Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
Then did the priests and sorcerers exult,
Saying, that through their magic had the scourge
Been ended; and that speedily their might
Would tread down that of Moses. Them the king
Heard, and applauded; and yet more his heart
Hardened 'gainst Israel's God.
Saying, that through their magic had the scourge
Been ended; and that speedily their might
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Heard, and applauded; and yet more his heart
Hardened 'gainst Israel's God.
Within the shade
Of a thick grove,—for now it was high noon,
And from a cloudless sky the sun poured fire—
Alone walked Moses; on God's gracious ways
Toward Israel musing; and deliverance sure,
At hand foreseeing. Almost midnight-hush
Was round him; for no gentlest breath of air
Stirred leaf: no sound of water was; no bird,
For heat, could sing; no voice, or foot of beast,
Broke the deep stillness: even in the grass,
No rustle was, of snake, or creeping thing:
Life, earth, and air, seemed slumbering; when, behold,
As from Heaven's inmost heart, came down the Voice,
Thus speaking.
Of a thick grove,—for now it was high noon,
And from a cloudless sky the sun poured fire—
Alone walked Moses; on God's gracious ways
Toward Israel musing; and deliverance sure,
At hand foreseeing. Almost midnight-hush
Was round him; for no gentlest breath of air
Stirred leaf: no sound of water was; no bird,
For heat, could sing; no voice, or foot of beast,
Broke the deep stillness: even in the grass,
No rustle was, of snake, or creeping thing:
Life, earth, and air, seemed slumbering; when, behold,
As from Heaven's inmost heart, came down the Voice,
Thus speaking.
“Early in the morning rise,
And before Pharaoh stand; and say to him:
‘Lo, thus the Lord God of the Hebrews saith:
Let thou my people go, that they may serve me.
Else, at this time will I send heavier plagues
On thee, thy servants, and throughout the land:
That thou mayst know that there is none like me,
In all the earth. As yet exaltest thou
Thyself against my people, and wilt not
Permit them to go forth. But, now, behold,
About this time tomorrow will I send
A very grievous hail; such as, before,
Hath not been seen in Egypt, since the day
Of its foundation. Send thou therefore out,
And gather all thy cattle, all thou hast
Within the field: for, upon every man,
And beast, which in the field shall then be found,
And shall not be brought home, the hail shall come;
And they shall die.’”
And before Pharaoh stand; and say to him:
‘Lo, thus the Lord God of the Hebrews saith:
Let thou my people go, that they may serve me.
Else, at this time will I send heavier plagues
On thee, thy servants, and throughout the land:
That thou mayst know that there is none like me,
In all the earth. As yet exaltest thou
Thyself against my people, and wilt not
Permit them to go forth. But, now, behold,
About this time tomorrow will I send
A very grievous hail; such as, before,
Hath not been seen in Egypt, since the day
Of its foundation. Send thou therefore out,
And gather all thy cattle, all thou hast
Within the field: for, upon every man,
And beast, which in the field shall then be found,
And shall not be brought home, the hail shall come;
And they shall die.’”
With forehead to the ground,
That great Voice Moses heard; and, spirit-bowed,
Long time lay worshipping: but rose, at length,
And homeward hastened: unto Aaron first,
And his own wife and children, with low tone,
Awe-filled, the bidding of the Power Divine
Made known; then through the city took his way,
Where'er the wretched Hebrews he might find,
The tidings to impart, and their hearts cheer
With hope of good at hand. By different ways,
Went Aaron also: till the evening closed,
Throughout the city went they; and their words
As sunshine were to some; but, to the most,—
So darkness shadowed them,—as but the gleam
Of a marsh-meteor; dead, ere well alive.
That great Voice Moses heard; and, spirit-bowed,
Long time lay worshipping: but rose, at length,
And homeward hastened: unto Aaron first,
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Awe-filled, the bidding of the Power Divine
Made known; then through the city took his way,
Where'er the wretched Hebrews he might find,
The tidings to impart, and their hearts cheer
With hope of good at hand. By different ways,
Went Aaron also: till the evening closed,
Throughout the city went they; and their words
As sunshine were to some; but, to the most,—
So darkness shadowed them,—as but the gleam
Of a marsh-meteor; dead, ere well alive.
| Israel in Egypt | |