82 HAUPT— TOBIT'S BLINDNESS AND SARA'S HYSTERIA. 



himself and his family. One day they had not sold anything, so 

 they had no money to buy bread, and they had nothing to eat that 

 day. When they went to the forest the next morning, the father 

 felt faint. The son shed tears over their misery and lifted his eyes 

 to heaven. On that day he took leave of his parents and went to 

 the city of his uncle. 



When he came to his uncle's house, his uncle was very glad to 

 see him, as were also his wife and his daughter. They asked him 

 about his parents and his brothers. After a week the young man 

 said to his uncle, I have one request, do not refuse it. His uncle 

 said. What do you want? The young man said, Swear that thou 

 wilt do what I ask of thee. His uncle did so. Then the young man 

 said, This is what I ask of thee : give me thy daughter to wife. 



When the man heard this, he wept and said. No, my son, no ; so 

 and so is her way on account of my sins. ... If thou art anxious 

 to have her for the sake of my wealth, thou must not marry her; I 

 will give thee silver and gold in abundance. The young man said, 

 Thou hast sworn to .fulfil my request. When the rich man saw that 

 he insisted on it, he consented. He went and told his daughter about 

 it. When she heard this, she wept and cried bitterly. She lifted 

 her eyes to heaven, saying, Lord of the W^orlds, may Thy hand be 

 upon me, but let not him die on my account. 



On the following day the rich man gave a feast to which he in- 

 vited the elders of the city. He prepared a bridal chamber, and the 

 young man remained in it. At that time there came to him an old 

 man — it was Elijah of blessed memory — who called him aside and 

 said to him. My son, let me give you some good advice ; do not dis- 

 regard it. When thou sittest down to eat, a poor man will come to 

 thee, clad in black and tattered garments; there is none like him in 

 the whole world. When thou seest him, rise from thy seat and 

 make him sit beside thee. Give him to eat and drink, pay him all 

 possible attention, and honor him. Look out lest thou disregard 

 anything I have told thee, then no harm will come to thee. But I 

 must go away. 



When the old man had left, the bridegroom went to his place and 

 sat down at the feast. After they had begun to eat, that poor man 



I 



