Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
Again defeated, the fallen Spirit lowered:
Yet, all undaunted, for a day to come,
New snares resolved: meantime, observance close
On every word and look would keep,—that scheme,
Yet hidden, to descry.
Yet, all undaunted, for a day to come,
New snares resolved: meantime, observance close
On every word and look would keep,—that scheme,
Yet hidden, to descry.
'Twixt earth and sun,
Hovering on watch, were angels, who each look,
And word, and thought,—so gifted specially—
Of that fallen Spirit, and the mortal three,
Clearly discerned. Silent and swift as light,
Are words of angels; felt, but uttered not.
In undistinguishable point of time,
Then thus,—in cumbrous language of mankind
Translated,—to his bright companion nigh,
The archangel Gabriel spake.
Hovering on watch, were angels, who each look,
And word, and thought,—so gifted specially—
Of that fallen Spirit, and the mortal three,
Clearly discerned. Silent and swift as light,
Are words of angels; felt, but uttered not.
In undistinguishable point of time,
Then thus,—in cumbrous language of mankind
Translated,—to his bright companion nigh,
The archangel Gabriel spake.
“Yon Evil One,—
Unseen, he thinks, by even the eye of Heaven,—
Hearkens, and looks; God's purpose through those twain,
Hoping to learn; that, by some subtlety,
Hell may prevent it. The I AM hath willed
That his bad wish be granted; so, at last,
Good out of ill to bring. Descend thou then:
In all thy glory before Moses stand;
In form and mien thine own; but, to the youth,
And virgin, viewless; and what thou dost know,
Declare unto him: so that Spirit Fallen,
Also, of their high destiny may hear;
In secret, as he thinks; and may repeat
In hell's full council; that their ill design
The lost ones may attempt: in time to come,
Thence keener pangs to feel; repentant tears
More largely to pour forth; and prayer, at last,
To the All Merciful;—from their fallën state,
So speedier to arise.”
114
Hearkens, and looks; God's purpose through those twain,
Hoping to learn; that, by some subtlety,
Hell may prevent it. The I AM hath willed
That his bad wish be granted; so, at last,
Good out of ill to bring. Descend thou then:
In all thy glory before Moses stand;
In form and mien thine own; but, to the youth,
And virgin, viewless; and what thou dost know,
Declare unto him: so that Spirit Fallen,
Also, of their high destiny may hear;
In secret, as he thinks; and may repeat
In hell's full council; that their ill design
The lost ones may attempt: in time to come,
Thence keener pangs to feel; repentant tears
More largely to pour forth; and prayer, at last,
To the All Merciful;—from their fallën state,
So speedier to arise.”
Hand locked in hand,
Still stood that innocent pair; eye fixed on eye,
As reading speechless love: and Moses still,—
Though now some space removed, lest their free joy,
Too near, he should disturb,—in silence stood,
Gazing and wondering,—when, behold! a light,
As of heaven opened, suddenly filled the place;
And full before him the angelic shape
In all his glory stood. Down on his face
Fell Moses, by that wondrous splendor struck,
Even as by lightning: but a hand unseen
Upraised him; and a voice mellifluous,
Yet grand as thunderous music, to him thus,
Courage infusing, spake.
Still stood that innocent pair; eye fixed on eye,
As reading speechless love: and Moses still,—
Though now some space removed, lest their free joy,
Too near, he should disturb,—in silence stood,
Gazing and wondering,—when, behold! a light,
As of heaven opened, suddenly filled the place;
And full before him the angelic shape
In all his glory stood. Down on his face
Fell Moses, by that wondrous splendor struck,
Even as by lightning: but a hand unseen
Upraised him; and a voice mellifluous,
Yet grand as thunderous music, to him thus,
Courage infusing, spake.
“Servant of God,
Be thy heart strong: look on me; hear my words.
Chosen of Heaven art thou; and mighty things
For Israel wilt thou do. But, after thee,
In due time, will arise one greater far;
Born of a woman, yet the Son of God;
Messiah to be named; through whom shall be
Redemption universal to man's race.
From tribe of Levi hath it been ordained,
Shall come the Virgin Mother of that Son:
Yea, even from these shall spring; the maid and youth
Before thee standing,—so with upright heart,
Pure from all sin, in sight of God they live,
And pure they die. But, sinning, will they fall;
And Heaven's high favor forfeit. Look thou then
Heedfully on them: dangerous is their path,
And narrow: one false step, and they are lost!”
Be thy heart strong: look on me; hear my words.
Chosen of Heaven art thou; and mighty things
For Israel wilt thou do. But, after thee,
In due time, will arise one greater far;
Born of a woman, yet the Son of God;
Messiah to be named; through whom shall be
Redemption universal to man's race.
115
Shall come the Virgin Mother of that Son:
Yea, even from these shall spring; the maid and youth
Before thee standing,—so with upright heart,
Pure from all sin, in sight of God they live,
And pure they die. But, sinning, will they fall;
And Heaven's high favor forfeit. Look thou then
Heedfully on them: dangerous is their path,
And narrow: one false step, and they are lost!”
| Israel in Egypt | |