REUBEN returns-he looks into the pit.

REUBEN.

Now my dear injured brother, you shall find

That I seem'd cruel only to be kind.

O Heaven! the child is gone! what shall I do?
O whither shall I go; what course pursue?

I hoped to counteract their cruel plans;

I hoped to snatch him from their murderous hands,

To calm the terrors of his fierce alarms,

And give him to a father's sheltering arms;
But he is lost.- -How shall I now return

To see our venerable parent mourn,

Behold his reverend form with grief brought low, And beg his blessing, knowing what I know?

JOSEPH'S GUARDIAN ANGEL-from a Cloud. Impious and blind! in vain ye strive with fate, Or thwart the counsels predeterminate Which God's eternal wisdom hath design'd, Plann'd and perfected in his mighty mind.

Ye are but instruments of His High Will,

Urged by His Guidance, though resisting still,

In vain your ineffectual schemes ye try

To overturn Immutability.

In adamantine strength His Purpose stands,

Not to be shaken by rebellious hands:

Ye toil to counteract the Eternal Will,

Those toils His providential plans fulfil;
And your unyielding necks must yet bow down
Humbly beneath your lordly brother's frown.
My charge is rescued from your murderous hands,
And, though he trace the desart's arid sands,
Though exile and captivity succeed

Bonds and imprisonment, th' ungrateful meed
Of faithful service, and unswerving truth

In the fair morning of ingenuous youth;

Yet from the furnace of affliction, tried,

He shall come forth refined and purified ;
And the bright day-star of his glory rise
Triumphant, o'er his baffled enemies.

END OF THE FIRST PART.

JOSEPH.

PART THE SECOND.

EGYPT.

JOSEPH AND STEWARD.

JOSEPH.

Are all the people served as I desired?

STEWARD.

They are, my Lord, and have with thanks retired;

And while they bent the supplicating knee,

They bless'd the sapient mind that could foresee

This fearful famine, and the overflow

Of plenteous years so prudently bestow.

JOSEPH.

That Praise is God's: His Sovereign Power alone

Can save a Land, or guard a Monarch's Throne;

His Providence the warning visions sent,

That prudence might the coming woe prevent.

SERVANT.

My Lord, a band of Strangers at the gate,

To purchase corn, your gracious pleasure wait.

Whence are these men?

JOSEPH.

SERVANT.

From Canaan's land they say,

And with submissive words your bounty pray.

JOSEPH.

From Canaan said'st thou? What a lengthen'd train

Of sad reflections float across my brain;

My home! my Father! does he yet survive?
My Brethren, cruel Brethren! do they live?

Into my presence let the men be brought;
The interview may be with tidings fraught.
What do I see? My Brethren? Peace my soul!

And strive thy varying passions to controul:
They will not know me in my alter'd state,

Nor see the banish'd object of their hate:

Yet, O my God, my thanks to Thee I give,

Who sent me here to keep their souls alive.

JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.

JOSEPH.

Whence are ye? say-your business let me hear; But speak the truth, or else my vengeance fear.

JUDAH.

We come from Canaan, and beseech your grace,
To save the remnant of a hapless race;

We heard that Egypt was with plenty blest,
While Famine every other land opprest:

Therefore to purchase food thy servants come,
To save the fainting souls we've left at home.

JOSEPH.

Tell me no more of your audacious lies,

"Tis falsehood all; I know that ye are spies:

To see the naked land abroad ye come,

And leave your helpless families at home.

REUBEN.

Indeed thy servants speak the words of truth;

We were twelve brethren, from our earliest youth,