The Storehouses of the King; Or, the Pyramids of Egypt: What They Are and Who Built ThemGelder, Jane (Trill) van
History
The Storehouses of the King; Or, the Pyramids of Egypt: What They Are and Who Built Them
Gelder, Jane (Trill) van
Pyramids
And while not the King only, but the philosopher Menedus also, admired
them, and said, that all things were governed by Providence, and that
it was probable that thence it was that such force or beauty was
discovered in these men’s words,—they then left off asking any more
questions. But the King said that he had gained very great advantages
by their coming, for that he had received this profit from them, that
he had learned how he ought to rule his subjects. And he gave order
that they should have every one three talents given them; and that
those that were to conduct them to their lodgings should do it.
Accordingly, when three days were over, Demetrius took them, and went
over the causeway seven furlongs long: it was a bank in the sea to an
island. And when they had gone over the bridge, he proceeded to the
northern parts, and showed them where they should meet, which was in a
house which was built near the shore, and was a quiet place, and fit
for their discoursing together about their work.
When he had brought them thither, he entreated them (now they had all
things about them which they wanted for the interpretation of their
law), that they would suffer nothing to interrupt them in their work.
Accordingly, they made an accurate interpretation, with great zeal and
great pains; and this they continued to do till the ninth hour of the
day; after which time they relaxed and took care of their body, while
their food was provided for them in great plenty: besides, Dorotheus,
at the King’s command, brought them a great deal of what was provided
for the King himself. But in the morning they came to the court, and
saluted Ptolemy, and then went away to their former place, where, when
they had washed their hands and purified themselves, they betook
themselves to the interpretation of the laws.
Now when the law was transcribed, and the labour of interpretation was
over, which came to its conclusion in seventy-two days, Demetrius
gathered all the Jews together to the place where the laws were
translated, and where the interpreters were, and read them over. The
multitude did also approve of those elders that were the interpreters
of the law. They withal commended Demetrius for his proposal, as the
inventor of what was greatly for their happiness; and they desired that
he would give leave to their rulers also to read the law.
Moreover they all, both the priests and the ancientest of the elders,
and the principal men of their commonwealth, made it their request,
that since the interpretation was happily finished, it might continue
in the state it now was, and might not be altered. And when they all
commended that determination of theirs, they enjoined, that if any one
observed either anything superfluous, or anything omitted, that he
would take a view of it again, and have it laid before them, and
corrected; which was a wise action of theirs, that when the thing was
judged to have been well done, it might continue for ever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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