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| Ben hur |
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| and whatever serviceable thing I have." The three--Simonides, Ilderim, Esther--gazed at Ben-Hur fixedly. "Every man," he answered, at first sadly, "has a cup of pleasure poured for him, and soon or late it comes to his hand, and he tastes and drinks--every man but me. I see, Simonides, and thou, O generous sheik!--I see whither the proposal tends. If I accept, and enter upon the course, farewell peace, and the hopes which cluster around it. The doors I might enter and the gates of quiet life will shut behind me, never to open again, for Rome keeps them all; and her outlawry will follow me, and her hunters; and in the tombs near cities and the dismal caverns of remotest hills, I must eat my crust and take my rest." The speech was broken by a sob. All turned to Esther, who hid her face upon her father's shoulder. "I did not think of you, Esther," said Simonides, gently, for he was himself deeply moved. |