Israel's TROUBLES AND TRIUMPH. OR, The History of their dangers in, and deliverance out of EGYPT. AS It is recorded by Moses in Exod. AND Turned into English Verse.  
By GEORGE LESLY, M. A. Minister of Olney. Bucks.  
Discite Justitiam Moniti  Virg. 
Harken to a Verser, who may chance  
Rhyme thee to good, and make a bait of pleasure.  Herbert 
LONDON, Printed for the Author, and sold by Nicholas Woolf, at his House in Star Court, Cheapside. 1699.   

THE PRINTER TO THE READER.  
THE Author makes no apology for what he hath here offered, being fully persuaded, that he hath injured no man; but in the room of that, or a prolix Preface, he desires me to inform you (if you be strangers in our Israel, and know not) that since the lowest of the people daily invade the Ministerial Office, he thinks that for harmless humour, and innocent diversion, an ancient Preacher may turn Religious Poet; because Rhimes (as he saith) were of old the common Theology, and why they may not be subservient to it yet he knoweth not. However, taking it for granted, he was resolved, with the Great Apostle, to become all things to all men, etc. If any true Son of the Muses seem to be dissatisfied, he saith to such (as Gideon did to the angry Ephramites) what have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the Grapes of Ephraim, better than the Vintage of Abiezer, etc.  
Farewell.   

ERRATA.  
PAge 5. line 19 r. them: p. 13. l. 13. r. Isacides: p. 18. l. 20. r. Sire: l. 30. r. your: p. 19 l. 24. r. your: p. 20. l. 23. r. armies: p. 21. l. 10. r. Sire: p. 26. l. 20. leave out A grant: p. 36. l. 7. r. hear: p. 38. l. 7. r. those: p. 39 l. 3. r. yet: p. 44. l. 1. r. Sun: p. 51. l. 10. r. Remote: p. 55. l. 12. r. were: p. 36. l. 31. r. deluding: p. 61. l. 3. add great: l. 6. deal their: p. 63. l. 17. r. God: p. 69. l. 8. r. ro: p. 72. l. 19 r. descry: p. 75. l. 25. r. dear: p. 78. l. 7. r. May: l. 26. add himself: p. 81. l. 7. r. never: p. 85. l. 28. r. not: p. 87. l. 11. add then.  
These, and what others are not taken notice of, the Reader is requested to do it as he reads.   

Israel's TROUBLES AND TRIUMPH.  

I Sing th' Almighty's Friend and Israel's guide,  
His birth and rescue from th' impetuous tide  
Of rapid Nile, I sing his Mother's care:  
His Royal Nurse; and how heavens mercies are.  
Like himself boundless; his own acts I sing,  
Whose growing greatness, grieved the grumbling King,  
And all his Subjects: who combined to have  
His guiltless blood; how he was forced to leave  
A Princely Court: where every thing looked brave;  
His wanderings, and his happy Residence  
At last, with Jethro, Midian Priest, and Prince,  
His Nuptials, Trade, and of the great content  
He had in hours on Mathematics spent,  
Astronomy was pleasant, but God's Law  
Delighted most: since by its light he saw  
His change of State, his enemies' pride and fall,  
He saw himself made heavens General,  
The flaming Bush and Voice confirmed all.   

This Province, Lord, a greater light requires  
Than can be kindled by Promethean fires.  
The way's unbeaten, slipp'ry, dark and strange,  
Conduct thy Servant, that he may not range  
Too high 'bove what is written, nor too low,  
It's truth, not fancy, I desire to show;  
Truth, to convince the world of Pharaoh's sins  
And punishments, with thee my Muse gins.   

Joseph, the great, the good, the just and wise,  
Removed from Memphis unto Paradise,  
And Pharaoh to that fair Elysian grove,  
To perfect and perpetuate their love:  
Left Israel blest with all the happiness  
Their King and Brother could by deeds express:  
Which they in peace profound for many years  
Possessed, ne'er harbouring jealousies nor fears,  
Admired, caressed, and loved by every one,  
From the rude Cottage, to the Royal Throne.   

But (ah!) where time is named, there's nothing sure,  
All have Convulsions, Cramps, or Calenture;  
Earth hath strong Palsies that do shake its frame;  
Man accidents, ten thousand without name,  
Sent from the Throne Celestial, or Abyss,  
To show how vain a thing is humane bliss.  
Their day's overcast, and stormy Clouds appear,  
When a strange heir sat in th' Imperial Chair:  
Whose haughty humour taught him to despise  
His Predecessors Laws, though Just and Wise.   

Our Gods themselves, count it a saucy thing,  
Said he, in Vassals to advise their King.  
A Monarchy that's absolute I'll have,  
I'll change the name of Subject into Slave.  
To reign one day is much more glorious  
Without control: than ages kerbed thus  
With endless Counsels. I will ●…e alone;  
By borrowed light the former Pharaohs shone;  
I must Eclipse that. Turning to his Court,  
You see, said he, the great, the oft resort  
Of all sorts daily to our Goshenites,  
This chills my blood, this checks my active spirits.  
Ah me, oppressed! My thoughts I can't relate,  
My apprehensions of our falling state  
Are black and dismal, my night dreams foretell  
Our overthrow by them that with us dwell.  
And here he stopped: tho more he would have said,  
Leaving the rest to tears, which craved their aid:  
Tears! that like torrents from his eyes distilled,  
All the beholders with amazement filled,  
Whose sympathising eyes and hearts condole,  
The torturing torments of his troubled soul,  
With pickled sighs; which o'er, they bow and say,  
Dread Sovereign, do you propose the way,  
Your sorrow's ours: if that be its true rise,  
The common Foe at once well sacrifice;  
Which is soon done, if we right measures take,  
That's venturing all for King and Country's sake.   

This brisk resolve revived the drooping King,  
So as the aged Winter's by the Spring;  
His centred blood resumed its circ'lar course,  
The briny streams are stopped at their source;  
All parts are changed, clarified his eyes,  
His tongue's untied, with which he magnifies  
Their Love and Courage. Daring souls, said he,  
This undertaking calls for secrecy,  
Since they we must attack most subtle be.  
If it takes air, they'll quickly trace the scent,  
Destroy our Persons and our Government.  
Once more invade; then we must bow the head  
(As heretofore) with prayers and tears for bread:  
Or if a Foreign Foe should us infest,  
They'd join with them, and prove worse than the rest.  
They know our Strength, they know our Houses well,  
They know our Closets, where we Money tell:  
Which they would rifle, and from us be gone,  
'Gainst this I know no Remedy but one,  
(They live in wealth and ease, as if their Land  
Was not by Grace, but by a conquering hand.  
This irritates their wild and wealthy Souls,  
To publish Israel wise, and us kind Fools.)  
I must an Edict frame, that may suppress  
Their pride and power, and all our wrongs redress;  
Which must run thus. Our Country's open'lye,  
To every one that hath a wishing eye,  
On us such may make Inroads when they please,  
Destroy our State, our Fruits, disturb our ease,  
And stop our Traffic both by Land and Seas.  
In every Town I'll raise a Citadel,  
That Foreign Force I may with Force repel,  
And keep these under, lest they should rebel.  
Then for Provisions, Store houses I'll build  
To these: for their own safety they will yield.  
Wi●h ravished ears th' Egyptians heard this thing,  
And said, what Nation e'er had such a King.  
He's wise as Phoebus, valiant, yet kind,  
This seeming favour will the Hebrews bind  
To own this new design, and to employ  
Themselves in it, though it themselves destroy,  
Make them our slaves, and us their wealth enjoy.   

‛ Loyalty shuts its eyes to every thing,  
‛ That may its King into suspicion bring,  
‛ And theirs is such, (for any thing we know)  
HE God above they own, but you below,  
‛ Confirm it, Sir—   

This black design is now so closely laid  
That no eye saw't, nor ear heard what they said,  
But Hell's and theirs, thus Israel was betrayed.   

‛ Rage, Malice, Fury, Blood, Revenge, till now,  
‛ ne'er seized the heart, nor sat upon the brow  
‛ Of any former Pharaoh, Meekness, Love,  
‛ Adorned their Temples, blessings from above.  
‛ Blest Souls such virtues made, their Kingdom great  
‛ Then loved by Friends, their Foes for peace to treat,  
‛ And of their plenty Foreigners did eat.   

Their Conference into a Law is past,  
And Proclamations issued out in haste  
Through all the Tribes, to let them understand  
That none must be Freeholders' in that Land.  
All must do suit and service, pay quitrent,  
Or else be forced into banishment.  
This our just Law, if any doth despise,  
Him we to our Revenge will sacrifice.  
There's no appeal, I'm absolute you know,  
I kill and save, my Subjects all must bow  
At my sole beck— Your answers quickly give,  
Obedience is the only way to live,  
If I condemn, there's none can you reprieve.   

With faltering tongues, faint hearts, the Tribes reply,  
(It is well known) we never did deny  
Our King's commands, we do not think it strange  
To see new Monarches make in Laws a change.  
We will obey, we know submission's due  
First to our Father's God, and then to you.  
What must we do— Some thousands you must take,  
Who for defence of us and you must make  
Brick for our buildings, and what else we lack.  
Our winged haste admits of no delay,  
The act (you know) commenced this very day,  
That some of them make Brick, some oversee  
The rest, and give a just account when we  
The same require—   

‛ When peremptory Acts come from the State  
‛ There is no time given to deliberate  
‛ On what is right, if not, none must debate.   

The Labourers are chosen by the best,  
Who with smooth words encourage all the rest:  
Fear nothing, Sirs, this sudden storm will o'er,  
And we enjoy our Freedom as before.  
This said, th' Egyptian Taskmasters appear,  
Whose furious frowns gave them just cause to fear  
'Twas otherwise. Come, Sparks, where are, your Tools?  
See! how they gaze, and stare, they think we're Fools.  
Take you this Spade, and you that Pickaxe take,  
Bind you that Leather Budget to your back.  
What else is wanting? Here, take up this Trowel:  
The day comes on. All whisper, this is cruel.  
Thus rigged, they travel to the Slimy Pits,  
Where some are dampt with fumes, some had strong fits,  
Some choked in mud, others with cold are killed,  
Most swoon with fear, the rest with Sorrow filled,  
Cry out, Alas! now, now we see (though late)  
Approaching ruin—  
Haste, haste away, you see it is in vain  
To fret and murmur, or of us complain,  
It is decreed, and we your Guides expect  
That you shall always act as we direct.  
If you incense your Monarch, or our wrath,  
Your punishment will be a lingering death.  
Compliance is the only way to please  
Both him and us—   

‛ He that can form th' Idea of a fair,  
HE glorious Princess in a Royal Chair,  
‛ Adorned with all the wonders of the East,  
‛ Whose common fare is not a common feast;  
‛ One, whose Attendants could exceed the train  
‛ Of Philip's Son, or that of Charlemaign,  
‛ Cast down from honour's top to dark disgrace,  
‛ Amongst the base sort of Human Race,  
‛ Wrapped up in Rags, black, wrinkled, and half dead,  
‛ May in her Face poor Israel's Fortune read,   

Such was their grief, and such their miseries were,  
Hard was their work, and harder much their fare:  
Yet had they still a numerous Offspring,  
Which gave new wounds to the fresh-bleeding King.  
Where shall I turn, said he? where shall I go?  
The more I seek their fall, the more they grow.  
Speak boldly, brave Egyptians, let your breath  
Condemn them, let your Swords give present death  
To all their Males: This will appease my wrath.  
If Infant blood can cure your heart's disease,  
Their Infants all shall bleed to give you ease:  
We are agreed, that Nile's deep watery Tomb,  
Shall swallow up their Children from the Womb,  
There every Male as soon as born shall lie;  
Which will in time destroy their progeny,  
Defeat their Counsels, Plots and Policies,  
Complete our Joys, complete their Miseries,  
For in the children's murders Parents die,  
They only live to sing their obsequy▪  
Bravely resolved! but who can do a thing  
So cruel? Heaven and Earth of us will ring,  
To our eternal shame if we miscarry,  
He that's most Loyal, aught to be most wary.  
Fear nothing, Sir, this project will succeed  
As you desire, our Midwives are agreed  
Jointly, as one to act as we command—   

They're merciful, and dare not lift a hand  
Against a Gasping Infant: but will save  
Not kill, nor drown them in that Liquid Grave.   

‛ Let Tyrant's thirst for blood, and measures take  
‛ Against heavens will, such measures he will break,  
‛ No Weapon formed against his Friends can prove  
‛ Deadly, for they are shielded with his love.  
This pious act soon sounds in Pharaoh's ears,  
Bringing new woes, new jealousies, new fears;  
To which he giveth vent by Sighs and Tears.  
Did I not foresee what the Queans would do,  
Tho they Commission had from me and you,  
(They who State secrets do commit to Women,  
Deserve to lose their honour, and turn Yeomen)  
'Tis manifest, you did with them combine  
To cross my lawful, cross my just design;  
Call in the Strumpets, they must show the cause  
Of their contempt of me and of my Laws;  
By suffering those little Foes to live.  
Whom I had doomed to death without reprieve.  
Call them I say— They trembling do appear,  
His Visage changed oft, as they drew near,  
Sure signs the women had just cause to fear.  
Then said, Unhappy and ungrateful fools,  
Yet more blame-worthy they, who used such tools,  
In things of so great weight and secrecy,  
You are made up of lies and flattery.  
Had you been wise and just in that affair  
That was entrusted to your (only) care,  
My woes had ended, and that cursed race  
Been razed or buried in the fertile place  
They now enjoy,— Speak.   

Great, Sir, if Oaths be sacred, we are true,  
Who ne'er meant good to them, nor ill to you.  
In this affair we not blame-worthy are,  
To drown their Infants was our greatest care.  
But Hebrew Women, stronger much than ours,  
Have painless labour, they say higher powers  
Assist them; and if so, their God is kind,  
'Twas both against our interest and mind.  
Our search of late can find no birth of theirs,  
Nor nothing like it, only them at prayers.  
Yet Pharaoh swore by Sacred Moon and Sun,  
That he would finish what he had begun;  
In spite of all (said he) their Blood I'll have,  
Although in Blood I wallow to my Grave.  
He frowned, Heaven smiled, and said, I'll interpose,  
I'll show my power, love, will, in saving those  
Whom I long since for my own Servants chose.  
I am resolved out of that hated race  
To raise up one shall dare him to his face;  
And this he knows, though I have made him blind  
To all the Scourges are for him designed;  
His close Cabals my Wisdom shall defeat,  
Whom I destroy I first infatuate.   

This spoke, 'twas done, for Amram did espouse  
A Wife of his own Tribe, of his own House,  
Who had by him before this Edict came  
A hopeful pair, Aaron and Miriam;  
Her third Conception which she did bring forth  
A Son of Beauty was, who promised worth,  
Whom she (afraid) hide in a secret place,  
And there him suckled for full three months' space  
At last, true Faith and Fear in her did strive,  
This bid her drown, and that keep him alive.  
Faith urged, that she a Levite's Daughter holy,  
Should not be guilty of so great a folly,  
So great a crime as to destroy her Son,  
But choose to die, saying heavens will be done.  
To which her timorous Tongue made this reply,  
The King's command is urgent, then if I  
Be apprehended in this Fact, all, all  
The Hebrew Nation for my fault will fall.  
No, I will trust the Babe with providence,  
When I have used means for his defence,  
Such are the care even of omnipotence.  
She said, and reached her hand unto the Flags,  
Of which a Boat-like Cradle lined with Rags  
She made, and corked with slimy Pitch all o'er,  
Lest it should sink, if driven from the shore,  
And placed him there as if he went to sleep,  
Committing both to Heaven and to the deep.   

‛ Hid Rocks, roughs Seas, fierce Pirates, Shelves and Sand,  
‛ The Merchants fear, and yet come safe to Land.   

Now Horrour-struck, in haste she Miriam calls,  
Come, come my dear, see'st thou not yonder walls.  
Haste, haste thee thither, if thou lov'st thy Mother,  
And see the last of my dear Boy, thy Brother.  
Stand at a distance, grieve not, shed no tear,  
Look pleasantly on all, than nothing fear.   

'Tis easier to give Counsel than to take,  
‛ The burden's light that's on another's back.   

She had not long been a Spectator there,  
When Pharaoh's Daughter, thro' the Almighty's care,  
Was brought 'bout Sunset to the calmed Creek,  
Where th' Infant lay, his life or death to seek,  
Who saw the Ark, and to her Ladies said,  
Draw up this toy, if any thing be laid  
In it I'll see; when opened, she espied  
A lovely Child, who hung the Lip and cried.  
O Girl! said she, this is a glorious thing,  
I read in's face the Fortunes of a King.  
Come, come, my dear, I'm ravished with thy charms,  
Come, come and grasp a Princess in thy arms!  
I have no Heir, Dear, thou shalt be my Son,  
Dear unto me, as if my Flesh and Bone.   

The Sister buoyed with this Springtide of joy,  
This unexpected rescue of the Boy,  
With much assurance to the Princess bows,  
saying, Great Madam, in that Neighbouring house  
There is a Woman who is neat and tall,  
Of fair complexion, the Graces all:  
Sat on her brow in purest red and white,  
Perhaps her beauty may the Prince delight,  
She loves your Grace, although an Israelite.  
Egyptian or Hebrew, said the Queen,  
I like the character, when I have seen.  
The person, her I for his Nurse will ●ake,  
And show her kindness for my Darlings sake.  
Call her. She came in haste; the Queen of Love  
Sent her half dressed and left the rest to J'ove:  
Who placed such Graces on her humble heart,  
As made her much more beautiful than Art  
Can ever boast; her mein, his words, her gate,  
Bespoke her Mistress of a better state,  
And now it's come, prosperity ne'er comes late.  
Whom when the Princess saw, she lift her eyes  
And hands aloft, blessing her Deities  
For this unlooked for kindness, than her hand  
She gripped, and said, I thought that Goshen-Land,  
Had not been blest with Beauties such as you.  
To which she (blushing) answered, my brow,  
Great Madam, once was fair, alas! but now,  
It's tanned with grief—   

Such Sunburned faces I am pleased to see,  
Replied the Princess, take this Boy from me;  
I did a Nurse for him intent before,  
Whom he despised, try you my Knave once more.  
Her Snowlike Breasts exposed, their veins display,  
By which, though young, he knows the milky way,  
Then smiling, capers, snatches, sighs and draws  
The Pipes that drain the Nectar from those Spaws:  
This Infant toil the Queen beholds with joy,  
And smiling said, your face hath caught the Boy;  
Keep him, fair Nurse, he's yours and mine, I'll pay.  
This heard to Heaven, she silently did say,  
Thou great Protector of th' Istiades,  
For this high favour I will ever bless  
Thy Sacred name, and daily pay the vow  
I made to thee, when my Estate was low.  
Then to the Princess she made this reply,  
Your Goddess-like Commands I will obey,  
My life, and all that's dear I'll sacrifice  
For you and yours, and for this Heaven given prize.   

‛ If Providence and beauty do unite,  
‛ They make th' Egyptian love the Isra'lite.  
‛ When winged Chemists made, and gave the charm  
‛ Nor Nile, nor Egypt could the Infant harm.  
‛ The Mothers fear by Heaven was made the key,  
THAT unlock the Providential mystery.   

Raptures of joy, though violent and strong,  
Admit allays, when mixed with the throng  
Of future events, and as quickly gone  
As was her bliss, when she receiv●…●er Son;  
Not from a Fish's womb, dead, and decayed,  
But from the hand half Egypt's Sceptre swayed,  
To whom he must return when he is weaned,  
(Such Princely Nurs'ries cannot be detained)  
Not to make Bricks, but for a Diadem,  
'Twas to that end the Princess gave the name,  
By heavens appointment, Moses, as if she  
From Abraham had drawn her Pedigree:  
A fatal blow to Pharaoh's Tyranny.   

Weaned, and returned, his lively looks and sport  
Are now the common subject of the Court:  
None like young Moses, none hath equal share  
With him in Pharaoh's love, in's Daughters care.  
Mars and Apollo his chief Tutors are,  
To teach him Wisdom, and the art of War;  
Wisdom to rule, and Conduct to defend  
His Subjects well, from ill his helpless friend.   

Now he's thought fit to sit above the best  
Of Egypt's Peers, and yet is not at rest.  
The reason of his name when called to mind,  
He knew it Hebrew, this his Soul inclined  
To do some great thing for his Country's ease,  
Yet loath his 'doptive Mother to displease:  
He sees, and hears their Miseries and cries,  
Without concern, Court Gaudy Butterflies  
Dazzled his youthful Eyes, the silken Nets  
Of honour wreathe him so, that he forgets  
Himself, his name, and for some time confined  
His heart and hands from that he had designed;  
But all those charms were loathsome when he spied  
A wounded Hebrew, (of which wound he died)  
Bathed in Blood. What? Slave, said he, (none by)  
Must these men work, and yet your Victims lie:  
Thy life shall pay for his; this fatal Dart  
Thrown by my hand, shall pierce thy env'ous heart,  
And shall expel thy Soul, that all may see  
The just reward of this thy cruelty.   

Returned to Court, his grief next night did break  
His wont rest, he must rise and go back  
To see his friends, and to suppress their foes.  
Thus did commence his hardships and his woes.   

Night-Tapers were not yet extinguished,  
Nor Titan started from his watery bed,  
When he in haste unto the Kilns repairs,  
With pensive mind, and head perplexed with cares,  
About his brethren's usage, Bondage snares.  
He comes and sees, a sad amazing sight,  
Two Jews in hot dispute and fiercer fight,  
With whom he mildly did expostulate  
About the rise of their unkind debate.  
saying, is it not enough that enemies beat,  
Kill, and abuse you? this unnatural heat  
Will work your ruin. He that gave the cause  
Said, you begin too soon to frame new Laws.  
What? must a beardless stripling be our Judge,  
Who is more fit with us to be a drudge,  
If that suffice to expiate his crime,  
Committed yesterday about this time.   

‛ When Heaven designs for men, things great and good,  
‛ They are despised, because not understood.  
‛ Moses is sent to free them from their woes,  
‛ Yet they're the first proclaim themselves his foes;  
‛ That scorn his Counsel: threatening to declare  
‛ How Pharaoh's Servants by him treated are.   

This like a rapid Cataract o'erflowed  
His Soul with fear: which his sad countenance showed  
Who sighing (from a bleeding heart) thus said,  
The thing is known, alas! I am betrayed,  
Pharaoh will hear't: who me already hates  
I will not fall into his hands, the fates  
Shall guide my wand'ring steps; none knows what he  
(Who only knows events will do with me.  
His Providence may find a safer place  
With Foreigners (perhaps) of milder Race:  
Whose pity will preserve me from disgrace.  
Egypt Farewell— He is no sooner gone  
But his escape unto the King is flown,  
And cause assigned: which they thus aggravate,  
This is the fruit of pity; our poor State  
Will quickly dwindle to an empty name,  
Unless you find out means to quench this flame,  
It is unsufferable! Our great Monarch's blood  
Will be as cheap if they be not withstood,  
And we their slaves. The King enraged said,  
Hark! foolish Girl, your Son so magnified,  
Is turned already Traitor to my Crown,  
Slights your Relation, Favours doth disown,  
My Subjects he hath killed for their care  
No man can tell what his pretensions are,  
But I'll prevent him, lest he go too far.  
His death (when found) shall let the Hebrews see  
That dreams are vain, their visions fallacy,  
And that their famed God may sometimes lie.   

Strict search is made for him about the Court,  
City and Suburbs where he did resort,  
But all in vain; his Angel-Providence  
Before next light, conveyed him far from thence,  
And made him strange, invisible to all  
Who sought his blood, who sought his Nations fall.  
The Desert now's his Inn, the Rocks his Bed,  
He must no more with delicates be fed;  
But travel hard, and eat such natural fare,  
As by kind Sol and Earth produced are:  
Lemons and Chase-nuts, Melons, Mangoes, Rice,  
Oranges, Almonds, Nutmegs and their Spice.  
His Drink the Milk of Coco's mixed with Wine,  
That thro' Earth's bosom secretly doth twine.   

HE generous Breast is equally content  
‛ With Plenty, Poverty or Banishment.   

He sings of his adventures by the Well,  
Near unto which the Midian Priest did dwell.  
He sings his Birth, his Cradle, Rapid Nile,  
He sings his rescue with a pleasant smile,  
The Princess fondness, and her Father's care,  
He sings the cause why all these blasted were;  
And then the quiet of a Hermit-life  
Free from the cares at Court, and Country strife,  
The joys accrueing by a virtuous wife.   

This Jethroes Daughter heard, whose daily care  
Was that their Herds and Flocks well watered were.  
Tho to their grief, they often were constrained  
To wait the rising of the Well, when drained  
By surly Swains, who with their Cattle came,  
Because that water had the praise of fame.  
Betwixt frown and smile (this noble Soul disdained  
To see the daily wrongs the Maids sustained)  
He said, dull Souls, is this your carriage  
To these fair Nymphs? Doth neither Sex nor Age,  
Nor beauty charm you? Will you ne'er be brave,  
And show that Shepherds scorn both Clown and Knave?  
Cold Mists and Dews their florid beauties break,  
When Frost and Hail your Faces fairer make;  
For shame forbear, if you be Great Pan's race,  
Fill up the Troughs, and give these Maiden's place.  
Sir we are yours: since they with you find grace,   

The Shepherdess's soon dispatched are,  
Who hastening home, the first that did appear  
Was the old Priest, whose fears dispersed were.  
What! come so early? are the Flocks all well?  
You look as if you hadsome News to tell.  
Yes Reverend Sir, a noble Personage,  
Of aspect fair, courteous above his Age,  
By's Habit (nothing else) Egyptian,  
Drew all our water after we began,  
And curbed our Rivals for their insolence.  
Where is the Hero stood in your defence?   

‛ He's great and good, the Gods themselves you know,  
‛ Have Human Shapes and Actions when below.   

Haste to the Well, he may ●…em thence remove,  
And say, our Parents must requite his love.  
Armed with Command, they ran in winged haste  
To their deliverer, and him thus addressed.  
Fair stranger, we such favours thought was due  
From every Swain, much more from such as you:  
Who for the matchless Glories of your face,  
Your sprightly looks, your grave and graceful pace,  
My justly claim precedence of your race.  
We homebred, bashful wenches went away,  
Without thanks given, not knowing what to say.  
But coming timely home, we did relate  
To our old Father Raguel, our fate,  
How you our quarrel boldly did debate;  
Watered our Flocks, and bid us all adieu.  
Who said, I blush to hear such things from you,  
Ingratitude makes all things black you know.  
Go, say I'm restless till I see his face,  
T' excuse your rudeness, know his name and race.   

‛ The Rosy morn such Beauties ne'er displayed,  
‛ Such blushes and such smiles, as did the Maid  
‛ And Stranger, who reciprocally dart  
‛ Equal desires, as if they'd had on heart.   

Bold with the charm, he took and kissed her hand,  
saying Fair Nymph since 've received command  
To offer me this honour, I will go,  
As they desire, my name and race I'll show,  
That, and much more I to you beauty owe.   

‛ The sighs, the smiles, and the endearing strains,  
‛ Past 'twixt our Lovers, as they crossed the plains,  
‛ Are thoughts too high for any but such Souls,  
‛ As Venus' softens with Circean Bowls.   

He comes, salutes, and soon acquaintance had  
With Raguel, Jethro and Zipporah, who said  
Blushing, Dear Sir, I love this stranger well,  
Persuade him (if you can) with us to dwell.  
Heaven rules the Stars, the Stars our Actions guide,  
All which portend that I shall be his Bride;  
And if my judgement fail not, you will see  
Him prop and glory of our Family,  
He hath in's Face such Beams of Majesty.  
Your pardon, Sir, with your consent I crave  
To be his wife, for he a wife will have.  
How knowst thou that, fond Girl? Sir, at the Well  
I heard him sing (unseen) and he sung well.  
Most of the Subject mystical but this,  
He ended with the praise of Marriage bliss.  
Be not too forward, he may change his mind,  
And after all, prove peevish or unkind;  
'Tis rare a constant Courtier to find.   

Some time is spent in viewing of the place,  
The Herds, the Flocks, the Buildings and the Grass;  
The manner of their Living, and their Laws,  
Sacred and Civil, their sweet Springs and Spaws.  
The stranger showed his great content in all,  
And wished himself the woolly General  
Of Jethroes bleating arms, and that he  
Might be a Servant in that Family.   

‛ Had you seen Venus in her Robes Divine,  
‛ Or Helen in Corinthian bravery shine;  
‛ Young Paris' love, but now the sport of fame,  
‛ The Greeks disturber, and the Trojans shame:  
‛ Or Rachel fair, when in her natural dress,  
‛ Whom at the Well the Patriarch did caress,  
‛ Then at our Zipporah's Beauty you might guests.   

When she appeared in splendour like love's Queen,  
All on a flame, and yet would not be seen  
To be her Martyr. Jethro must make way,  
Who to our Gallant (smiling) thus did say.  
Sir, doth our Country please? Can any thing  
Within my reach to you contentment bring?  
Speak freely, all is yours, my joy, my life,  
My eldest Daughter you may have to wife.  
Dear Zipp. what sayest thou to this choice of mine.  
My dearest, Sir, said she, this great design  
May be above my Merits; yet since yours,  
I do submit. O! may the higher Powers  
Direct us all.—   

‛ When brave Leander boldly ventured,  
‛ O'er Hell espont by fatal Torches led;  
‛ When mighty Jove came down in Golden Showers,  
‛ Nor Hero ●s charms, nor Danae's, had more Powers  
‛ Than Zipp'ra's eyes, and Jethroes well-tuned breath.  
‛ The stranger (blushing) said, I'm yours to death.   

Joint promise given, and rites all consummate,  
Our Lovers, now, are in a fearless state,  
Bashful and coy no more, their Bed is one,  
Till pregnant Zipporah had a hopeful Son.  
Whom Moses Gershom named, himself to mind  
Of th' entertainment he on earth should find.  
A stranger there, he was; though loved and known,  
Tho Jethroes House and Flocks were as his own.  
Where he abode until the time was come  
That Pharaoh from the fates must have his doom.  
Tho Kings be Gods, they cannot scape the Tomb.  
Whose unlamented fall the Hebrews cheered,  
Who said, by our new King we may be heard;  
But all their hopes and wishes proved vain,  
Their Tasks are doubled, and the labourers slain.  
This made them sigh, this made them pray and cry  
To Heaven, that he no longer would deny  
His promised aid, who called his word to mind,  
And said, I must to Israel be kind;  
For Abra'm, Isaac, and for Jacob's sake,  
Their Fetters I'll knock off, their Chains I'll break.  
Now, I think fit to ease, and set them free  
From their heart-breaking sorrows, slavery.   

' 'Twas I that suffered Joseph to be sold,  
‛ Imprisoned and released; 'twas I enroled  
‛ His name with Egypt's Worthies, it was I  
‛ That gave the wisdom, him did dignify;  
‛ I moved Pharaoh to send for the Father,  
‛ I taught the Son all Egypt's Corn to gather  
‛ Before the Famine; I gave Israel grace  
‛ With Egyt's King, and chose for him a place:  
‛ Goshen (the fair) where he in wealth did flourish,  
' 'Twas I his numerous Family did nourish  
‛ (When dead); 'twas I his Bones to Canaan sent,  
HE pledge of's Child's future settlement.  
‛ It is for reasons to me only known,  
‛ They have not yet enjoyed it, though their own.  
‛ But now they shall the best of Lands inherit,  
‛ Because I love them, not because they Merit.   

The fodder spent, and Midian Pastures bare,  
Religious Moses doubleth his care  
To find out Grass; at last his Flocks he brings  
Unto the back of Horeb, where the Springs  
Are limpid, salutiferous, and where  
The Pastures good, and Sky is always clear,  
And gladsome Spirits have famed dwellings there.  
Here, he with patience waits th' accomplishment  
Of heavens promise, and what else Heaven meant.   

The Angel-God, to hasten his design  
Appeared as man, but clothed with Light Divine:  
A bush surrounding with Celest'al fire,  
This sight mad● Moses discomposed, retire.  
The flame was hot and fierce, yet frighted more,  
Because the Shrubs stood verdant as before.  
With pensive thoughts moved, he looked backed to see  
The end of this (yet unknown) mystery,  
Taking it for a sign of victory  
O'er some Great Prince—   

Heaven sees, and calls him twice,  
Moses, Moses be curious, take advice;  
Look to thy Feet, and make no rash advance,  
This place is holy, sign of importance.  
I'm not deceitful, nor fictitious Jove,  
Tho in this bush, I am the God of Love.  
He in whom Abra'm trusted, Isaac feared,  
And for whose honour Jacob Altars reared.  
That seen, this heard, the trembling Shepherd bows,  
Just sentiments of both in's face he shows,  
With veiled Eyes, not daring more to see,  
Suc● w●ful beams of splendid majesty  
As had the Author of this prodigy.   

Whilst he in this dejected posture lay,  
(His senses locked) not knowing what to say,  
A sweet, refreshing, soft, melodious voice,  
Revives his Spirits, and bids him rejoice,  
saying, the promised time is fully come  
Of Israel's freedom, and th' Egyptian's doom.  
It was not my forgetfulness that did  
Protract their Bondage, my eyes were not hid,  
Nor bowels hard, my Providence required  
That they should first with Egypt's fare be tired,  
And worship too—  
I must now for my ancient promise sake,  
For which Truth, Justice, Goodness, are at stake,  
Use such sure methods as shall bring them back.  
All their opposers shall before them fall,  
That brutish Nation shall no more enthral  
The Offspring of my Friends, I've heard their cry,  
And am come down their wrongs to rectify;  
Their Sorrows to remove, their State to change,  
From making Bricks, to cultivate a Grange  
That's large and fruitful, whose Inhabitants  
(Their cup now full) shall be exposed to wants.  
My People's plaints I cannot longer bear,  
Without redress, revenge on them that tear  
Their Hearts with Tongues and Hands, it is my will,  
Go thou to Pharaoh, and bid him fulfil,  
The Lords commands and send his Friends away,  
Doubt not th' event, I Egypt's Sceptre sway.   

To this the bashful Shepherd answer made,  
Great God, thou knowst the meanness of my Trade,  
And rural dress, make me unfit to speak  
With Pharaoh of a business so great,  
For 'tis to spoil a Tyrant of his prey,  
Who threat'neth death to all that disobey  
His absolute commands, I know long since  
No good can be expected from that Prince.   

Courage my Friend, look great, the work is mine,  
Let Pharaoh frown, and Hell with him combine;  
Thou by my power, shall finish this design,  
And when my people thou dost from him take,  
See, on this Mountain thou an Altar make,  
For their deliverance, and mine honour's sake.   

Lord, said the Shepherd, this great prodigy  
Confirms my feeble faith, which yields to thee;  
Yet when I unto them this Message carry,  
They'll scoff and say, this mad man makes us merry,  
Who sent thee hither? tell us what's his name?  
Or own thyself a Fool, and blush for shame.  
What answer must I give to this demand,  
Let me obtain this favour at thy hand,  
If I must go?— My being is immense,  
I am, I was, I will be, get thee hence;  
By this I to their Fathers was well known,  
And they the same (if theirs) will likewise own,  
But if they scruple at this Mystic name,  
Say, you from me, the God of Abra'm came,  
Who long since, unto him a promise gave,  
(His providence served by Israel's being slave  
In Egypt) he would them in Canaan place,  
This is my name to all the Jewish race.  
Thou must be chief in this great enterprise,  
Haste unto Egypt, call the grave and wise  
Amongst the Tribes, and thy commission show,  
By its contents the author they will know;  
No circumstance of that thou must withhold  
Hath been transacted here by me, be bold;  
Relate the place, the Person, words and sign,  
By which they'll know it is no mock design,  
Tell them, that now I with a melting eye,  
Behold their sorrows, burdens, misery,  
And by a powerful hand will bring them forth  
From Egypt's bondage, publishing their worth  
To Canaanites and Hittites, who shall give  
The Houses unto them in which they live.  
The Amorites and Perizites shall say,  
The Land's not ours, arise, we must away;  
The Hivites and the Jebusites shall haste  
Out of their place; saying, 'tis th' Almighti's waste,  
Which he on his own Friends will now bestow,  
Where most, and best, of Fruits shall ever grow,  
And Milk and Honey like the Waters flow.  
When they hear this all quickly will agree  
To act as they directed are by thee,  
Then lose no time, but haste unto that King,  
And say, you tidings from Jehovah bring:  
Who charges all the Tribes on pain of Death,  
By Sacrifices, to appease his wrath;  
Entreat that he may grant a grant a gracious ear  
Unto his Servants, who their God do fear:  
Three days no more, you beg for this affair,  
Which ended, they shall back to him repair.  
The Wilderness is near, the fittest place  
To sue for Pardon, Pity, and for Grace,  
Renew their vows, and see his blessed Face.  
Tho I am sure the refractory King  
Will give no leave, nor credit to the thing.  
He will not let them go, your prayers their tears,  
Will have repulse from his vindictive ears,  
Yet be not daunted, his vain boasts shall tend  
To Egypt's utter ruin in the end,  
The wonders I will work shall soon incline  
His towering Spirit to favour my design,  
And make his Subjects give their helping hand,  
(With all they have) to send you from the Land.  
With all their Gold, and Jewels they will part,  
Silver and , all which with willing heart  
They'll give your Children, that they may departed:  
So you shall be requited for your toil,  
In Egypts' furnace, with Egyptian spoil.   

‛ Heaven sits at Helm in weather foul and fair,  
‛ The Living Cargoes his peculiar care,  
‛ The Sails may split, and Masts come by the board,  
‛ The Ship may leak, and Pumps no help afford,  
‛ The Master, Mates, and Sailors may complain,  
‛ Of Ship and lofty Winds; but all in vain;  
‛ The Waves must swell and bulge the Ship, or stave  
‛ The cutting keel, if Mighty Jove give leave.  
‛ But Prayers and Tears that Heaven do always please,  
‛ Make the Storm cease, and smooth the foaming Seas,  
‛ Bringing all safe to Land, with joy and ease.   

Great Lord, said Moses, I well knew the men,  
To my great grief, forty years since, for then  
By secret instinct (sure it was from thee)  
I made a step to their delivery,  
Which early act they for injustice took,  
And make me leave a Sceptre for this hook,  
This ancient odium still alive, I fear  
Will harden their proud hearts, and stop their ear,  
Their Unbelief that's heightened by their grief,  
Hath from them banished all thoughts of relief,  
So that my words (I'm sure) they'll not believe,  
Unless some sign from thee I to them give,  
Their Souls are dead, 'tis thou must make them live.   

If I give signs, thinkest thou that signs will do?  
Go, show them signs from me, and wonders too,  
What's in thine hand? My Lord a Shepherd's Crook,  
Throwed on the Ground, and on it sharply look,  
What is it now? A Dragon, horrid, great,  
All men such creatures mortally do hate.  
Fear not, lay hold upon its twisting tail,  
Tho it look fierce its sting shall not prevail,  
But to the former form it shall return.  
The Bush of late which flamed did not burn.  
Now put thy hand into thy bosom, where  
It may be free from hurt, infectious air,  
Haste take it out. Ah! Lord I am undone,  
This Leprosy will cleave unto the bone.  
What! Faithless still? put in thy hand again,  
Behold, it's well and free from scurf or stain,  
Distrust no more.— If they'll not credit give  
To the first sign, the second they'll believe,  
If neither doth their faithless hearts affect,  
So as to hear thee, I will then direct  
Another way, by which thou may'st persuade  
That you from me this grand commission had,  
Out of famed Nile fair water thou shalt take,  
Which poured upon the ground, my power shall make,  
Great cakes of clotted blood, shall terrify  
The King and them, than all shall yield to thee,   

‛ Let Earth with Earth, Mortal with Mortal strive,  
‛ Like Wasps and Bees, when fight for the Hive,  
‛ Let men contend with men, and let them dare  
‛ Each other as they list, yet take great care,  
‛ They fight not him, whose creatures they are;  
‛ His powerful Justice can soon animate  
HE Rod that's dry into a Serpent great,  
‛ Make Water Blood, and what else he thinks fit,  
 overthrow their policies and wit.   

This is not all, Dear God, my stammering tongue  
(For want of Elquence may do much wrong,  
Unto this cause thou orderst me to plead,  
(Not with with the Vulgar, but) with those that lead  
The rest, with whom nothing will relish well,  
But what with art, and florid words doth swell.   

A weak excuse, since thou well knowst that I  
Have made man's mouth, his heart, his ear, his eye,  
If dumb men speak, deaf hear, or blind men see,  
No cause for these can be assigned but me:  
Up then, and with undaunted courage go,  
I will be always with thy mouth; if so,  
Thy Tongue shall like a ready Writers Pen,  
Such reasons give all shall convince all men.  
This burden, Lord's to heavy for my back,  
And thou hast many stronger, some one take  
This service to perform; let me still keep,  
The tender Flocks of Jethro, Kids and Sheep,  
As heretofore.—   

Look on this bush, ungrateful, fearful man,  
Leprosy, Serpent, Blood, than (if you can)  
Deny obedience to his just commands,  
Who promiseth to guide thy mouth and hands.  
It is thy Wisdom, not thy Lisping Tongue,  
I choose for this transaction; one is sprung  
From the same stock with thee, who shall declare,  
With art Divine, what my intentions are,  
And how I think to order this affair.  
He's on the road, and big with expectation,  
Since I informed him, how the Hebrew nation  
Should by my power, his word, thy hand, be freed,  
And bloody measures broke, that were decreed,  
By Egypt for their ruin.—   

Give this in charge, when he doth first appear,  
That when to Goshen he doth back repair,  
He may, nor art, nor words, nor labour spare,  
Both of you shall be strengthened from above,  
To show that I afflicted Israel Love,  
And shall have joint commission, he thy mouth  
Shall be, and thou to him as God of truth:  
This Rod's the instrument that you must use  
This Vengeance working Rod, on those refuse  
T' ' obey my will, that mighty Monarch shall  
By this dry Wand despised be, and fall,  
I say be gone—   

‛ Heaven could not be, nor in that Heaven a Jove,  
‛ If Earth could scan the secrets of his Love;  
‛ How he contrives, deliberates, decrees,  
‛ The fates of private Men and Monarchies;  
‛ His wisdom is a Sea, that hath no bottom,  
‛ His providence a depth that none can fathom;  
‛ His Wills a Law none ought to disobey,  
‛ In Heaven and Earth, he doth the Sceptre sway;  
 Friends he is kind, to enemies austere,  
‛ Yet Justice holds the balance here and there.  
‛ He wants not agents to effect his will,  
‛ That Fishermen or Shepherds can fulfil;  
‛ If men were wanting, Water, Earth, dry Rods,  
‛ Can force the stubborn to obey the Gods.   

This new post doth not Moses elevate  
Above the thoughts of his (late) low estate,  
Tho he be chose heavens Envoy, he doth go  
First unto Midian that his friends may know,  
Their Shepherd must on Embassy be sent  
To Eyypt, whence he came in Banishment,  
His Kindred's burden to condole and try,  
(Once more) his Fate for their delivery.   

The news when Jethro heard, he sighing said,  
My dearest Son I wish my feeble aid  
Can any way assist you in this task,  
It should be given before you could it ask,  
My Prayers and Tears shall be that God direct  
And grant the success you from him expect.   

‛ The enemies of God and of his Laws,  
‛ Submit for secret, not for open cause;  
‛ Jethro is willing with his Son to part,  
‛ The staff of's Life, the joy of's Daughters heart,  
‛ Tho for that loss he afterward may smart.   

Night had no sooner shut the Shepherd's eye,  
Than he a splendid Vision did espy,  
Of form divine; who thus itself expressed,  
Sleep on, my Friend, sleep on, and take thy rest;  
Then up, and haste to Egypt, for its strife  
'Gainst thee is ended with that Monarch's life.  
‛ When Angels guard, and give the opiate,  
‛ Men rest secure, nothing can hurt or hate.   

Before next light gilded that Hemisphere  
The Shepherd waked, said Zipporah, my Dear,  
I've for thy love, and for our livelihoods  
In Deserts lived, in Mountains, and in Woods  
These forty years, where my integrity  
Was known to all, my greatest love to thee:  
Now, Heaven resolved to alter my condition,  
Sends me to Egypt: Dear, let no suspicion  
Of fraud or hatred harbour in thy breast,  
My God commands, and his commands are best.  
I'm wholly yours, said she, heavens will be done,  
Tho Nature bids me grieve when left alone;  
You know that Man and Wife are flesh and bone.  
Life of my Soul, nothing can us two part,  
Thou knowst I ever had a tender heart  
Since first I saw, and helped thee at the Well.  
True, true, my Dear, I am content to dwell  
Where you think fit. What must we take from hence?  
Only the Boys, the rest to Providence  
I will commit, except this holy Wand,  
Which I must always carry in my hand,  
And wonders work with it in that cursed land.   

‛ None but the Lover knows the grief to part  
‛ With that is loved, since both have but one heart.   

Heaven calls again, and bids him when he sees  
The faithless King, make fair discoveries  
Of his Intentions, and the fearful end  
He for his stubbornness will on him send.  
I know he'll raging say, thinkest that I will  
Dismiss my Slaves, thy humour to fulfil?  
No, they have sworn to be mine for ever,  
In this opinion I will persevere.   

To this reply, when they came first, 'tis true,  
They said their Lives and Fortunes were your due,  
Ingratitude they scorned whilst you was kind,  
Fresh obligations them anew did bind,  
And they're the same, though you have changed your mind,  
But now their God commands, who hath a right  
O'er them, and you, whose wisdom, valour, might,  
None can oppose, when he's resolved to fight.  
He saith, that Israel was his firstborn Son,  
And must (though now your Slave) in haste be gone,  
If thou persist in disobedience,  
Thy first born killed, he'll force his people hence.   

‛ Good Kings are heavens beloved, mankind's joy,  
‛ Whilst they their time and counsels do employ  
 rule with justice, clemency and love,  
‛ In imitation of their King above,  
‛ Whilst they resolve their conduct to confine  
‛ Within the limits of the Law Divine,  
‛ Which give them ease, and firmly fix their Crown,  
‛ Procure men's favour, bring new blessings down  
‛ Upon their heads and hearts, but when their will  
‛ Is restless as the Sea, that ne'er lies still,  
‛ But beats th' adjacent Rocks, and ploughs the Sands,  
‛ threatening a Deluge o'er the fertile Lands,  
'Smiting the great, and blasting those below,  
‛ With subtle Lightning slighting friend and foe,  
‛ Such Jehu's, cursed, are their own overthrow.   

Away he goes, not fearing ill success,  
Since potent Heaven espoused his business,  
And travels hard till mid-day's scorching Sun  
Be at on his head, which forced him to sit down  
Under a shady Beech, where angry J'ove  
Appeared again, not as before in love,  
His aspect threatened death, which had ensued,  
If Zipp'rah had not softened the cloud,  
Who run in haste unto her younger Son,  
And cut his foreskin with a flinty Stone,  
Then took the same, and threwed at Moses feet,  
With unbecoming words she did him greet.  
Is your just God with human blood atoned,  
Must Kings for his displeasure be dethroned?  
Must Women to their darlings Tigers prove,  
T' oblige a cruel God? Is this his Love?  
Hard hearted man, hard hearted as thy God,  
I cannot, will not longer bear this load,  
That you call Superstition pleaseth me,  
I will return, yet let me hear from thee.   

‛ Mixed matches often prove unfortunate  
 private men, and always to the State.  
‛ Love, multitudes of Nuptial faults can cover,  
‛ But when Religion's one, all are passed over,  
‛ One God●s enough; more make all disagree,  
‛ Religious Brawls put out Religion's eye.   

Aaron, who many years had grieved to see  
His brethren's bondage, burdens, misery,  
Received command from Heaven to walk abroad,  
To meet his Brother Moses on the road,  
Returning home, and bids him listen well  
To all such matters as he should reveal.  
This news like Balsam, his chilled heart did warm,  
His Spirits revive, and all his Senses charm,  
He cared not what, or whom he left behind,  
O'erjoyed, he should his exiled Brother find  
Alive. He hastes unto the Mount of God  
To meet him (for he there some time abode.)   

The Salutations past, and tears distilled,  
Expressions of the joy, their hearts that filled,  
Moses to his, gives vent by this discourse,  
Is Jochebed alive, my Mother, Nurse?  
Are Amram, Mirian, and the rest all well?  
Yes, dearest Brother; as when you did dwell  
In Pharaoh's Court, this one exception made,  
Our burdens are increased, though Pharaoh's dead.  
This I well know, the rest I'm joyed to hear,  
Said Moses, but I've wonders to declare,  
Isr'el must be released from Egypt's woe,  
I have command from Heaven to tell you so.  
See! here's my sealed Commission in my hand  
And Weapon too, that Memphis must command,  
With thy assistance, I will work such signs,  
As shall that King destroy and his designs.  
This is the business, thou art eloquent,  
Show thine the cause why I am hither sent.  
Up, let us go, we must the Elders call,  
Publish our freedom and our enemies fall.   

 Caleb once God gave another Spirit,  
‛ Elisha did Elijah's gift inherit.  
‛ David did wisely play, Saul prophesy,  
‛ When they command received from God on high.  
‛ So banished Moses after forty years,  
‛ Returns with power to ease his brethren's fears,  
‛ Their groans, their sighs, and their heart-breaking tears,  
‛ And Aaron who did work or oversee,  
‛ Is Trumpet made for their delivery.   

Who thus began— My dearest brethren here,  
(If Liberty you love, or your God fear)  
What Heaven by Moses hath bid me reveal  
The wonders must be done, that he may heal  
All your diseases. If you signs must have,  
Time shall bring forth as many as you crave.  
This said, the Tribes rejoicing, answered all,  
We do believe our rise, and Egypt's fall,  
And since our sad affliction Heaven hath ' spied,  
Our Song shall be, let Heaven be magnified.   

‛ When Tempests rise, and Clouds pour down their Rain,  
‛ The faint and feebled Footmen cry amain,  
‛ Help kindest Heaven, and send us Halcyon days,  
‛ There is no walking in such dirty ways.  
‛ He hears, the storm's allayed, and clouds appear  
‛ Serene, a blessing to the traveller,  
‛ Such were these tidings to each Jewish ear.   

The Council up, and all the Elders gone,  
They leave the Brothers to consult alone,  
Whose next conclusion's to inform the King  
Of what for him, they from Jehovah bring,  
Great Sir, said they, the King of Kings commands  
You his Viceroy to slacken Israel's bands,  
That they a just, a pious people, may  
Rest from their tasks, to sacrifice and pray:  
We will no tumult make, when we remove  
Into the Desert, let us beg your love.   

‛ The sacrifices of a broken heart,  
‛ The prayers and vows men unto Heaven impart,  
‛ Need neither pompous shows, nor glozing art,  
‛ He hears in secret in the Wilderness,  
‛ In Mountains Christ himself made his address,  
‛ Who never prayed without his wished success.   

Impudence! Treason! cried the Heathen King,  
Fairy's, not Men, from their black Pluto bring  
Such freakish fancies. Who's your Lord, that I  
At such a disadvantage should obey,  
To set my Slaves, my drudging Vassals free;  
I know him not, and there's no such decree  
In my Archieves; Vile vagabonds be gone,  
You speak as if you would attempt my Throne,  
I will not let them go—  
They add, the Hebrews God us hither sent,  
The God of Order and of Government,  
By whom King's Reign, 'tis his prerogative  
At pleasure to recall what he doth give,  
Who now requires, that you forthwith release  
His friends from slavery to their wont ease,  
With leave to go unto the Wilderness.  
Dismiss the men we pray, for three days space,  
We are destroyed if you deny this grace.  
To which th' incensed King made this reply,  
Moses and Aaron why do ye defy  
Great Pharaoh's Edicts, you are more than mad,  
To cheat these people, and destroy my trade,  
Give over, and let them work, it is my will,  
They must and shall their former tasks fulfil.  
Think you that I such numbers can maintain  
In idleness and sloth, you must abstain,  
Else your grave plot will quickly prove a shame,  
And they repent that you unto them came:  
Call the Task masters of these Slaves▪ I'll know  
The reason why my work goes on so slow.  
Unnatural Rogues, did I not strictly charge  
That you their wont burdens should enlarge,  
It's your connivance, that is worthy blame,  
It makes them think the Embassy that came  
Was by divine appointment, but I'll see  
What God they shall adore, if't be not me.  
Double their Tasks, ye Dogs, let no supply  
Be given for their assistance, Straw nor Hay,  
Yet still demand full tale as heretofore,  
When they had their materials from my store.  
Go, tell the Zealots that (of late) they're Idle.  
Go, lash their backs, I'll make them by't the Bridle,  
Must I be rivalled by I know not who?  
Or by two Knaves cajoled to let them go.  
No, they shall know I rule—   

‛ Court Parasites as soon as they receive  
HE royal Nod, they'll swear that Caesar gave  
‛ Them power by Inuendo to confound  
‛ Babel with Bethel, vile with holy ground,  
‛ Their Will's their Law, prerogative pretence,  
 act a 'gainst Religion, Reason, Sense.   

Thus armed, these Officers away do fly,  
From Pharaoh's presence, piercing the wide Sky,  
And israel's Hearts with their blood-thirsting cry.  
Religious Fops, Pharaoh will give no Straw,  
Since you deny obedience to his Law,  
And ye from you full tasks of Bricks will draw,  
Or we must beat you dead, there's no reprieve,  
Unless your nameless God doth you relieve.  
It's Harvest now, haste you unto the Fields,  
The new reaped grounds this year much stubble yields,  
That gather, and fulfil your work as when  
The Straw was given. Expect it not again.  
They tried, but all in vain, to do the thing,  
Which on their heads another storm did bring  
From th' enraged Taskmasters who say,  
Why have you not made up your tale this day,  
Nor yesterday, as you have done before,  
Think on your Bricks, and play the fool no more.  
If you are moved with our harsh discourse,  
To Pharaoh you may have your next recourse,  
Perhaps your treatment may be worse than ours.  
Like drowning men who grasp at every reed,  
This feigned affection their faint hopes doth feed.  
They ran and said, Dread Sovereign we know  
That we ourselves are yours, and labours own  
Unto this State. We trust therefore that ye  
For pity's sake will alter the decree,  
Published against us by your royal will,  
That without Straw, our tasks we should fulfil.  
If this be in our power, Great Sir, be judge,  
(Tho use and hardship have taught us to drudge)  
We're beaten without fault, they are the cause  
Who counsel first, and then desire that Laws  
May be enacted, on pretence of good  
To Egypt, but we know it's for our blood,  
For which they long have thirsted, and expect  
By your command that murder to effect,  
Prevent them Sir. No, no, you idle be  
I cannot, will not alter my Decree,  
Your new devotion made you overquick,  
Go hence and work, I'll show you trick for trick,   

‛ As long besieged Castles when they see  
HE bloody Flag hung out, when Soldiers be  
‛ Decoyed to Ambuscade, when Seamen fling  
‛ Their Masts o'er board, Bale, Goods and every thing:  
‛ Or when the nighted traveler falls in pit,  
‛ And men condemned in darkest Dungeons sit,  
Overwhelmed with endless grief, such was the state  
Of Pharoah's bondmen, when the knew their fate,  
‛ One 'swounds, one cries, one tears his hairs and breast,  
‛ Another rageth, desperate the rest.   

What shall we do, said they? See! Moses comes,  
Let's meet him, and relate our fearful dooms  
Now past on us, upbraid him, he's the cause  
Of our destruction, by these bloody Laws.  
Ah! cruel man, ran thy Commission thus,  
Thou saidst Heaven bid thee publish unto us?  
We'd better much never have seen thy face,  
Than suffer thus, by work, stripes and disgrace.  
If just such methods are, let Heaven be judge,  
Before thou cam'st we wrought, we did not drudge;  
But thy ungrateful message to the King  
Hath made us loathsome unto every thing  
That is in Egypt; thy bold, bitter words  
Sharpen their hearts against us, as their Swords,  
This they, with fury in their looks express,  
Would thou hadst stayed yet in the Wilderness,  
We at our burdens then, we might have had  
Th' Egyptian's love; with Straw for our Brick trade,  
Both now are lost, and we ourselves in danger  
To be destroyed in our Monarch's anger.   

Moses distrusting what might be th' event  
Of this harsh menace, highly discontent,  
Looked pale and trembled, grief so seized his heart,  
That neither Aaron's love nor Aaron's art,  
Can cure those wounds (though green) they did so smart,  
This made him have recourse unto the Lord,  
And peremptor'ly say, who can thy word  
Believe hereafter; since our first attempt  
Is shamefully repulsed with scorn, contempt,  
This was my fear, when thou to me didst say,  
Go unto Egypt, bring my Sons away,  
Thy promises to us increase our pain,  
Why didst thou send me? I'll return again  
To Midian; since I see thy providence  
Promotes our sorrows, not deliverance,  
The Tribes despair of (ever) going hence.   

‛ Thomas Providence be beautiful and bright,  
‛ And brings things that most hidden are to light.  
‛ It often works by means that contrary are  
To Human Reason (for it Reason far  
‛ Exceedeth) yet it hath the wished end,  
‛ Good to the good man, and the good man's friend.  
' 'Twas providence that made young Joseph dream,  
‛ His Parents and his brethren were the theme,  
‛ By which his future fortunes were displayed,  
‛ Tho he knew neither what he dreamt or said,  
‛ Yet for that dream was envied, sold, betrayed,  
Falsely accused, condemned to prison fast;  
Strange steps! to make him Egypt's Lord at last.   

What! Faithless Moses? fearful, dost thou fret?  
Why stumblest in the Porch? the time's not yet  
Fulfilled for the work, wait, thou shalt see  
What I will do 'gainst Pharaoh, what, for thee.  
I'll call my thundering Legions from above,  
To force your passage, that you may remove,  
In spite of your opposers, Egypt's King  
Shall willingly to you assistance bring.  
It is to me a wonder that you should  
Dispute my promises since Abraum could  
Without such, firmly rest upon my power,  
For all he had from's his birth to's his dying hour  
El-shaddaj to him was sufficient,  
And to his children whitherso'er they went;  
They scarce the name Jehovah e'er did spell,  
But of Adonia talked, and liked that well.  
When I to them of Canaan promise made,  
They trusted in my power and always said,  
What! though we strangers be? Our God can give  
This and much more: although we may not live  
To see it done, it is enough that ours  
Shall of that Land be the inheritors.  
The time is come, my patience is abused,  
My Servants by proud Pharaoh so ill used,  
That their sad groans, which I seemed to despise,  
Have moved my justice, now I must arise  
To vindicate my truth, revenge the spite  
Acted on every suffering Israelite.  
Hope still in me, my promise I'll not break,  
I will redeem you for my promise's sake.  
Go to the Tribes, and say, I am the Lord,  
I cannot falsify, recall my word.  
I'll bring them forth from under Egypt's yoke,  
And gently lead them; they're my tender flock,  
To Canaanitish pastures where they may  
In safety sleep, wake, sacrifice and pray,  
Without disturbance, Pharaoh nor his land,  
Shall take them out of the Almighty's hand,  
My formidable actions when they see  
Their might and rage shall truckle under me.  
Then I with mine my Covenant will renew,  
My Love is great although they be but few.  
I will go with them to the wilderness,  
Where with my presence I'll begin their bliss,  
If they obstruct not their own happiness.  
They Canaan shall possess, it shall be theirs,  
By firm entail for them and for their Heirs.  
I will make good whatever I have said,  
Because that God, who the first promise made,  
Which you will own, when I th' Egyptian King,  
With all his Subjects to destruction bring.  
Then be no more shamefaced, of fearful heart,  
Go, all these tidings to the Jews impart  
I know they're vexed, and will not believe  
That I th' Almighty can give a Reprieve  
From their hard bondage. Go unto the King,  
Who (peevishly) will ask what news ye bring?  
To which, with boldness you shall answer make,  
Thy Slaves are Freemen now, they must go back  
From whence they came—   

‛ Who would not be Religious, and fears  
‛ The wonder-worker; whose great mercies are  
‛ Fixed as the Winter's Moon, and Summer Son  
‛ (Lasting when both are scorched up and done)  
‛ His promises, his favour, and his grace,  
‛ Were ever such to the Isacides.   

Moses revolving his late reprimand  
Received from Pharaoh, (with a palsied hand  
And trembling tongue) said, Lord, it is in vain  
To offer this unto the Tribes again:  
Since Aaron's words, nor my great signs they have  
Regarded hitherto, why should I crave  
That of a wrathful King which they'll deny?  
Since I can neither of them gratify.  
— Are these your thoughts? you better things might know,  
— Your fear makes you thus scrupulously slow,  
— How dares man stay, when Heavens bids him go.  
Distrust no more, your God doth undertake  
This wondrous task, and for that end will make  
Thy powerful signs bring down great Pharaoh ●s heart,  
When Aaron, as thy mouth, shall act his part.  
Exceed not thy commission, say no more  
To him, than I to thee have said before.  
This bid him freely unto Pharaoh say,  
heavens chosen Servants must not longer stay  
In his Dominions; their increased woe  
Is at an end, they must to Canaan go.  
I know his rage, his fury he'll deny  
Thy God, or thee in this to gratify,  
From's hardened heart my spirit I'll remove,  
His Conscience him shall no more warnings give  
Of my displeasure, nor his future state;  
The Devil shall him deceive till it's too late,  
I'll blind his judgement so, that he shall be  
The chiefest actor in's own tragedy.   

‛ Like Fish unwary plunged into the Net,  
‛ The more they strike, the faster in they get,  
‛ So he (while all my wonders I have spent.  
‛ Not dreaming that his own destruction's meant)  
Shall boldly with enchanting Witchcrafts dare,  
‛ The signs by thee and Aaron acted are.   

I know he'll strive my Outguards to defeat,  
Not knowing that I have more wonders yet  
At my command; whole Armies that can die  
His waters Crimson; darken his bright Sky.  
My word shall bring poor vermin from their Cells  
Will him despise, and all his Magi's spells.  
The winged. Troops I've ready at my beck,  
His ruin, Israel's rescue to effect.  
That tawny King and all his swarthy crew,  
Shall that with vengeance learn, they never knew.  
I will the Winds let lose, and Seas adjure  
With him to make the fatal overture,  
For bringing Israel out by my great power.  
I know when you before him (next) appear  
Your persons he will scorn, yet say draw near,  
You, who pretend a message from above,  
Must it confirm by Miracles; or prove  
Yourselves Impostors, Rebels to my Crown.  
Most willingly, say you, and then throw down  
This pregnant Rod; which turning to a Snake,  
Shall twist, unfold and crawl, and strive to take  
The Royal Sceptre out of Pharaoh's hand,  
At which he (much affrighted) mute will stand,  
Nodding and sighing, for his Sophi-band.  
They come. He said, what think my Priests of this?  
Can you such Serpent's turn, and make them hiss;   

Alas! great Sir, said they, this fellow's art  
Was learned from us, before he did departed  
Thy Predecessors Court, and now he brings  
Owls into Athens, we know better things.  
Look on our Rods, Great Sir, which we command  
By all our Deities, to turn from our hand  
(As that of his) to many Serpents great  
And when all's done, both his and ours are cheat.  
Legerdemain can make false things appear  
To th' ignorant, as if they real were.  
But here is more, said he, his swalloweth yours,  
This) if a trick) I'm sure's beyond your powers.   

Well, Moses this is fine, but yet I must  
See more and greater things, before I trust  
That you commission have from any God  
To rob me of my Subjects; Aaron's Rod  
And all your charms for this will prove in vain,  
Once more be gone, and from these slights abstain,  
This will not ease, but more increase your pain.  
Then turned and frowned, and said disdainfully,  
I'm King of Egypt, I your God defy!  
I scorn to think of a superior,  
Who can make Gods. I'll hear of him no more   

‛ This herd, in haste the flaming Seraphs came  
 pay their homage, Cherubs did the same,  
‛ saying Holy, Holy, Holy Lord and true!  
‛ How long have we blest Spirits honoured you,  
‛ Both night and day, not daring once to pry  
‛ Into the secrets of such Majesty?  
‛ Yet in our tarvels at your beck, we hear  
‛ Proud Mortals talk as they your Rivals were.  
‛ Your patience 've experienced in ourselves,  
‛ Whom you confirmed in grace: but that such elves  
‛ As they should sharers of this goodness be  
‛ Is unto us next to a prodigy;  
‛ Since nobler beings for one single fault,  
‛ When they attempt your honour to assault,  
‛ Received a present Mittimus to go  
‛ From bliss eternal, to eternal woe.   

‛ Have you so long domestics been to me  
‛ And count one single Act a prodigy,  
‛ Look back on former ages, there you'll find  
‛ Greater, and more done by me of that kind,  
‛ My mercy great, and cannot be confined.  
‛ When all the Sons of men like Pharaoh spoke  
‛ Reproachfully of me, and did provoke  
‛ My Justice, than I took a fixed time  
 vindicate myself, correct that crime,  
‛ And so I will do now.—   

Take speedy wing  
To Moses saying, you a message bring  
From me. It's best to see him in the night,  
That he may be prepared when it is light,  
To wait on vexed Pharaoh at the River,  
Whose heart is hard and faithless yet as ever,  
And in that state resolves to persevere.  
Tell him from me, that when the Monarch views  
Himself, and Aaron, coming with fresh news,  
That sight will so exasperate his wrath,  
He'll threaten both of them with present death,  
Command him not to fear, but take his Rod,  
And say once more to him, the Hebrews God  
Scorns his repulses in the business  
Of Isra'l's going to the Wilderness  
At his command.— Shall vile Earthworms deny  
Their maker, and refuse to gratify  
His just demands? his power will make thee know  
That thou allegiance unto him dost owe  
With full obedience. Pray, Great Sir, believe  
For God commands that I a sign shall give.  
These limpid streams that he made for thy good  
By this small Rod shall turned be to blood,  
Blood, that to thee may fearful, loathsome be,  
And all it's sinned inhab'tants stupify,  
Thy Rivers shall with blood and fish so stink,  
That thine (though fainting) may not of it drink.   

This said, the winged Herald took his flight,  
Leaving his Friend in bed curtained with night,  
Whose sleep was broke by th' awful Messenger,  
Who left his errand and did disappear;  
The message Moses must to Pharaoh bear.  
Confused slumbers did again invade  
The Prophet's temples, no sound sleep he had,  
Till lofty Titan, Earth's Ethereal eye,  
Nights sables tinged with a Rosy dye,  
Which showed him that the King was passed by.  
He dressed and blushed, his thoughts were on the River,  
Th' Almighty speaks, (whose mercy faileth never,  
Whose Judgements slumber not, when he gins  
To bare his arm, and punish crying sins,)  
Friend Moses, do my will, it is not hid  
From thee, I've by myself, and Angel bid  
That thou in this affair should fearless be  
As Aaron, both direction from me  
From time to time shall have, go hand in hand,  
While you have brought my Sons out of the Land.  
Let Aaron take the Rod, and shake it over  
Their Rivers and their Ponds which waters cover,  
And all their Vessels, wherein they keep sweet;  
That which they draw for drink, and dressing meat.  
For I will turn those waters into blood,  
Because 've hitherto my power withstood  
And slain my subjects, for this cruel deed  
They in this punishment their sin shall read.  
As blood was their delight, so blood shall be  
The first sad sign of their Catastrophe:  
My Infant's tears I cannot longer smother,  
The griefs and groans of each distressed Mother,  
The Father's loss I do with him condole,  
Infanticide doth vex my very Soul,  
My Justice must this cruelty control.  
The harmless waters that did suffocate  
Those half-lived babes, shall show my power, my hate,  
By painted blushes, though this Livery  
Will not yet work the wished delivery  
Of their surviving parents. Go and try,  
Tho he'll not me by this yet gratify.   

Thus authorised, the Brethren haste to Nile,  
Whose early coming made the Monarch smile,  
Stood there before: who said, come Moses, tell  
Us news from Heaven, are all things settled well  
In that Utopean Territory? say,  
Have you command to take my Slaves away?  
Yes Sir we have, as you're long shall know,  
None can distrust those good credentials show.  
These waters we will in your presence smite,  
Waters that bring to Egypt wealth, delight,  
Because in them you drown the Israelite.  
They strike, the Flood put on a crimson blush,  
Died by the hand that saved the flaming bush:  
Which quickly turned to nauseous putrid blood,  
Dazzling the Fishes, though their sight was good,  
They could not see to swim, nor gather food.  
But, wondering at the change of th' Element,  
Struggle for life, until their life was spent.  
The Crocodil's feigned tears do real grow,  
Because they could not rest above, below,  
The waters running bloody, thick and slow.  
The Tortoises crawl from their warmer Sand,  
To lay and hatch their Eggs upon the Land,  
All showing Pharaoh 'twas th' Almighty's hand.  
Tho he the prodigy with indignation  
Beholds, and calls the wise men of the Nation;  
Saying, have you this new trick never done?  
Are they the Wonder workers, they alone?  
Call up your Demons, and their aid implore,  
Or else be gone. I'll be Priest-rid no more.   

Most Sacred Sir, you know to us your will  
Is dearer than our Souls, we will fulfil  
All your desires, when we clear water find,  
We'●l do as they have done, and ease your mind,  
That Egypt, you, and all the world may see,  
It is not fit such Fops to gratify.  
Believe your Priests, great Sir, your doubt is o'er!  
Well, now my heart is hardened as before,  
Let us go home— My Lord what shall we do?  
Cried the Egyptians, (with a triple bow)  
Our thirst is great, the Water none can drink,  
Nor eat the Fish (now dead) for both do stink,  
We are undone what're the wise men think.   

Remove from Nile, deep Wells you may prepare  
Where Moses, nor his Brother Aaron were,  
The subterraneal streams, I hope, are free  
From Incantation, Jewish Sorcery.  
Try, 'tis but seven days wonder, when that's over,  
Nile will be sweet, and clear as heretofore.  
When they are wearied we shall have a Truce,  
With satisfaction for the loss, abuse,  
Done to our sacred person, to our state.   

Elohim frowning, cries obliterate  
The name of that proud Prince, his crimes require  
Both temporal Judgements, and eternal Fire.  
Tell him, my Justice (since he will not mend)  
Designs far greater plagues on him to send;  
His cleared sweet water shall for smell and taste,  
Be worse than when the blood did it infest;  
For I will call from thence a croaking host,  
That cover shall the Earth with Spawn, his Coast  
Shall be discoloured, no place shall be free,  
His House and Bed will both infested be.  
His Servants, who have yet scarce trouble had,  
Shall eat the loathsome slime amongst their bread.  
These Frogs, so fast, so numerous will come  
On him and his, that there shall be no Room  
Unhaunted left— I say go tell the King,  
Then with your (hallowed) Rod perform the thing.   

The Brothers go, who after honours made,  
Informed the King of what Jehovah said.  
He seemed secure and frowned, they urged the case,  
And with a Frog-plague dared him to his face.  
Think not, said they, that menaces will do,  
We have command to act and menace too.  
The Wand stretched o'er the stream, a hideous noise  
Was heard, an uncouth croak, harsh-sounding voice  
Of new made Frogs, such as the world's eye  
ne'er yet beheld— A loathsome Majesty.  
Sat on their over grown bulks, and made them dare  
T' invade their Houses, Temples, without fear,  
Tho newly raised, they trained and valiant were.  
The trembling King and Country strove to oppose  
The inroads of those (unknown) warlike Foes;  
But all in vain— the more of them they kill  
The more they grew, the more their Houses fill.  
The Palace is not freed; the King must bear  
The greatest burden while they quarter there.  
Heaven gave the Billets, made the Court of Guard  
In Pharaoh's House; this him from sleep debarred,  
Who thought each Frog a dying Child, whose cries  
Pierced his heart, as theirs had pierced the Skies;  
And brought the Judgement under which he groans,  
Because his cruel heart despised their moans.  
Bloodshed and Cruelty make empty Thrones.  
Choked with faint fulsome smells, he left his bed,  
Shaking his Locks with Frogs-spawn overspread,  
Then sighs and shrieks, and weeps, and calls who's there?  
To those lay by; but they oppressed with fear,  
Made no return. At last great Jambres speaks.  
My Lord, why are you troubled at such freaks?  
I'll make such vermin, if you say I shall.  
No, such delusions do but haste my fall.  
Call heavens Envoys, Moses and his Brother,  
There is a God, I cannot longer smother  
My sentiments of this great truth, I see  
That not your art, nor love, can comfort me;  
You have increased my Sorrows, but relief  
Transcends your power. This, this augments my grief.   

This said, shame, paleness seized on every face,  
To see the insolence, impet'ousness  
Of Titan's spurious brood, base watery race.  
But most of all o'the Wizards, who begin  
To shrivel up their Noses, Cheeks, and Chin,  
Mutter and howl, because they cannot awe  
Pharaoh, as formerly. He doth withdraw.  
They gawn and yell than Cerberus more loud,  
And so expire, Hell gaping for their blood.   

Moses appears, to whom the King with tears  
Said, you are not insensible what fears,  
What horrors, and what miseries attend,  
The man's abused and cheated by his friend.  
This is my case, you know I have withstood  
At their desire, that Heaven meant for my good  
Peace, though I drowned his Servants in the flood.  
Now, now alas! my Land and Conscience feel  
The worst of woes, thinkest not that Heaven may deal  
More mildly with me, since his mercy's great,  
Beg thou that he remove from my poor state  
This loathsome fry— I will no more contend,  
But willingly his loved people send  
To offer sacrifice. Make this thy care.  
I'm now convinced he is a God of prayer,  
And thou his Servant.— This with grave accent  
He uttered, as though he did repent.   

‛ Grand Rebels, Murderers, and Thiefs, when come  
‛ Before the Bench, expecting their last doom  
‛ Have mourning on, and with a piteous tone  
‛ Complain of their misfortunes, every one  
‛ Doth beg for mercy; yet if Jur' or Judge,  
‛ Or Clement King, give them from law refuge,  
‛ They grow more bold, and act as if they had  
HE Royal Lease to follow their old Trade.  
‛ Or like a Miser, who (thro' age) doth feel,  
‛ His seared Soul within its house to reel,  
‛ Cries, O this illgot Gold! What shall I do?  
‛ It has destroyed my Soul and Body too.  
‛ Yet for prevention I will Alms-house rear,  
‛ Or Chapel build, to which men may repair,  
‛ As I have ofton done, my crimes to hollow,  
‛ Straining at Gnats, that I might Camels swallow.  
‛ If none of these, I to the poor will give  
HE mighty sum, that so my Soul may live.  
‛ But, if of that disease he doth recover,  
‛ O! how he frets, and acts his tricks all over,  
‛ With more industry, craft, and perjury,  
‛ saying now, I am no more afraid to die.  
— So Pharaoh grieved with Blood, and with the Frogs,  
— Calls out for Moses, flatters, lies and cogs,  
— As if he'd not been settled on the lees,  
— But racked and fined by these discoveries,  
— And fit with them to offer sacrifice.  
— Heaven condescends, and Moses is content  
— With his fair words, though the ●…y●w falsely meant.   

‛ Thus Ninevehs repentance, though a flash,  
‛ Kept from its back, the Prophets threatened lash,  
‛ And Ahab's humbling did for Judah's King  
‛ Obtain reprieve, though not for his offspring,  
‛ So Phaaroh for a feigned acknowledgement,  
‛ Had half the plague removed, Heaven on him sent.   

Tho thou hast now left off self-glorying,  
Said Moses, thou may'st glory in this thing,  
That God in mercy will grant thy request,  
And send these Vermin from thy land in haste,  
Commanding them henceforth to make abode  
Within Nile's banks.— Contend no more with God,  
But pray and wait. To morrow thy shalt see,  
This plague removed, from off thy land and thee,  
If to thy words thou add sincerity,  
Then thou shalt know, that none is like the Lord,  
Whose power will quickly ease to thee afford,  
We shall no sooner ask than 'twill be done.  
They pray, Heaven hears, the daring Frogs are gone  
In shoals to Nile, or perished by the way,  
When God saith go, his creatures must not stay.  
As soon as Pharaoh had the news received,  
He smiling said, your friend may be deceived.  
King's can not by their promises be bound  
To Jove himself, their Counselors have found  
Salvoes from his own word, than can oppose  
The faint assaults of every Monarch's foes,  
And I'll believe them, though I lose my Crown,  
My promise lately made I will not own,  
Nor let them go.— This the Almighty knew,  
Who called the brethren, and obedience due  
To his commands required, which they give,  
And he commands, that scattered Dust may live,  
Turning to Lice, both upon man and beast,  
That might make Pharaoh shuck, and all the rest.   

This done, the Itching Monarch calls aloud,  
To Jannes, Jambres, all the Sophi brood,  
Can you make Lice, said he? No cried the Wizard,  
To counterfeit this thing we will not hazard,  
Lest fire consume us, or a worse thing  
That after this, Heaven may upon us bring  
For what's already done, for here we see  
The print of's Fingers, Power and Majesty,  
Which doth confound us, and our Foppery.   

HE fair confession; but Hypocrisy  
‛ Will speak the truth when't thinks the same a lie,  
‛ When a duluding Spirit infatuates  
‛ Prince, Priest or people to despise the fates  
‛ Their policy is madness, and their pride  
‛ Such insolence as God and men deride.   

Thus fared it with Pharaoh, his release  
From Blood, Frogs, Lice, presage a fourth disease,  
The God of Miracles could not behold,  
But must subdue the proud, suppress the bold.   

Go, Moses, then said he, by morning light,  
Stand before Pharaoh in his people's sight,  
And let him know, it is Jehovah's will,  
That he with speed his just commands fulfil,  
In letting Israel go, that they may pay  
Their Homage; if he make them longer stay  
Thro his refusal, by my next alarm  
A fearful Host, great swarms of Flies shall arm,  
Which will molest him more than Frogs or Lice,  
And all his Servants bid him take advice.  
Say, 'tis no cheat, Goshen shall make thee know,  
That I my people love, and to them own  
(By promise) freedom from the noisome beast,  
With every thing, the greatest and the least,  
That may infest them. Tho they dwell by thee,  
Their Habitations shall no shelter be  
To thee, and thine, from stinging, stinking Flie.  
Observe this warning, since I speak in love,  
Mercy, not Judgement, 'tis I most approve.  
Consider well, the sign will be to morrow,  
And will to thee beginning be of sorrow.   

‛ Who can such charms of love and goodness hear  
‛ Unless it be Pharaoh, and not shed a tear?  
‛ But ah! his Heart, his Bowels hardened are.   

He will not let Heaven convenanted go,  
But leave to sacrifice at home, (if so)  
He gives. To which Moses made this reply  
Who gives but half, he doth the whole deny,  
Because that half is given unwillingly.  
Our God commands us to the wilderness,  
And he best knows which is the fittest place.  
If among you we stay, than we must offer  
Such things as you, which our God will not suffer;  
If ours, it will be said we innovate  
Your sacred Rites and your Decrees of State;  
Both these may on us sudden ruin being,  
And therefore we must plainly tell the King,  
That since our God hath fixed the time, the place,  
And Sacrifice, we must with thee find grace.   

When he perceived excuses were in vain,  
That obstinacy did increase his pain,  
The next resolve was feigned obedience  
To God and Moses: thus, you may from hence  
Remove, with my free leave, if you will swear  
Not to go far, and let me quickly hear  
That you have begged of him to set me free,  
From the proud infects all, and loathsome Flie.   

Moses replied. If thou do keep thy word;  
At thy desire we will entreat the Lord,  
Who (I am sure) will order the retreat  
Of these winged troops, though noisome, fierce and great.  
To morrow they shall every one remove  
From thee and thine, thy gratitude to prove.   

The thing is done, yet Pharaoh still denies  
The people Licence to do sacrifice.  
Nor Blood, nor Frogs, nor Lice, nor Flies can awe  
The stubborn Prince, nor to obedience draw  
His callous heart; that self-deceiving cheat,  
Must be out-witted by a plague as great  
As any of the former. Heaven once more  
Calls unto Moses as he did before;  
Saying, go to the Palace and declare  
To him again, what my intentions are  
I am his, and the Hebrews God, though he  
Knows not my name, nor his own destiny.  
If he refuse to hearken to this word,  
I will lift up my hand, with flaming Swor●  
O'er's Cattle, Horses, Asses, Camels, Sheep  
And Oxen, which he doth in Pastures keep.  
Pestilent fogs shall from the earth arise,  
Malignant vapours, from the starry Skies.  
These shall their blood corrupt, whence putrid hearts,  
Shall scorch with piercing pains and shivering sweats.  
So that the Ox shall fall beneath the yoke,  
The sacrifice shall die before the stroke.  
The Horse shall leave his prancing, and his head  
Shall giddy turn, run round, and fall down dead.  
Ass' shall bray, and Camels breathe their last,  
And dizzyed Sheep themselves in Ditches cast.  
The nimble Dogs shall howl, forget their meat,  
And teeming Ewes for pain their Breasts will beat,  
All which will his unhappiness complete.  
He acts as if he knew not what I meant,  
This shall not be a gen'ral punishment.  
His only shall it feel, my people's Beasts  
Must be exempted from these (carrion) Feasts,  
They shall continue healthy, fat as ever,  
Mercy shall be the Screen, by which I'll sever  
Their Herds and Flocks from thine, that thou mayst see,  
He must be loser that opposeth me.  
All's done, and yet his heart doth harder grow,  
Heaven must him wonders more, and greater show.   

‛ If Soldiers when their Breaches open lie,  
‛ Can neither them defend nor fortify;  
‛ Do still refuse to make a fair surrender  
‛ On honourable terms, despise the tender  
‛ Of Lives and Arms, or what else is thought fit  
 grant, the next resolve is storming it  
‛ With resolute bravery, so that they may know  
From Justice, what they did to Mercy owe.   

Thus Heaven proceeds against him when secure,  
Moses nor Aaron must make overture,  
But suddenly call out a fixed Brigade  
Of Granadiers, who ne'er yet mercy had  
Where Justice was Commander, Water, Earth,  
Are both too mild, the Tyrant's settled wrath  
To mitigate, the fiery element  
Must act its part in Pharaoh's punishment.  
I'll give no warning, Go, and Cinders take  
Out of the Furnace, of which you shall make  
Large Hand granadoes, and them upward throw,  
Which kindling there shall ashes turn below,  
Ashes, that may breed Boils on Beast and Man,  
Then let his wise men cure them (if they can)  
They throw, it's done, the dusty ashes fell,  
The Magis cry, we ne'er saw such a spell,  
For they like Caustics such Blisters made  
Such Boils and Blains as Egypt never had  
The Sorcerers for shame pulled in their Crests,  
Because their Boils grew on their Heads, Hands, and Breasts,  
By which their Monarch might most plainly see  
That it was no enchantment, but decree  
For their destruction. Yet the blinded man  
(Acted by God) persists as he began.  
Not moved by Blood, Frogs, Lice, nor Flies, nor Murrain,  
The Boils and Scabs do not his pride restrain,  
This angry Heaven resents, and gives command  
To Moses, saying, Early rise, and stand  
Before the King to morrow, ' and let him know  
That jacob's God will have his Servants go  
To sacrifice. Bid him look to his State,  
I will no more with him Capitulate,  
But one great plague after another send,  
Until his pride with's life is at an end,  
And Kingdom ruined, that the world may see,  
There's none on Earth, hath equal power with me.  
The Murrain I will turn to pestilence.  
That he and his may death receive from thence,  
His stubborness admits of no suspense:  
My first plague could his pride have conquered,  
Second or third, but all by me forbid,  
Struck gently, that his case might warning be  
To all are haughty, stubborn, false as he,  
Each Tyrant shall receive this Tyrant's doom,  
Either in this or in the world to come.  
Tell him, he holds of me his Crown. His rise  
Was to inform the faithful, and the wise  
Of my great power and mercy, that they may  
Tremble at that, and for this ever pray.  
Thinks he (fond man) that I can always see  
(And not redress) my people's misery?  
No, he shall find about this time to morrow  
The heavens arm to magnify his sorrow,  
Clouds dark and pregnant, fortified with Thunder,  
A stormy shower shall hurl down to his wonder,  
Hail of such unknown bigness and such weight,  
As him and his, with present Death will fright.  
Bid him his Wise men call to assign the cause  
Of such a rapture in great Nature's Laws.  
Ask if they can at once raise such a shower,  
As may begin such day, and end such hour,  
And in that time surround th' Egyptian Coasts,  
Then bid defiance to the Lord of Hosts.  
Go now proud Pharaoh, try thy utmost skill,  
To save thy people from this threatened ill.  
If thou wilt yet be wise thy Cattle gather  
Out of the Fields, since thou art Egypt's Father,  
Pity thy Children with their Herds and Flocks,  
Afford them shelter from the frozen Rocks,  
Else by this plague such Slaughters will be seen  
Thro all thy Land as never yet hath been.   

‛ Behold the natures of the obdurate!  
‛ Thomas all of them slight mercy, yet ill fate  
‛ Makes some distinction, fear of punishment,  
‛ Forceth a few into acknowledgement  
‛ Of power divine, and for their safety cry,  
‛ Whilst others feared and mad, do still deny  
‛ Obedience to their great superior,  
‛ Hush 'twill be over, said they, 'tis but a shower.   

Impending woe moved such as yet had sense,  
To view the Fields in haste, and bring from thence  
Shepherds and Herdsmen, saying, quickly fly  
Home with your herds and flocks, or all must die.  
Moses hath said it, and we do believe  
That he from God, not Satan, did receive  
His Rod, his fearful Rod hath such things done,  
As show they were not wrought by him alone▪  
However, we will for our safety try,  
'Tis no great trouble, if we live or die.  
Others, who no regard had for his word,  
Said, what! Egyptians believe the Lord,  
Faint-hearted Fools, unworthy such a King,  
Who laughs at all the Messages they bring  
From their famed Gods, our herds shall stay and graze,  
And so like men, we'll dare him to his face.   

Unheard of boldness, said the Thunderer  
Unto his Servant, now, my mercy's ear  
Is shut for ever. Therefore lift thy hand  
To Heaven, I must send down a starry band  
Of Bowmen, with such Bullets as shall beat  
Out of their hearts this irreligious heat.  
Man, Beast and Herbs, thro' all the Land shall feel  
The weighty Stones, the keenness of my Steel.  
Make no delay, to Heaven thy Rod stretch forth,  
That I may send from the East, West, South and North  
Thunder, and Hail, and Fire, these all around  
Shall fly aloft, and run upon the ground,  
With so great fury, that the Water's face  
Bright horror shall adorn, and every place  
Look like itself, transparent, as the Fire  
And mixed Hail, as if they were entire  
One body bright, yet terrible to see,  
Two el'ments joined that never did agree.  
The Rod's lift up, then from the Clouds a voice  
Rendeth the Sky with such a dreadful noise,  
That Earth (though heavy) cannot longer stand,  
But reels and staggers, when it feels the hand  
Omnipotent, who gave it its first base,  
It gapes and opens so, that there's no place  
For Pasture, Corn, for Cattle, Herbs and Trees,  
All sink away unto their destinies.  
Only in Goshen alwise Providence  
Against this storm maketh a stout defence.  
He that the troubled Ocean commands,  
Forbidden the Hail to fall upon those Lands.  
This unlooked for, this great discrimination  
Betwixt th' Egyptian, and the Hebrew Nation,  
Made the King serious, who doth now begin  
With forced expressions, to confess his sin  
To Moses and to Aaron; saying thus,  
Egypt is wicked, Heaven is Righteous.  
Good men! entreat your God once more for me  
To cease the Thunderings, let the Hail storm be  
Abated, than what you desire I'll give,  
It is enough if I and mine may live.  
I'd better lose such Subjects than to hire  
Them at so dear a rate; they shall retire.   

To which the Prophet maketh this reply,  
I must go hence, before I lift on high.  
My heart and hands for thee, unto the Lord,  
That th' Hail and Thunder may cease at my word,  
And turn to their own elements, to show  
That th' heavens above are Gods, and th' Earth below.  
But I am sure when this great plague is o'er,  
Thy thoughts will be the same as heretofore,  
Faithless and froward, and thy sottish crew  
Of slavish Subjects will their rage renew.   

The damage done by this seventh plague's so great,  
That with dry Eyes no man can it repeat.  
The Flax now ripe, from whence the Staple trade  
Of Egypt had its rise, and Linen made,  
By subtle corruscations withered,  
The ponderous Hail its bolls (knopt off) interred,  
And bowing Barley, calling for the hand  
Of nimble Sythe-man, buried in the Sand.  
The Wheat and Rye that did not yet appear,  
Were only saved from this great Massacre.   

‛ The Judgement must be great, all must confess,  
‛ When Eden's turned into a Wilderness.   

This Pharaoh saw; but when thro' Moses's prayer,  
The Sun dispersed the Clouds, and made all fair:  
When Thunder, Rain and Hail, were called in,  
He waxed worse, and added sin to sin,  
Whose ill example was so prevalent  
With all his Subjects, that they likewise bend  
Their minds on future mischief, and deny  
Their punisher to please or gratify:  
Who now resolved on Egypt's desolation,  
And the deliv'ry of the Hebrew Nation,  
Said Moses, Go unto the King, yet know  
That I his heart have hardened, he'll not bow,  
To make my wisdom, pow●r and glory shine,  
For ages after in the eyes of thine,  
By thy instruction, and may oft repeat  
With joy and gratitude, the wonders great  
For their redemption wrought, and constant prove  
To thee their Leader, me their great Jehove.  
Away in haste unto the faithless King,  
And say, the Hebrews God remembering  
His Servants slavery, and thy peevishness,  
Resolves thy ruin, this is the Express:  
He wonders at thy refractory Spirit  
Which will not humble, after thy just merit  
Hath brought seven plagues; 'tis time his friends were gone,  
The eighth is near, a great and grievous one,  
A dreadful host sent by a scorching wind  
From the South west, will eat that's left behind,  
That will disrobe thy new-cloathed Fields and Trees  
Of all their Summer Glories, Liveries,  
And such a Famine bring as heretofore  
When Jacob's Sons to Egypt first came over,  
And greater much, because the Hebrew Prince,  
Joseph your Saviour is forgot long since,  
Who (like a father) furnished you with Corn,  
When faint thro' hunger you did daily mourn  
Before his Gate. His wise, his melting heart,  
Found out new measures by a divine art,  
That might your wants supply, and you relieve,  
Not dreaming then that you his race would grieve,  
With stripes, disgrace, with burdens, and with death,  
Revenge implacable, and endless wrath.  
These are your crimes, and this your punishment.  
To morrow Locusts will from Heaven be sent;  
Locusts, so strange, so great, so numerous,  
They'll cover all the Land, and fill each House,  
The Land that promised you a small supply,  
After the Hail and Rain shall putrify,  
The fruitful Trees shall shake their Leaves, and bare  
Meadows shall look, as Winter had been there;  
Whate'er proud Nile, and the attracting Sun  
Hath forced from the Earth shall be undone;  
Nor shall your Bodies from them be excused,  
Such measures you shall have as you have used,  
Your Tongues and Hands were sharpened, and your Swords  
Destroyed my people; your most pleasant words  
Like Serpents, Vipers, and like Wasps did by't,  
The fainting, feeble, famished Israelite.  
Their poisoned stings shall pierce your trembling veins,  
Opening their Sluices, as you did the Drains  
Thro Nile's great banks, to vex my Servants hearts,  
That when you feel the fury of their Darts,  
You may bind up, not chaff the wound that smarts.   

This when the angry Prophet had expressed,  
Without farewell, he leaves him, and the rest  
Unspoken— All his Counsellors dismayed,  
Seeing Moses to their King no reverence paid  
At his departure, but with high disdain,  
Showed by his looks, charged him once more on pain  
Of Death in haste to let the people go,  
Cry, 'tis of God, now we must own it so,  
We must submit unto their God's decree,  
And not of our own ruin authors be.  
Tho we could flatter when all things went well,  
We must give over now, and frankly tell▪  
The King that he, not we, began this 〈◊〉,  
In which we're daily worsted, better far  
It is to yield, than wait th' unknown event,  
We see their Magazines cannot be spent.  
They are not men we fight with, when the powers  
Of Heaven and Earth are raised, what are ours?  
A loathsome Louse, a Frog, a Fly can bring  
Destruction on us, and on our King.  
Come, let's not dally; here! the Monarch comes  
Chaffed with the late affront, he stairs, he foams,  
Who dares accost him in this furious mood?  
His trembling shows the thirsteth after blood.  
But we must t●y before it be too late  
With him about this matter to debate.   

Great Sir, our grief, not boldness, makes us offer  
The Nation's state, our troubles will not suffer  
●onger connivance, speedy remedy  
Must be consulted on 'twixt us and thee.  
Earth, Water, Fire and Air do all agree,  
(Against our Counsels) to set Israel free:  
It must be done, necessity hath no Law,  
Pray Sir be wise, and let the men withdraw.   

My Lords, it is not strange that loss and fear,  
Give you occasion to accost my ear  
With such surprising Language. But I wonder  
That Jannes, Jambres, who so oft did Thunder  
Another Dialect, should cringe and truckle  
Against the rules of their own art, and buckle  
To foreign fancies. Yet it grieves me most  
That this grave Priest should too himself be lost,  
Who Pharaoh wished the fondling brat to kill,  
His Daughter's joy, before he had done ill.   

All made returns, the mighty Lords begin.  
Great Sir, the loss is yours, we would not sin  
Against a Prince so glorious, so great,  
Against a fertile Land, and potent State,  
Of all we must be guilty, if we do  
Our eyes hoodwink, our senses, brains forego.  
It is the glory of a Courtier  
First to foresee, and then prevent the shower;  
This is our Province, time lost to recover  
Is full of hazard. Pray, Great Sir give over.   

The Sorcerers in order next appear,  
Blushing with shame, and stupefied with fear,  
Dread Sovereign (say they) our mortal state  
Admits of changes, while this grand debate  
'Twixt Heaven and you lay dormant, our Ally's  
Taught us both God and Men how to despise.  
You, you, great Sir, excepted, now they fly,  
They dare not ape heavens smallest prodigy,  
Nor us encourage you to gratify.   

The aged Father last of all comes forth,  
With Mitred head, grey hairs of famed worth,  
Who said, O King! your great experience  
Of my fidelity, and vast expense,  
Deserves of you a better recompense.  
I told that King before the Child was born,  
That he would be the cause of Egypt's scorn,  
If then his Death by him had been decreed,  
As I requested, Egypt had been freed  
From all these plagues. For he himself presaged  
In Childish sports, what he would do when aged.  
Pharaoh his Infant Temples did adorn  
With Egypt's Crown, which he pulled off in scorn,  
By which most just suspicion he gave,  
That he would force the Sceptre, not receive  
It from his hands. Then, it was my advice,  
That death should pay him for the enterprise.  
But now 't' too late, he's King, you his Viceroy,  
Which (I foresee) you will not long enjoy,  
He threatens, kills, commands, and which is more,  
Destroys our Lands, their Fruits, and all our store,  
There is but one way left us to preserve  
Egyyt from ruin, that we may not starve,  
To let them go, that they may serve the Lord,  
Perhaps this Moses may perform his word.  
He says heavens merciful, and will repent,  
Of his fierce anger, if ill men relent.   

You have overcome me, said the raging King,  
Go out in haste, Moses and Aaron bring.  
A Monarch is no Monarch when alone,  
(His Subjects ruined) let the men be gone,  
To do as they have said, yet I must see  
Th' extent of this great Goal-delivery.   

Moses, heavens fury acted by thy hand,  
I am no longer able to withstand.  
Tell me, but who must go? Let modesty  
Bound your demands, and they shall granted be,  
Who asks too much his own denial craves,  
I will not part at once with all my Slaves.   

You are not ignorant, great Sir, I know  
By this time, that my Message from below  
Came not, just Heaven me often did command  
The Tribes to carry out of Egypt's land,  
And they must go Men, Children, Herds and Sheep,  
None must be absent, when our Feasts we keep  
Unto Jehovah—   

Is this the justice of your famed Jehove?  
Is this the kindness of your God of love  
To his Vicegerents? said the angry King,  
Must they submit to every idle thing  
That he requires? Must every Slave have power  
To spoil their goods, and honours to deflow'r?  
No, this great point I will dispute and try,  
Who must be here obeyed he or I,  
Your little ones as pledges I will keep  
Till you return, Go you with Herds and Sheep,  
If this will not content you, look you to it,  
I'll punish you with stripes and Death to boot,  
The present losses I thro' you sustain,  
My honour shall repair, which I'll regain,  
By conquering him, in you his Subjects slain,  
Go then I say, and let your Children stay.  
What! Murmur? Sergeants drive the fools away.   

The General omnipotent, who far  
Or near, ne'er yet made one false step in War,  
Laughed at the indiscretion of his foe,  
And said to his Lieutenant, you must go  
With new raised Troops to curb the insolence  
Of this unwary, this bewitched Prince,  
Let Eurus be the Trumpeter, whose breath  
Shall animate the Army, threatening Death,  
Death unto Men and Beasts, that they may see  
I do demand this Goal-delivery.   

He spoke no sooner than he was obeyed  
The hand is stretched forth, and Rod displayed  
O'er Egypt Land, than the East Wind doth call  
The Caterpillars, Locusts, Infects all,  
Out of their slimy dust, who buzz and fly  
About the ears of every slander by,  
Seizing on all the Fruits they could destroy.  
The Earth was covered with the numerous swarms,  
No Tree, no Fruit, no Herb, escaped their harms,  
Their Eyes, their Mouths, their Stings were merciless,  
This made the Prince with tears, his grief express  
Unto the Brethren, with heart-breaking voice,  
I cannot longer hear this dreadful noise.   

‛ O! that Heaven had not brought me to the Throne,  
‛ O! that I'd Hermit been, and lived alone  
‛ In unfrequented Groves, in Woods and Caves,  
‛ Careless of Crowns, Lands, Subjects, or of Slaves.  
‛ If Heaven had been my Canopy, my Bed  
‛ The Flowery Earth, the Pillow for my Head  
HE bundle of violets, Pinks or Cammomile,  
‛ Rosebuds with Lilies, and sweat smelling Dill;  
‛ My meat wild Fruits, with quintessence of Bees,  
‛ My Drink sweet Liquors from the juicy Trees;  
‛ My recreation hunting of the Hare,  
‛ The vacant hours I could from Study spare,  
‛ Or Fox or Deer, or what I liked best,  
‛ I had not then by Heaven been thus oppressed:  
‛ But so Jehove would have it, he did raise  
‛ Me to this shame, for his immortal praise,  
‛ That Kings may learn true wisdom, and their Subjects  
‛ Dread even in thought, such great, such fearful objects,  
‛ As high ambition, Diabolick pride  
‛ Will bring on all, like Pharaoh stupefied,  
‛ My heinous crimes and grievous punishment  
‛ Will fright the worst, and force them to repent,  
‛ As I begin (O!  not be too late)  
‛ I grieve, I mourn, Alas!— my cursed fate  
‛ Made me offend your God, his Sons and you,  
‛ For which I pardon crave with tears and vow,  
‛ My Life I see is threatened, yet spare  
‛ This once, that I may see what's mercy's are;  
‛ Forgive, forgive, my friends, and you shall see  
‛ That weeping Pharaoh will not falsify.   

Moses, the Godlike Moses, judged his heart  
By his expressions, knew no wheedling art,  
Whose Sympathy with tears made him departed,  
And thus accost his maker, I have proved  
The King, who begs this plague may be removed  
At my request, my God, let it be so  
Since he hath vowed that the men shall go  
Without delay, yet be that as it will,  
Omnipotence hath Armies that can kill,  
As these have done such wonders, more, when shown,  
The more men will thy Justice, Mercy own.   

It shall be done, I'll call a Western Wind  
Shall clear the Land, (though you him false will find)  
That all those living Clouds shall headlong bear  
To the Arabic watery Sepulchre,  
Whose purple waves will quickly overflow,  
And send them to the fish that dwell below,  
A Feast that heretofore they did not know:  
I will not leave one Locust on his Coasts,  
That he may know I am the Lord of Hosts.  
This done, the Hypocrite forgets his woe,  
His solemn vow, and will not let them go.   

Moses, said God, the blindness of this man,  
Hath still increased since the War began  
With us, since wonders will not open his eyes,  
The Sun, the Moon, the Air, shall him despise.  
Stretch out thy Rod to Heaven and damp the Fires,  
Give light and heat to th' Earth, and men's desires  
With pleasure gratify, and let no Star  
Our Enemies' guide, it is a time of War,  
Make the Air thick and black, for three days space,  
That none of them may see another's face,  
But fixed sit, not rising from his place,  
Yet let my Servants have their wont joy,  
In Goshen light to see, that I employ  
My wisdom, power, and justice, armed with might  
On their behalf, that they're my hearts delight.   

Day put's on mourning, the night birds appear  
At noon, the Hemisphere waxed black with fear,  
Thinking that Phoebus would come no more there.  
Cynthia (for shame) creepeth behind the Earth,  
Castor and Pollux weeping, cease to breathe  
Their flaming Vapours, all the rest do wrap  
Their drowsy heads in troubled Thetis' lap.  
Thousands of terrors thro' the darkness fled,  
The Ghosts complained, the Spirits murmured,  
Then Egypt (like the damned) did howl and cry,  
For glo'worm-light, which Heaven doth them deny.   

This made the King again for Moses call,  
saying you may go, your little ones and all,  
Except your Flocks and Herds, they must remain  
With me in safety till you come again.   

‛ Ah! Moses, Moses, was not thou the boy;  
‛ Drawn out of Nile to be the Princess joy  
‛ In Flagon boat? Did not that King pass by  
‛ Thy Childish faults, and crimes of deeper dye.  
‛ Of all his Armies thou wast General;  
‛ Peer unto him and Daughter, dear to all,  
‛ All was committed to thy prudent care,  
‛ Then be not, be not executioner  
To their successor.— speak yet to thy friend,  
Whose mercies (as you say) do never end,  
Your Cattle leaving for my proper use,  
The rest may go, I will no more refuse.   

Sir, your fair promise would prevail with me,  
If I was Master of my Liberty.  
When I was banished first from Pharoah's Court,  
I with my Flocks to Horeb did resort,  
Horeb, much famed for Spirits habitation,  
I chose for pasture and for meditation,  
Where I continued, till one Summer-day  
I sought a Sheep that from the rest did stray  
Amongst the Thickets, one of which did show  
Like Flames above, and yet unburned below,  
A voice from thence came to my trembling ear,  
Which (I am sure) said Moses, come not near,  
The place where thou dost stand is holy ground,  
This double wonder cast me in a swound,  
From which revived, appeared to my sight  
A form divine, than Cherubin more bright,  
With charming Language, such as Seraphs use  
In courting Mortals, who by craft refuse  
heavens favours, and the best inheritance.  
By this roused up I made a small advance,  
Whom he perceiving, readily did meet,  
And (with a Godlike smile) thus did me greet.  
Moses in Egypt born, thou knowst it well,  
Its King, and all the Strangers in it dwell,  
They're mine, though poor, afflicted and distressed,  
That King and people have them long oppressed,  
Thou must be first Ambassador, then Guide,  
To bring them over to the other side  
Of Jordan.— Great Sir; this was my Commission,  
I must not alter it without permission.  
Pray urge no more, this is a fond device  
Without our Flocks, we cannot Sacrifice,  
Nor offerings make. It is Jehovah's mind,  
That we in Egypt leave no hoof behind,  
This general command we must obey;  
Yet know not when we come, what he will say  
Unto us more. Devotion chief tends  
To heavens praise, with many other ends,  
Unknown to thee.—   

The more I do comply, the more I treat  
In love and calmness, your new zeal and he at  
Increaseth, I must leave the whole debate,  
Moses be gone, look to thyself, if I  
Again behold thy face, thou'rt sure to die.  
Thou hast well spoken, this is Prophecy,  
For one act more completes thy Tragedy;  
A plague to which the rest shall seem but small,  
Shall not upon thy Flocks and Cattle fall  
Alone, as heretofore, but shall destroy  
The oldest pledges of your loves and joy.  
This for a time shall move thy stubborn heart,  
To favour Isra'l, force them to departed,  
And when resistance thou shalt after make,  
What the Sword leaves, the foaming Sea shall take.   

Know then, proud King, when all are fast asleep,  
This night, when thee thy doubled Guards do keep,  
Michael, famed for strength and warlike power,  
By heavens warrant, shall break  each door  
In thy unhallowed Country, and shall kill  
From Egypt's heir, that next the Throne should fill,  
To hers that grindeth in the Bridewell Mill,  
None of the firstborn shall alive remain  
Of Men, of Women, Beasts, all shall be slain,  
Whose dying shrieks and groans shall pierce thy Soul,  
And make their frighted Parents cry and howl,  
Unheard of woes thy fearful heart shall seize,  
While they in Goshen live in health and ease,  
Each of their doors shall have a Centinel,  
The grand destroyer's hand that my repel.  
The Crimsoned Posts and Lintels shall reveal  
heavens secret will to him that bears the Steel.  
When thou dost see this great discrimination  
Betwixt the Hebrew and Egyptian Nation,  
Thy Menaces thou will repent, and send  
The best of all thy subjects, who will bend  
To me and say, be gone with all ye have,  
To whom I'll answer; Now, no leave I crave,  
But in despite of you, and of your King,  
At heavens command, we will make offering,  
Do what thou canst, I'll see thy face no more,  
The Death thou threat'nest is at thy own door,  
Thy hardened heart heavens hand will quickly break,  
When he on thee, and thine doth vengeance take.   

‛ Ah! Pharaoh, what a dismal change is this?  
‛ Must I deprived be of all my bliss?  
‛ Upbraided, scorned, and slighted by a Slave,  
‛ Who holds his life of me, yet doth behave  
‛ As King o'er us, and all we have?  
‛ My feeble Gods, whose Altars I have smoked  
‛ With best Perfumes, your Deities invoked,  
‛ Why stand you gazing on my misery?  
‛ Hath a poor Shepherd greater power than ye?  
‛ And you, infernal Spirits, whose great boasts,  
‛ Persuaded me there was no Lord of Hosts,  
‛ Have you no Philtre, no Enchanted Spell,  
‛ Or is there no experiment in Hell,  
‛ Against this Moses, and against his Rod,  
‛ Alas! I fear you think there is a God;  
‛ If so, I am undone, I'll not submit,  
‛ Destruction is the worst can come of it.   

By this time night, the dreadful night drew on,  
For Egypt's first-born's execution.  
An Angel thro' the Air came flying down,  
With speedy wing o'er Egypt's Memphis Town,  
Who without sight or noise, viewed all the towers  
Of Pharaoh's lofty house, and's Subjects Bowers;  
Finds out the Victims, and on them doth try,  
The keenness of his Sword, by which they die,  
And dying, with their groans do pierce the Sky,  
For each, his eldest Child saw gasping out  
Its tender Soul, with blood which flew about,  
From Wound, and Mouth, and Nostrils with great pain,  
And heard their cries to Heaven for help in vain,  
This made a doleful sound o'er Egypt's plain.   

‛ Rachel mourned not so long, so loud as they;  
‛ When Benjamin to his enemies was a prey,  
‛ Nor when the Fox her Children all did slay;  
 theirs the mourning in Megiddo's vale,  
‛ For good Josiah was no parallel.   

Here every House sobbed out the same complaint,  
My eldest's dead! ne'er was such punishment:  
The King himself awaked with this alarm,  
Cried out, O Heaven! hath this destroyer's arm,  
Bereaved me of my Successor in State,  
I see I must repent when 'tis too late,  
Let none (like me) again with Heaven debate.  
Call in the Brothers quickly, (tho 'tis night)  
They shall go hence before next morning light;  
With Flocks and Herds, and all they can desire,  
For which great favour I will nought require,  
But faithful prayers to God for me and mine,  
Who knows? He may repent, his ear incline  
To pity me, and haste his own design?  
This heard, his Subjects all do beg and pray  
Moses to hasten Israel away.  
Haste, haste, say they, if any thing you lack,  
We're readier to give than you're to take,  
Our lives are more to us than what we give,  
When you are gone, we and our Babes may live.  
This (like melodious Music to their ears)  
Warmed their chilled blood, and banished all their fears,  
They had full wages for four hundred years.   

The signal given, our torn and helpless crew  
(Like forward spring) their Liveries renew,  
And furnished with new garments, and their Slaves,  
Bid them farewel. Their Victuals dressed to halves.  
Yet their old foes enraged to see them go,  
(Tho with consent) said, it must not be so.  
Now we are miserable! what have we done?  
The Slaves with all our Treasures hence are gone.  
Good news to Pharaoh, who a Council calls,  
Saying, my friends, we must find Generals,  
Horses and Chariots, Men and Ammunition  
In haste, you know th' intended expedition.  
My eyes are opened, I cannot behold  
Those Slaves enriched with our  and Gold,  
They took and wear, they ●…re Trophies of our Shame  
And Cowardice, which very things to name  
Are worse than death to him, whom Gods above  
Nor men below, could ever yet remove  
From his intended purposes till now,  
Of which the reason yet I do not know,  
Heaven (sure) 's appeased since I've let them go.  
Tho I perceive, they have no mind to leave  
My borders while 've paid for what they have.  
Their God reputes him of the Violence  
Offered to us before they went from hence;  
This makes them go about, and not pursue  
The beaten roads they heretofore well knew;  
When they for Corn to Egypt came, and when  
With Jacob's Corpse they back returned again.  
Their late rebellion proves to them a snare,  
Since they a lazy unarmed people are,  
They cannot fight, their flight we need not fear.  
Up, let us follow, and cut off their Rear.   

Dread Sir, said they, your thoughts were always great,  
Nor Gods, nor men, your courage could abate,  
Pray be advised before this enterprise  
You undertake, lest you prove after-wise.  
In vain you sought to hinder them when here,  
And we your subjects all about you were.  
Our threats, our blows, and what we could invent,  
Wrought for their good, and for our punishment,  
Heaven always doth protect the innocent.  
Behold the ruins of your shattered state,  
The murdered Heirs of Egypt, small and great.  
Think on the threaten you did calmly bear,  
Think on your darling offspring, then declare  
What hopes you have to catch them in a snare,  
Their God's the same, their Leader constant, wise,  
Therefore, great Sir, leave off this enterprise,  
It will prove fatal, if our dream be true;  
Last night, O King! we saw ourselves with you  
In warlike posture, following the men  
We lately forced to go from us, and then  
We likewise saw Heaven opened, whence came down  
An Host most terrible 'bout Succoth Town,  
Of Giant stature, and of stern aspect,  
Who seemed their Swords to brandish, and direct  
To our proud Throats, while we did stupid stand,  
Not daring to resist, move tongue nor hand.   

Away with dreams! haste, up and let us show  
Ourselves heavens rivals, and his peoples too.  
'Tis now or never that we must attack  
The wandering Slaves; and kill or bring them back,  
Their God himself (it seems) doth them forsake;  
Their way was smooth and short, nor Seas, nor Rocks,  
Can stop the passage of themselves or Flocks,  
But missing that, they have no way to 'scape,  
The Hills they cannot climb, nor o'er Seas leap,  
That are before them, Wilderness and Rocks  
On each side, we behind, whose deadly strokes  
Will soon reduce them to their Slavery,  
Since they can neither fight, nor from us fly.   

This said, they mount their Chariots in haste,  
The Horse and Infantry scarce take repast,  
Who by their doubled marches soon overtake  
The ftighted Jews, whose hearts began to ache,  
Together run in heaps, like fearful Sheep  
Attacked by Dogs or Wolves, (when those should keep  
Are either absent, or are fast asleep;  
Who pat and stare, the harmless dialect  
Of their just fear, as if that would effect  
Their rescue— So the Tribes with direful tone  
Cry unto God and Moses (whom they stone)  
Would both of you had let us still alone  
To serve in Egypt, then if we had died  
We might like men have there been buried,  
Whereas we must be drowned now or slain,  
We will beg pardon, and return again.   

Moses, who all this time was grieved to see  
The people's rudeness, infidelity,  
Doth first expostulate, and then entreat  
Them to forbear their blasphemy and heat,  
And wait with patience a successful end  
Of all their troubles. What if you be penned  
Up in this Creek? What though the Rocks and Waves  
Conspire your death? What if these Hellborn Slaves  
Resolve your future thraldom and your Death?  
Shakeoff all fear, there's hope as long as breath.  
'Twas Heaven that brought you hither, and not I,  
To show his power in your delivery,  
Which you should not distrust, but magnify,  
Since he is faithful, who hath promised,  
And by this work will show that you are freed  
Beyond your expectation. Stand but still,  
Whatever Pharaoh thinks, it is God's will  
That you escape this danger, and your foes,  
The outmost feel of their (late) feared woes.  
Stand still. Heaven bids me say, you have no cause  
To grieve, they must submit unto his Laws,  
While you look on, and with triumphant Tongues  
Sing his due praise, who hath redressed your wrongs.   

All silent, and the Prophet gone to pray,  
heavens hairs, commands, that Isra'l make his way  
Unto the foamy shore, where they must stand  
Fearless, and wait the ebb, when Moses' hand  
Shall smite the Waves, and bid them bare the Sand,  
To make a way paled on each side with glass,  
On which the fainting Tribes might safely pass,  
Beyond the reach of any Enemy  
May them infest, or make discovery  
Of their night-march, until it was too late,  
With God or Moses friendship to create,  
Who will behonoured on all those that know  
Him, or shall read of this great overthrow.   

They move, th' Egyptians laugh and say aloud,  
We thought the Hebrews God had understood  
What was most proper for his people's good;  
But now we plainly see they're led by chance,  
Which cannot work their wished deliverance,  
They're safe enough.— Halt, let the Infantry  
Refresh themselves, and sing the Victory,  
To morrow will be soon enough to drive  
The fools into the Sea; or keep alive  
Such as will quarter crave, and say, they are  
(At our disposal) Prisoners of war.   

Their Arms grounded, the Horse's Provender  
Eat, Chariots serve for Tents in sudden War,  
Where they betook themselves to free repose,  
And did conclude, though Heaven was to dispose  
Of both the Armies, who his Angel sent  
To guards his friends when thro' the Sea they went,  
By spreading of a dark and dismal Cloud  
O'er Egypt's Host, while lighted Torches stood,  
By the transparent walls to fright the Flood,  
And light his Servants to the other shore,  
That they might see their enemies no more  
Alive.— The sign given, Heaven raised the wind,  
That made the Sea contract itself, and bind  
Its furious waves, that they might not overflow  
The Walls above, nor the new way below.   

israel trod safe, th' Egyptians pursue,  
Nor knowing where they were till morning dew  
Was by the Sun exhaled, and they o●erthrew.  
The Foot and Horse sink in the slimy Sands,  
The Chariots cast their Wheels, the Rider's hands  
Were feeble, when they saw themselves surrounded  
By th' impetuous Ocean that rebounded  
With swelling, forced by Thunder and by Rain,  
While they sought to retire, but all in vain,  
Heaven fights for them; said they, why should we strive  
Against the stream? Is Pharaoh yet alive?  
He was the author of this Tragedy.  
Oh! die we must, we cannot longer fly  
Vengeance Divine, which we have justly brought  
Upon ourselves, and this destruction wrought:  
Winds have no ears, the Seas are merciless,  
When Heaven by Men or Angels sends th' express.  
Farewell dear Egypt, farewel happiness.   

‛ Let Tyrant's tremble where my pen relates  
' Th' Almighty's fury, and th' Egyptian fates.  
‛ They fight, he wards, till that unhappy war  
‛ Waxed so intense that justice could not spare.  
'Small parties foiled, he called the Arieaban,  
‛ Armies too fierce, too numerous for man,  
‛ The Serpent leads the Van. Their water's fry  
‛ Themselves in blood, and took its crimson dye,  
‛ Blood, that their Streams with stench did putrify,  
‛ The drowsy Infects all strong poison speak,  
‛ Frogs haunt the Palace as the watery creek.  
‛ Lice there without an optic might be seen  
‛ On the King's Carpets, and the Peasant's Screen.  
‛ The misty Clouds forbade the healthful Sun,  
‛ Sucking their poison while the work was done.  
‛ He likewise blushed to see the insolence  
‛ Offered to wisdom and omnipotence.  
‛ The Stars danced up into a higher sphere,  
 bathe themselves in the Crystal waters there.  
‛ Hell stormed the lower orbs, and left its hue  
‛ Black as Egyptian, and then withdrew.  
‛ At last a Prince of great fidelity  
‛ In heavens guards, the first Majestic high,  
‛ With vailed face, his humble honours made  
To his adored Sovereign thus said.  
‛ Holy of Holies, 'tis your patience  
‛ Procures you all this trouble and expense.  
‛ Give me command, and this great debate  
‛ Shall soon be ended with their first born's fate.  
‛ Your power, my hand, the Rebel's seed shall kill,  
‛ As they the infant blood of yours did spill.  
‛ He goes with armed Pestilence and Sword,  
‛ Two edged, sharp, for both were heavens word,  
‛ And smote the first of all their Beasts and Men,  
‛ The sottish crew (too late) believed then.  
‛ So Heaven would have't, that by this overthrow  
‛ Of theirs a false presumptuous world might know  
‛ That first or last he would proud mortals bow.  
‛ Who hastes his out with all things necessar'e  
‛ For their intended journey and their fare.  
‛ But ah! the wicked's mercies cruel are,  
‛ For they like Bears robbed of their Whelps when young,  
‛ With furious haste after heavens Freemen throng,  
‛ Resolving to make one attempt for all,  
‛ Return Victorious, or for ever fall.  
‛ And so it was, for they no sooner charge  
‛ The Rear of those he did intent t' enlarge,  
‛ Than the great Angel of the Covenant came,  
‛ (As after in the Flesh) and quenched their flame:  
‛ He was the guide, who led them to the shore,  
HE place made by his power fit to pass over,  
HE Cloud gave light to them that went before.  
‛ He viewed the Rear, and made the Cloud opac  
 'maze th' Egyptians, and to keep them back,  
‛ Commanding Moses to divide the stream,  
‛ While they all night lay in a Golden dream.  
‛ Pleased with the hopes of Conquest, while the Sun  
‛ Showed them the Nest, from whence the Birds were gone:  
‛ The way they thought was pleasant, smooth and plain,  
‛ Not knowing that that way would them enshrine,  
‛ And so march boldly till a furious Wind  
‛ Raised by Jehovah, did the Walls unbind,  
‛ That railed the path to guide his people safe  
To th' other side. This did th' Egyptians chafe,  
‛ For untamed surges swell and fill the place,  
‛ Where Israel dryshod walked, no empty space  
‛ Was left. The Quicksands rise, they sink below,  
‛ The billows did their Chariot's overthrow,  
‛ Teaching them by experience Heaven to know.  
‛ Half dead, some backward and some forward strive,  
‛ Tho Neptune vowed none should go out alive.  
‛ Prayers were their last shift, but they prayed in vain,  
‛ Men of deserved ills must not complain.  
‛ Their King they blame for his ill conduct had,  
‛ He blames himself for all his insults made  
'Gainst God and Isra'l, the last words he said.  
‛ His Standards fallen, and all his daring blades,  
‛ Drunk with the Sea, he tumbled to the shades.    

THE SONG of MOSES After the VICTORY. EXOD. XV.  

‛ AWake my Soul and sing Jehovah's praise,  
‛ O! may Jehovah my dull Spirits raise,  
‛ May heavens Arch-Flamine give me light and heat,  
‛ That I with Zeal may on this subject treat.  
‛ O! that I might that double portion have,  
‛ Eijah once to his Elisha gave.  
‛ May Choires of Angels from the sacred Throne,  
‛ Help me to sing this Epinition.   

Great God our lives, our all, we own to thee,  
For thou alone hast got this Victory,  
By drowning all our enemies in the Sea.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Horses are vain things to be trusted in,  
chariots though Iron, by the Rider's sin,  
Will drown and sink when Justice doth begin.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

No battle ever so unequal known,  
Never was host so easily o'erthrown,  
The Winds and Sea this wondrous work have done.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

We, we faint-hearted Foreigners stood still,  
(Trembling and scolding) though against our will,  
Until we saw our enemies' case was ill.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Then we some prospect had of Victory,  
When thou for us a path made thro' the Sea,  
'Twas thou, not we triumphed gloriously.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

We thro' thy strength do stand upon this shore,  
And see our enemies floating dead, nay, more,  
Their Horse and Chariots tossed the flood all o'er.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

He is my strength, my song, and my salvation,  
He hath relieved the hated Hebrew Nation,  
Therefore I will build him an habitation.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

His Covenant with faithful Abra'm made,  
What he to Isaac and to Jacob said,  
Is all fulfilled by this our present aid.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

What Men of War do for those in distress,  
His power for (feeble) us hath done no less,  
His name's Jehovah whom we'll ever bless.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

The proud King's Host was utterly destroyed,  
When they our Lives and Land thought to've enjoyed,  
And us (as formerly) in Bricks employed.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

His chosen men not able to withstand,  
The watery Troops unhorsed, and on the Land  
Are cast or buried in the slimy Sand.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

This unknown way was made for us alone,  
Soft for our feet, the Rocks upon us shone,  
Which they attempting, sunk down like a Stone.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

We have exper'ence of thy wondrous power,  
Thy glorious right hand did our foes devour,  
Saving us at our last and fatal hour.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Thou didst but blow upon them, yet that wind  
Gathered the floods together, and did bind  
Them up in heaps, that we a way might find.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

The en'my said, pursuing we will take  
These fugitives, and kill or bring them back,  
Dividing all the spoil we from them take.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Lord! who among the Gods is like to thee?  
Spotless and Holy, full of Majesty,  
Thy praises fearful, wonders many be.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Thy mercy we believe will save and lead  
Thy Sons redeemed unto a fertile meed,  
Where they may safely rest and freely feed.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

They that inhabit Palestine shall hear,  
Approaching sorrow will increase their fear,  
With all their Neighbouring Countries far or near.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

The lofty Dukes of Edom shall be then  
Greatly amazed, Moab's mighty men  
Losing their courage, tremble shall with pain.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

The Canaanites (though strong) with grief oppressed,  
With trembling hearts and voice will say, it's best  
To leave the Land, that israel may have rest.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Such dread shall fall upon them by thine arm,  
As will their mouths stop, lest they offer harm  
To us when we do over Jordan swarm.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Then to the place of thy great holiness  
Thou shalt us bring, and we with joy express  
In all our Songs this weighty business.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

saying, O Lord, thou shalt for ever reign,  
Since Pharaoh and his Host, who caused our pain  
Are drowned, and we on dry Land see them slain.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

It is our turn, said Miriam now to sing,  
The weaker Sex by praise may honour bring  
Unto Jehovah Nissi, our great King.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Our instruments of all sorts let us take  
Harps, Flutes, with Timbrels and sweet Music make  
To him, who hath wrought wonders for our sake.  
Sing Hallelujah.   

Great God our lives, our all we own to thee,  
Since thou alone hast wrought this Victory,  
By drowning all our enemies in the Sea.  
Sing Hallelujah.   
FINIS.