Though ye knew the law, the words of the prophets,
yet because of your sin ye have not been willing to
confess the truth.' 395
And with one accord they answered:--'Lo! we
have learned the Hebrew law that from the ark
of God our fathers knew in days of yore; but we
know not in sooth wherefore, O lady, thou hast
become thus angry with us. We know not the sin 400
that we have wrought in this province, the wrong
we have ever done to thee.'
Then Elene spake before the people openly, before
the multitudes this woman spake aloud:--'Go ye 405
now quickly, and seek far and near those who have
the power of wisdom and the most skill of thought
among you, that they may show forth to me without
reserve whatsoever I ask of them.' 410
And they went forth from the council as the
mighty queen, strong in her cities, had bidden them,
and earnestly pondered, sad of heart, and sought
shrewdly what that sin might be that they had 415
wrought in the province against the emperor, wherewith
the queen reproached them.
9. THE SPEECH OF JUDAS.
And there spake before the people one learned in
ancient writings and wise of speech (his name was
Judas):--'I know well that she wishes to ask concerning 420
that victor-tree whereon suffered the Lord
of hosts, God's own Son, guiltless of all evil, Him
whom, unspotted with any sin, our fathers in days 425
of yore hung upon the high cross through hate--fearful
was that thought! Now is there great need
that we steadfastly fortify our minds not to betray
that murder, nor declare where the holy tree was
hid after the stress of strife, lest thereby the wise 430
writings of old be cast aside, and the lore of our
fathers forsaken.
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