　occasionally　he　answers　with　much　dignity；　directly；　seeing　the　Cypriote；　he　stops　and　buys　some　figs。　And　when　the　whole　party　has　passed　the　portal；　close　after　the　Pharisee；　if　we　betake　ourselves　to　the　dealer　in　fruits；　he　will　tell；　with　a　wonderful　salaam；　that　the　stranger　is　a　Jew；　one　of　the　princes　of　the　city；　who　has　travelled；　and　learned　the　difference　between　the　common　grapes　of　Syria　and　those　of　Cyprus；　so　surpassingly　rich　with　the　dews　of　the　sea。

And　so；　till　towards　noon；　sometimes　later；　the　steady　currents　of　business　habitually　flow　in　and　out　of　the　Joppa　Gate；　carrying　with　them　every　variety　of　character；　including　representatives　of　all　the　tribes　of　Israel；　all　the　sects　among　whom　the　ancient　faith　has　been　parcelled　and　refined　away；　all　the　religious　and　social　divisions；　all　the　adventurous　rabble　who；　as　children　of　art　and　ministers　of　pleasure；　riot　in　the　prodigalities　of　Herod；　and　all　the　peoples　of　note　at　any　time　compassed　by　the　Caesars　and　their　predecessors；　especially　those　dwelling　within　the　circuit　of　the　Mediterranean。

In　other　words；　Jerusalem；　rich　in　sacred　history；　richer　in　connection　with　sacred　propheciesthe　Jerusalem　of　Solomon；　in　which　silver　was　as　stones；　and　cedars　as　the　sycamores　of　the　valehad　come　to　be　but　a　copy　of　Rome；　a　center　of　unholy　practises；　a　seat　of　pagan　power。　A　Jewish　king　one　day　put　on　priestly　garments；　and　went　into　the　Holy　of　Holies　of　the　first　temple　to　offer　incense；　and　he　came　out　a　leper；　but　in　the　time　of　which　we　are　reading；　Pompey　entered　Herod's　temple　and　the　same　Holy　of　Holies；　and　came　out　without　harm；　finding　but　an　empty　chamber；　and　of　God　not　a　sign。




CHAPTER　VIII



The　reader　is　now　besought　to　return　to　the　court　described　as　part　of　the　market　at　the　Joppa　Gate。　It　was　the　third　hour　of　the　day；　and　many　of　the　people　had　gone　away；　yet　the　press　continued　without　apparent　abatement。　Of　the　new…comers；　there　was　a　group　over　by　the　south　wall；　consisting　of　a　man；　a　woman；　and　a　donkey；　which　requires　extended　notice。

The　man　stood　by　the　animal's　head；　holding　a　leading…strap；　and　leaning　upon　a　stick　which　seemed　to　have　been　chosen　for　the　double　purpose　of　goad　and　staff。　His　dress　was　like　that　of　the　ordinary　Jews　around　him；　except　that　it　had　an　appearance　of　newness。　The　mantle　dropping　from　his　head；　and　the　robe　or　frock　which　clothed　his　person　from　neck　to　heel；　were　probably　the　garments　he　was　accustomed　to　wear　to　the　synagogue　on　Sabbath　days。　His　features　were　exposed；　and　they　told　of　fifty　years　of　life；　a　surmise　confirmed　by　the　gray　that　streaked　his　otherwise　black　beard。　He　looked　around　him　with　the　half…curious；　half…vacant　stare　of　a　stranger　and　provincial。

The　donkey　ate　leisurely　from　an　armful　of　green　grass；　of　which　there　was　an　abundance　in　the　market。　In　its　sleepy　content；　the　brute　did　not　admit　of　disturbance　from　the　bustle　and　clamor　about；　no　more　was　it　mindful　of　the　woman　sitting　upon　its　back　in　a　cushioned　pillion。　An　outer　robe　of　dull　woollen　stuff　completely　covered　her　person；　while　a　white　wimple　veiled　her　head　and　neck。　Once　in　a　while；　impelled　by　curiosity　to　see　or　hear　something　passing；　she　drew　the　wimple　aside；　but　so　slightly　that　the　face　remained　invisible。

At　length　the　man　was　accosted。

〃Are　you　not　Joseph　of　Nazareth？〃

The　speaker　was　standing　close　by。

〃I　am　so　called；〃　answered　Joseph；　turning　gravely　around；　〃And　youah；　peace　be　unto　you！　my　friend；　Rabbi　Samuel！〃

〃The　same　give　I　back　to　you。〃　The　Rabbi　paused；　looking　at　the　woman；　then　added；　〃To　you；　and　unto　your　house　and　all　your　helpers；　be　peace。〃

With　the　last　word；　he　placed　one　hand　upon　his　breast；　and　inclined　his　head　to　the　woman；　who；　to　see　him；　had　by　this　time　withdrawn　the　wimple　enough　to　show　the　face　of　one　but　a　short　time　out　of　girlhood。　Thereupon　the　acquaintances　grasped　right　hands；　as　if　to　carry　them　to　their　lips；　at　the　last　moment；　however；　the　clasp　was　let　go；　and　each　kissed　his　own　hand；　then　put　its　palm　upon　his　forehead。

〃There　is　so　little　dust　upon　your　garments；〃　the　Rabbi　said；　familiarly；　〃that　I　infer　you　passed　the　night　in　this　city　of　our　fathers。〃

〃No；〃　Joseph　replied；　〃as　we　could　only　make　Bethany　before　the　night　came；　we　stayed　in　the　khan　there；　and　took　the　road　again　at　daybreak。〃

〃The　journey　before　you　is　long；　thennot　to　Joppa；　I　hope。〃

〃Only　to　Bethlehem。〃

The　countenance　of　the　Rabbi；　theretofore　open　and　friendly；　became　lowering　and　sinister；　and　he　cleared　his　throat　with　a　growl　instead　of　a　cough。

〃Yes；　yesI　see；〃　he　said。　〃You　were　born　in　Bethlehem；　and　wend　thither　now；　with　your　daughter；　to　be　counted　for　taxation；　as　ordered　by　Caesar。　The　children　of　Jacob　are　as　the　tribes　in　Egypt　wereonly　they　have　neither　a　Moses　nor　a　Joshua。　How　are　the　mighty　fallen！〃

Joseph　answered；　without　change　of　posture　or　countenance；

〃The　woman　is　not　my　daughter。〃

But　the　Rabbi　clung　to　the　political　idea；　and　he　went　on；　without　noticing　the　explanation；　〃What　are　the　Zealots　doing　down　in　Galilee？〃

〃I　am　a　carpenter；　and　Nazareth　is　a　village；〃　said　Joseph；　cautiously。　〃The　street　on　which　my　bench　stands　is　not　a　road　leading　to　any　city。　Hewing　wood　and　sawing　plank　leave　me　no　time　to　take　part　in　the　disputes　of　parties。〃

〃But　you　are　a　Jew；〃　said　the　Rabbi；　earnestly。　〃You　are　a　Jew；　and　of　the　line　of　David。　It　is　not　possible　you　can　find　pleasure　in　the　payment　of　any　tax　except　the　shekel　given　by　ancient　custom　to　Jehovah。〃

Joseph　held　his　peace。

〃I　do　not　complain；〃　his　friend　continued；　〃of　the　amount　of　the　taxa　denarius　is　a　trifle。　Oh　no！　The　imposition　of　the　tax　is　the　offense。　And；　besides；　what　is　paying　it　but　submission　to　tyranny？　Tell　me；　is　it　true　that　Judas　claims　to　be　the　Messiah？　You　live　in　the　midst　of　his　followers。〃

〃I　have　heard　his　followers　say　he　was　the　Messiah；〃　Joseph　replied。

At　this　point　the　wimple　was　drawn　aside；　and　for　an　instant　the　whole　face　of　the　woman　was　exposed。　The　eyes　of　the　Rabbi　wandered　that　way；　and　he　had　time　to　see　a　countenance　of　rare　beauty；　kindled　by　a　look　of　intense　interest；　then　a　blush　overspread　her　cheeks　and　brow；　and　the　veil　was　returned　to　its　place。

The　politician　forgot　his　subject。

〃Your　daughter　is　comely；〃　he　said；　speaking　lower。

〃She　is　not　my　daughter；〃　Joseph　repeated。

The　curiosity　of　the　Rabbi　was　aroused；　seeing　which；　the　Nazarene　hastened　to　say　further；　〃She　is　the　child　of　Joachim　and　Anna　of　Bethlehem；　of　whom　you　have　at　least　heard；　for　they　were　of　great　repute〃

〃Yes；〃　remarked　the　Rabbi；　deferentially；　〃I　know　them。　They　were　lineally　descended　from　David。　I　knew　them　well。〃

Well；　they　are　dead　now；〃　the　Nazarene　proceeded。　〃They　died　in　Nazareth。　Joachim　was　not　rich；　yet　he　left　a　house　and　garden　to　be　divided　between　his　daughters　Marian　and　Mary。　This　is　one　of　them；　and　to　save　her　portion　of　the　property；　the　law　required　her　to　marry　her　next　of　kin。　She　is　now　my　wife。〃

〃And　you　were〃

〃Her　uncle。〃

〃Yes；　yes！　And　as　you　were　both　born　in　Bethlehem；　the　Roman　compels　you　to　take　her　there　with　you　to　be　also　counted。〃

The　Rabbi　clasped　his　hands；　and　looked　indignantly　to　heaven；　exclaiming；　〃The　God　of　Israel　still　lives！　The　vengeance　is　his！〃

With　that　he　turned　and　abruptly　departed。　A　stranger　near　by；　observing　Joseph's　amazement；　said；　quietly；　〃Rabbi　Samuel　is　a　zealot。　Judas　himself　is　not　more　fierce。〃

Joseph；　not　wishing　to　talk　with　the　man；　appeared　not　to　hear；　and　busied　himself　gathering　in　a　little　heap　the　grass　which　the　donkey　had　tossed　abroad；　after　which　he　leaned　upon　his　staff　again；　and　waited。

In　another　hour　the　party　passed　out　the　gate；　and；　turning　to　the　left；　took　the　road　into　Bethlehem。　The　descent　into　the　valley　of　Hinnom　was　quite　broken；　garnished　here　and　there　with　straggling　wild　olive…trees。　Carefully；　tenderly；　the　Nazarene　walked　by　the　woman's　side；　leading…strap　in　hand。　On　their　left；　reaching　to　the　south　and　east　round　Mount　Zion；　rose　the　city　wall；　and　on　their　right　the　steep　prominences　which　form　the　western　boundary　of　the　valley。

Slowly　they　passed　the　Lower　Pool　of　Gihon；　out　of　which　the　sun　was　fast　driving　the　lessening　shadow　of　the　royal　hill；　slowly　they　proceeded；　keeping