Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/355

Ⅻ, 84-94. lament for Joseph!’ and his eyes grew white with grief, for he repressed (his woe).

They said, ‘By God! thou wilt not cease to remember Joseph till thou art at the point of death, or art of those who perish !’

Said he, ‘I only complain of my emotion and my grief to God, for I know that from God which ye know nothing of.’

‘O my sons ! go and enquire concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of God′s comfort ; for, verily, none need despair of God′s comfort save a misbelieving people !’

And when they entered in unto him they said, ‘O prince ! distress has touched both us and our families, and we have brought trifling chattels. So give us full measure and bestow upon us in charity; verily, God rewards the charitable.’

He said, ‘Do ye know what ye did with Joseph and his brother, while ye were ignorant ?’

They said, ‘Art thou then indeed Joseph ?’ He said, ‘I am Joseph, and this is my brother ; God has been gracious towards us. Verily, whoso fears God and is patient, — verily, God wastes not the hire of those who do good!’

They said, ‘By God ! God has chosen thee over us ; and we indeed were sinners.’

He said, ‘No reproach against you to-day! God will pardon you, for He is the most merciful of the merciful. Take this my shirt, and throw it over the face of my father, he will become able to see ; and bring me your families all together.’

And when the caravan departed, their father said, ‘Verily, I find the smell of Joseph, unless ye think I dote!’