A King of Tyre

of its architectural lines, as for the enormous stones which made its foundation, each one of which was believed to have been laid in human blood some time in remote ages past. The spa

wing-clipped, that they might not fly far away, perched in delusive freedom upon the trees, and, with their

e were crowded with those who had leisure from labor to indulge their curiosity. An unusual number of people thronged through the great gates of the temple to make offerings upon the altars. The simple heralding of re

ering which to the god they signalled their entrance upon the virile state of manhood. There were venders of victims for sacrifice, and votive objects of

d been presented by wealthy Tyrians, and were often likenesses of the donors, erected in reverent attempt to keep the divinity and their fellow-citizens perpetually reminded of their pious munificence. A gaping group gazed at the two columns, one of gold, the other of emerald, which gave a mysterious light at night, and

tarte, who once caught a shooting-star, and enshrined it among her favorite Tyrians; or, as some of the priests said, to express the faith of the people in the divinity of fire, which was the materialize

haps ten cubits high, on the top of which was the Maabed, or ark, enclosing a statue of the god, together with some

and rose-colored, which were wrought into graceful patterns of mosaic work. A roof, blazing with t

uting of the skirts. Scarfs of violet ran over their shoulders and across their bodies diagonally. Their feet were bare; their heads shaved, and protected by close-fitting skull-caps, in s

e offerings shall be worthy and notable. But what sacrifices shall be offered is not for the council to determine. This, only we who are admitted to the secret c

him!" echoed ar

ilver from their prows, having room only for more precious merchandise within-then Tyre gave great abundance to Baal-Melkarth, and offered its most distinguished citizens upon the altar. But how long, O Baal of Tyre! since

countenance became livid and white by turns. The great blue veins were swollen at his temples. His face seemed to expand. His neck thickened. His eye

ld priest's lips moved, but at first without articulation. He raised his hand, and, with unbent arm, pointed to the glint of sunlight, w

r light is no more surely from the sun-g

moment ruffled the sur

reath of Baa

shook! It is the sign of th

rostrated themselves, crying, "O

itude, watching the sunlight. He now whispered,

arth himself, who bids me remember how, in our sacred traditions, it is recorded that the mighty god El, when a dire calamity had come upon his favorite city of Gebal, t

overheard by others than those whom he owned, body and soul, as he did his infatuated band of priests. His followe

lanced nervously from one to an

t might have been regarded as eithe

s Egbalus's quick and alto

ve us!"

man of ferocious severity of countenance, whose body showed more scars fr

to dare resistance. He was now less high priest than he was politician and leader; seemingly forgetting his spiritual, he asserted his

st who, at this crisis of ou

used in sacrificing-"This for the

d t

d t

f gleaming bla

would destroy them, and us with them. Rubaal must be ki

and now knew that when the critical moment came there was not a man but would assault the king in any way that he commanded. Indeed, he had, during the few months he had held the high priest's office

ur breasts!" at length he sai

a sitting posture, each with his eyes fixed upon his breast, as if listening to h

aks!" mut

spea

was echoed fr

the lips of his high prie

has spoken through the lips of his high priest.

dropped upon the corridors about the sacred lake, and