210 FRAGMENTS. — WILLIAM AND ELIZABETH. June 1$, 



Chap. cxxv. Williavt and Elizaleth. 



I. And it came to pafs, that, in thofe days, there 

 lived a poor man, a weaver to trade, and his name was 

 William. 



a. And William was an induftrious man, and he 

 toiled hard for bread ; but his gains were fo fmall, as 

 to be fufficient barely to fubfift himfelf. 



3. And he caft his eves upon a young maiden, who 

 was comely to behold, and bis heart was fmitten with 

 love of her. And the name of the maidtn was Eliza- 

 beth. 



4. And he courted the damfcl, and he found favour 

 in her eyes, and they married together. 



5. And William doated on his wife, for flie was fair 

 and lovely ; and he delighted to fee her decked forth in 

 gay apparel, for he faw thatflie rejoiced in it ; and eve- 

 ry wifli of his heart was to pleafe her. 



6. And Elizabeth was lively and gay j and when flie 

 was dreffed, ftie del'ghted to be feen and sdmired by 

 others; — and Ihe went to vifit her neighbours, and had 

 neither time nor inclination to work, to afEil in adding 

 to the {lores of the family ; neither did flie know that 

 it was neceffary for lier fo to do. 



7. But William, for the love he bore to her, re- 

 doubled his aftivit}' — He rofe early, and went late to 

 reft ; nor ever loft a moment that could be faved. 



8. But all this would not do. — His income \\as too 

 fraall to fnpport the cxpence he now incurred ;^and 

 his heart was wrung with anguifh on that account: nor 

 did he know how to relieve his diftrefs. 



9. His neighbours alfo obfervcd his countenance Avas 

 fallen, and pitied him ; but neither did they know how 

 to aftbrd him any relief. 



10. And there was among thera a little old man, 

 "whofe name was Jacob. And Jacob poflelfed great wealth ; 

 for his fole ftudy from his youth upwards had been how 

 to amafs gold. His heart was fteeled againft every tender 



