When Jacob grazed his uncle Labanās sheepā ā This Jacob from our holy Abram was, As his wise mother wrought in his behalf, The third possessor; ay, he was the thirdā ā
No, not take interest, not, as you would say, Directly interest: mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromised That all the eanlings which were streakād and pied Should fall as Jacobās hire, the ewes, being rank, In the end of autumn turned to the rams, And, when the work of generation was Between these woolly breeders in the act, The skilful shepherd peelād me certain wands, And, in the doing of the deed of kind, He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, Who then conceiving did in eaning time Fall parti-colourād lambs, and those were Jacobās. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest: And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.