Simonides put his whole force in the appeal.
"But the kingdom, the kingdom!" Ben-Hur answered, eagerly. "Balthasar says it is to be of souls."
The pride of the Jew was strong in Simonides, and therefore the slightly contemptuous curl of the lip with which he began his reply:
"Balthasar has been a witness of wonderful things-of miracles, O my master; and when he speaks of them,I bow with belief, for they are of sight and sound personal to him. But he is a son of Mizraim, and not even a proselyte. Hardly may he be supposed to have special knowledge by virtue of which we must bow to him in a matter of God's dealing with our Israel. The prophets had their light from Heaven directly, even as he had his-many to one, and Jehovah the same forever.I must believe the prophets.-Bring me the Torah,Esther."