JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT.
As Joseph in the Pit condemn'd to die,
So did his grandfather on the altar lie,
The wood was laid, a sacrificing knife,
Was lifted up to take poor Isaac's life.
But heaven that ne'er design'd the lad should die,
Stopt the bold hand, and shew'd a lamb just by,
Thus in like manner did the all-wise decree,
His brethrens plots should disappointed be:
}For while within the Pit poor Joseph lay,
And they set down to eat and drink and play,
And with rejoicing revel out the day:
}Some Ishmaelitish merchants strait drew near,
Who to the land of Egypt journeying were,
To sell some balm and myrrh, and spices there.
This had on Judah no impressions made,
And therefore to his bretheren thus he said,
Come Sirs, to kill young Joseph is not good,
What profit will it be to spill his blood?
How are we sure his death we shall conceal?
The birds of air this murder will reveal.
Come let's to Egypt sell him for a slave,
And we for him some money sure may have;
So from his blood our hands shall be clear,
And we for him have no cause for fear.
To this advice they presently agreed,
And Joseph from the Pit was drawn with speed:
For twenty pieces they their brother sell
To the Ishmaelites, and thought their bargain well.
And thus they to their brother bid adieu,
For he was quickly carried out of view.
Reuben this time was absent, and not told
That Joseph was took out of the pit and sold,
He therefore to the pit return'd, that he
Might sit his father's Joy at liberty.
}But when, alas! he found he was not there,
He was so overcome with black despair,
To rend his garments he could not forbear;
Then going to his bretheren thus said he,
Poor Joseph's out, and whither shall I flee?
But they, not so concern'd, still kill'd a goat,
And in its blood they dipt poor Joseph's coat,
And that they all suspicion might prevent,
It by a stranger to their father sent,
Saying, We've found, and brought this coat to know
Whether 'tis thy son Joseph's coat or no.
This brought sad floods of tears from Jacob's eyes,
Ah! 'tis my son's, my Joseph's coat he cries:
Ah! woe is me, thus wretched and forlorn,
For my poor Joseph is in pieces torn:
}His sons and daughters comfort him in vain,
He can't but mourn while he thinks Joseph slain,
And yet those sons won't fetch him back again.