STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS. - 1438

feast which lasted for seven days. Samson followed
the ordinary custom, and his bride’s relations brought
him thirty young men to keep him company. That
these young men might have something to occupy
their minds, Samson said he would give them a riddle.
If they found it out before the seven days of the feast
were ended, he would give to each of the thirty a
complete suit of clothes; if they did not find it out,
each of the thirty must give him a suit of clothes. The
young Philistines agreed to these terms, so Samson pro-
pounded the riddle, “ Out of the eater came forth meat ;
out of the strong came forth sweetness.”

Johnnie. Did they find out the riddle, grandfather, in
the seven days?

Grandfather. No, they did not find it out at all.

Johnnie. That was very stupid.

George. Do you know it, Master Jack ?

Johnnie. No, I do not know it yet.

George. Then why do you call them stupid ?

Johnnie. If I had tried for seven days to find it out,
and if I had had twenty-nine people to help me, I would
perlraps have found it out.

Grandfather. Whether they were stupid or not, we
are certain that they were thirty as cowardly and bar-
barous men as could be found any where. So much were
they vexed that they could not find out the riddle, that
they were actually so unmanly as to threaten to burn to
death the bride with all her relations, if she did not find
out the riddle and tell it to them.