'
'Europe, that has conquered Hindustan, protects Persia and Asia Minor,
affects to have saved Syria,' said Eva, with some bitterness. 'Oh! what
can we do against Europe?'
'Save it,' said Tancred.
'We cannot save ourselves; what means have we to save others?'
'The same you have ever exercised, Divine Truth. Send forth a great
thought, as you have done before, from Mount Sinai, from the villages of
Galilee, from the deserts of Arabia, and you may again remodel all
their institutions, change their principles of action, and breathe a new
spirit into the whole scope of their existence.'
'I have sometimes dreamed such dreams,' murmured Eva, looking down. 'No,
no,' she exclaimed, raising her head, after a moment's pause, 'it is
impossible. Europe is too proud, with its new command over nature, to
listen even to prophets. Levelling mountains, riding without horses,
sailing without winds, how can these men believe that there is any
power, human or divine, superior to themselves?'
'As for their command over nature,'said Tancred, 'let us see how it will
operate in a second deluge. Command over nature! Why, the humblest root
that serves for the food of man has mysteriously withered throughout
Europe, and they are already pale at the possible consequences.
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