So the poor Rabbi was taken into a chamber, looking into a garden, where
he passed the remainder of the night and the day weeping, and praying
to the Lord that he would deliver him from the city of Demons. But when
the twelfth hour came, and the sun was set, the Prince of the Mazikin
came again unto him, and said:--
"Eat now, I pray thee, for the day of thy vow is past;" and he set
meat before him.
"Pardon again thy servant, my lord," said Jochonan, "in this thing. I have
another vow for this day also. I pray thee be not angry with thy servant."
"I am not angry," said the Demon, "be it as thou pleasest; I respect thy
vow;" and he laughed louder than before.
So the Rabbi sat another day in his chamber by the garden, weeping and
praying. And when the sun had gone behind the hills, the Prince of the
Mazikin again stood before him, and said:--
"Eat now, for thou must be an hungered. It was a sore vow of thine;" and
he offered him daintier meats.
And Jochonan felt a strong desire to eat, but he prayed inwardly to the
Lord, and the temptation passed, and he answered:--
"Excuse thy servant yet a third time, my lord, that I eat not. I have
renewed my vow."
"Be it so, then," said the other; "arise, and follow me.
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