at ones? Therefore I, the
daughter of a poor old man, thank and bless God for these small
mercies, knowing that the Giver thereof is able to give even greater
gifts. And this applieth but to those external things that are not our
own from whence there accrueth no gain to those who possess much (not
to mention the loss that often ariseth), nor cometh there harm to those
who have less; for both sorts journey along the same road, and hasten
to the same end. But, in things most necessary and vital, many and
great the blessings I have enjoyed of my Lord, though indeed they are
without number and beyond compare. I have been made in the image of
God, and have gained the knowledge of him, and have been endowed with
reason beyond all the beasts, and have been called again from death
unto life, through the tender mercy of our God, and have received power
to share in his mysteries; and the gate of Paradise hath been opened to
me, allowing me to enter without hindrance, if I will. Wherefore for
gifts so many and so fine, shared alike by rich and poor, I can indeed
in no wise praise him as I ought, yet if I fail to render to the Giver
this little hymn of praise, what excuse shall I have?'

"The youth, astonished at her wit, called to her father, and said unto
him, 'Give me thy daughter: for I love her wisdom and piety.' But the
elder said, 'It is not possible for thee, the son of wealthy parents,
to take this a beggar's daughter.' Again the young man said, 'Yea, but
I will take her, unless thou forbid: for a daughter of noble and
wealthy family hath been betrothed unto me in marriage, and her I have
cast off and taken to flight. But I have fallen in love with thy
daughter because of her righteousness to God-ward, and her discreet
wisdom, and I heartily desire to wed-her.' But the old man said unto
him, 'I cannot give her unto thee, to carry away to thy father's house,
and depart her from mine arms, for she is mine only child.' 'But,' said
the youth, 'I will abide here with your folk and adopt your manner of
life.' Thereupon he stripped him of his own goodly raiment, and asked
for the old man's clothes and put them on. When the father had much
tried his purpose, and proved him in manifold ways, and knew that his
intent was fixed, and that it was no light passion that led him to ask
for his daughter, but love of godliness that constrained him to embrace
a life of poverty, preferring it to his own glory and noble birth, he
to