University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

To them, Joseph, and Attendants.
Reuben.
Once more, O pious Zaphnath! at thy Feet
We pay due Homage, and implore thy Succour.

Judah.
Our Reverend Sire intreats thee to accept
A humble Off'ring of our Country's Fruits;
Not such as with thy Grandeur suits, but what
Our present wretched State hath left—O Zaphnath!
Our Fields lie desolate, and cover'd o'er
With naught but Horror, Barrenness and Drought,
Menacing the distress'd Inhabitant
With Death inevitable, whose pale Herald
Sits on his pining Cheeks—O Pity, Pity!
Our good old Father sues for Pity from thee;
For Pity we implore thee, and for Pity
Our youngest Brother lowly bows to kiss
Thy bounteous Hand.

Benj.
This Kiss, my gracious Lord,
Comes wash'd with Tears—O save my Country, save
My dear, dear Father—and may Abraham's God
For ever save my Lord.

Jos.
[Aside.]
How his Discourse
Melts down my Soul—Rise—is your-Father well?
[Aside.]
I had almost said Mine—The good old Man
Of whom ye spake—say, is he living still?

Judah.
My Lord, thy Servant lives, and lives in Health.

Jos.
And this his youngest Son?

Benj.
It is, my Lord,
My Name is Benjamin.

Jos.
Let me embrace thee—
And may that God, my Son, whom thou invok'st,
Watch o'er, and ever shed his Blessings on thee!

AIR.
Benj.

Jos.
[Aside.]
Sweet Innocence! Divine Simplicity!
Tears, by your Leave— [To Servants.]
Attend, prepare our Table—
—Instant—These Men shall eat with me to-day.

Benj.
Let not thy Mercy linger—Grief and Famine
Oppress our aged Father—Aught Delay
May fatal prove—We left him desolate.

Jos.
[Weeping.]
Nature will through the Vail—Anguish and Joy
Jointly demand my Tears.

[Exeunt Jos. Phan. and Attendants.
Reuben.
Didst thou observe him, Judah?—Mark his Looks!

Judah.
I did—canst thou interpret them?

Reuben.
I cannot.
Profound and inaccessible, O Judah,
Are all the inward Movements of the Great,
And never by the Countenance are known.

Judah.
May great Jehovah turn his Heart to Pity!

CHORUS.