Alroy: The Prince of the Captivity. Benjamin Disraeli

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ only thanks are words, and those too weak; and yet the orphan’s blessing is a treasure.’

      ‘You are an orphan, then’

      ‘I have no parent but my father’s God.’

      ‘And that God is–’

      ‘The God of Israel.’

      ‘So I deemed. He is a Deity we all must honour; if he be the great Creator whom we all allow.’

      ‘He is what he is, and we are what we are, a fallen people, but faithful still.’

      ‘Fidelity is strength.’

      ‘Thy words are truth, and strength must triumph.’

      ‘A prophecy!’

      ‘Many a prophet is little honoured, till the future proves his inspiration.’

      ‘You are young and sanguine.’

      ‘So was my ancestor within the vale of Elah. But I speak unto a Moslem, and this is foolishness.’

      ‘I have read something, and can take your drift. As for my faith, I believe in truth, and wish all men to do the same. By-the-bye, might I inquire the name of him who is the inmate of my house?’

      ‘They call me David.’

      ‘David, you have a ring, an emerald cut with curious characters, Hebrew, I believe.’

      ‘‘Tis here.’

      ‘A fine stone, and this inscription means–’

      ‘A simple legend, “Parted, but one;” the kind memorial of a brother’s love.’

      ‘Your brother?’

      ‘I never had a brother.’

      ‘I have a silly fancy for this ring: you hesitate. Search my palace, and choose the treasure you deem its match.’

      ‘Noble sir, the gem is little worth; but were it such might deck a Caliph’s brow, ‘twere a poor recompense for all thy goodness. This ring is a trust rather than a possession, and strange to say, although I cannot offer it to thee who mayst command, as thou hast saved, the life of its unhappy wearer, some stranger may cross my path to-morrow, and almost claim it as his own.’

      ‘And that stranger is–’

      ‘The brother of the donor.’

      ‘The brother of Jabaster?’

      ‘Jabaster!’

      ‘Even so. I am that parted brother.’

      ‘Great is the God of Israel! Take the ring. But what is this? the brother of Jabaster a turbaned chieftain! a Moslem! Say, but say, that thou hast not assumed their base belief; say, but say, that thou hast not become a traitor to our covenant, and I will bless the fortunes of this hour.’

      ‘I am false to no God. Calm thyself, sweet youth. These are higher questions than thy faint strength can master now. Another time we’ll talk of this, my boy; at present of my brother and thyself. He lives and prospers?’

      ‘He lives in faith; the pious ever prosper.’

      ‘A glorious dreamer! Though our moods are different, I ever loved him. And thyself? Thou art not what thou seemest. Tell me all. Jabaster’s friend can be no common mind. Thy form has heralded thy fame. Trust me.’

      ‘I am Alroy.’

      ‘What! the Prince of our Captivity?’

      ‘Even so.’

      ‘The slayer of Alschiroch?’

      ‘Ay!’

      ‘My sympathy was prophetic. I loved thee from the first. And what dost thou here? A price is set upon thy head: thou knowest it?’

      ‘For the first time; but I am neither astonished nor alarmed. I am upon the Lord’s business.’

      ‘What wouldst thou?’

      ‘Free his people.’

      ‘The pupil of Jabaster: I see it all. Another victim to his reveries. I’ll save this boy. David,—for thy name must not be sounded within this city,—the sun is dying. Let us to the terrace, and seek the solace of the twilight breeze.’

      ‘What is the hour, David?’

      ‘Near to midnight. I marvel if thy brother may read in the stars our happy meeting.’

      ‘Men read that which they wish. He is a learned Cabalist.’

      ‘But what we wish comes from above.’

      ‘So they say. We make our fortunes, and we call them Fate.’

      ‘Yet the Voice sounded, the Daughter of the Voice that summoned Samuel.’

      ‘You have told me strange things; I have heard stranger solved.’

      ‘My faith is a rock.’

      ‘On which you may split.’

      ‘Art thou a Sadducee?’

      ‘I am a man who knows men.’

      ‘You are learned, but different from Jabaster.’

      ‘We are the same, though different. Day and Night are both portions of Time.’

      ‘And thy portion is–’

      ‘Truth.’

      ‘That is, light.’

      ‘Yes; so dazzling that it sometimes seems dark.’

      ‘Like thy meaning.’

      ‘You are young.’

      ‘Is youth a defect?’

      ‘No, the reverse. But we cannot eat the fruit while the tree is in blossom.’

      ‘What fruit?’

      ‘Knowledge.’

      ‘I have studied.’

      ‘What?’

      ‘All sacred things.’

      ‘How know you that they are sacred?’

      ‘They come from God.’

      ‘So does everything. Is everything sacred?’

      ‘They are the deep expression of his will.’

      ‘According to Jabaster. Ask the man who prays in yonder mosque, and he will tell you that Jabaster’s wrong.’

      ‘After all, thou art a Moslem?’

      ‘No.’

СКАЧАТЬ