Israel in Egypt A Poem. By Edwin Atherstone |
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| 13. | BOOK THIRTEENTH. |
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 | Israel in Egypt |  |
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BOOK THIRTEENTH.
Seven days accomplished,—unto Pharaoh's courtThe sons of Amram went; by Voice Divine
Commanded; and, in presence of the king,
His princes, priests, and sorcerers, Moses spake.
“Thus, Pharaoh, saith the God of Israel;
‘Let thou my people go, that they may serve
Their God within the wilderness.’”
‘Let thou my people go, that they may serve
Their God within the wilderness.’”
“Again?”
Angrily cried the king; “have I not said
Ye shall not go? What feat of sorcery strange,
Now have you to enforce us? Your blood-spell
By natural death soon died: but, even ere then,
A mockery had become; for, in great floods,
Water the purest got we from the earth,—
Too deep, perchance, for your vile jugglery.
Ye shall not go: but, for your insolence,
All Israel heavier tasks and stripes shall have:
Your debtor so,—to pay you with his curse.
Your God is but a fable; a pretence
With which ye think to scare us; as old crones
With Night-Things scare their babes. Again I ask,
With what strange witchcraft would ye fright us now?
Some spell more terrible yet? Or, is your art
Worn out? your Evil Spirit impotent
Like mischief to inflict? But, take ye heed;
For, if the king's hand fall upon you, vain
Will all your magic be: ye will go down,
As tree beneath the bolt.”
Angrily cried the king; “have I not said
Ye shall not go? What feat of sorcery strange,
Now have you to enforce us? Your blood-spell
By natural death soon died: but, even ere then,
A mockery had become; for, in great floods,
Water the purest got we from the earth,—
Too deep, perchance, for your vile jugglery.
Ye shall not go: but, for your insolence,
All Israel heavier tasks and stripes shall have:
Your debtor so,—to pay you with his curse.
Your God is but a fable; a pretence
With which ye think to scare us; as old crones
With Night-Things scare their babes. Again I ask,
With what strange witchcraft would ye fright us now?
Some spell more terrible yet? Or, is your art
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Like mischief to inflict? But, take ye heed;
For, if the king's hand fall upon you, vain
Will all your magic be: ye will go down,
As tree beneath the bolt.”
With face inflamed,
On Moses frowned he: but the patient man,
Strong in the might of God, on Pharaoh looked
With calm, grand face; and mildly thus replied.
On Moses frowned he: but the patient man,
Strong in the might of God, on Pharaoh looked
With calm, grand face; and mildly thus replied.
“As I before have said, again I say:
No witchcraft, king of Egypt, practise we:
That which we do, as messengers from God
Alone we do;—nought of ourselves. The voice
Of Heaven instructs us; and, as it commands,
Obediently we act; unknowing all
How that shall be, which will be. When my staff
Into a serpent turned; or when to blood
Your waters all were changed,—not more than thou,
Knew we how such were done. The Voice had said,
So it should be, thou disobedient found;
And even so it was. Nought more we know.
But, Pharaoh, be thou sure, that Israel's God
No fable is; no thing to scare your babes:
Nor, what our art thou deemest, impotent
Like wonders to perform; nay, greater far;
For, what mere sorceries thou hast dared miscall,—
Terrors to shake the nations, wilt thou find:
Nor feats of Spirits Evil; but the signs
By Power Almighty sent, to make thee know,
That we His servants are; His Will declare;
And that obey thou must; or worse things feel!
For, Pharaoh, be thou sure, that, 'gainst the God
Of Israel striving, all thy power is nought;
Less than a rain-drop, with the ocean weighed.
Nor, 'gainst myself, thy threat I heed at all.
I AM hath said that Israel shall go forth:
And, though thou bring the armies of the world
To stay him; and though chains of steel thou put
On every man and woman of the race,—
Forth still shall Israel go. With one great stroke,
The hand Almighty, off the face of earth
Might sweep all Egypt; from the lowliest man
Who toils for bread, to him who wears the crown:
Thy chariots, and thy horse, and countless foot,
Would vanish as a dream, if, in His wrath,
He did but look upon them. Yet, with hand
More gentle, would He deal with you,—yourselves,
By disobedience, not compelling Him
To stretch o'er you the rod. His will must be:
For, spake He to the starry firmament,
The earth, the moon, the sun,—and said, ‘Be Not;’
Even at that word, the Universe were void!
Nought would be all! Then, Pharaoh, hearken thou;
And, with obedience willing, do, what, else,
A Power Omnipotent at last will force!
As yet, thou wilt not let us go; for thus
The Voice pronounced; but, at the last, thou wilt:
Yea, pray us to depart. But soften, soon,
Thy heart, hard now as mill-stone; so that plagues
More terrible far may not upon thee fall,
And on thy people: for, such things shall come,
As never heretofore on earth were known;
Plagues that shall smite all Egypt to the dust,
If headstrong still thou be. But, for this day,
If thou refuse to let His people go,
Light scourge He threateneth;—punishment less, perchance,
Than proof to send thee that from Him we come;
His Will Supreme to tell. Thus saith the Lord:
‘Go thou to Pharaoh, and unto him say;
Let thou my people go, that they may serve
Their God. If thou refuse to let them go,
Behold, with frogs I will thy borders smite.
Abundantly the river shall bring forth
Frogs that shall cover all the land; and go
Into thine house, thy bedchamber, thy bed;
The houses of thy servants; every house
Of all thy people; in thy kneading-troughs,
Thine ovens; on thy servants, and on thee,
And on thy people.’”
No witchcraft, king of Egypt, practise we:
That which we do, as messengers from God
Alone we do;—nought of ourselves. The voice
Of Heaven instructs us; and, as it commands,
Obediently we act; unknowing all
How that shall be, which will be. When my staff
Into a serpent turned; or when to blood
Your waters all were changed,—not more than thou,
Knew we how such were done. The Voice had said,
So it should be, thou disobedient found;
And even so it was. Nought more we know.
But, Pharaoh, be thou sure, that Israel's God
No fable is; no thing to scare your babes:
Nor, what our art thou deemest, impotent
Like wonders to perform; nay, greater far;
For, what mere sorceries thou hast dared miscall,—
Terrors to shake the nations, wilt thou find:
Nor feats of Spirits Evil; but the signs
By Power Almighty sent, to make thee know,
That we His servants are; His Will declare;
And that obey thou must; or worse things feel!
For, Pharaoh, be thou sure, that, 'gainst the God
Of Israel striving, all thy power is nought;
Less than a rain-drop, with the ocean weighed.
Nor, 'gainst myself, thy threat I heed at all.
I AM hath said that Israel shall go forth:
And, though thou bring the armies of the world
To stay him; and though chains of steel thou put
On every man and woman of the race,—
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The hand Almighty, off the face of earth
Might sweep all Egypt; from the lowliest man
Who toils for bread, to him who wears the crown:
Thy chariots, and thy horse, and countless foot,
Would vanish as a dream, if, in His wrath,
He did but look upon them. Yet, with hand
More gentle, would He deal with you,—yourselves,
By disobedience, not compelling Him
To stretch o'er you the rod. His will must be:
For, spake He to the starry firmament,
The earth, the moon, the sun,—and said, ‘Be Not;’
Even at that word, the Universe were void!
Nought would be all! Then, Pharaoh, hearken thou;
And, with obedience willing, do, what, else,
A Power Omnipotent at last will force!
As yet, thou wilt not let us go; for thus
The Voice pronounced; but, at the last, thou wilt:
Yea, pray us to depart. But soften, soon,
Thy heart, hard now as mill-stone; so that plagues
More terrible far may not upon thee fall,
And on thy people: for, such things shall come,
As never heretofore on earth were known;
Plagues that shall smite all Egypt to the dust,
If headstrong still thou be. But, for this day,
If thou refuse to let His people go,
Light scourge He threateneth;—punishment less, perchance,
Than proof to send thee that from Him we come;
His Will Supreme to tell. Thus saith the Lord:
‘Go thou to Pharaoh, and unto him say;
Let thou my people go, that they may serve
Their God. If thou refuse to let them go,
Behold, with frogs I will thy borders smite.
Abundantly the river shall bring forth
Frogs that shall cover all the land; and go
Into thine house, thy bedchamber, thy bed;
The houses of thy servants; every house
Of all thy people; in thy kneading-troughs,
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And on thy people.’”
Laughed out Pharaoh then;
The rulers, priests, and sorcerers also laughed.
But Sethos, with mock reverence, got up;
And gravely questioned,—when these visitants
Might be expected,—what the welcome best
Their dignity to suit;—what viands, drinks,—
What ceremonies proper to the feasts
That must be given, to honor such rare guests.
To that poor folly, Moses listened not,
The rulers, priests, and sorcerers also laughed.
But Sethos, with mock reverence, got up;
And gravely questioned,—when these visitants
Might be expected,—what the welcome best
Their dignity to suit;—what viands, drinks,—
What ceremonies proper to the feasts
That must be given, to honor such rare guests.
Nor on the speaker looked. Upon the king
His eyes he fixed, attending the reply.
“Away!” cried Pharaoh. “At thy god we laugh:
Even let him do his worst. With frogs, forsooth,
To threaten us! Outworn, indeed, thine art,
Reduced to trick like this! Osiris, hear,
And tremble for thy throne! With fleas, perchance,
Thee, next, this Israel's god will hunt from heaven,
If thou obey not! Get ye from my sight,
Madmen, and fools! With frogs! ha, ha! Rare sport,—
Pharaoh and frogs in battle! Get ye gone!”
Him Moses answered not; but wroth, yet sad,
With Aaron left the hall.
With Aaron left the hall.
Then more and more
Went up the laughter: and, as he were mad,
Sethos, on hands and feet, across the floor
Went leaping; with full eyes, and mouth wide drawn,
The reptiles mimicking. At that arose
A very storm of laughter; till the king,
Exhausted, bade him cease. So they.
Went up the laughter: and, as he were mad,
Sethos, on hands and feet, across the floor
Went leaping; with full eyes, and mouth wide drawn,
The reptiles mimicking. At that arose
A very storm of laughter; till the king,
Exhausted, bade him cease. So they.
Meantime,
Moses and Aaron toward the river went;
Pure now, and crystal bright, as though of blood
No drop had ever fouled it: then his staff
Moses to Aaron gave, and said; “Behold,
Even as to me was spoken, so to thee
Now speak I. ‘With thine hand stretch forth the rod,
Over all streams, all rivers, and all ponds;
And cause the frogs to come up on the land,
Even all the land of Egypt.’”
Moses and Aaron toward the river went;
Pure now, and crystal bright, as though of blood
No drop had ever fouled it: then his staff
Moses to Aaron gave, and said; “Behold,
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Now speak I. ‘With thine hand stretch forth the rod,
Over all streams, all rivers, and all ponds;
And cause the frogs to come up on the land,
Even all the land of Egypt.’”
Aaron then,
Above that river, and toward north and south,
And west, and east,—all waters ruling thus,—
The rod stretched out; and, instantly, behold—
Bubbling and foaming to its lowest depths,
High o'er the bank, like a wide-sweeping wave,
Nile cast up its foul brood! Enormous, black,
Lizards in gait, claw-footed, swift in flight,
They covered all the ground. Sight horrible!
And sound appalling! for, from each low throat,
Croak deeper than the raven's gurgled up;
That, with the dissonant chorus, the air shook;
And birds and beasts affrighted fled, and men.
Wave after wave, cresting the shore, came up
The great, black, living Horror: rapidly
Rolled toward the city; thronged the streets, the courts,
The temples, houses, bedchambers, and beds,
The kneading-troughs, the ovens, and the cups;
With slime bedaubing all things. Every heart
Was fear-struck: children, women, men, alike,
Flew to escape them; but no place could find
Where they were not.
Above that river, and toward north and south,
And west, and east,—all waters ruling thus,—
The rod stretched out; and, instantly, behold—
Bubbling and foaming to its lowest depths,
High o'er the bank, like a wide-sweeping wave,
Nile cast up its foul brood! Enormous, black,
Lizards in gait, claw-footed, swift in flight,
They covered all the ground. Sight horrible!
And sound appalling! for, from each low throat,
Croak deeper than the raven's gurgled up;
That, with the dissonant chorus, the air shook;
And birds and beasts affrighted fled, and men.
Wave after wave, cresting the shore, came up
The great, black, living Horror: rapidly
Rolled toward the city; thronged the streets, the courts,
The temples, houses, bedchambers, and beds,
The kneading-troughs, the ovens, and the cups;
With slime bedaubing all things. Every heart
Was fear-struck: children, women, men, alike,
Flew to escape them; but no place could find
Where they were not.
To Pharaoh's palace, soon,
The clamor reached; and quickly came the tale
Of that strange terror. But the sorcerers,—
By the bad Spirits taught new power to feel,—
Spake then to Pharaoh, saying, “Lo! that same
Can we do likewise. 'Tis but nought. Behold!”
And therewith, lifting up their rods, they called,
And bade the frogs to come. Forth, then, they came;
Even on the floor, and underneath the eye
Of the astonished king. At that, laughed out
Sethos; and, of the rulers also, some
Laughed out aloud; even Pharaoh darkly smiled;
But said, “Better, methinks, your art were used,
The plague to stop, than a like plague to bring.
And, surely, all that uproar round about,
Worse ill than this bespeaks. Send out to know
Why cry the people thus.”
The clamor reached; and quickly came the tale
Of that strange terror. But the sorcerers,—
By the bad Spirits taught new power to feel,—
Spake then to Pharaoh, saying, “Lo! that same
Can we do likewise. 'Tis but nought. Behold!”
And therewith, lifting up their rods, they called,
And bade the frogs to come. Forth, then, they came;
Even on the floor, and underneath the eye
Of the astonished king. At that, laughed out
Sethos; and, of the rulers also, some
Laughed out aloud; even Pharaoh darkly smiled;
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The plague to stop, than a like plague to bring.
And, surely, all that uproar round about,
Worse ill than this bespeaks. Send out to know
Why cry the people thus.”
At once went forth
Some younger lords and priests: but, the outer gate
As they drew open, lo! the living wave,
Fiery-eyed, loathsome, croaking loud, burst in.
Terror-struck, back they fled; the inner door
Hurriedly barred, and that dire wonder told.
Yet needless now the tale; for, close without,
The horrible chorus sounded; and the floor
To the numerous trampling quivered. Pale with fright,
Unto his innermost chamber ran the king,
Calling his princes with him: and the rest,
Priests, sorcerers, rulers, in a great dismay,
Huddled together,—doubtful what to do;
Not daring to stir thence.
Some younger lords and priests: but, the outer gate
As they drew open, lo! the living wave,
Fiery-eyed, loathsome, croaking loud, burst in.
Terror-struck, back they fled; the inner door
Hurriedly barred, and that dire wonder told.
Yet needless now the tale; for, close without,
The horrible chorus sounded; and the floor
To the numerous trampling quivered. Pale with fright,
Unto his innermost chamber ran the king,
Calling his princes with him: and the rest,
Priests, sorcerers, rulers, in a great dismay,
Huddled together,—doubtful what to do;
Not daring to stir thence.
Through half the day,
Alone within his chamber, to no man
Would Pharaoh speak; nor unto man give ear:
But, as the night drew on, and wilder rose
The wailings from the city,—horror-struck,
Aloud he called, and bade that to the house
Of Aaron men should haste, and say to him;
“Come thou, and Moses, straightway to the king;
For he will hear your words.”
Alone within his chamber, to no man
Would Pharaoh speak; nor unto man give ear:
But, as the night drew on, and wilder rose
The wailings from the city,—horror-struck,
Aloud he called, and bade that to the house
Of Aaron men should haste, and say to him;
“Come thou, and Moses, straightway to the king;
For he will hear your words.”
That message heard,—
The sons of Amram went; threats, curses, prayers,
As they passed on, from windows greeting them:
For, now, by all the people was it said,
How they that plague had caused; the king to force
Base Israel to set free: some, therefore, cursed;
Some, mischief threatened them; and some, with tears,
Besought them to have pity, and take off
That hideous scourge; else famine would slay all!
But, unto no man speaking, on they went,
The firm ground treading; for, before their path,
Aside the reptiles turned, and left clear way;
Gathering again behind.
The sons of Amram went; threats, curses, prayers,
As they passed on, from windows greeting them:
For, now, by all the people was it said,
How they that plague had caused; the king to force
Base Israel to set free: some, therefore, cursed;
Some, mischief threatened them; and some, with tears,
Besought them to have pity, and take off
That hideous scourge; else famine would slay all!
But, unto no man speaking, on they went,
The firm ground treading; for, before their path,
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Gathering again behind.
With Pharaoh soon,
Even in his private chamber, did they stand;—
With him alone; for, shame would he have felt,
In presence of his daughters, queen, and sons,
Submissive words to speak. Cold looks at first,
Nay angry, he cast on them; but, by fear
O'ermastered soon, with tremulous voice, and face
Haggard and pale, to Moses thus began.
“Is this strange plague thy doing? by thy spells
Even in his private chamber, did they stand;—
With him alone; for, shame would he have felt,
In presence of his daughters, queen, and sons,
Submissive words to speak. Cold looks at first,
Nay angry, he cast on them; but, by fear
O'ermastered soon, with tremulous voice, and face
Haggard and pale, to Moses thus began.
Brought on us? or, its coming didst thou know
From men at distance; and, so, safely threat,
As punishment, if thee we heeded not,
That which, unthreatened, equally had come?
Answer me truly: by thy spell is this?
Or by strange course of Nature? or by act
Of some foul demon, whom thou knowest not of?
Such, rather, would seem cause, than power of thine;
For thou a gentle punishment alone,
Didst threaten, if I would not let you go;
Frogs only, that should cover all the land:
But here are come, men say, foul things, till now,
Ne'er seen upon the earth; in shape as frogs,
But huge in bulk, claw-footed, fiery-eyed,
Voracious, that all food do they devour;
Swift running, like great lizards; and deep-voiced
As the old raven. Like to frogs are these,
As tigers like to cats. Hadst thou designed,—
Or but foreknown,—that such should be the plague,
Light threat thou hadst not called it; nor named frogs,
Those reptiles hideous. Truly answer now.
From power of thine is this? or from what else,—
And, if thou know'st it, what the remedy?”
Then Moses bowed before the king, and spake.
“Other than truly cannot I reply:
But, wilt thou, Pharaoh, hear, and truly know?
For, once already, the pure, simple truth
Have I declared, and thou hast hardened been,
And made of it thy mock. No power of ours,
By magic, or aught else;—nor demon-power,—
Which, save by Heaven permitted, ne'er can work
Against fixed course of Nature,—this strange plague
Hath brought upon you;—but our God alone,—
Even as I warned thee He would do to you,
Shouldst thou refuse to let His people go,—
Hath sent it on you: punishment, at once,
And proof that verily from Him we come;
That so thou may believe us, and obey.
Mild threat I called it: and, if yet thy heart
Be hardened, and thou wilt not let us go,
Mild wilt thou find it, with those plagues compared
That will be sent upon thee. Of ourselves,
No more than thou knew we what things should come.
Frogs were they named; but of no special sort:
Yet, that of nature strange they would be found,
Easy to guess,—since passing strange the ills
They should bring on you. Not the harmless frog
Of stream and field, could through your cities run;
Throng in your halls, your chambers, and your beds,
Your kneading-troughs, and ovens. All this land,
Ere such could cover,—from the streams and ponds
Heavily rising,—would long months go by:
Nor miracle would it seem; but Nature's work
Prodigious, only, in some wantonness
Of life-production; even as locust-clouds
Prodigious she brings forth, which a whole land
At once make desolate. Nor aught with thee
Had such availed; thy merriment, perchance,
As at the first. But, surely, now thou seest
That neither magic-spell, nor demon-power,
Nor the wild work of Nature, can this be.
I told thee it would come, thy punishment,
If thou shouldst disobey. Thou didst: it came:
Even that same hour it came! If, as thou saidst,
From men at distance, of that coming plague,
So nigh at hand, the tidings I had heard,—
Think'st thou that others, also, had not heard,
And bruited it about?—But, not alone
Against this city comes it,—Egypt all,—
Save in the dwellings of the Israelites,
And in the land of Goshen,—feels the curse.
Thy sin hath brought it: thy repentance full,
Solely can stay it. As in the blood-plague,
Three days should this endure,—unless thine heart
Quickly thou soften, and bid Israel go.
Then, haply, may the Lord His hand put forth,
And cause the scourge depart.”
But, wilt thou, Pharaoh, hear, and truly know?
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Have I declared, and thou hast hardened been,
And made of it thy mock. No power of ours,
By magic, or aught else;—nor demon-power,—
Which, save by Heaven permitted, ne'er can work
Against fixed course of Nature,—this strange plague
Hath brought upon you;—but our God alone,—
Even as I warned thee He would do to you,
Shouldst thou refuse to let His people go,—
Hath sent it on you: punishment, at once,
And proof that verily from Him we come;
That so thou may believe us, and obey.
Mild threat I called it: and, if yet thy heart
Be hardened, and thou wilt not let us go,
Mild wilt thou find it, with those plagues compared
That will be sent upon thee. Of ourselves,
No more than thou knew we what things should come.
Frogs were they named; but of no special sort:
Yet, that of nature strange they would be found,
Easy to guess,—since passing strange the ills
They should bring on you. Not the harmless frog
Of stream and field, could through your cities run;
Throng in your halls, your chambers, and your beds,
Your kneading-troughs, and ovens. All this land,
Ere such could cover,—from the streams and ponds
Heavily rising,—would long months go by:
Nor miracle would it seem; but Nature's work
Prodigious, only, in some wantonness
Of life-production; even as locust-clouds
Prodigious she brings forth, which a whole land
At once make desolate. Nor aught with thee
Had such availed; thy merriment, perchance,
As at the first. But, surely, now thou seest
That neither magic-spell, nor demon-power,
Nor the wild work of Nature, can this be.
I told thee it would come, thy punishment,
If thou shouldst disobey. Thou didst: it came:
Even that same hour it came! If, as thou saidst,
From men at distance, of that coming plague,
So nigh at hand, the tidings I had heard,—
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And bruited it about?—But, not alone
Against this city comes it,—Egypt all,—
Save in the dwellings of the Israelites,
And in the land of Goshen,—feels the curse.
Thy sin hath brought it: thy repentance full,
Solely can stay it. As in the blood-plague,
Three days should this endure,—unless thine heart
Quickly thou soften, and bid Israel go.
Then, haply, may the Lord His hand put forth,
And cause the scourge depart.”
A little while
In silence Pharaoh stood,—his proud hard heart,
By the great Spirit of Evil harder made,
And loathing to submit. But, in that hush,
From the whole city, the great voice of wail,
And the horrific croaking of the plague,
Louder came up; so smiting, that his tongue
Clave to the palate. With a faltering voice,
At length thus spake he.
In silence Pharaoh stood,—his proud hard heart,
By the great Spirit of Evil harder made,
And loathing to submit. But, in that hush,
From the whole city, the great voice of wail,
And the horrific croaking of the plague,
Louder came up; so smiting, that his tongue
Clave to the palate. With a faltering voice,
At length thus spake he.
“Verily I fear
This is indeed from God! Entreat ye Him
That He may take this scourge away from me,
And from my people! Then shall Israel go,
That they may sacrifice unto the Lord.”
Well pleased was Moses when these words he heard;
This is indeed from God! Entreat ye Him
That He may take this scourge away from me,
And from my people! Then shall Israel go,
That they may sacrifice unto the Lord.”
And thus he answered. “Better to show forth,
That by the God of Israel, and none else,
This plague was sent; and that by Him alone
May it be taken off,—my voice of prayer,
And thy repentance moving Him—behold!
Thou shalt command; shalt glory have o'er me:
As thou wilt, be it done. Speak freely then,
And say—when of our God shall I entreat,—
For thee, and for thy servants, and for all
Thy people,—that this plague may be removed?”
“Even on the morrow,” eagerly cried the king;
“For, if three days it last, famine and thirst
Will slay us all!”
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Will slay us all!”
Him Moses answered thus.
“Be it according to thy word; that thou
Truly may'st know that, like the Lord our God,
None is there. He will bid the plague depart
From thee, thy servants, and thy people all,
Throughout the land of Egypt.”
“Be it according to thy word; that thou
Truly may'st know that, like the Lord our God,
None is there. He will bid the plague depart
From thee, thy servants, and thy people all,
Throughout the land of Egypt.”
But that night
Wailings of dread, and loathing, still went up
Through all the city, and throughout the realm,—
Save in the houses of the Israelites:
Therein no plague was: and a word of joy
From man to man spread quickly, that, in truth,
Pharaoh would let them go.
Wailings of dread, and loathing, still went up
Through all the city, and throughout the realm,—
Save in the houses of the Israelites:
Therein no plague was: and a word of joy
From man to man spread quickly, that, in truth,
Pharaoh would let them go.
At early morn,
Moses, beseeching, cried unto the Lord,
Because of that great plague, on Pharaoh sent:
And the Lord hearkened: and the reptiles died
Out of all houses, villages, and fields.
Then did the people gather them in heaps;
And the land stank.
Moses, beseeching, cried unto the Lord,
Because of that great plague, on Pharaoh sent:
And the Lord hearkened: and the reptiles died
Out of all houses, villages, and fields.
Then did the people gather them in heaps;
And the land stank.
Yet, this when Pharaoh knew,
Again his heart toward Israel hardened was.
His priests and sorcerers then, the more to stir
His wrath against them, whispered audibly;
Complaining that great insult on the king,
By Moses and by Aaron had been cast;
Deceiving him, their people to get freed.
And when, at length, they saw that to the height
Rage boiled within him,—unto Pharaoh's throne
They went together; and Thamusin thus.
Again his heart toward Israel hardened was.
His priests and sorcerers then, the more to stir
His wrath against them, whispered audibly;
Complaining that great insult on the king,
By Moses and by Aaron had been cast;
Deceiving him, their people to get freed.
And when, at length, they saw that to the height
Rage boiled within him,—unto Pharaoh's throne
They went together; and Thamusin thus.
“Light of the Sun,—hear now thy servant speak:
Yet, not his thoughts alone, but thoughts of all
Thy counsellors and rulers. A great cheat
By those accursed wizards hath been done,—
The king to vex, and all to terrify,
That so the slaves might 'scape. Of that same plague
Knew Moses, from his people far away,—
Or by the potence of his witchery—
That hither it was coming; for, behold!
Not here alone, but throughout the whole realm,
Swarmed the foul monsters. Yet, with guileful heart,
His God to magnify, pretended he
That, for a special curse on thee, and us,
From that false god, would come, what well he knew,
By natural cause, o'er all the land would come.
Also knew he that, quickly as it came,
So quickly would it go: for alway thus
In course of Nature is it. Every thing
Born suddenly, as suddenly must die.
Gnats, born at morning, perish ere the night:
And those disgusting reptiles, in one day
Brought into life,—knew he assuredly,
By the like law, must on the morrow die.
An impudent pretence, then, of his god
To get by prayer, that which he knew would be,
Whether he prayed, or cursed him. Natural cause
Alone that plague brought on; alone removed.
Plain to the sense of all,—nay even of fools,
Out stands it, that an insolent deceit
This Moses hath put on us,—his false god
To glorify, and those vile slaves to loose.
If their desert they get,—not liberty,
But heavier bonds they'll have: for well 'tis known,—
That, by their magic fended, in no house
Of Israel went the reptiles. Safe within,
The women sat, praising their god with songs;
And, doubtless, also, with vile gibes and mirth,
Mocking their masters, when the cries went up,
Telling their wretchedness: and, for the men,
Alike were they at ease, whether at home,
Joining the women in their psalmody,
Or walking forth; for, ever a clear path
Was theirs; no reptile on them fixed his claw,
Nor even crossed their way; but, right and left,
Fled from before them. If of magic deep
This speaketh not; then magic would be none,
Of pebbles to make bread; of water, wine;
Of corpses, living men. If, therefore, thou,
Light of the Sun, do let this people go,
Their laughter and their mockery evermore
Wilt thou be made; and Egypt her chief wealth
And power, for aye will lose.”
Yet, not his thoughts alone, but thoughts of all
Thy counsellors and rulers. A great cheat
By those accursed wizards hath been done,—
The king to vex, and all to terrify,
That so the slaves might 'scape. Of that same plague
Knew Moses, from his people far away,—
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That hither it was coming; for, behold!
Not here alone, but throughout the whole realm,
Swarmed the foul monsters. Yet, with guileful heart,
His God to magnify, pretended he
That, for a special curse on thee, and us,
From that false god, would come, what well he knew,
By natural cause, o'er all the land would come.
Also knew he that, quickly as it came,
So quickly would it go: for alway thus
In course of Nature is it. Every thing
Born suddenly, as suddenly must die.
Gnats, born at morning, perish ere the night:
And those disgusting reptiles, in one day
Brought into life,—knew he assuredly,
By the like law, must on the morrow die.
An impudent pretence, then, of his god
To get by prayer, that which he knew would be,
Whether he prayed, or cursed him. Natural cause
Alone that plague brought on; alone removed.
Plain to the sense of all,—nay even of fools,
Out stands it, that an insolent deceit
This Moses hath put on us,—his false god
To glorify, and those vile slaves to loose.
If their desert they get,—not liberty,
But heavier bonds they'll have: for well 'tis known,—
That, by their magic fended, in no house
Of Israel went the reptiles. Safe within,
The women sat, praising their god with songs;
And, doubtless, also, with vile gibes and mirth,
Mocking their masters, when the cries went up,
Telling their wretchedness: and, for the men,
Alike were they at ease, whether at home,
Joining the women in their psalmody,
Or walking forth; for, ever a clear path
Was theirs; no reptile on them fixed his claw,
Nor even crossed their way; but, right and left,
Fled from before them. If of magic deep
This speaketh not; then magic would be none,
Of pebbles to make bread; of water, wine;
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Light of the Sun, do let this people go,
Their laughter and their mockery evermore
Wilt thou be made; and Egypt her chief wealth
And power, for aye will lose.”
Vehémently
So spake Thamusin; others of the priests
Spake also, and the sorcerers; that the king
Might be stirred up, his promise to recall;
And give, instead of freedom, heavier chains
To that deceitful Israel.
So spake Thamusin; others of the priests
Spake also, and the sorcerers; that the king
Might be stirred up, his promise to recall;
And give, instead of freedom, heavier chains
To that deceitful Israel.
And, meantime,
While these, with mortal voice, to Pharaoh spake,
A mightier far, though wordless, in his heart,
With potence terrible shook him; for therein
Went Satan; and his pride and wrath awoke;
Rousing him to defy command of God;
And his own word recall; and keep in bonds
Whom he had vowed to loose.
While these, with mortal voice, to Pharaoh spake,
A mightier far, though wordless, in his heart,
With potence terrible shook him; for therein
Went Satan; and his pride and wrath awoke;
Rousing him to defy command of God;
And his own word recall; and keep in bonds
Whom he had vowed to loose.
With rage, at last,
Full fraught, upstarted Pharaoh, and cried out;
“Haste, and proclaim it,—Israel shall not go!
Their jugglers have deceived us: but their tricks
Shall be o'ermastered. Give the slaves worse tasks;
And make their women labor as their men:
Fitter than singing while all Egypt howls.
Send instantly, and stay them, ere one man
Put forth the foot. Their magic damnable
Surely no more can do; and, if again
With the same plagues they threaten,—by all gods
Of Egypt swear I, those curs'd sorcerers
At once shall die the death!”
Full fraught, upstarted Pharaoh, and cried out;
“Haste, and proclaim it,—Israel shall not go!
Their jugglers have deceived us: but their tricks
Shall be o'ermastered. Give the slaves worse tasks;
And make their women labor as their men:
Fitter than singing while all Egypt howls.
Send instantly, and stay them, ere one man
Put forth the foot. Their magic damnable
Surely no more can do; and, if again
With the same plagues they threaten,—by all gods
Of Egypt swear I, those curs'd sorcerers
At once shall die the death!”
Foaming with rage,
Down from his throne he went: and speedily
Throughout the city, and through all the land
Where dwelt the Israelites, flew messengers,
Forbidding them to go; and heavier toils
Commanding on them; and their women, too,
Bidding to labor, even as the men.
Down from his throne he went: and speedily
Throughout the city, and through all the land
Where dwelt the Israelites, flew messengers,
Forbidding them to go; and heavier toils
Commanding on them; and their women, too,
Bidding to labor, even as the men.
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That seen, among the proud Egyptian dames
Many there were, who those poor women mocked;
Pointing the finger, sneering, laughing aloud,
And calling on the taskmasters to force
The singers to their work; and smite them hard,
Even as the idle men.
Many there were, who those poor women mocked;
Pointing the finger, sneering, laughing aloud,
And calling on the taskmasters to force
The singers to their work; and smite them hard,
Even as the idle men.
At that, a groan
Came from all Israel; and a loud complaint
Against the sons of Amram,—that even worse
They had made their state; had freedom promised them;
Yet brought but heavier chains.
Came from all Israel; and a loud complaint
Against the sons of Amram,—that even worse
They had made their state; had freedom promised them;
Yet brought but heavier chains.
Among them then
Moses, and Aaron, and the Elders, went;
Bidding them take good heart; their grievous wrongs
Bear patiently; and in the Lord of Hosts
Place all their trust: for mighty things, erelong,
Would He do for them; such as all the land
Should fill with wonder: till, at last, the king,
His rulers, and the voice of Egypt all,
Should bid, should pray, should bribe them to depart.
Moses, and Aaron, and the Elders, went;
Bidding them take good heart; their grievous wrongs
Bear patiently; and in the Lord of Hosts
Place all their trust: for mighty things, erelong,
Would He do for them; such as all the land
Should fill with wonder: till, at last, the king,
His rulers, and the voice of Egypt all,
Should bid, should pray, should bribe them to depart.
| Israel in Egypt | |