University of Virginia Library

3. PART III.

SCENE I.

The Red Sea; the Israelites passing on before the Egyptians.
First and Second Israelite.
RECITATIVE.
1st Israelite.
Still I rejoice with trembling; when I gaze
On this stupendous Precipice above,
And pass this yet untrodden Gulph below,
My Heart dies in me, and my Fears prevail.

2d Israelite.
Fear not; the Hand that guides us, will protect,
Till we have pass'd in Safety to the Shore:
In Times to come, when we shall rest in Peace,
Beneath the Shade of our own Vine and Fig-tree,
Rememb'rance of our Dangers past will raise
Repose to Pleasure, Pleasure to Delight.

AIR.

RECITATIVE.
1st Israelite.
But see our Foes pursue us—

2d Israelite.
Far behind
Discomfited they linger, and from hence
Not ev'n their glitt'ring Armour is descry'd.

1st Israelite.
Their Arms we see not, for the guiding Cloud
That led our Van now guards us in the Rear.
The Way grows steep; ascending from th'Abyss
Behold the Thousands that pass on before us;
A moving Column, rising Rank o'er Rank,
Swarm on th'Ascent, and quicken all the Way!

CHORUS.
'Tis done! the wond'rous Journey's o'er!
They quit the deep! they gain the Shore!
They view with Joy the Path they trod,
And hark! their Shout ascends to God!

SCENE II.

The Borders of the Red Sea in the Desart.
The Israelites as just landed on the Coast.
RECITATIVE.
1st Israelite.
Still stands the Deep divided, still our Foes,
For now I see their glitt'ring Arms advance.—

2d Israelite.
Stand back!—behold the Prophet!—give him Way—

Enter Moses.
Moses.
Fear not the Hosts that now enrag'd pursue;
Though now ye see them, ye shall see no more.
Ye Waiers, who at his Command, whose Voice
First call'd ye forth from Nothing, left disclos'd
The World's Foundations, now again return,
And at his Bidding in your Channel flow.

AIR.
Again the Voice of God is heard,
Again the rushing Waters meet;
The Waters, that beheld and sear'd,
Now pay their Homage at his Feet!

RECITATIVE.
Israelite.
Behold where boasting Egypt lies o'erwhelm'd!
O'er rattling Chariots and the shouting Host,
Flows the calm Wave now silent and at rest:

Moses.
Thus o'er the Race of Man, and all his Works,
The Stream of Time, divided for a Moment,
Shall close for ever; but supreme o'er all
God still remains, eternal and unchang'd!—
To him with humble Adoration bend,
And, while ye triumph o'er the Sons of Egypt,
Let Pity still remember they were Men.

AIR.
Israelite.
O God of Hosts! to Thee we raise
With humble Hearts our Songs of Praise;
A weak, alas! and guilty Race,
Our Merit claims no partial Grace;
No partial Grace thy Judgments show,
The Father thou of all below!
And Life, and Death, alike proclaim
To Man, the Glories of thy Name.

RECITATIVE.
Moses.
But see the Deep returns the lifeless Corse,
And spreads the Shore with Trophies of the Dead:
These were our Foes:—but Enmity and Life
Shou'd cease together:—in the silent Grave
All is unbroken Peace; th'Oppressor there
From troubling ceases, and the Weary rest.

1st Israelite.
Far, far from us be unrelenting Rage,
Revenge, and all the Furies of the Mind!
If God, long-suff'ring, shall chastise our Foes,
Let us, thus warn'd, rejoice with Fear before him;
In just Displeasure if our Crimes are punish'd,
Not vainly chasten'd, let us kiss the Rod.—
To these, whate'er from Pity they can take,
Let Pity give, for Man is born to Woe.

AIR.
With gen'rous Tears the Dead deplore,
They wake to Love, or War, no more,
No longer now destroy or save;
The Dead, alas! no more are Foes;
With pious Hands their Limbs compose,
And give, what all must want, a Grave.

RECITATIVE.
Moses.
To God this Sacrifice of Love is pleasing,
For God is Love!—stupendous are his Ways!
Ye cannot fathom them—the Depth and Height
Surpass your utmost Reach of Thought, to me
By Parts disclos'd, through Clouds, and dimly seen:
Yet know these Wonders are not for this Age,
Nor you, ye chosen from the Nations, wrought;
These are but Types, the Substance is to come:—
The Prince of Peace, who though from Jacob sprung,
Was yet ere Abra'ms Day; he from worse Bondage,
Shall, like a Shepherd, lead his chosen Race
To yet a better Canaan, there to quaff
The Streams of Life, and taste immortal Fruit.

CHORUS.
Praise to the Lord who reigns supreme above!
Praise to the mystic Wonders of his Love!
Renew the grateful Song of Ages past,
The Song through Heaven's eternal Year shall last.