“At once! It’s the plague and the law requires promptness. O Death, thou didst do thy bitterest for Rizpah!”
Rizpah soon rose up and began to busy herself about the bodies.
“Mother, tell me how to aid you.”
“Yea, as I need. Thou and I wilt carry them to the cave of entombment.”
“But will there be no funeral rites?”
“I’ll perform such; keeping vigil as Rizpah of old. My children were crucified, as were hers. All mankind turned from us in our stress, and so they died in want.”
“But, mother, the watching would kill you!”
“Thou dost comfort me, now. Oh, I’d be overjoyed, if I only knew for certainty that death would court me at my vigil.”
Softly Miriamne spoke:
“Sir Charleroy is at Bozrah.”