"What would you now?" he said, opening his eyes.
"Wake up, old man," cried one of them. "See, here is flesh," and he
thrust a lump of some filthy carrion to his lips. "Smell it, taste it,"
he went on, "ah! is it not good? Well, tell us where is that store of
food which made you so fat who now are so thin, and you shall have it
all, yes, all, all."
Theophilus shook his head.
"Bethink you," cried the man, "if you do not eat, by sunrise to-morrow
you will be dead. Speak then and eat, obstinate dog, it is your last
chance."
"I eat not and I tell not," answered the aged martyr in a voice like a
hollow groan. "By to-morrow's sunrise I shall be dead, and soon you
and all this people will be dead, and God will have judged each of us
according to his works. Repent you, for the hour is at hand."
Then they cursed him and smote him because of his words of ill-omen, and
so went away, taking no notice of Miriam in the corner. When they had
gone she came forward and looked. His jaw had fallen. Theophilus the
Essene was at peace.
Another hour went by. Once more the door was opened and there appeared
that captain who had ordered her to be killed. With him were two Jews.
"Come, woman," he said, "to take your trial.
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