Oh! not in vain do I fear for you, my son, and not without reason was I warned in a dream.

Listen: Last night, as I lay in my tent yonder upon the plain, I dreamed that some danger overshadowed you, and in my sleep I prayed that your destiny might be revealed to me.

As I prayed thus, I heard a voice saying, 'Issachar, you seek to learn the future; know then that he who is dear to you shall be tried in the furnace indeed.

Yes, because of his great love and pity, he shall forswear his faith, and with death and sorrow he shall pay the price of his sin.' "Then I was troubled and besought Heaven that you, my son, might be saved from this unknown temptation, but the voice answered me:-- "'Of their own will only can they who were one from the beginning be held apart.

Through good and ill let them work each other's woe or weal.
The goal is sure, but they must choose the road.' "Now as I wondered what these dark sayings might mean, the gloom opened and I saw you, Aziel, standing in a grove of trees, while towards you with outstretched hands drew a veiled woman who bore upon her brow the golden bow of Baaltis.