Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
But motionless and silent Moses stood;
His eyes upon the ground, as one whose thoughts
Sorely perplex him: and, when this he saw,—
His huge form rearing, with an aspect proud,
And tone of cold displeasure, the dark king
Him thus addressed.
His eyes upon the ground, as one whose thoughts
Sorely perplex him: and, when this he saw,—
His huge form rearing, with an aspect proud,
And tone of cold displeasure, the dark king
Him thus addressed.
“When monarchs deign to speak,
Quick ear they look for, and a nimble tongue
In answer. Have my words inaudible been,
That thou repliest not? for, in thing like this,
To hear, is to resolve; since doubt of choice
'Twixt offered life, or death,—conditions none,—
Not more impossible were, than thought of doubt
'Twixt opposites like these.... Or, with long care,
Is thy brain crazed; so that of best, or worst,
Thou know'st not which to chuse?...Be't how it may,
At least give answer: let me know thy thoughts,—
If thought thou hast at all.”
Quick ear they look for, and a nimble tongue
In answer. Have my words inaudible been,
That thou repliest not? for, in thing like this,
To hear, is to resolve; since doubt of choice
'Twixt offered life, or death,—conditions none,—
Not more impossible were, than thought of doubt
'Twixt opposites like these.... Or, with long care,
Is thy brain crazed; so that of best, or worst,
Thou know'st not which to chuse?...Be't how it may,
At least give answer: let me know thy thoughts,—
If thought thou hast at all.”
“Amazement strange
O'ercometh me,” with low and solemn voice,
At length said Moses. “With the bodily eye,
A force I see, that Egypt's utmost strength
Surely might overwhelm, as a great rock
Would crush a molehill: with the bodily ear,
Thy words I note, telling that even so
The immediate purpose is; and my poor aid
Inviting to the work: yet, not more sure
That here I live, and breathe, and with thee speak,
Am I, or can be, than that never thus
Will Egypt fall, or Israel be set free:
For, from Heaven know I that, by other power,
God's purpose is it, Pharaoh to subdue;
From his long bondage to lead Israel forth.”
O'ercometh me,” with low and solemn voice,
At length said Moses. “With the bodily eye,
A force I see, that Egypt's utmost strength
Surely might overwhelm, as a great rock
Would crush a molehill: with the bodily ear,
Thy words I note, telling that even so
The immediate purpose is; and my poor aid
Inviting to the work: yet, not more sure
That here I live, and breathe, and with thee speak,
Am I, or can be, than that never thus
Will Egypt fall, or Israel be set free:
For, from Heaven know I that, by other power,
God's purpose is it, Pharaoh to subdue;
From his long bondage to lead Israel forth.”
| Israel in Egypt | |