University of Virginia Library

Awe-struck, to Aaron Moses went; and spake
Even as the Voice had spoken. Forthwith then
Beyond the city passed they to the plain,
Where arid was the ground. With outstretched arm,
The rod uplifting, Aaron smote the dust;
And it was turned to lice. Throughout the land,
All dust was changed to lice; which man and beast
Alike infested. Borne upon the air,
Through every house of Egypt,—save alone
The houses of the Israelites,—swarmed the plague:
Therein it went not, nor touched living thing.
But, on the Egyptian dames, who scornfully
Had mocked at Hebrew women, and called out,
Bidding the taskmasters to scourge them hard,
Even as the men,—on them so came it down,
That each to the other, each one to herself,
A loathing, and abomination grew;
For, even from head to foot the vermin were;
Crawled in the porches of their ears, their eyes,
Their nostrils, and their mouths; on hands, and feet;
And over all their bodies; even as flies
Cover the putrid carcass: so that life
Became a misery, and they longed to die.
Over the sprightly youths, and haughty men;
Over all rulers, judges, princes, priests;
Over the king, and over all the land,
The plague was; and to madness many stung,
And many fired to fever, that they died.
Dogs howled; and oxen bellowed, and fell down,
And rolled upon the ground: horses broke loose,
And dashed on franticly, o'er plain, through wood,
As stung by serpents; or in rivers plunged,
Or deep mud wallowed,—their hot flesh to cool.