Jaroslav Vrchlický

Name: Famous Stories From Foreign Countries — Abisag
Author: Jaroslav Vrchlický

Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

Summary

“Famous Stories From Foreign Countries — Abisag”, published in 1921, is a work by Jaroslav Vrchlický. It explores elements such as Banahash, Abisag and Sadok.

Quotes from Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (Jaroslav Vrchlický)

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ Seldom has a king at his anointing shown such indifference as Solomon. They did with him as they wished. They led him hither and thither. After being proclaimed king, he would gladly have gone back to Baalhamon. But David again lay as one dead, wordless, motionless, between the pans of glowing coals, wrapped in the yellow lion’s skin. Nathan, the prophet, thought the end was near. Abisag still visited the king, but her efforts were useless.
When Solomon entered the room of his father, David, the King, it was evening. Banahash, alone, was with him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ You can make him descend early into the grave.”
“I will warn my companions,” Banahash thought quickly.
“I will do whatever seems good to me,” thought Solomon.
Just as upon the evenings before, the Sunnamite, Abisag, ascended the couch of David, the King. She did not notice that the light was dimmed in the hanging receptacles of bronze, and that the great room grew dark and darker. She did not notice that the pans of coals had been carried away, nor that a great mass of lion’s skins and purple coverings had been heaped upon the couch of David. She lay down and fell asleep. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ They placed two pans at the foot of the king, two at the head, and one on either side. They sprinkled myrrh and powdered incense upon the coals, and disappeared as softly as phantoms. The seven glowing pans lighted the dim room and sent up a blueish smoke that filled the air with fragrance. The pale face of the king looked paler. The four men who sat and watched him sank lower their heads upon their breasts.
To the warmth of the summer night was added the heat of the steaming pans. Beads of sweat stood out upon the brows of the watching men, and dotted like pearls their long, black beards. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ Does not God speak through the mouth of Nathan? It is her fault that she does not perform the last service for David the King.”
“She is old. She is burdened with years and illness,” objected Semej.
“Hush! The King moves,” whispered Banahash.
“No—it was just a rustling noise in the outer hall. Slaves are bringing the warming pans, and the coals.”
Seven negroes in short, red tunics entered. They bore bronze pans filled with glowing coals, which shone like the sweet star, Sahil, when it first pierces the mist of evening and looks down upon a sleeping world. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ Nathan took her by the hand and led her to the bed of the king, while Banahash, the son of Johad, lifted up the lions’ skins.
The maiden embraced the cold body of the king as a daughter would embrace a dying father. Sadok spread upon them a woolen coverlet and motioned to the others. They left the room. Nathan, alone, remained, kneeling by the bed of David, the King, uplifting his hands in prayer.
The old men did not know that when they led Abisag to the bed of the king, a young man wearing a white robe appeared in the doorway. He went away again as quickly as he came. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ Solomon fell back weakly against the heaped up rugs upon his bed.
“I go not there again.”
“But it is the will of the king, and Bethsheba, your mother. Nathan awaits us by the river. In his hand is the holy oil for anointing. Adonias fled to the mountains.”
“I go not,” repeated Solomon.
“The nation awaits you. The judges are on your side. The warriors are calling your name through the streets of Jerusalem. And all this you owe to the Sunnamite maiden.”
“Abisag,” repeated Solomon slowly. “Am I pledged to give thanks to Abisag?”
“For everything,” answered Banahash. “She awoke the king. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ This impression was strengthened by the saffron yellow caftan and red hair. The maiden towered like a young palm beside him.
“Banahash,” directed Sadok,” take the maiden to the bath of the king that she may be fit for the bed of the king.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Jaroslav Vrchlický, Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (1921)

“ He owns nor field nor vineyard. He owns no camels, nor is he the chief of a caravan. He owns nothing—nothing—It is my wish to obtain money enough to buy a vineyard near Sunnam—to leave to my children—that I may not die childless. ”

Jaroslav Vrchlický

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Quotes from Famous Stories From Foreign Countries… (Jaroslav Vrchlický)

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