על יוסף כ״אOn Joseph 21
א׳
1[116] The king having heard both his interpretation of the dreams, so exactly and skilfully divining the truth, and his advice to all appearance most profitable in its foresight for the uncertainties of the future, bade his companions come closer to him so that Joseph might not hear, and said: “Sirs, shall we find another man such as this, who has in him the spirit of God?”
ב׳
2[117] When they with one accord praised and applauded his words, he looked at Joseph who was standing by, and said: “He whom you bid us seek is near at hand, the man of prudence and sense is not far distant. He for whom according to your advice we should look is yourself, for I think that God is with you in the words you speak. Come, then, and take the charge of my house, and the superintendence of all Egypt.
ג׳
3[118] And no one will condemn me for hastiness, for I am not actuated by self-confidence, that passion so hard to cure. Great natures take no long time to prove themselves, but by the massiveness of their power force others to give them a rapid and immediate acceptance; and the facts of the case do not admit of delay and procrastination, since the needs of the time urge us on to make the necessary preparations.”
ד׳
4[119] He then appointed him viceroy of the kingdom, or rather, if the truth be said, king, reserving indeed to himself the name of the office, but resigning to him the actual sovereignty and doing everything else that might give the young man honour.
ה׳
5[120] So, then, he bestowed on him the royal seal and put upon him a sacred robe and a golden necklace, and setting him on his second chariot bade him go the round of the city with a crier walking in front who proclaimed the appointment to those who did not know of it.
ו׳
6[121] He also gave him another name in the language of the country, based on his art of dream interpretation, and betrothed him to the most distinguished of the ladies of Egypt, the daughter of the priest of the Sun. These events happened when he was about thirty years old.
ז׳
7[122] Such is the latter end of the pious; though they be bent they do not altogether fall, but arise and stand upright firm and strong, never to be brought low any more.
ח׳
8[123] For who would have expected that in a single day the same man would turn from slave to master, from a prisoner to the highest of dignitaries, that the gaoler’s underling would be the king’s vice-regent and lodge in the palace instead of the gaol, thus winning the foremost place of honour instead of the lowest of dishonour?
ט׳
9[124] But nevertheless these things have happened and will often happen when God so wills. Only there must be some live coal of nobility smouldering in the soul, which is sure, if it be fanned into flame, to blaze into light.