"Your servantwould merelycrossoverthe Jordanwith the king.Whyshould the kingcompensateme [with] thisreward?
"I am noweightyyearsold.Can I distinguishbetweengoodand bad?Orcan your servanttastewhatI eator whatI drink?Orcan I hearanymorethe voiceof singingmen and women? Whythen should your servantbe an addedburdento my lordthe king?
"Pleaselet your servantreturn,that I may diein my own citynearthe graveof my fatherand my mother.However, hereis your servantChimham,let him crossoverwith my lordthe king,and dofor him whatis goodin your sight."
As for the daysof our life,they contain seventyyears,Or ifdue to strength,eightyyears,Yet their prideis [but] laborand sorrow;For soonit is goneand we flyaway.
Rememberalso your Creatorin the daysof your youth,beforethe evildayscomeand the yearsdrawnearwhenyou will say,"I havenodelightin them";
"Give,and it will be givento you. They will pourinto your lapa goodmeasure--pressed down,shaken together,[and] running over.For by your standardof measureit will be measured to you in return."
