To hear their father’s parting words, receive his parting sigh.
A noble band of brothers they, the princely twelve, who came
And bowed their stately heads before that worn and weary frame.
“Draw near, my sons,” the old man said, “while I reveal to ye,
The hidden things, of old ordained, in latter days to be.
“Reuben! beginning of my strength! my first born and my flower,
The excellency of dignity, the excellency of power!
But what are lofty gifts to thee, while thy impulsive heart
Will prompt alike the generous deed, or choose the baser part!
Unstable as the waves thou art, I read thy nature well,