I saw when from the river's brink the infant leader rose,
Who, reared in Egypt's royal court, still felt his brothers' woes.
I heard him at the burning bush his swift excuses bring:
"Who, who am I, that I should stand before the Egyptian king?
"And who am I that I should lead the people of thy choice?
My warning word they will not heed, nor hearken to my voice.
"And who am I that I should move a monarch to relent?
I, but a man, and slow of speech, nor wise, nor eloquent."
I marked the answer: "Plead no more thy vain excuse to me;
I am the Lord; my servant thou; my glory thou shalt see.
"I am the Lord; the power is mine; 'tis thine to hear and do;
The Lord almighty is to save, by many or by few."
The man of doubt exchanged his fears for faith in God and right,
While meek obedience on his brow sat like a crown of light.
The slow of speech grew eloquent, till Israel gladly heard;
And bolder waxed the Leader, till the king's hard heart was stirred,
And he in fierce displeasure drove the captives from his land;
Not knowing their deliverance was all divinely planned.
Down the long line of two-score years I looked and saw at last,
The blissful view from Pisgah's height; the Jordan safely passed;