MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES: A Sacred Brama. Let me assert eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to man.-Paradise Lost. ess. Melita; and other attendants. Scene. On the banks of the Nile. The subject is taken from the 2d chapter of the Book of Exodus. PART I. JOCHEBED, MIRIAM. Joch. WHY was my prayer accepted? why did Heaven In anger hear me, when I ask'd a son? Ye dames of Egypt! ye triumphant mothers! You no imperial tyrant marks for ruin; You are not doom'd to see the babes you bore, Of thy sad daughters! — - Why did God's own hand Thou great mysterious Power, who hast involv'd Thy wise decrees in darkness, to perplex The daring scrutiny, and prove the faith Mir. Ah me, my mother! whence these floods of grief! Can only know my pangs! none else can guess them. But by a mother.-Would I were not one! Mir. With earnest prayers thou didst request this son, And Heaven has granted him. Joch. O sad estate Of human wretchedness; so weak is man, Too well thou know'st, my child, the stern decree He shall not die. I have a thought, my Miriam, To save his precious life. Mir. Hop'st thou that Pharaoh Joch. I have no hope in Pharaoh, much in God; Much in the Rock of ages. Mir. Think, O think, What perils thou already hast incurr'd, And shun the greater which may yet remain. 'Three months, three dangerous months thou hast pre serv'd Thy infant's life, and in thy house conceal'd him! Should Pharaoh know! Joch. Oh! let the tyrant know, And feel what he inflicts! Yes, hear me, Heaven! Yes, I will laud thy grace, and bless thy goodness Mir. And yet who knows, but the fell tyrant's rage May reach his precious life. I fear for him, Joch. In many lives; through many a nerve she feels; Unfed by hope. A mother's fondness reigns Mir. But say what Heaven inspires to save thy son? Joch. Since the dear fatal morn which gave him birth, I have revolv'd in my distracted mind Each means to save his life: and many a thought My little helpless infant, and expose him Upon the banks of Nile. Mir. 'Tis full of danger. Joch. 'Tis danger to expose, and death to keep him. Mir. Yet, oh! reflect. Should the fierce crocodile, The native and the tyrant of the Nile, Seize the defenceless infant! Joch. Oh, forbear! Spare my fond heart. Yet not the crocodile, Nor all the deadly monsters of the deep, Mir. Should he escape, which yet I dare not hope, Joch. Mir. What must I do? Command thy daughter; for thy words have waked An holy boldness in my youthful breast. Joch. Go then, my Miriam, go, and take the infant. Buried in harmless slumbers, there he lies: Let me not see him-spare my heart that pang. And I may feast my fondness with his smiles, And snatch one last, last kiss.-No more, my heart; I could not doom to death the babe I clasp'd: I dare not hazard it-the task be thine. Oh, do not wake my child; remove him softly; Mir. Did those magicians, whom the sons of Egypt Consult and think all-potent, join their skill; And was it great as Egypt's sons believe; To save this little ark of bulrushes, Thus fearfully exposed, could not effect it. Joch. Know this ark is charm'd With incantations Pharaoh ne'er employ'd; I twisted every slender reed together, O leave him not; but at a distance wait, And mark what Heaven's high will determines for him. Lay him among the flags on yonder beach, Just where the royal gardens meet the Nile. I dare not follow him, suspicion's eye Would note my wild demeanour! Miriam, yes, PART II. Enter MIRIAM, after having deposited the child. Mir. YES, I have laid him in his watery bed, But, ah, my mother! who shall soothe thy griefs? Sweet babe, farewell! Yet think not I will leave thee; Devour thy little bark: I'll sit me down, And sing to thee, sweet babe; thou canst not hear; But 'twill amuse me, while I watch thy fate. [She sits down on a bank, and sings. SONG. Thou who canst make the feeble strong, Not mine such notes as Egypt's daughters raise : II. Ye winds, the servants of the Lord, Ye waves obedient to his word, |