21 MOSES ON THE NILE "Sisters! the wave is freshest in the ray Of the young morning; the reapers are asleep; The river-bank is lonely; come away! The early murmurs of old Memphis creep Faint on my ear; and here unseen we stray (Deep in the covert of the grove withdrawn), Save by the dewy eye-glance of the dawn. "Within my father's palace, fair to see, Shine all the Arts, but oh! this river-side, Pranked with gay flowers, is dearer far to me Than gold and porphyry vases bright and wide; How glad in heaven the song-bird carols free! Sweeter these zephyrs float than all the showers Of costly odors in our royal bowers. "The sky is pure, the sparkling stream is clear: Unloose your zones, my maidens, and fling down To float awhile upon these bushes near Your blue transparent robes: take off my crown, And take away my jealous veil; for here To-day we shall be joyous while we lave "Hasten; but through the fleecy mists of morn, Coursing along the current, it would seem "But stay! if I may surely trust mine eye, Of the light breeze along the rippling swell; An infant slumbering, and his peaceful rest “He sleeps—oh, see! his little floating bed Swims on the mighty river's fickle flow, A white dove's nest; and there at hazard led By the faint winds, and wandering to and fro, The cot comes down; beneath his quiet head The gulfs are moving, and each threatening wave Appears to rock the child upon a grave. "He wakes-ah, maids of Memphis, haste, oh, haste! He cries! alas!-what mother could confide He rests with but a few frail reeds beneath, "Oh! take him up! Perchance he is of those Dark sons of Israel whom my sire proscribes; Against most guiltless of the stranger tribes! Thus Iphis spoke-the royal hope and pride The waters broken by her delicate feet Opening with cautious hands the reedy couch, Her curious maidens hurried round about Haste thou, who from afar, with doubt and fear, With a glad heart, and a triumphal face, Bathed with the bitter tears a parent shed; 66 Of Heaven's white throne, the voice of angel choirs Intoned the theme of their undying lyres. No longer mourn thy pilgrimage below, O Jacob! let thy tears no longer swell The torrent of th'Egyptian river. Lo! Soon on the Jordan's banks thy tents shall dwell, And Goshen shall behold thy people go Despite the power of Egypt's law and brand, From their sad thrall to Canaan's promised land!" VICTOR HUGO Translation from the Dublin University Magazine 22 MOSES AND THE ANGEL "Praise Him, Al-Mutâhâli! Whose decree Is wiser than the wit of Man can see." 'Tis written in the chapter " Of the Cave," An Angel of the Lord, a minister, 66 Had errands upon earth, and Moses said, 66 Grant me to wend with thee, that I may learn God's ways with men." The Angel, answering, said, 66 Thou canst not bear with me; thou wilt not have Knowledge to judge; yet if thou followest me, Question me not, whatever I shall do, Until I tell thee." Then they found a ship On the sea-shore, wherefrom the Angel struck Her boards, and brake them. Moses said, "Wilt drown The mariners? This is a strange thing wrought." 66 Did I not say thou couldst not bear with me?” The Angel answered,--" Be thou silent now!" Yet farther, and they met an Arab boy; Upon his eyes with mouth invisible The Angel breathed; and all his warm blood froze, "Thou wouldst not bear with me? Question me not!" |