Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
But sleep they knew not; for loud wailing rose
Throughout the palace: on the chamber door
Heavy strokes sounded; and, from those without,
Cries as of agony came. Still, for awhile,
The king regarded not; for word distinct
None could he hear,—so loud the thunderous hum
Of the dire plague; and such the din that rose
From the tormented city. But more fierce
Anon the strokes fell, as by hammers given,
The massive wood to break. From out his bed
Leaped Pharaoh then; and, smiting on the door,
With voice high-pitched cried out, “Whoe'er ye be,
Get hence! till this plague go, I open not.
Take ye your swords; and to those wizards fly,
And put them to the death, if, instantly
They stay not this foul torment.”
Throughout the palace: on the chamber door
Heavy strokes sounded; and, from those without,
Cries as of agony came. Still, for awhile,
The king regarded not; for word distinct
None could he hear,—so loud the thunderous hum
223
From the tormented city. But more fierce
Anon the strokes fell, as by hammers given,
The massive wood to break. From out his bed
Leaped Pharaoh then; and, smiting on the door,
With voice high-pitched cried out, “Whoe'er ye be,
Get hence! till this plague go, I open not.
Take ye your swords; and to those wizards fly,
And put them to the death, if, instantly
They stay not this foul torment.”
“We are blind,”
Shrieked then a voice, “and cannot find the way:
Blind are we all, and mad: from crown to toe
Stung as by hornets. Thou know'st not my voice,
Or would'st not bar me out. I am thy son
Lanetho; help me father, or I die.”
Shrieked then a voice, “and cannot find the way:
Blind are we all, and mad: from crown to toe
Stung as by hornets. Thou know'st not my voice,
Or would'st not bar me out. I am thy son
Lanetho; help me father, or I die.”
| Israel in Egypt | |