There and then he flung off
the fetters of king and emperor.
He knew not yet who lay before him.
As he looked through tears upon them they seemed to be covered with
light as with a garment. David knelt before the mother and child in
adoration.
Vergilius, full of astonishment, turned to look around him, and saw
Manius, who stood near, trembling with superstitious awe. The wonders
of the night, the great star and song in the heavens, the glowing cave,
the mysterious child and mother had wrought upon him. Were they omens
of death?
"Apollo save me!" he whispered, turning to go.
David rose and approached Manius, and spoke with lifted hand.
"Apollo cannot save you," said he. "Kneel! kneel before the sacred
mother and put all evil out of your hearts!"
Vergilius knelt, and then his enemy. Manius began to weep.
"O God! who hast softened the heart of the world, give us peace!" said
David.
Again they heard that voice which had greeted their ears in Jerusalem.
It spoke now at the entrance of the cave, saying again: "Where is he
that is born king of the Jews?"
David, going to the door of the cave, answered: "Here, within.
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