贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > the antiquities of the jews-1 >

第18章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第18章

小说: the antiquities of the jews-1 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



but he demonstrated that wisdom was able to govern the uneasy
passions of life; in such as have it in reality; and do not only
put it on for a show; under a present state of prosperity。

2。 For when his master's wife was fallen in love with him; both
on account of his beauty of body; and his dexterous management of
affairs; and supposed; that if she should make it known to him;
she could easily persuade him to come and lie with her; and that
he would look upon it as a piece of happy fortune that his
mistress should entreat him; as regarding that state of slavery
he was in; and not his moral character; which continued after his
condition was changed。 So she made known her naughty
inclinations; and spake to him about lying with her。 However; he
rejected her entreaties; not thinking it agreeable to religion to
yield so far to her; as to do what would tend to the affront and
injury of him that purchased him; and had vouchsafed him so great
honors。 He; on the contrary; exhorted her to govern that passion;
and laid before her the impossibility of her obtaining her
desires; which he thought might be conquered; if she had no hope
of succeeding; and he said; that as to himself; he would endure
any thing whatever before he would be persuaded to it; for
although it was fit for a slave; as he was; to do nothing
contrary to his mistress; he might well be excused in a case
where the contradiction was to such sort of commands only。 But
this opposition of Joseph; when she did not expect it; made her
still more violent in her love to him; and as she was sorely
beset with this naughty passion; so she resolved to compass her
design by a second attempt。

3。 When; therefore; there was a public festival coming on; in
which it was the custom for women to come to the public
solemnity; she pretended to her husband that she was sick; as
contriving an opportunity for solitude and leisure; that she
might entreat Joseph again。 Which opportunity being obtained; she
used more kind words to him than before; and said that it had
been good for him to have yielded to her first solicitation; and
to have given her no repulse; both because of the reverence he
ought to bear to her dignity who solicited him; and because of
the vehemence of her passion; by which she was forced though she
were his mistress to condescend beneath her dignity; but that he
may now; by taking more prudent advice; wipe off the imputation
of his former folly; for whether it were that he expected the
repetition of her solicitations she had now made; and that with
greater earnestness than before; for that she had pretended
sickness on this very account; and had preferred his conversation
before the festival and its solemnity; or whether he opposed her
former discourses; as not believing she could be in earnest; she
now gave him sufficient security; by thus repeating her
application; that she meant not in the least by fraud to impose
upon him; and assured him; that if he complied with her
affections; he might expect the enjoyment of the advantages he
already had; and if he were submissive to her; he should have
still greater advantages; but that he must look for revenge and
hatred from her; in case he rejected her desires; and preferred
the reputation of chastity before his mistress; for that he would
gain nothing by such procedure; because she would then become his
accuser; and would falsely pretend to her husband; that he had
attempted her chastity; and that Potiphar would hearken to her
words rather than to his; let his be ever so agreeable to the
truth。

4。 When the woman had said thus; and even with tears in her eyes;
neither did pity dissuade Joseph from his chastity; nor did fear
compel him to a compliance with her; but he opposed her
solicitations; and did not yield to her threatenings; and was
afraid to do an ill thing; and chose to undergo the sharpest
punishment rather than to enjoy his present advantages; by doing
what his own conscience knew would justly deserve that he should
die for it。 He also put her in mind that she was a married woman;
and that she ought to cohabit with her husband only; and desired
her to suffer these considerations to have more weight with her
than the short pleasure of lustful dalliance; which would bring
her to repentance afterwards; would cause trouble to her; and yet
would not amend what had been done amiss。 He also suggested to
her the fear she would be in lest they should be caught; and that
the advantage of concealment was uncertain; and that only while
the wickedness was not known 'would there be any quiet for them';
but that she might have the enjoyment of her husband's company
without any danger。 And he told her; that in the company of her
husband she might have great boldness from a good conscience;
both before God and before men。 Nay; that she would act better
like his mistress; and make use of her authority over him better
while she persisted in her chastity; than when they were both
ashamed for what wickedness they had been guilty of; and that it
is much better to a life; well and known to have been so; than
upon the hopes of the concealment of evil practices。

5。 Joseph; by saying this; and more; tried to restrain the
violent passion of the woman; and to reduce her affections within
the rules of reason; but she grew more ungovernable and earnest
in the matter; and since she despaired of persuading him; she
laid her hands upon him; and had a mind to force him。 But as soon
as Joseph had got away from her anger; leaving also his garment
with her; for he left that to her; and leaped out of her chamber;
she was greatly afraid lest he should discover her lewdness to
her husband; and greatly troubled at the affront he had offered
her; so she resolved to be beforehand with him; and to accuse
Joseph falsely to Potiphar; and by that means to revenge herself
on him for his pride and contempt of her; and she thought it a
wise thing in itself; and also becoming a woman; thus to prevent
his accusation。 Accordingly she sat sorrowful and in confusion;
framing herself so hypocritically and angrily; that the sorrow;
which was really for her being disappointed of her lust; might
appear to be for the attempt upon her chastity; so that when her
husband came home; and was disturbed at the sight of her and
inquired what was the cause of the disorder she was in; she began
to accuse Joseph: and; 〃O husband;〃 said she; 〃mayst thou not
live a day longer if thou dost not punish the wicked slave who
has desired to defile thy bed; who has neither minded who he was
when he came to our house; so as to behave himself with modesty;
nor has he been mindful of what favors he had received from thy
bounty (as he must be an ungrateful man indeed; unless he; in
every respect; carry himself in a manner agreeable to us): this
man; I say; laid a private design to abuse thy wife; and this at
the time of a festival; observing when thou wouldst be absent。 So
that it now is clear that his modesty; as it appeared to be
formerly; was only because of the restraint he was in out of fear
of thee; but that he was not really of a good disposition。 This
has been occasioned by his being advanced to honor beyond what he
deserved; and what he hoped for; insomuch that he concluded; that
he who was deemed fit to be trusted with thy estate and the
government of thy family; and was preferred above thy eldest
servants; might be allowed to touch thy wife also。〃 Thus when she
had ended her discourse; she showed him his garment; as if he
then left it with her when he attempted to force her。 But
Potiphar not being able to disbelieve what his wife's tears
showed; and what his wife said; and what he saw himself; and
being seduced by his love to his wife; did not set himself about
the examination of the truth; but taking it for granted that his
wife was a modest woman; and condemning Joseph as a wicked man;
he threw him into the malefactors' prison; and had a still higher
opinion of his wife; and bare her witness that she was a woman of
a becoming modesty and chastity。

CHAPTER 5。

What Things Befell Joseph In Prison。

1。 Now Joseph; commending all his affairs to God; did not betake

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的