Balthasar says he was a child on his mother's lap when he saw him, and gave him presents and worship; and Ilderim holds it was twenty-seven years ago last December when Balthasar and his companions came to his tent asking a hiding-place from Herod.

Wherefore the coming cannot now be long delayed.

To-night--to-morrow it may be.

Holy fathers of Israel, what happiness in the thought! I seem to hear the crash of the falling of old walls and the clamor of a universal change--ay, and for the uttermost joy of men, the earth opens to take Rome in, and they look up and laugh and sing that she is not, while we are;" then he laughed at himself.

"Why, Esther, heard you ever the like?
Surely, I have on me the passion of a singer, the heat of blood and the thrill of Miriam and David.