 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
28
JOSEPH.
The true nobility of generous minds,Equal to either conquest, weal or woe,
Triumphant over fortune, friend or foe,
In thee, pure-hearted youth, its pattern finds:
Child best-beloved of Israel's green old age,
Innocent dreamer, persecuted slave,
Good steward, unguilty captive, honour'd sage,
Whose timely counsel rescued from the grave
Egypt's bronze children, and those exiled few
Dwelling at Goshen,—Ruler, born to save,
How rich a note of welcome were thy due,
O man much tried, and never found to fail;
Young, beauteous, mighty, wise and chaste and true,
Hail, holy prince, unspotted greatness, hail!
| Three Hundred Sonnets | |