46 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
perceived to his astonishment two strangers seated 
opposite to him on the divan. As strict orders 
were issued that no person whatever should be 
admitted during the first four hours of the day, 
David wondered greatly how the strangers had 
gained access to his closet. They rose, and begged 
pardon for having entered unannounced, because 
they had an urgent complaint to lay before him. 
David quitted the harp, and placed himself on his 
judgment seat. “ This man,” began one of them, 
“ has ninety-nine sheep, which plentifully supply 
all his wants; while I, poor wretch, had but one 
that was my joy and comfort, and that one he has 
forcibly taken from me.” At the mention of the 
ninety-nine sheep, David could not help thinking 
of the flock of his harem. He recognized in the 
strangers two aiagels of the Lord, and was sensible 
of the heinousness of his offence. Forthwith he 
threw himself upon the floor, and shed tears of 
bitter repentance. There he lay for forty days 
and forty nights upon his face, weeping and trem¬ 
bling before the judgment of the Lord. As many 
tears of repentance as the whole human race have 
shed, and will shed on account of their sins, from 
the time of David till the judgment day, so many 
