The great beveled stones which are scattered all over the hill, and rest in heaps in the valley below, as if thrown down by an earthquake, are exactly like the stones of which Solomon's Pools and other ancient works are formed. Mr. Finn suggested that this was possibly one of the places of which Solomon spoke when he said, "I made me great works; I builded me houses." And the singular traditionary name, "Dar el Benât," which has clung to it, may signify that this was an establishment connected with Solomon's harem, which, it is said, contained "seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines."
I can imagine the time when the now fallen walls were standing, and inclosing cool chambers, columned corridors, terraces, courts, fountains, and gardens of citrons and roses; when the hill-sides were covered with vines, and the valley below was well watered, and brought forth all kinds of goodly fruits and fragrant spices. Gathered together there, I see in fancy "virgins without number;" agile and graceful mountaineers from the Lebanon; proud and stately daughters of Jerusalem; sweet, shy girls from the plains of Sharon; and the fairest of the fair maidens of Shunem; contrasting with the dark loveliness of the melancholy young African exiles, who wore "the shadowed livery of the burnished sun," and gloried in the tints he made them wear.[1]
Guarded by "valiant men of Israel," and surrounded by handmaidens and slaves, they were nursed here in luxury and splendor—decked with ornaments of gold, and silver, and precious stones—clothed with raiments of fine linen, and silk, and embroidered work—anointed with oil, and perfumed with sweet odors. Every art was employed that could add a new charm to beauty. I can hear their songs of rejoicing when the Winter rains passed away and the flowers appeared on the earth. I can see them early in
- ↑ "I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem!" Song of Solomon i, 5.
