 | The conquest of Canäan |  |
BOOK XI.
272
Argument.
Morning. Hareshab returns to Gibeon. Army assembles, Speech of Caleb. Hanniel. Joshua's advice to him; his reply. Joshua's prayer. Cloud rolls before the army toward Gibeon. Prospect of the Heathen host beyond the city. Speech of Joshua on that occasion. Israelites descend from the mountain. Jabin prepares for battle, and arranges the heathen army on the bank of a small river. Gibeonites ascend the walls to view the battle. Aradon marches his troops out to meet Joshua, who gives the command of them to Almiran. Arrangement of the combatants. Joshua by a stratagem draws the Heathens from their advantageous post. General engagement. Joshua's exploits. He kills Medan and Talmon. Zedeck rallies the heathens; but is forced down the bank, and killed. Egon. Joshua, seeing Hazor strongly posted on the bank, moves down the river and rescues Almiran, kills Piram, and routs Jarmuth. Japhia. Exploits of Zimri. He kills Hobam, and puts Hebron into confusion. Jabin rallies them, and kills Hanniel. Asher retires. Joshua leaves his division to engage Hazor; and rallies Asher. Combat between him and Jabin. Heathens routed. Storm of Hail. Israelites return to their camp and are met by their wives and children singing praise to the Creator. Conclusion.
273
Now rose in heaven the great, the final day,
Where fates of chiefs, and kings, and kingdoms lay
Morn dress'd in golden pride the cliffs on high,
Stream'd o'er the groves, and brighten'd round the sky:
No cloud, no mist, obscur'd the blue serene;
And peace, and silence, hush'd the solemn scene.
Where fates of chiefs, and kings, and kingdoms lay
Morn dress'd in golden pride the cliffs on high,
Stream'd o'er the groves, and brighten'd round the sky:
No cloud, no mist, obscur'd the blue serene;
And peace, and silence, hush'd the solemn scene.
To Caleb's tent alert the Hero strode,
And rous'd Hareshah to the field of blood.—
With active haste to Gibeon's prince repair;
To range his thousands be his instant care:
Ere the glad sun climb half th' etherial main,
Shall Heaven's broad standard tremble on the plain.—
Far o'er the western field, with keen delight,
He wing'd his course, and vanish'd from the sight.
And rous'd Hareshah to the field of blood.—
With active haste to Gibeon's prince repair;
To range his thousands be his instant care:
Ere the glad sun climb half th' etherial main,
Shall Heaven's broad standard tremble on the plain.—
Far o'er the western field, with keen delight,
He wing'd his course, and vanish'd from the sight.
And now once more the clarion's dreadful sound
Inspires to arms, and shakes the banner'd ground:
To arms the martial thousands raptur'd spring;
Their songs resound, their clashing bucklers ring:
Roll'd on the winds, imperial ensigns play,
And wave their splendors to the bursting day.
Inspires to arms, and shakes the banner'd ground:
To arms the martial thousands raptur'd spring;
Their songs resound, their clashing bucklers ring:
Roll'd on the winds, imperial ensigns play,
And wave their splendors to the bursting day.
Now join'd in marshall'd ranks the generous train,
And gloomy columns darken'd o'er the plain;
When, rob'd in white, their hoary fathers came,
Great in past fields, and heirs of deathless fame.
One was their voice, and from their reverend eyes,
The bold heroic flame began to rise;
The soul stood struggling in the heaving breast,
And every limb their vigorous thoughts exprest.
When Caleb thus—The great concluding day
Now calls to arms, and Heaven directs the way:
What tho' unnumber'd hosts against us rise,
And with proud madness brave insulted Skies;
Shall cumbrous throngs the meanest arm dismay?
Or one base thought distain the glorious day?
Think how bold Abraham swept the midnight plain,
While realms oppos'd, and millions fought, in vain;
How two brave patriarchs, in one friendly gloom,
Sunk Shechem's towers and op'd a nation's tomb;
Think how these sires for you unbroken toil'd,
Dar'd the rough main, and prov'd the hideous wild;
Made spiry towns, and haughty kings a prey,
And forc'd o'er countless lands resistless way.
See your fond partners in sad grief array'd,
Behold your children claim parental aid!
Your hands their freedom and their fate suspend;
Your swords must conquer, or your race must end.
Nor let these narrow scenes your thoughts confine;
Claim nobler views and pass the selfish line.
Ages unborn from you shall trace their doom,
Heaven's future Seers, and heroes yet to come;
If slaves, or men, this day your hands decide,
The scorn of nations, or the world's great pride:
Empire and bondage in your bosoms lie;
'Tis yours to triumph, or tis ours to die.
And gloomy columns darken'd o'er the plain;
When, rob'd in white, their hoary fathers came,
Great in past fields, and heirs of deathless fame.
274
The bold heroic flame began to rise;
The soul stood struggling in the heaving breast,
And every limb their vigorous thoughts exprest.
When Caleb thus—The great concluding day
Now calls to arms, and Heaven directs the way:
What tho' unnumber'd hosts against us rise,
And with proud madness brave insulted Skies;
Shall cumbrous throngs the meanest arm dismay?
Or one base thought distain the glorious day?
Think how bold Abraham swept the midnight plain,
While realms oppos'd, and millions fought, in vain;
How two brave patriarchs, in one friendly gloom,
Sunk Shechem's towers and op'd a nation's tomb;
Think how these sires for you unbroken toil'd,
Dar'd the rough main, and prov'd the hideous wild;
Made spiry towns, and haughty kings a prey,
And forc'd o'er countless lands resistless way.
See your fond partners in sad grief array'd,
Behold your children claim parental aid!
Your hands their freedom and their fate suspend;
Your swords must conquer, or your race must end.
Nor let these narrow scenes your thoughts confine;
Claim nobler views and pass the selfish line.
Ages unborn from you shall trace their doom,
Heaven's future Seers, and heroes yet to come;
If slaves, or men, this day your hands decide,
The scorn of nations, or the world's great pride:
Empire and bondage in your bosoms lie;
'Tis yours to triumph, or tis ours to die.
He spoke, and silent to th' all-bounteous Skies
Stretch'd wide his hands, and rais'd his kindling eyes:
Each glowing visage flash'd disdain around
And hoarse applauses shook the neighbouring ground.
Stretch'd wide his hands, and rais'd his kindling eyes:
Each glowing visage flash'd disdain around
And hoarse applauses shook the neighbouring ground.
Bright from the lucid main, the sun's broad eye
Look'd in imperial splendor from the sky;
With war's gay pomp then shone th' embattled plains;
In proud battalions rose the martial trains;
A broken radiance burst from trembling shields,
And haughty heroes stalk'd along the fields.
Look'd in imperial splendor from the sky;
275
In proud battalions rose the martial trains;
A broken radiance burst from trembling shields,
And haughty heroes stalk'd along the fields.
Bold Hanniel there in shining armour stood,
And hop'd a deathless name in scenes of blood.
He saw the host to final combat rise,
The champions nations, and a realm the prize.
Now wealth allur'd; the rival now alarm'd;
Strong pride impell'd, and splendid conquest charm'd;
His wounds, his pains, in quick oblivion gone,
The wish of glory prompts the warrior on;
Pleas'd, his fond fancy flies from silent shame
To plains of triumph, and to wreaths of fame.
And hop'd a deathless name in scenes of blood.
He saw the host to final combat rise,
The champions nations, and a realm the prize.
Now wealth allur'd; the rival now alarm'd;
Strong pride impell'd, and splendid conquest charm'd;
His wounds, his pains, in quick oblivion gone,
The wish of glory prompts the warrior on;
Pleas'd, his fond fancy flies from silent shame
To plains of triumph, and to wreaths of fame.
Him Joshua view'd with pity in his breast,
And kindly thus the haughty chief address'd—
If, when dread war resounds her hoarse alarm,
Health flush the cheek, and vigor brace the arm,
To fight, the warrior virtue fame command,
And knaves alone refuse the needed hand.
But thou, brave Hanniel, seek'st the field in vain,
Pale with lost blood, and weak with ceaseless pain,
Unstrung to fight, and impotent to fly,
Useless, alive; nor glorious, should'st thou die.
In fields of frequent strife thy garlands bloom:
Let not their verdure wither on thy tomb:
No feeble aid such numerous honours claim,
Nor can base envy crop the growing fame.
And kindly thus the haughty chief address'd—
If, when dread war resounds her hoarse alarm,
Health flush the cheek, and vigor brace the arm,
To fight, the warrior virtue fame command,
And knaves alone refuse the needed hand.
But thou, brave Hanniel, seek'st the field in vain,
Pale with lost blood, and weak with ceaseless pain,
Unstrung to fight, and impotent to fly,
Useless, alive; nor glorious, should'st thou die.
In fields of frequent strife thy garlands bloom:
Let not their verdure wither on thy tomb:
No feeble aid such numerous honours claim,
Nor can base envy crop the growing fame.
He spoke, impatient Hanniel quick return'd,
And keen resentment in his visage burn'd—
While yon bright orb rolls on the mighty doom
Of millions born, and millions yet to come,
What chief, what man, who boasts a reasoning mind,
Will hide in shame, or sleep in tents confin'd?
Let these, if Jacob's race such culprits knows,
Shirnk from great scenes, and die in vile repose,
Not such is Hanniel: when my country calls.
I smile at fields of blood, and blazing walls;
Where clarions roar my ready footsteps hie,
Glue to the fight, and ask no strength to fly.
Unbroke by wounds, my voice shall now inspire
The coward's languor, and the warrior's fire;
This shield, or these frail limbs, well pleas'd, arrest
The lance, that flies to wound a worthier breast.
But Hanniel's glory why should Joshua fear?
Do rival names alarm thy tender ear?
On you broad plain unnumber'd stars arise,
Move in gay ranks, and triumph round the skies;
Each lends his beam to swell the pomp divine,
Nor grieves that neighbouring spangles brighter shine.
How beauteous thus in Honour's Angel-race,
When some blest æra numerous heroes grace,
Mean self disdain'd, if virtuous all engage
To fill with light the constellated age.
Some shining deed should this right hand atchieve,
Unstain'd, unrivall'd, Joshua's name would live;
Then wish no more my days consum'd in shame;
Nor grudge the glory, generous actions claim.
And keen resentment in his visage burn'd—
While yon bright orb rolls on the mighty doom
Of millions born, and millions yet to come,
What chief, what man, who boasts a reasoning mind,
Will hide in shame, or sleep in tents confin'd?
Let these, if Jacob's race such culprits knows,
Shirnk from great scenes, and die in vile repose,
276
I smile at fields of blood, and blazing walls;
Where clarions roar my ready footsteps hie,
Glue to the fight, and ask no strength to fly.
Unbroke by wounds, my voice shall now inspire
The coward's languor, and the warrior's fire;
This shield, or these frail limbs, well pleas'd, arrest
The lance, that flies to wound a worthier breast.
But Hanniel's glory why should Joshua fear?
Do rival names alarm thy tender ear?
On you broad plain unnumber'd stars arise,
Move in gay ranks, and triumph round the skies;
Each lends his beam to swell the pomp divine,
Nor grieves that neighbouring spangles brighter shine.
How beauteous thus in Honour's Angel-race,
When some blest æra numerous heroes grace,
Mean self disdain'd, if virtuous all engage
To fill with light the constellated age.
Some shining deed should this right hand atchieve,
Unstain'd, unrivall'd, Joshua's name would live;
Then wish no more my days consum'd in shame;
Nor grudge the glory, generous actions claim.
The Leader heard, and wish'd that Heaven had join'd
A heart more honest with so bright a mind:
Through his great bosom thrill'd a sudden pain,
Where sweet compassion mix'd with brave disdain.
Sighing he said—How blind is reason's eye,
When Heaven ordains o'er-weening man to die!
A heart more honest with so bright a mind:
Through his great bosom thrill'd a sudden pain,
Where sweet compassion mix'd with brave disdain.
Sighing he said—How blind is reason's eye,
When Heaven ordains o'er-weening man to die!
Now through the host he cast a piercing view,
And every rank, and every station, knew;
Then, while mute silence hush'd th' adoring bands,
From a tall rock, he rear'd his suppliant hands.—
And every rank, and every station, knew;
Then, while mute silence hush'd th' adoring bands,
From a tall rock, he rear'd his suppliant hands.—
O thou, whose throne, uprais'd beyond all height,
Glows in th' effulgence of unutter'd light,
O'er earth, o'er hell, o'er heaven, extends thy sway;
Angels, Archangels, Thrones, and Powers obey;
All scenes, all worlds, confess thy hand divine,
And seas, and skies, and stars, and suns, are thine.
Glows in th' effulgence of unutter'd light,
O'er earth, o'er hell, o'er heaven, extends thy sway;
Angels, Archangels, Thrones, and Powers obey;
277
And seas, and skies, and stars, and suns, are thine.
At thy command, to glory nations rise;
At thy command, each guilty kingdom dies;
At thy command, awakes the trumpet's roar:
Death walks the plain, and earth is drench'd in gore:
Hush'd by thy sovereign nod, the tempests cease;
Peace is thy choice, and all the world is peace.
At thy command, each guilty kingdom dies;
At thy command, awakes the trumpet's roar:
Death walks the plain, and earth is drench'd in gore:
Hush'd by thy sovereign nod, the tempests cease;
Peace is thy choice, and all the world is peace.
This day, O Power supreme! against the skies,
Sheath'd in dread arms, unnumber'd thousands rise.
As raging flames the shaggy mountains burn,
The groves to dust, and fields to deserts turn;
So let thy vengeance sweep th' embattled plain,
And teach proud monarchs God's eternal reign.
Sheath'd in dread arms, unnumber'd thousands rise.
As raging flames the shaggy mountains burn,
The groves to dust, and fields to deserts turn;
So let thy vengeance sweep th' embattled plain,
And teach proud monarchs God's eternal reign.
From endless years thy all-encircling mind
To Abraham's race this beauteous land assign'd:
The land, where Truth shall fix her lasting seat;
Where sky-born Virtue seeks a calm retreat;
Where blest Redemption opes her living morn;
Where heaven commences, and where God is born.
For this thy voice the sacred promise gave;
For this thy thunders cleft th' Egyptian wave;
Rich manna shower'd; with streams the desart smil'd,
And the whole heaven descended on the wild.
Still, O unchanging Mind! thy bounty shower;
Draw thy red sword, and stretch thine arm of power.
To gain these realms, the crown of long desire,
Let Heaven protect us, and let Heaven inspire!
To Abraham's race this beauteous land assign'd:
The land, where Truth shall fix her lasting seat;
Where sky-born Virtue seeks a calm retreat;
Where blest Redemption opes her living morn;
Where heaven commences, and where God is born.
For this thy voice the sacred promise gave;
For this thy thunders cleft th' Egyptian wave;
Rich manna shower'd; with streams the desart smil'd,
And the whole heaven descended on the wild.
Still, O unchanging Mind! thy bounty shower;
Draw thy red sword, and stretch thine arm of power.
To gain these realms, the crown of long desire,
Let Heaven protect us, and let Heaven inspire!
He spoke: a rushing voice began to roar,
Like caverns, echoing on the sea-beat shore;
Deep rang the hollow sound; and o'er the train,
The cloud stupendous sail'd along the plain;
Broad flames,in fierce effusion, round it play'd,
Scorch'd the green fields, and brighten'd all the shade:
Tow'rd western hills the fearful gloom retir'd,
And all the splendor in one flash expir'd.
Like caverns, echoing on the sea-beat shore;
Deep rang the hollow sound; and o'er the train,
The cloud stupendous sail'd along the plain;
Broad flames,in fierce effusion, round it play'd,
Scorch'd the green fields, and brighten'd all the shade:
Tow'rd western hills the fearful gloom retir'd,
And all the splendor in one flash expir'd.
278
Loud rose the trump; and rang'd in dread array,
Behind the cloud the squadrons trac'd their way;
The burnish'd helm, blue mail, and upright spear,
Gleam'd o'er the plain, and starr'd the kindled air:
High strode the Leader in the glorious van,
And round his arms an awful glory ran:
For God enrob'd him with a pomp divine,
And bade an angel in his countenance shine.
Thus, when no cloud obscures th' autumnal even,
And night's dark hand unveils the vault of heaven,
Crown'd with pure beams, her sons in beauty rise,
And glow, and sparkle, o'er unmeasur'd skies;
The moon, bright regent, leads th' immortal train,
And walks in pride imperial round the plain.
Behind the cloud the squadrons trac'd their way;
The burnish'd helm, blue mail, and upright spear,
Gleam'd o'er the plain, and starr'd the kindled air:
High strode the Leader in the glorious van,
And round his arms an awful glory ran:
For God enrob'd him with a pomp divine,
And bade an angel in his countenance shine.
Thus, when no cloud obscures th' autumnal even,
And night's dark hand unveils the vault of heaven,
Crown'd with pure beams, her sons in beauty rise,
And glow, and sparkle, o'er unmeasur'd skies;
The moon, bright regent, leads th' immortal train,
And walks in pride imperial round the plain.
Now climb'd the bands the mountain's towering height,
And o'er the subject region cast their sight;
There glister'd Gibeon's domes in trembling fires,
And all the grandeur of a thousand spires.
Beyond her walls, a far-extended plain
Spread, like the surface of the sleeping main:
A mighty host there left the bounded eye,
And lost its distant terrors in the sky.
Full in th' effulgence of the morn's broad beem,
Stretch'd the tremendous front, a ridge of flame,
Of length immeasurable. Ether wide
Wav'd with a thousand nations' banner'd pride;
Toss'd in gay triumph, lucid ensigns shone,
And cast their various splendor on the sun:
Swift round the region dim-seen chariots roll'd;
The far steeds bounded wrapp'd in twinkling gold,
With spears and helms adorn'd of countless trains,
Rose the full pomp of constellated plains;
And proud with wanton beams, the sun-bright shields
Join'd like unnumber'd moons, and dazzled all the fields.
And o'er the subject region cast their sight;
There glister'd Gibeon's domes in trembling fires,
And all the grandeur of a thousand spires.
Beyond her walls, a far-extended plain
Spread, like the surface of the sleeping main:
A mighty host there left the bounded eye,
And lost its distant terrors in the sky.
Full in th' effulgence of the morn's broad beem,
Stretch'd the tremendous front, a ridge of flame,
Of length immeasurable. Ether wide
Wav'd with a thousand nations' banner'd pride;
Toss'd in gay triumph, lucid ensigns shone,
And cast their various splendor on the sun:
Swift round the region dim-seen chariots roll'd;
The far steeds bounded wrapp'd in twinkling gold,
With spears and helms adorn'd of countless trains,
Rose the full pomp of constellated plains;
And proud with wanton beams, the sun-bright shields
Join'd like unnumber'd moons, and dazzled all the fields.
Unmov'd, great Joshua round him cast his eyes.
And saw th' interminable legions rise:
Then thus, while Israel hush'd in silence stood,
Rang'd in just ranks, and fac'd the field of blood.
Behold, on yon bright plain, embodied stands
The gather'd force of all Canäan's lands!
Gather'd by Heaven's right hand, and sad despair,
To crown our arms, and sink in one dread war!
Hail my brave sons, with me, th' immortal day,
That opes to blissful peace the glorious way,
The hour, long number'd in impatient skies,
The morn, ordain'd with every pomp to rise,
By angels watch'd, by Heaven's dread signs led on,
Sinai's fierce flames, and Jordan's walls of stone.
And saw th' interminable legions rise:
279
Rang'd in just ranks, and fac'd the field of blood.
Behold, on yon bright plain, embodied stands
The gather'd force of all Canäan's lands!
Gather'd by Heaven's right hand, and sad despair,
To crown our arms, and sink in one dread war!
Hail my brave sons, with me, th' immortal day,
That opes to blissful peace the glorious way,
The hour, long number'd in impatient skies,
The morn, ordain'd with every pomp to rise,
By angels watch'd, by Heaven's dread signs led on,
Sinai's fierce flames, and Jordan's walls of stone.
Each boundless hope let yon fair field inspire;
Each warrior kindle with a leader's fire:
The spoils of kingdoms each rapt eye behold;
Ensigns of fame, and shields of moony gold;
The herds, that wanton round a thousand rills;
The flocks, that whiten on a thousand hills;
The corn, all verdant o'er unmeasur'd plains;
The world, where spring with smiling plenty reigns;
Where olives swell; where beauteous figs refine;
And warm, and purpling, glows the cluster'd vine.
This day ordains them ours: this mighty day
Through realms unknown shall stretch our potent sway;
Far as the hills, where suns begin to rise;
Far as the seas, that limit evening skies;
Till fading years unloose the sleeping grave,
And time's last current joins th' eternal wave.
Each warrior kindle with a leader's fire:
The spoils of kingdoms each rapt eye behold;
Ensigns of fame, and shields of moony gold;
The herds, that wanton round a thousand rills;
The flocks, that whiten on a thousand hills;
The corn, all verdant o'er unmeasur'd plains;
The world, where spring with smiling plenty reigns;
Where olives swell; where beauteous figs refine;
And warm, and purpling, glows the cluster'd vine.
This day ordains them ours: this mighty day
Through realms unknown shall stretch our potent sway;
Far as the hills, where suns begin to rise;
Far as the seas, that limit evening skies;
Till fading years unloose the sleeping grave,
And time's last current joins th' eternal wave.
There too, my sons, shall boundless glory rise,
And yon bright field of conquest fill the skies.
Through Israel's future tribes the tale shall ring;
The sage record it, and the prophet sing;
Our deeds, our honours, wake the slumbering lyre;
Warm the saint's praise, and light the hero's fire;
Rous'd by the theme, new acts of virtue grow;
New chiefs break forth, and rival wonders flow;
Truth's happy sons rehearse in raptur'd strains,
Far through all climes, and ages, Gibeon's plains;
To morn's etherial host new bliss be given,
And human triumphs tune the harps of heaven.
And yon bright field of conquest fill the skies.
Through Israel's future tribes the tale shall ring;
The sage record it, and the prophet sing;
Our deeds, our honours, wake the slumbering lyre;
Warm the saint's praise, and light the hero's fire;
Rous'd by the theme, new acts of virtue grow;
New chiefs break forth, and rival wonders flow;
280
Far through all climes, and ages, Gibeon's plains;
To morn's etherial host new bliss be given,
And human triumphs tune the harps of heaven.
For know, when darkness last involv'd the skies,
I saw the promis'd land in vision rise.
I saw sweet peace exalted joys unfold;
Fair towns ascend, and temples beam in gold;
Kings, sprung from Jacob's lineage, mount the throne,
And stretch their sway to years and realms unknown;
Art raise her sceptre; wisdom's light revive,
And angel Virtue bid our glory live.
I saw Messiah bright from heaven descend,
And spread his sway to earth's remotest end;
Deep Gentile darkness yield to light refin'd;
And truth, and virtue, flow to all mankind.
I saw the world, where Powers and Seraphs bright
Shine in pure robes, and rove in endless light;
Where, in new youth, the patriarchs, from their thrones
Hail a long starry train of heavenly sons;
Where Abraham's steps his native skies sustain,
And Moses raptur'd meets his God again.
I saw the promis'd land in vision rise.
I saw sweet peace exalted joys unfold;
Fair towns ascend, and temples beam in gold;
Kings, sprung from Jacob's lineage, mount the throne,
And stretch their sway to years and realms unknown;
Art raise her sceptre; wisdom's light revive,
And angel Virtue bid our glory live.
I saw Messiah bright from heaven descend,
And spread his sway to earth's remotest end;
Deep Gentile darkness yield to light refin'd;
And truth, and virtue, flow to all mankind.
I saw the world, where Powers and Seraphs bright
Shine in pure robes, and rove in endless light;
Where, in new youth, the patriarchs, from their thrones
Hail a long starry train of heavenly sons;
Where Abraham's steps his native skies sustain,
And Moses raptur'd meets his God again.
On you, my sons, these mighty scenes suspend;
From you shall Israel's fame and bliss descend;
From you shall princes, heroes, prophets spring;
From you be born the heaven-appointed king;
On this great day his earthly kingdom stand,
Reach thro' all times, and flow to every land;
To bliss, in distant ages, nations rise,
The world ennoble, and expand the skies:
Rush then to glory; God's tremendous arm
Moves in the flaming front, and guides us to the storm.
From you shall Israel's fame and bliss descend;
From you shall princes, heroes, prophets spring;
From you be born the heaven-appointed king;
On this great day his earthly kingdom stand,
Reach thro' all times, and flow to every land;
To bliss, in distant ages, nations rise,
The world ennoble, and expand the skies:
Rush then to glory; God's tremendous arm
Moves in the flaming front, and guides us to the storm.
He spoke: a shout convuls'd the mountain's brow,
And burst sonorous o'er the world below:
Each warrior on the plain in fancy stood,
Drove back whole hosts, and rul'd the scenes of blood;
Each on his falchion cast a frequent eye,
And thought it bliss, in Israel's cause to die.
As sullen clouds, when blasts in silence rest,
Hang black and heavy on the mountain's breast;
Slow sink the volumes down its hoary side,
Shroud all the cliffs, and roll in gloomy pride:
At once the winds arise; and sounding rain
Pours with impetuous fury o'er the plain:
So the dark hosts descend in deep array,
And o'er the champaign drive their dreadful way.
And burst sonorous o'er the world below:
Each warrior on the plain in fancy stood,
Drove back whole hosts, and rul'd the scenes of blood;
281
And thought it bliss, in Israel's cause to die.
As sullen clouds, when blasts in silence rest,
Hang black and heavy on the mountain's breast;
Slow sink the volumes down its hoary side,
Shroud all the cliffs, and roll in gloomy pride:
At once the winds arise; and sounding rain
Pours with impetuous fury o'er the plain:
So the dark hosts descend in deep array,
And o'er the champaign drive their dreadful way.
From the far plains, great Jabin's eye beheld
The squadrons, thickening on the distant field,
For when from Joshua's arm his host retir'd,
Stung by disgrace, with fierce resentment fir'd,
Some future fight his angry thoughts design'd,
To glut the vengeance of his haughty mind.
To Gibeon's fields he steer'd his sullen course,
Where circling kings combin'd their gather'd force;
Chiefs rush'd to conquest from a thousand lands,
Whirl'd all their cars, and led their countless bands.
To guide their strength against their dreaded foes
All with one voice the mighty hero chose.
He, pleas'd once more to rule the dreadful plain,
Survey'd the terrors of th' unnumber'd train;
Survey'd a host, beyond his wishes great,
And ask'd the gods to give no happier fate.
In splendid arms confess'd to dreadful view,
To final fight, to final fame, he drew;
Full on his shield, with various forms inroll'd,
Or death, or conquest—blaz'd in words of gold.
The squadrons, thickening on the distant field,
For when from Joshua's arm his host retir'd,
Stung by disgrace, with fierce resentment fir'd,
Some future fight his angry thoughts design'd,
To glut the vengeance of his haughty mind.
To Gibeon's fields he steer'd his sullen course,
Where circling kings combin'd their gather'd force;
Chiefs rush'd to conquest from a thousand lands,
Whirl'd all their cars, and led their countless bands.
To guide their strength against their dreaded foes
All with one voice the mighty hero chose.
He, pleas'd once more to rule the dreadful plain,
Survey'd the terrors of th' unnumber'd train;
Survey'd a host, beyond his wishes great,
And ask'd the gods to give no happier fate.
In splendid arms confess'd to dreadful view,
To final fight, to final fame, he drew;
Full on his shield, with various forms inroll'd,
Or death, or conquest—blaz'd in words of gold.
In fields far west, a torrent, with rough waves,
The rocky shore with endless fury laves.
Here, o'er the stream high banks majestic hung,
And with sad murmurs hollow caverns rung;
There, for the squadrons, rushing to th' affray,
Smooth, sloping shores prepar'd an easy way.
The rocky shore with endless fury laves.
Here, o'er the stream high banks majestic hung,
And with sad murmurs hollow caverns rung;
There, for the squadrons, rushing to th' affray,
Smooth, sloping shores prepar'd an easy way.
282
High on the western margin of the flood,
A wall of fire, Canäan's millions stood.
Here Jabin's will ordain'd his host to stay,
Shields join'd with shields, and wedg'd in firm array.
For well he knew, when Israel's rushing force
Up the rough bank should urge their toilsome course,
Their broken ranks would fall an easy prey,
And fame, and triumph, close th' important day.
A wall of fire, Canäan's millions stood.
Here Jabin's will ordain'd his host to stay,
Shields join'd with shields, and wedg'd in firm array.
For well he knew, when Israel's rushing force
Up the rough bank should urge their toilsome course,
Their broken ranks would fall an easy prey,
And fame, and triumph, close th' important day.
Now Israel's host, slow-moving o'er the plain,
Successive roll'd, as waves disturb the main;
In every face a fix'd, calm bravery shin'd;
And not a hero cast a look behind.
Successive roll'd, as waves disturb the main;
In every face a fix'd, calm bravery shin'd;
And not a hero cast a look behind.
High on her ramparts Gibeon's children rose,
Survey'd the fields, and eyed th' impending foes.
Here in fond arms, the tender Mother bare
The babe, sweet offspring of her anxious care,
Hung o'er its infant charms, and joy'd to trace
The sire's lov'd image in its blooming face:
Then on the combat turn'd a boding view,
Wrung her white hands, and shed the glistening dew.
Here the gay Child, with pleas'd, and wondering eye,
Catch'd the broad standard, streaming in the sky;
On the red armour cast a raptur'd gaze,
And rais'd his artless hands, and mark'd the splendid blaze.
Here, bath'd in tears, and whelm'd with timorous care,
In woe more lovely, mourn'd the melting Fair;
O'er Gibeon's host their eyes incessant rov'd,
And each, mid thousands, trac'd the youth she lov'd:
Fond hope, ere eve gave champions to his steel,
And at her feet his shining garlands fell.
Then fear presents him weltering on the plain,
Soft, healing, female aid implor'd in vain;
Clos'd were those eyes, that beam'd etherial fire,
Glow'd with young joy, or languish'd sweet desire,
Dumb was the voice, that every wish could move,
And cold the form, that wak'd unutter'd love.
Here hoary Age in new-born pleasure stood,
And war's dread glories fir'd his languid blood;
Long-buried years rush'd forward to the view;
What hosts they battled, and what chiefs they slew:
Each on his brethren gaz'd with glad surprize,
And the great soul stood kindling in their eyes.
Survey'd the fields, and eyed th' impending foes.
Here in fond arms, the tender Mother bare
The babe, sweet offspring of her anxious care,
Hung o'er its infant charms, and joy'd to trace
The sire's lov'd image in its blooming face:
Then on the combat turn'd a boding view,
Wrung her white hands, and shed the glistening dew.
Here the gay Child, with pleas'd, and wondering eye,
Catch'd the broad standard, streaming in the sky;
On the red armour cast a raptur'd gaze,
And rais'd his artless hands, and mark'd the splendid blaze.
Here, bath'd in tears, and whelm'd with timorous care,
In woe more lovely, mourn'd the melting Fair;
O'er Gibeon's host their eyes incessant rov'd,
And each, mid thousands, trac'd the youth she lov'd:
Fond hope, ere eve gave champions to his steel,
And at her feet his shining garlands fell.
Then fear presents him weltering on the plain,
Soft, healing, female aid implor'd in vain;
Clos'd were those eyes, that beam'd etherial fire,
Glow'd with young joy, or languish'd sweet desire,
Dumb was the voice, that every wish could move,
And cold the form, that wak'd unutter'd love.
283
And war's dread glories fir'd his languid blood;
Long-buried years rush'd forward to the view;
What hosts they battled, and what chiefs they slew:
Each on his brethren gaz'd with glad surprize,
And the great soul stood kindling in their eyes.
From northern gates her dark battalions pour'd,
And many a hero fierce to combat tower'd;
His warlike thousands wise Aradon led,
The white locks trembling o'er his ancient head.
Hail, mighty Chief!—the hoary prince began—
Favourite of God, and virtuous friend of man!
Blest be thy steps, that bring this kind relief
To feeble age, and solitary grief.
In fields of conflict once rejoic'd I stood,
With death familiar, and with scenes of blood.
But now sad age my head has whiten'd o'er;
This palsied arm must wield the sword no more.
To mourn, to weep is all my future doom,
Drawn near to death, and bending o'er the tomb.
These bands thy voice obey; in danger's field
Their manly bosoms never knew to yield:
Nor will their feet, long tried in honour's race,
Now learn to flee, and first commence disgrace.
But, fix'd to death, their king, their land to save,
All force will hazard, and all terrors brave.
And many a hero fierce to combat tower'd;
His warlike thousands wise Aradon led,
The white locks trembling o'er his ancient head.
Hail, mighty Chief!—the hoary prince began—
Favourite of God, and virtuous friend of man!
Blest be thy steps, that bring this kind relief
To feeble age, and solitary grief.
In fields of conflict once rejoic'd I stood,
With death familiar, and with scenes of blood.
But now sad age my head has whiten'd o'er;
This palsied arm must wield the sword no more.
To mourn, to weep is all my future doom,
Drawn near to death, and bending o'er the tomb.
These bands thy voice obey; in danger's field
Their manly bosoms never knew to yield:
Nor will their feet, long tried in honour's race,
Now learn to flee, and first commence disgrace.
But, fix'd to death, their king, their land to save,
All force will hazard, and all terrors brave.
When round the host I turn my weeping eyes,
And gaze, and gaze, my soul, with anguish, cries
Where, where is Elam? Oh, may no sad doom
Compel thee to a son's untimely tomb!
A happier life, a brighter lot be thine;
Taste all the rapturing joys that once were mine.
From childless age may Heaven his chosen save,
Nor bring thy hoary hairs in sorrow to the grave!
And gaze, and gaze, my soul, with anguish, cries
Where, where is Elam? Oh, may no sad doom
Compel thee to a son's untimely tomb!
A happier life, a brighter lot be thine;
Taste all the rapturing joys that once were mine.
From childless age may Heaven his chosen save,
Nor bring thy hoary hairs in sorrow to the grave!
Great prince! the Chief, with cheering voice, replied—
Thy nation's father, and thy country's pride!
Not singly thou the pangs of grief hast known;
I mourn a daughter, as thou weep'st a son.
From hearts too fond, Heaven call'd the pair away
To fields of bliss, and climes of lasting day.
May every virtue in thy breast refine,
Till those fair climes, and all that bliss be thine.
Thy nation's father, and thy country's pride!
284
I mourn a daughter, as thou weep'st a son.
From hearts too fond, Heaven call'd the pair away
To fields of bliss, and climes of lasting day.
May every virtue in thy breast refine,
Till those fair climes, and all that bliss be thine.
But now retire, where yon bright chariot stands;
Let youth and vigour lead thy warlike bands,
For see, to fight Canäan's millions rise!
And hark, what clamors rend the boundless skies!
Let youth and vigour lead thy warlike bands,
For see, to fight Canäan's millions rise!
And hark, what clamors rend the boundless skies!
The king obey'd. In arms, the ardent throng,
Behind Almiran, darkly rush'd along;
Almiran, Gibeon's noblest, bravest son,
Led the bold heroes, and like lightning shone.
Behind Almiran, darkly rush'd along;
Almiran, Gibeon's noblest, bravest son,
Led the bold heroes, and like lightning shone.
In three vast squadrons stood the heathens strength,
And rose a mighty front of dreadful length.
O'er northern banks, where chariots hoarsely rung,
Like clouds of thunder, haughty Hebron hung:
There too fierce Eglon rush'd with dreadful roar,
Like the long murmurs of the sounding shore.
Nor feebler legions fill the southern plain;
There Lachish, Jarmuth there, the fight sustain;
To the dire centre numerous nations throng,
And Jabin guides the storm, and swiftly flames along.
And rose a mighty front of dreadful length.
O'er northern banks, where chariots hoarsely rung,
Like clouds of thunder, haughty Hebron hung:
There too fierce Eglon rush'd with dreadful roar,
Like the long murmurs of the sounding shore.
Nor feebler legions fill the southern plain;
There Lachish, Jarmuth there, the fight sustain;
To the dire centre numerous nations throng,
And Jabin guides the storm, and swiftly flames along.
With piercing eyes the Chief his foes descried,
And bade his host in three vast squares divide.
'Gainst Lachish Gibeon rolls in proud array;
'Gainst Hebron Asher bends a dreadful way:
As fires pursue a comet's sanguine form,
Behind great Joshua drives the central storm.
And bade his host in three vast squares divide.
'Gainst Lachish Gibeon rolls in proud array;
'Gainst Hebron Asher bends a dreadful way:
As fires pursue a comet's sanguine form,
Behind great Joshua drives the central storm.
Now o'er the plain, as ocean pours his tide,
Their streaming ensigns rear'd in purple pride,
Far north, and southward stretch'd the chosen train,
And cross'd in gloomy pomp the dreadful plain.
Near, and more near, th' undaunted warriors drew;
For well the Chief, by sure experience knew
That nations, taught in sudden fight to rise,
To war by stealth, and triumph by surprise,
To wiles, vain-glorious, fall an easy prey,
And, throng'd in tumult wild, are swept away.
Thence, near the foe he bade the squadrons move,
Tempt with keen taunts, and with proud threatnings prove,
That chiefs, and men, with childish rage o'ercome,
Might quit the shore, and haste to certain doom.
Their streaming ensigns rear'd in purple pride,
Far north, and southward stretch'd the chosen train,
And cross'd in gloomy pomp the dreadful plain.
Near, and more near, th' undaunted warriors drew;
For well the Chief, by sure experience knew
285
To war by stealth, and triumph by surprise,
To wiles, vain-glorious, fall an easy prey,
And, throng'd in tumult wild, are swept away.
Thence, near the foe he bade the squadrons move,
Tempt with keen taunts, and with proud threatnings prove,
That chiefs, and men, with childish rage o'ercome,
Might quit the shore, and haste to certain doom.
Now near the stream the sacred thousands stood,
Their breasts all panting for the scenes of blood.
At once, as some black storm begins to rise,
A cloud of arrows fill'd the western skies;
The long, ascending gloom all heaven o'erspread,
And the fields darken'd with a transient shade.
Then stones on stones tempestuous ether pour'd:
And darts on darts in quick succession shower'd:
Now here, now there, expiring warriors fell,
And shrill beneath them rung the clashing steel.
Their breasts all panting for the scenes of blood.
At once, as some black storm begins to rise,
A cloud of arrows fill'd the western skies;
The long, ascending gloom all heaven o'erspread,
And the fields darken'd with a transient shade.
Then stones on stones tempestuous ether pour'd:
And darts on darts in quick succession shower'd:
Now here, now there, expiring warriors fell,
And shrill beneath them rung the clashing steel.
At once, as mov'd by fear, the Chief withdrew,
And bade his host the distant walls pursue.
With joy, the heathens eyed their backward way,
Rais'd a long shout, and sprang to seize the prey.
Swift rush'd th' exulting thousands down the shore;
For ranks behind, urg'd on the ranks before;
Loud ring the chariots, swift the coursers bound,
And a deep thunder waves along the ground.
And bade his host the distant walls pursue.
With joy, the heathens eyed their backward way,
Rais'd a long shout, and sprang to seize the prey.
Swift rush'd th' exulting thousands down the shore;
For ranks behind, urg'd on the ranks before;
Loud ring the chariots, swift the coursers bound,
And a deep thunder waves along the ground.
Around, great Jabin cast a mournful view,
And saw his foes retreat, his friends pursue,
His laws contemn'd, that bade the thousands stay,
Till o'er the torrent Israel urg'd their way;
Kenn'd the deep snare, by Joshua wisely laid,
And to himself with sighs thus fiercely said.—
I see, proud chief, I see thy prosperous wiles;
On me fate frowns; on thee propitious smiles;
But not alone I prove the general doom;
Ten thousand ghosts shall meet me at the tomb:
Aveng'd, and happy to the shades I'll go,
To bid thy princes quake in realms below.
Thus spoke the king, and deem'd his ruin nigh,
A fearful vengeance reddening in his eye;
Strong, fell despair inflam'd his eager look;
His bands gaz'd trembling, and his princes shook.
And saw his foes retreat, his friends pursue,
His laws contemn'd, that bade the thousands stay,
Till o'er the torrent Israel urg'd their way;
Kenn'd the deep snare, by Joshua wisely laid,
And to himself with sighs thus fiercely said.—
I see, proud chief, I see thy prosperous wiles;
On me fate frowns; on thee propitious smiles;
But not alone I prove the general doom;
Ten thousand ghosts shall meet me at the tomb:
286
To bid thy princes quake in realms below.
Thus spoke the king, and deem'd his ruin nigh,
A fearful vengeance reddening in his eye;
Strong, fell despair inflam'd his eager look;
His bands gaz'd trembling, and his princes shook.
Meantime with smiles the sacred Chief beheld
His foes rush headlong o'er th' embattled field:
At once his piercing voice restrain'd the flight,
Wheel'd his long ranks, and marshall'd to the fight.
At once the trump's tremendous blast ascends
The plains all shudder, and the concave rends;
Loud as the storm's ten thousand thunders rise,
A shout unmeasur'd rocks the lands and skies;
Again high heaven is gloom'd with stony showers;
Again all ether darts unnumber'd pours;
With deep convulsion, roars the closing war;
Fierce bounds the steed; sonorous rolls the car;
With one broad ruin heaves the earth amain,
And Night, and Death, and Horror, shroud the plain.
So pours a storm on Greenland's frozen shore;
The hoarse winds rage; the maddening billows roar;
When boundless darkness wraps the realms on high,
And flaming meteors stream across the sky:
Huge isles of raging ice, together driven,
With bursting thunder rend air, sea, and heaven:
Rocks rise o'er rocks; o'er mountains mountains roll,
And the world trembles to the distant pole.
Thus o'er the field the dreadful tumult grows;
Alike impetuous, foes encounter foes;
Where Asher's sons proud Hebron's host engage;
Or where bold Gibeon pours her torrent rage;
Or where, around the Chief,immingled rise
Triumphant clamours, and expiring cries.
His foes rush headlong o'er th' embattled field:
At once his piercing voice restrain'd the flight,
Wheel'd his long ranks, and marshall'd to the fight.
At once the trump's tremendous blast ascends
The plains all shudder, and the concave rends;
Loud as the storm's ten thousand thunders rise,
A shout unmeasur'd rocks the lands and skies;
Again high heaven is gloom'd with stony showers;
Again all ether darts unnumber'd pours;
With deep convulsion, roars the closing war;
Fierce bounds the steed; sonorous rolls the car;
With one broad ruin heaves the earth amain,
And Night, and Death, and Horror, shroud the plain.
So pours a storm on Greenland's frozen shore;
The hoarse winds rage; the maddening billows roar;
When boundless darkness wraps the realms on high,
And flaming meteors stream across the sky:
Huge isles of raging ice, together driven,
With bursting thunder rend air, sea, and heaven:
Rocks rise o'er rocks; o'er mountains mountains roll,
And the world trembles to the distant pole.
Thus o'er the field the dreadful tumult grows;
Alike impetuous, foes encounter foes;
Where Asher's sons proud Hebron's host engage;
Or where bold Gibeon pours her torrent rage;
Or where, around the Chief,immingled rise
Triumphant clamours, and expiring cries.
Long roar'd the tumult of the dubious fight,
And no base coward wish'd inglorious flight:
All fierce to combat rush'd th' undaunted train;
Nor these the palm would lose, nor those could gain;
Till cloth'd in terror, Joshua's dreadful arm
Began the triumph, and led on the storm.
And no base coward wish'd inglorious flight:
287
Nor these the palm would lose, nor those could gain;
Till cloth'd in terror, Joshua's dreadful arm
Began the triumph, and led on the storm.
Two chiefs, whose silver arms confess'd their sway,
Rais'd their broad buklers in his fateful way.
By their fair wives a common sire they claim'd;
And Medan this, and Talmon that, was nam'd;
Of royal race, from Salem's walls they came,
Their deeds just budding in the field of fame.
Cleft through the side brave Medan gasping fell;
And Talmon trembling fled the lifted steel.
By his own friends a javelin swiftly hurl'd
Plung'd his freed spirit to the nether world;
Far round the field a shout of joy ascends,
And groans re-murmur from his sadden'd friends.
Rais'd their broad buklers in his fateful way.
By their fair wives a common sire they claim'd;
And Medan this, and Talmon that, was nam'd;
Of royal race, from Salem's walls they came,
Their deeds just budding in the field of fame.
Cleft through the side brave Medan gasping fell;
And Talmon trembling fled the lifted steel.
By his own friends a javelin swiftly hurl'd
Plung'd his freed spirit to the nether world;
Far round the field a shout of joy ascends,
And groans re-murmur from his sadden'd friends.
Then swift the Hero wheel'd his flaming sword;
Like mountain streams his host behind him pour'd;
Loud roar'd the thunders of the dreadful plain,
Rock'd the tall groves, and fill'd th' etherial main:
Increasing horror rent the world around,
And steeds, and cars, and warriors mingled on the ground.
Like mountain streams his host behind him pour'd;
Loud roar'd the thunders of the dreadful plain,
Rock'd the tall groves, and fill'd th' etherial main:
Increasing horror rent the world around,
And steeds, and cars, and warriors mingled on the ground.
Now near the stream approach'd the sounding war,
When fierce to combat roll'd a splendid car;
There giant Zedeck rose in dreadful view;
Two furious steeds the mighty monarch drew;
With wild impetuous rage, they foam'd along,
And, pale before them, fled the parting throng.
From Joshua's course he saw his bands retire;
His reddening aspect flash'd a gloomy fire;
With huge, hoarse voice the furious hero cried,
While the plains murmur'd, and the groves replied,
Whatever wretch from this bright combat flies,
By the just gods, the impious dastard dies.
Nor hope to 'scape the keen, avenging blade
In the still cot, or in the lonely shade.
Soon shall this sword, with victory crown'd, return;
And wrath, and vengeance, all your dwellings burn;
Your bodies, limb from limb, this arm shall tear,
Nor sons, nor wives, nor fires, nor infants, spare;
But bid the hungry hawks your race devour,
And call grim wolves to feast in floods of gore.
When fierce to combat roll'd a splendid car;
There giant Zedeck rose in dreadful view;
Two furious steeds the mighty monarch drew;
With wild impetuous rage, they foam'd along,
And, pale before them, fled the parting throng.
From Joshua's course he saw his bands retire;
His reddening aspect flash'd a gloomy fire;
With huge, hoarse voice the furious hero cried,
While the plains murmur'd, and the groves replied,
Whatever wretch from this bright combat flies,
By the just gods, the impious dastard dies.
Nor hope to 'scape the keen, avenging blade
In the still cot, or in the lonely shade.
288
And wrath, and vengeance, all your dwellings burn;
Your bodies, limb from limb, this arm shall tear,
Nor sons, nor wives, nor fires, nor infants, spare;
But bid the hungry hawks your race devour,
And call grim wolves to feast in floods of gore.
He spoke; astonish'd, some more nimbly flew;
And some to conflict with fresh ardour drew:
Despair once more the growing flight repell'd,
And gave new horrors to the gloomy field.
And some to conflict with fresh ardour drew:
Despair once more the growing flight repell'd,
And gave new horrors to the gloomy field.
Meantime on Joshua drove the sounding car,
And burst impetuous through the thickest war,
Rough, heavy, dreadful, by the giant thrown
Flew the vast fragment of a craggy stone;
Scarce 'scap'd the wary Chief, with sudden bound,
While the broad ruin plow'd the crumbling ground.
A javelin then the monarch's hand impell'd,
That sung, and trembled, 'gainst the Hero's shield;
Swift o'er his head a second hissing flies,
And a pierc'd warrior groans, and falls, and dies.
At once great Joshua rais'd his reeking sword,
And with deep wounds the maddening coursers gor'd;
Through cleaving ranks the coursers backward flew,
And swift from fight the helpless monarch drew.
To the high shore, impendent o'er the flood,
They rush'd, as whirlwinds sweep the rending wood;
To turn they tried, with short and sudden wheel;
But tried in vain; the sounding chariot fell.
Prone down the lofty bank the steeds pursued,
Where sharp, and ragged rocks beneath were strew'd;
All shrill the giant's striking mail resounds:
With clattering crash, the cracking car rebounds;
White o'er his lifeless head the waters roar—
Lost in the stream, and doom'd to rise no more.—
As, when the south's fierce blasts the main deform,
And roll the pealful onset of the storm;
Hung are the heavens with night; the world around,
Deep-murmuring, trembles to the solemn sound;
Full on dread Longa's wild-resounding shore
Hills, wav'd o'er hills, ascend, and burst, and roar:
Safe in his cot, the hoary sailor hears,
Or drops, for fancied wrecks, unbidden tears.
A boundless shout, from Israel's raptur'd train,
Rent the broad skies, and shook the dreadful plain.
For now, their champion, trust, and glory lost,
From Joshua's vengeance flew sad Salem's host;
Before him nought avail'd the shields, and spears,
But chiefs, and foaming steeds, and rattling cars,
Ranks urging ranks, squadrons o'er squadrons borne,
Down the bank plung'd; the bank behind them torne,
Sunk with a rushing sound: great Joshua's arm
Uplifted, imminent impell'd the storm.
Alert, he bounded on the yielding sand,
And scatter'd ruin from his red right hand.
The white waves foam'd around his midway side,
As fierce he thunder'd thro' the rushing tide.
Two blooming youths, he dash'd against the rock,
Where Zedeck's chariot felt the fatal shock;
Their gushing blood ran purple thro' the wave,
And thousands with them found a watery grave.
And burst impetuous through the thickest war,
Rough, heavy, dreadful, by the giant thrown
Flew the vast fragment of a craggy stone;
Scarce 'scap'd the wary Chief, with sudden bound,
While the broad ruin plow'd the crumbling ground.
A javelin then the monarch's hand impell'd,
That sung, and trembled, 'gainst the Hero's shield;
Swift o'er his head a second hissing flies,
And a pierc'd warrior groans, and falls, and dies.
At once great Joshua rais'd his reeking sword,
And with deep wounds the maddening coursers gor'd;
Through cleaving ranks the coursers backward flew,
And swift from fight the helpless monarch drew.
To the high shore, impendent o'er the flood,
They rush'd, as whirlwinds sweep the rending wood;
To turn they tried, with short and sudden wheel;
But tried in vain; the sounding chariot fell.
Prone down the lofty bank the steeds pursued,
Where sharp, and ragged rocks beneath were strew'd;
All shrill the giant's striking mail resounds:
With clattering crash, the cracking car rebounds;
White o'er his lifeless head the waters roar—
Lost in the stream, and doom'd to rise no more.—
As, when the south's fierce blasts the main deform,
And roll the pealful onset of the storm;
289
Deep-murmuring, trembles to the solemn sound;
Full on dread Longa's wild-resounding shore
Hills, wav'd o'er hills, ascend, and burst, and roar:
Safe in his cot, the hoary sailor hears,
Or drops, for fancied wrecks, unbidden tears.
A boundless shout, from Israel's raptur'd train,
Rent the broad skies, and shook the dreadful plain.
For now, their champion, trust, and glory lost,
From Joshua's vengeance flew sad Salem's host;
Before him nought avail'd the shields, and spears,
But chiefs, and foaming steeds, and rattling cars,
Ranks urging ranks, squadrons o'er squadrons borne,
Down the bank plung'd; the bank behind them torne,
Sunk with a rushing sound: great Joshua's arm
Uplifted, imminent impell'd the storm.
Alert, he bounded on the yielding sand,
And scatter'd ruin from his red right hand.
The white waves foam'd around his midway side,
As fierce he thunder'd thro' the rushing tide.
Two blooming youths, he dash'd against the rock,
Where Zedeck's chariot felt the fatal shock;
Their gushing blood ran purple thro' the wave,
And thousands with them found a watery grave.
There, mid vile throngs, t' untimely fate a prey,
Young, generous Egon breath'd his soul away.
Him Salem's nymphs resounded thro' the vales,
Or sung melodious, to responsive gales.
He, from the mountain wilds, and cliffs sublime,
Untrod, uncultur'd, from the first of time,
Drove the fierce beasts, by arms and arts compell'd,
To seek their safety in the lowland field.
By flames unclos'd, by hounds and swains pursued,
They fled each fastness of th' impervious wood;
Ambush'd, in vales beneath the savage prey
Rush'd on the spear, and yell'd their lives away.
Then howling wilds the traveller ceas'd t' appall;
Then night spread harmless round th' unguarded stall
His flocks, the rising swain with joy survey'd,
And slaughter'd lambs defil'd no more the glade.
Egon, each pipe, each voice of music sung;
And Egon's glory courts and caverns rung:
But pass'd was all his fame; by Joshua's hand
Plung'd in the stream, and choak'd with surging sand,
While from the bank the warriors leap'd amain,
Crush'd, drown'd, he mingled with the numerous slain.
Young, generous Egon breath'd his soul away.
Him Salem's nymphs resounded thro' the vales,
Or sung melodious, to responsive gales.
He, from the mountain wilds, and cliffs sublime,
Untrod, uncultur'd, from the first of time,
Drove the fierce beasts, by arms and arts compell'd,
To seek their safety in the lowland field.
By flames unclos'd, by hounds and swains pursued,
They fled each fastness of th' impervious wood;
Ambush'd, in vales beneath the savage prey
Rush'd on the spear, and yell'd their lives away.
290
Then night spread harmless round th' unguarded stall
His flocks, the rising swain with joy survey'd,
And slaughter'd lambs defil'd no more the glade.
Egon, each pipe, each voice of music sung;
And Egon's glory courts and caverns rung:
But pass'd was all his fame; by Joshua's hand
Plung'd in the stream, and choak'd with surging sand,
While from the bank the warriors leap'd amain,
Crush'd, drown'd, he mingled with the numerous slain.
On the steep, western bank all Hazor stood;
A cloud of fire, high-towering o'er the flood:
Their darts unnumber'd Israel's host invade,
And many an eye is clos'd in death's dark shade.
Swift down the shore a rock with fury fell,
And crush'd two warriors, wrapp'd in shining steel:
Near Joshua's steps the craggy ruin pour'd;
The Hero sprang; the foaming torrent roar'd.
Then stones on stones, with sounding tempest driven,
Fill'd the wide concave of the troubled heaven:
Beneath their shields the prudent warriors stood;
All ether rang and foam'd the reddening flood;
'Till mighty Joshua, breathing wide dismay,
Swift down the raging torrent drove his way.
Where southward waves, expanding ceas'd to roar,
The stream was bounded by a sloping shore.
Hither the hero bent his awful course;
His host behind him pour'd their mighty force;
Fierce up the shore he rush'd; a dreadful band
Throng'd round their chief, and darken'd all the strand.
A cloud of fire, high-towering o'er the flood:
Their darts unnumber'd Israel's host invade,
And many an eye is clos'd in death's dark shade.
Swift down the shore a rock with fury fell,
And crush'd two warriors, wrapp'd in shining steel:
Near Joshua's steps the craggy ruin pour'd;
The Hero sprang; the foaming torrent roar'd.
Then stones on stones, with sounding tempest driven,
Fill'd the wide concave of the troubled heaven:
Beneath their shields the prudent warriors stood;
All ether rang and foam'd the reddening flood;
'Till mighty Joshua, breathing wide dismay,
Swift down the raging torrent drove his way.
Where southward waves, expanding ceas'd to roar,
The stream was bounded by a sloping shore.
Hither the hero bent his awful course;
His host behind him pour'd their mighty force;
Fierce up the shore he rush'd; a dreadful band
Throng'd round their chief, and darken'd all the strand.
Here brave Almiran, like a sweeping fire,
Urg'd his dread path, and bade his foes expire.
Tall in the gloomy van, the hero sped,
And Lachish pale before him fell or fled:
Such fiery terrors round his visage glow'd;
Such streams of slaughter from his falchion flow'd.
'Till, generous youth, an arrow found thy side,
And down thy armour gush'd the living tide.
Thy sire had grasp'd his long-neglected shield,
And follow'd, trembling, to the deathful field:
There on thy deeds he cast an anxious view;
There touch'd with transport. felt his youth renew;
Then saw thee falling, pale, depriv'd of breath,
Plung'd on the foe, and sunk in whelming death.
Urg'd his dread path, and bade his foes expire.
Tall in the gloomy van, the hero sped,
And Lachish pale before him fell or fled:
Such fiery terrors round his visage glow'd;
Such streams of slaughter from his falchion flow'd.
291
And down thy armour gush'd the living tide.
Thy sire had grasp'd his long-neglected shield,
And follow'd, trembling, to the deathful field:
There on thy deeds he cast an anxious view;
There touch'd with transport. felt his youth renew;
Then saw thee falling, pale, depriv'd of breath,
Plung'd on the foe, and sunk in whelming death.
The youth, great Joshua caught in friendly arms,
His shield averting war's impendent harms;
Chaf'd by his hand, again he op'd his eyes;
His lips respir'd; his bloom began to rise.
Then Gibeon's sons the mighty Leader fir'd,
And sorrow prompted, and revenge inspir'd.
His shield averting war's impendent harms;
Chaf'd by his hand, again he op'd his eyes;
His lips respir'd; his bloom began to rise.
Then Gibeon's sons the mighty Leader fir'd,
And sorrow prompted, and revenge inspir'd.
Now dress'd in golden pride, to crimson war,
Tall, beauteous Piram drove his shining car.
Born in the stillness of a court serene,
Where peace, and pleasure led the jocund scene,
He loath'd dire fight, to gentler thoughts inclin'd;
And love, and music, charm'd his feeling mind.
Soft pity touch'd his heart; and oft a tear
He dropp'd, and mourn'd the human doom severe;
Th' unnumber'd ills of wasting pride would rue,
And wish that kings the sweets of friendship knew.
Yet, not of servile kind, his thoughts had soar'd,
In brighter days, and Art's fair realms explor'd.
Such was his soul, as grace from heaven refin'd
Can warm, and ripen, to an angel's mind.
Tall, beauteous Piram drove his shining car.
Born in the stillness of a court serene,
Where peace, and pleasure led the jocund scene,
He loath'd dire fight, to gentler thoughts inclin'd;
And love, and music, charm'd his feeling mind.
Soft pity touch'd his heart; and oft a tear
He dropp'd, and mourn'd the human doom severe;
Th' unnumber'd ills of wasting pride would rue,
And wish that kings the sweets of friendship knew.
Yet, not of servile kind, his thoughts had soar'd,
In brighter days, and Art's fair realms explor'd.
Such was his soul, as grace from heaven refin'd
Can warm, and ripen, to an angel's mind.
To combat now the prince reluctant rode,
When full before him Israel's Leader stood.
Pleas'd, he beheld the graceful form ascend,
And wish'd the gods had made the Chief his friend.
But vain his wishes; by the Hero thrown,
Full on his forehead bursts a sounding stone,
He fell; his coursers backward rush'd amain
And snatch'd the monarch o'er the cloudy plain.
When full before him Israel's Leader stood.
Pleas'd, he beheld the graceful form ascend,
And wish'd the gods had made the Chief his friend.
But vain his wishes; by the Hero thrown,
Full on his forehead bursts a sounding stone,
He fell; his coursers backward rush'd amain
And snatch'd the monarch o'er the cloudy plain.
292
His hapless fall pale Jarmuth's sons beheld;
Grief froze their hearts, and fear their nerves congeal'd
The Chief pursues; their trembling bands retire;
Deep groans ascend, and troops on troops expire:
Wide rolls the dust; the skies are snatch'd from sight,
And death hangs dreadful o'er the growing fight.
Grief froze their hearts, and fear their nerves congeal'd
The Chief pursues; their trembling bands retire;
Deep groans ascend, and troops on troops expire:
Wide rolls the dust; the skies are snatch'd from sight,
And death hangs dreadful o'er the growing fight.
There, thron'd in state, and dress'd in burnish'd steel,
Lachish' fair prince, Japhia, hapless fell.
He bade soft songs awake the trembling lyre,
With notes of magic, and with words of fire;
Such songs, as Moses, uninspir'd, might sing;
Like him, a bard, a hero, and a king.
But far beyond the pride of pomp, and power,
He lov'd the realms of nature to explore;
With lingering gaze, Edenian spring survey'd;
Morn's fairy splendors, night's gay curtain'd shade;
The high hoar cliff; the grove's benighting gloom;
The wild rose, widow'd, o'er the mouldering tomb;
The heaven-embosom'd sun; the rainbow's die,
Where lucid forms disport to fancy's eye.
When rous'd to war, and deeds of deathless name,
Faint shone to him the charms of martial fame:
But fir'd to ecstacy, his soul beheld
The stormy grandeur of the troubled field:
The morn, that trembled o'er the steel-bright plains;
The whirlwind car, wing'd steed, and clashing trains.
Such scenes the warrior sung. The swains around
Hung on th'enchantment of the wildering sound:
Soft o'er the lyre the voice of music pass'd,
Wild as the woodland warblings of the waste;
Each savage soften'd, as the numbers rose,
Forsook his falchion, and forgot his foes.
Lachish' fair prince, Japhia, hapless fell.
He bade soft songs awake the trembling lyre,
With notes of magic, and with words of fire;
Such songs, as Moses, uninspir'd, might sing;
Like him, a bard, a hero, and a king.
But far beyond the pride of pomp, and power,
He lov'd the realms of nature to explore;
With lingering gaze, Edenian spring survey'd;
Morn's fairy splendors, night's gay curtain'd shade;
The high hoar cliff; the grove's benighting gloom;
The wild rose, widow'd, o'er the mouldering tomb;
The heaven-embosom'd sun; the rainbow's die,
Where lucid forms disport to fancy's eye.
When rous'd to war, and deeds of deathless name,
Faint shone to him the charms of martial fame:
But fir'd to ecstacy, his soul beheld
The stormy grandeur of the troubled field:
The morn, that trembled o'er the steel-bright plains;
The whirlwind car, wing'd steed, and clashing trains.
Such scenes the warrior sung. The swains around
Hung on th'enchantment of the wildering sound:
Soft o'er the lyre the voice of music pass'd,
Wild as the woodland warblings of the waste;
Each savage soften'd, as the numbers rose,
Forsook his falchion, and forgot his foes.
As dread before him glow'd the Hero's face,
His angel pomp, and heaven-descended grace;
He stopp'd; he gaz'd; and with fond fancy warm,
Glued to the solemn glories of his form;
Swift through his bosom drove the deadly spear,
And all his beauteous dreams dissolv'd in air.
His angel pomp, and heaven-descended grace;
He stopp'd; he gaz'd; and with fond fancy warm,
Glued to the solemn glories of his form;
293
And all his beauteous dreams dissolv'd in air.
Meantime far north the sons of Asher pour'd,
And fierce to combat chiefs and heroes tower'd:
There, like a whirlwind, rapid Zimri flew,
And, like a tempest, countless bands pursue:
Clouds after clouds behind him darkly roll,
And shouts of glory heave the murmuring pole.
And fierce to combat chiefs and heroes tower'd:
There, like a whirlwind, rapid Zimri flew,
And, like a tempest, countless bands pursue:
Clouds after clouds behind him darkly roll,
And shouts of glory heave the murmuring pole.
As when two seas, by winds together hurl'd,
With bursting fury shake the solid world;
Waves pil'd o'er waves, the watery mountains rise,
And foam, and roar, and rage, against the skies:
So join'd the combat; ranks, o'er ranks impell'd,
Swell'd the hoarse tumult of the hideous field;
Black drifts of dust becloud the gloomy ground;
Hoarse groans ascend, and clashing arms resound.
And now, where Zimri broke th' embodied war,
Imperious Hoham drove his sounding car;
Like flames, his rapid courses rush'd along,
Forc'd a red path, and crush'd the thickening throng:
His hissing lances shower'd destruction round,
And streaming bodies strew'd the crimson ground.
With joy, bold Zimri kenn'd the prince afar
And wing'd his javelin thro' the flashing air;
Deep in his throat was lodg'd th' avenging steel;
With groans, the monarch panting, struggling, fell:
The sword indignant gash'd his cleaving side,
Freed the pale ghost, and pour'd the vital tide.
With bursting fury shake the solid world;
Waves pil'd o'er waves, the watery mountains rise,
And foam, and roar, and rage, against the skies:
So join'd the combat; ranks, o'er ranks impell'd,
Swell'd the hoarse tumult of the hideous field;
Black drifts of dust becloud the gloomy ground;
Hoarse groans ascend, and clashing arms resound.
And now, where Zimri broke th' embodied war,
Imperious Hoham drove his sounding car;
Like flames, his rapid courses rush'd along,
Forc'd a red path, and crush'd the thickening throng:
His hissing lances shower'd destruction round,
And streaming bodies strew'd the crimson ground.
With joy, bold Zimri kenn'd the prince afar
And wing'd his javelin thro' the flashing air;
Deep in his throat was lodg'd th' avenging steel;
With groans, the monarch panting, struggling, fell:
The sword indignant gash'd his cleaving side,
Freed the pale ghost, and pour'd the vital tide.
With shouts of triumph swell'd th' etherial main,
And new convulsions shook the stormy plain.
The cars rush'd backward; foaming coursers bound;
The shrill swords clash, and hollow groans resound.
'Twixt the long banks remurmuring clamors roar,
And eyes unnumber'd wish the farthest shore.
As, swell'd with rains, th' autumnal stream ascends,
Foams o'er the rocks, and all the mountain rends,
Heav'd deep, with groans th' uprooted forest yields,
And huge, unwieldy oaks, plunge cumbrous to the fields;
So furious Asher, with resistless sway,
On Hebron bursting broke a dreadful way;
Swift o'er the floods the warriors eager fly,
And steeds, and men, on earth immingled lie.
And new convulsions shook the stormy plain.
The cars rush'd backward; foaming coursers bound;
The shrill swords clash, and hollow groans resound.
'Twixt the long banks remurmuring clamors roar,
And eyes unnumber'd wish the farthest shore.
As, swell'd with rains, th' autumnal stream ascends,
Foams o'er the rocks, and all the mountain rends,
294
And huge, unwieldy oaks, plunge cumbrous to the fields;
So furious Asher, with resistless sway,
On Hebron bursting broke a dreadful way;
Swift o'er the floods the warriors eager fly,
And steeds, and men, on earth immingled lie.
On these dire scenes great Jabin cast his view,
And saw his friends retire, his foes pursue,
Then, while the storm of war brave Zedeck bore,
He whirl'd his chariot down the western shore.
As, stain'd with blood, a meteor's midnight beam
Cleaves the dun clouds, and trails a length of flame;
At once, with dreadful burst, its terrors fly,
And a deep thunder rocks the shuddering sky:
So, thron'd tremendous in his sun-bright car,
Rush'd the impetuous Hero to the war;
Loud to their ears his voice terrific came,
And his fierce eyeballs flash'd a withering flame—
Rouse, rouse to fight, to triumph bend your way;
Nor yield these slaves the wish'd immortal day.
Shall Hebron's sons, that never knew to fly,
Now turn inglorious, and like dastards die?
Let all your antient deeds each soul inspire,
And each bold warrior emulate his sire.
This hour propitious brings the glorious doom,
And sweeps these wretches to the coward's tomb.
And saw his friends retire, his foes pursue,
Then, while the storm of war brave Zedeck bore,
He whirl'd his chariot down the western shore.
As, stain'd with blood, a meteor's midnight beam
Cleaves the dun clouds, and trails a length of flame;
At once, with dreadful burst, its terrors fly,
And a deep thunder rocks the shuddering sky:
So, thron'd tremendous in his sun-bright car,
Rush'd the impetuous Hero to the war;
Loud to their ears his voice terrific came,
And his fierce eyeballs flash'd a withering flame—
Rouse, rouse to fight, to triumph bend your way;
Nor yield these slaves the wish'd immortal day.
Shall Hebron's sons, that never knew to fly,
Now turn inglorious, and like dastards die?
Let all your antient deeds each soul inspire,
And each bold warrior emulate his sire.
This hour propitious brings the glorious doom,
And sweeps these wretches to the coward's tomb.
He spoke, and furious, with resistless force
Burst on his foes and stopp'd their eager course:
All Hebron round him swift to conflict turn'd,
New life inform'd them, and new bravery burn'd;
Squadrons on squadrons wedg'd their deep array,
And darker horrors gloom'd the dreadful day.
Burst on his foes and stopp'd their eager course:
All Hebron round him swift to conflict turn'd,
New life inform'd them, and new bravery burn'd;
Squadrons on squadrons wedg'd their deep array,
And darker horrors gloom'd the dreadful day.
Him Hanniel saw; for here in fiercest fight
With joy he mingled, and disdain'd base flight.
No griding anguish now his limb distress'd;
No thought, but glory, triumph'd in his breast;
Chiefs to his arm had given the parting breath,
And vulgar warriors stain'd his sword with death.
Alive, impetuous, burn'd the martial flame,
And every hope beat high for endless fame.
With joy he mingled, and disdain'd base flight.
No griding anguish now his limb distress'd;
No thought, but glory, triumph'd in his breast;
295
And vulgar warriors stain'd his sword with death.
Alive, impetuous, burn'd the martial flame,
And every hope beat high for endless fame.
On Jabin's car th' undaunted warrior flew:
The car, like whirlwinds near him swiftly drew.
This the bless'd hour the hero deem'd to gain
The garland, wish'd so long, but wish'd in vain.
The Chief of foes his raptur'd eye survey'd,
The destin'd victim of his conquering blade.
No fear disturb'd, lest combat's fickle doom
Should change the lot, and ope another's tomb:
He smil'd, from Joshua sure the palm to win,
And felt fresh honours round his temples twine.
At once, by Jabin's hand like lightening driven,
A spear flew nimbly through the dusty heaven;
Deep in his forehead sunk th' unerring steel;
Without a groan the haughty warrior fell:
No soul more restless e'er from earth retir'd,
Nor pride more boundless e'er in dust expir'd.
The car, like whirlwinds near him swiftly drew.
This the bless'd hour the hero deem'd to gain
The garland, wish'd so long, but wish'd in vain.
The Chief of foes his raptur'd eye survey'd,
The destin'd victim of his conquering blade.
No fear disturb'd, lest combat's fickle doom
Should change the lot, and ope another's tomb:
He smil'd, from Joshua sure the palm to win,
And felt fresh honours round his temples twine.
At once, by Jabin's hand like lightening driven,
A spear flew nimbly through the dusty heaven;
Deep in his forehead sunk th' unerring steel;
Without a groan the haughty warrior fell:
No soul more restless e'er from earth retir'd,
Nor pride more boundless e'er in dust expir'd.
As, when bold youths, the mount's dim summit gain'd,
Upheave the huge, hoar crag, with toilsome hand;
From point to point th' unwieldy ruin toss'd,
Smokes down the steep, and grinds the cliffs to dust;
High bounding, sinking headlong, seeks the plain,
Cleaves the torne ground, and plows the foaming main;
Far plunge the crashing pines; the wild rocks roar,
Hurl'd with tumultuous fury to the shore;
Wide-rolling dust the neighbouring concave fills,
And a long, swelling roar runs murmuring round the hills.
So down the bank, tremendous Jabin's car
Urg'd the pale throng, and drove the sounding war:
His foes plung'd headlong in the crimson wave,
And chiefs, and warriors, found a liquid grave.
Upheave the huge, hoar crag, with toilsome hand;
From point to point th' unwieldy ruin toss'd,
Smokes down the steep, and grinds the cliffs to dust;
High bounding, sinking headlong, seeks the plain,
Cleaves the torne ground, and plows the foaming main;
Far plunge the crashing pines; the wild rocks roar,
Hurl'd with tumultuous fury to the shore;
Wide-rolling dust the neighbouring concave fills,
And a long, swelling roar runs murmuring round the hills.
So down the bank, tremendous Jabin's car
Urg'd the pale throng, and drove the sounding war:
His foes plung'd headlong in the crimson wave,
And chiefs, and warriors, found a liquid grave.
While thus in dreadful fight the hosts engag'd,
The tumults thicken'd, and the clamours rag'd;
From Joshua's terrors Hazor's sons withdrew,
And distant from the shore their front renew.
With hideous strength, their ridgy lines ascend;
Red flame the shields; swords tremble; spears protend:
Pleas'd, the Chief views; too generous not to know,
And own, with praise, the merit of a foe.
The tumults thicken'd, and the clamours rag'd;
296
And distant from the shore their front renew.
With hideous strength, their ridgy lines ascend;
Red flame the shields; swords tremble; spears protend:
Pleas'd, the Chief views; too generous not to know,
And own, with praise, the merit of a foe.
From a tall rock he cast his flashing eyes,
And saw the varied scenes of combat rise.
While every foe bold Gibeon fiercely drove;
The tribes of Zimri backward slowly move:
Tow'rd the high walls ascending volumes roll,
And clouds on clouds successive wrap the pole.
Greatly serene, he view'd the threatening doom,
Nor veil'd his visage with a transient gloom;
But bade his chiefs, their bands for fight array'd,
Lead on the war, and Hazor's host invade.
And saw the varied scenes of combat rise.
While every foe bold Gibeon fiercely drove;
The tribes of Zimri backward slowly move:
Tow'rd the high walls ascending volumes roll,
And clouds on clouds successive wrap the pole.
Greatly serene, he view'd the threatening doom,
Nor veil'd his visage with a transient gloom;
But bade his chiefs, their bands for fight array'd,
Lead on the war, and Hazor's host invade.
Then, where the fields display'd an easy course,
Along the shore he wing'd his rapid force;
Swift as a tempest down the bank he flies,
Cuts the red stream, and lifts tremendous cries—
Heavens! what dishonour pains this bleeding eye?
See, lost to shame, my friends, my heroes fly!
Turn, turn to triumph; swift to glory turn;
With generous shame let every bosom burn!
Shall your brave sires, that never knew to flee,
With pangs your flight, and tarnish'd honour, see;
And wish high Heaven had lent a milder doom,
And swept them childless to an earlier tomb?
Shall Dan, shall Asher, names of long renown,
Now lose the splendors of a deathless crown!
Forbid it Heaven! now wipe the hateful stain;
One bold exertion wins th' immortal plain.
Along the shore he wing'd his rapid force;
Swift as a tempest down the bank he flies,
Cuts the red stream, and lifts tremendous cries—
Heavens! what dishonour pains this bleeding eye?
See, lost to shame, my friends, my heroes fly!
Turn, turn to triumph; swift to glory turn;
With generous shame let every bosom burn!
Shall your brave sires, that never knew to flee,
With pangs your flight, and tarnish'd honour, see;
And wish high Heaven had lent a milder doom,
And swept them childless to an earlier tomb?
Shall Dan, shall Asher, names of long renown,
Now lose the splendors of a deathless crown!
Forbid it Heaven! now wipe the hateful stain;
One bold exertion wins th' immortal plain.
He spoke: at once, unfurl'd in glorious pride,
The sacred standard cast the view aside;
There Dan's bright eagle, high in pomp display'd,
Stretch'd his long wings, and rear'd his golden head;
Of gold his form in lucid triumph turn'd,
And streamy lightnings round him fiercely burn'd.
At once all Asher furious rush'd to fight,
Each ardent warrior spurn'd inglorious flight.
With wider ruin heave the trembling fields;
Cars burst; cries roar; groans murmur; sound the shields.
As in some forest two red flames aspire,
And whelm huge pines in floods of surging fire,
Then swift through falling groves together driven
Roll o'er the mountain tops, and kindle heaven:
So, fierce and dreadful, front to front oppos'd,
Mid clouds of dust, the thundering squadrons clos'd:
Earth shakes; air rends; the trembling skies resound,
And night, and sad dismay, invade th' embattled ground.
The sacred standard cast the view aside;
There Dan's bright eagle, high in pomp display'd,
Stretch'd his long wings, and rear'd his golden head;
297
And streamy lightnings round him fiercely burn'd.
At once all Asher furious rush'd to fight,
Each ardent warrior spurn'd inglorious flight.
With wider ruin heave the trembling fields;
Cars burst; cries roar; groans murmur; sound the shields.
As in some forest two red flames aspire,
And whelm huge pines in floods of surging fire,
Then swift through falling groves together driven
Roll o'er the mountain tops, and kindle heaven:
So, fierce and dreadful, front to front oppos'd,
Mid clouds of dust, the thundering squadrons clos'd:
Earth shakes; air rends; the trembling skies resound,
And night, and sad dismay, invade th' embattled ground.
For war undaunted Hebron fiercely burn'd,
Nor even in Joshua's path to flight were turn'd.
Full on his sword they rush'd, and bravely fell;
New bands with transport fac'd the slaughtering steel.
Incessant cries o'er all the combat rung;
Incessant spears through darken'd ether sung;
Swift flew the courser; swift the raging car;
Hoarse rose the tumult of the maddening war;
Less loud through forests winds impetuous roll,
The huge pines sink, and tempest rends the pole;
Less loud 'gainst Zembla mountain billows roar,
When the storm thunders on the frozen shore.
For Hebron's thousands Jabin's voice inspir'd,
And Joshua's deeds the sons of Israel fir'd.
Nor even in Joshua's path to flight were turn'd.
Full on his sword they rush'd, and bravely fell;
New bands with transport fac'd the slaughtering steel.
Incessant cries o'er all the combat rung;
Incessant spears through darken'd ether sung;
Swift flew the courser; swift the raging car;
Hoarse rose the tumult of the maddening war;
Less loud through forests winds impetuous roll,
The huge pines sink, and tempest rends the pole;
Less loud 'gainst Zembla mountain billows roar,
When the storm thunders on the frozen shore.
For Hebron's thousands Jabin's voice inspir'd,
And Joshua's deeds the sons of Israel fir'd.
Now where the Chief terrific swept the field,
And, cloth'd in terror, ranks on ranks repell'd;
Whilst a red deluge o'er his footsteps spread,
And countless torrents spouted from the dead;
Swift to his path a chief of Asher ran,
Wild with dismay, and quivering thus began—
Wing, wing, thou best of men, thy friendly path—
Oh save the hero, or avenge his death!—
Now Zimri dies; from yon ascending ground,
I saw fierce Jabin point the fatal wound—
He spoke; at once, from all the Heathen train,
A voice of thunder heav'd th' affrighted plain:
Loud as hoarse whirlwinds torrent flames inspire,
When up the mountains rolls tempestuous fire;
Loud as th' Almighty's voice, through ether driven,
Pales the wide world, and shakes the walls of heaven;
Long shouts tremendous from the fields arise,
Burst o'er the hosts, and rend the clouded skies.
Through Israel's thousands thrills a dire alarm,
When thus great Joshua nerves each fainting arm—
Urge, my brave warriors, urge the glorious strife;
Wheel your red swords, and save the leader's life—
Shall Zimri die, whilst each astonish'd stands,
Nor sees these falchions useless in our hands?
Alive the fainting hero meets my sight,
And yet maintains the solitary fight—
And, cloth'd in terror, ranks on ranks repell'd;
Whilst a red deluge o'er his footsteps spread,
And countless torrents spouted from the dead;
Swift to his path a chief of Asher ran,
Wild with dismay, and quivering thus began—
Wing, wing, thou best of men, thy friendly path—
Oh save the hero, or avenge his death!—
298
I saw fierce Jabin point the fatal wound—
He spoke; at once, from all the Heathen train,
A voice of thunder heav'd th' affrighted plain:
Loud as hoarse whirlwinds torrent flames inspire,
When up the mountains rolls tempestuous fire;
Loud as th' Almighty's voice, through ether driven,
Pales the wide world, and shakes the walls of heaven;
Long shouts tremendous from the fields arise,
Burst o'er the hosts, and rend the clouded skies.
Through Israel's thousands thrills a dire alarm,
When thus great Joshua nerves each fainting arm—
Urge, my brave warriors, urge the glorious strife;
Wheel your red swords, and save the leader's life—
Shall Zimri die, whilst each astonish'd stands,
Nor sees these falchions useless in our hands?
Alive the fainting hero meets my sight,
And yet maintains the solitary fight—
He spoke, and furious wheel'd his dreadful sword;
Back roll'd the heathens; streams of slaughter pour'd:
Behind him Asher's host in deep array
Throng'd darkening; clouds and death involv'd their way;
The bounding steeds bedew'd their hoofs in blood,
And chiefs and monarchs swell'd the purple flood.
Back roll'd the heathens; streams of slaughter pour'd:
Behind him Asher's host in deep array
Throng'd darkening; clouds and death involv'd their way;
The bounding steeds bedew'd their hoofs in blood,
And chiefs and monarchs swell'd the purple flood.
Now, where bold Zimri brav'd the deathful ground,
O'erhung with foes, and pierc'd with many a wound,
Whilst labouring, panting, heav'd his frequent breath,
And o'er his helmet flash'd descending death;
Great Joshua, flaming, drove th' embattled train;
Their lances flew, their falchions rag'd in vain.
Dire as a peal of thunder sweeps the skies,
He rush'd, and Death sate frowning in his eyes:
For now brave Zimri scarce sustain'd the strife;
Sunk on one knee, and wish'd to sell his life.
Thro' the thick tumults of the broken war
Impetuous Jabin wing'd his rapid car;
With ruddy beams his lance uplifted shone;
His waving buckler mock'd the sanguine sun;
'Twixt the bold chiefs, undaunted at the storm,
Sublime great Joshua rear'd his mighty form.
O'erhung with foes, and pierc'd with many a wound,
Whilst labouring, panting, heav'd his frequent breath,
And o'er his helmet flash'd descending death;
Great Joshua, flaming, drove th' embattled train;
Their lances flew, their falchions rag'd in vain.
Dire as a peal of thunder sweeps the skies,
He rush'd, and Death sate frowning in his eyes:
For now brave Zimri scarce sustain'd the strife;
Sunk on one knee, and wish'd to sell his life.
Thro' the thick tumults of the broken war
Impetuous Jabin wing'd his rapid car;
299
His waving buckler mock'd the sanguine sun;
'Twixt the bold chiefs, undaunted at the storm,
Sublime great Joshua rear'd his mighty form.
Now front to front the frowning heroes stood;
Their eyes red flames; their faces dropp'd with blood;
Their swords the lightning; two broad moons, their shields
Shot a fierce glory through the dreadful fields.
Then Jabin's heart, though form'd of stubborn steel,
First shook with terror, and first learn'd to feel.
But rous'd by keen disdain, and vengeful ire,
Quick from his eye-balls blaz'd infernal fire;
To earth, impatient, from the car he sprang;
His breast beat high; his rattling armour rang;
To die resolv'd, but as a king to die,
Like sudden thunder rose his bursting cry—
From this right hand receive, thou base-born slave,
A death too noble, but a dastard's grave;
Torne by the dogs, thy carcase here shall lie,
Or glut the sowls, that sweep th' avenging sky.
The Chief disdain'd return. The Heathen's steel
Full on his helm with rapid fury fell,
Glanc'd by his sword, it clave the bloody ground;
Else had the Hero known no future wound.
Then with swift wheel, through Jabin's yielding side
Rush'd his keen blade, and pour'd the sable tide;
Aghast, their monarch's fall his host beheld,
And sullen groans rung murmuring round the field.
Their eyes red flames; their faces dropp'd with blood;
Their swords the lightning; two broad moons, their shields
Shot a fierce glory through the dreadful fields.
Then Jabin's heart, though form'd of stubborn steel,
First shook with terror, and first learn'd to feel.
But rous'd by keen disdain, and vengeful ire,
Quick from his eye-balls blaz'd infernal fire;
To earth, impatient, from the car he sprang;
His breast beat high; his rattling armour rang;
To die resolv'd, but as a king to die,
Like sudden thunder rose his bursting cry—
From this right hand receive, thou base-born slave,
A death too noble, but a dastard's grave;
Torne by the dogs, thy carcase here shall lie,
Or glut the sowls, that sweep th' avenging sky.
The Chief disdain'd return. The Heathen's steel
Full on his helm with rapid fury fell,
Glanc'd by his sword, it clave the bloody ground;
Else had the Hero known no future wound.
Then with swift wheel, through Jabin's yielding side
Rush'd his keen blade, and pour'd the sable tide;
Aghast, their monarch's fall his host beheld,
And sullen groans rung murmuring round the field.
Like Heaven's dread thunder Joshua rais'd his voice;
Hosts backward roll'd, earth trembled at the noise—
On Gibeon's turrets stand thou still, O Sun!
Look down, thou Moon, on dreary Ajalon!
Fix'd in high heaven the awful splendors stood,
And flam'd tremendous on the field of blood;
From each dread orb ensanguin'd streams aspire,
The skies all mantling in fierce-waving fire;
Amaz'd, Canäan's realms the pomp descried;
The world grew pale; the hearts of nations died:
The bounding Hero seiz'd the shining car,
Snatch'd the long reins, and shouted to the war:
Behind, fierce Asher swift to vengeance flew;
All dropp'd their spears, and all their falchions drew;
A sudden blaze gleam'd round the dusty gloom,
And plung'd ten thousand warriors to the tomb.
For now, o'er all the fight, the heathens yield,
And Israel triumphs round the dreadful field.
High in the van, sublime great Joshua rode,
Wing'd the dire flight, and swell'd the tide of blood;
Aghast, they see the lightning of his eyes,
And hear the thunders of his voice arise.
The plains are tumult all, convuls'd affright,
Fierce ruin, wild amaze, and raging flight;
The Chariots stream; the steeds all eager bound,
Stretch o'er the plains, and sweep the rising ground;
O'er rocks, o'er floods the thousands headlong fly,
And swords, and spears, and shields, behind them lie;
No stop, nor backward look, nor listening ear,
From plains to forests pants the full career;
Behind, the Hero wings his rapid way,
And dust and darkness shroud the beams of day.
So, borne in clouds of fire, an Angel's form
On impious Sodom drove the dreadful storm.
From heaven, in dreadful pomp, the Vision came;
Far, far behind him, stream'd the angry flame;
The dark-red thunder, from his right hand hurl'd,
Upheav'd the sky, and fir'd the rocking world;
High o'er the storm, on wings of light, he rode,
And sail'd, in lucid triumph, to th' approving God.
Hosts backward roll'd, earth trembled at the noise—
On Gibeon's turrets stand thou still, O Sun!
Look down, thou Moon, on dreary Ajalon!
Fix'd in high heaven the awful splendors stood,
And flam'd tremendous on the field of blood;
From each dread orb ensanguin'd streams aspire,
The skies all mantling in fierce-waving fire;
300
The world grew pale; the hearts of nations died:
The bounding Hero seiz'd the shining car,
Snatch'd the long reins, and shouted to the war:
Behind, fierce Asher swift to vengeance flew;
All dropp'd their spears, and all their falchions drew;
A sudden blaze gleam'd round the dusty gloom,
And plung'd ten thousand warriors to the tomb.
For now, o'er all the fight, the heathens yield,
And Israel triumphs round the dreadful field.
High in the van, sublime great Joshua rode,
Wing'd the dire flight, and swell'd the tide of blood;
Aghast, they see the lightning of his eyes,
And hear the thunders of his voice arise.
The plains are tumult all, convuls'd affright,
Fierce ruin, wild amaze, and raging flight;
The Chariots stream; the steeds all eager bound,
Stretch o'er the plains, and sweep the rising ground;
O'er rocks, o'er floods the thousands headlong fly,
And swords, and spears, and shields, behind them lie;
No stop, nor backward look, nor listening ear,
From plains to forests pants the full career;
Behind, the Hero wings his rapid way,
And dust and darkness shroud the beams of day.
So, borne in clouds of fire, an Angel's form
On impious Sodom drove the dreadful storm.
From heaven, in dreadful pomp, the Vision came;
Far, far behind him, stream'd the angry flame;
The dark-red thunder, from his right hand hurl'd,
Upheav'd the sky, and fir'd the rocking world;
High o'er the storm, on wings of light, he rode,
And sail'd, in lucid triumph, to th' approving God.
Long rush'd the victors o'er the sanguine field,
And scarce were Gibeon's loftiest spires beheld;
When up the west dark clouds began to rise,
Sail'd o'er the hills, and lengthen'd round the skies.
A ridge of folding fire their summits shone;
But fearful blackness all beneath was thrown.
Swift round the sun the spreading gloom was hurl'd,
And night, and solitude, amaz'd the world.
And scarce were Gibeon's loftiest spires beheld;
When up the west dark clouds began to rise,
Sail'd o'er the hills, and lengthen'd round the skies.
301
But fearful blackness all beneath was thrown.
Swift round the sun the spreading gloom was hurl'd,
And night, and solitude, amaz'd the world.
At once the voice of deep-resounding gales
Rung slow, and solemn, in the distant vales;
Then through the groves, and o'er th' extended plain,
With stormy rage the rapid whirlwinds ran:
Red o'er the glimmering hills, with pomp divine,
The lightning's flaming path began to shine;
Far round th' immense unusual thunders driven,
Proclaim'd the onset of approaching Heaven;
Astonish'd Nature own'd the strange alarm,
And the world trembled at th' impendent storm.
O'er the dark fields aghast Canäan stream'd;
Thick in their course the scatter'd bucklers gleam'd:
Behind them, Joshua urg'd the furious car,
And tenfold horrors hover'd round the war.
Rung slow, and solemn, in the distant vales;
Then through the groves, and o'er th' extended plain,
With stormy rage the rapid whirlwinds ran:
Red o'er the glimmering hills, with pomp divine,
The lightning's flaming path began to shine;
Far round th' immense unusual thunders driven,
Proclaim'd the onset of approaching Heaven;
Astonish'd Nature own'd the strange alarm,
And the world trembled at th' impendent storm.
O'er the dark fields aghast Canäan stream'd;
Thick in their course the scatter'd bucklers gleam'd:
Behind them, Joshua urg'd the furious car,
And tenfold horrors hover'd round the war.
But when the Chief the spreading storm survey'd,
And trac'd almighty arms in heaven display'd;
With piercing voice, he gave the great command—
Stand still, ye chosen sons, admiring stand!
Behold, what awful scenes in heaven arise!
Adore the power that brightens in the skies!
Now God's tremendous arm asserts his laws;
Now bids his thunder aid the righteous cause;
Unfolds how Virtue saves her chosen bands,
And points the vengeance doom'd for guilty lands.
Behold, what flames shoot forth! what gloom ascends!
How nature trembles! how the concave rends!
How the clouds darken! see, in yonder sky,
Their opening skirts proclaim th' Almighty nigh!
And trac'd almighty arms in heaven display'd;
With piercing voice, he gave the great command—
Stand still, ye chosen sons, admiring stand!
Behold, what awful scenes in heaven arise!
Adore the power that brightens in the skies!
Now God's tremendous arm asserts his laws;
Now bids his thunder aid the righteous cause;
Unfolds how Virtue saves her chosen bands,
And points the vengeance doom'd for guilty lands.
Behold, what flames shoot forth! what gloom ascends!
How nature trembles! how the concave rends!
How the clouds darken! see, in yonder sky,
Their opening skirts proclaim th' Almighty nigh!
He spoke, and from the north a rushing sound
Roll'd through the heavens, and shook th' embattled ground:
At once a rapid path of dreadful flame
Burst from the skies, and pour'd a sanguine stream:
Thron'd on a dark red cloud, an Angel's form
Sail'd awfully sublime, above the storm.
Half veil'd in mist, his countenance, like a sun,
Inflam'd the clouds, and through all ether shone;
Long robes of crimson light behind him flow'd;
His wings were flames; his locks were died in blood:
Ten thousand fiery shapes were round him driven,
And all the dazzling pomp of opening heaven.
Roll'd through the heavens, and shook th' embattled ground:
At once a rapid path of dreadful flame
Burst from the skies, and pour'd a sanguine stream:
302
Sail'd awfully sublime, above the storm.
Half veil'd in mist, his countenance, like a sun,
Inflam'd the clouds, and through all ether shone;
Long robes of crimson light behind him flow'd;
His wings were flames; his locks were died in blood:
Ten thousand fiery shapes were round him driven,
And all the dazzling pomp of opening heaven.
Now, save Canäan's cries, that feebly rung,
Round the dark plain a horrid silence hung.
Stretch'd in dire terror o'er her quivering band,
Th' etherial Vision wav'd his sun-bright hand;
At once from opening skies red flames were hurl'd,
And thunders, roll'd on thunders, rock'd the world,
In one broad deluge sunk th' avenging hail,
And, fill'd with tempest, roar'd the hoary vale;
The headlong whirlwinds boundless nature blend;
The streams rush backward; tottering mountains bend;
Down the tall steep their bursting summits roll,
And cliffs on cliffs, hoarse-crashing, rend the pole:
Far round the earth a wild drear horror reigns;
The high heavens heave, and sink the gloomy plains:
One sea of lightnings all the region fills:
Long waves of fire ride surging o'er the hills;
The nodding forests plunge in flame around,
And with huge caverns gapes the shuddering ground.
Swifter than rapid winds Canäan driven,
Refuse the conflict of embattled Heaven.
But the dire hail in vain the victims fly,
And death unbounded shook from all the sky;
The thunder's dark career; the Seraph's arm,
Fierce vengeance blazing down th' immense of storm.
From falling groves to burning plains they flew;
Hail roars around, and angry blasts pursue;
From shaking heavens almighty arms are hurl'd,
And all the gloomy concave bursts upon the world.
Round the dark plain a horrid silence hung.
Stretch'd in dire terror o'er her quivering band,
Th' etherial Vision wav'd his sun-bright hand;
At once from opening skies red flames were hurl'd,
And thunders, roll'd on thunders, rock'd the world,
In one broad deluge sunk th' avenging hail,
And, fill'd with tempest, roar'd the hoary vale;
The headlong whirlwinds boundless nature blend;
The streams rush backward; tottering mountains bend;
Down the tall steep their bursting summits roll,
And cliffs on cliffs, hoarse-crashing, rend the pole:
Far round the earth a wild drear horror reigns;
The high heavens heave, and sink the gloomy plains:
One sea of lightnings all the region fills:
Long waves of fire ride surging o'er the hills;
The nodding forests plunge in flame around,
And with huge caverns gapes the shuddering ground.
Swifter than rapid winds Canäan driven,
Refuse the conflict of embattled Heaven.
But the dire hail in vain the victims fly,
And death unbounded shook from all the sky;
The thunder's dark career; the Seraph's arm,
Fierce vengeance blazing down th' immense of storm.
From falling groves to burning plains they flew;
Hail roars around, and angry blasts pursue;
From shaking heavens almighty arms are hurl'd,
And all the gloomy concave bursts upon the world.
303
No day like this the guilty earth had known;
Not Egypt's storm with equal terror shone;
No day like this o'er eastern hills shall rise,
Till Gabriel's trump inrolls the sinking skies.
For Heaven's dread stores, reserv'd for death, and war,
Fierce hail, and lightning, fill'd the rending air.
In vain the host attempted still to fly;
They fell, they rose again; but rose to die.
Mid thousand corses, there, beneath his shield,
Stalk'd a lone trembler through the sounding field:
Here, scatter'd wretches roam'd along the plain,
And sheltering bucklers hid their heads in vain.
On every side resistless foes engag'd;
The lightning's livid blast around them rag'd;
While the shrill torrents of th' avenging hail
Rush'd on the pinions of the sweeping gale.
Rare, and more rare, were seen the sinking host,
'Till, whelm'd beneath the deluge, all were lost.
Not Egypt's storm with equal terror shone;
No day like this o'er eastern hills shall rise,
Till Gabriel's trump inrolls the sinking skies.
For Heaven's dread stores, reserv'd for death, and war,
Fierce hail, and lightning, fill'd the rending air.
In vain the host attempted still to fly;
They fell, they rose again; but rose to die.
Mid thousand corses, there, beneath his shield,
Stalk'd a lone trembler through the sounding field:
Here, scatter'd wretches roam'd along the plain,
And sheltering bucklers hid their heads in vain.
On every side resistless foes engag'd;
The lightning's livid blast around them rag'd;
While the shrill torrents of th' avenging hail
Rush'd on the pinions of the sweeping gale.
Rare, and more rare, were seen the sinking host,
'Till, whelm'd beneath the deluge, all were lost.
Thus, when black midnight's terrors earth deform,
From the tall Andes bursts a blazing storm;
From steep to steep the ridgy flames aspire,
Bend o'er wide realms, and wrap the heavens in fire;
All nature trembles; tottering mountains rend;
Down the cliffs thunder; showers of fire descend;
Huge hills of ice, dissolv'd, and wastes of snow
Plunge in one deluge on the world below;
O'er half Peru the floods tempestuous sweep,
And rocks, and groves, and towns, roll mingled to the deep.
The form began to move; the clouds gave way,
Their skirts all brightening with the crimson ray;
Far south, on wings of fire, the Angel flew,
And his clear splendors lessening left the view,
Down the broad regions of the mid-day skies,
Where glittering domes were seen, and scarcely seen to rise.
From the tall Andes bursts a blazing storm;
From steep to steep the ridgy flames aspire,
Bend o'er wide realms, and wrap the heavens in fire;
All nature trembles; tottering mountains rend;
Down the cliffs thunder; showers of fire descend;
Huge hills of ice, dissolv'd, and wastes of snow
Plunge in one deluge on the world below;
O'er half Peru the floods tempestuous sweep,
And rocks, and groves, and towns, roll mingled to the deep.
The form began to move; the clouds gave way,
Their skirts all brightening with the crimson ray;
Far south, on wings of fire, the Angel flew,
And his clear splendors lessening left the view,
Down the broad regions of the mid-day skies,
Where glittering domes were seen, and scarcely seen to rise.
Through the long day, Canäan's widows stood,
And look'd, all-anxious, toward the plain of blood;
Look'd for the host, with victory's garlands crown'd,
Enrich'd with spoils, and with fair fame renown'd.
Their hands, to glad their friends with choice repast,
Cull'd every sweet, and wines of daintiest taste;
Oft as a dusty cloud the whirlwinds rear'd,
In distant fields they thought their lords appear'd;
Then, with new terrors, gaz'd, and gaz'd again,
'Till night, and sorrow darken'd every plain.
And look'd, all-anxious, toward the plain of blood;
304
Enrich'd with spoils, and with fair fame renown'd.
Their hands, to glad their friends with choice repast,
Cull'd every sweet, and wines of daintiest taste;
Oft as a dusty cloud the whirlwinds rear'd,
In distant fields they thought their lords appear'd;
Then, with new terrors, gaz'd, and gaz'd again,
'Till night, and sorrow darken'd every plain.
The storm retir'd; the ensigns gave command,
And round their Leader throng'd the conquering band.
Here sparkling eyes with joy and triumph burn'd;
Here pity silent from the slaughter turn'd;
Here for fallen friends the tear was seen to flow,
And sighs oft spoke unutterable woe:
While Joshua's thoughts mount upward to the skies,
And fear, and wonder, in his bosom rise.
The stream, the walls they pass'd serenely slow,
Climb'd the tall hills, and sought the plain below;
There crown'd with flowers, their wives and children came
And songs rose grateful to th' Eternal Name—
Bless'd be the Power divine—rejoic'd they sung,—
The green vales echoed, and the forest rung—
Bless'd be the hand, that clave the conscious sea,
And, rob'd in thunder, swept our foes away!
Let endless blessings round our nation rise,
Cheer all our lives, and waft us to the skies!
Thus strains of rapture charm'd the listening gales,
While the low sun-beam glimmer'd on the vales:
To rest the camp retir'd: ten-thousand fires
Thro' the calm silence rais'd their bending spires:
The bright moon rose; winds cool'd the chearful even,
And wide magnificence enkindled heaven.
And round their Leader throng'd the conquering band.
Here sparkling eyes with joy and triumph burn'd;
Here pity silent from the slaughter turn'd;
Here for fallen friends the tear was seen to flow,
And sighs oft spoke unutterable woe:
While Joshua's thoughts mount upward to the skies,
And fear, and wonder, in his bosom rise.
The stream, the walls they pass'd serenely slow,
Climb'd the tall hills, and sought the plain below;
There crown'd with flowers, their wives and children came
And songs rose grateful to th' Eternal Name—
Bless'd be the Power divine—rejoic'd they sung,—
The green vales echoed, and the forest rung—
Bless'd be the hand, that clave the conscious sea,
And, rob'd in thunder, swept our foes away!
Let endless blessings round our nation rise,
Cheer all our lives, and waft us to the skies!
Thus strains of rapture charm'd the listening gales,
While the low sun-beam glimmer'd on the vales:
To rest the camp retir'd: ten-thousand fires
Thro' the calm silence rais'd their bending spires:
The bright moon rose; winds cool'd the chearful even,
And wide magnificence enkindled heaven.
| The conquest of Canäan | |