University of Virginia Library

“As I before have said, again I say:
No witchcraft, king of Egypt, practise we:
That which we do, as messengers from God
Alone we do;—nought of ourselves. The voice
Of Heaven instructs us; and, as it commands,
Obediently we act; unknowing all
How that shall be, which will be. When my staff
Into a serpent turned; or when to blood
Your waters all were changed,—not more than thou,
Knew we how such were done. The Voice had said,
So it should be, thou disobedient found;
And even so it was. Nought more we know.
But, Pharaoh, be thou sure, that Israel's God
No fable is; no thing to scare your babes:
Nor, what our art thou deemest, impotent
Like wonders to perform; nay, greater far;
For, what mere sorceries thou hast dared miscall,—
Terrors to shake the nations, wilt thou find:
Nor feats of Spirits Evil; but the signs
By Power Almighty sent, to make thee know,
That we His servants are; His Will declare;
And that obey thou must; or worse things feel!
For, Pharaoh, be thou sure, that, 'gainst the God
Of Israel striving, all thy power is nought;
Less than a rain-drop, with the ocean weighed.
Nor, 'gainst myself, thy threat I heed at all.
I AM hath said that Israel shall go forth:
And, though thou bring the armies of the world
To stay him; and though chains of steel thou put
On every man and woman of the race,—
Forth still shall Israel go. With one great stroke,
The hand Almighty, off the face of earth
Might sweep all Egypt; from the lowliest man
Who toils for bread, to him who wears the crown:
Thy chariots, and thy horse, and countless foot,
Would vanish as a dream, if, in His wrath,
He did but look upon them. Yet, with hand
More gentle, would He deal with you,—yourselves,
By disobedience, not compelling Him
To stretch o'er you the rod. His will must be:
For, spake He to the starry firmament,
The earth, the moon, the sun,—and said, ‘Be Not;’
Even at that word, the Universe were void!
Nought would be all! Then, Pharaoh, hearken thou;
And, with obedience willing, do, what, else,
A Power Omnipotent at last will force!
As yet, thou wilt not let us go; for thus
The Voice pronounced; but, at the last, thou wilt:
Yea, pray us to depart. But soften, soon,
Thy heart, hard now as mill-stone; so that plagues
More terrible far may not upon thee fall,
And on thy people: for, such things shall come,
As never heretofore on earth were known;
Plagues that shall smite all Egypt to the dust,
If headstrong still thou be. But, for this day,
If thou refuse to let His people go,
Light scourge He threateneth;—punishment less, perchance,
Than proof to send thee that from Him we come;
His Will Supreme to tell. Thus saith the Lord:
‘Go thou to Pharaoh, and unto him say;
Let thou my people go, that they may serve
Their God. If thou refuse to let them go,
Behold, with frogs I will thy borders smite.
Abundantly the river shall bring forth
Frogs that shall cover all the land; and go
Into thine house, thy bedchamber, thy bed;
The houses of thy servants; every house
Of all thy people; in thy kneading-troughs,
Thine ovens; on thy servants, and on thee,
And on thy people.’”

Laughed out Pharaoh then;
The rulers, priests, and sorcerers also laughed.
But Sethos, with mock reverence, got up;
And gravely questioned,—when these visitants
Might be expected,—what the welcome best
Their dignity to suit;—what viands, drinks,—
What ceremonies proper to the feasts
That must be given, to honor such rare guests.