JOSEPH'S BRETHEREN COME INTO EGYPT TO BUY CORN.
Now Joseph's Lord of Egypt, all things there
Are by the King committed to his care:
The plenteous years come on as Joseph told,
The earth produces more than barns can hold:
New store-houses were in each city made,
Where all the corn about it up was laid,
Till he had gotten such a numerous store,
That it was vain to count it any more.
But famine does to plenty next succeed,
And in all lands but Egypt there was need;
For they neglecting to lay up such store,
Had spent their Stock, and soon became so poor,
That in the land of Egypt there was bread,
By fame's loud trump, thro' every land was spread.
Old Jacob heard it, and to his sons thus said.
Why look you thus, as if you was afraid?
There's Corn in Egypt, therefore go and try,
That we may eat and live, not starve and die.
Joseph's ten bretheren straitway thither went,
Their corn in Canaan being almost spent.
This Joseph knew, for him they came before,
As being Lord of all the Egyptian store;
And as they came to him did each one bow,
But little thought he'd been the Dreamer now.
From whence came you? said Joseph as they stood,
My Lord say they from Canaan to buy food.
I don't believe it, said Joseph very high,
I rather think you came the land to spy,
That you abroad its nakedness may tell,
Come, come, I know your purpose very well;
Let not, say they, my Lord, his servants blame,
For only to buy food thy servants came.
Said Joseph sternly, Tell me not those lies,
For by the life of Pharaoh ye are spies.
We are twelve bretheren, sir, they then reply'd,
Sons of one man, of whom one long since dy'd:
And with our father we the youngest left,
So that he might not be of him bereft.
Hereby said Joseph 'twill be prov'd I trow,
Whether what I have said be true or now.
Your younger brother fetch, make no replies,
For if you don't, by Pharoah's life ye are spies.
On this they unto prison all were brought,
Where how they us'd their brother oft they thought.
When they in prison three days time had staid,
He sent for them and this proposal made,
They to their father should the corn convey,
And Simeon should with him a prisoner stay;
Until they brought their youngest brother there,
Which should to him their innocence declare.
This they agreed to, and were sent away,
Whilst Simeon did behind in prison stay.