Now, indeed, he was like a lion at bay.
"Ha-a!" he roared, and his head bent slowly and his voice fell to a low rumble as he continued.

"'Tis an evil time in Jerusalem.

I weary of this long fight with traitors.

They grind their points; they stir poison; they swarm in the streets.

They rob me of my friends, and now--now they seek alliance with Jehovah to rob me of my throne.