ing the objects of their worship, not the rich descriptive imaginations of a learned and poetical high priest. Besides, had I possessed talents requisite for the successful imitation of such classical affluence, it would scarcely have accorded with the general tenor of the piece and the simplicity of the hymns of the Christians: I should therefore have injured the general effect, as well as the supposed faithfulness of the particular passage, regarding its description of real characters. At least it appears so to me.
I need scarcely observe to the reader, that the subject of this piece is too sacred, and therefore unfit, for the stage. I have endeavoured, however, to give it so much of dramatic effect as to rouse his imagination in perusing it to a lively representation of the characters, action, and scenes, belonging to the story; and this, if I have succeeded, will remove from it the dryness of a mere dramatic poem. Had I considered it as fit for theatrical exhibition, the reasons that withhold me from publishing my other manuscript plays, would have held good regarding this.
Before I take leave of my reader, I must be permitted to say, that the following Drama has been written for a long time, and read by a few of my friends several years ago. When Mr. Milman's beautiful drama on a similar subject was published, I began to be afraid that, were I
