Page:The Faith as Unfolded by Many Prophets.djvu/116

 tered his dwelling as often as he invited me!—that I had prized his friendship more, while it was to be found! He is gone, and the remembrance of his wisdom and his benignity is all that remains.

Then Eber was silent, and his friend also; for their hearts were heavy.—When they had left the city and were come where no one saw them, Havilah sat down and wept. His friend looked on his excessive grief with wonder and sorrow, and strove to console him.

Why is it, my friend, he said, that one who was not the friend of Nathan, mourns more for him than one who was? Thou hast not, as I, conversed with him in his dwelling, or walked with him in the field, or reasoned concerning God and his ways towards man; yet thy sorrow is as for a brother. Explain this to me.

Not alone, said Havilah, do I mourn for the poor and helpless of the city, for there are others who will relieve and protect them; nor chiefly because one so wise is taken from us, for he taught of his wisdom to many who will not let his words be forgottonforgotten [sic]. Nor do I fear for his household; they will console themselves with remembering what he was, and will talk together of the hour when they hope to meet