Now what of these Essenes ?" "Only this," said Marcus; "they are a strange people who read the future, I know not how.

One of them with whom I became friendly, foretold that mighty troubles were about to fall upon this land of yours--slaughter and pestilence, and famine, such as the world has not seen." "That is an old prophecy of those accursed Nazarenes," broke in Benoni.
"Call them not accursed, friend," said Marcus, in an odd voice, "for you should do so least of all men.

Nay, hear me out.

It may be a prophecy of the Nazarenes, but it is also a prophecy of the Essenes, and I believe it, who watch the signs of the times.

Now the elder told me this, that there will be a great uprising of the Jews against the strength of Caesar, and that most of those who join in it shall perish.