CHAPTER II.—THE EXODUS.
Imperial Tanis in the setting sun did gleam,
Reflected in the gliding Nile’s majestic stream,
Egypt’s famed metropolis. In glory shone
Her palaces, vast temples, minaret and dome.
Proud Pharaoh strode perplexed his palace home.
His stern, unbending iron will had harder grown,
And would not bow to heaven’s diviner will;
The scourge must fall again, and Egypt suffer still.
And calm had grown soft evening’s closing hour;
The fading light fell weird on wall and tower,
And cooler winds breathed tender, soft and light,
And deeper, denser grew the lonesome shades of night.
Strange stillness brooded o’er the unhallowed place,
A look of awesome fear filled every face.
Stealthily the Hebrews withdrew to watch and pray
In their habitations unto the dawn of day;
Listening intently through the boding night
For the destroying angel on his dreaded flight.
Stern warning had been given to Israel’s watching host,
And sprinkled with lamb’s blood was every entrance post.
Well knew they that their deliverance was at hand,
That they should turn their faces to the promised land.
Hark to that awful cry just at the dawn’s pale day!
Up, Israel! up! and with the Lord’s own help away!
Every first-born of Egypt that dreadful night was slain,
And lamentations rose from city, hill and plain.
On, Israel! on! seize this momentous hour;
Have faith, and thou shalt see thy God’s protecting power.
And out from Rameses they poured along the way,
Filled with thoughts of freedom through the anxious day.
Pharaoh was obdurate and with revenge embued,
And with his fiery hosts the Israelites pursued.
But God was with Israel, and set before their sight
A pillar of cloud by day, and one of fire by night—
A guide to lead them in their sore and troubled flight
By which they may escape Pharaoh and his might.
The sea is now before them, the enemy in rear,
Hemmed in on every side, their hearts are filled with fear.
But Moses is with them, they hearken to his word:
“Stand still,” he said, “and see the salvation of the Lord:
The Egyptians ye shall see no more forever.
Look up to God and pray mightily together.”
Then he stretched his mystic rod out o’er the sea,
And the waters were divided, and Israel was free.
And as they passed through safely to the other shore,
Joy beamed on every brow—they were slaves no more.
But the Egyptians pursued them with chariot and spear.
Beset by deadly danger, they grow pale with fear.
Ha! the waters are upon them—no hand can save;
They sink! they sink to death in one pent, dreadful grave!
Didst thou hear it, O Time, that swelling, joyful song
Of great deliverance from Israel’s grateful throng?
Art thou glad when ravening tyrants meet their fall,
And freedom’s cause is lifted up high over all?