Chapter VII

The Miser and the Fisherman. By Ben-Zeeb (1785)^[68-4].

A miser once into a river fell—
Hard by a boatman heard his frenzied yell;
He swiftly ran and cried, “Give me your hand,
And I shall bring you safely back to land.”
“Give,” moaned the miser, “when I've ne'er before
Given, No—never!” He was seen no more.

VIII

The Miser and the Poor. By the same author^[69-1].

A miser once dreamed he had given away
Some bread to a beggar he met on the way.
In terror he woke, and he solemnly swore
That the rest of his life he would slumber no more.

IX

The Gourmand and Late Riser^[69-2].

My piteous plight oft makes me weep—
I cannot eat when I am asleep.

X

An Epitaph. By Ben-Jacob^[69-3].

Here lies _Nachshon_, man of great renown,
Who won much glory in his native town:
'Twas hunger that killed him, and they let him die—
They give him statues now, and gaze, and sigh—
While _Nachshon_ lived, he badly wanted _bread_,
Now he is gone, he gets a _stone_ instead.

XI

Naomi's Troubles. By the same author^[69-4].

The weather's been so bad that I
A place of worship could not try;
But now that my new frock I see,
I'll go whate'er the weather may be.

XII

The Miser and the Mouse. By the same author^[69-5].

A miser saw a tiny mouse
Nimbly running through the house,
“Hence,” he cried, “voracious beast,
Here is nought whereon to feast.”
Thereupon the mouse did say:
“Be not angry, sir, I pray:
In me a lodger plain you see,
And I have brought my food with me.”