the fatal blow struck; and all its branching honors tumbled to the dust. And did he fall alone? No: the hopes of his father that begat him, and the pleasing prospects of her that bare him, fell, and were crushed together with him. Doubtless it would have pierced one's heart, to have beheld the tender parents following the breathless youth to his long home. Perhaps, drowned in tears, and all overwhelmed with sorrows, they stood, like weeping statues, on this very spot. Methinks I see the deeply-distressed mourners attending the sad solemnity. How they wring their hands, and pour forth floods from their eyes! Is it fancy? or do I really hear the passionate mother, in an agony of affliction, taking her final leave of the darling of her soul? Dumb she remained, while the awful obsequies were performing; dumb with grief, and leaning upon the partner of her woes. But now the inward anguish struggles for vent; it grows too big to be repressed. She advances to the brink of the grave. All her soul is in her eyes. She fastens one more look upon the dear doleful object, before the pit shuts its mouth upon him. And as she looks, she cries; in broken accents, interrupted by many a rising sob, she cries, Farewell, my son! my son! my only beloved! would to God I had died for thee! Farewell, my child! and farewell all earthly happiness! I shall never more see good in the land of the living. Attempt not to comfort me. I will go mourning all my days, till my grey hairs come down with sorrow to the grave. SCENE FROM THE DRAMA OF "MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES." JOCHEBED, MIRIAM. HY was my prayer accepted? why Jochebed. W did Heaven In angel hear me, when I ask'd a son? Ye dames of Egypt! happy! happy mothers! Joch. My son! my son! I cannot speak the rest. Can only know my pangs! None else can guess them. A mother's sorrows cannot be conceiv'd, But by a mother. Wherefore am I one? Mir. With many prayers thou didst request this son, And Heav'n has granted him. Joch. O sad estate "That "That ev'ry male, of Hebrew mother born, He shall not die. I have a thought, my Miriam! To save his precious life. Mir. Hop'st thou that PharaohJoch. I have no hope in Pharaoh; much in God; Much in the Rock of Ages. Mir. Think, O think, What perils thou already hast incurr'd; And shun the greater, which may yet remain. [serv'd Three months, three dang'rous months thou hast preThy infant's life, and in thy house conceal'd him! Should Pharaoh know! Joch. O let the tyrant know, And feel what he inflicts! Yes, hear me, Heav'n! But hush, Mir. And yet who knows, but the fell tyrant's rage Joch. I fear for him, Nor Nor does division weaken, nor the force Unfed by hope. A mother's fondness reigns Mir. But say what Heav'n inspires, to save thy son? Joch. Since the dear fatal morn which gave him birth, I have revolv'd in my distracted mind Each mean to save his life: and many a thought, My little helpless infant, and expose him. Mir. 'Tis full of danger. Joch. 'Tis danger to expose, and death to keep him. Mir. Yet, reflect! Should the fierce crocodile, The native and the tyrant of the Nile, Seize the defenceless infant! Joch. O, forbear! Spare my fond heart. Yet not the crocodile, That heathen king, that royal murderer! Mir. Should he escape, which yet I dare not hope, Each sea-born monster; yet the winds and waves He cannot 'scape. Joch. Know, God is every where; Not to one narrow, partial spot confin'd; He extends Through all the vast infinitude of space. And And at his bidding, winds and seas are calm. In Him, whose promise never yet has fail'd, Mir. What must I do? Command thy daughter, for thy words have wak'd An holy boldness in my youthful breast. Joch. Go then, my Miriam ; go, and take the infant ; Buried in harmless slumbers, there he lies; Let me not see him. Spare my heart that pang. I dare not hazard it. The task be thine. Mir. Did those magicians, whom the sons of Egypt Joch. Know, this ark is charm'd With spells, which impious Egypt never knew. With invocations to the living God, I twisted every slender reed together, Joch. Yet ere thou go'st, observe me well. And mark what Heav'n's high will determines for him. Would |