JOSEPH'S BROTHERS.
The brothers of Joseph heard that in Egypt there was corn stored away in plenty; so they went down into Egypt to beg for it.
They came before Joseph, and bowed low before him, even as in the vision so long ago it had been foretold that they would bow before him.
"Who are you?" said Joseph; for he wished to try his brothers and see if they would speak the truth.
"We are the sons of Jacob," said they; "and we are come from the land of Canaan."
"Have you any other brothers?" asked Joseph.
"We have one younger brother at home," they said.
"How do I know if you speak truly? Go to your homes—I will give you corn—and bring to me your youngest brother. Meanwhile I will hold one of you here as prisoner until you return. Then shall I know if you are honest men."
So the nine brothers went back to Canaan and told Jacob what had happened; but they did not know it was Joseph they had seen.
And when they told Jacob what the man in Egypt had said, and that Simeon had been left a prisoner, the old father lifted up his voice and wept. "Never," said he, "shall ye carry Benjamin into Egypt. Joseph ye have lost to me, and now Simeon! And if mischief befall Benjamin by the way in which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs in sorrow to the grave."