Page:Legends of Old Testament Characters.djvu/163

XXIV.] To yield his son as slave through love of gain,
 * For great is he in wealth."

"Go!" said the monarch, "I must have the child: Be sure the father can be reconciled, If you expend of gold a goodly store, And, if he haggles at your price, bid more;
 * I will it, chamberlain!

I care not what the cost. I'll have the lad!" And then, he leaned him idly back, and bade
 * The slaves to fan again.

"Now on the morrow, to the royal court, Terah Ben-Nahor from old Ur was brought— Protesting loud he would not yield his son As slave, at any price, to any one.
 * "My flesh and blood be sold!

Fie on you! Do you reckon that I prize My first-begotten as mere merchandise,
 * To barter him for gold!

A curse on him who would the old man's stay, That bears him up, with money buy away! Require me not to offer child of mine To serve and brim a tyrant's cup with wine; To waste a life from morning to its grave, Branded in mind and soul and body 'Slave!'
 * How could I be repaid?

His artless fondlings, all his childish ways: The reminiscences of olden days,
 * That sudden flash and fade,

Of her who bore him—her, my boyhood's choice— Resemblances in feature, figure, voice, In gesture, manner, ay! in very tone Of pealing laugh, of that dear partner gone? Thou, Nimrod, to an old man condescend To hear his story; your attention lend,
 * And judge if acted well.

Last year to me thou gav'st a goodly steed, From thine own stud, of purest Yemen breed:
 * And thus it me befel.

A stranger offered me a price so fair That I accepted it, and sold the mare." "My gift disposed of!" with an angry start, King Nimrod thundered: "Thou, old man, shalt smart For this thy avarice. A royal gift, Thou knowest well, must never owners shift,
 * As thing of little worth."

Then Terah raised his trembling hands, and said, "From thine own mouth, O King, has judgment sped.
 * The Lord of Heaven and Earth,

The King of Kings to me my offspring gave, And shall I sell His gift to be a slave? Nimrod! that child, which is His royal gift,— Thy mouth hath said it,—may not owners shift."