e, 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 i