Page:Sefer ha-Yashar or the book of Jasher (1840).djvu/54

20 swallowed up four great stars, from the four sides of the heavens.

And thy servants were astonished at the sight which we saw, and were greatly terrified, and we made our judgment upon the sight, and knew by our wisdom the proper interpretation thereof, that this thing applies to the child that is born to Terah, who will grow up and multiply greatly, and become powerful, and kill all the kings of the earth, and inherit all their lands, he and his seed forever.

And now our lord and king, behold we have truly acquainted thee with what we have seen concerning this child.

If it seemeth good to the king to give his father value for this child, we will slay him before he shall grow up and increase in the land, and his evil increase against us, that we and our children perish through his evil.

And the king heard their words and they seemed good in his sight, and he sent and called for Terah, and Terah came before the king.

And the king said to Terah, I have been told that a son was yesternight born to thee, and after this manner was observed in the heavens at his birth.

And now therefore give me the child, that we may slay him before his evil springs up against us, and I will give thee for his value, thy house full of silver and gold.

And Terah answered the king and said to him: My Lord and king, I have heard thy words, and thy servant shall do all that his king desireth.

But my lord and king, I will tell thee what happened to me yesternight, that I may see what advice the king will give his servant, and then I will answer the king upon what he has just spoken; and the king said, Speak.

And Terah said to the king, Ayon, son of Mored, came to me yesternight, saying,

Give unto me the great and beautiful horse that the king gave thee, and I will give thee silver and gold, and straw and provender for its value; and I said to him, Wait till I see the king concerning thy words, and behold whatever the king saith, that will I do.

And now my lord and king, behold I have made this thing known to thee, and the advice which my king will give unto his servant, that will I follow.

And the king heard the words of Terah, and his anger was kindled and he considered him in the light of a fool.

And the king answered Terah, and he said to him, Art thou so silly, ignorant, or deficient in understanding, to do this thing, to give thy beautiful horse for silver and gold or even for straw and provender?

Art thou so short of silver and gold, that thou shouldst do this thing, because thou canst not obtain straw and provender to feed thy horse? and what is silver and gold to thee, or straw and provender, that thou shouldst give away that fine horse which I gave thee, like which there is none to be had on the whole earth?

And the king left off speaking, and Terah answered the king, saying, Like unto this has the king spoken to his servant;

I beseech thee, my lord and king, what is this which thou didst say unto me, saying, Give thy son that we may slay him, and I will