PHILO JUDÆUS.

expected such an officer. For I am an ally to these damsels who are thus injured by violence, and I come with a power that you evil-doers and greedy people cannot face; you shall feel it wounding you in an invisible manner if you do not change your ways." He said this, and they, being alarmed at his words—since while he was speaking he appeared inspired, his appearance changed, and he looked like a prophet—and fearing he might be uttering divine oracles and predictions, they obeyed and became submissive. They brought back the flock of the maidens to the troughs, first removing their own cattle.

XI. The damsels went home exceedingly delighted, and they related all that had happened to them beyond their hopes, so that they wished their father with an earnest desire to see the stranger. At all events, he blamed them for their ingratitude, speaking as follows: "What were you about, that you let him go, when you ought at once to have brought him here, and to have entreated him to come if he declined? Or when did you see any inhospitality in me? Or do you expect never again to fall into difficulties? Those who are forgetful of services must needs lack defenders. Nevertheless, hasten after him, for as yet the error you have committed may be repaired. Go with haste and invite him first of all to a hospitable reception, and then endeavor to repay his service, for great thanks are due to him."

So they made haste, went after him, and overtook him at no great distance from the fountain. When they had delivered their father's message to him, they persuaded him to return home with them. Their father was at once greatly struck by his appearance, and soon afterwards he learned to admire his wisdom, for great natures are very easily discovered and do not require a length of time to be appreciated. So he gave him the most beautiful of his daughters to be his wife, conjecturing by that one action of his how completely good and excellent he was, and testifying that what is good is the only thing that deserves to be loved, and that it does not require any external recommendation, but bears in itself proofs by which it may be known and understood.

After his marriage, Moses took his father-in-law's herds and tended them, being thus instructed in the lessons proper to qualify him for becoming the leader of a people, for the