 | Israel in Egypt |  |
But still the groans, and cries, and curses rose:
For, with rude mockery, on the Hebrew herds,
Horses, and mules, the Egyptians laid their hands;
For every one, plague-slain, extorting three:
Tax-gatherers stern a double tribute forced;
Task-masters, with their sounding whips, drove forth
The sorrowing, terrified slaves; and labor more,
And worse, inflicted on them: so that life,—
Save unto those who yet in God had trust,—
Became a burthen, and they longed to die.
For, with rude mockery, on the Hebrew herds,
Horses, and mules, the Egyptians laid their hands;
For every one, plague-slain, extorting three:
Tax-gatherers stern a double tribute forced;
Task-masters, with their sounding whips, drove forth
The sorrowing, terrified slaves; and labor more,
And worse, inflicted on them: so that life,—
Save unto those who yet in God had trust,—
Became a burthen, and they longed to die.
| Israel in Egypt | |