Another step thou unconquerable man! But another step--thou apostate Jew!--and thou art in the world of spirits! Wilt thou not say? _canst_ thou not, with lowliness and fervor, Our Father which art in Heaven! thy will and not mine be done!
Yea, brother--if that will comfort thee in thy desolation. Yea! Yea! with all the hoarded and concentrated fervor of a long life accustomed to no other language, even while I took upon me the outer garb of a christian--Yea!--and saying this, he fell upon his knees, and cried out with a loud voice, while a triumphant brightness overspread his uplifted countenance with a visible exaltation, Our Father and our Judge! I do not pray to thee as the God of the christians did, that this cup may be spared to me; for I have put my whole hope and trust in thee, and am satisfied with whatsoever I may receive at thy hands! But I would bless thee, I would praise thee, I would magnify thy great name, oh God of my Fathers, for all that I have enjoyed or suffered, for all that I have had or wanted in this life; yea, for all the afflictions and sorrows and terrors that have beset my path, and that of my beloved wife and my dear children--children of the tribe of Judah and of the house of Jacob!--Yea, for the overthrow of all my proud hopes and prouder wishes, when I forsook thee and almost abjured the faith of my Fathers for dominion sake. Forgive my apostate brother, I beseech thee, O Lord! as thou hast forgiven me: and bless the heritage of thy people, and encourage them as the followers of the new faith are encouraged by their Jesus of Nazareth, to forgive their enemies, even though their enemies take the shape of a beloved friend or brother--to betray them--giving up their birth-right, like Esau for a mess of pottage.
A great commotion appeared on the house-tops, extending itself slowly far and wide.
Nevertheless, continued the Jew--nevertheless! oh Father and Judge, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! thy will and not mine be done!
The multitude began to surge this way and that, with exceeding violence. A cry of indignation arose from every side. A tumult followed--a general rush--the house-tops were suddenly deserted--the sea shore--and some began shouting, Away with him! away with him! and others, Let the blaspheming Jew perish without hope! and others, Crucify him! crucify him!