Page:Poems McDonald.djvu/52

    Turned they once more to thee,
Oppressing Egypt? asked they yet again
The tyrant's heavy yoke, the galling chain
    Of bitter slavery?
The life of bondsmen, and their nameless graves,
    Meet sepulture for slaves!

    Had they forgotten now
The heavenly manna from the hand of God?
The Rock, from whence the Prophet's smiting rod
    Bade the clear waters flow?
The cloud-wrapt height of Sinai, when His word
    That trembling Prophet heard?

    And did they doubt the hand
That led them safely through the parted sea?
And could they ask a surer guide than He
    Unto the Promised Land?
He, who the fiery pillar reared to bless
    In the dark wilderness?

    Read thou thyself, O man!
In their eventful story—far away
Lies the fair region of eternal day;