ben-hur-第98章

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round　commenced　to　shake；　each　man　took　hold　of　his　neighbor　to　support　himself；　in　a　twinkling　the　darkness　disappeared；　and　the　sun　came　out；　and　everybody；　as　with　the　same　glance；　beheld　the　crosses　upon　the　hill　all　reeling　drunken…like　in　the　earthquake。　They　beheld　all　three　of　them；　but　the　one　in　the　centre　was　arbitrary；　it　alone　would　be　seen；　and　for　that　it　seemed　to　extend　itself　upwards；　and　lift　its　burden；　and　swing　it　to　and　fro　higher　and　higher　in　the　blue　of　the　sky。　And　every　man　among　them　who　had　jeered　at　the　Nazarene；　every　one　who　had　struck　him；　every　one　who　had　voted　to　crucify　him；　every　one　who　had　marched　in　the　procession　from　the　city；　every　one　who　had　in　his　heart　wished　him　dead；　and　they　were　as　ten　to　one；　felt　that　he　was　in　some　way　individually　singled　out　from　the　many；　and　that　if　he　would　live　he　must　get　away　quickly　as　possible　from　that　menace　in　the　sky。　They　started　to　run；　they　ran　with　all　their　might；　on　horseback；　and　camels；　and　in　chariots　they　ran；　as　well　as　on　foot；　but　then　as　if　it　were　mad　at　them　for　what　they　had　done；　and　had　taken　up　the　cause　of　the　unoffending　and　friendless　dead；　the　earthquake　pursued　them；　and　tossed　them　about；　and　flung　them　down；　and　terrified　them　yet　more　by　the　horrible　noise　of　great　rocks　grinding　and　rending　beneath　them。　They　beat　their　breasts　and　shrieked　with　fear。　His　blood　was　upon　them！　The　home…bred　and　the　foreign；　priest　and　layman；　beggar；　Sadducee；　Pharisee；　were　overtaken　in　the　race；　and　tumbled　about　indiscriminately。　If　they　called　on　the　Lord；　the　outraged　earth　answered　for　him　in　fury；　and　dealt　them　all　alike。　It　did　not　even　know　wherein　the　high…priest　was　better　than　his　guilty　brethren；　overtaking　him；　it　tripped　him　up　also；　and　smirched　the　fringimg　of　his　robe；　and　filled　the　golden　bells　with　sand；　and　his　mouth　with　dust。　He　and　his　people　were　alike　in　the　one　thing　at　leastthe　blood　of　the　Nazarene　was　upon　them　all！

When　the　sunlight　broke　upon　the　crucifixion；　the　mother　of　the　Nazarene；　the　disciple；　and　the　faithful　women　of　Galilee；　the　centurion　and　his　soldiers；　and　Ben…Hur　and　his　party；　were　all　who　remained　upon　the　hill。　These　had　not　time　to　observe　the　flight　of　the　multitude；　they　were　too　loudly　called　upon　to　take　care　of　themselves。

〃Seat　thyself　here；〃　said　Ben…Hur　to　Esther；　making　a　place　for　her　at　her　father's　feet。　〃Now　cover　thine　eyes　and　look　not　up；　but　put　thy　trust　in　God；　and　the　spirit　of　yon　just　man　so　foully　slain。〃

〃Nay；〃　said　Simonides；　reverently；　〃let　us　henceforth　speak　of　him　as　the　Christ。〃

〃Be　it　so；〃　said　Ben…Hur。

Presently　a　wave　of　the　earthquake　struck　the　hill。　The　shrieks　of　the　thieves　upon　the　reeling　crosses　were　terrible　to　hear。　Though　giddy　with　the　movements　of　the　ground；　Ben…Hur　had　time　to　look　at　Balthasar；　and　beheld　him　prostrate　and　still。　He　ran　to　him　and　calledthere　was　no　reply。　The　good　man　was　dead！　Then　Ben…Hur　remembered　to　have　heard　a　cry　in　answer；　as　it　were；　to　the　scream　of　the　Nazarene　in　his　last　moment；　but　he　had　not　looked　to　see　from　whom　it　had　proceeded；　and　ever　after　he　believed　the　spirit　of　the　Egyptian　accompanied　that　of　his　Master　over　the　boundary　into　the　kingdom　of　Paradise。　The　idea　rested　not　only　upon　the　cry　heard；　but　upon　the　exceeding　fitness　of　the　distinction。　If　faith　were　worthy　reward　in　the　person　of　Gaspar；　and　love　in　that　of　Melchior；　surely　he　should　have　some　special　meed　who　through　a　long　life　and　so　excellently　illustrated　the　three　virtues　in　combinationFaith；　Love；　and　Good　Works。

The　servants　of　Balthasar　had　deserted　their　master；　but　when　all　was　over；　the　two　Galileans　bore　the　old　man　in　his　litter　back　to　the　city。

It　was　a　sorrowful　procession　that　entered　the　south　gate　of　the　palace　of　the　Hurs　about　the　set　of　sun　that　memorable　day。　About　the　same　hour　the　body　of　the　Christ　was　taken　down　from　the　cross。

The　remains　of　Balthasar　were　carried　to　the　guest…chamber。　All　the　servants　hastened　weeping　to　see　him；　for　he　had　the　love　of　every　living　thing　with　which　he　had　in　anywise　to　do；　but　when　they　beheld　his　face；　and　the　smile　upon　it；　they　dried　their　tears；　saying；　〃It　is　well。　He　is　happier　this　evening　than　when　he　went　out　in　the　morning。〃

Ben…Hur　would　not　trust　a　servant　to　inform　Iras　what　had　befallen　her　father。　He　went　himself　to　see　her　and　bring　her　to　the　body。　He　imagined　her　grief；　she　would　now　be　alone　in　the　world；　it　was　a　time　to　forgive　and　pity　her。　He　remembered　he　had　not　asked　why　she　was　not　of　the　party　in　the　morning；　or　where　she　was；　he　remembered　he　had　not　thought　of　her；　and；　from　shame；　he　was　ready　to　make　any　amends；　the　more　so　as　he　was　about　to　plunge　her　into　such　acute　grief。

He　shook　the　curtains　of　her　door；　and　though　he　heard　the　ringing　of　the　little　bells　echoing　within；　he　had　no　response；　he　called　her　name；　and　again　he　calledstill　no　answer。　He　drew　the　curtain　aside　and　went　into　the　room；　she　was　not　there。　He　ascended　hastily　to　the　roof　in　search　of　her；　nor　was　she　there。　He　questioned　the　servants；　none　of　them　had　seen　her　during　the　day。　After　a　long　quest　everywhere　through　the　house；　Ben…Hur　returned　to　the　guest…chamber；　and　took　the　place　by　the　dead　which　should　have　been　hers；　and　he　bethought　him　there　how　merciful　the　Christ　had　been　to　his　aged　servant。　At　the　gate　of　the　kingdom　of　Paradise　happily　the　afflictions　of　this　life；　even　its　desertions；　are　left　behind　and　forgotten　by　those　who　go　in　and　rest。

When　the　gloom　of　the　burial　was　nigh　gone；　on　the　ninth　day　after　the　healing；　the　law　being　fulfilled；　Ben…Hur　brought　his　mother　and　Tirzah　home；　and　from　that　day；　in　that　house　the　most　sacred　names　possible　of　utterance　by　men　were　always　coupled　worshipfully　together；

GOD　THE　FATHER　AND　CHRIST　THE　SON。



About　five　years　after　the　crucifixion；　Esther；　the　wife　of　Ben…Hur；　sat　in　her　room　in　the　beautiful　villa　by　Misenum。　It　was　noon；　with　a　warm　Italian　sun　making　summer　for　the　roses　and　vines　outside。　Everything　in　the　apartment　was　Roman；　except　that　Esther　wore　the　garments　of　a　Jewish　matron。　Tirzah　and　two　children　at　play　upon　a　lion　skin　on　the　floor　were　her　companions；　and　one　had　only　to　observe　how　carefully　she　watched　them　to　know　that　the　little　ones　were　hers。

Time　had　treated　her　generously。　She　was　more　than　ever　beautiful；　and　in　becoming　mistress　of　the　villa；　she　had　realized　one　of　her　cherished　dreams。

In　the　midst　of　this　simple；　home…like　scene；　a　servant　appeared　in　the　doorway；　and　spoke　to　her。

〃A　woman　in　the　atrium　to　speak　with　the　mistress。〃

〃Let　her　come。　I　will　receive　her　here。〃

Presently　the　stranger　entered。　At　sight　of　her　the　Jewess　arose；　and　was　about　to　speak；　then　she　hesitated；　changed　color；　and　finally　drew　back；　saying；　〃I　have　known　you；　good　woman。　You　are〃

〃I　was　Iras；　the　daughter　of　Balthasar。〃

Esther　conquered　her　surprise；　and　bade　the　servant　bring　the　Egyptian　a　seat。

〃No；〃　said　Iras；　coldly。　〃I　will　retire　directly。〃

The　two　gazed　at　each　other。　We　know　what　Esther　presenteda　beautiful　woman；　a　happy　mother；　a　contented　wife。　On　the　other　side；　it　was　very　plain　that　fortune　had　not　dealt　so　gently　with　her　former　rival。　The　tall　figure　remained　with　some　of　its　grace；　but　an　evil　life　had　tainted　the　whole　person。　The　face　was　coarse；　the　large　eyes　were　red　and　pursed　beneath　the　lower　lids；　there　was　no　color　in　her　cheeks。　The　lips　were　cynical　and　hard；　and　general　neglect　was　leading　rapidly　to　premature　old　age。　Her　attire　was　ill　chosen　and　draggled。　The　mud　of　the　road　clung　to　her　sandals。　Iras　broke　the　painful　silence。

〃These　are　thy　children？〃

Esther　looked　at　them；　and　smiled。

〃Yes。　Will　you　not　speak　to　them？〃

〃I　would　scare　them；〃　Iras　replied。　Then　she　drew　closer　to　Esther；　and　seeing　her　shrink；　said；　〃Be　not　afraid。　Give　thy　husband　a　message　for　me。　Tell　him　his　enemy　is　dead；　and　that　for　the　much　misery　he　brought　me　I　slew　him。〃

〃His　enemy！〃

〃The　Messala。　Further；　tell　thy　husband　that　for　the　harm　I　sought　to　do　him　I　have　been　punished　until　even　he　would　pity　me。〃

Tears　arose　in　Esther's　eyes；　and　she　was　about　to　speak。

〃Nay；〃　said　Iras；　〃I　do　not　want　pity　or　tears。　Tell　him；　finally；　I　have　found　that　to　be　a　Roman　is　to　be　a　brute。　Farewell。〃

She　moved　to　go。　Esther　followed　her。

〃Stay；　and　see　my　husband。　He　has　no　feeling　against　you。　He　sought　for　you　everywhere。　He　will　be　your　friend。　I　will　be　your　friend。　We　are　Christians。〃

The　other　was　firm。

〃No；　I　am　what　I　am　of　choice。　It　will　be　over　shortly。〃

〃But〃Esther　hesitated〃have　we　nothing　you　would　wish；　nothing　toto〃

The　countenance　of　the　Egyptian　softened；　something　like　a　smile　played　about　her　lips。　She　looked　at　the　children　upon　the　floor。

〃There　is　something；〃　she　said。

Esther　followed　her　eyes；　and　with　quick　perception　answered；　〃It　is　yours。〃

Iras　went　to　them；　and　knelt　on　the　lion's　skin；　and　kissed　them　both。　Rising　slowly；　she　looked　at　them；　then　passed　to　the　door　and　out　of　it　without　a　parting　word。　She　walked　rapidly；　and　was　gone　before　Esther　could　decide　what　to　do。

Ben…Hur；　when　he　was　told　of　the　visit；　knew　certainly　what　he　had　long　surmisedthat　on　the　day　of　the　crucifixion　Iras　had　deserted　her　father　for　Messala。　Nevertheless；　he　set　out　immediately　and　hunted　for　her　vainly；　they　never　saw　her　more；　or　heard　of　her。　The　blue　bay；　with　all　its　laughing　under　the　sun；　has　yet　its　dark　secrets。　Had　it　a　tongue；　it　might　tell　us　of　the　Egyptian。

Simonides　lived　to　be　a　very　old　man。　In　the　tenth　year　of　Nero's　reign；　he　gave　up　the　business　so　long　centred　in　the　warehouse　at　Antioch。　To　the　last　he　kept　a　clear　head　and　a　good　heart；　and　was　successful。

One　evening；　in　the　year　named；　he　sat　in　his　arm…chair　on　the　terrace　of　the　warehouse。　Ben…Hur　and　Esther；　and　their　three　children；　were　with　him。　The　last　of　the　ships　swung　at　mooring　in　the　current　of　the　river；　all　the　rest　had　been　sold。　In　the　long　interval　between　this　and　the　day　of　the　crucifixion　but　one　sorrow　had　befallen　them：　that　was　when　the　mother　of　Ben…Hur　died；　and　then　and　now　their　grief　would　have　been　greater　but　for　their　Christian　faith。

The　ship　spoken　of　had　arrived　only　the　day　before；　bringing　intelligence　of　the　persecution　of　Christians　begun　by　Nero　in　Rome；　and　the　party　on　the　terrace　were　talking　of　the　news　when　Malluch；　who　was　still　in　their　service；　approached　and　delivered　a　package　to　Ben…Hur。

〃Who　brings　this？〃　the　latter　asked；　after　reading。

〃An　Arab。〃

〃Where　is　he？〃

〃He　left　immediately。〃

〃Listen；〃　said　Ben…Hur　to　Simonides。

He　read　then　the　following　letter：

〃I；　Ilderim；　the　son　of　Ilderim　the　Generous；　and　sheik　of　the　tribe　of　Ilderim；　to　Judah；　son　of　Hur。

〃Know；　O　friend　of　my　father's；　how　my　father　loved　you。　Read　what　is　herewith　sent；　and　you　will　know。　His　will　is　my　will；　therefore　what　he　gave　is　thine。

〃All　the　Parthians　took　from　him　in　the　great　battle　in　which　they　slew　him　I　have　retakenthis　writing；　with　other　things；　and　vengeance；　and　all　the　brood　of　that　Mira　who　in　his　time　was　mother　of　so　many　stars。

〃Peace　be　to　you　and　all　yours。

〃This　voice　out　of　the　desert