 | Israel in Egypt |  |
He ended; lowly bowed; and silent stood,
Approval hoping. But the king sat mute;
Angry, yet fearful: burning, now, to send
Swift vengeance on his enemy, and wipe out
The shame of his debasement; shivering, now,
With apprehension dark of some strange ill
That bitterly might repay him. Life to take
By secret stroke, even if success were sure,
Would argue feebleness, or cowardice,
Unworthy of a king: but, if the blow
Its mark should fail, shame tenfold would be his;
And some dire vengeance, inconceivable,
Even tenfold might requite it.
Approval hoping. But the king sat mute;
Angry, yet fearful: burning, now, to send
Swift vengeance on his enemy, and wipe out
The shame of his debasement; shivering, now,
With apprehension dark of some strange ill
That bitterly might repay him. Life to take
By secret stroke, even if success were sure,
Would argue feebleness, or cowardice,
Unworthy of a king: but, if the blow
Its mark should fail, shame tenfold would be his;
And some dire vengeance, inconceivable,
Even tenfold might requite it.
Kingly pride
From danger of reproach to guard;—to 'scape
Peril of retribution, for a crime
Successless in attempt,—and, yet, to slake
Thirst of revenge, for injury and disgrace
Brought on himself, and Egypt,—on safe course,
Or what safe seemed, at length he fixed resolve;
And, his bowed head uplifting, thus replied.
From danger of reproach to guard;—to 'scape
Peril of retribution, for a crime
Successless in attempt,—and, yet, to slake
Thirst of revenge, for injury and disgrace
Brought on himself, and Egypt,—on safe course,
Or what safe seemed, at length he fixed resolve;
And, his bowed head uplifting, thus replied.
| Israel in Egypt | |