Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
To the blest land of Goshen quickly flew
The tidings; and, though task-masters were none,
Nor slaves therein,—yet, when from house to house,
From village unto village, ran the word,
That, thenceforth, double tribute must be paid;
And that, from out the Hebrew flocks and herds,
Even three for one of all that they had lost,
The Egyptian men with law's strong hand might take;
Then a deep murmur rose. Some few there were
Who Moses blamed, that such terrific plagues
He had sent on Egypt; which but torment were
Unto her people; and, for Israel, wrought
Evil far more than good; the headstrong king
But madder making; 'gainst themselves more fierce,
Defiant more 'gainst God. But all the rest,
Who, either from his mouth, or by report,
Had heard the words of Moses,—as to him
At night, on Horeb, from the burning bush,
They had been spoken,—knew that hard of heart
Pharaoh would be; and plague on plague might bide,
Ere God he would obey, and Israel loose.
Much evil, therefore, looked they to endure;
And, while most sorrowing, whispered to their hearts,
That, when at heaviest, the black clouds would break,
And let the sunshine down.
The tidings; and, though task-masters were none,
Nor slaves therein,—yet, when from house to house,
From village unto village, ran the word,
That, thenceforth, double tribute must be paid;
And that, from out the Hebrew flocks and herds,
Even three for one of all that they had lost,
The Egyptian men with law's strong hand might take;
Then a deep murmur rose. Some few there were
249
He had sent on Egypt; which but torment were
Unto her people; and, for Israel, wrought
Evil far more than good; the headstrong king
But madder making; 'gainst themselves more fierce,
Defiant more 'gainst God. But all the rest,
Who, either from his mouth, or by report,
Had heard the words of Moses,—as to him
At night, on Horeb, from the burning bush,
They had been spoken,—knew that hard of heart
Pharaoh would be; and plague on plague might bide,
Ere God he would obey, and Israel loose.
Much evil, therefore, looked they to endure;
And, while most sorrowing, whispered to their hearts,
That, when at heaviest, the black clouds would break,
And let the sunshine down.
| Israel in Egypt | |