Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
“For any other damsel 'neath the sun,
Such honor this, that straightway at my feet
Might she fall down,—speechless with gratitude,
Or eloquent with thanks: but thou, blest maid,
So far in beauty dost all else o'erpeer;
So like to goddess art,—that earthly prize,
Even the richest, all unworthy seems
To purchase thy celestial. Nay, frown not;
Though even thy frown more lovely is than smiles
Of all earth's beauties else; but hearken now,
While—the deficiency of Egypt's throne
Thy worth to balance,—in the scale I cast
Advantage, such as never yet did king,
Even for the loftiest princess of the earth,
In dowry offer.
Such honor this, that straightway at my feet
Might she fall down,—speechless with gratitude,
Or eloquent with thanks: but thou, blest maid,
So far in beauty dost all else o'erpeer;
So like to goddess art,—that earthly prize,
Even the richest, all unworthy seems
To purchase thy celestial. Nay, frown not;
Though even thy frown more lovely is than smiles
Of all earth's beauties else; but hearken now,
While—the deficiency of Egypt's throne
Thy worth to balance,—in the scale I cast
Advantage, such as never yet did king,
Even for the loftiest princess of the earth,
In dowry offer.
“Treasure-cities four
Have I: in gold, and silver, and in gems,
The richest of the world. I cannot name,
Nor couldst thou understand, the mighty sum;
Passing all count. Of these will two be thine
On that same day when thou my son shalt wed.
On that same day, north, south, east, west, shall fly
The great proclaim,—‘Henceforth is Israel free:
Henceforth no labor, taxes, shall they pay,
Save such as pays all Egypt: from this day,
Free to depart the land, free to remain,
All Israel is become: for, on this day,
A Hebrew maiden, gem of all the earth,
Or goddess, rather, habited in flesh,
Celestial, yet half human, hath come down,
And wedded Egypt's prince.’ Such the proclaim
Of glory and good to all of Hebrew race,
On that glad morning..... But, of special good
To thine own house, and friends, I now must speak.
Have I: in gold, and silver, and in gems,
The richest of the world. I cannot name,
Nor couldst thou understand, the mighty sum;
Passing all count. Of these will two be thine
On that same day when thou my son shalt wed.
On that same day, north, south, east, west, shall fly
The great proclaim,—‘Henceforth is Israel free:
262
Save such as pays all Egypt: from this day,
Free to depart the land, free to remain,
All Israel is become: for, on this day,
A Hebrew maiden, gem of all the earth,
Or goddess, rather, habited in flesh,
Celestial, yet half human, hath come down,
And wedded Egypt's prince.’ Such the proclaim
Of glory and good to all of Hebrew race,
On that glad morning..... But, of special good
To thine own house, and friends, I now must speak.
| Israel in Egypt | |