"Then bid him burn incense upon my altar and take him to yourself.

Have I not given you enough of beauty to snare a single soul from among the servants of my enemy the God of the Jews ?" "Nay, nay!" her heart cried; "I will not tempt him to do this evil thing." "Yea, yea!" mocked the phantom Voice; "for your sake he shall burn incense upon my altar." ***** The phantasy passed, and now the golden gates of the palace of Baaltis rolled open before Elissa.

Now, too, the priestesses bore her to the golden throne shaped like a crescent moon, and threw over her a black veil spangled with stars, symbol of the night.

Then having shut out the uninitiated, they worshipped her after their secret fashion till she sank down upon the throne overcome with fear and weariness.

Then at last they carried her to that wonder of workmanship and allegorical art, the ivory bed of Baaltis, and laid her down to sleep.
***** At dawn upon the following day an embassy, headed by Sakon, governor of the city, in whose train were Metem and Aziel, went to the camp of Ithobal.