The STORY of Jacob and Rachel attempted . To the same . Thou ! to whom nature variously imparts , The gift of conq'ring , and of keeping hearts , Smile on the lay — nor deem the Tale too long , Which , but for Thee , had yet remain'd unsung . So may some chosen Youth hereafter view All Rachel's Graces bloom in Thee anew , And love , like Jacob , tenderly and true . Far in the East , as Sacred Writ records , Dwelt Laban , rich in sundry flocks and herds ; Near Haran's famous Well was his abode , There smoak'd his altars to his Houshold-God . His dwellings large , and fertile was his land , And num'rous servants waited his command ; The fruitful lawn , the hill , the levell'd down , Far as the eye could stretch , were all his own : Throughout the East extended Laban's fame , And where he journey'd , there he left a name . Two only Daughters to his age remain'd , And Leah one , and one was Rachel nam'd . Time had from Leah rifled ev'ry grace — But blooming beauty , dwelt on Rachel's face . Well-favour'd , graceful , in the bloom of life , She led the flocks , or tript it to the fife When summer suns burnt fiercely o'er their heads , She drove the wantons frisking to the shades ; Or when the merry pipe rejoic'd the vale , Led up the dance , or told the jocund tale ; Chearful and blythe she pass'd the day along , And ev'ry valley echo'd with her song . She was each shepherd's theme , each swain's delight , Their talk by day , their vision in the night ; Whene'er they feasted on their homely cheer , No mirth was heard , if Rachel was not there : 'Mongst all their rural sports She still was seen , And foremost at the feast , as on the green . Her Fame and Charms soon reach'd young Jacob's ear , Rebekah's best belov'd , and Isaac's Heir : But ere his friends and family he leaves , His Father's Blessing on his head he craves . To Padan-aram now his course he steers , His hopes succeeded by a thousand fears ; The mingled passions take up all his soul , And vast events within his bosom roll . As on he journey'd far into the East , Fatigued himself , his camels wanting rest , Not far away , with pleasure he beheld A spacious well , amidst a fruitful field ; Where with their flocks the sun-burnt shepherds came , Panting and faint , to quaff the limpid stream . Of these he ask'd their country and their name : " From Haran ( they reply'd ) thy servants came . " And know ye Laban ? lives he , can ye tell ? " He lives , my Lord ; thy servants know him well : His num'rous flocks in yonder valley stray , And with them , lo ! his daughter comes this way . " When Jacob saw the Maid , his beating breast The pow'r of Love and radiant eyes confest . Quick thro' his veins the gen'rous pleasure flow'd , His bosom with unusual fervours glow'd ; Around his heart the soft'ning passions crept , He gaz'd he sigh'd , he wonder'd , and he wept ; Then seiz'd her hand , and kiss'd her rosy cheek , And trembling from his lips the accents break . When Rachel heard his family and name , Their common stock , the tribe from whence she came ; With decent haste , exulting o'er the plain , She , with the tidings , to her Father ran . Meanwhile her harmless flock neglected stray , Or round the Well in expectation lay : These Jacob water'd , could he well do less ? He lov'd the sheep , but more the Shepherdess . When Laban heard the tidings , forth he went To meet , and welcome Jacob to his tent . " My joy ( cry'd Laban ) let my actions speak ; A kind embrace , and friendly welcome take , — This for Rebekah — this for Isaac's sake . " Now mirth and feasting thro' the house were found , The damsels tript it to the tabret's sound , And the brisk bowl to Jacob's health went round . Each in the gen'ral joy affects his share , And none seem'd pensive , but the Patriarch's Heir . He oft on Rachel gazes , oft approves , And much he muses , for as much he loves : All night her pleasing image sooth'd his mind ; He found her fair , and hop'd to prove her kind . Soon as the rosy morn unveil'd the light , And with her splendor chas'd the gloom of night ; Jacob arose , and blest the new-born day , Then sought the flock , where Rachel led the way . And now he guides 'em to the flow'ry hill , Or drives 'em skipping to the distant rill : At noon secures 'em from the scorching heat ; With Rachel near him , Jacob's toil is sweet . If on the reed his skilful fingers move , He pours the song to harmony and Love . Oft on the trees imprints her much-lov'd name , Or sighs his passion to the murm'ring stream ; To deck her hair the flow'ry wreath prepares , The flow'ry wreath for Jacob's sake she wears : Jacob ! whom now she views with partial eye , Nor pass'd his slighest deeds unnotic'd by . Nor were their thoughts to Love alone confin'd , To mutual vows instructive talk they join'd . As how the stars in beauteous order stood , And each the splendid witness of a God ! — Their signs and seasons they observe with care , And mark their influence on the earth and air : Which threats their flocks , or which destroys their vines , And which with good , or baleful aspect shines . Thus pass'd their time . When Laban now beheld His flocks increase , his vines more clusters yield ; Pleas'd with his growing wealth , he strait prepares To offer some reward for Jacob's cares . Jacob , whose heart nor gold nor gems could move , Look'd with disdain on all — but Rachel's Love ; And thus reply'd . " If gracious Laban means " Or to reward my past , or future pains ; Bless , with a bounteous hand , bless all my life , And give me lovely Rachel for a Wife . I ask no dow'r my fortunes to improve , Rich in possession of my Rachel's Love . Let sordid swains , whom thirst of gain invites To woo the Fair-One to the nuptial rites , Bargain for Love , and sell their vows for gold ; But let not Rachel , like her sheep , be sold . Rachel ! whose beauty softens ev'ry breast , Whose worth outweighs the treasures of the East ! Full sev'n long years I'll serve thee for the Maid ; The toil looks pleasing , when so well repaid . " Laban consents , and Jacob joys to find The Sire as courteous as the Daughter kind , Nor e'er suspects the depths of Laban's mind . His upright heart , as yet , no guile could see ; He thought men honest , as they seem'd to be . But when the long-expected day appears , That Rachel should reward her Jacob's cares , When with united hearts they join to bless The first fair dawnings of their mutual peace ; Laban prepares a banquet , and invites The neighb'ring swains to grace the nuptial rites . In num'rous crouds they came from distant lands , To hail the Bride ; with presents in their hands ; Rich sparkling wines , or firstlings of the flock , Or swelling clusters from the pendent rock . A flowing mantle lovely Rachel wore , Emboss'd with gems , with gold embroider'd o'er ; In wanton ringlets wav'd her aubourn hair , Succinct her robe , her buskin'd legs half bare . She gave the health , She welcom'd ev'ry guest , And seem'd to all the Mistress of the Feast . But when the sun withdrew his kindling beams , And the last ray danc'd faintly on the streams ; The guileful Laban , whose long-frozen breast No more the youthful pow'r of Love confest , Observ'd how Leah often look'd askance , And cast on Rachel many an envious glance , Himself the willing wayward damsel led To Rachel's Place , and seiz'd the bridal bed . But when the morn appear'd , and by his side Jacob beheld his unexpected Bride ; Enrag'd , he smote his breast , his clothes he rent , And sorrowing sought the faithless Laban's tent , And thus upbraids " What hast thou done ? Why led The tasteless Leah to my nuptial bed ? Did I serve thee for Her ? ungentle fair ! — And dost thou thus reward my honest care ? Little wast Thou , thou know'st it , ere I came ; How God has blest thee since , let Me proclaim . What time I've serv'd thee , have I done thee wrong ? Have or thy Ews or Goats once cast their Young ? That which was torn of beasts I brought thee not , I bare the loss , nor hast thou suffer'd aught . Thus , thus I was ; for Thee my sleep I lost , Endur'd the summer's sun , and winter's frost . Unrighteous Man ! is this then my return ? I serv'd for Rachel — but for Leah mourn . " Laban reply'd , " What tho' , young man , I led " My first-born Leah to thy arms , and bed ; Know , 'tis our country's custom : 'twere a crime To give the younger first — yet both are thine , If , with thy boasted fondness , thou canst bear Sev'n added years of servitude and care . " Ill-fated Jacob ! who must now embrace These hard conditions of his happiness , Or lose his lovely Maid , his much-lov'd Fair ! Source of his woes , and partner of his care — Twice sev'n long years ! ' twas hard for Love to bear . Yet all his trials well did he sustain , And Rachel shar'd , or soften'd ev'ry pain , Till Heav'n at length confirm'd Her all his own ; When , to their mutual joy , She bare a son , And thence enjoy'd his Love unrival'd , and alone .