3 Maccabees 5

Brentonhe commanded him, with a quantity of unmixed wine and handfuls of incense [infused] to drug the elephants early on the following day. These five hundred elephants were, when infuriated by the copious draughts of frankincense, to be led up to the execution of death upon the Jews.

BrentonThe king, after issuing these orders, went to his feasting, and gathered together all those of his friends and of the army who hated the Jews the most.

BrentonThe underlings appointed for the purpose went out about eventide and bound the hands of the miserable victims, and took other precautions for their security at night, thinking that the whole race would perish together.

BrentonThey invoked the Almighty Lord, and ceaselessly besought with tears their merciful God and Father, Ruler of all, Lord of every power,

Brentonto overthrow the evil purpose which was gone out against them, and to deliver them by extraordinary manifestation from that death which was in store for them.

BrentonTheir litany so earnest went up to heaven.

BrentonHe, however, who has sent his good creature sleep from all time, by night or by day thus gratifying whom he wills, diffused a portion thereof [now] upon the king.

BrentonBy this sweet and profound influence of the Lord he was held fast, and thus his unjust purpose was quite frustrated, and his unflinching resolve greatly falsified.

BrentonThe middle of the tenth hour had well nigh arrived, when the master-bidder, seeing the guests who were bidden collected, came and shook the king.

BrentonHe gained his attention with difficulty, and hinting that the mealtime was getting past, talked the matter over with him.

BrentonThis done, he asked them to enjoy themselves, and to indulge in mirth at this somewhat late hour of the banquet.

BrentonConversation grew on, and the king sent for Hermon, and enquired of him, with fierce denunciations, why the Jews had been allowed to outlive that day.

BrentonHermon explained that he had done his bidding over night; and in this he was confirmed by his friends.

BrentonThe king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, That they might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against to-morrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews.

BrentonNor did they employ the night in sleep, so much as in contriving cruel mockeries for those deemed miserable.

BrentonThe city crowds were collected together to see the hideous spectacle, and waited impatiently for the dawn.

BrentonThe Jews, breathless with momentary suspense, stretched forth their hands, and prayed the Greatest God, in mournful strains, again to help them speedily.

BrentonThe king, receiving him, was astonished at his unwonted exit; and, overwhelmed with a spirit of oblivion about everything, enquired the object of this earnest preparation.

BrentonBut this was the working of that Almighty God who had made him forget all his purpose.

BrentonThe king was filled with fierce anger at these words; for, by the Providence of God regarding these things, his mind had become entirely confused. He looked hard at Hermon, and threatened him as follows:

BrentonYour parents, or your children, were they here, to these wild beasts a large repast they should have furnished; not these innocent Jews, who me and my forefathers loyally have served.

BrentonHad it not been for familiar friendship, and the claims of your office, your life should have gone for theirs.

BrentonThe friends, too, stole out one by one, and dismissed the assembled multitudes to their occupations.

BrentonThe Jews, having heard of these events, praised the glorious God and King of kings, because they had obtained this help, too, from him.

BrentonAnd he summoned Hermon to his presence, and said, with threats, How often, O wretch, must I repeat my orders to thee about these same persons?

BrentonOnce more, arm the elephants against the morrow for the extermination of the Jews.

BrentonO king, how long dost thou make trial of us, as of men bereft of reason? This is the third time that thou hast ordered their destruction. When the thing is to be done, thou changest thy mind, and recallest thy instructions.

BrentonFor this cause the feeling of expectation causes tumult in the city: it swarms with factions; and is continually on the point of being plundered.

BrentonHe would also invade Judea, and level its towns with fire and the sword; and destroy that temple which the heathen might not enter, and prevent sacrifices ever after being offered up there.

BrentonAnd the master of the elephants urged the beasts into an almost maniacal state, drenched them with incense and wine, and decked them with frightful instruments.

BrentonThe king's heart teemed with impious rage; and he rushed forth with the mass, along with the elephants. With feelings unsoftened, and eyes pitiless, he longed to gaze at the hard and wretched doom of the above-mentioned Jews.

Brentonthought that they had come to the last moment of their lives, to the end of what they had tremblingly expected. They gave way, therefore, to lamentations and moans: they kissed each other: those nearest of kin to each other hung about one another's necks: fathers about their sons, mothers their daughters: other women held their infants to their breasts, which drew what seemed their last milk.

Brentonsent up an exceeding great cry, entreating the Lord of all power to reveal himself, and have mercy upon those who now lay at the gates of Hades.