太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > ben-hur >

第102节

ben-hur-第102节

小说: ben-hur 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




The features; it should be further said; were ruled by a certain expression which; as the viewer chose; might with equal correctness have been called the effect of intelligence; love; pity; or sorrow; though; in better speech; it was a blending of them alla look easy to fancy as the mark of a sinless soul doomed to the sight and understanding of the utter sinfulness of those among whom it was passing; yet withal no one could have observed the face with a thought of weakness in the man; so; at least; would not they who know that the qualities mentionedlove; sorrow; pityare the results of a consciousness of strength to bear suffering oftener than strength to do; such has been the might of martyrs and devotees and the myriads written down in saintly calendars。 And such; indeed; was the air of this one。

Slowly he drew nearnearer the three。

Now Ben…Hur; mounted and spear in hand; was an object to claim the glance of a king; yet the eyes of the man approaching were all the time raised above himand not to Iras; whose loveliness has been so often remarked; but to Balthasar; the old and unserviceable。

The hush was profound。

Presently the Nazarite; still pointing with his staff; cried; in a loud voice;

〃Behold the Lamb of God; which taketh away the sin of the world!〃

The many standing still; arrested by the action of the speaker; and listening for what might follow; were struck with awe by words so strange and past their understanding; upon Balthasar they were overpowering。 He was there to see once more the Redeemer of men。 The faith which had brought him the singular privileges of the time long gone abode yet in his heart; and if now it gave him a power of vision above that of his fellowsa power to see and know him for whom he was lookingbetter than calling the power a miracle; let it be thought of as the faculty of a soul not yet entirely released from the divine relations to which it had been formerly admitted; or as the fitting reward of a life in that age so without examples of holinessa life itself a miracle。 The ideal of his faith was before him; perfect in face; form; dress; action; age; and he was in its view; and the view was recognition。 Ah; now if something should happen to identify the stranger beyond all doubt!

And that was what did happen。

Exactly at the fitting moment; as if to assure the trembling Egyptian; the Nazarite repeated the outcry;

〃Behold the Lamb of God; which taketh away the sin of the world!〃

Balthasar fell upon his knees。 For him there was no need of explanation; and as if the Nazarite knew it; he turned to those more immediately about him staring in wonder; and continued:

〃This is he of whom I said; After me cometh a man which is preferred before me; for he was before me。 And I knew him not: but that he should be manifest to Israel; therefore am I come baptizing with water。 I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove; and it abode upon him。 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water; the same said unto me; Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him; the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost。 And I saw and bare record; that this〃he paused; his staff still pointing at the stranger in the white garments; as if to give a more absolute certainty to both his words and the conclusions intended〃I bare record; THAT THIS IS THE SON OF GOD!〃

〃It is he; it is he!〃 Balthasar cried; with upraised tearful eyes。 Next moment he sank down insensible。

In this time; it should be remembered; Ben…Hur was studying the face of the stranger; though with an interest entirely different。 He was not insensible to its purity of feature; and its thoughtfulness; tenderness; humility; and holiness; but just then there was room in his mind for but one thoughtWho is this man? And what? Messiah or king? Never was apparition more unroyal。 Nay; looking at that calm; benignant countenance; the very idea of war and conquest; and lust of dominion; smote him like a profanation。 He said; as if speaking to his own heart; Balthasar must be right and Simonides wrong。 This man has not come to rebuild the throne of Solomon; he has neither the nature nor the genius of Herod; king he may be; but not of another and greater than Rome。

It should be understood now that this was not a conclusion with Ben…Hur; but an impression merely; and while it was forming; while yet he gazed at the wonderful countenance; his memory began to throe and struggle。 〃Surely;〃 he said to himself; 〃I have seen the man; but where and when?〃 That the look; so calm; so pitiful; so loving; had somewhere in a past time beamed upon him as that moment it was beaming upon Balthasar became an assurance。 Faintly at first; at last a clear light; a burst of sunshine; the scene by the well at Nazareth what time the Roman guard was dragging him to the galleys returned; and all his being thrilled。 Those hands had helped him when he was perishing。 The face was one of the pictures he had carried in mind ever since。 In the effusion of feeling excited; the explanation of the preacher was lost by him; all but the last wordswords so marvellous that the world yet rings with them:

〃this is the SON OF GOD!〃

Ben…Hur leaped from his horse to render homage to his benefactor; but Iras cried to him; 〃Help; son of Hur; help; or my father will die!〃

He stopped; looked back; then hurried to her assistance。 She gave him a cup; and leaving the slave to bring the camel to its knees; he ran to the river for water。 The stranger was gone when he came back。

At last Balthasar was restored to consciousness。 Stretching forth his hands; he asked; feebly; 〃Where is he?〃

〃Who?〃 asked Iras。

An intense instant interest shone upon the good man's face; as if a last wish had been gratified; and he answered;

〃Hethe Redeemerthe Son of God; whom I have seen again。〃

〃Believest thou so?〃 Iras asked in a low voice of Ben…Hur。

〃The time is full of wonders; let us wait;〃 was all he said。

And next day while the three were listening to him; the Nazarite broke off in mid…speech; saying reverently; 〃Behold the Lamb of God!〃

Looking to where he pointed; they beheld the stranger again。 As Ben…Hur surveyed the slender figure; and holy beautiful countenance compassionate to sadness; a new idea broke upon him。

〃Balthasar is rightso is Simonides。 May not the Redeemer be a king also?〃

And he asked one at his side; 〃Who is the man walking yonder?〃

The other laughed mockingly; and replied;

〃He is the son of a carpenter over in Nazareth。〃





BOOK EIGHTH

〃Who could resist? Who in this universe? She did so breathe ambrosia; so immerse My fine existence in a golden clime。 She took me like a child of suckling…time; And cradled me in roses。 Thus condemn'd; The current of my former life was stemm'd; And to this arbitrary queen of sense I bow'd a tranced vassal。〃KEATS; Endymion。


〃I am the resurrection and the life。〃




CHAPTER I



〃EstherEsther! Speak to the servant below that he may bring me a cup of water。〃

〃Would you not rather have wine; father?〃

〃Let him bring both。〃

This was in the summer…house upon the roof of the old palace of the Hurs in Jerusalem。 From the parapet overlooking the court…yard Esther called to a man in waiting there; at the same moment another man…servant came up the steps and saluted respectfully。

〃A package for the master;〃 he said; giving her a letter enclosed in linen cloth; tied and sealed。

For the satisfaction of the reader; we stop to say that it is the twenty…first day of March; nearly three years after the annunciation of the Christ at Bethabara。

In the meanwhile; Malluch; acting for Ben…Hur; who could not longer endure the emptiness and decay of his father's house; had bought it from Pontius Pilate; and; in process of repair; gates; courts; lewens; stairways; terraces; rooms; and roof had been cleansed and thoroughly restored; not only was there no reminder left of the tragic circumstances so ruinous to the family; but the refurnishment was in a style richer than before。 At every point; indeed; a visitor was met by evidences of the higher tastes acquired by the young proprietor during his years of residence in the villa by Misenum and in the Roman capital。

Now it should not be inferred from this explanation that Ben…Hur had publicly assumed ownership of the property。 In his opinion; the hour for that was not yet come。 Neither had he yet taken his proper name。 Passing the time in the labors of preparation in Galilee; he waited patiently the action of the Nazarene; who became daily more and more a mystery to him; and by prodigies done; often before his eyes; kept him in a state of anxious doubt both as to his character and mission。 Occasionally he came up to the Holy City; stopping at the paternal house; always; however; as a stranger and a guest。

These visits of Ben…Hur; it should also be observed; were for more than mere rest from labor。 Balthasar and Iras made their home in the palace; and the charm of the daughter was still upon him with all its original freshness; while the father; though feebler in body; held him an unflagging listener to speeches of astonishing power; urging the divinity of the wandering miracle…worker of whom they w

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的