University of Virginia Library

The famine waxes sore! 'Mid growing fea
The corn decreases, whilst no help is near.
Once more the Brethren long for Egypt's bread,
On Simeon too they think, and droop their head.
“Go!” cried the Sire. “Obtain some fresh supply.
“Once more to Egypt hasten, lest we die!”

Judah replied. “The Ruler of the land,
“With fearful frown, gave us his stern command,
“No more his face, or Egypt's land to see,
“Whate'er our wants, whate'er our misery,
“Save with our Brother. Sorrow weighs us down!
“We cannot meet again his fearful frown.
“His wrath so burns, his words so fiercely flow,
“Except with Benjamin, we will not go!”
“Why did you tell,” cried Jacob, weeping, wild,
“That you a Brother had, and I a Child!”
Judah thus said. “He ask'd us of our state,
“And if our Father lived. With wonder great,
“We heard the Man inquire, if yet we had
“One Brother more. We thought upon this Lad,
“And truly told of Benjamin, thy care,
“Could we believe that he would want him there?
“Now trust in me. On every side is dread.
“Our little ones look up and ask for bread!
“And that we die not, we, and thou, and they,
“To me confide thy Benjamin this day!
“Oh, reverenced Sire, thy Son require of me,
“Restrain thy grief, I will his surety be!”
Jacob, in bitterness of grief, replied.
“If ye will have my Benjamin, my pride,
“Reuben! to thee, that treasure I resign;
“I will not see him go, nor yet repine!
“It is the will of Heaven! Take, in thy hand,
“Whate'er can soothe this Ruler of the Land;
“Our choicest fruits, with balm and spicery,
“Myrrh, honey, almonds. These, tho' poor they be,
“Compose our simple store. Th' Egyptian, rude,
“Haply, with these may find his heart subdued.
“Take double money in your hands, and say,
“For what before we had, we willing pay;
“And take my Son! God prosper him and thee,
“May you from Egypt's Lord find clemency!
“And in some hour, not distant, may mine eye
“See Benjamin once more, or else I die!”

At Pharaoh's court, behold, the Brethren stand!
In pomp, and with a monarch's wide command,
Their Brother (still unknown) with awe they view,
And, lowly bending, yield the homage due.
Joseph survey'd them, striving to restrain
The gladness, full, that flow'd in every vein:
But one was there the homage prompt to give,
In whom once more his Mother seem'd to live!
Turning, to one, his Steward, he thus bespake.
“The feast prepare! The choicest viands take!
“Yon company this day, tho' strange it be,
“Shall at my table sit, and eat with me!”

The Man, the Strangers, leads, with wonder great,
'Mid gorgeous rooms and canopies of state!
Trembling, they said. “This favour is our bane.
“Oh, woe! It is for that unpaid-for grain!
“This Prince, as we our Brother served of yore,
“Will send us all to bondage! Never more
“Shall we our home revisit! Slaves and sold,
“Never again shall we our Sire behold!”

Reuben, the Steward, with anxious look, addrest.
“Receive our money! Be thy wrath represt!
“Believe thy Servants! Nothing did we know
“Of that disastrous deed that brings us woe!
“When, at the inn, with no accusing mind,
“One sack we open'd, provender to find,
“And when at length we reach'd our Father's tent,
“To heighten our dismay, tho' innocent,
“Full in our face, our well-told gold we view!
“And here is all return'd, good weight and true!”
The Steward replied. “Let not your spirits grieve,
“I placed it there! From me that gift receive!
“That slender boon a greater good ensures.
“Fear not, your God is with you, peace be yours.”

What Man is that who comes with hurrying pace?
Lo! Simeon there! Joyful, they all embrace!
Each with the ardent grasp, his Brother hails,
And drops the tear, while silence round prevails.
When Simeon, in soft whisper, rising higher,
Cried, “Doth my Father live! My precious Sire!”

Joseph advances! Now, with awe profound,
All yield obeysance, bending to the ground,
And stretching forth their presents. Joseph spake,
“I need them not. Again your offerings take.
“My favour you possess. How fares your old,
“Your reverenced Sire, of whom before you told?”
Thus they replied, whilst joys their bosom swell,
“Our Father still is living, still is well!”
All bow again in silence. Joseph's eye
On Benjamin is fix'd; for whom the sigh
Told, in no questionable shape, of yore,
That absence could not quench the love he bore!
“Is this your younger Brother?” mild, he said.
“Forbear to tremble thus! No evil dread!
“May all thy days in peaceful pleasure run,
“And God be gracious still to thee, my Son!”
The flood of feeling came, impetuous, deep,
And Joseph now retires, alone, to weep!

The feast awaits. The Brethren side by side,
At Joseph's table sit, 'mid pomp and pride.
The golden vase, the sumptuous food was there,
Whilst chant, and melting music fill the air.
The Lord of Egypt sends the food around,
Whilst wonder and amaze the Brethren bound,
When, Benjamin, they saw, with studious care,
Honour'd with higher gifts and richer fare!
The feast is o'er, the cornets' notes subside,
When Joseph, with his Steward, retiring, cried,
“Fill every sack with Egypt's choicest grain,
“And into each, the price return again,
“But, unobserved, as a peculiar grace,
“My Goblet fair within the youngest's place.”

Joy in each heart, the Brethren forth retire
From Egypt's Lord; and now (to meet their Sire)
Again with plenteous grain, replenish'd, go
Whilst their light hearts with repture overflow.
In transport, Reuben utter'd. “Hush'd the storm!
“No threat'ning clouds our tranquil sky deform!
“We fear no rolling sands, no scorching blast,
“The terrors of the desert, all, are past!
“We now shall see our Father's face once more,
“And cheer his spirit with this ample store!”

Oh, Man! what visions bright thou oft dost see,
When but a shadow parts distress and thee!
As thus the Brethren mutual joy declare
(Whilst each his load of pleasure scarce can bear)
A Herald hastening, harbinger of fear,
Exclaims, “Withhold!” and thunders in their ear,
“Pharaoh is wrong'd! Oh, ingrates base and vile!
“Hard to believe, a yet unheard-of guile!
“The Goblet prized by Egypt's mighty Lord,
“You have conceal'd, and death be your reward!”

When Reuben. “Heaven, on high, forbid the deed!
“To wrong thy Lord, we have, nor wish, nor need!
“The money which by chance we bore away,
“Say, did we not, uncall'd, the same repay?
“This deed of matchless guilt, whoe'er he be
“That thus hath done, consign'd to infamy,
“Yea e'en to death, let him be seized this hour;
“We give the base-born culprit to thy power!”
The Man replied, “I grant you what you crave.
“Whoe'er the Cup conceals, shall be my slave!
“The rest, redeem'd from guilt, and free from dread,
“Homeward may haste, with blessings on their head.”

Thus speaking, all present their sacks of grain.
The Herald, first, the eldest searched in vain.
The second next; the third; and onward still;
But all was fair. With free spontaneous will,
Now Benjamin advances.—Can it be?
Oh! fearful sight! Oh! evil destiny!
The Cup is there. “Pass on,” the Herald spake.
“This is my slave, and him alone I take”

Reuben, distracted, wildly gazing, cried,
“Ere this had been, Oh! would that I had died!”
Back, from their course they hasten. As they came
Where Egypt's Lord appear'd, of fearful name!
Joseph in wrath began. “Offence unknown!
“Are these your thanks for all my kindness shewn!
“To wrong your benefactor, in the hour
“In which you shared his bounty, bless'd his power?”

Judah exclaim'd, perplex'd. “What shall I say,
“Oh, potent Prince! or how thy vengeance stay!
“God hath found out our past iniquity!
“(Tho' hid from man) one deed of crimson dye!
“We all must stoop to thee, and in the chain
“Bondage provides, bewail our crime in vain.”
Joseph replied. “Not all to bondage sold,
“That were unjust. One man alone I hold,
“E'en him on whom the royal charge was found,
“With treble chains let him be instant bound!”

Judah, in anguish, answer'd, “Mighty Lord!
“Let me, to thee, address one humble word!
“Oh, suffer not thine anger thus to burn!
“Once more to kindness let thy heart return!
“Thou askedst us of our far-distant Sire;
“If we a Brother had, thou didst inquire:
“We answer'd that our Father years opprest;
“That he one Child of his old age possest,
“Who had, long since (now dead) an only Brother!
“Who had, long since, a fond and loving Mother!
“And now that they were gone, he seem'd more dear,
“Our Father's bond to earth, and ever near.
“Thou spak'st, ‘That Brother hither bring to me,
“Or never more my presence dare to see!’
“When now our corn was gone, our Father said,
“‘The ass, the money take! we pine for bread,
“And down once more to Egypt.’ We replied,
“‘Oh! reverenced Sire! do not thy Children chide!
“Nor deem it evil thus our mind to know,
“Without thy Benjamin, we cannot go!’
“Our Father answer'd, ‘Joseph, woeful day!
“The savage beasts made him their hapless prey,
“And if you all your cruel power employ
“To strip me of this Son, my only joy!
“In whom my heart is bound, the Child alone
“Of her I loved, now to her death-bed gone,
“This evil shall, with an o'erwhelming wave,
“Bring my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave!’
“Now when our Sire beholds us, sore afraid,
“And not the Lad, for whom our vows were paid,
“We shall indeed, with an o'erwhelming wave,
“Bring his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave!
“Oh! let me drag the chain! Let me expire!
“But, spare my Brother! Spare my aged Sire!”

Joseph now, longing, fearing to begin,
Weeps as a child, his heart dissolved within.
“Go forth!” he cried, to all the Servants near,
When (faltering) thus he said. “Oh! cease your fear!
“I am your Brother!—Joseph, whom you sold!
“Shall I, my Father yet alive behold?—
“My Sire! My greatest treasure! shall I see
“Thy face once more, and clasp thine aged knee!”
All look'd and trembled, when, with accent kind,
Joseph thus sooth'd his Brethrens' troubled mind,
“Ye sold me, but I fear'd my God's command,
“And he hath made me Lord o'er Egypt's land.
“Haste to my aged Father, still revered,
“(From time more loved, from absence more endear'd)
“Tell him I live, affection still retain,
“And long to see his reverend face again.
“Bid him to Egypt haste, and sojourn near,
“That I may cherish whom I hold so dear.
“Believe me, nor let doubt your bosoms fill,
“That I forgive you, prize you, love you still!
“Dread not delusive dreams, with pallid cheeks,
“Behold me! It is I! my mouth that speaks,
“Your Brother!” Having said, with spirit bow'd,
On Benjamin he fell, and wept aloud!
Then (in the stillness feeling loves) apart
Embraced them all, and prest them to his heart!

Whilst consternation, and the half-quench'd fear
Dwelt in their soul, and glisten'd thro' their tear,
Joseph his speech pursued. “To Canaan speed!
“Fetch up my Sire! The stuff no longer heed!
“Mind not the choicest thing that heart allures:
“The good of Egypt, all I have, is yours!
“Food shall you take, and treasure amply told,
“That he may bless whom once his Brethren sold!”

And now the Brethren haste (with rich supply)
To seek their Father, gladness in their eye,
And if a pang arose to cloud the scene,
With hopes so bright with prospects so serene,
It sprang from the accusing voice within,
That told them of one self-unpardon'd sin.

To Jacob, lo! they haste! “Good news!” they cried.
“Lift up thy heart! Joy, in a copious tide,
“Shall make thy spirit glad, thy soul revive!
“Joseph, thy Son! thy Son! is yet alive!”

The aged Father heard, in wonder drown'd,
Clasping his hands, and pondering on the ground!
He spake not, whilst his Sons their words pursued.
“Joseph o'er Egypt reigns in plenitude!
“Next to great Pharaoh, power and majesty,
“With royal pomp are his, but, in his eye
“Humility still dwells, and in his breast
“Affection, in her sweetest vesture drest!
“That thou wilt haste to Egypt's land he prays,
“That he may cheer, and comfort thy last days.
“Behold these camels!—this unmeasured fare!
“Behold these waggons sent to fetch thee there!
“Behold this treasure, gifts, and golden chains,
“The foretaste of the love that still remains!”

When Jacob knew that Joseph yet survived,
And saw the store, his heart once more revived.
“It is enough!” he cried. “A way despair!
“My hope, my Son, my Joseph, breathes the air!
“Tho' tottering now my limbs, and dim my eye,
“I will go down and see him ere I die!”

The dew is on the thorn, the sky is clear,
Jacob comes forth, with all his offspring near;
Some lead him gently on, some smooth the way,
Some watch his eyes, all filial love to pay;
Whilst, as they gaze upon his reverend form
Seeking, in peace, safe covert from the storm;
Mark, on the cheek that told, so late, his woe,
The rising smile, the sun's departing glow,
Hope, blooming still, that, like the days of yore,
Whisper'd, and sweet, that joy was yet in store!
Upon the boisterous tide of pleasure thrown,
All, in a Father's feelings, lose their own!
Farewell! they shout, to famine and to fear,
And pour, to heaven, on high, the praise sincere.
Ah! now they leave, for Egypt's richer fare,
Canaan, the land of dearth, and wasting care;
Yet, tho' their hearts the weight of gladness bore,
And fancy's airy visions danced before,
Some searching sighs escaped, to nature, true,
When call'd, to bid their Home, a last adieu.
A softer robe of sadness clothed the scene,
The shrubs look'd gay, again, the valleys green;
The clear, rough brook, the woodland's near retreat,
Seem'd not, till now, so cool, the bower so sweet:
Fresh grace adorn'd each little hedge-row wild,
The very shed, with dwarf-flowers tufted, smiled:
Once more the olive bloom'd. The pendent vine
Call'd for the master's hand its branch to twine;
And for all objects (some not used to cheer)
A lingering love they felt with parting near:
But when the flocks, half conscious of distress,
Gazed on their masters, in dumb thoughtfulness;
(Those that had scaped the famine, lank and lean,
The very shades of what they once had been;)
When, one by one, the cattle gather'd round
To watch their lords, on far-off journey bound;
The band—for ever rent, the interest warm,
That bound them long, thro' sun-shine and thro' storm;
A sympathy burst forth, 'till then unknown,
And Jacob stopp'd to weep, nor wept alone.

To Egypt now they come, and onward still
Press toward the far-seen city, like a hill,
Rising, whose palaces th' horizon fill.
A chariot hastens near, with proud attire.
Joseph descends! he clasps his aged Sire!
“My Father! Oh! my Father, art thou well!”
“My Son! My Son!” in broken accents fell!
A sacred silence marks the air around
Whilst the warm tear falls plenteous to the ground!

When the full heart its first great load resign'd,
And sober sadness stole across the mind,
Joseph began. “My Father, thou hast known
“Oft, care for me, and sent the secret groan;
“For all thy kindness, take my heart, my all!
“Whate'er I have is thine, a gift too small!”
Jacob replied. “I deem'd my pleasures o'er,
“But, lo! the greatest yet remains in store!
“I see thee, Oh, my Son! and now desire
“Only to thank my God, and calm expire!”
Joseph, with ardour, crled. “That Holy Name,
“Whom still I reverence, worship still the same;
“Who hath supplied my want, subdued my fear,
“Shall lengthen yet thy days, and bless thee here!”

Jacob, whom none, unmoved, might look upon,
Over whose face, a gleam of glory shone,
Thus answer'd, whilst his words such feelings wake,
As tho' from human form, an Angel spake.

“My end is drawing near. The world to me
“Hath little left to charm. Eternity,
“Stupendous word! advances, and mine eye
“Sees earthly things retire, and fade, and die!
“Yes, Oh, my Son! e'en whilst I speak, I feel
“The clouds of evening o'er my senses, steal;
“Night hastens, and beyond, in grand display
“The morning of new life! an endless day!
“The love which you have shewn, Oh, Sons, and dear!
“Will not desert me, now, when death is near.
“Oh, may the words that from my heart o'erflow,
“Guide you, and be your solace long below!

“There is one good on earth, and one alone—
“The Fear of God, and him to love and own.
“Not as some deem, doth chance direct below,
“Now gladness fill the heart, now wasting woe;
“One Being holds the universal sway,
“One God directs, while creatures all obey.
“This God will still the righteous bless and guide;
“Abraham, to Him, in every danger, cried,
“Isaac confess'd his name, from youth to age,
“And he hath cheer'd me thro' my pilgrimage.
“Oh! worship him, till you to death descend!
“Be you, your Children after you, his friend!
“The storm may seem, in wanton anger sent,
“And clouds and darkness wrap the firmament;
“Yet, on the heart that owns the Hand Divine,
“Light shall spring up, the end unclouded shine!
“Dark was the day, when one I thought had died,
“When o'er my Joseph's fate I sat and sigh'd;
“Water'd my couch with tears, and, 'mid my woes,
“Long'd to descend where sorrow finds repose.
“Dark was the day, when famine raged around,
“And I my Sons sent forth, to Egypt bound,
“A distant land, 'mid strangers, to obtain,
“For me, and for my house, the needful grain.
“Dark was the day when Simeon stay'd behind,
“And I, to hopeless woe, my heart resign'd:
“But darker was the hour, when tidings came
“That Benjamin must go! my joy! whose name
“Reminded me of one, my better part!
“Whose image still is woven round my heart.
“What once I thought so dark, now light appears!
“Gladness succeeds to woe, and joy to tears!
“A stream of comfort bursts! At length I find
“That all was right, and blame my faithless mind.
“But if His Paths the Highest had conceal'd,
“(If not on earth, 'mid twilight, dim, reveal'd)
“Is there no lesson to be learnt on high?
“No light, in Heaven, to clear the mystery?
“Must we, from faith in God, distrusting, flee,
“And (prest with doubts) confide but when we see?
“Hence, Oh, my Sons! receive this lesson high,
“In God to hope, in Him to live or die,
“And, in the darkest hour to feeble sense,
“Unmoved, to trust his Guardian Providence!
“Oh! stretch your ardent sight! Your homage pay!
“Visions before me float, in long array!
“I view the dawn that glory round doth shed!
“Man, fallen Man, once more shall lift his head!
“High Heaven a refuge from the storm provide!
“Salvation visit earth! Oh! may we hide
“Safe in that covert, God our Friend, and be
“(In the soul-searching hour of scrutiny!)
“Clothed in his righteousness whose day I see!”

“Thy words,” my Father! “Joseph weeping cried,
“I, in my heart, to my last hour, will hide;
“God be my portion! Heaven my friend and guide!
“This world, with all its glory passes by!
“A flower! a dream! a vapour of the sky!
“But he who makes Jehovah's name his trust,
“May sink serenely to his native dust!
“My Father! 'till thy spirit heaven-ward flies
“My joy will be to cherish thee, to prize,
“With all the gladness age, like thine, can know,
“To make thy heart exult, thy cup o'erflow.
“Nor shalt thou, Oh! my aged Father dear
“Steal into Egypt, with the doubtful cheer:
“The Monarch's self shall honour thee, whilst I,
“Oh! Sire! will by thee live, and near thee die.
“Come forth!” t' his elder Brethren; Joseph said;
“You, first, shall see our King, and bow the head;
“Lo! I, to Pharaoh's face, your feet will guide,
“And call you all, my treasure and my pride.”

Now, in his royal pomp, is Pharaoh found,
Whilst captains pause, and princes wait around.
Joseph advances, with his Brethren nigh,
(Joy glistening thro' his clear benignant eye)
And, bending, to the Monarch thus he spake.
“Oh! King! my own, my Brethrens' fealty take!
“Thy bounty raised me from the humble state,
“And gave me wealth and power, and made me great;
“Yet do I not my Father's house despise—
“Witness these clasped hands! these weeping eyes!
“The land that gave me birth is veil'd in shade;
“The famine, there, the ravage sore hath made;
“From Canaan, I have call'd my kindred here,
“To soothe their many wants, their hearts to cheer.
“Oh! King! if I have favour found with thee,
“Receive my Brethren, whilst they bend the knee!”

The homage due is paid. The King arose,
And Joseph thus address'd. “Thy Brethrens' woes
“Press on my heart, for who by thee are prized,
“If known to sorrow, or by want chastised
“Must gain my warmest wish, my best desire,
“'Till Pharaoh's gratitude, with life, expire,
“For thou hast Egypt saved, in her distress,
“And with thee wisdom dwells, and faithfulness:
“But hast thou not a Father?” Joseph said,
“I have a Father, old, with hoary head!
“Spare me awhile!”

Thus saying, from the place,
He hastes, the glow of feeling on his face;
Whilst Pharaoh to the wondering Brethren spake.
“Strangers! I welcome you for Joseph's sake.
“He is my guide, the prop of Egypt's throne,
“Who knows the God of Heaven, of him is known.”
The door thrown wide, all eyes the cause inquire!
Joseph advances with his aged Sire!—
Slowly led on, the Patriarch draws near,
Collected, firm, when, at a sight so dear,
(And in so strange a place!) a closer tie
Bound Jacob to his Childrens' hearts. They sigh,
(Jealous, to agony, upon that day,
Of what their Sire to Pharaoh Great might say!)
Nor did they ever, till that moment, see
Such beauty in his age, such sympathy
Of earth with Heaven. Upon his face they pore,
Placid and pensive, and yet loved him more
For the brief awe that they beheld, or fear'd,
When, at the Monarch's Throne, he first appear'd!
“Behold my precious Father!” Joseph said;
And faster still th' ungovern'd tear he shed.

While all, the venerable Stranger, eyed,
(Patient as truth, as virtue dignified)
Pharaoh, in gracious accent thus began.
“Receive my welcome, good and reverend Man!
“How old art thou?” Jacob, his hoary head,
Slow bow'd, and thus, in moving accent, said.
“Th' days of th' years of my pilgrimage have been
“A hundred years and thirty. I have seen
“Life lengthen'd, yet my Sires, in joy or woe,
“Stretch'd, far beyond, their pilgrimage below.”
The King replied, “Father! with silvery hair,
“Forget thy sorrow now, forget thy care.
“For Joseph's sake I honour thee, thy Son,
“And whilst thy moments here on earth shall run
“Secure in Egypt's land, thy days shall glide,
“And for thy every want will I provide.
“With grateful heart, I bless the secret Hand
“That brought, for good, thy Son to Egypt's land.
“He saved us in the hour of peril dread;
“Gifts greater! he before my eyes hath spread
“Sun-beams divine! I, in Jehovah's name,
“Have trusted, one our God, our faith the same.”

Clasping his trembling hands, thus, Jacob cried.
“Some joys are, here, to Heaven itself allied!
“My Son, undazzled by a Monarch's state,
“Hath wisely look'd, from little things, to great,
“And, pressing on, toward full felicity,
“Hath pointed the same road, Oh, King! to thee.
“Tottering upon the verge of earth and time,
“To the same goal, to the same world sublime,
“Let me direct thy gaze! Oh! wisely soar
“Up to eternal things, and God adore!
“In his high name, I bless thee! Thou shalt find
“His watchful care, a wall, before, behind!
“Good days and prosperous, thou, of Him, shalt see!
“Thy kingdom he shall bless! thy family!
“Thy reign! and at the last great solemn day,
“The Judge of Earth and Heaven shall thee array
“With th' Crown of Life, that fadeth not away.”

“Father!” the Monarch said, “Thy words impart
“Joy, yet unknown, that lingers round my heart.
“I feel that thou art greater here than I;
“Thy foot on earth, thy hand upon the sky.
“Doth not my breast with heaven-taught faith abound?
“Truth lies with thee, and I that pearl have found!
“Were I estranged from hope, the cheering gleam
“That gilds retiring life's benighted stream,
“Still thro' my heart no common thoughts would steal
“For who might look on thee, nor reverence feel?
“But, deeper interests bind me, closer ties!
“Thee, more I honour, now, and doubly prize.
“Thro' the brief scenes thou still on earth may'st see,
“Pharaoh shall cheer thy age, and strive to be,
“Next to a Son, a friend, and true, to thee!”

In Goshen's land, where oil and wine abound,
Jacob, now dwells, his watchful Children round,
Wanting no good that kindness can provide,
Pharaoh, his friend, and Joseph near his side;
In patience waiting for that blissful day
When he shall leave his tenement of clay,
And join that choir of love, that host on high,
Where every pang is past, and tear is dry.