The king sat still as Fate. "Most High," she said, "I come for truth
Of this new threat of vengeance. There is horror in the air;--
The Ethiopian runner hath brought word to me in sooth
Blood is sprinkled on the door-posts of the Hebrews everywhere!"
"There are rumours--so he sayeth--of an Angel who will slay
The first-born sons of Egypt--should these bondsmen not depart.
Thy people weep in anguish--I myself must hear thee say--
The Hebrew leader threatens no such danger to my heart--
"He is my heart--my inner heart;--0 straight he is and strong!
To me he meaneth Egypt--Egypt meaneth but my son--
So I would take him swiftly toward the land where I belong
To return to thee in safety when these troubles all are done."
"The streets are filled with mourners;--every day more tears are shed;
The embalmers have grown weary--they will not work for gold--
And everywhere the eye doth see processions of the dead,
Till they seem but mocking phantoms, we watch unmoved and cold."
"Thou wilt not let the Hebrews go--I read it in thine eyes--
There are no gods in Egypt--there is nothing but thy Will--
That sets itself against some force that yet in Strength will rise
But to silence all thine answers and bid thy voice be still.
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