"
If you read the story of Joseph through from start to finish, you will
see that it is a perfect narrative of the life of a man without
fault, who suffered much but without resentment, was great of heart in
evil days, and, when Fortune placed him in a position of glory and
greatness, showed a stainless magnanimity and a brotherly love that
nothing could abate. It is the first and most perfect story in
literature of the nobility of man's soul, and as such it must remain a
treasured and priceless possession to the world's end.
In the short Book of Ruth there lies embalmed in the finest English a
very tender love story, set in all the sweet surroundings of the ripening
corn, the gathered harvest, and the humble gleaners. Nothing can be
more delightful than the direction of Boaz, the great land-owner, to his
men, after he had espied Ruth in her beauty gleaning in his fields:--
"And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men,
saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her
not:
"And let fall also some of the handfuls on purpose for her, and
leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."
This little gem in the books of the Bible inspired Hood to write one of
his most perfect lyrics:--
"She stood breast high amid the corn
Clasped by the golden light of morn,
Like the sweetheart of the sun,
Who many a glowing kiss had won.
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