Saul Of Tarsus Part 74

"Thou hast said! For me there is a new earth, and a new Law, and I go hence to Alexandria to begin a new life, which will make me a lover of all mankind."

"Nay, sweet Lydia!" Herod exclaimed, once more restored to himself.

"Thou shouldst demand that he be less indiscriminate with his loves!

But put off thy travel a s.p.a.ce, and let us celebrate thy marriage with festivity!"

"Thou art most kind to us, King Agrippa," Lydia answered. "But my father is alone and uncomforted in Alexandria; even thou canst not tell me of a surety that evil hath not befallen him ere thy punishment of Flaccus could intervene. My heart is consumed with impatience and suspense. We can not tarry, though thy hospitality be most grateful--to us--who have found the world of late an untender place!"

So, since they would not be stayed, Agrippa summoned two stalwart palace servants to go with them, and calling his treasurer, ordered him to give into the hands of the servants six talents, five of which he owed to Lysimachus for Cypros, and one as a marriage largess. And when Marsyas and Lydia had kissed the hands of the royal pair, they went out and found, at the palace wall, a camel which should bear them in a white howdah to Ptolemais.

Marsyas lifted Lydia and set her under the canopy, but, before he went up himself, he saw borne past him, in a chair, a rabbi. He was a great man, grave, calm and preoccupied. Three students of the College attended him reverently. Marsyas caught his eye, and between the two pa.s.sed a flash that was both understanding and congratulatory. But they saluted each other gravely, and Eleazer pa.s.sed on to his own place.

Before they departed Herod sent out a chamberlain, who bowed low and handed a wax tablet to Marsyas, on which was written:

"Since Cla.s.sicus would be in Alexandria to hara.s.s thee, and thy wits are meshed in love and religion, I have bidden my scribe write him to come hither, where I can kill him conveniently, if he need it. If thou have any enemies here in Jerusalem thou hast forgotten to bless, thou canst perhaps repair the misfortune by naming thy sons after them.

"My love goes with thee--mine and the queen's,

"HEROD."

So, with their faces alight with content and love and hopefulness, Marsyas and Lydia took up the long journey unto Alexandria.