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CHAP. XXIX.

ACOB therfore going on his iourney, came into the East countrie. And he saw a wel in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying beside it: for of it the beasts were watered, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone. And the manner was when al the sheep were gathered together they did role off the stone, and after the sheepe were refreshed they put it on the mouth of the wel againe. And he said to the shepeards: Brethren, whence are you? Who answered: Of Haran. And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban the sonne of Nachor? They said: We doe know him. Is he in health? quoth he: He is in health, say they: And behold Rachel his daughter commeth with his flock. And Iacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks into the folds againe: first giue the sheep drinke, and so bring them back to feede. Who answered: we can not, til al the cattel be gathered together: and we remoue the stone from the wels mouth, that we may water the flocks. They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her fathers sheep: for she fed the flock. Whom when Iacob had seen, & knew her to be his cosen germane, & that they were the sheepe of Laban his vncle: he remoued the stone, wherwith the wel was closed. And hauing watered the flocke, he kissed her: and lifting vp his voice wept, and he told her that he was her fathers brother, and the sonne of Rebecca: but she in hast went and told her father. Who when he heard that Iacob his sisters sonne was come, he ranne forth to meet him, & embraceing him, & hartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his iourney, he answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the dayes of one month were expired, he said to him: because thou art my brother, shalt thou serue me * gratis? Tel me what wages wilt thou take? He had indeed two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia; & the yonger was called Rachel. But Lia was bleare-eyed, Rachel wel fauoured, & of a beautiful countenance. Whom Iacob louing, said: I wil serue thee for Rachel thy yonger daughter seauen yeares. Laban answered: It is better that I giue her to thee then to an other Rh