Aleph and Cimon were overwhelmed with congratulations. The Governor pressed them to become his guests and occupy a vacant palace at Bruchium; but they excused themselves, and begged to be allowed to return unceremoniously with Seti to the Serapeum. They were unable, however, to return as inconspicuously as they wished: for the delegation of students, with Cornelius at their head, insisted on escorting them, and cheering crowds gradually gathered about them, and before they reached the temple they met nearly the whole enthusiastic membership of the University, whom nothing could prevent from rending the air and shaking the city with cries of “Long live Aleph the Prince!”
Who were they who said that poetical justice is always done in this world? Ah, I remember—they were the friends of Job. Who were they who said that poetical justice is never done in actual life? No matter: whoever said it smote facts in the face. I mean such facts as are recorded in this chapter: also such as are recorded in the Bible history of Joseph, but especially of Daniel the prophet, the great ancestor of our Aleph, against whose fortunes the floods of wrong not only surged in vain, but floated them up to higher levels.
Under the sun, the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill. Sometimes good men have to wait long for their due—sometimes even into the next world. Of course, sooner or later justice will be done. As sure as there is a God in Heaven, justice must be done, sooner or later. But we are always thankful when it is done sooner—when a good man does not have to wait for his due till he is dead; when some Daniels and Aleph-Daniels are not only recompensed in the earth, but find the feet of justice not so heavily weighted but that they can reach their goal within a few days of the starting. The weak in faith then thank God and take courage.
XVII.
THE CONCLUSION.
Οταν εὺτυχήσωμεν τότε χαίρειν παρέσταὶ.
Sophocles, Electr. 1299.