And, lo, that first fierce triumph o'er, To Heaven the sage upraised his wand; GEORGE CROLY 27 THE DESTROYING ANGEL "To your homes," said the leader of Israel's host, "And slaughter a sacrifice; Let the life-blood be sprinkled on each door-post, And the Angel of Vengeance shall pass you by, The people hear, and they bow them low- The lamb is slain, and with blood they go THE DESTROYING ANGEL And the doors they close when the sun hath set, The judgment to be done. 'Tis midnight, yet they hear no sound No blast of a pestilence sweeps the ground, Nor rush as of harpy-wings goes by, But the calm moon floats in the cloudless sky Once only, shot like an arrowy ray, It passed so swift, the eye scarce could say Yet the beat of every heart was still, The courage of Israel's bravest quailed 87 Though knowing the blood of their offering availed They felt 'twas the Spirit of Death had passed, cast On Egypt's land that night. Wail, King of the Pyramids! Death hath cast But o'er Israel in bondage his rage hath passed- Go, Satrap, command that the captive be free, Lest their God, in fierce anger, should smite even thee On the crown of thy purple pride. ANONYMOUS 28 THE EXIT FROM EGYPTIAN BONDAGE When Israel's sons, from cruel bondage freed, Affrighted Israel stood alone dismayed, And wave o'er wave the ranging Red Sea rolled. But God, who saves His chosen ones from harm, Stretched to their aid His all-protecting arm; And lo! on either side the sea divides, And Israel's army in its bosom hides. Safe to the shore through watery walls they march, And the dark waters roll their march between. The God of vengeance stretched His arm again, THE EXIT FROM EGYPTIAN BONDAGE 89 Rejoice, O Israel! God is on your side; Then Israel's children marched by day and night, To Sinai's mount the trembling people came,- A silent awe pervaded all the van; Not e'en a murmur through the army ran. High Sinai shook! dread thunders rent the air! To Heaven's dread court, th’intrepid leader came But lo! he comes arrayed in shining light, Heaven's high commands with trembling were re ceived; Heaven's high commands were heard and were be lieved. LUCRETIA DAVIDSON 29 THE DESTRUCTION OF PHARAOH Mourn, Mizraim, mourn! The weltering wave Where lowly laid they sleep; The deep, the deep, the dreary deep! Wail, wail, Egyptia! mourn and weep! Wake, Israel, wake the harp. The roar Shout, Israel! Let the joyful cry JOHN RUSKIN [At the age of thirteen] |