JOSEPH REVIVED OR The Twelve last Chapters of Genesis Metaphrazed. Containing the LIFE & DEATH Of Holy JOSEPH. By GEORGE LESLY Minister of Wittering in Northamptonshier. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, Rom. 8.28. LONDON, Printed for the Author, and are to be sold by Charles Smith at the Angel near the Inner Temple gate, Fleetstreet. 1676. IMPRIMATUR Gul. Jane S.T.B. Reverend. in Christo Pa●ti D no Henrico Episc. Lond. à Sacris Domesticis. Jan. 17. 1675. To the Right Worshipful WILL. WYMONDESOLD, ESQUIRE, Mr. EDMUND, Mr. RICHARD, Mr. MATTHEW, and Mr. THOMAS his Brethren; with their truly Virtuous Mother and Sisters. Worthy Sirs and Ladies, BEING about to throw my Mite into the Public Treasury, to plant a tender VINE in the Lord's VINEYARD, I thought you fittest to fence it with Your favourable Aspects, who are not only almost equal in Number but Virtues, to those Sacred Patriarches, whose History I have metaphrazed. The Meeter is like myself, dull and despicable, but the Matter is of Divine Inspiration, which requires Your acceptance by Heaven's Authority, while as the other only lets the World know, that I am, YOURS, Extraordinary obliged, GEO. LESLY. Wittering, Jan. 7. 1675/ 6. TO THE READER. IF Heaven be pleased to dart his glorious Rays Into my Soul, let others take the Bays, Who climb Parnassus and Mount Helicon For airy Notions, while I at the Throne Of Mercy beg an understanding Heart To measure out what Moses did impart To th' World, concerning Jacob and his Seed, 'Mong whom a Dream did great dissension breed. Though God inspired the Prophet from above, And he (poor Heart) revealed all in love, Whose harmless Vision counted was a crime, And so (perhaps) may this my humble Rhyme: Yet if in friendly manner you disclose My oversights, I'll mend, or write in Prose. G. L. To my Worthy Friend Mr. GEORGE LESLY, upon his Poem called JOSEPH Revived. WITH Fiction while the airy Poet doth Abuse the Text, thou tell'st the naked truth; Thou stuff'st thy Verse with Sense, and every Rhyme Complete speaks thee a Poet without crime. He who in Sacred Phrase was once forlorn, And piece-meal shown, like to his Garment, torn, Thou offerest whole; snips and shreds thy Theme, Thou drawest his Story up without a Seam. O happy Art! thrice Joseph rides in State, In Pharaoh's Second Char'ot first, than date His second Trophy with Divine Records, His Honour last commenceth with thy words. Bid Breth'ren all his Glory'n Egypt tell; He needs not now, thy Pen hath done't so well, That all the British Orb of it may ring, And we of thee, while thou of him dost sing. Tho. Woolsey D.D. JOSEPH REVIVED. OF Rachel's longed for darling since I sing, And thy beloved, help me Jacobs King. My Bark is crazy, and my stock is small, Yet if thou Wind and Sea command, I shall Safe to the Harbour this my Pinnace bring, Then of myself and it make offering. At Padan-aram had this worthy breath, Not long before the beauteous Rachel's death, Yet Hebron was the place of his abode, At seventeen years beloved of man and God: Where with his Brethren, Dan and Napthali, Asher and Gad, he on the downs did lie, Feeding the Flocks with them, their ill report Grieved the Lad, for which he did resort Unto his aged Father, and declared Those passages that he had seen and heard. These actions, Boy, to them will fatal prove, Though I can never take from thee that love I unto Rachel (while she lived) did bear. For proof whereof this Livery take and wear. This, with his tidings did exasperate His brethren's spirits, so that him they hate, Which heaven soon perceiveth, and his fame Raiseth, by dreams to be fulfilled on them; The which when he (awake) gins to tell, Their eyes inflame and hearts with anger swell Against the harmless Youth, who nevertheless In friendly manner did it thus express: This night, said he, as we all binding were Sheaves in the field, mine did itself uprear In Kinglike posture, and yours round did stand, Making obeisance, waiting its command. To which his Brethren hastily replied, Shalt thou reign o'er us? Shall it be said That thou shalt have dominion? No, thy grave Is just reward, for these thy Dreams to have. Yet where Jehovah works no man can let, He dreams again of their succeeding fate, Which he once more doth unto them reveal, And said, this other I will not conceal. And thus it was, Behold! the Sun and Moon, With Stars eleven, to me have homage done. Of this he did not only certify His Brethren, but his Father, who did cry, Fie Son! what mean these uncouth thoughts? be sure Such wild presages I shall ne'er endure; Thinkest thou, that I, my Wife and Children too Shall crouch and bow, and fall 'fore such as you? No child, be wise, forbear thus to divine, Lest all the rest against thee do combine. This storm is ceased, and the young men gone Their flocks to feed, in Sechem every one, For whose long absence, neither night nor day Can Jacob rest, till Joseph's sent away, Who said, Go down and see if all be right, I've suffered much for my ten Sons this night▪ Your will, said he, is unto me a Law, I'll go to Sechem, though I never saw The place: no sooner doth he undertake his journey, than the way he doth forsake, And wanders too and fro in open field, Till one drew nigh and pitied the child, Saying, What seekest thou Stripling, 'tis my grief To see thee straying here without relief? My Brethren, Sir, said he, pray tell me whither 've driven their flocks to feed, I must go thither. Boy, answered he, I think I heard them say, Rise up, and let's to Dothan straight away: And there they are, for any thing I know, The grass is good, because the ground is low. My thanks I give you, Sir, and if I find Them there, I'll say you were exceeding kind. This said, he runneth thither joyfully, Not dreaming once of any danger nigh. But 'twas a dream, for he's no sooner spied By his malicious Brethren, than they cried, Behold! our Dreamer comes, prophetic Mome; Come, let us slay him, he shall ne'er go home, And cast him in some Pit, than we will say Some evil Beast hath ta'en his life away. And then 'tis hoped that we shall quickly see A final end both of his Dreams and he. But Reuben who was judged least to respect God or his Father, doth the Lad protect; Sa'ing, Let's not kill him, for some time or other It will come out, remember he's our Brother; If his Blood cry, let us not think to thrive: We'll rather put him in this Pit alive. This course he was the willinger to take, Because thereby he thought to get him back Safe to his Father. All this time the Lad Thought of no ill, nor yet suspicion had, But rushed among them, ravished with joy, Wishing them health; who answer, Foolish Boy Hast not more Dreams to tell? we must now see If this fine Coat doth make thee prophesy. Are we not Brethren? Oh! be not so rude, Said he, I mean to you nothing but good. No, Stripling no, thy Sighs, thy Pra'rs, thy Tears With us must take no place, thy tender years Which pity crave, must taste our cruelty; In this dry Pit thou art designed to lie. To't, fling him down, 'tis Noon we'll take repast: But hold, who's this draws towards us so fast? Ishma'lites surely, come from Gilead Unloaden with Spice, Balm, Myrrh, Egyptian Trade. By this time Judah's heart began to melt, Whose words declare that he great trouble felt. What profit in our Brother's blood, said he, Though we conceal't, yet murderers we be. Give o'er; I've found a way that's better far: We see these Camels richly loaden are, Let's with their Masters this our Dreamer truck; And being gone, we'll pray for his good luck. This, this will clear us from the Calumny Of Fratricide that would upon us lie. Ho, Chapmen tarry, want ye not a Lad To drive your Horses and promote your Trade? Here's one, we'll sell him cheap. A pretty Youth, Replied the Merchants, he will serve us both. How prise ye him? Speak, if ye mean that we Should buy him of you, rate him not too high. At one word, twenty Pieces is our price. Hold, here's your Money, he is worth it twice: And so we hope he'll give, the Boy likes well. The Wares are always good that Merchants sell. We'll carry him to Egypt, for his Age And Feature fitteth him to be a Page To some great Lady; if that will not do, My Lord he can serve in his Chamber too. And if the Rules of Physiognomy Deceive us not, such Grace's hidden lie Under his flaxen hair, and downy chin, As hitherto in any scarce hath been. Come, let's go hence; I'll now unto the Pit, Saith Reu. to see if Joseph be in it, But missing of him, whom he thought to find, He instantly returns with heavy mind Unto his Brethren, crying out, Alas! The Boy is taken out of yonder place: Whither shall I go? not home to my dear Father, Seeing he'll require of me; no, I'll rather Breath out the rest of my unhappy years In some dark Cell, and expiate with tears My double crime. No Brother, cry the rest, We have a project (if ye think it best) Will with our Father clear both us and you: Look, here's his Coat, and there are Goats enough, Let's with their blood besprinkle it, and then Go cheerfully to Hebron back again, And ask our Father if this garb he knows, Since at first view it like to Joseph's shows. On this they all conclude, and home return With joyful faces, though they'd cause to mourn; And with these tidings Jacob did salute, At which surprised, he's suddenly struck mute, And beats his Breast, his Eyes great floods let out Of Tears, and said, Poor Joseph without doubt Is torn in pieces by some evil Beast, Who first devours, and after makes his feast. This said, he rend his clothes, sackcloth put on, And many days mourned for him alone, Without all comfort, till at last his Sons And Daughters all come unto him at once, Saying, O Father why doth this your grief Transport you so, as not to take relief; We think you might be joyful, when you see Of your own Loins this goodly company. No, said old Jacob, though I love you well, Yet this Lad's death will make me go to Hell Mourning: poor heart! in him alone I lived, And now being dead, how can I be but grieved? Yet all this sorrow can nothing retard The sturdy Pedlars, who by driving hard Have got to Egypt, where by quick retail They mean their Spice to vend, and Joseph's sale Expect; both which accordingly fallen out, Buyers (like Bees) to them flock round about; And Potiphar himself beholds their Trade, Where suddenly he spies the lovely Lad; Likes, buys and pays, carries him to his house, That Proverb's false, Mountains bring forth a Mouse. At home when he good notice taken had, Of all things were performed by the Lad, And of the Blessings he from God received, Name and Religion, then of him he craved; Which known, from slavery he did set him free, Saying, Of my House thou now shalt Ruler be. The pious Youth no sooner is preferred, Then th' others Pra'er for thrift is answered; For God did then th' Egyptians house so bless, That all things prosp'red, whether more or less. This made the Captain trust him with his store Of all that he had cared for, nor knew no more Than what he eat; But, ah! the goodly face Of Joseph tempted Jempsar to embrace The holy Youth with her surrounding Arms, And glance her amorous eyes, adul'trous Charms. These made him blush with shame and fear together, And answer, No, you're Sacred as my Mother. Doth not my Master trust his State with me? And hath withheld nothing at all but thee. This wickedness is great, I dare not do't; Pardon me Mistress, and leave off your suit. Say, if I grant all that which you desire, Can you keep off God's Wrath and Husband's Ire? Nay, he will be offended, and my Lord Will never after take an Hebrews word. Yet this inflamed Wanton gives not o'er To speak him kindly every day and hour; Adding forced Caresses, but in vain, From day to day, till she had drunk the bane That either must her Lust or Fury end Upon her Servant and her Husband's Friend: Both which are grown to that prodigious height, That though the Sun shines, yet she counts it night, Saying within herself, he's here I guess Alone i'the house about his business; This is the last exploit I mind to try, To which the Fool must either yield or die; And then laid hold upon his Coat and swore, I'll have all I desire of thee before Thou go, there's none can see or hear the noise; But he as frighted at her lustful voice, Flees out and leaves his Garment in her hand. Where God forbids to fight, he dares not stand. Now Hell and she must act another part, Viz. mourning face put on, dissembling heart, The sugared words she used but of late For baits, turns Choler, this to cruel hate; Calling aloud to all, for Heaven's sake help, I am abused by this Hebrew Whelp. See here the Relics of his villainy: My cries it made him leave, and from me flee. And now would God my Potiphar were come, For I shall never rest till he's at home, And have related unto him what fare Must be expected i'the house where Hebrews are. He's at the door, run and let in my Lord. How now my Girl? What? neither smile nor word? Smile, No: how can I? since your very slave Emboldened is, thine, not my Love to crave: He hath attempted that Fort was ne'er besieged By more than thee, to whom I am obliged. Horrid! Nay, 'tis no Jest, this Coat but see, And then my wrong revenge, or love not me. To which the furious Husband answer made, Enough my Jempsar, it shall ne'er be said That you (my Love) can any thing demand That I'll deny, wherefore I pray you stand To see the Prologue of his torturing pains, He shall imprisoned be and bound with chains, Go, cursed Rogue, I'll never trust the face That's beautiful, it's seldom lined with grace. This heard, the courteous Lad made humble bow, Saying, My Lord, I never wronged you; Time trying all things, you shall plainly see The fault was hers, and there was none in me: Wherefore, I hope, that God whom I do serve Will grant such favour, that I may not starve In this dark Prison— Thy words are bootless, Jailor keep him sure While I have studied what he shall endure. Which, when Jehovah from's Imperial Throne Herd, wills a winged Herald to be gone Down to his Footstool-Earth, and there to tell The Turn-key, he must use the Prisoner well. This made our guiltless Youth much favour find With him, that unto others was unkind: For, what in prison was among them done, Joseph was doer of it; he alone Without control ruled all, because the Lord Him prospered, according to the Word. Yet all this time our Joseph never thought How he from prison should at last be brought, Till he that all for good makes work together, Sent Pharaoh's Butler and his Baker thither For misdemeanour, who were put in ward With Potiphar the Captain of the Guard, Whom Joseph served; at last each dreamed a dream, Viz. Butler, Baker on a several Theme, Which so perplexed both of them next morrow, That he it spied, and said, Sirs, what sorrow Tormenteth you, ye lowr and are so sad? There is some cause, if your night-sleep was bad. Boy, that's not all, but we have dreaming been, And none can tell us what the same doth mean. Hear me, my Masters, do not you yet know That their Interpretations from below Come not, 'tis only such, events can read As are with spiritual Mantles overspread. Then do but tell me what was each man's Theme, Not doubting I shall quickly read your Dream. A Vine, said Butler, I saw me before, And in the same three Branches and no more, Which budded, shooting forth its Blossom-flow'rs, Whose clusters all brought forth such Grapes as ours; The Cup of Pharaoh being in my hand, I took, and pressed them in at his command; Who afterward both took and did it drink. This is the sum of what I dreamed I think. Is this the thing you have a mind to know? Come, rouse your Spirit, it needs not be so low; The Branches three, as many days portend, Before the end of which the King will send For you, and to your wont place restore, His Cup to bear, as you was wont before. When this Prediction is fulfilled on thee, Be sure to put the King in mind of me: And tell him, though he have Magicians store, Yet there's an Hebrew Lad that knoweth more Than all of them; and this a mean will be From Bonds and Prison for to set me free; For I indeed an Hebrew stolen was, And hither brought, I know not for what cause; Where now again, without a crime I lie In this dark Cell, and may do till I die. I like this young man, said the Baker, well, And will adventure mine also to tell. Three Baskets white I had upon my head, In which were several sorts of meat and Bread Which I to Pharaoh brought; but e'er I came Birds flocked about my head, and eat the same. This Dream of yours will prove but bad I fear, And therefore, Sir, I beg you would forbear To urge from me what it doth signify; Take this for all, that you must quickly die. I fear not that, say on, I will approve Of that my Friend reveals to me in love. My life I will resign most willingly, If of my Service Pharaoh weary be. If't must be so, The Baskets that you wore, Predict, that e'er three days be o'er You shall be hanged, and Birds your flesh shall eat. This is the vision of your baked meat. Make sure of Heaven, thy part on Earth is done. Now by this time risen third days sparkling Sun; Where God ordaining, Pharaoh made a Feast Upon his Birthday, unto all the rest Of them that were his Servants; by and by In frolic humonr he aloud did cry, Go, bring the Baker and the Butler up, This man is fittest to give me the Cup: As for the other, his last doom shall be To be lift up, and hanged on a Tree. The honour which the Prince's favour lends May he called in, and then in shame it ends. Good turns are soon forgot, a Proverb sure, For guiltless Joseph must as yet endure. Courtiers use not always to keep word, Although they make their Vows unto the Lord, Whose time's the best to set our Captive free; Though two full years he must in Prison be, Till Pharaoh dreams that he by Water side Stands, and Seven Fat well-favourd Kine espied Come up from thence, as also seven lean, And joined to th' other; those when he had seen Stood horror-struck, and what th' event might be, Wait, 'twas not long before that he did see Those scurvy lean-fleshed Beasts the other eat, And yet still looking poor, and wanting meat. So Pharaoh ' work, till slumber had his eyes Closed, and then the second time he spies Seven Ears of Corn come up both good and rank, Seven others also that were poor and lank; And as the other Lean, did Fat devour, These eat the Rank likewise that very hour. This doubled Phantasm so perplexed the heart Of Egypt's King, that he must both impart To his Magicians, willing them to see If they could tell what either signify. We are confounded, cry the Sophis, Lord Of these thy dreams we cannot tell one word. This unexpected answer so roused up The memory of him that bore the Cup, Who thus expressed himself unto the King; My Lord, I've sinned in this very thing: Pharaoh well knows that he with me was wrath, And with the Baker also sent me forth Unto the Prison, where we both did lie, Till our sad Dreams an Hebrew did espy; Who told me of it, as it since hath proved, Saying, the Butler needs not to be moved, For he shall be restored; but Baker he Shall by the King condemned and hanged be. These tidings pleased the King beyond all measure, Who prized the meaning of his dreams 'bove treasure. Call in the young man, for he's wiser far Than all the Sophies that in Egypt are. Run quickly unto Potyphar, and say, Pharaoh must see his Prisoner to day. Where Kings command, the message is obeyed. The Seer's called to come in haste, who said, What, is your haste so great? may I not stay Till I be shaved and unto Heaven pray, And change my Garments also, since you see I am not fit before your King to be? He comes— Sweet Youth, said Pharaoh, but declare What these my Dreams mean, and Garland wear. My Butler tells me, if thou hear the Theme Thou canst interpret every anxious Dream. My Lord, said he, that Grace is not in me, But God whom I do serve can let you see A true interpretation from my Mouth; Look well upon me, and despise not youth, For what my Maker doth to me reveal, That, and no more will I to Pharaoh tell. Say on, my Lord, what was your dream? Why I, Said Pharaoh, stood great Nilus' River by, And there, behold, seven Fat-wel-favoured Kine Feed in a Mead, and said, These Beasts are mine: But suddenly again to me appeared Seven other Lean ill-shaped and hanging eared, Such as the Land of Egypt never bred; For on the first seven Fat when they had fed, Their Bellies clung unto their Backs, and were Ill-favoured, lean as e'er they were before. Thus I awoke, but when my drowsy eye Was closed again with sleep, I did espy Seven Ears of Corn upon one stalk that grew So full and good, as yet I never knew. After them came up Seven more was thin And withered, as they'd Thunder-blasted been, Which suddenly the better did devour. And I again waked, calling o'er and o'er On those that studious Magicians were, The truth of these my Dreams for to declare; But all of them together answered, 'Tis God that caused your Dreams, he must 'em read. Now, he that would by this thy favour merit, Elisha-like must have Elia's Spirit. Say Hebrew then, the smoothness of thy brow Tells me, this task will be too hard for you. My youth bespeaks me ignorant I know, Great Sir, yet since the knowledge from below Comes not, that must your doubled dream unfold, That which is young by Nature, Grace makes old; By which, I tell you, that your dreams are one, And signify, what Heaven will have done. In Egypt Land the Seven good Ears and Kine Such years portend, this he bids me divine. The ill fleshed ones, and blasted Ears of Corn Foretells a Famine will make Egypt mourn For seven more. See, Nile cannot contain The Waters sent for nourishment of Grain; And all things else needs moisture for that space, After which time it will dry up. Alas! What I must do, I know not, pray be kind, And as of that, of this, Sir, speak your mind: You must seek out in all the Land discreet And wise men, who may strictly overseeed. Them bid a fifth part of its fruit to gather; These hard times will require a Nursing Father. In all thy Cities let it stored be, That when the Famine comes they may to thee Repair, and buy it at thy Steward's hand; Else this great Scarseness will undo the Land. This thing when Pharaoh and his Servants heard, They thanked Joseph, and his God they feared, Saying, where shall we such another find In whom the Spirit is, and knows his mind. And since thy God, even thine hath showed thee this, None either wiser or discreeter is In all the Kingdom; therefore thou shalt be My House and Servants Ruler, God to me: To show I am in earnest, take this Ring, And be hereafter next unto the King: These clothes put on, and Chains about thy neck, And let my Subjects pay thee all respect; Ride in my second Chariot, then to thee Shall all my Vassals humbly bow the knee. While I am Pharaoh, it shall be a Law, That all my Kingdom of thee stand in awe. No foot or hand in it shall moved be, Till first they have direction from thee. And since thou canst reveal my secrets all Zaphanath pa'neah I will ever call Thy name, and thou shalt surely be the Son. Of Potipherah, who is Priest of On. Thus you have seen our Joseph in the Den, Sold and imprisoned and restored again. Now what his future happiness may be, Launch out again with me, and you shall see The Scene is altered, and his celeb life Changed for the blessing of a virtuous Wife, Who bore before the Famine unto him Two hopeful Males, Manas. and Ephraim. The first was named so, because he had Forgot his Father's house and former Trade. And when the other God did to him send, He said, I'll call him Ephraim, for an end Is put to my affliction, and my store Increased is, and Honour more and more. The Plenties ended, and the Famine come: Said Pharaoh, Joseph, let us now go home. The truth of all that thou hast said I see, By th' hungry people's crying unto me For maintenance, I know not what to say To still their clamour, only that they may Repair to thee for answer, and receive What thou thinks meet, I know 'tis bread they crave. The Famine now grown over all the Earth, And every Creature suffering under dearth, The Storehouses were opened, and meat The moneyed Egyptians did eat. Yet though he sold to many of the store The Famine waxed daily more and more; Neither did Egypt only Victuals want, But in all other Country's Food was scant. Yea, even in canaan, which was wont to be For plenteousness the World's Granary. The Famine placed itself in every Face, Which Jacob seeing, cried out, Alas! What shall we do? we'd better ne'er been born Then die for hunger; yet I hear there's Corn In Egypt, up then, get you down and try If of the Ruler you can any buy. Go thither therefore all of you, save one, Aim leave with me, I cannot be alone. Father, said they, our lives we own to you, Can we refuse then what you bid us do? No, Benjamin shall stay till we are come With all our Asses fully loaden home. Your blessing, Sir, e'er we our Journey take, We are all ready, only that we lack. That God's and mine your Journey prosper may, Till ye return I'll never cease to pray. Your Money make full weight, entreat the man, Tell him the Famine's great in Canaan; And that with others you are come to buy Egyptian Corn, your wants that may supply. Now unto Zoan Jacob's Sons are come, Saying, is the Lord, the Governor at home? We come from far, O let's obtain the grace To speak, and show him our disastrous case. Lo, I am here, said he, your business: At this they bowed to the Earth and could express Nothing; his Glory and their present grief Ties up their Tongues, they cannot ask relief. The Prince again, who all their Faces knew, Stranged himself from them, and angry grew, Saying, whence come you? surely you are Spies; The countenance often the heart betrays. This rough expression so increased their fear, That trembling they reply, No, Sir, this year Our Syrian Land was parched and nothing bore, Mere want made us come unto thee for store. Go, go, you lie, I know your whispering Persuadeth me that there is no such thing; But Villains come the nakedness to view Of this our Land, and then himself withdrew. Nay, Good my Lord, said they, our Story hear, We all Sons unto one, and true men are; Mark what we say, and if we tell you Lies, Then, and not else conclude that we are Spies Tush, this is nothing, every man will say As much, if so by that he cleared may Be, but if you give not a better reason Of your down coming, I will swear there's Treason Intended. Then we're twelve, replied the other, Brethren, of whom you see ten, and another At home, his Father's joy, and one is not. Ha', now, that you be Spies I surely wots; And so for all your words, I shall you prove, If you bring not to me your Fathers Love. Choose out among you one, and for him send, Till than our Controversy cannot end, Nor you be clear, if you do not, I swear By Pharaoh's Life, that you vile Vagrants are. Go, bring the Lad, his Face when I do see, I'll say all's true that ye have said to me. Resolve, this Prison must be your abode Till all agree, this do, live, I fear God; If ye be true men, then let one of you Be bound in Prison, where you all are now, And let the rest take Corn that may supply Your wants at home, lest they for hunger die In this great Famine, only bring the Boy: It's truth, I seek to prove, not to destroy Your lives; to which they'gree, and say t' each other, We guilty are concerning our dear Brother, Who to his anguished Soul so hardened were, That when he prayed his plaint we would not hear; For which, in Justice our Almighty God Doth lay on us this his afflicting Rod. Then Reuben unto them replied, and said, Did I not tell you so, when fast you laid Your hands upon the Boy, but did no good; Therefore of us required is his blood. This they among themselves in Hebrew spoke, Thinking that Joseph could no notice take; For seeing one who (as his part required) Interpreted what they of him desired, And unto them what his Lords answer was; They spoke their minds aloud about the cause Of their distresses, which when Egypt's Lord Had heard, he turned from them without a word. His sympathising Soul swelled so high, That he must either quickly burst or cry. See, where God's Spirit dwells no hatred lives, He turns again, communes, in heart forgives Their ancient Crime, yet seemingly unkind He from them Simeon takes, and him doth bind, And then commands his Servants for to fill Their Sacks with Corn, not leaving off until They said they had enough; the money he Bids put into their Sacks mouths most secretly. Provision for their way bids also take, Saying, here's enough, I would not have you lack, Nor yet diminish aught that ye have bought; It's pity you should come so far for naught. Their Asses now when they all loaded had, From Egypt soon they their departure made, Travelling hard till it was time to bait Their Asses, and themselves, had need to eat Their Dinner over, Beasts now to be provened, One his Sack opens, and cries out, I'm cozened, Did you not all see me my money pay, And yet 'tis here in my Sacks mouth this day? This quickly made their joyful Faces lowr, And curse the day and the unhappy hour, When they their Brother sold. It surely is For vengeance, said they, that our God doth this; Up, and let's load again, till we our place In Canaan see, and our old Father's face, That from his wise and long experience May gathered be, what can proceed from hence. Now they're returned home and do relate To Jacob, how the Steward did them hate, All which we might well by his car'age gather; But, Ah! said they, this was not all dear Father, For he would not convinced be, but we Must needs be spies, come Egypt for to see; And though we spoke the truth, all this he urged May come from Subt'le Rogues, and so be forged; But if you will prove true, said he, leave one Till ye have brought me Jacob's little Son. This we were forced to do, Simeon is there, And must, till Ben our Brother doth repair Thither with us, when we go next to buy, Whose sight will work poor Sim's delivery, And our free Traffic throughout all the Land; Of this we have the Ruler's Word and Hand. But pray let's see your Corn if it be right, Said Jacob, sure your Money was full weight. You shall, Dear Father; bring the Asses nigh, That we may emptied in the Granary. Lift up this Sack, 'tis of unusual weight, Pray God there be not here another slight; Look, here's my Money, mine, and mine, and mine, And all of ours, as sure as thou hadst thine. At this Adventure all of them are sad, Saying, what shall we do, our case is bad? But most of all old Jacob, whose grey Head Shakes with a Palsy, and falls down half dead, Wring his feeble hands, his sighs declare What his sad thoughts of this Adventure were. They'll count you Thiefs, said he, O how I grieve! Moreover now, who can my Son relieve? Of Joseph and of Simeon I'm bereaved, And now poor Ben. is also from me craved. But hold, before this his request I'll grant Simeon I'll lose, and die myself of want. Not so, Dear Father, said the eldest Son, Your will in all things else I will have done: But he must go, whom if I bring not back, Then here I leave two Sons, them you shall take And slay: Dear Sir, the charge lay upon me; A good event, I hope, you'll quickly see. Son, hold thy peace, my darling being dead, Would you his Brother also from me lead? No, he must not go down, for if he do, My days are done, and I must leave you too: That sorrow my grey hairs will bring to grave, Leave off this suit, and any thing else crave I will it grant— As greatest Stocks, that always are impaired, Without supply, diminish, so it fared With Jacob and his Sons, who now begin To feel their flesh (for want) waste, and their skin A withered complexion put on, While through the same, they might discern the bone The very last of their Egyptian store Eat up, the old man called out once more Unto his Sons, and said, Go down again To Egypt, and bring Simeon with our grain. Whence Judah took occasion to express Himself at large about the business In hand; The man, said he, made protestation, That neither we nor any other Nation Should any thing receive, or see his face, Unless that Ben. came down in Simeon's place. If thou wilt send our Brother, than we may Go down and buy more food, else cease I pray, We dare not. Unto which he did reply, Why was ye so unwise as to descry My Boy, or give him such a strict account Of me, and to what number mine did mount? It was not in our power that to conceal, Said they, the man was strict and made us deal Thus plainly; for he said, Have you a Father Alive or Brother, nay, or Brethren rather? This made us speak the Truth, but never thought That he would say, let Benjamin be brought, Or that he would have proved so unkind As to take Simeon from us, and him bind. Father, continued Judah, if with me You send the Lad, we'll go, I'll surety be, And of my hand you shall again require Him, dearest Father, grant me my desire; This will not only prove us to be true, But purchase food, and Simeon home to you. Fear not, good Sir, if I do not restore Him safe again, I'll bear the blame therefore For ever; had we not thus lingered, We had returned the second time with Bread. Well, well my Sons, then if it must be so, Said he, my Counsel take before ye go. Of all our best fruits you shall quickly gather Some, and present them unto Egypt's Father. A little Balm, and Myrrh, and Honey take, With Spice and Almonds, Nuts, a Present make; With double money also in your hand, And that you carried last into the Land Restore, perchance it was an oversight. Then take my Son your Brother, do what's right, And let Jehovah give you mercy when You come before the man that doth retain Your Brother, and let Benjamin come back. At this his Blood boiled, and these words he spoke; I see there is no probability But of my Boys I must bereft be. However, get you hence, I trust my God Will give me strength to bear this heavy load. This was the Farewell which old Jacob took Of all his Sons when Cana'n they forsook, And unto Egypt with the Present went, The double Money which their Father sent. Benjamin also with the rest went down To see the Ruler and view Memphis Town, Who are no sooner' lighted then descried By Joseph, who, when Benjamin he spied, Called unto Ramses hastily, and said, Dispatch with Dinner, is the Cloth yet laid? Prepare more Victuals than was wont to be, For these 11 men at Noon must dine with me. 'Tis done my Lord. Gentlemen, follow me Into the Hall, the Prince desires that ye Such entertainment as the House affords Receive with welcome, as doth Egypt's Lords. This unexpected carriage so amazed The new-made-Guests, that each on other gazed, And said, we may now easily perceive The entertainment we are like to have. This is the Ruler's House where now we be, Death or vile slavery is our destiny. That pithy Sentence is not seldom true, Love quickly turns to hate that is but new. We know the drift, 'tis for our money's sake Was in our Sacks, that he this course doth take. 'Tis like the Steward knoweth for what end We are brought in, try, if he be our Friend He'll give us some account; he that's forearmed, As Proverb saith, is also partly warned. Let's commune with him, and excuse ourselves, For this our Money, there is no way else That can betaken, this we will relate, Which done, he'll either show his love or hate. Sir, at the first when we came to buy food, We paid money for it, that was good. Full weight it was, but shortly after how It came into our Sacks, we know not now. Our ignorance we hope will be excused: Here is our Money, we have not refused It to repay, and other Money too At this time brought to buy more food of you. Pray rest contented and be not afraid, Said Ramses, seeing Jacob's God hath laid Treasure into your Sacks; what I did crave I had, and Simeon is no more a Slave. Lo, here is Water, please you wash your Feet, And I myself will give your Ass' meat. By this assurance they so cheered are, That in his absence they their Gift prepare Against the Lords incoming, seeing they Should see his face, and dine with him that day. Now the Clock strikes, Servants begin to run Each to his Office, waiting the return Of Zaphnapaa'neah, who came in and stood Like glorious Phoebus, when from under cloud; Whose sparkling splendour dazzled the eyes Of all, but most his Brethren, whom he spies With piercing aspect; this his love exerts To them, whom conscious of their own deserts, Bowed to the Earth their Heads, and said, My Lord, Accept such things as canaan doth afford. Who smiled and took the Present, saying, How Doth your old Father, and yourselves all now? Is he yet living? Doth his Silver Threads Yet shine? They answer, Yes, with bowed heads. At last the Ruler spieth out his Brother, Even Benjamin, the Son of his own Mother; And said, My Friends, is this the youngest Lad, When you were here, you said your Father had? I guess it is, his countenance speaks no less. thou'rt as my Son, whom God Almighty bless. This he pronounced with such vehemency, That Tears appeared in his melting Eye, Though Power and Policy bid him refrain, His face is washed, and he returns again, And bids them set on Bread, 'tis quickly done, For all the rest together, him alone; And for the Egyptians by themselves, whose meat Was not the same with that which Joseph eat, Being unto them a great abomination To feed on such things as the Hebrew Nation. Now all is ready, Chaplain say the Grace, And let each Stranger set as is his place: He that is eldest bid him first go in, And let the rest assede, than Benjamin. Judge you if Joseph did not give them cause To think that he once their Domestic was, He can so well their Birth and Age discern, They marvel at it, yet doth nothing learn. Come, Trenchers here: Carver cut up this Dish, And reach me hither that same boiled Fish. Sir, take this Mess, and you, and you, and you; You're welcome all: they thank him with a Bow. But, Oh! methinks that young man is not served, In a Cook's Shop I would have no man starved. Here, Ramses, reach the last man this from me; This seen, the rest did wonder why't should be: That of him he should take such special care, And furnish with more than a share, As Meat of all sorts, so the Drink was free, For Joseph said, with you I'll merry be. The Grace-Cup's over, now let us go on To sing of all the Rulers kindness shown. Their Sacks he first commands to fill, and then Their money to be put in them again. Next take my Cup, my Silver Cup, said he, And in Ben's Sack's mouth let it hidden be, With his Corn-money when he hath it paid. All is performed, My Lord, as you have said. The joyful Brethren, e'er it was light day, That Morning with their Loads are sent away; Though they have scarcely past the City Walls, When Hue and Cry's sent out; Constable calls: Stand thankless Wretches: tell me what's the cause That ye have thus even broken Natures Laws, And all the Rules of Hospitality. You said, we're true men, but ye robbers be; My Lords, both drinking and divining Cup, (Deny it not) you, you have taken up. Was this requital for your Noble Feast? Restored again, may be ye took't in Jest: Nay, but you Jest, said they, we hope your Lord Hath sent you unto us with no such word; For though we here be Strangers, yet the chief At home we are, we need not play the thief. Did we not with us triple Money bring? Why then should we have stolen this petty thing? If you among us do the Goblet find, Hang him that took it, and the rest Slaves bind. 've said enough, yet it must not be so, But he that took it Servant back shall go, And you be blameless, for it were too much That one should die, and th' rest be kept for such A crime: then to't, said Reuben, to the rest, Pull down your Sacks, and open them in haste. Let this unthought-of search with me begin, And so go on to Brother Benjamin. When all of them had narrowly been tried, Except the last, than was the Cup descried, Which brought upon them such a sudden fear, That some their rend, some their hair did tear. To see these mourning Brethren 'twas great pity, Loading their Asses, turning to the City. When Judah and his Brethren too were come To Joseph's House, expecting their last doom, He bowed and said, What shall we say unto My Lord? What shall we speak? What shall we do To prove us guiltless? sure God hath found out Our hidden fault, for which without all doubt He doth us punish; wherefore we are thine, Because the Cup is found with Benjamin. The Fact is too apparent, yet our God Who searcheth Hearts, knows our intended load Was Gorn, not Plate; but since it must be so, His will be done, and we no further go. This when the man had heard, he answer made, I never yet on any burdens laid More than I thought was just, then God forbidden That I should any keep, but him who did Convey away my Cup, 'tis only he That I adjudge my Servant for to be; As for the rest, let them go home in peace, I'll use him well although he live by Grace. Then Judah, with a look that spoke his fears, Said, Good my Lord, graciously deign your ears Unto a few things that I must express About my Brother Ben. his business. Didst thou not strictly of us all inquire If we had yet a Brother more, or Sire? We answered, Yes: a comely aged man, Called Israel, and dwells in Canaan, Who keeps at home with him our youngest Brother, His Darling being dead, who was another; Which two fair Rachel to our Father bore. This makes him love the living Lad the more. And thee require of us more earnestly His coming down, that thou might set thine Eye Upon him; but we all with one accord Said, this can scarce be granted to my Lord, For if his Father part with him, we fear He will not live with us another year. At this thou (vexed) from us turned thy Face, saying, bring him down, or else my wont Grace I will withdraw; which, when we did go home, We told our ancient Father all in sum, But had no answer, till at last he said, Rise, get you down to Egypt for more aid; But we remembering this thy threatening word, Said, none of us dare speak unto the Lord, Or see his Face unless our Brother go To Egypt with us▪ Surely it was so. Which when our Father heard, he sighed and said, I thought the Corn had been already paid. Must I the pledge of Rachel's love forsake, Or else want Corn which I do so much lack? Certainly this is hard, I am right loath, Seeing one is not, now to part with both. Poor joseph's death torments me yet with grief, Only this Boy, he gives me some relief; If ye then seek me of him to deprive I must breathe out my last, and ye ne'er thrive. This, Sir, said he, if any truth there be In man, was said by him, and more to me. You being Judge, can any thing be worse Than for a Child to have the Father's curse? But if I could dispense with that, what can I say to him when come to Canaan? His life being bound with his, of this I'm sure, Without the one the other can't endure. Besides, to him for this I surety came, Saying, if he come not, let me bear the blame For ever. Now let me the favour find To stay in place of him; pray, Sir, be kind, And send the Boy unto his Father back With joy, that he in him may pleasure take. Great Sir, if you old Age admire, relief Grant, be not Author of our Father's grief. This dexterous Plea with Joseph took such place, As it was soon known by his changed Face, Whose frowns do vanish, and his threats are gone; Love makes him cry, Go out, leave me alone. He who of late spoke rough and threatened all, Now weepeth loud, and on their necks doth fall. What means our Ruler? Is not this a wonder, That he who to th' Egyptians speaks like Thunder, Should be so much transported as to cry, And none but these eleven Strangers by! Dear Hearts, I'm Joseph, doth my Father live? Said he; to which they could no answer give: His unexpected Greatness and their fault Daunts them as vanquished soldiers new assault, Till he cries Quarter, and bids shake off fear, Saying, I am Joseph whom ye sold, and here Was brought by Merchants; Come, be not afraid, It was not you, but God that for your aid Had ordered all things, and for preservation Of life hath given unworthy me this Station. Two years already hath the Famine been In Egypt Land, and five yet is not seen, In which 'twill be in vain to blow the Land, Because the Mower shall not fill his hand; Wherefore your God and mine sent me before, That I for you and for your houses store Should make provision; he whom I do serve Me hither sent that I might life preserve, And thought me fittest all the Corn to gather That was in Egpypt, and be Pharaohs Father. Haste then, go up to the Old Man and say, Thus saith thy Son that was not, I this day Am Lord of Egypt, so made by my God, Who wills that thou come down and make abode With me, and Goshen for thy dwelling place Accept, it's near, there thou mayst see my face. Thy Children, Flocks, and all shall nourished be; Nothing that's thine shall taste of poverty In these five years of Famine. Cast your eye And view my Limbs and Features, it is I; And let my Brother Benjamin the Youth Look well upon me; Is it not my mouth That speaketh these things? pray also declare Unto my Father what my Glories are In Egypt, and persuade him to make haste To come, and quickly of my Favours taste. Then turned he unto Benjamin, and said, Joy of my Heart, how well am I now paid For all my wishes and my prayers for thee! Who am admitted once again to see My father's image and my mother's face In thine, dear Brother; God give thee his grace. This said, in token of his true respect, He weeps and kisses, falls upon his neck; And he again, as far as modesty Permitted, wept and kissed most ardently. Which though in secret done cannot be hid; The Court takes notice what the Ruler did: And that his Brethren come they Pharaoh tell, Who said, I'm glad. Servants, they like it well. Come in, said Pharaoh, Zaph; I mean to see, Whether thy father Jacob be like thee. Send for him into Egypt, where his store Shall be so much, that he shall wish no more. This is my will, I hope you'll not neglect To pay your father all the true respect You own: and for their better commodation Choose out of Wagons best in all the nation For them; the little ones, and all their stores, Being persuaded that the land is yours. As one who's willing to obey his Lord, And serve his Father, Joseph doth accord. Horses and Chariots quickly are prepared By him, who for provision nothing spared. For each of ten had from him change of , But to his brother Ben. gave five of those. Three hundred pieces as a token he Unto him gave 'bove what his cost should be: His Fathers Present it is greater far, For unto him ten Asses loaded are With finest Gold, that might supply his need, And other ten loaden with Corn and Bread, That might sustain his Father in the way; All which he doth with small or no delay: And then commands that they should thence departed, With seeming joy, yet grieved at the heart, Lest they his Brother Benjamin molest, At parting from them, thus himself expressed; Brethren, I hope ye will all cordial be, Till ye to Jacob bring good news of me, Telling him I do live and wish him health, And hope that he will see me and my wealth. This do, and so I hope God will you bring Unto the old man, who is languishing For your long stay. These are the whole commands Wherewith I wish you kiss my Father's hands. At home with bowed knees they all salute Their aged Father, who for Joy stood mute, When he had heard that Joseph was alive, Ruler in Egypt, and therein did thrive; For sometimes he believed, and sometimes not, Because they'd told him that the Lad was not. But to confirm the truth they all declare What with the Ruler their adventures were, And how he served them e'er he let them know Whose Son he was, or what he did them owe; And also show him all the Wagons trim That should to's Son in Egypt carry him. These seen, his fainting Spirit did revive, saying, Well, it is enough if Joseph be alive. Help Lord, for now my Son I must go see In Egypt land; I this done, then let me die. No sooner had the next Aurora bright With blushing Skies succeeded gloomy Night, Then Father Israel to his Char'ot hies, And rests not till Beersheba he descries, Where resting, he commandeth to erect An Altar, whence he might his Pra'rs direct And Sacrifices to the God of Heaven, Because his odd Sons were again made even. That he a prosperous success might have, Of Isaac's God he doth protection crave In's Journey, and for length of days implores, Till he had seen young Joseph and his Stores. He had not fully ended his devotion, When Sun's departure, and the Starry motion Invited him to leave and to take rest. No, no, saith Jacob, there is no such haste, I once again will of my God inquire, If he my going Egypt-ward desire; If he be willing, I will not be slack, But if he be not, than I will turn back. This said, from Heaven he heard a sudden voice saying, Jacob, Jacob, fear not, but rejoice; Since I have been thy fathers and thy God, Well be, go there, and settle thy abode, The truth to show of this my promise made, I'll make thy seed as sand on Seashore laid. This mighty Nation shall victorious be, After four hundred years, when my decree Shall be fulfilled: then fear not down to go, I'll guide thee there, and bring thee up also. No comfort will I from thee keep, thou sees Thy son who was not, he shall close thine eyes. Good Jacob ravished with those hea'vnly news Risen up in haste, and to his sons all shows, And then commands, with speed that they prepare All things which needful for their journey were. The Coaches ready, some their father heave, Some stand within him ready to receive; Their wives and children have their proper place Into the same: and Coachmen drive apace. Their also, which were numerous, Gold, Silver, Jewels, Treasures ponderous Purchased in Canaan, these they did transport. To Egypt, whither then they did resort. Thus Jacob leaves Canaan, and his seed Do follow him, because they wanted bread: His Sons, his Daughters, and his Nephews all, Are now descended at the Dreamers call: Whose exact number than was but three score And ten, of which three had been there before, Joseph the father, and his children two, Manass. and Ephra'm, than he had no more. When they th' Egyptian borders did descry, Jacob to's fourth son Judah loud did cry, Go down to Joseph, bid him tell me where He will me place, I am a stranger there: Tell him at Goshen I will tarry while He come or send, and show me what's his will: And howsoever he dispose of me, His word or work to me a law shall be. As soon as Judah did his brother greet With these glad tidings, he prepares to meet His aged father, and before him stands, Bows, begs his blessing with uplifted hands. And he again (for joy his son to see) Falls on his neck, kissing it ardently, Weeps and embraces; so that all admire The strong affections of his aged Sire, Who cried aloud, O Joseph, Jeseph, now, My darling Joseph, I am sure that thou Dost live; then this I of my God will crave, That he my spirit may in haste receive, Since I am wholly eased of the woe Hath me perplexed these twenty years and two. Then Joseph, who had all this time been stopped By tears, which from his Princely eyes had dropped, Said, Father, welcome. Now I must go home And tell the King that all of you are come, Who (I am sure) at this will much rejoice, And give command that I of you dispose Where best convenience may for you be had; For this to me he hath already said. And I will tell (if he to know desire) That you are Shepherds, and you aim no higher. When therefore he shall ask of you this thing, You shall confirm my words by answering, We and our Father Keepérs are of Sheep; Which he'll no sooner hear then's promise keep, And give you Goshen, where you safely shall Your tender Flocks graze, and your all; Your dwellings also he will set apart: For Shepherds grieve Egyptians at the heart. Now Joseph leaves his Father in that place, Returns and speaks with Pharaoh Face to Face, Saying, my Father and his Family Are (with their Substance) come to visit thee. Joseph, said Pharaoh, of this take my hand, I'm glad to see thy Father in my Land. Call some of them, and let them see my Face, Assure thyself they shall with me find grace. I will, said Joseph, than he quickly takes Five of his Brethren, and a Present makes To Pharaoh, who did instantly inquire What is your Trade, or what will you desire? We're Shepherds and Sojourners in this Land, Whose greatest errand is to kiss thy hand; The next to see our Brother, and have place Our Flocks to feed; in Canaan there's no grass: The piercing Drought so scorched hath the land, That there is nothing to be seen but Sand: If therefore we shall of thee favour find, Grant's Goshen Pastures, and for this we'll bind Ourselves to be thy Subjects, and our Seed Of thee and thine shall stand in Kingly dread. Then Pharaoh unto Joseph did reply; Since they're come down, what will I them deny? My Crown but spare, and ask what e'er they please; I'll give all things conducing to their ease. My Land's before them: as for their request, In Goshen for them Dwellings make in haste. And for a greater proof of love to thee, Choose out among them some will active be, And put my all into their hands; Their hire from me let it be Gold and Lands. But pray thee Joseph, where's thy aged Sire, His face to see I have a great desire. Greatest of Kings you shall, lo, here he is. This said, old Israel doth great Pharaoh bless, Saying, my Lord the King of Kings protect Your Sacred Person; and since you respect Me and my Sons, I'll never cease to pray For you with hands to Heaven lift night and day. My thanks, said Pharaoh, now I must be bold To ask one question, I would know how old Thou art? Good Jacob soon this answer made; An hundred thirty summers I have had; As many winters have I also been In pilgrimage, unsettled I mean: Yet few and evil, if you'll deign to look Upon a Line in this my Table-book, Where is inserted faithful Abraham's age, An hundred and seventy five his stage Completes, my father Isaac lived five more; Though all this time their grievances were sore. This said, the old man looking round about, Blesseth the King, taketh leave, and walketh out. Now come (said he) Son, since you know I have Your King's good will, a fitting place I crave, Where I and all my Children safe may be From all Sedition and Conspiracy. Then Joseph beckoned to his Sire, and said, Ramese is the best that can be had; There take possession, this my Lord commands. These are your Writings signed with our hands. The famine's great, yet Joseph wills that he Since come to Egypt have no scarcity Of bread, tho'in Canaaned Egypt there was want, In so much that the most began to faint For hunger, but that Egypt's Nursing Father Its currant money into stores did gather. And such as from Canaan was brought to buy Corn, he doth put into th'Treasury. Now Egypt's money doth begin to waste, Which made the Natives run to him in haste, And say, Sir, you must grant us fresh supply Of bread and corn, or else for want we die. There's none but you can grant us any aid. Who answered, 've got as much as paid: But this my counsel is, which if you take, To bring your you will not be slack, And them for corn and bread exchange with me. What profit they if you of famine die? The hunger-starved Egyptians at this Do much rejoice, yea and with blessing bless The Ruler, and with cheerful hearts do bring Their Horses, , Flocks, and every thing, Except their Land, all's laid at joseph's feet, Who willingly received, and gave them meat. Poor creatures, they had good cause to fear, For this provision ended with that year, Was but the sixth since that great want began, When it was ended they to Joseph ran Again for more, lay'ng out their wretched case, And saying to him, We must die alas! Our Money gone, our you did crave, We brought them, now our Land is all we have; Come buy this also: let's not starved be, And we ourselves will serve our King and thee. Let us have Seed that we again may try Whether our Land as yet will fructify. At this his tender heart is filled with grief, And eyes with tears, which way for their relief Procures, for he to Pharaoh makes it o'er, Making him Landlord who was King before. Their ancient Live he bids them forsake, And for the future other Dwellings take, For which they should to Pharaoh Egypt's King, As to the owner yearly Rend in bring. But to the Priests there was more kindness shown, Who parted with no Land that was their own; For they on that which was to them allowed, Lived all that while as when the Land was ploughed. Then Joseph said, Behold! I have you bought, Your Land and all; I'm sure there is not aught Which is not Pharaohs, wherefore take you Seed And sow in haste, I know you will not need To fear the Famine, this is the last year Of Egypt's drought, you know hath cost you dear; It's former increase you again shall have, Of which a Fifth Part I will yearly crave For Pharaoh's use, the Four that is behind Dispose of that according to your mind, For Seed, for Food, for you and for your Store; Fear not, it will be fruitful as before. With bowed heads and cheerful countenance They thus reply, Since we our sustenance These barren years had from our Lord and thee Be gracious to us, we your Servants be. It is enough we live to serve our King, What he commands, that will we to him bring. Only the Priests did this great Tax escape, For all they sowed, all to themselves they reap. Behold, the kindness of an Heathen King, To those who did but hellish Sophisms sing. Yet all this while Joseph hath not forgot To settle on Jacob the most happy Lot In all the Land of Goshen, where he might Dwell happily, and have thereof full right. Now that Gods Promise might fulfilled be, He multiplies and grows exceedingly. When he in Egypt 17 years had been Most prosperous, and his Sons glory seen Of Age a 147, than he Prepares himself Deaths Captive for to be; For calling Joseph's Father and his Child, And looking with a countenance most mild, Dear Son, said he, Age makes me now believe That I must Egypt and my Children leave. This heard, the Ruler's heart is filled with grief, And Eyes with tears. No Son there's no relief, Said Jacob, Seventeen years I've lived in thee, Now 'tis enough, my God I must go see. Yet while I live one thing I must implore, Grant it my Child, as thou hast done much more; Which is, when dead, that then in, Canaan I May buried be, and with my Father's lie. This granted, he comm●●ds him for to swear That he his Corpse to Macpelah will bear; And then in token of his thankfulness He leans on's Bed, and doth his Maker bless. Sad tidings soon sounds in the Ruler's ear After's departure, that his Father dear Was ill at ease, and willed him in haste To pay'm a Visit e'er his life was passed: Who willed quickly that his Children too Should ready be, for they must with him go To see their Grandsire, it is his command; Obeying, they in travelling posture stand: Scarce had they entered into the Town When one to Jacob hastily runs down, And tells him that his Sons and his two O'es Were come to see his end, and to dispose Of him: this heard, he once again revives, And to set up upon his bed he strives; Saying to Joseph, God appeared to me, When I from Esau's fury down did flee To Padan Aram, and at Luz me gave The Promise that I should Canaan have, And blessed me, saying, that of my Blood Should there be born even a huge multitude, It to possess until Time's fullness shall Come, when they for their Sins shall from it fall. Then sine I'm sure that all the Land is mine, I'll give a share unto these two of thine, Were born in Egypt e'er I hither came, As Reuben, Simeon, these shall bear my name; But all the rest are since by thee begot, They shall be thine, and have of thee their Lot Among their Brethren, yet they must not be Called Heads or Tribes of their posterity. But whose are these two Youths that stand me by? If they be thine, then let them both draw nigh That I may bless them, being glad to see Thyself once more, and thy posterity. Now having kissed them, he said, Once I thought ne'er to have seen thee, nor be hither brought; But blessed be that God who spared me Joseph, Manass. and Ephra'm for to see. This done, he takes them from between his Feet, Making them stand before him as was meet: Manass. on's left, and Ephra'm on's right, stand, That on them both at once he might lay hand; But he inspired of God looks not to years, Nor yet for Doteage the firstborn forbears: For on the younger he lays on his right, In him it seems God had the most delight, Minding to make him Head of all the Tribe, Without respect of person, age, or bribe. Then to his Son he said, now I will crave That you all Blessings of that God may have, With whom my Sire and Grandsire both did walk, And with him often face to face did talk, Who from Canaan led me out this way, And hath me fed at all times as this day. The Angel Great, which doth my Soul redeem, Bless both the Lads, and have them in esteem: And let them have mine and my father's name; Make thou them great, do thou enlarge their fame, Increase their seed for number as the sand On the Seashore in their Grandfathers Land. But Joseph wroth to see the form invert, Says to his father grieved at the heart, Not so (dear Sir,) this is the eldest boy; Put here your right, he is the only joy Of me his father. No, saith Jacob, no; Though what you say be true I right well know; Yet fear not, for he shall be very great, But this much more, neither by strength nor fate, But by that power that laid the Earth's foundations He shall become a multitude of Nations. Such blessings that day he to Joseph gave, As greater after Israel should not crave. If any can but Ephra'ms bliss obtain, It will be ever counted greatest gain. Then Jacob said, Behold, I die; but God Shall visit you, and while you have abode In Egypt, he will ever be a Watch, Lest by these Heathens any harm ye catch, And bring you up into your father's land; He, he will do it by's Almighty hand. Moreover thou from me hast got a portion, Which I ne'er purchased by craft or extortion From th' Amorites, but by my sword and bow; This on thyself and thine I do bestow. Now Jacob finding 's last glass almost out, Calls for his sons, who compass him about, Listening for what he thither did them call; Who said, Sons, hear what will to you befall In the last days, when your old father's gone, Strengthen yourselves, your trouble comes anon. Reuben my eldest, pray do thou draw near To me thy Parent, and thy verdict hear: In dignity thou didst excel and power Thy brethren all, until that fatal hour When to thy father's bed thou didst advance; This made me rob thee of th'Inheritance. Because as water thou unstable waist, Thy Eminence and Dignity is past. This said, from him he turns his face about To Sim. and Levi, whose sentence goeth out: You brethren are by consanguinity, And no less allied in your cruelty. Your habitations they are full of blood, And might you grieve if rightly understood; For in your anger you the Sech'mites slew, Robbing the Town of riches not a few; The City also razed unto the ground; Such horrid Facts, I think, hath not been found. Cursed be your anger, I will you divide 'Mong other Tribes as strangers to abide. As for thee, Judah, thou shalt praised be By all thy Brethren and Posterity; Thy Foes thou shalt subdue, and they adore Shall thee with princely Homage, nay, and more, As Lion fierce is terrible, so thou Shalt be to all, and all thou shalt subdue. Yea, for a greater Blessing thou shalt hold Thy kingly Sceptre till Predictions old Shall come to pass, and the Messiah shall Come from thy Loins, and rid men out of thrall; And all thy Land be filled with best of Wine, Thy Grapes shall yield great store of Liquor fine; So that thou may, as in a mighty flood Thy Garments wash into the grapie blood. Zebulun, thou shalt still a dweller be In pleasant places situate by the Sea, So that by Shipping thou mayst have commerce With other Nations who of Ware are scarce: Thy Borders also I will so extend, That they in length shall come to Zidon's end. Son Issachar, I know thine inclination Is such, that thou desir'st a quiet station, Free from command, and still will bowing be Thy back to all the burdens laid on thee. Dan, as an Adder or a Serpent sly Thou to thine Enemies evermore shalt be, And subtly shall all of them overthrow, If not their Head, I'm sure thou'lt sting below, And now, O Lord, since well I know this Boy Shall enemies have that will him much annoy, Do thou assist him in's extremity, That at the last he may victo'rous be. Gad, much affliction doth on thee attend, Yet all those Troops thou'lt conquer in the end. Asher, Earth's fullness shall be thy Lot, Affording Royal Dainties and what not. Naphthali, on both parts thou dextrous are, Lover of Peace, and yet can follow War. Joseph, thou as a fruitful Bough shalt be, Set by a Wall, thy Grapes shall multiply, And Branches by the Sun's reflections shall Grow to such height as shall surmount a Wall. Though Brethren, Jempsar, Potiphar, all three Thy life did seek, and Arrows shot at thee, Yet God, thy God thy Bow kept in such strength, That spite of all, thou didst overcome at length, And made the Shepherd to his Isra'l-flock So that thou was to them both Staff and Rock. From God, thy Father's God thou shalt receive All things soever thou desir'st to have. Is't pleasant Seasons? this the mighty hand Will grant to thee, do but the same demand. Is't liquid Fountains? Fowls that flying be, Or Fishes? Call, 'tis he commands the Sea. Is't food or clothing? Beasts on every hill Are his; I know thou'lt have them at thy will. Or is it Children? Do but them desire, He'll grant so many shall make thee admire: Thy Grandsire's blessing, Isaac's, mine, all three While hills endure shall ever bide with thee; And on his head they ever shall remain, Whom cruel brethren thought once to have slain. Benjamin, thou shalt still a Warrior be, And ever have thy sword upon thy thigh, To kill and rob, and to divide the spoil, Thou shalt be bend, and think of it no toil. Here have you jacob's sons all numbered; Here have ye all that he unto them said. Here all the blessings he before his death In his last Legacy did to them bequeath; Here is the charge that he unto them gave Concerning's burial in the Hittite's Cave, Which Abra'm bought in Ephrons' field to be A burial-place for his posterity. Here was he buried and his Sarah dear: Rebecca ' and Isaac were interred here. Here Leah also laid into this field, For which Abra'm, did five score pieces yield Unto the sons of Heth, who were right loathe It to receive, till he had sworn an Oath, That of them he would not take it for nought, They do agree, the Cave is sold and bought. Ah! I have spoke too long, my Spirits fail, Said Jacob, see my Face and Hands grow pale. This scarce was uttered when his Heart had lost Its faculties, and he gives up the Ghost. When Joseph saw the death of's aged Sire, His filial love the Brethren all admire, Who said, thou'rt gone, and I am left alone, Oh! thou art gone, I cannot choose but moan. Oh! thou art gone, my only Father dear. Oh! thou being gone, what comfort have I here? At this the tears so rushed from his Eyes, That no by-stander could withhold their cries; For he his pale Face kissed and cried aloud To the Physicians who about him stood, Come take this Body, take it out from me, Embalm it well, let nothing wanting be. This his command they willingly embrace, Taking his Father from before his Face, And sweetest smelling Spices do prepare, For this last Rite, he had enough to spare. They never rested for six Weeks a day His Corpse to dress e'er he was ta'en away. Is this all? No, a Winder greater far, The Outlaw Heathen for him Mourners are Nine Weeks of Days; which ended, Joseph takes His Fellow-Rulers by, and to them speaks, You know in Egypt 'tis a strict Decree That none in Mourning may with Pharaoh be, Nor any conference in this posture have With him, for which I earnestly do crave That you would go and make the King acquaint That my old Father, while his pulse was faint, Commanded me to swear a solemn Oath (Should I it break, I think he will be loath.) That I should bury them in his Father's Grave, Pray bid him grant it, this is all I crave. And if he fear that I will not come back, He may my Sons of me for Pledges take. Thus leaving Joseph, all of them departed, Who waiteth their return with grieved heart. No sooner had they told the King his case, Than he with sighing answered, Alas! Is Jacob dead, my Father-Rulers Father? And shall I hinder? Nay, I'll further rather. Make all the haste he can, then come to me, Till his return I shall not quiet be. When Joseph heard the King's benevolence, He thanked the Rulers and departed thence. Then called all his Servants and his Kindred, Who come unto him, none of them is hindered: The Kings own Servants and the Rulers be In readiness the Corpse to ' company. Then Joseph doth this Funeral Journey take With more than Thousands armed at his back. E'er Titan risen from out his watery Bed, Or with his spangled Traces overspread The spacious Azure, Chariots make a noise, At which the prancing Horses all rejoice; Coachmen drive hard, so that e'er it was nigh Sunsetting next, Canaan they espy. To't yet, said Joseph, here we will not rest, But will to Atad, where we shall have best Accommodation for our numerous Train; I know the place, it is a spacious Plain Well hedged in; there we may safely lie Until the rest we for the Funeral buy. This was concluded, and o'er Jordan they Came, to the place of their appointed stay; Where ' lighting down, their Mourners so cry'dout For full seven days, that all were round about Came running for to see what it might be Made all these strangers weep so bitterly, Whose sympathy admired the place they call Abel-mizraim unto Ages all. This Ceremony ended, they the Vow Perform, made to their Father while below, And buried him in his Grandsires' Cave; This was the last thing he did of them crave. Now Joseph to his Pharaoh doth return, Who for his absence never ceased to mourn. thou'rt welcome Joseph, said the Egyptian King, What news dost thou to me from Canaan bring? All good my Lord, with which he made a bow; But, Ah! I fear I've stayed too long from you. No, no, I'm glad again to see thy face, Said he, for still thou shalt with we find grace. By this time's brethren's hearts began to burn, Thinking that he soon after his return Would them afflict for their long covered crime, Which to prevent, a Messenger in time They send to Joseph, who this message bore; Our, and thy Father who is now in glore, Commanded us thy Pardon for to crave, Though we deserved other things to have For our outrageous spite and cruelty, Which we contrived against thee, guiltless thee, By seeking of thy spotless blood to spill, Whilst thou our good foretold, and not our ill. The hearing this his tender soul did smart, Whose watery Eyes it witnessed in part: What? What? said he, and do they me mistrust As soon as I my Father in the dust Have laid? No, no, Dear Hearts, they need not fear, I will to them a great affection bear; Were I vindictive, yet that would not do, That God is strong who still preserveth you. You willed indeed revenge upon my blood, Yet all your malice turned to my good. 'Twas not your aim when you poor Joseph sold, That he 'mong Egypt's Worthies should be rolled: No, no, 'mong Slaves; in this ye all combined, But my good God had better things designed, Your preservation, though ye made a prey Of me to Merchants, as you see this day, Wherefore take courage, I will you preserve, Your guilt I'll pardon, and with food I'll serve You and your Flocks according to your mind, Am I not Joseph, can I be but kind? Haste, haste my Muse, now thou must make an end, That Pearl of price whom God did hither send, Hath now ten Winters and 100 seen, As many Summers, of which he hath been Fourscore and seven in the Egyptian Land, Alway's upholden by th' Almighty's hand. And now he sees of his own procreation In his last days a triple generation. Then finding's vital Spirits begin to fail, And Death ensuing, who would take no Bail, He calls his Brethren as his Father did, And then unfolds a Mystery lay hid Concerning their departure to the place Promised to Abram and his following race, And doth desire that all of them might swear That they to Canaan shall his Body bear When dead, and lay him in his Father's Grave, Which they might find into the Hittites cave. Here Joseph dies, being of a good old Age. Here Joseph dies a chaste and holy Sage. Here Joseph leaves his Pharaoh and departs, Here Joseph leaves his Friends with grieved hearts, Here with him dies all jacob's Offsprings glory, In Egypt, and the Period of his Story. FINIS. THE AUTHORS WISH. ALL beings Being, all of nothing Maker Grant me to be of Divine Grace partaker; That living Joseph's Life I may his Death Die, and to thee that Legacy bequeath Which thou created, and redeemed with Blood When Self, with Satan and my Sin withstood. Grant Lord when I of thee these things implore, That I be mindful to give thee the glore Due to thy Name from all Eternity: Hear, hear my God, I humbly beg of thee. LAUS DEO.