Angels and Women (1924)

TEBAH AND ITS INMATES 229
comes to the rescue. More than this is yet
bidden from my view."
My eyes closed and as I sank away overpowered
by the wonderful vision, Japheth
caught me in his arms, exclaiming: "Come
back to me, Aloma, I cannot live without
you1" My strength returned and he continued:
"Dark are your words; I understand
them not. Let us leave the future to unravel
its own mysteries while we live and love in
the present."
So present happiness occupied our words
and thoughts. Yet strangely contrasting
with our tranquil joy, suggested, perhaps by
the vision which pictured our children at
enmity among themselves, Lamech’s sad
poem runs through my head:
"Adah and Zillah! hear my voice,
Ye wives of Lamech! give ear unto my speech;
For a man had I slain for smiting me,
And a youth for wounding me:
Surely sevenfold shall Cain be avenged,
But ’’1 Lamech seventy and seven.
1 See Appendix, Note 28.