Scriptural poems being several portions of Scripture digested into English verse /

CHAP. IV.

AND Boaz went up to the City Gate, And after a short space, while there he sate, The Kinsman, of whom he had spoke, came by, To whom he said, Ho, such a one, draw nigh, And sit down here: He came and sate him down: Then he took Ten Men, Elders of the Town, And caused them to sit down. Then to the Man That was of Kin, thus he his Speech began, Naomi, said he, who not long since sojourned Amongst the Moabites, is now returned; And doth intend to sell a piece of Ground, The which Elimelech our Brother owned: And now to give thee notice, I thought fit, That if thou pleasest, thou mayst purchase it, In Presence of these Men assembled here: Then if thou wilt redeem it, now declare Thy Mind, but if thou wilt not, then let me, For thou art next of Kin, and I next thee. Then said the Kinsman, I will it redeem. Boaz replied, if good to thee it seem, To buy it of the Hand of Naomi, Thou also art obliged the same to buy Of Ruth the Moabitess, Wife of the' dead, On his Inheritance to raise up Seed. The Kinsman said, I cannot do this thing My self, least I an Inconvenience bring Upon mine own Inheritance, what's mine By right, therefore I now to thee resign. ⟨p. 16⟩Now this in Israel did a Custom stand, Concerning changing and redeeming Land; To put all Controversy to an end, A Man plucked off his Shoo, and gave his Friend; And this in Israel was an Evidence, When ever they changed an Inheritance. Then said the Kinsman unto Boaz, do Thou take my Right. And off he plucked his Shoo Then Boaz to the Elders thus did say, And to the People, All of you this Day Appear for me as Witnesses, that I Have bought all of the hand of Naomi, That was Elimelech's, or did belong Either to Mahlon or to Chilion: And Ruth the Moabitess, who some time Was Mahlon's Wife, I've purchased to be mine, Still to preserve alive the dead Man's Name On his Inheritance, least that the same Should in the Gate where he inhabited, Or 'mongst his Brethren be extinguished: Behold, this Day, my Witnesses you are. Then all the People that were present there, And Elders said, We are thy Witnesses: May God this Woman thou hast taken bless, That she like Rachel, and like Leah be, Which two did build up Israel's Family: