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 giv'n Heav'n rais'd the wind That made the Sea contract it self and bind Its furious waves that they might not o'erflow The Walls above nor the new way below Isra'l trod safe th' Egyptians pursue Nor knowing where they were till morning dew Was by the Sun exhal'd and they oâ—erthrew The Foot and Horse sink in the slimy Sands The Chariots cast their Wheels the Riders hands Were feeble when they saw themselves surrounded By th' impetuous Ocean that rebounded With swelling forc't by Thunder and by Rain While they sought to retire but all in vain Heav'n fights for them said they why should we strive Against the stream Is Pharaoh yet alive He was the author of this Tragedy Oh! dye we must we cannot longer flie Vengeance Divine which we have justly brought Upon our selves and this destruction wrought Winds have no ears the Seas are merciless When Heav'n by Men or Angels sends th' express Farewel dear Egypt farewel happiness ' Let Tyrants tremble where my pen relates ' Th' Almighty's fury and th' Egyptian fates ' They fight he wards till that unhappy war ' Wax'd so intense that justice could not spare ' Small parties foil'd he call'd the Arieaban ' Armies too fierce too numerous for man ' The Serpent leads the Van. Their waters fry ' Themselves in blood and took its crimson dye ' Blood that their Streams with stench did putrify ' The drowsy Insects all strong poyson speak ' Frogs haunt the Palace as the watry creek ' Lice there without an optick might be seen ' On the Kings Carpets and the Peasants Skreen ' The mystie Clouds forbad the healthful Sun ' Sucking their poyson while the work was done ' He likewise blusht to see the insolence ' Offer'd to wisdom and omnipotence ' The Stars danc'd up into a higher sphere 'To bath themselves in the Crystal waters there ' Hell storm'd the lower orbs and left its hue ' Black as Egyptian and then withdrew ' At last a Prince of great fidelity ' In Heav'ns guards the first Majestick high ' With vailed face his humble honours made 'To his adored Soveraign thus said ' Holy of Holies 't is your patience ' Procures you all this trouble and expence ' Give me command and this great debate ' Shall soon be ended with their first born's fate ' Your pow'r my hand the Rebels 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 Heav'n's word ' And smote the first of all their Beasts and Men ' The sottish crew too late believed then ' So Heav'n 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 robb'd of their Whelps when young ' With furious haste after Heav'ns Free-men 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 intend t' inlarge ' Than the great Angel of the Covenant came ' As after in the Flesh and quencht their flame ' He was the guide who led them to the shore 'A place made by his power fit to pass o'er 'A Cloud gave light to them that went before ' He view'd the Rear and made the Cloud opac 'To ' maze th' Egyptians and to keep them back ' Commanding Moses to divide the stream ' While they all night lay in a Golden dream ' Pleas'd with the hopes of Conquest while the Sun ' Show'd 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 ' Rais'd by Jehovah did the Walls unbind ' That rail'd the path to guide his people safe 'To th' other side This did th' Egyptians chafe ' For untam'd surges swell and fill the place ' Where Israel dry-shod walkt no empty space ' Was left The Quick-sands rise they sink below ' The billows did their Chariots overthrow ' Teaching them by experience Heav'n to know ' Half dead some backward and some forward strive ' Tho Neptune vow'd none should go out alive ' Prayers were their last shift but they pray'd in vain ' Men of deserv'd 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 Heav'n's 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 Epinicion Great God! our lives our all we owe to thee For thou alone hast got this Victory By drowning all our en'mies in the Sea Sing Hallelujah Horses are vain things to be trusted in Char'ots tho Iron by the Riders 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 wond'rous work have done Sing Hallelujah We we faint-hearted Foreigners stood still Trembling and scolding tho against our will Until we saw our en'mies case was ill Sing Hallelujah Then we some prospect had of Victory When thou for us a path made thro the Sea 'T was thou not we triumphed gloriously Sing Hallelujah We thro thy strength do stand upon this shore And see our en'mies floating dead nay more Their Horse and Chariots tost the flood all o're Sing Hallelujah He is my strength my song and my salvation He hath reliev'd 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 pow'r for feeble us hath done no less His name 's Jehovah whom we'll ever bless Sing Hallelujah The proud Kings Host was utterly destroy'd When they our Lives and Land thought t o've enjoy'd And us as formerly in Bricks employ'd Sing Hallelujah His chosen men not able to withstand The watry Troops unhors'd and on the Land Are cast or bury'd 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 pow'r Thy glor'ous 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 Gather'd 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 redeem'd 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 Neigbouring 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 tho strong with grief opprest With trembling hearts and voice will say it 's best To leave the Land that Isra'l 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 Say'ng O Lord thou shalt for ever reign Since Pharaoh and his Host who caus'd our pain Are drown'd 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 owe to thee Since thou alone hast wrought this Victory By drowning all our enemies in the Sea Sing Hallelujah FINIS
who grasp at every reed This feign'd affection their faint hopes doth feed They ran and said Dread Soveraign we know That we our selves are yours and labours owe Unto this State We trust therefore that ye For pities sake will alter the decree Publish'd against us by your royal will That without Straw our tasks we should fulfil If this be in our pow'r 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 over-quick Go hence and work I 'll show you trick for trick ' As long besieged Castles when they see 'A bloody Flag hung out when Soldiers be ' Decoy'd to Ambuscade when Seamen fling ' Their Masts o'er board Bale Goods and ev'ry thing ' Or when the nighted Trav'ller falls in pit ' And men condemn'd in darkest Dungeons sit O'erwhelm'd with endless grief such was the state Of Pharoah's bondmen when the knew their fate ' One swounds one cryes 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 said'st 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 Heav'n 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 had'st stay'd yet in the Wilderness We at our burthens then we might have had Th' Egyptian's love with Straw for our Brick trade Both now are lost and we our selves in danger To be destroyed in our Monarch's anger Moses distrusting what might be th' event Of this harsh menace highly discontent Look'd pale and trembled grief so seiz'd his heart That neither Aaron's love nor Aaron's art Could cure those wounds tho 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 repuls'd 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 ' Tho 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 mans friend ' 'T was providence that made young Joseph dream ' His Parents and his brethren were the theme ' By which his future fortunes were display'd ' Tho he knew neither what he dreamt or said ' Yet for that dream was envy'd sold betray'd Falsely accus'd condemn'd 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 thund'ring 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 Abraâ—m could Without such firmly rest upon my pow'r 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 talkt and lik'd that well When I to them of Canaan promise made They trusted in my pow'r and always said What! tho we strangers be Our God can give This and much more altho 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 abus'd My Servants by proud Pharaoh so ill us'd That their sad groans which I seem'd to despise Have mov'd 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 recal 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 Cov'nant 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 shame-fac'd of fearful heart Go all these tydings 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 ' Fixt as the Winters 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 Receiv'd 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
expressions to confess his sin To Moses and to Aaron saying thus Egypt is wicked Heav'n is Righteous Good men entreat your God once more for me To cease the Thundâ—rings let the Hail storm be Abated then 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' Heav'ns above are Gods and th' Earth below But I am sure when this great plague is o're 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 Linnen made By subtile corruscations withered The pond'rous Hail its bolls knopt off interr'd 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 sav'd from this great Massacre ' The Judgment must be great all must confess ' When Eden's turn'd into a Wilderness This Pharaoh saw but when thro Moses's pray'r The Sun dispers'd 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 bent Their minds on future mischief and deny Their punisher to please or gratify Who now resolv'd 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 harden'd he 'll not bow To make my wisdom powâ—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 't is 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-cloath'd Fields and Trees Of all their Summer Glories Liveries And such a Famine bring as heretofore When Jacob's Sons to Egypt first came o'er And greater much because the Hebrew Prince Joseph your Saviour is forgot long since Who like a father furnish'd 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 burthens and with death Revenge implacable and endless wrath These are your crimes and this your punishment To morrow Locusts will from Heav'n be sent Locusts so strange so great so numerous They 'll cover all the Land and fill each House The Land that promis'd you a small supply After the Hail and Rain shall putrifie 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 excus'd Such measures you shall have as you have us'd Your Tongues and Hands were sharpen'd and your Swords Destroy'd my people your most pleasant words Like Serpents Vipers and like Wasps did bite The fainting feeble famisht Israelite Their poyson'd stings shall pierce your trembling veins Opening their Sluces 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 exprest Without farewel he leaves him and the rest Unspoken All his Counsellors dismaid Seeing Moses to their King no reverence paid At his departure but with high disdain Show'd by his looks charg'd him once more on pain Of Death in haste to let the people go Cry 't is 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 pow'rs Of Heav'n and Earth are raised what are ours A loathsome Louse a Frog a Flie can bring Destruction on us and on our King Come le ts not dally here the Monarch comes Chaffâ—d with the late affront he stares he foams Who dares accost him in this furious mood His trembling shows the thirsteth after blood But we must tâ—y before it be too late With him about this matter to debate Great Sir our grief not boldness makes us offer The Nations state our troubles will not suffer â—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 surprizing 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 Daughters 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 stupifi'd with fear Dread Soveraign say they our mortal state Admits of changes while this grand debate 'Twixt Heav'n and you lay dormant our Ally's Taught us both God and Men how to despise You you great Sir excepted now they flie They dare not ape Heav'ns smallest prodigy Nor