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Of Arabia, and became a shepherd for the priestOf Midian. But now, instead of leading flocksAnd herds, he aspires to lead his captive raceTo freedom. These men mean mischief; seditionAnd revolt are in their plans. Decree, I pray thee,That these men shall gather their own strawAnd yet their tale of bricks shall be the same."And these words pleased Pharaoh well, and all hisLords chimed in with one accord. And PharaohWrote the stern decree and sent it unto Goshen—That the laborers should gather their own straw,And yet they should not 'minish of their tale of bricks 'Twas a sad day in Goshen;The king's degree hung like a gloomy pallAround their homes. The people fainted 'neathTheir added tasks, then cried unto the king,That he would ease their burdens; but he hissedA taunt into their ears and said, "ye areIdle, and your minds are filled with vainAnd foolish thoughts; get you unto your tasks,And ye shall not 'minish of your tale of bricks." And then they turned their eyesReproachfully on Moses and his brother,And laid the cruel blame upon their shoulders.'Tis an old story now, but then 'twas newUnto the brethren,—how God's anointed onesMust walk with bleeding feet the paths that turnTo lines of living light; how hands that bringSalvation in their palms are pierced with cruel
