Page 43 - 00 Introduction

slaughtered in great numbers those who had

found shelter there. Blood flowed down the

temple steps like water. Thousands upon

thousands of Jews perished. Above the sound

of battle, voices were heard shouting:

“Ichabod!”—the glory is departed.

“Titus found it impossible to check the rage of

the soldiery; he entered with his officers, and

surveyed the interior of the sacred edifice. The

splendor filled them with wonder; and as the

flames had not yet penetrated to the holy

place, he made a last effort to save it, and

springing forth, again exhorted the soldiers to

stay the progress of the conflagration. The

centurion Liberalis endeavored to force

obedience with his staff of office; but even

respect for the emperor gave way to the

furious animosity against the Jews, to the

fierce excitement of battle, and to the