im that he had only
three days in all to live, for that the [three] baskets signify, that
on the third day he should be crucified, and devoured by fowls, while he
was not able to help himself. Now both these dreams had the same several
events that Joseph foretold they should have, and this to both the
parties; for on the third day before mentioned, when the king solemnized
his birth-day, he crucified the chief baker, but set the butler free
from his bonds, and restored him to his former ministration.

4. But God freed Joseph from his confinement, after he had endured his
bonds two years, and had received no assistance from the cupbearer, who
did not remember what he had said to him formerly; and God contrived
this method of deliverance for him. Pharaoh the king had seen in
his sleep the same evening two visions; and after them had the
interpretations of them both given him. He had forgotten the latter, but
retained the dreams themselves. Being therefore troubled at what he had
seen, for it seemed to him to be all of a melancholy nature, the next
day he called together the wisest men among the Egyptians, desiring
to learn from them the interpretation of his dreams. But when they
hesitated about them, the king was so much the more disturbed. And now
it was that the memory of Joseph, and his skill in dreams, came into the
mind of the king's cupbearer, when he saw the confusion that Pharaoh was
in; so he came and mentioned Joseph to him, as also the vision he had
seen in prison, and how the event proved as he had said; as also that
the chief baker was crucified on the very same day; and that this also
happened to him according to the interpretation of Joseph. That Joseph
himself was laid in bonds by Potiphar, who was his head cook, as a
slave; but, he said, he was one of the noblest of the stock of the
Hebrews; and said further, his father lived in great splendor. "If,
therefore, thou wilt send for him, and not despise him on the score of
his misfortunes, thou wilt learn what thy dreams signify." So the king
commanded that they should bring Joseph into his presence; and those who
received the command came and brought him with them, having taken care
of his habit, that it might be decent, as the king had enjoined them to
do.

5. But the king took him by the hand; and, "O young man," says he, "for
my servant bears witness that thou art at present the best and most
skillful person I can consult with; vouchsafe me the same fav