Israel's TROUBLES AND TRIUMPH.
I Sing th' Almighty's Friend and Israel's guide,
His birth and rescue from th' impetuous tide
Of rapid Nile, I sing his Mother's care:
His Royal Nurse; and how Heav'n's mercies are.
Like himself boundless; his own acts I sing,
Whose growing greatness, griev'd the grumbling King,
And all his Subjects: who combin'd to have
His guiltless blood; how he was forc'd to leave
A Princely Court: where ev'ry thing lookt brave;
His wand'rings, and his happy Residence
At last, with Jethro, Midian Priest, and Prince,
His Nuptials, Trade, and of the great content
He had in hours on Mathematicks spent,
Astronomy was pleasant, but Gods Law
Delighted most: since by its light he saw
[Page]His change of State, his en'mies pride and fall,
He saw himself made Heav'n's General,
The flaming Bush and Voice confirmed all.
This Province, Lord, a greater light requires
Than can be kindled by Promethean fires.
The way's unbeaten, slipp'ry, dark and strange,
Conduct thy Servant, that he may not range
Too high 'bove what is written, nor too low,
It's truth, not fancy, I desire to show;
Truth, to convince the world of Pharaoh's sins
And punishments, with thee my Muse begins.
Joseph, the great, the good, the just and wise,
Remov'd from Memphis unto Paradice,
And Pharaoh to that fair Elizian grove,
To perfect and perpetuate their love:
Left Israel blest with all the happiness
Their King and Brother could by deeds express:
Which they in peace profound for many years
Possest, ne're harb'ring jealousies nor fears,
Admir'd, caress'd, and lov'd by ev'ry one,
From the rude Cottage, to the Royal Throne.
But (ah!) where time is nam'd, there's nothing sure,
All have Convulsions, Cramps, or Calenture;
Earth hath strong Palsies that do shake its frame;
Man accidents, ten thousand without name,
Sent from the Throne Celestial, or Abyss,
To shew how vain a thing is humane bliss.
Their day's o'recast, and stormy Clouds appear,
When a strange heir sat in th' Imperial Chair:
Whose haughty humour taught him to despise
His Predecessors Laws, tho Just and Wise.
Our Gods themselves, count it a saucy thing,
Said he, in Vassals to advise their King.
A Monarchy that's absolute I'll have,
I'll change the name of Subject into Slave.
To reign one day is much more glorious
Without controul: than ages curbed thus
With endless Counsels. I will [...]e alone;
By borrow'd light the former Pharaohs shone;
I must Eclipse that. Turning to his Court,
You see, said he, the great, the oft resort
Of all sorts daily to our Goshenites,
This chills my blood, this checks my active sp'rits.
Ah me, opprest! My thoughts I can't relate,
My apprehensions of our falling state
Are black and dismal, my night dreams foretel
Our overthrow by them that with us dwell.
And here he stopt: tho more he would have said,
Leaving the rest to tears, which crav'd their aid:
Tears! that like torrents from his eyes distill'd,
All the beholders with amazement fill'd,
Whose sympathizing eyes and hearts condole,
The tort'ring torments of his troubled soul,
With pickled sighs; which o're, they bow and say,
Dread Soveraign, do you propose the way,
Your sorrow's ours: if that be its true rise,
The common Foe at once well sacrifice;
Which is soon done, if we right measures take,
That's vent'ring all for King and Country's sake.
This brisk resolve reviv'd the drooping King,
So as the aged Winter's by the Spring;
His center'd blood resum'd its circ'lar course,
The briny streams are stopped at their source;
[Page 4]All parts are changed, clarify'd his eyes,
His tongue's unty'd, with which he magnifies
Their Love and Courage. Daring souls, said he,
This undertaking calls for secrecy,
Since they we must attack most subtile be.
If it takes air, they'll quickly trace the scent,
Destroy our Persons and our Government.
Once more invade; then we must bow the head
(As heretofore) with pray'rs and tears for bread:
Or if a Foreign Foe should us infest,
They'd joyn with them, and prove worse than the rest.
They know our Strength, they know our Houses well,
They know our Closets, where we Money tell:
Which they would rifle, and from us be gone,
'Gainst this I know no Remedy but one,
(They live in wealth and ease, as if their Land
Was not by Grace, but by a conqu'ring hand.
This irritates their wild and wealthy Souls,
To publish Israel wise, and us kind Fools.)
I must an Edict frame, that may suppress
Their pride and pow'r, and all our wrongs redress;
Which must run thus. Our Countries open'lye,
To ev'ry one that hath a wishing eye,
On us such may make Inroads when they please,
Destroy our State, our Fruits, disturb our ease,
And stop our Traffick both by Land and Seas.
In ev'ry Town I'll raise a Cittadel,
That Foreign Force I may with Force repel,
And keep these under, lest they should rebel.
Then for Provisions, Store houses I'll build
To these: for their own safety they will yield.
Wi [...]h ravish'd ears th' Egyptians heard this thing,
And said, what Nation e're had such a King.
[Page]He's wise as Phoebus, valiant, yet kind,
This seeming favour will the Hebrews bind
To own this new design, and to employ
Themselves in it, tho it themselves destroy,
Make them our slaves, and us their wealth enjoy.
'Loyalty shuts its eyes to ev'ry thing,
'That may its King into suspicion bring,
'And theirs is such, (for any thing we know)
'A God above they own, but you below,
'Confirm it, Sir—
This black design is now so closely laid
That no eye saw't, nor ear heard what they said,
But Hell's and theirs, thus Israel was betray'd.
'Rage, Malice, Fury, Blood, Revenge, till now,
'Ne're seiz'd the heart, nor sat upon the brow
'Of any former Pharoah, Meekness, Love,
'Adorn'd their Temples, blessings from above.
'Blest Souls such virtues made, their Kingdom great
'Then lov'd by Friends, their Foes for peace to treat,
'And of their plenty Foreigners did eat.
Their Conference into a Law is past,
And Proclamations issu'd out in haste
Through all the Tribes, to let them understand
That none must be Free-holders in that Land.
All must do suit and service, pay quit-rent,
Or else be forced into banishment.
This our just Law, if any doth despise,
Him we to our Revenge will sacrifice.
There's no appeal, I'm absolute you know,
I kill and save, my Subjects all must bow
[Page 6]At my sole beck—Your answers quickly give,
Obedience is the only way to live,
If I condemn, there's none can you reprieve.
With fault'ring tongues, faint hearts, the Tribes reply,
(It is well known) we never did deny
Our King's commands, we do not think it strange
To see new Monarchs make in Laws a change.
We will obey, we know submission's due
First to our Fathers God, and then to you.
What must we do—Some thousands you must take,
Who for defence of us and you must make
Brick for our buildings, and what else we lack.
Our winged haste admits of no delay,
The act (you know) commenc'd this very day,
That some of them make Brick, some oversee
The rest, and give a just account when we
The same require—
'When peremptory Acts come from the State
'There is no time giv'n to deliberate
'On what is right, if not, none must debate.
The Labourers are chosen by the best,
Who with smooth words encourage all the rest:
Fear nothing, Sirs, this sudden storm will o're,
And we enjoy our Freedom as before.
This said, th' Egyptian Task-masters appear,
Whose furious frowns gave them just cause to fear
'Twas otherwise. Come, Sparks, where are, your Tools?
See! how they gaze, and stare, they think we're Fools.
[Page]Take you this Spade, and you that Pickaxe take,
Bind you that Leather Budget to your back.
What else is wanting? Here, take up this Trowel:
The day comes on. All whisper, this is cruel.
Thus rigg'd, they travel to the Slimy Pits,
Where some are dampt with fumes, some had strong fits,
Some choak'd in mud, others with cold are kill'd,
Most swoon with fear, the rest with Sorrow fill'd,
Cry out, Alas! now, now we see (tho late)
Approaching ruin—
Haste, haste away, you see it is in vain
To fret and murmur, or of us complain,
It is decreed, and we your Guides expect
That you shall always act as we direct.
If you incense your Monarch, or our wrath,
Your punishment will be a ling'ring death.
Compliance is the only way to please
Both him and us—
'He that can form th' Idea of a fair,
'A glorious Princess in a Royal Chair,
'Adorn'd with all the wonders of the East,
'Whose common fare is not a common feast;
'One, whose Attendants could exceed the train
'Of Philip's Son, or that of Charlemaign,
'Cast down from honours top to dark disgrace,
'Amongst the baser sort of Human Race,
'Wrapt up in Rags, black, wrinkled, and half dead,
'May in her Face poor Israel's Fortune read,
Such was their grief, and such their mis'ries were,
Hard was their work, and harder much their fare:
[Page 8]Yet had they still a numerous Off-spring,
Which gave new wounds to the fresh-bleeding King.
Where shall I turn, said he? where shall I go?
The more I seek their fall, the more they grow.
Speak boldly, brave Egyptians, let your breath
Condemn them, let your Swords give present death
To all their Males: This will appease my wrath.
If Infant blood can cure your hearts disease,
Their Infants all shall bleed to give you ease:
We are agreed, that Nile's deep watry Tomb,
Shall swallow up their Children from the Womb,
There ev'ry Male as soon as born shall lye;
Which will in time destroy their progeny,
Defeat their Counsels, Plots and Policies,
Compleat our Joys, compleat their Miseries,
For in the Childrens murders Parents dye,
They only live to sing their obsequy▪
Bravely resolv'd! but who can do a thing
So cruel? Heav'n and Earth of us will ring,
To our eternal shame if we miscarry,
He that's most Loyal, ought to be most wary.
Fear nothing, Sir, this project will succeed
As you desire, our Midwives are agreed
Joyntly, as one to act as we command—
They're merciful, and dare not lift a hand
Against a Gasping Infant: but will save
Not kill, nor drown them in that Liquid Grave.
'Let Tyrants thirst for blood, and measures take
'Against Heav'ns will, such measures he will break,
'No Weapon form'd against his Friends can prove
'Deadly, for they are shielded with his love.
[Page 9]This pious act soon sounds in Pharaoh's ears,
Bringing new woes, new jealousies, new fears;
To which he giveth vent by Sighs and Tears.
Did I not foresee what the Queans would do,
Tho they Commission had from me and you,
(They who State secrets do commit to Women,
Deserve to lose their honour, and turn Yeomen)
'Tis manifest, you did with them combine
To cross my lawful, cross my just design;
Call in the Strumpets, they must show the cause
Of their contempt of me and of my Laws;
By suffering those little Foes to live.
Whom I had doom'd to death without reprieve.
Call them I say—They trembling do appear,
His Visage changed oft, as they drew near,
Sure signs the women had just cause to fear.
Then said, Unhappy and ungrateful fools,
Yet more blame-worthy they, who us'd such tools,
In things of so great weight and secrecy,
You are made up of lies and flattery.
Had you been wise and just in that affair
That was intrusted to your (only) care,
My woes had ended, and that cursed race
Been raz'd or bury'd in the fertile place
They now enjoy,—Speak.
Great, Sir, if Oaths be sacred, we are true,
Who ne're meant good to them, nor ill to you.
In this affair we not blame-worthy are,
To drown their Infants was our greatest care.
But Hebrew Women, stronger much than ours,
Have painless labour, they say higher pow'rs
Assist them; and if so, their God is kind,
'Twas both against our interest and mind.
[Page 10]Our search of late can find no birth of theirs,
Nor nothing like it, only them at pray'rs.
Yet Pharaoh swore by Sacred Moon and Sun,
That he would finish what he had begun;
In spite of all (said he) their Blood I'll have,
Although in Blood I wallow to my Grave.
He frown'd, Heav'n smil'd, and said, I'll interpose,
I'll show my pow'r, love, will, in saving those
Whom I long since for my own Servants chose.
I am resolv'd out of that hated race
To raise up one shall dare him to his face;
And this he knows, tho I have made him blind
To all the Scourges are for him design'd;
His close Cabals my Wisdom shall defeat,
Whom I destroy I first infatuate.
This spoke, 'twas done, for Amram did espouse
A Wife of his own Tribe, of his own House,
Who had by him before this Edict came
A hopeful pair, Aaron and Miriam;
Her third Conception which she did bring forth
A Son of Beauty was, who promis'd worth,
Whom she (afraid) hid in a secret place,
And there him suckled for full three months space
At last, true Faith and Fear in her did strive,
This bid her drown, and that keep him alive.
Faith urg'd, that she a Levite's Daughter holy,
Should not be guilty of so great a folly,
So great a crime as to destroy her Son,
But choose to dye, say'ng Heav'ns will be done.
To which her tim'rous Tongue made this reply,
The King's command is urgent, then if I
Be apprehended in this Fact, all, all
The Hebrew Nation for my fault will fall.
[Page 11]No, I will trust the Babe with providence,
When I have used means for his defence,
Such are the care ev'n of omnipotence.
She said, and reach'd her hand unto the Flags,
Of which a Boat-like Cradle lin'd with Rags
She made, and cork'd with slimy Pitch all o're,
Lest it should sink, if driven from the shore,
And plac'd him there as if he went to sleep,
Committing both to Heav'n and to the deep.
'Hid Rocks, roughs Seas, fierce Pyrates, Shelves and Sand,
'The Merchants fear, and yet come safe to Land.
Now Horrour-struck, in haste she Miriam calls,
Come, come my dear, see'st thou not yonder walls.
Haste, haste thee thither, if thou lov'st thy Mother,
And see the last of my dear Boy, thy Brother.
Stand at a distance, grieve not, shed no tear,
Look pleasantly on all, then nothing fear.
'Tis easier to give Counsel than to take,
'The burthen's light that's on another's back.
She had not long been a Spectator there,
When Pharaoh's Daughter, thro the Almighty's care,
Was brought 'bout Sun-set to the calmed Creek,
Where th' Infant lay, his life or death to seek,
Who saw the Ark, and to her Ladies said,
Draw up this toy, if any thing be laid
In it I'll see; when opend, she espy'd
A lovely Child, who hung the Lip and cry'd.
O Girl! said she, this is a glor'ous thing,
I read in's face the Fortunes of a King.
[Page 12]Come, come, my dear, I'm ravish'd with thy charms,
Come, come and grasp a Princess in thy arms!
I have no Heir, Dear, thou shalt be my Son,
Dear unto me, as if my Flesh and Bone.
The Sister buoy'd with this Spring-Tyde of joy,
This unexpected rescue of the Boy,
With much assurance to the Princess bows,
Say'ng, Great Madam, in that Neighbouring house
There is a Woman who is neat and tall,
Of fair complexion, the Graces all:
Sit on her brow in purest red and white,
Perhaps her beauty may the Prince delight,
She loves your Grace, altho an Israelite.
Egyptian or Hebrew, said the Queen,
I like the character, when I have seen.
The person, her I for his Nurse will [...]ake,
And shew her kindness for my Darlings sake.
Call her. She came in haste; the Queen of Love
Sent her half drest and left the rest to J'ove:
Who plac'd such Graces on her humble heart,
As made her much more beautiful than Art
Could ever boast; her mein, his words, her gate,
Bespoke her Mistress of a better state,
And now it's come, prosperity ne're comes late.
Whom when the Princess saw, she lift her eyes
And hands aloft, blessing her Deities
For this unlook'd for kindness, then her hand
She grip'd, and said, I thought that Goshen-Land,
Had not been blest with Beauties such as you.
To which she (blushing) answer'd, my brow,
Great Madam, once was fair, alas! but now,
It's tann'd with grief—
Such Sun-burn'd faces I am pleas'd to see,
Reply'd the Princess, take this Boy from me;
I did a Nurse for him intend before,
Whom he despis'd, try you my Knave once more.
Her Snow-like Breasts expos'd, their veins display,
By which, tho young, he knows the milky way,
Then smiling, capers, snatches, sighs and draws
The Pipes that drain the Nectar from those Spaws:
This Infant toil the Queen beholds with joy,
And smiling said, your face hath caught the Boy;
Keep him, fair Nurse, he's yours and mine, I'll pay.
This heard to Heav'n, she silently did say,
Thou great Protector of th' Istiades,
For this high favour I will ever bless
Thy Sacred name, and daily pay the vow
I made to thee, when my Estate was low.
Then to the Princess she made this reply,
Your Goddess-like Commands I will obey,
My life, and all that's dear I'll sacrifice
For you and yours, and for this Heav'n giv'n prize.
'If Providence and beauty do unite,
'They make th' Egyptian love the Isra'lite.
'When winged Chymists made, and gave the charm
'Nor Nile, nor Egypt could the Infant harm.
'The Mothers fear by Heav'n was made the key,
'T' unlock the Providential mystery.
Raptures of joy, tho violent and strong,
Admit allays, when mixed with the throng
Of future events, and as quickly gone
As was her bliss, when she receiv [...] [...]er Son;
Not from a Fishes womb, dead, and decay'd,
But from the hand half Egypt's Scepter sway'd,
[Page 14]To whom he must return when he is wean'd,
(Such Princely Nurs'ries cannot be detain'd)
Not to make Bricks, but for a Diadem,
'Twas to that end the Princess gave the name,
By Heav'ns appointment, Moses, as if she
From Abraham had drawn her Pedigree:
A fatal blow to Pharaoh's Tyranny.
Wean'd, and return'd, his lively looks and sport
Are now the common subject of the Court:
None like young Moses, none hath equal share
With him in Pharaoh's love, in's Daughters care.
Mars and Apollo his chief Tutors are,
To teach him Wisdom, and the art of War;
Wisdom to rule, and Conduct to defend
His Subjects well, from ill his helpless friend.
Now he's thought fit to sit above the best
Of Egypt's Peers, and yet is not at rest.
The reason of his name when call'd to mind,
He knew it Hebrew, this his Soul inclin'd
To do some great thing for his Country's ease,
Yet loth his 'doptive Mother to displease:
He sees, and hears their Miseries and cries,
Without concern, Court Gaudy Butterflies
Dazled his youthful Eyes, the silken Nets
Of honour wreath him so, that he forgets
Himself, his name, and for some time confin'd
His heart and hands from that he had design'd;
But all those charms were loathsome when he spy'd
A wounded Hebrew, (of which wound he dy'd)
Bathed in Blood. What? Slave, said he, (none by)
Must these men work, and yet your Victims lye:
[Page 15]Thy life shall pay for his; this fatal Dart
Thrown by my hand, shall pierce thy env'ous heart,
And shall expel thy Soul, that all may see
The just reward of this thy cruelty.
Return'd to Court, his grief next night did break
His wonted rest, he must rise and go back
To see his friends, and to suppress their foes.
Thus did commence his hardships and his woes.
Night-Tapers were not yet extinguished,
Nor Titan started from his watry bed,
When he in haste unto the Kilns repairs,
With pensive mind, and head perplext with cares,
About his Brethrens usage, Bondage snares.
He comes and sees, a sad amazing sight,
Two Jews in hot dispute and fiercer fight,
With whom he mildly did expostulate
About the rise of their unkind debate.
Say'ng, is it not enough that en'mies beat,
Kill, and abuse you? this unnat'ral heat
Will work your ruin. He that gave the cause
Said, you begin too soon to frame new Laws.
What? must a beardless stripling be our Judge,
Who is more fit with us to be a drudge,
If that suffice to expiate his crime,
Committed yesterday about this time.
'When Heav'n designs for men, things great and good,
'They are despis'd, because not understood.
'Moses is sent to free them from their woes,
'Yet they're the first proclaim themselves his foes;
[Page 16]'That scorn his Counsel: threat'ning to declare
'How Pharaoh's Servants by him treated are.
This like a rapid Cataract o'reflow'd
His Soul with fear: which his sad count'nance show'd
Who sighing (from a bleeding heart) thus said,
The thing is known, alas! I am betray'd,
Pharoah will hear't: who me already hates
I will not fall into his hands, the fates
Shall guide my wandring steps; none knows what he
(Who only knows events will do with me.
His Providence may find a safer place
VVith Foreigners (perhaps) of milder Race:
VVhose pity will preserve me from disgrace.
Egypt Farewel—He is no sooner gone
But his escape unto the King is flown,
And cause assign'd: which they thus aggravate,
This is the fruit of pity; our poor State
VVill quickly dwindle to an empty name,
Unless you find out means to quench this flame,
It is unsufferable! Our great Monarch's blood
VVill be as cheap if they be not withstood,
And we their slaves. The King enraged said,
Hark! foolish Girl, your Son so magnify'd,
Is turn'd already Traytor to my Crown,
Slights your Relation, Favours doth disown,
My Subjects he hath killed for their care
No man can tell what his pretensions are,
But I'll prevent him, lest he go too far.
His death (when found) shall let the Hebrews see
That dreams are vain, their visions fallacy,
And that their famed God may sometimes lie.
Strict search is made for him about the Court,
City and Suburbs where he did resort,
But all in vain; his Angel-Providence
Before next light, convey'd him far from thence,
And made him strange, invisible to all
VVho sought his blood, who sought his Nations fall.
The Desart now's his Inn, the Rocks his Bed,
He must no more with delicates be fed;
But travel hard, and eat such nat'ral fare,
As by kind Sol and Earth produced are:
Lemmons and Chase-nuts, Mellons, Mangoes, Rice,
Oranges, Almonds, Nutmegs and their Spice.
His Drink the Milk of Coco's mixt with Wine,
That thro Earth's bosom secretly doth twine.
'A gen'rous Breast is equally content
'With Plenty, Poverty or Banishment.
He sings of his adventures by the Well,
Near unto which the Midian Priest did dwell.
He sings his Birth, his Cradle, Rapid Nile,
He sings his rescue with a pleasant smile,
The Princess fondness, and her Father's care,
He sings the cause why all these blasted were;
And then the quiet of a Hermit-life
Free from the cares at Court, and Country strife,
The joys accruing by a virtuous wife.
This Jethro's Daughter heard, whose daily care
Was that their Herds and Flocks well water'd were.
Tho to their grief, they often were constrain'd
To wait the rising of the VVell, when drain'd
[Page 18]By surly Swains, who with their Cattle came,
Because that water had the praise of fame.
'Twixt frown and smile (this noble Soul disdain'd
To see the daily wrongs the Maids sustain'd)
He said, dull Souls, is this your carriage
To these fair Nymphs? Doth neither Sex nor Age,
Nor beauty charm you? Will you ne'er be brave,
And shew that Shepherds scorn both Clown and Knave?
Cold Mists and Dews their florid beauties break,
When Frost and Hail your Faces fairer make;
For shame forbear, if you be Great Pan's race,
Fill up the Troughs, and give these Maidens place.
Sir we are yours: since they with you find grace,
The Shepherdesses soon dispatched are,
Who hastening home, the first that did appear
Was the old Priest, whose fears dispersed were.
What! come so early? are the Flocks all well?
You look as if you hadsome News to tell.
Yes Reverend Sir, a noble Personage,
Of aspect fair, courteous above his Age,
By's Habit (nothing else) Egyptian,
Drew all our water after we began,
And curb'd our Rivals for their insolence.
VVhere is the Hero stood in your defence?
'He's great and good, the Gods themselves you know,
'Have Human Shapes and Actions when below.
Haste to the Well, he may [...]em thence remove,
And say, our Parents must requite his love.
Arm'd with Command, they ran in winged haste
To their deliverer, and him thus addrest.
[Page 19]Fair stranger, we such favours thought was due
From every Swain, much more from such as you:
VVho for the matchless Glories of your face,
Your sprightly looks, your grave and graceful pace,
My justly claim precedence of your race.
VVe home-bred, bashful wenches went away,
VVithout thanks giv'n, not knowing what to say.
But coming timely home, we did relate
To our old Father Raguel, our fate,
How you our quarrel boldly did debate;
Water'd our Flocks, and bid us all adieu.
Who said, I blush to hear such things from you,
Ingratitude makes all things black you know.
Go, say I'm restless till I see his face,
T' excuse your rudeness, know his name and race.
'The Rosie morn such Beauties ne're display'd,
'Such blushes and such smiles, as did the Maid
'And Stranger, who reciprocally dart
'Equal desires, as if they'd had on heart.
Bold with the charm, he took and kist her hand,
Say'ng Fair Nymph since you've received command
To offer me this honour, I will go,
As they desire, my name and race I'll shew,
That, and much more I to you beauty owe.
'The sighs, the smiles, and the endearing strains,
'Past 'twixt our Lovers, as they crost the plains,
'Are thoughts too high for any but such Souls,
'As Venus softens with Circean Bowls.
He comes, salutes, and soon acquaintance had
With Raguel, Jethro and Zipporah, who said
[Page 20]Blushing, Dear Sir, I love this stranger well,
Perswade him (if you can) with us to dwell.
Heav'n rules the Stars, the Stars our Actions guide,
All which portend that I shall be his Bride;
And if my judgment fail not, you will see
Him prop and glory of our Family,
He hath in's Face such Beams of Majesty.
Your pardon, Sir, with your consent I crave
To be his wife, for he a wife will have.
How know'st thou that, fond Girl? Sir, at the Well
I heard him sing (unseen) and he sung well.
Most of the Subject mystical but this,
He ended with the praise of Marriage bliss.
Be not too forward, he may change his mind,
And after all, prove peevish or unkind;
'Tis rare a constant Courtier to find.
Some time is spent in viewing of the place,
The Herds, the Flocks, the Buildings and the Grass;
The manner of their Living, and their Laws,
Sacred and Civil, their sweet Springs and Spaws.
The stranger shew'd his great content in all,
And wish'd himself the woolly General
Of Jethro's bleating arms, and that he
Might be a Servant in that Family.
'Had you seen Venus in her Robes Divine,
'Or Helen in Corinthian bravery shine;
'Young Paris's love, but now the sport of fame,
'The Greeks disturber, and the Trojans shame:
'Or Rachel fair, when in her nat'ral dress,
'Whom at the Well the Patriarch did caress,
'Then at our Zipporah's Beauty you might guess.
When she appear'd in splendour like love's Queen,
All on a flame, and yet would not be seen
To be her Martyr. Jethro must make way,
Who to our Gallant (smiling) thus did say.
Sir, doth our Country please? Can any thing
Within my reach to you contentment bring?
Speak freely, all is yours, my joy, my life,
My eldest Daughter you may have to wife.
Dear Zipp. what say'st thou to this choice of mine.
My dearest, Sir, said she, this great design
May be above my Merits; yet since yours,
I do submit. O! may the higher Pow'rs
Direct us all.—
'When brave Leander boldly ventured,
'O're Hell espont by fatal Torches led;
'When mighty Jove came down in Golden Show'rs,
'Nor Hero [...]s charms, nor Danae's, had more Pow'rs
'Than Zipp'ra's eyes, and Jethro's well-tun'd breath.
'The stranger (blushing) said, I'm yours to death.
Joynt promise giv'n, and rites all consummate,
Our Lovers, now, are in a fearless state,
Bashful and coy no more, their Bed is one,
Till pregnant Zipporah had a hopeful Son.
Whom Moses Gershom nam'd, himself to mind
Of th' entertainment he on earth should find.
A stranger there, he was; tho lov'd and known,
Tho Jethro's House and Flocks were as his own.
Where he abode until the time was come
That Pharaoh from the fates must have his doom.
Tho Kings be Gods, they cannot scape the Tomb.
Whose unlamented fall the Hebrews cheer'd,
Who said, by our new King we may be heard;
[Page 22]But all their hopes and wishes proved vain,
Their Tasks are doubled, and the Lab'rers slain.
This made them sigh, this made them pray and cry
To Heav'n, that he no longer would deny
His promis'd aid, who call'd his word to mind,
And said, I must to Israel be kind;
For Abra'm, Isaac, and for Jacob's sake,
Their Fetters I'll knock off, their Chains I'll break.
Now, I think fit to ease, and set them free
From their heart-breaking sorrows, slavery.
''Twas I that suffer'd Joseph to be sold,
'Imprison'd and releas'd; 'twas I enroll'd
'His name with Egypt's Worthies, it was I
'That gave the wisdom, him did dignify;
'I moved Pharaoh to send for the Father,
'I taught the Son all Egypt's Corn to gather
'Before the Famine; I gave Israel grace
'With Egyt's King, and chose for him a place:
'Goshen (the fair) where he in wealth did flourish,
''Twas I his num'rous Family did nourish
'(When dead); 'twas I his Bones to Canaan sent,
'A pledge of's Children's future settlement.
'It is for reasons to me only known,
'They have not yet enjoy'd it, tho their own.
'But now they shall the best of Lands inherit,
'Because I love them, not because they Merit.
The fodder spent, and Midian Pastures bare,
Religious Moses doubleth his care
To find out Grass; at last his Flocks he brings
Unto the back of Horeb, where the Springs
[Page 23]Are limpid, salutiferous, and where
The Pastures good, and Sky is always clear,
And gladsome Spirits have fam'd dwellings there.
Here, he with patience waits th' accomplishment
Of Heav'ns promise, and what else Heav'n meant.
The Angel-God, to hasten his design
Appear [...]d as man, but cloath'd with Light Divine:
A bush surrounding with Celest'al fire,
This sight mad [...] Moses discompos'd, retire.
The flame was hot and fierce, yet frighted more,
Because the Shrubs stood verdant as before.
With pensive thoughts mov'd, he lookt backt to see
The end of this (yet unknown) mystery,
Taking it for a sign of victory
O're some Great Prince—
Heaven sees, and calls him twice,
Moses, Moses be curious, take advice;
Look to thy Feet, and make no rash advance,
This place is holy, sign of importance.
I'm no deceitful, nor fictitious Jove,
Tho in this bush, I am the God of Love.
He in whom Abra'm trusted, Isaac fear'd,
And for whose honour Jacob Altars rear'd.
That seen, this heard, the trembling Shepherd bows,
Just sentiments of both in's face he shews,
With vailed Eyes, not daring more to see,
Suc [...] w [...]ful beams of splendid majesty
As had the Author of this prodigy.
Whilst he in this dejected posture lay,
(His sences lockt) not knowing what to say,
A sweet, refreshing, soft, melodious voice,
Revives his Spirits, and bids him rejoyce,
[Page 24]Say'ng, the promis'd time is fully come
Of Israel's freedom, and th' Egyptian's doom.
It was not my forgetfulness that did
Protract their Bondage, my eyes were not hid,
Nor bowels hard, my Providence requir'd
That they should first with Egypt's fare be tir'd,
And worship too—
I must now for my ancient promise sake,
For which Truth, Justice, Goodness, are at stake,
Use such sure methods as shall bring them back.
All their opposers shall before them fall,
That brutish Nation shall no more enthral
The Off-spring of my Friends, I've heard their cry,
And am come down their wrongs to rectify;
Their Sorrows to remove, their State to change,
From making Bricks, to cultivate a Grange
That's large and fruitful, whose Inhabitants
(Their cup now full) shall be expos'd to wants.
My Peoples plaints I cannot longer bear,
Without redress, revenge on them that tear
Their Hearts with Tongues and Hands, it is my will,
Go thou to Pharaoh, and bid him fulfil,
The Lords commands and send his Friends away,
Doubt not th' event, I Egypt's Sceptre sway.
To this the bashful Shepherd answer made,
Great God, thou know'st the meanness of my Trade,
And rural dress, make me unfit to speak
With Pharaoh of a business so great,
For 'tis to spoil a Tyrant of his prey,
Who threat'neth death to all that disobey
His absolute commands, I know long since
No good can be expected from that Prince.
Courage my Friend, look great, the work is mine,
Let Pharoah frown, and Hell with him combine;
Thou by my pow'r, shall finish this design,
And when my people thou dost from him take,
See, on this Mountain thou an Altar make,
For their deliv'rance, and mine honours sake.
Lord, said the Shepherd, this great prodigie
Confirms my feeble faith, which yields to thee;
Yet when I unto them this Message carry,
They'll scoff and say, this mad man makes us merry,
Who sent thee hither? tell us what's his name?
Or own thy self a Fool, and blush for shame.
What answer must I give to this demand,
Let me obtain this favour at thy hand,
If I must go?—My being is immence,
I am, I was, I will be, get thee hence;
By this I to their Fathers was well known,
And they the same (if theirs) will likewise own,
But if they scruple at this Mystic name,
Say, you from me, the God of Abra'm came,
Who long since, unto him a promise gave,
(His prov'dence serv'd by Israel's being slave
In Egypt) he would them in Canaan place,
This is my name to all the Jewish race.
Thou must be chief in this great enterprize,
Haste unto Egypt, call the grave and wise
Amongst the Tribes, and thy commission show,
By its contents the author they will know;
No circumstance of that thou must with-hold
Hath been transacted here by me, be bold;
Relate the place, the Person, words and sign,
By which they'll know it is no mock design,
[Page 26]Tell them, that now I with a melting eye,
Behold their sorrows, burthens, misery,
And by a powerful hand will bring them forth
From Egypt's bondage, publishing their worth
To Canaanites and Hittites, who shall give
The Houses unto them in which they live.
The Amorites and Perizites shall say,
The Land's not ours, arise, we must away;
The Hivites and the Jebusites shall haste
Out of their place; saying, 'tis th' Almighti's waste,
Which he on his own Friends will now bestow,
Where most, and best, of Fruits shall ever grow,
And Milk and Honey like the Waters flow.
When they hear this all quickly will agree
To act as they directed are by thee,
Then lose no time, but haste unto that King,
And say, you tydings from Jehovah bring:
Who charges all the Tribes on pain of Death,
By Sacrifices, to appease his wrath;
Entreat that he may grant a grant a gracious ear
Unto his Servants, who their God do fear:
Three days no more, you beg for this affair,
Which ended, they shall back to him repair.
The Wilderness is near, the fittest place
To sue for Pardon, Pity, and for Grace,
Renew their vows, and see his blessed Face.
Tho I am sure the refractory King
Will give no leave, nor credit to the thing.
He will not let them go, your prayers their tears,
Will have repulse from his vindictive ears,
Yet be not daunted, his vain boasts shall tend
To Egypt's utter ruin in the end,
The wonders I will work shall soon incline
His tow'ring Sp'rit to favour my design,
[Page 27]And make his Subjects give their helping hand,
(With all they have) to send you from the Land.
With all their Gold, and Jewels they will part,
Silver and Cloaths, all which with willing heart
They'll give your Children, that they may depart:
So you shall be requited for your toyl,
In Egypts's furnace, with Egyptian spoil.
'Heav'n sits at Helm in weather foul and fair,
'The Living Cargo's his peculiar care,
'The Sails may split, and Masts come by the board,
'The Ship may leak, and Pumps no help afford,
'The Master, Mates, and Saylors may complain,
'Of Ship and lofty Winds; but all in vain;
'The Waves must swell and bulge the Ship, or stave
'The cutting keel, if Mighty Jove give leave.
'But Pray'rs and Tears that Heav'n do always please,
'Make the Storm cease, and smooth the foaming Seas,
'Bringing all safe to Land, with joy and ease.
Great Lord, said Moses, I well knew the men,
To my great grief, forty years since, for then
By secret instinct (sure it was from thee)
I made a step to their delivery,
Which early act they for injustice took,
And make me leave a Sceptre for this hook,
This ancient odium still alive, I fear
Will harden their proud hearts, and stop their ear,
Their Unbelief that's heightned by their grief,
Hath from them banished all thoughts of relief,
[Page 28]So that my words (I'm sure) they'll not believe,
Unless some sign from thee I to them give,
Their Souls are dead, 'tis thou must make them live.
If I give signs, think'st thou that signs will do?
Go, show them signs from me, and wonders too,
What's in thine hand? My Lord a Shepherds Crook,
Throw't on the Ground, and on it sharply look,
What is it now? A Dragon, horrid, great,
All men such creatures mortally do hate.
Fear not, lay hold upon its twisting tail,
Tho it look fierce its sting shall not prevail,
But to the former form it shall return.
The Bush of late which flamed did not burn.
Now put thy hand into thy bosom, where
It may be free from hurt, infectious air,
Haste take it out. Ah! Lord I am undone,
This Leprosie will cleave unto the bone.
What! Faithless still? put in thy hand again,
Behold, it's well and free from scurf or stain,
Distrust no more.—If they'll not credit give
To the first sign, the second they'll believe,
If neither doth their faithless hearts affect,
So as to hear thee, I will then direct
Another way, by which thou may'st perswade
That you from me this grand commission had,
Out of fam'd Nile fair water thou shalt take,
Which pour'd upon the ground, my pow'r shall make,
Great cakes of clotted blood, shall terrifie
The King and them, then all shall yield to thee,
'Let Earth with Earth, Mortal with Mortal strive,
'Like Wasps and Bees, when fighting for the Hive,
[Page 29]'Let men contend with men, and let them dare
'Each other as they list, yet take great care,
'They fight not him, whose creatures they are;
'His powerful Justice can soon animate
'A Rod that's dry into a Serpent great,
'Make Water Blood, and what else he thinks fit,
'To overthrow their policies and wit.
This is not all, Dear God, my stamm'ring tongue
(For want of Elquence may do much wrong,
Unto this cause thou orderst me to plead,
(Not with with the Vulgar, but) with those that lead
The rest, with whom nothing will relish well,
But what with art, and florid words doth swell.
A weak excuse, since thou well know'st that I
Have made mans mouth, his heart, his ear, his eye,
If dumb men speak, deaf hear, or blind men see,
No cause for these can be assign'd but me:
Up then, and with undaunted courage go,
I will be always with thy mouth; if so,
Thy Tongue shall like a ready Writers Pen,
Such reasons give all shall convince all men.
This burden, Lord's to heavy for my back,
And thou hast many stronger, some one take
This service to perform; let me still keep,
The tender Flocks of Jethro, Kids and Sheep,
As heretofore.—
Look on this bush, ungrateful, fearful man,
Leprosie, Serpent, Blood, then (if you can)
Deny obedience to his just commands,
Who promiseth to guide thy mouth and hands.
[Page 30]It is thy Wisdom, not thy Lisping Tongue,
I choose for this transaction; one is sprung
From the same stock with thee, who shall declare,
With art Divine, what my intentions are,
And how I think to order this affair.
He's on the road, and big with expectation,
Since I inform'd him, how the Hebrew nation
Should by my pow'r, his word, thy hand, be freed,
And bloody measures broke, that were decreed,
By Egypt for their ruin.—
Give this in charge, when he doth first appear,
That when to Goshen he doth back repair,
He may, nor art, nor words, nor labour spare,
Both of you shall be strengthned from above,
To show that I afflicted Israel Love,
And shall have joynt commission, he thy mouth
Shall be, and thou to him as God of truth:
This Rod's the instrument that you must use
This Vengeance working Rod, on those refuse
T' 'bey my will, that mighty Monarch shall
By this dry Wand despised be, and fall,
I say be gone—
'Heav'n could not be, nor in that Heav'n a Jove,
'If Earth could scan the secrets of his Love;
'How he contrives, deliberates, decrees,
'The fates of private Men and Monarchies;
'His wisdom is a Sea, that hath no bottom,
'His providence a depth that none can fathom;
'His Wills a Law none ought to disobey,
'In Heav'n and Earth, he doth the Sceptre sway;
'To Friends he is kind, to enemies austere,
'Yet Justice holds the ballance here and there.
[Page 31]'He wants not agents to effect his will,
'That Fishermen or Shepherds can fulfil;
'If men were wanting, Water, Earth, dry Rods,
'Can force the stubborn to obey the Gods.
This new post doth not Moses elevate
Above the thoughts of his (late) low estate,
Tho he be chose Heav'ns Envoy, he doth go
First unto Midian that his friends may know,
Their Shepherd must on Embassy be sent
To Eyypt, whence he came in Banishment,
His Kindreds burthen to condole and try,
(Once more) his Fate for their delivery.
The news when Jethro heard, he sighing said,
My dearest Son I wish my feeble aid
Could any way assist you in this task,
It should be giv'n before you could it ask,
My Prayers and Tears shall be that God direct
And grant the success you from him expect.
'The enemies of God and of his Laws,
'Submit for secret, not for open cause;
'Jethro is willing with his Son to part,
'The staff of's Life, the joy of's Daughters heart,
'Tho for that loss he afterward may smart.
Night had no sooner shut the Shepherds eye,
Than he a splendid Vision did espy,
Of form divine; who thus itself exprest,
Sleep on, my Friend, sleep on, and take thy rest;
Then up, and haste to Egypt, for its strife
'Gainst thee is ended with that Monarch's life.
[Page 32]'When Angels guard, and give the opiate,
'Men rest secure, nothing can hurt or hate.
Before next light gilded that Hemisphere
The Shepherd wak'd, said Zipporah, my Dear,
I've for thy love, and for our livelihoods
In Desarts liv'd, in Mountains, and in Woods
These forty years, where my integrity
Was known to all, my greatest love to thee:
Now, Heav'n resolv'd to alter my condition,
Sends me to Egypt: Dear, let no suspicion
Of fraud or hatred harbour in thy breast,
My God commands, and his commands are best.
I'm wholly yours, said she, Heav'ns will be done,
Tho Nature bids me grieve when left alone;
You know that Man and Wife are flesh and bone.
Life of my Soul, nothing can us two part,
Thou know'st I ever had a tender heart
Since first I saw, and helpt thee at the Well.
True, true, my Dear, I am content to dwell
Where you think fit. What must we take from hence?
Only the Boys, the rest to Providence
I will commit, except this holy Wand,
Which I must always carry in my hand,
And wonders work with it in that curst land.
'None but the Lover knows the grief to part
'With that is lov'd, since both have but one heart.
Heav'n calls again, and bids him when he sees
The faithless King, make fair discoveries
Of his Intentions, and the fearful end
He for his stubbornness will on him send.
[Page 33]I know he'll raging say, think'st that I will
Dismiss my Slaves, thy humour to fulfill?
No, they have sworn to be mine for ever,
In this opinion I will persevere.
To this reply, when they came first, 'tis true,
They said their Lives and Fortunes were your due,
Ingratitude they scorn'd whilst you was kind,
Fresh obligations them anew did bind,
And they're the same, tho you have chang'd your mind,
But now their God commands, who hath a right
O'er them, and you, whose wisdom, valour, might,
None can oppose, when he's resolv'd to fight.
He saith, that Israel was his first-born Son,
And must (tho now your Slave) in haste be gone,
If thou persist in disobedience,
Thy first born kill'd, he'll force his people hence.
'Good Kings are Heav'ns beloved, mankinds joy,
'Whilst they their time and counsels do employ
'To rule with justice, clemency and love,
'In imitation of their King above,
'Whilst they resolve their conduct to confine
'Within the limits of the Law Divine,
'Which give them ease, and firmly fix their Crown,
'Procure mens favour, bring new blessings down
'Upon their heads and hearts, but when their will
'Is restless as the Sea, that ne'er lyes still,
'But beats th' adjacent Rocks, and plows the Sands,
'Threat'ning a Deluge o're the fertile Lands,
'Smiting the great, and blasting those below,
'With subtle Lightning slighting friend and foe,
'Such Jehu's, curst, are their own overthrow.
Away he goes, not fearing ill success,
Since potent Heav'n espous'd his business,
And travels hard till mid-day's scorching Sun
Be at on his head, which forc'd him to sit down
Under a shady Beech, where angry J'ove
Appear'd again, not as before in love,
His aspect threat'ned death, which had ensu'd,
If Zipp'rah had not softned the cloud,
Who run in haste unto her younger Son,
And cut his fore-skin with a flinty Stone,
Then took the same, and threw't at Moses feet,
With unbecoming words she did him greet.
Is your just God with human blood aton'd,
Must Kings for his displeasure be dethron'd?
Must Women to their darlings Tygers prove,
T' oblige a cruel God? Is this his Love?
Hard hearted man, hard hearted as thy God,
I cannot, will not longer bear this load,
That you call Superstition pleaseth me,
I will return, yet let me hear from thee.
'Mixt matches often prove unfortunate
'To private men, and always to the State.
'Love, multitudes of Nuptial faults can cover,
'But when Religion's one, all are past over,
'One God [...]s enough; more make all disagree,
'Religious Brawls put out Religions eye.
Aaron, who many years had griev'd to see
His brethrens bondage, burthens, misery,
Receiv'd command from Heaven to walk abroad,
To meet his Brother Moses on the road,
[Page 35]Returning home, and bids him listen well
To all such matters as he should reveal.
This news like Balsome, his chill'd heart did warm,
His Sp'rits revive, and all his Senses charm,
He car'd not what, or whom he left behind,
O'rejoy'd, he should his exil [...]d Brother find
Alive. He hastes unto the Mount of God
To meet him (for he there some time abode.)
The Salutations past, and tears distill'd,
Expressions of the joy, their hearts that fill'd,
Moses to his, gives vent by this discourse,
Is Jochebed alive, my Mother, Nurse?
Are Amram, Mirian, and the rest all well?
Yes, dearest Brother; as when you did dwell
In Pharaoh's Court, this one exception made,
Our burdens are encreas'd, tho Pharaoh's dead.
This I well know, the rest I'm joy'd to hear,
Said Moses, but I've wonders to declare,
Isr'el must be releas'd from Egypt's woe,
I have command from Heav'n to tell you so.
See! here's my seal'd Commission in my hand
And Weapon too, that Memphis must command,
With thy assistance, I will work such signs,
As shall that King destroy and his designs.
This is the bus'ness, thou art eloquent,
Show thine the cause why I am hither sent.
Up, let us go, we must the Elders call,
Publish our freedom and our en'mies fall.
'To Caleb once God gave another Spirit,
'Elisha did Elijah's gift inherit.
'David did wisely play, Saul prophesie,
'When they command receiv'd from God on high.
[Page 36]'So banisht Moses after forty years,
'Returns with power to ease his brethrens fears,
'Their groans, their sighs, and their heart-breaking tears,
'And Aaron who did work or oversee,
'Is Trumpet made for their delivery.
Who thus began—My dearest brethren here,
(If Liberty you love, or your God fear)
What Heav'n by Moses hath bid me reveal
The wonders must be done, that he may heal
All your diseases. If you signs must have,
Time shall bring forth as many as you crave.
This said, the Tribes rejoycing, answer'd all,
We do believe our rise, and Egypt's fall,
And since our sad affliction Heav'n hath 'spy'd,
Our Song shall be, let Heav'n be magnify'd.
'When Tempests rise, and Clouds pour down their Rain,
'The faint and feebled Footmen cry amain,
'Help kindest Heav'n, and send us Halcyon days,
'There is no walking in such dirty ways.
'He hears, the storm's allay'd, and clouds appear
'Serene, a blessing to the traveller,
'Such were these tydings to each Jewish ear.
The Council up, and all the Elders gone,
They leave the Brothers to consult alone,
Whose next conclusion's to inform the King
Of what for him, they from Jehovah bring,
Great Sir, said they, the King of Kings commands
You his Viceroy to slacken Israels bands,
[Page 37]That they a just, a pious people, may
Rest from their tasks, to sacrifice and pray:
We will no tumult make, when we remove
Into the Desart, let us beg your love.
'The sacrifices of a broken heart,
'The pray'rs and vows men unto Heav'n impart,
'Need neither pompous shows, nor glozing art,
'He hears in secret in the Wilderness,
'In Mountains Christ himself made his address,
'Who never pray'd without his wish'd success.
Impudence! Treason! cry'd the Heathen King,
Fairies, not Men, from their black Pluto bring
Such freakish fancies. Who's your Lord, that I
At such a disadvantage should obey,
To set my Slaves, my drudging Vassals free;
I know him not, and there's no such decree
In my Archieves; Vile vagabonds be gone,
You speak as if you would attempt my Throne,
I will not let them go—
They add, the Hebrews God us hither sent,
The God of Order and of Government,
By whom Kings Reign, 'tis his prerogative
At pleasure to recall what he doth give,
Who now requires, that you forthwith release
His friends from slav'ry to their wonted ease,
With leave to go unto the Wilderness.
Dismiss the men we pray, for three days space,
We are destroy'd if you deny this grace.
To which th' incensed King made this reply,
Moses and Aaron why do ye defie
Great Pharaoh's Edicts, you are more than mad,
To cheat these people, and destroy my trade,
[Page 38]Give o'er, and let them work, it is my will,
They must and shall their former tasks fulfil.
Think you that I such numbers can maintain
In idleness and sloath, you must abstain,
Else your grave plot will quickly prove a sham,
And they repent that you unto them came:
Call the Task masters of these Slaves▪ I'll know
The reason why my work goes on so slow.
Unnatural Rogues, did I not strictly charge
That you their wonted burthens should enlarge,
It's your connivance, that is worthy blame,
It makes them think the Embassy that came
Was by divine appointment, but I'll see
What God they shall adore, if't be not me.
Double their Tasks, ye Dogs, let no supply
Be giv'n for their assistance, Straw nor Hay,
Yet still demand full tale as heretofore,
When they had their materials from my store.
Go, tell the Zealots that (of late) they're Idle.
Go, lash their backs, I'll make them bite the Bridle,
Must I be rival'd by I know not who?
Or by two Knaves cajol'd to let them go.
No, they shall know I rule—
'Court Parasites as soon as they receive
'A royal Nod, they'll swear that Caesar gave
'Them pow'r by Inuendo to confound
'Babel with Bethel, vile with holy ground,
'Their Will's their Law, prerogative pretence,
'To act a gainst Religion, Reason, Sense.
Thus arm'd, these Officers away do fly,
From Pharaoh's presence, piercing the wide Sky,
And Isra'ls Hearts with their blood-thirsting cry.
[Page 39]Religious Fops, Pharaoh will give no Straw,
Since you deny obedience to his Law,
And ye from you full tasks of Bricks will draw,
Or we must beat you dead, there's no reprieve,
Unless your nameless God doth you relieve.
It's Harvest now, haste you unto the Fields,
The new reapt grounds this year much stubble yields,
That gather, and fulfil your work as when
The Straw was giv'n. Expect it not agen.
They try'd, but all in vain, to do the thing,
Which on their heads another storm did bring
From th' enraged Task-masters who say,
Why have you not made up your tale this day,
Nor yesterday, as you have done before,
Think on your Bricks, and play the fool no more.
If you are moved with our harsh discourse,
To Pharaoh you may have your next recourse,
Perhaps your treatment may be worse than ours.
Like drowning men who grasp at every reed,
This feign'd affection their faint hopes doth feed.
They ran and said, Dread Soveraign we know
That we our selves are yours, and labours owe
Unto this State. We trust therefore that ye
For pities sake will alter the decree,
Publish'd against us by your royal will,
That without Straw, our tasks we should fulfil.
If this be in our pow'r, Great Sir, be judge,
(Tho use and hardship have taught us to drudge)
We're beaten without fault, they are the cause
Who counsel first, and then desire that Laws
May be enacted, on pretence of good
To Egypt, but we know it's for our blood,
For which they long have thirsted, and expect
By your command that murder to effect,
[Page 40]Prevent them Sir. No, no, you idle be
I cannot, will not alter my Decree,
Your new devotion made you over-quick,
Go hence and work, I'll show you trick for trick,
'As long besieged Castles when they see
'A bloody Flag hung out, when Soldiers be
'Decoy'd to Ambuscade, when Seamen fling
'Their Masts o'er board, Bale, Goods and ev'ry thing:
'Or when the nighted Trav'ller falls in pit,
'And men condemn'd in darkest Dungeons sit,
O'erwhelm'd with endless grief, such was the state
Of Pharoah's bondmen, when the knew their fate,
'One swounds, one cryes, one tears his hairs and breast,
'Another rageth, desperate the rest.
What shall we do, said they? See! Moses comes,
Let's meet him, and relate our fearful dooms
Now past on us, upbraid him, he's the cause
Of our destruction, by these bloody Laws.
Ah! cruel man, ran thy Commission thus,
Thou said'st Heaven bid thee publish unto us?
We'd better much never have seen thy face,
Than suffer thus, by work, stripes and disgrace.
If just such methods are, let Heav'n be judge,
Before thou cam'st we wrought, we did not drudge;
But thy ungrateful message to the King
Hath made us loathsome unto every thing
That is in Egypt; thy bold, bitter words
Sharpen their hearts against us, as their Swords,
This they, with fury in their looks express,
Would thou had'st stay'd yet in the Wilderness,
[Page 41]We at our burthens then, we might have had
Th' Egyptian's love; with Straw for our Brick trade,
Both now are lost, and we our selves in danger
To be destroyed in our Monarch's anger.
Moses distrusting what might be th' event
Of this harsh menace, highly discontent,
Look'd pale and trembled, grief so seiz'd his heart,
That neither Aaron's love nor Aaron's art,
Could cure those wounds (tho green) they did so smart,
This made him have recourse unto the Lord,
And peremptor'ly say, who can thy word
Believe hereafter; since our first attempt
Is shamefully repuls'd with scorn, contempt,
This was my fear, when thou to me didst say,
Go unto Egypt, bring my Sons away,
Thy promises to us increase our pain,
Why didst thou send me? I'll return again
To Midian; since I see thy providence
Promotes our sorrows, not deliverance,
The Tribes despair of (ever) going hence.
'Tho Providence be beautiful and bright,
'And brings things that most hidden are to light.
'It often works by means that contrary are
'To Human Reason (for it Reason far
'Exceedeth) yet it hath the wished end,
'Good to the good man, and the good mans friend.
''Twas providence that made young Joseph dream,
'His Parents and his brethren were the theme,
'By which his future fortunes were display'd,
'Tho he knew neither what he dreamt or said,
'Yet for that dream was envy'd, sold, betray'd,
[Page 42]Falsely accus'd, condemn'd to prison fast;
Strange steps! to make him Egypt's Lord at last.
What! Faithless Moses? fearful, dost thou fret?
Why stumblest in the Porch? the time's not yet
Fulfilled for the work, wait, thou shalt see
What I will do 'gainst Pharaoh, what, for thee.
I'll call my thund'ring Legions from above,
To force your passage, that you may remove,
In spite of your opposers, Egypt's King
Shall willingly to you assistance bring.
It is to me a wonder that you should
Dispute my promises since Abra [...]m could
Without such, firmly rest upon my pow'r,
For all he had from's his birth to's his dying hour
El-shaddaj to him was sufficient,
And to his children whitherso'er they went;
They scarce the name Jehovah e'er did spell,
But of Adonia talkt, and lik'd that well.
When I to them of Canaan promise made,
They trusted in my pow'r and always said,
What! tho we strangers be? Our God can give
This and much more: altho we may not live
To see it done, it is enough that ours
Shall of that Land be the inheritors.
The time is come, my patience is abus'd,
My Servants by proud Pharaoh so ill us'd,
That their sad groans, which I seem'd to despise,
Have mov'd my justice, now I must arise
To vindicate my truth, revenge the spite
Acted on every suffering Israelite.
Hope still in me, my promise I'll not break,
I will redeem you for my promise's sake.
[Page 43]Go to the Tribes, and say, I am the Lord,
I cannot falsify, recal my word.
I'll bring them forth from under Egypt's yoke,
And gently lead them; they're my tender flock,
To Canaanitish pastures where they may
In safety sleep, wake, sacrifice and pray,
Without disturbance, Pharaoh nor his land,
Shall take them out of the Almighty's hand,
My formidable actions when they see
Their might and rage shall truckle under me.
Then I with mine my Cov'nant will renew,
My Love is great although they be but few.
I will go with them to the wilderness,
Where with my presence I'll begin their bliss,
If they obstruct not their own happiness.
They Canaan shall possess, it shall be theirs,
By firm entail for them and for their Heirs.
I will make good whatever I have said,
Because that God, who the first promise made,
Which you will own, when I th' Egyptian King,
With all his Subjects to destruction bring.
Then be no more shame-fac'd, of fearful heart,
Go, all these tydings to the Jews impart
I know they're vexed, and will not believe
That I th' Almighty can give a Reprieve
From their hard bondage. Go unto the King,
Who (peevishly) will ask what news ye bring?
To which, with boldness you shall answer make,
Thy Slaves are Freemen now, they must go back
From whence they came—
'Who would not be Religious, and fears
'The wonder-worker; whose great mercies are
[Page 44]'Fixt as the Winters Moon, and Summer Son
'(Lasting when both are scorched up and done)
'His promises, his favour, and his grace,
'Were ever such to the Isacides.
Moses revolving his late reprimand
Receiv'd from Pharaoh, (with a palsied hand
And trembling tongue) said, Lord, it is in vain
To offer this unto the Tribes again:
Since Aaron's words, nor my great signs they have
Regarded hitherto, why should I crave
That of a wrathful King which they'll deny?
Since I can neither of them gratify.
—Are these your thoughts? you better things might know,
—Your fear makes you thus scrupulously slow,
—How dares man stay, when Heavens bids him go.
Distrust no more, your God doth undertake
This wondrous task, and for that end will make
Thy pow'rful signs bring down great Pharaoh [...]s heart,
When Aaron, as thy mouth, shall act his part.
Exceed not thy commission, say no more
To him, than I to thee have said before.
This bid him freely unto Pharaoh say,
Heav'ns chosen Servants must not longer stay
In his Dominions; their increased woe
Is at an end, they must to Canaan go.
I know his rage, his fury he'll deny
Thy God, or thee in this to gratify,
From's hard'ned heart my spirit I'll remove,
His Conscience him shall no more warnings give
[Page 45]Of my displeasure, nor his future state;
The Devil shall him deceive till it's too late,
I'll blind his judgment so, that he shall be
The chiefest actor in's own tragedy.
'Like Fish unwary plung'd into the Net,
'The more they strike, the faster in they get,
'So he (while all my wonders I have spent.
'Not dreaming that his own destruction [...]s meant)
Shall boldly with enchanting Witch-crafts dare,
'The signs by thee and Aaron acted are.
I know he'll strive my Outguards to defeat,
Not knowing that I have more wonders yet
At my command; whole Armies that can dye
His waters Crimson; darken his bright Sky.
My word shall bring poor vermin from their Cells
Will him despise, and all his Magi's spells.
The winged. Troops I've ready at my beck,
His ruin, Israel's rescue to effect.
That tawny King and all his swarthy crew,
Shall that with vengeance learn, they never knew.
I will the Winds let loose, and Seas adjure
With him to make the fatal overture,
For bringing Israel out by my great pow'r.
I know when you before him (next) appear
Your persons he will scorn, yet say draw near,
You, who pretend a message from above,
Must it confirm by Miracles; or prove
Your selves Impostors, Rebels to my Crown.
Most willingly, say you, and then throw down
This pregnant Rod; which turning to a Snake,
Shall twist, unfold and crawl, and strive to take
[Page 46]The Royal Scepter out of Pharaoh's hand,
At which he (much affrighted) mute will stand,
Nodding and sighing, for his Sophi-band.
They come. He said, what think my Priests of this?
Can you such Serpents turn, and make them hiss;
Alas! great Sir, said they, this fellow's art
Was learn'd from us, before he did depart
Thy Predecessors Court, and now he brings
Owls into Athens, we know better things.
Look on our Rods, Great Sir, which we command
By all our Deities, to turn from our hand
(As that of his) to many Serpents great
And when all's done, both his and ours are cheat.
Legerdemain can make false things appear
To th' ignorant, as if they real were.
But here is more, said he, his swalloweth yours,
This) if a trick) I'm sure's beyond your pow'rs.
Well, Moses this is fine, but yet I must
See more and greater things, before I trust
That you commission have from any God
To rob me of my Subjects; Aaron's Rod
And all your charms for this will prove in vain,
Once more be gone, and from these slights abstain,
This will not ease, but more increase your pain.
Then turn'd and frown'd, and said disdainfully,
I'm King of Egypt, I your God defie!
I scorn to think of a superiour,
Who can make Gods. I'll hear of him no more
'This heard, in haste the flaming Seraphs came
'To pay their homage, Cherubs did the same,
[Page 47]'Say'ng Holy, Holy, Holy Lord and true!
'How long have we blest Spirits honour'd you,
'Both night and day, not daring once to pry
'Into the secrets of such Majesty?
'Yet in our tarvels at your beck, we hear
'Proud Mortals talk as they your Rivals were.
'Your patience we've experienc'd in our selves,
'Whom you confirm'd in grace: but that such elves
'As they should sharers of this goodness be
'Is unto us next to a prodigy;
'Since nobler beings for one single fault,
'When they attempt your honour to assault,
'Receiv'd a present Mittimus to go
'From bliss eternal, to eternal woe.
'Have you so long domesticks been to me
'And count one single Act a prodigy,
'Look back on former ages, there you'll find
'Greater, and more done by me of that kind,
'My mercy's great, and cannot be confin'd.
'When all the Sons of men like Pharaoh spoke
'Reproachfully of me, and did provoke
'My Justice, then I took a fixed time
'To vindicate my self, correct that crime,
'And so I will do now.—
Take speedy wing
To Moses saying, you a message bring
From me. It's best to see him in the night,
That he may be prepar'd when it is light,
To wait on vexed Pharaoh at the River,
Whose heart is hard and faithless yet as ever,
And in that state resolves to persevere.
[Page 48]Tell him from me, that when the Monarch views
Himself, and Aaron, coming with fresh news,
That sight will so exasperate his wrath,
He'll threaten both of them with present death,
Command him not to fear, but take his Rod,
And say once more to him, the Hebrews God
Scorns his repulses in the business
Of Isra'l's going to the Wilderness
At his command.—Shall vile Earthworms deny
Their maker, and refuse to gratify
His just demands? his pow'r will make thee know
That thou allegiance unto him do'st owe
With full obedience. Pray, Great Sir, believe
For God commands that I a sign shall give.
These limpid streams that he made for thy good
By this small Rod shall turned be to blood,
Blood, that to thee may fearful, loathsome be,
And all its sinn'd inhab'tants stupify,
Thy Rivers shall with blood and fish so stink,
That thine (tho fainting) may not of it drink.
This said, the winged Herauld took his flight,
Leaving his Friend in bed curtain'd with night,
Whose sleep was broke by th' awful Messenger,
Who left his errand and did disappear;
The message Moses must to Pharaoh bear.
Confused slumbers did again invade
The Prophets temples, no sound sleep he had,
Till lofty Titan, Earth's Ethereal eye,
Nights sables tinged with a Rosie dye,
Which show'd him that the King was passed by.
He drest and blusht, his thoughts were on the River,
Th' Almighty speaks, (whose mercy faileth never,
[Page 49]Whose Judgments slumber not, when he begins
To bare his arm, and punish crying sins,)
Friend Moses, do my will, it is not hid
From thee, I've by my self, and Angel bid
That thou in this affair should fearless be
As Aaron, both direction from me
From time to time shall have, go hand in hand,
While you have brought my Sons out of the Land.
Let Aaron take the Rod, and shake it over
Their Rivers and their Ponds which waters cover,
And all their Vessels, wherein they keep sweet;
That which they draw for drink, and dressing meat.
For I will turn those waters into blood,
Because they've hitherto my power withstood
And slain my subjects, for this cruel deed
They in this punishment their sin shall read.
As blood was their delight, so blood shall be
The first sad sign of their Catastrophe:
My Infants tears I cannot longer smother,
The griefs and groans of each distressed Mother,
The Fathers loss I do with him condole,
Infanticide doth vex my very Soul,
My Justice must this cruelty controul.
The harmless waters that did suffocate
Those half-liv'd babes, shall show my pow'r, my hate,
By painted blushes, tho this Livery
Will not yet work the wish'd delivery
Of their surviving parents. Go and try,
Tho he'll not me by this yet gratify.
Thus authoriz'd, the Brethren haste to Nile,
Whose early coming made the Monarch smile,
[Page 50]Stood there before: who said, come Moses, tell
Us news from Heav'n, are all things settled well
In that Utopean Territory? say,
Have you command to take my Slaves away?
Yes Sir we have, as you're long shall know,
None can distrust those good credentials show.
These waters we will in your presence smite,
Waters that bring to Egypt wealth, delight,
Because in them you drown the Israelite.
They strike, the Flood put on a crimson blush,
Dy'd by the hand that sav'd the flaming bush:
Which quickly turn'd to nauseous putrid blood,
Dazzling the Fishes, tho their sight was good,
They could not see to swim, nor gather food.
But, wondring at the change of th' Element,
Struggle for life, until their life was spent.
The Crocodil's feign'd tears do real grow,
Because they could not rest above, below,
The waters running bloody, thick and slow.
The Tortoises crawl from their warmer Sand,
To lay and hatch their Eggs upon the Land,
All shewing Pharaoh 'twas th' Almighty's hand.
Tho he the prodigy with indignation
Beholds, and calls the wise men of the Nation;
Saying, have you this new trick never done?
Are they the Wonder workers, they alone?
Call up your Demons, and their aid implore,
Or else be gone. I'll be Priest-rid no more.
Most Sacred Sir, you know to us your will
Is dearer than our Souls, we will fulfil
All your desires, when we clear water find,
We' [...]l do as they have done, and ease your mind,
[Page 51]That Egypt, you, and all the world may see,
It is not fit such Fops to gratify.
Believe your Priests, great Sir, your doubt is o're!
Well, now my heart is harden'd as before,
Let us go home—My Lord what shall we do?
Cry'd the Egyptians, (with a triple bow)
Our thirst is great, the Water none can drink,
Nor eat the Fish (now dead) for both do stink,
We are undone what're the wise men think.
Remove from Nile, deep Wells you may prepare
Where Moses, nor his Brother Aaron were,
The subterraneal streams, I hope, are free
From Incantation, Jewish Sorcery.
Try, 'tis but sev'n days wonder, when that's o'er,
Nile will be sweet, and clear as heretofore.
When they are weary'd we shall have a Truce,
With satisfaction for the loss, abuse,
Done to our sacred person, to our state.
Elohim frowning, crys obliterate
The name of that proud Prince, his crimes require
Both temp'ral Judgments, and eternal Fire.
Tell him, my Justice (since he will not mend)
Designs far greater plagues on him to send;
His clear'd sweet water shall for smell and taste,
Be worse than when the blood did it infest;
For I will call from thence a croaking host,
That cover shall the Earth with Spawn, his Coast
Shall be discolour'd, no place shall be free,
His House and Bed will both infested be.
His Servants, who have yet scarce trouble had,
Shall eat the loathsome slime amongst their bread.
[Page 52]These Frogs, so fast, so numerous will come
On him and his, that there shall be no Room
Unhaunted left—I say go tell the King,
Then with your (hallowed) Rod perform the thing.
The Brothers go, who after honours made,
Inform'd the King of what Jehovah said.
He seem'd secure and frown'd, they urg'd the case,
And with a Frog-plague dar'd him to his face.
Think not, said they, that menaces will do,
We have command to act and menace too.
The Wand stretcht o're the stream, a hideous noise
Was heard, an uncouth croak, harsh-sounding voice
Of new made Frogs, such as the world's eye
Ne're yet beheld—A loathsom Majesty.
Sat on their o'er grown bulks, and made them dare
T' invade their Houses, Temples, without fear,
Tho newly rais'd, they train'd and valiant were.
The trembling King and Country strove to oppose
The inroads of those (unknown) warlike Foes;
But all in vain—the more of them they kill
The more they grew, the more their Houses fill.
The Palace is not free'd; the King must bear
The greatest burden while they quarter there.
Heav'n gave the Billets, made the Court of Guard
In Pharaoh's House; this him from sleep debarr'd,
Who thought each Frog a dying Child, whose cries
Pierced his heart, as theirs had pierc'd the Skies;
And brought the Judgment under which he groans,
Because his cruel heart despis'd their moans.
Blood-shed and Cruelty make empty Thrones.
[Page 53]Choak'd with faint fulsome smells, he left his bed,
Shaking his Locks with Frogs-spawn overspread,
Then sighs and shrieks, and weeps, and calls who's there?
To those lay by; but they opprest with fear,
Made no return. At last great Jambres speaks.
My Lord, why are you troubled at such freaks?
I'll make such vermin, if you say I shall.
No, such delusions do but haste my fall.
Call Heav'ns Envoys, Moses and his Brother,
There is a God, I cannot longer smother
My sentiments of this great truth, I see
That not your art, nor love, can comfort me;
You have encreas'd my Sorrows, but relief
Transcends your pow'r. This, this augments my grief.
This said, shame, paleness seiz'd on ev'ry face,
To see the insolence, impet'ousness
Of Titan's spurious brood, base watry race.
But most of all o'the Wizards, who begin
To shrivel up their Noses, Cheeks, and Chin,
Mutter and howl, because they cannot awe
Pharaoh, as formerly. He doth withdraw.
They gawn and yell than Cerberus more loud,
And so expire, Hell gaping for their blood.
Moses appears, to whom the King with tears
Said, you are not insensible what fears,
What horrors, and what miseries attend,
The man's abus'd and cheated by his friend.
[Page 54]This is my case, you know I have withstood
At their desire, that Heav'n meant for my good
Peace, tho I drown'd his Servants in the flood.
Now, now alas! my Land and Conscience feel
The worst of woes, think'st not that Heaven may deal
More mildly with me, since his mercy's great,
Beg thou that he remove from my poor state
This loathsome fry—I will no more contend,
But willingly his loved people send
To offer sacrifice. Make this thy care.
I'm now convinc'd he is a God of pray'r,
And thou his Servant.—This with grave accent
He uttered, as tho he did repent.
'Grand Rebels, Murtherers, and Thieves, when come
'Before the Bench, expecting their last doom
'Have mourning on, and with a pitious tone
'Complain of their misfortunes, every one
'Doth beg for mercy; yet if Jur' or Judge,
'Or Clement King, give them from law refuge,
'They grow more bold, and act as if they had
'A Royal Lease to follow their old Trade.
'Or like a Miser, who (thro age) doth feel,
'His seared Soul within its house to reel,
'Cries, O this ill-got Gold! What shall I do?
'It has destroy'd my Soul and Body too.
'Yet for prevention I will Alms-house rear,
'Or Chappel build, to which men may repair,
'As I have ofton done, my crimes to hallow,
'Straining at Gnats, that I might Camels swallow.
'If none of these, I to the poor will give
'A mighty summ, that so my Soul may live.
[Page 55]'But, if of that disease he doth recover,
'O! how he frets, and acts his tricks all o'er,
'With more industry, craft, and perjury,
'Say'ng now, I am no more affraid to die.
—So Pharoah griev'd with Blood, and with the Frogs,
—Calls out for Moses, flatters, lies and coggs,
—As if he'd not been settled on the lees,
—But rack'd and fin'd by these discoveries,
—And fit with them to offer sacrifice.
—Heav'n condescends, and Moses is content
—With his fair words, tho the [...]y [...]w falsely meant.
'Thus Nineveh's repentance, tho a flash,
'Kept from its back, the Prophets threatned lash,
'And Ahab's humbling did for Judah's King
'Obtain reprieve, tho not for his off-spring,
'So Phaaroh for a feign [...]d acknowledgement,
'Had half the plague remov'd, Heav'n on him sent.
Tho thou hast now left off self-glorying,
Said Moses, thou may'st glory in this thing,
That God in mercy will grant thy request,
And send these Vermin from thy land in haste,
Commanding them henceforth to make abode
Within Nile's banks.—Contend no more with God,
But pray and wait. To morrow thy shalt see,
This plague remov'd, from off thy land and thee,
If to thy words thou add sincerity,
Then thou shalt know, that none is like the Lord,
Whose pow'r will quickly ease to thee afford,
[Page 56]We shall no sooner ask than 'twill be done.
They pray, Heaven hears, the daring Frogs are gone
In shoals to Nile, or perisht by the way,
When God saith go, his creatures must not stay.
As soon as Pharaoh had the news receiv'd,
He smiling said, your friend may be deceiv'd.
Kings can not by their promises be bound
To Jove himself, their Counsellours have found
Salvo's from his own word, than can oppose
The faint assaults of every Monarch's foes,
And I'll believe them, tho I lose my Crown,
My promise lately made I will not own,
Nor let them go.—This the Almighty knew,
Who call'd the brethren, and obedience due
To his commands required, which they give,
And he commands, that scatter'd Dust may live,
Turning to Lice, both upon man and beast,
That might make Pharaoh shuck, and all the rest.
This done, the Itching Monarch calls aloud,
To Jannes, Jambres, all the Sophi brood,
Can you make Lice, said he? No cry'd the Wizard,
To counterfeit this thing we will not hazard,
Lest fire consume us, or a worser thing
That after this, Heav'n may upon us bring
For what's already done, for here we see
The print of's Fingers, Pow'r and Majesty,
Which doth confound us, and our Foppery.
'A fair confession; but Hypocrisy
'Will speak the truth when't thinks the same a lie,
'When a duluding Sp'rit infatuates
'Prince, Priest or people to despise the fates
[Page 57]'Their policy is madness, and their pride
'Such insolence as God and men deride.
Thus fared it with Pharaoh, his release
From Blood, Frogs, Lice, presage a fourth disease,
The God of Miracles could not behold,
But must subdue the proud, suppress the bold.
Go, Moses, then said he, by morning light,
Stand before Pharaoh in his peoples sight,
And let him know, it is Jehovah's will,
That he with speed his just commands fulfil,
In letting Israel go, that they may pay
Their Homage; if he make them longer stay
Thro his refusal, by my next alarm
A fearful Host, great swarms of Flies shall arm,
Which will molest him more than Frogs or Lice,
And all his Servants bid him take advice.
Say, 'tis no cheat, Goshen shall make thee know,
That I my people love, and to them owe
(By promise) freedom from the noisome beast,
With every thing, the greatest and the least,
That may infest them. Tho they dwell by thee,
Their Habitations shall no shelter be
To thee, and thine, from stinging, stinking Flie.
Observe this warning, since I speak in love,
Mercy, not Judgment, 'tis I most approve.
Consider well, the sign will be to morrow,
And will to thee beginning be of sorrow.
'Who can such charms of love and goodness hear
'Unless 't be Pharaoh, and not shed a tear?
'But ah! his Heart, his Bowels hard'ned are.
He will not let Heav'n convenanted go,
But leave to sacrifice at home, (if so)
He gives. To which Moses made this reply
Who gives but half, he doth the whole deny,
Because that half is giv'n unwillingly.
Our God commands us to the wilderness,
And he best knows which is the fittest place.
If among you we stay, then we must offer
Such things as you, which our God will not suffer;
If ours, it will be said we innovate
Your sacred Rites and your Decrees of State;
Both these may on us sudden ruin being,
And therefore we must plainly tell the King,
That since our God hath fix'd the time, the place,
And Sacrifice, we must with thee find grace.
When he perceiv'd excuses were in vain,
That obstinacy did encrease his pain,
The next resolve was feign'd obedience
To God and Moses: thus, you may from hence
Remove, with my free leave, if you will swear
Not to go far, and let me quickly hear
That you have begg'd of him to set me free,
From the proud insects all, and loathsome Flie.
Moses reply'd. If thou do keep thy word;
At thy desire we will entreat the Lord,
Who (I am sure) will order the retreat
Of these wing [...]d troops, tho noisome, fierce and great.
To morrow they shall every one remove
From thee and thine, thy gratitude to prove.
The thing is done, yet Pharaoh still denies
The people Licence to do sacrifice.
Nor Blood, nor Frogs, nor Lice, nor Flies can awe
The stubborn Prince, nor to obedience draw
His callous heart; that self-deceiving cheat,
Must be out-witted by a plague as great
As any of the former. Heav'n once more
Calls unto Moses as he did before;
Saying, go to the Palace and declare
To him again, what my intentions are
I am his, and the Hebrews God, tho he
Knows not my name, nor his own destiny.
If he refuse to hearken to this word,
I will lift up my hand, with flaming Swor [...]
O'er's Cattle, Horses, Asses, Camels, Sheep
And Oxen, which he doth in Pastures keep.
Pestilent fogs shall from the earth arise,
Malignant vapours, from the starry Skies.
These shall their blood corrupt, whence putrid hearts,
Shall scorch with piercing pains and shiv'ring sweats.
So that the Oxe shall fall beneath the yoke,
The sacrifice shall die before the stroke.
The Horse shall leave his prancing, and his head
Shall giddy turn, run round, and fall down dead.
Asses shall bray, and Camels breathe their last,
And dizzy'd Sheep themselves in Ditches cast.
The nimble Dogs shall howl, forget their meat,
And teaming Ewes for pain their Breasts will beat,
All which will his unhappiness compleat.
He acts as if he knew not what I meant,
This shall not be a gen'ral punishment.
[Page 60]His only shall it feel, my people's Beasts
Must be exempted from these (carrion) Feasts,
They shall continue healthy, fat as ever,
Mercy shall be the Skreen, by which I'll sever
Their Herds and Flocks from thine, that thou mayst see,
He must be loser that opposeth me.
All's done, and yet his heart doth harder grow,
Heav'n must him wonders more, and greater shew.
'If Souldiers when their Breaches open lye,
'Can neither them defend nor fortify;
'Do still refuse to make a fair surrender
'On honourable terms, despise the tender
'Of Lives and Arms, or what else is thought fit
'To grant, the next resolve is storming it
'With res'lute bravery, so that they may know
From Justice, what they did to Mercy owe.
Thus Heav'n proceeds against him when secure,
Moses nor Aaron must make overture,
But suddenly call out a fixt Brigade
Of Granadiers, who ne'er yet mercy had
Where Justice was Commander, Water, Earth,
Are both too mild, the Tyrants settled wrath
To mittigate, the fiery element
Must act its part in Pharaoh's punishment.
I'll give no warning, Go, and Cinders take
Out of the Furnace, of which you shall make
Large Hand granado's, and them upward throw,
Which kindling there shall ashes turn below,
Ashes, that may breed Boils on Beast and Man,
Then let his wise men cure them (if they can)
[Page 61]They throw, it's done, the dusty ashes fell,
The Magi cry, we ne'er saw such a spell,
For they like Causticks such Blisters made
Such Boils and Blains as Egypt never had
The Sorcerers for shame pulled in their Crests,
Because their Boils grew on their Heads, Hands, and Breasts,
By which their Monarch might most plainly see
That it was no enchantment, but decree
For their destruction. Yet the blinded man
(Acted by God) persists as he began.
Not mov'd by Blood, Frogs, Lice, nor Flies, nor Murrain,
The Boils and Scabs do not his pride restrain,
This angry Heav'n resents, and gives command
To Moses, saying, Early rise, and stand
Before the King to morrow, 'nd let him know
That Jacobs God will have his Servants go
To sacrifice. Bid him look to his State,
I will no more with him Capitulate,
But one great plague after another send,
Until his pride with's life is at an end,
And Kingdom ruin'd, that the world may see,
There's none on Earth, hath equal pow'r with me.
The Murrain I will turn to pestilence.
That he and his may death receive from thence,
His stubborness admits of no suspence:
My first plague could his pride have conquered,
Second or third, but all by me forbid,
Struck gently, that his case might warning be
To all are haughty, stubborn, false as he,
Each Tyrant shall receive this Tyrants doom,
Either in this or in the world to come.
[Page 62]Tell him, he holds of me his Crown. His rise
Was to inform the faithful, and the wise
Of my great pow'r and mercy, that they may
Tremble at that, and for this ever pray.
Thinks he (fond man) that I can always see
(And not redress) my peoples misery?
No, he shall find about this time to morrow
The Heav'ns arm to magnify his sorrow,
Clouds dark and pregnant, fortifi'd with Thunder,
A stormy shower shall hurl down to his wonder,
Hail of such unknown bigness and such weight,
As him and his, with present Death will fright.
Bid him his Wise men call to assign the cause
Of such a rupture in great Nature's Laws.
Ask if they can at once raise such a show'r,
As may begin such day, and end such hour,
And in that time surround th' Egyptian Coasts,
Then bid defiance to the Lord of Hosts.
Go now proud Pharaoh, try thy utmost skill,
To save thy people from this threatned ill.
If thou wilt yet be wise thy Cattle gather
Out of the Fields, since thou art Egypt's Father,
Pity thy Children with their Herds and Flocks,
Afford them shelter from the frozen Rocks,
Else by this plague such Slaughters will be seen
Thro all thy Land as never yet hath been.
'Behold the natures of the obdurate!
'Tho all of them slight mercy, yet ill fate
'Makes some distinction, fear of punishment,
'Forceth a few into acknowledgment
'Of pow'r divine, and for their safety cry,
'Whilst others fear'd and mad, do still deny
[Page 63]'Obedience to their great superior,
'Hush 'twill be o'er, said they, tis but a shower.
Impending woe mov'd such as yet had sence,
To view the Fields in haste, and bring from thence
Shepherds and Herdsmen, saying, quickly fly
Home with your herds and flocks, or all must die.
Moses hath said it, and we do believe
That he from God, not Satan, did receive
His Rod, his fearful Rod hath such things done,
As show they were not wrought by him alone▪
However, we will for our safety try,
'Tis no great trouble, if we live or dye.
Others, who no regard had for his word,
Said, what! Egyptians believe the Lord,
Faint-hearted Fools, unworthy such a King,
Who laughs at all the Messages they bring
From their fam'd Gods, our herds shall stay and graze,
And so like men, we'll dare him to his face.
Unheard of boldness, said the Thunderer
Unto his Servant, now, my mercy's ear
Is shut for ever. Therefore lift thy hand
To Heaven, I must send down a starry band
Of Bow-men, with such Bullets as shall beat
Out of their hearts this irreligious heat.
Man, Beast and Herbs, thro all the Land shall feel
The weighty Stones, the keenness of my Steel.
Make no delay, to Heav'n thy Rod stretch forth,
That I may send from the East, West, South and North
Thunder, and Hail, and Fire, these all around
Shall fly aloft, and run upon the ground,
[Page 64]With so great fury, that the Waters face
Bright horrour shall adorn, and ev'ry place
Look like it self, transparent, as the Fire
And mixed Hail, as if they were entire
One body bright, yet terrible to see,
Two el'ments joyn'd that never did agree.
The Rod's lift up, then from the Clouds a voice
Rendeth the Sky with such a dreadful noise,
That Earth (tho heavy) cannot longer stand,
But reels and staggers, when it feels the hand
Omnipotent, who gave it its first base,
It gapes and opens so, that there's no place
For Pasture, Corn, for Cattle, Herbs and Trees,
All sink away unto their destinies.
Only in Goshen all-wise Providence
Against this storm maketh a stout defence.
He that the troubled Ocean commands,
Forbid the Hail to fall upon those Lands.
This unlook'd for, this great discrimination
Betwixt th' Egyptian, and the Hebrew Nation,
Made the King serious, who doth now begin
With forc'd expressions, to confess his sin
To Moses and to Aaron; saying thus,
Egypt is wicked, Heav'n is Righteous.
Good men! entreat your God once more for me
To cease the Thund [...]rings, let the Hail storm be
Abated, then what you desire I'll give,
It is enough if I and mine may live.
I'd better lose such Subjects than to hire
Them at so dear a rate; they shall retire.
To which the Prophet maketh this reply,
I must go hence, before I lift on high.
[Page 65]My heart and hands for thee, unto the Lord,
That th' Hail and Thunder may cease at my word,
And turn to their own elements, to show
That th' Heav'ns above are Gods, and th' Earth below.
But I am sure when this great plague is o're,
Thy thoughts will be the same as heretofore,
Faithless and froward, and thy sottish crew
Of slavish Subjects will their rage renew.
The damage done by this seventh plague's so great,
That with dry Eyes no man can it repeat.
The Flax now ripe, from whence the Staple trade
Of Egypt had its rise, and Linnen made,
By subtile corruscations withered,
The pond'rous Hail its bolls (knopt off) interr'd,
And bowing Barley, calling for the hand
Of nimble Sythe-man, buried in the Sand.
The Wheat and Rye that did not yet appear,
Were only sav'd from this great Massacre.
'The Judgment must be great, all must confess,
'When Eden's turn'd into a Wilderness.
This Pharaoh saw; but when thro Moses's pray'r,
The Sun dispers'd the Clouds, and made all fair:
When Thunder, Rain and Hail, were called in,
He waxed worse, and added sin to sin,
Whose ill example was so prevalent
With all his Subjects, that they likewise bent
Their minds on future mischief, and deny
Their punisher to please or gratify:
[Page 66]Who now resolv'd on Egypt's desolation,
And the deliv'ry of the Hebrew Nation,
Said Moses, Go unto the King, yet know
That I his heart have harden'd, he'll not bow,
To make my wisdom, pow [...]r and glory shine,
For ages after in the eyes of thine,
By thy instruction, and may oft repeat
With joy and gratitude, the wonders great
For their redemption wrought, and constant prove
To thee their Leader, me their great Jehove.
Away in haste unto the faithless King,
And say, the Hebrews God remembering
His Servants slavery, and thy peevishness,
Resolves thy ruin, this is the Express:
He wonders at thy refractory Spirit
Which will not humble, after thy just merit
Hath brought seven plagues; 'tis time his friends were gone,
The eighth is near, a great and grievous one,
A dreadful host sent by a scorching wind
From the South west, will eat that's left behind,
That will disrobe thy new-cloath'd Fields and Trees
Of all their Summer Glories, Liveries,
And such a Famine bring as heretofore
When Jacob's Sons to Egypt first came o'er,
And greater much, because the Hebrew Prince,
Joseph your Saviour is forgot long since,
Who (like a father) furnish'd you with Corn,
When faint thro hunger you did daily mourn
Before his Gate. His wise, his melting heart,
Found out new measures by a divine art,
That might your wants supply, and you relieve,
Not dreaming then that you his race would grieve,
[Page 67]With stripes, disgrace, with burthens, and with death,
Revenge implacable, and endless wrath.
These are your crimes, and this your punishment.
To morrow Locusts will from Heav'n be sent;
Locusts, so strange, so great, so numerous,
They'll cover all the Land, and fill each House,
The Land that promis'd you a small supply,
After the Hail and Rain shall putrifie,
The fruitful Trees shall shake their Leaves, and bare
Meadows shall look, as Winter had been there;
Whate'er proud Nile, and the attracting Sun
Hath forced from the Earth shall be undone;
Nor shall your Bodies from them be excus'd,
Such measures you shall have as you have us'd,
Your Tongues and Hands were sharpen'd, and your Swords
Destroy'd my people; your most pleasant words
Like Serpents, Vipers, and like Wasps did bite,
The fainting, feeble, famisht Israelite.
Their poyson'd stings shall pierce your trembling veins,
Opening their Sluces, as you did the Drains
Thro Nile's great banks, to vex my Servants hearts,
That when you feel the fury of their Darts,
You may bind up, not chaff the wound that smarts.
This when the angry Prophet had exprest,
Without farewel, he leaves him, and the rest
Unspoken—All his Counsellors dismaid,
Seeing Moses to their King no reverence paid
[Page 68]At his departure, but with high disdain,
Show'd by his looks, charg'd him once more on pain
Of Death in haste to let the people go,
Cry, 'tis of God, now we must own it so,
We must submit unto their God's decree,
And not of our own ruin authors be.
Tho we could flatter when all things went well,
We must give over now, and frankly tell▪
The King that he, not we, began this [...],
In which we're daily worsted, better far
It is to yield, than wait th' unknown event,
We see their Magazines cannot be spent.
They are not men we fight with, when the pow'rs
Of Heav'n and Earth are raised, what are ours?
A loathsome Louse, a Frog, a Flie can bring
Destruction on us, and on our King.
Come, lets not dally; here! the Monarch comes
Chaff [...]d with the late affront, he stares, he foams,
Who dares accost him in this furious mood?
His trembling shows the thirsteth after blood.
But we must t [...]y before it be too late
With him about this matter to debate.
Great Sir, our grief, not boldness, makes us offer
The Nations state, our troubles will not suffer
[...]onger connivance, speedy remedy
Must be consulted on 'twixt us and thee.
Earth, Water, Fire and Air do all agree,
(Against our Counsels) to set Israel free:
It must be done, necessity hath no Law,
Pray Sir be wise, and let the men withdraw.
My Lords, it is not strange that loss and fear,
Give you occasion to accost my ear
With such surprizing Language. But I wonder
That Jannes, Jambres, who so oft did Thunder
Another Dialect, should cringe and truckle
Against the rules of their own art, and buckle
To foreign fancies. Yet it grieves me most
That this grave Priest should too himself be lost,
Who Pharaoh wished the fondling brat to kill,
His Daughters joy, before he had done ill.
All made returns, the mighty Lords begin.
Great Sir, the loss is yours, we would not sin
Against a Prince so glorious, so great,
Against a fertile Land, and potent State,
Of all we must be guilty, if we do
Our eyes hoodwink, our senses, brains forego.
It is the glory of a Courtier
First to foresee, and then prevent the shower;
This is our Province, time lost to recover
Is full of hazard. Pray, Great Sir give over.
The Sorcerers in order next appear,
Blushing with shame, and stupifi'd with fear,
Dread Soveraign (say they) our mortal state
Admits of changes, while this grand debate
'Twixt Heav'n and you lay dormant, our Ally's
Taught us both God and Men how to despise.
You, you, great Sir, excepted, now they flie,
They dare not ape Heav'ns smallest prodigy,
Nor us encourage you to gratify.
The aged Father last of all comes forth,
With Mitred head, gray hairs of famed worth,
Who said, O King! your great experience
Of my fidelity, and vast expence,
Deserves of you a better recompence.
I told that King before the Child was born,
That he would be the cause of Egypt's scorn,
If then his Death by him had been decreed,
As I requested, Egypt had been freed
From all these plagues. For he himself presaged
In Childish sports, what he would do when aged.
Pharaoh his Infant Temples did adorn
With Egypt's Crown, which he pull'd off in scorn,
By which most just suspicion he gave,
That he would force the Sceptre, not receive
It from his hands. Then, it was my advice,
That death should pay him for the enterprize.
But now 't's too late, he's King, you his Viceroy,
Which (I forsee) you will not long enjoy,
He threatens, kills, commands, and which is more,
Destroys our Lands, their Fruits, and all our store,
There is but one way left us to preserve
Egyyt from ruin, that we may not starve,
To let them go, that they may serve the Lord,
Perhaps this Moses may perform his word.
He says Heav'n's merciful, and will repent,
Of his fierce anger, if ill men relent.
You have o'rcome me, said the raging King,
Go out in haste, Moses and Aaron bring.
A Monarch is no Monarch when alone,
(His Subjects ruin'd) let the men be gone,
[Page 71]To do as they have said, yet I must see
Th' extent of this great Goal-delivery.
Moses, Heav'n's fury acted by thy hand,
I am no longer able to withstand.
Tell me, but who must go? Let modesty
Bound your demands, and they shall granted be,
Who asks too much his own denyal craves,
I will not part at once with all my Slaves.
You are not ignorant, great Sir, I know
By this time, that my Message from below
Came not, just Heaven me often did command
The Tribes to carry out of Egypt's land,
And they must go Men, Children, Herds and Sheep,
None must be absent, when our Feasts we keep
Unto Jehovah—
Is this the justice of your fam'd Jehove?
Is this the kindness of your God of love
To his Vicegerents? said the angry King,
Must they submit to every idle thing
That he requires? Must every Slave have power
To spoil their goods, and honours to deflow'r?
No, this great point I will dispute and try,
Who must be here obeyed he or I,
Your little ones as pledges I will keep
Till you return, Go you with Herds and Sheep,
If this will not content you, look you to it,
I'll punish you with stripes and Death to boot,
The present losses I thro you sustain,
My honour shall repair, which I'll regain,
By conqu'ring him, in you his Subjects slain,
[Page 72]Go then I say, and let your Children stay.
What! Murmur? Serjeants drive the fools away.
The General omnipotent, who far
Or near, ne'er yet made one false step in War,
Laugh'd at the indiscretion of his foe,
And said to his Lieutenant, you must go
With new rais'd Troops to curb the insolence
Of this unwary, this bewitched Prince,
Let Eurus be the Trumpeter, whose breath
Shall animate the Army, threatning Death,
Death unto Men and Beasts, that they may see
I do demand this Goal-delivery.
He spoke no sooner than he was obey'd
The hand is stretched forth, and Rod display'd
O'er Egypt Land, then the East Wind doth call
The Catterpillers, Locusts, Insects all,
Out of their slimy dust, who buz and fly
About the ears of every stander by,
Seizing on all the Fruits they could destroy.
The Earth was cover'd with the numerous swarms,
No Tree, no Fruit, no Herb, escap't their harms,
Their Eyes, their Mouths, their Stings were merciless,
This made the Prince with tears, his grief express
Unto the Brethren, with heart-breaking voice,
I cannot longer hear this dreadful noise.
'O! that Heav'n had not brought me to the Throne,
'O! that I'd Hermit been, and liv'd alone
'In unfrequented Groves, in Woods and Caves,
'Careless of Crowns, Lands, Subjects, or of Slaves.
[Page 73]'If Heav'n had been my Canopy, my Bed
'The Flow'ry Earth, the Pillow for my Head
'A bundle of Vi'lets, Pinks or Cammomile,
'Rose-buds with Lillies, and sweat smelling Dill;
'My meat wild Fruits, with quintessence of Bees,
'My Drink sweet Liquors from the juicy Trees;
'My recreation hunting of the Hare,
'The vacant hours I could from Study spare,
'Or Fox or Deer, or what I liked best,
'I had not then by Heav'n been thus opprest:
'But so Jehove would have it, he did raise
'Me to this shame, for his immortal praise,
'That Kings may learn true wisdom, and their Subjects
'Dread ev'n in thought, such great, such fearful objects,
'As high ambition, Diabolick pride
'Will bring on all, like Pharaoh stupifi'd,
'My hainous crimes and grievous punishment
'Will fright the worst, and force them to repent,
'As I begin (O! may't not be too late)
'I grieve, I mourn, Alas!—my cursed fate
'Made me offend your God, his Sons and you,
'For which I pardon crave with tears and vow,
'My Life I see is threat'ned, yet spare
'This once, that I may see what's mercies are;
'Forgive, forgive, my friends, and you shall see
'That weeping Pharaoh will not falsify.
Moses, the God-like Moses, judg'd his heart
By his expressions, knew no wheedling art,
Whose Sympathy with tears made him depart,
[Page 74]And thus accost his maker, I have prov'd
The King, who begs this plague may be remov'd
At my request, my God, let it be so
Since he hath vowed that the men shall go
Without delay, yet be that as it will,
Omnipotence hath Armies that can kill,
As these have done such wonders, more, when shown,
The more men will thy Justice, Mercy own.
It shall be done, I'll call a Western Wind
Shall clear the Land, (tho you him falfe will find)
That all those living Clouds shall headlong bear
To the Arabick watry Sepulcher,
Whose purple waves will quickly overflow,
And send them to the fish that dwell below,
A Feast that heretofore they did not know:
I will not leave one Locust on his Coasts,
That he may know I am the Lord of Hosts.
This done, the Hypocrite forgets his woe,
His solemn vow, and will not let them go.
Moses, said God, the blindness of this man,
Hath still encreased since the War began
With us, since wonders will not ope his eyes,
The Sun, the Moon, the Air, shall him despise.
Stretch out thy Rod to Heav'n and damp the Fires,
Give light and heat to th' Earth, and mens desires
With pleasure gratify, and let no Star
Our En'mies guide, it is a time of War,
Make the Air thick and black, for three days space,
That none of them may see anothers face,
But fixed sit, not rising from his place,
[Page 75]Yet let my Servants have their wonted joy,
In Goshen light to see, that I employ
My wisdom, power, and justice, arm'd with might
On their behalf, that they're my hearts delight.
Day put's on mourning, the night birds appear
At noon, the Hemisphere wax'd black with fear,
Thinking that Phoebus would come no more there.
Cynthia (for shame) creepeth behind the Earth,
Castor and Pollux weeping, cease to breath
Their flaming Vapours, all the rest do wrap
Their drowsie heads in troubled Thetis's lap.
Thousands of terrours thro the darkness fled,
The Ghosts complain'd, the Spirits murmured,
Then Egypt (like the damn'd) did howl and cry,
For glo'worm-light, which Heaven doth them deny.
This made the King again for Moses call,
Say'ng you may go, your little ones and all,
Except your Flocks and Herds, they must remain
With me in safety till you come again.
'Ah! Moses, Moses, was not thou the boy;
'Drawn out of Nile to be the Princess joy
'In Flaggen boat? Did not that King pass by
'Thy Childish faults, and crimes of deeper dye.
'Of all his Armies thou wast General;
'Peer unto him and Daughter, dear to all,
'All was committed to thy prudent care,
'Then be not, be not executioner
'To their successor.—speak yet to thy friend,
Whose mercies (as you say) do never end,
Your Cattle leaving for my proper use,
The rest may go, I will no more refuse.
Sir, your fair promise would prevail with me,
If I was Master of my Liberty.
When I was banish'd first from Pharoah's Court,
I with my Flocks to Horeb did resort,
Horeb, much fam'd for Spirits habitation,
I chose for pasture and for meditation,
Where I continued, till one Summer-day
I sought a Sheep that from the rest did stray
Amongst the Thickets, one of which did show
Like Flames above, and yet unburn'd below,
A voice from thence came to my trembling ear,
Which (I am sure) said Moses, come not near,
The place where thou dost stand is holy ground,
This double wonder cast me in a swound,
From which reviv'd, appeared to my sight
A form divine, than Cherubin more bright,
With charming Language, such as Seraphs use
In courting Mortals, who by craft refuse
Heav'ns favours, and the best inheritance.
By this rouz'd up I made a small advance,
Whom he perceiving, readily did meet,
And (with a Godlike smile) thus did me greet.
Moses in Egypt born, thou know'st it well,
Its King, and all the Strangers in it dwell,
They're mine, tho poor, afflicted and distrest,
That King and people have them long opprest,
Thou must be first Ambassador, then Guide,
To bring them over to the other side
Of Jordan.—Great Sir; this was my Commission,
I must not alter it without permission.
Pray urge no more, this is a fond device
Without our Flocks, we cannot Sacrifice,
Nor offerings make. It is Jehovah's mind,
That we in Egypt leave no hoof behind,
[Page 77]This general command we must obey;
Yet know not when we come, what he will say
Unto us more. Devotion chiefly tends
To Heav'n's praise, with many other ends,
Unknown to thee.—
The more I do comply, the more I treat
In love and calmness, your new zeal and he at
Encreaseth, I must leave the whole debate,
Moses be gone, look to thy self, if I
Again behold thy face, thou'rt sure to die.
Thou hast well spoken, this is Prophecy,
For one act more compleats thy Tragedy;
A plague to which the rest shall seem but small,
Shall not upon thy Flocks and Cattle fall
Alone, as heretofore, but shall destroy
The oldest pledges of your loves and joy.
This for a time shall move thy stubborn heart,
To favour Isra'l, force them to depart,
And when resistance thou shalt after make,
What the Sword leaves, the foaming Sea shall take.
Know then, proud King, when all are fast asleep,
This night, when thee thy doubled Guards do keep,
Michael, fam'd for strength and warlike power,
By Heav'n's warrant, shall break ope each door
In thy unhallow'd Country, and shall kill
From Egypt's heir, that next the Throne should fill,
To hers that grindeth in the Bridewel Mill,
None of the first-born shall alive remain
Of Men, of Women, Beasts, all shall be slain,
[Page 78]Whose dying shrieks and groans shall pierce thy Soul,
And make their frighted Parents cry and howl,
Unheard of woes thy fearful heart shall seize,
While they in Goshen live in health and ease,
Each of their doors shall have a Centinel,
The grand destroyers hand that my repel.
The Crimson'd Posts and Lintels shall reveal
Heav'ns secret will to him that bears the Steel.
When thou dost see this great discrimination
Betwixt the Hebrew and Egyptian Nation,
Thy Menaces thou will repent, and send
The best of all thy subjects, who will bend
To me and say, be gone with all ye have,
To whom I'll answer; Now, no leave I crave,
But in despite of you, and of your King,
At Heav'n's command, we will make offering,
Do what thou canst, I'll see thy face no more,
The Death thou threat'nest is at thy own door,
Thy harden'd heart Heav'n's hand will quickly break,
When he on thee, and thine doth vengeance take.
'Ah! Pharaoh, what a dismal change is this?
'Must I deprived be of all my bliss?
'Upbraided, scorn'd, and slighted by a Slave,
'Who holds his life of me, yet doth behave
'As King o'er us, and all we have?
'My feeble Gods, whose Altars I have smoak't
'With best Perfumes, your Deities invok't,
'Why stand you gazing on my misery?
'Hath a poor Shepherd greater pow'r than ye?
'And you, infernal Spirits, whose great boasts,
'Perswaded me there was no Lord of Hosts,
[Page 79]'Have you no Philtre, no Enchanted Spell,
'Or is there no experiment in Hell,
'Against this Moses, and against his Rod,
'Alas! I fear you think there is a God;
'If so, I am undone, I'll not submit,
'Destruction is the worst can come of it.
By this time night, the dreadful night drew on,
For Egypt's first-born's execution.
An Angel thro the Air came flying down,
With speedy wing o'r Egypt's Memphis Town,
Who without sight or noise, view'd all the Tow'rs
Of Pharaoh's lofty house, and's Subjects Bow'rs;
Finds out the Victims, and on them doth try,
The keenness of his Sword, by which they die,
And dying, with their groans do pierce the Sky,
For each, his eldest Child saw gasping out
Its tender Soul, with blood which flew about,
From Wound, and Mouth, and Nostrils with great pain,
And heard their cries to Heav'n for help in vain,
This made a doleful sound o'er Egypt's plain.
'Rachel mourn'd not so long, so loud as they;
'When Benjamin to his en'mies was a prey,
'Nor when the Fox her Children all did slay;
'To theirs the mourning in Megiddo's vale,
'For good Josiah was no parallel.
Here ev'ry House sobb'd out the same complaint,
My eldest's dead! ne'er was such punishment:
The King himself awak'd with this alarm,
Cry'd out, O Heav'n! hath this destroyer's arm,
[Page 80]Bereav'd me of my Successor in State,
I see I must repent when 'tis too late,
Let none (like me) again with Heav'n debate.
Call in the Brothers quickly, (tho 'tis night)
They shall go hence before next morning light;
With Flocks and Herds, and all they can desire,
For which great favour I will nought require,
But faithful pray'rs to God for me and mine,
Who knows? He may repent, his ear incline
To pity me, and haste his own design?
This heard, his Subjects all do beg and pray
Moses to hasten Israel away.
Haste, haste, say they, if any thing you lack,
We're readier to give than you're to take,
Our lives are more to us than what we give,
When you are gone, we and our Babes may live.
This (like melodious Musick to thier ears)
Warm'd their chill'd blood, and banish'd all their fears,
They had full wages for four hundred years.
The signal given, our torn and helpless crew
(Like forward spring) their Liveries renew,
And furnish'd with new garments, and their Slaves,
Bid them farewel. Their Victuals drest to halves.
Yet their old foes enrag'd to see them go,
(Tho with consent) said, it must not be so.
Now we are miserable! what have we done?
The Slaves with all our Treasures hence are gone.
Good news to Pharaoh, who a Council calls,
Saying, my friends, we must find Generals,
Horses and Chariots, Men and Ammunition
In haste, you know th' intended expedition.
[Page 81]My eyes are open'd, I cannot behold
Those Slaves enriched with our Cloaths and Gold,
They took and wear, they [...]re Trophies of our Shame
And Cowardice, which very things to name
Are worse than death to him, whom Gods above
Nor men below, could ever yet remove
From his intended purposes till now,
Of which the reason yet I do not know,
Heav'n (sure) 's appeased since I've let them go.
Tho I perceive, they have no mind to leave
My borders while they've paid for what they have.
Their God repents him of the Violence
Offer'd to us before they went from hence;
This makes them go about, and not pursue
The beaten roads they heretofore well knew;
When they for Corn to Egypt came, and when
With Jacob's Corps they back return'd agen.
Their late rebellion proves to them a snare,
Since they a lazy unarm'd people are,
They cannot fight, their flight we need not fear.
Up, let us follow, and cut off their Rear.
Dread Sir, said they, your thoughts were always great,
Nor Gods, nor men, your courage could abate,
Pray be advis'd before this enterprize
You undertake, lest you prove after-wise.
In vain you sought to hinder them when here,
And we your subjects all about you were.
[Page 82]Our threats, our blows, and what we could invent,
Wrought for their good, and for our punishment,
Heav'n always doth protect the innocent.
Behold the ruins of your shatter'd state,
The murder'd Heirs of Egypt, small and great.
Think on the threatnings you did calmly bear,
Think on your darling off-spring, then declare
What hopes you have to catch them in a snare,
Their God's the same, their Leader constant, wise,
Therefore, great Sir, leave off this enterprize,
It will prove fatal, if our dream be true;
Last night, O King! we saw our selves with you
In warlike posture, following the men
We lately forc't to go from us, and then
We likewise saw Heav'n open'd, whence came down
An Host most terrible 'bout Succoth Town,
Of Giant stature, and of stern aspect,
Who seem'd their Swords to brandish, and direct
To our proud Throats, while we did stupid stand,
Not daring to resist, move tongue nor hand.
Away with dreams! haste, up and let us show
Our selves Heav'ns rivals, and his peoples too.
'Tis now or never that we must attack
The wand'ring Slaves; and kill or bring them back,
Their God himself (it seems) doth them forsake;
Their way was smooth and short, nor Seas, nor Rocks,
Could stop the passage of themselves or Flocks,
But missing that, they have no way to 'scape,
The Hills they cannot climb, nor o'er Seas leap,
[Page 83]That are before them, Wilderness and Rocks
On each side, we behind, whose deadly strokes
Will soon reduce them to their Slavery,
Since they can neither fight, nor from us fly.
This said, they mount their Chariots in haste,
The Horse and Infantry scarce take repast,
Who by their doubled marches soon o'ertake
The ftighted Jews, whose hearts began to ake,
Together run in heaps, like fearful Sheep
Attack'd by Dogs or Wolves, (when those should keep
Are either absent, or are fast asleep;
Who pat and stare, the harmless dialect
Of their just fear, as if that would effect
Their rescue—So the Tribes with direful tone
Cry unto God and Moses (whom they stone)
Would both of you had let us still alone
To serve in Egypt, then if we had dy'd
We might like men have there been bury'd,
Whereas we must be drowned now or slain,
We will beg pardon, and return again.
Moses, who all this time was griev'd to see
The peoples rudeness, infidelity,
Doth first expostulate, and then entreat
Them to forbear their blasphemy and heat,
And wait with patience a successful end
Of all their troubles. What if you be penn'd
Up in this Creek? What tho the Rocks and Waves
Conspire your death? What if these Hell-born Slaves
Resolve your future thraldom and your Death?
Shakeoff all fear, there's hope as long as breath.
[Page 84]'Twas Heav'n that brought you hither, and not I,
To show his pow'r in your delivery,
Which you should not distrust, but magnify,
Since he is faithful, who hath promised,
And by this work will show that you are freed
Beyond your expectation. Stand but still,
Whatever Pharaoh thinks, it is Gods will
That you escape this danger, and your foes,
The outmost feel of their (late) feared woes.
Stand still. Heaven bids me say, you have no cause
To grieve, they must submit unto his Laws,
While you look on, and with triumphant Tongues
Sing his due praise, who hath redress'd your wrongs.
All silent, and the Prophet gone to pray,
Heav'ns hears, commands, that Isra'l make his way
Unto the foamy shore, where they must stand
Fearless, and wait the ebb, when Moses's hand
Shall smite the Waves, and bid them bare the Sand,
To make a way pal'd on each side with glass,
On which the fainting Tribes might safely pass,
Beyond the reach of any Enemy
May them infest, or make discovery
Of their night-march, until it was too late,
With God or Moses friendship to create,
Who will behonour'd on all those that know
Him, or shall read of this great overthrow.
They move, th' Egyptians laugh and say aloud,
We thought the Hebrews God had understood
What was most proper for his peoples good;
But now we plainly see they're led by chance,
Which cannot work their wish'd deliverance,
They're safe enough.—Halt, let the Infantry
Refresh themselves, and sing the Victory,
To morrow will be soon enough to drive
The fools into the Sea; or keep alive
Such as will quarter crave, and say, they are
(At our disposal) Prisoners of war.
Their Arms grounded, the Horses Provender
Eat, Chariots serve for Tents in sudden War,
Where they betook themselves to free repose,
And did conclude, tho Heav'n was to dispose
Of both the Armies, who his Angel sent
To guards his friends when thro the Sea they went,
By spreading of a dark and dismal Cloud
O'er Egypt's Host, while lighted Torches stood,
By the transparent walls to fright the Flood,
And light his Servants to the other shore,
That they might see their enemies no more
Alive.—The sign giv'n, Heav'n rais'd the wind,
That made the Sea contract it self, and bind
Its furious waves, that they might not o'erflow
The Walls above, nor the new way below.
Isra'l trod safe, th' Egyptians pursue,
Nor knowing where they were till morning dew
Was by the Sun exhal'd, and they o [...]erthrew.
The Foot and Horse sink in the slimy Sands,
The Chariots cast their Wheels, the Riders hands
[Page 86]Were feeble, when they saw themselves surrounded
By th' impetuous Ocean that rebounded
With swelling, forc't by Thunder and by Rain,
While they sought to retire, but all in vain,
Heav'n fights for them; said they, why should we strive
Against the stream? Is Pharaoh yet alive?
He was the author of this Tragedy.
Oh! dye we must, we cannot longer flie
Vengeance Divine, which we have justly brought
Upon our selves, and this destruction wrought:
Winds have no ears, the Seas are merciless,
When Heav'n by Men or Angels sends th' express.
Farewel dear Egypt, farewel happiness.
'Let Tyrants tremble where my pen relates
'Th' Almighty's fury, and th' Egyptian fates.
'They fight, he wards, till that unhappy war
'Wax'd so intense that justice could not spare.
'Small parties foil'd, he call'd the Arieaban,
'Armies too fierce, too numerous for man,
'The Serpent leads the Van. Their waters fry
'Themselves in blood, and took its crimson dye,
'Blood, that their Streams with stench did putrify,
'The drowsy Insects all strong poyson speak,
'Frogs haunt the Palace as the watry creek.
'Lice there without an optick might be seen
'On the Kings Carpets, and the Peasants Skreen.
'The mystie Clouds forbad the healthful Sun,
'Sucking their poyson while the work was done.
'He likewise blusht to see the insolence
'Offer'd to wisdom and omnipotence.
[Page 87]'The Stars danc'd up into a higher sphere,
'To bath themselves in the Crystal waters there.
'Hell storm'd the lower orbs, and left its hue
'Black as Egyptian, and then withdrew.
'At last a Prince of great fidelity
'In Heav'ns guards, the first Majestick high,
'With vailed face, his humble honours made
'To his adored Soveraign thus said.
'Holy of Holies, 'tis your patience
'Procures you all this trouble and expence.
'Give me command, and this great debate
'Shall soon be ended with their first born's fate.
'Your pow'r, my hand, the Rebels seed shall kill,
'As they the infant blood of yours did spill.
'He goes with armed Pestilence and Sword,
'Two edged, sharp, for both were Heav'n's word,
'And smote the first of all their Beasts and Men,
'The sottish crew (too late) believed then.
'So Heav'n would have't, that by this overthrow
'Of theirs a false presumptuous world might know
'That first or last he would proud mortals bow.
'Who hastes his out with all things necessar'e
'For their intended journey and their fare.
'But ah! the wicked's mercies cruel are,
'For they like Bears robb'd of their Whelps when young,
'With furious haste after Heav'ns Free-men throng,
'Resolving to make one attempt for all,
'Return Victorious, or for ever fall.
[Page 88]'And so it was, for they no sooner charge
'The Rear of those he did intend t' inlarge,
'Than the great Angel of the Covenant came,
'(As after in the Flesh) and quencht their flame:
'He was the guide, who led them to the shore,
'A place made by his power fit to pass o'er,
'A Cloud gave light to them that went before.
'He view'd the Rear, and made the Cloud opac
'To 'maze th' Egyptians, and to keep them back,
'Commanding Moses to divide the stream,
'While they all night lay in a Golden dream.
'Pleas'd with the hopes of Conquest, while the Sun
'Show'd them the Nest, from whence the Birds were gone:
'The way they thought was pleasant, smooth and plain,
'Not knowing that that way would them enshrine,
'And so march boldly till a furious Wind
'Rais'd by Jehovah, did the Walls unbind,
'That rail'd the path to guide his people safe
'To th' other side. This did th' Egyptians chafe,
'For untam'd surges swell and fill the place,
'Where Israel dry-shod walkt, no empty space
'Was left. The Quick-sands rise, they sink below,
'The billows did their Chariots overthrow,
'Teaching them by experience Heav'n to know.
'Half dead, some backward and some forward strive,
'Tho Neptune vow'd none should go out alive.
[Page 89]'Prayers were their last shift, but they pray'd in vain,
'Men of deserv'd ills must not complain.
'Their King they blame for his ill conduct had,
'He blames himself for all his insults made
'Gainst God and Isra'l, the last words he said.
'His Standards fallen, and all his daring blades,
'Drunk with the Sea, he tumbled to the shades.