an hour after midnight
With what thankful joy would the Hebrew widow have for the last time crossed that threshold in life , could she have foreseen that her child would so soon return in safety , albeit as a mourner , following Hadassah 's own corpse ! The two bodies were reverentially laid on mats on the floor of the dwelling . Lycidas then went outside the door with Joab , to make such arrangements as circumstances permitted for the burial , which , according to the custom of the land , rendered necessary by the climate , must take place very soon . Joab undertook to find those who would aid him in digging a grave close to that of the martyrs , and promised to come for the bodies an hour after midnight . Lycidas drew forth gold , but the Hebrew refused to take it . `` To bury the martyred dead is a pious office and acceptable to the Most High , '' said the brave muleteer ; `` but as for yon Syrian , son though he may be of the Lady Hadassah , I care not to lay his bones amongst those of martyrs . I trow he was nothing but a traitor . ''