JOSEPH PUT INTO A PIT BY HIS BRETHEREN.
When envy in the heart of man does reign,
To stifle its effects proves oft in vain.
Like fire conceal'd, which none at first did know,
It soon breaks out and breeds a world of woe:
Young Joseph this by sad experience knew,
And his brethren's envy made him find it true:
For they, as in the sequel we shall see,
Resolv'd upon poor Joseph's tragedy;
That they together at his dream might mock,
Which they almost effected, when their flock
In Sechem's fruitful field they fed, for there
Was Joseph sent to see how they did fare:
Joseph his father readily obeys,
And on the pleasing message goes his ways.
Far off they know, and Joseph's coming note,
For he had on his many colour'd coat;
Which did their causeless anger set on fire,
And they against Joseph presently conspire:
Lo yonder doth the dreamer come they cry,
Now lets agree and act this tragedy.
And when we've slain him in some digged pit
Let's throw his carcase, and then cover it,
And if our father ask for him, we'll say,
We fear he's kill'd by some wild beast of prey.
}This Reuben heard, who was to save him bent,
And therefore said, (their purpose to prevent,)
To shed his blood I'll ne'er give my consent;
But into some deep pit him let us throw,
And what we've done there's none will know.
This Reuben said his life for to defend,
Till he could home unto his father send.
To Reuben's proposition they agree,
And what came of it we shall quickly see.
Joseph by this time to his brethren got,
And now affliction was to be his lot;
They told him all his dreams would prove a lye,
For in a pit he now should starve and die.
}Joseph for his life did now entreat and pray,
But to his tears and prayers they answered Nay,
And from him first his coat they took away.
}Then into an empty pit they did him throw,
And there left Joseph almost drown'd in woe,
While they to eating and to drinking go.
See here the vile effects of causeless rage,
In what black crimes does it oftimes engage.
Nearest relations! setting bretheren on
To work their brother's dire destruction.
But now poor Joseph in the pit doth lie,
'Twill be his bretheren's turn to weep and cry.