Water-drops :: :: University of Virginia Library

In the days of old, there dwelt a Patriarch toward the
rising sun, among the mountains of Asia. Many, and
sore troubles had he seen, and stood faithful, when all
around him fell, and were punished.

He was a tiller of the earth, and when it had brought
forth its fruits, he with his wife and children fed thereon,
and blessed the Lord.

And it came to pass, after he had cast in his seeds,
and the rain had watered them, and they put forth abundantly,
each after his kind, that there came up a plant
exceeding fair, and of a very tender green.

And as he visited it in the morning, when the dews
had hung a pearl upon the point of every young leaf, lo!
it lifted up tendrils, like the hands of a little child, that
reacheth and gropeth after some pleasant thing.

Then he set a prop near it, and guided thereunto the
wandering shoots, for he said, “Peradventure its heart is
weak, and it needeth that some one should train it in the
right way.”

So it grew and became a vine, and stretched out interlacing
boughs, making a goodly shadow.

And as he diligently regarded it, there appeared clusters
of fair grapes, hiding among the branches. Then
the master of the vine smelled a sweet savor, and called
together his household, and they marvelled at its beauty.

Deeper and deeper these clusters blushed, as the sun
looked upon them, and when they were fully ripe, rich
moisture trickled from their bursting pores, and fell upon
the ground.

When the Patriarch pressed some of them, the sweet
blood flowed freely, and fermented, and he drank thereof.
But, behold! his wisdom departed from him, and he lay
uncovered within his tent.

Then were his children affrighted, and spake one to
another, not knowing what these things should mean.

And the youngest son mocked, and derided, saying,
“Lo! he who reproveth our folly, hath himself become
altogether vain. Doth it not behoove him who warneth
others, that he take heed unto his own ways?”

Then his elder brethren answered, “Hold thy peace!
He that revileth his father, God shall judge.”

So they took a garment, and reverently covered the
Patriarch, walking backwards, that they might not look
upon his frailty.

And they sate down mournfully near the door of the
tent, and the two elder brethren communed together,
saying,—

“How great was our father! and how was he honored
of God, inasmuch as he hid not from him, the
flood that was to drown the whole earth.”

“When all flesh had corrupted itself, he alone was
found pleasing to his Maker, and with eloquent words
did he patiently warn a world that was filled with violence.”

“Yea! and through his faith were we saved, when the
fountains of the great deep were broken up, for he alone
found grace to guide the lonely ark over the billows,
where slept the world of the ungodly.”

“To him alone did the dove bring the first green token
from the abating waters; when all who had escaped
the deluge, came forth, as from a prison, upon this
Ararat.”

“But now, because he hath drank of the fruit of the
vine, behold! he lieth sick and powerless, as the babe
that is newly born. Who knoweth whether he is not
now to die?”

And they lifted up their voices and wept.

Then were their hearts comforted: as though some
good angel breathed upon them, “Lo! the Patriarch
shall not die. The glory of his reason shall return unto
him, and he will repent himself, and as the bow enlighteneth
the cloud, so shall his righteousness be renewed.”

And it came to pass, that when he awoke from his
trance, he called for his elder sons, and blessed them.

But he uttered a malediction on him, who had mocked
at his father in the hour of his adversity and shame.

Thus knew the Patriarch the evil that dwelt in the
vine, which his own hands had reared. He learned, in
bitterness and scorn, what was taught us from the beginning,
of the curse that lay hidden in the cluster which
doth seem so fair.

Moreover, a Holy Book that his eyes had never looked
upon, doth instruct us, saying, “Look not upon the wine
when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, when
it moveth itself aright; for at the last, it biteth like a
serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”