E'en in recital their portentous crimes, 165 neque Votis, piare fas habet, gens superstitioni obnoxia, religionibus adversa. Visæ per cœlum concurrere acies, rutilantia arma, et subito Nubium igne collucere Templum. Expassæ repente delubri Fores, et audita major humanâ Vox, Excedere deos: simul ingens Motus excedentium. Quæ pauci in Metum trahebant: Pluribus Persuasio inerat, antiquis sacerdotum Literis contineri eo ipso Tempore fore ut valesceret Oriens, Profectique Judæâ Rerum potirentur. Quæ Ambages Vespasianum et Titum prædixerant. Lib. 5. chap. 13. Histor. "At that time there were prodigies, which a people who were superstitious, and not religious, did not think proper to appease by sacrifice or by prayer. Armies were seen to rush together in the air, glittering arms appeared, and the temple shone with a sudden light from Heaven. At once the doors of the temple flew open, and a voice more than human was heard to declare that the gods had left the place; at the same time there was a great motion as of their departing, which affrighted many. More however were persuaded that it was declared by their antient prophets, that at that time the East should grow powerful, and the rulers of Judea obtain universal dominion. Which ambiguous oraeles foretold Vespasian and Titus." 'Twas there (Ah horrid deed!) with hunger wild, For there, with her dishevell'd uncouth hair, At last, though long with-held by frantic deeds, The city, once by Heav'n protected, falls, Directs them from the temple to abstain; A soldier throws within a flaming brand. 180 Line 167 &c. The particulars of this feral wickedness, of which while we read we shudder, are fully described by Josephus. It is mentioned here to show that the prophecy of Moses (for which, see beginning of the preface) was fulfilled. It fires the place, which forces yells of grief, In such extremity they laugh'd at fear, For what was sweet as health, and light as dear. Vainly its fall attempted to prevent, 185 The mount, on which the temple stood, entire, 190 Seem'd like a body of devouring fire; While blood ran down like an impetuous rain, But less were those who slew, than were the slain; On those who just were dying or were dead. 195 Dar'd at the last the fierce invaders face; The temple-spit they wielded as a dart; 200 Their heavy seats that were compos'd with lead, Yet when they saw the sacred house on fire, Dying they join'd the clamour of despair, Which dreadful tore the circumambient air; 205 Ah! what avail'd, as Heav'n its fall had doom'd! Its gifts, through many an age, from mighty kings! 215 Ah! what avail'd the art with which t'was rear'd And there that God's dread presence had appear'd! Its gorgeous beauties by the foe were crush'd, And with the besom of destruction brush'd. Line 211. See a description of the Temple in Josephus's Jewish Antiquities. Where stood the wrath-struck city did appear, 220 As if no dweller ever had been there. And as our Saviour his disciples told, Deigning the book of future times t' unfold, 225 Line 225, &. Josephus in the wars of the Jews las this description of the destruction of Jerusalem, according to the translation by L'Estrange, book 7. chap. 18. "This was in fine the iffue of the siege, and when the soldiers had neither rapine nor bloodshed for their spleens to work upon, (as they would not have been idle if they had had matter) Titus ordered them to lay the city and temple level with the ground and leave nothing standing but the three famous turrets, Phasael, Hippicos, and Mariamne, that overtopped all the rest, and a piece of a wall to the westward of the town, where he designed a garrison; the towers to remain as so many monuments to posterity of the Roman power and conduct in taking them. This order was punctually executed, and all the rest laid so flat, that the place looked as if it had never been inhabited. This was the end of the Jerusalem faction, a mad and seditious people, and this was also the end of the most glorious city in the universe." |