The History of Joseph, Poem

The History of Joseph · Poem

p. 1The hiſtory of Joſeph,

The Proem.

I Sing of Joſeph's fate, our Saviour's type,

Then heaven bee auſpicious to my pipe;

What though my fancie's dull, my ſtile's unfil'd,

My Pia-mater be an infant-child,

This be a task for Angells, each whoſe page

(If fully peraphras'd,) would crave an age?

Each Angel is my muſe, Sion the hill

Whoſe ſacred raptures ſhall intrance my quill;

And if divine Apollo tune my harp,

Let Zoilus cenſure, and let Momus carp.

Then, where the Dove-like Spirit daignes us matter,

Let Owles forbear to ſcreech, and Pies to chatter.

Here is a ſtory, each whoſe circumſtance

Is to b'aſcrib'd to providence not chance,

Compar'd to this all humane eloquence

Doth ſcarce deſerve the bounteous name of ſenſe.

Here is a ſtory, whoſe ſublime invention

So farr tranſcends mans reach, and weak dimenſion,

A ſtory here, whoſe fancie's towring hight

Doth ſoar ſo high beyond our dull conceit

All wits ſhould here their conquer'd lawrels bring,

Their Helicons are puddles to this ſpring.

Then ſacred Three in One, who in this ſtory

Didſt from mans wickedneſs procure thee glory,

O let my weakneſſe tun'd in ſlender layes

Advance thy honour, and promote thy praiſe;

p. 2Then I'll invoke no Heliconian dame,

If thou but rarifie the ſmoakie flame

That actuates my fancy, and but drain

From 'its polluted dreggs my youthfull brain.

My pen thus dipt in the true Theſpian stream,

Thus do I proſecute my ſacred theam.

THE heav'nly regiſter of ſacred truth

Records old Jacobs age, bleſt with a youth

Joſeph by name; whoſe vertue from the reſt

Had won the chiefeſt room in Jacobs breſt.

Th' equall proportion of both face, and limb

(Requir'd in outward beauty) was in him,

So here, was that more noble Symnetry

A heav'nly heart, the rarer harmony:

For though no Architect will ever chooſe

The ſtately marble but to noble uſe,

And in a palace what a ſtately, gueſt

Is entertain'd, may by the pomp be gheſt,

Beautie's oft Bawd to vice, a heav'nly fiend,

Sin oft abounds where beauty doth tranſcend;

Whoſe Angells image, as it oft appears,

The ſuperſcription of the Devill bears.

Our Joſeph's lovely viſage ſome that viewd

Thought Adams native beauty here renewd;

His ſpotleſſe innocence by others was

Compar'd to Adam in his ſtate of grace;

For he muſt moſt be void of all offence

Who was the perfect'ſt type of innocence.

God who in mercy did to Abraham ſwear

That he ſhould vie a child with ev'ry ſtar,

Here of his promiſe as the Intereſt

Fixt Joſeph as a ſtar to guide the reſt.

Fixt ſtar? nay rather planet, ſince his fate

Was to be exil'd by his Brethrens hate.

Time now had writ old age on Jacobs skull,

And long ſince chang'd his down to rougher wooll,

p. 3When faint diſeaſe did on his members creep

Hee to his ſons reſign'd his charge of ſheep;

Joſeph was always at his fathers beck,

Each frown, a wound did ſeem, a death each check,

And who but wondring ſaw that he ſhould bring

So full an harveſt in his youthfull ſpring?

Which much in Jacobs thoughts did him promote,

Who clad him in a parti-colour'd coat;

His Brethren ſee'ng their Father ſo inclin'd

At his indulgence proudly thus repin'd.

He's Jacobs ſeed elixard, we the dreggs,

Baſe chicken we, born of unhappy eggs,

Quoth one, we to no other end are born

But t'wear out wooll or to conſume the corn,

Joſeph the white hens chick, he, Fortunes minion;

His childiſh face hath purchas'd this opinion,

Yet is no more like to my lad (God knows)

Than is you cowſlip to a verdant roſe,

A Kid t'a Lamb, my Ewe to yonder Goat,

Yet he's inveſted in a gawdy coat.

Now ſince diſeaſe, which ſtill attends on age,

Confin'd had Jacob to an Hermitage,

And he whoſe diſcipline was wont to awe

His ſons, and give unto their deeds a law,

The Sunſhine of whoſe preſence would diſperſe

Such vapours, vice could here have no commerce,

Declining was, no wonder there appears

If pitchie vapours now did blot the ſphears,

Which Joſeph knew, when he in humble ſort

VntoUnto his father brought their ill report,

Yet not in baſe revenge, and ranc'rous ſpleen,

As is in ſome maligning Brethren ſeen,

Who ſtrive to raiſe the Trophies of their name,

And Triumph, on the Tombes of others ſhame,

Or ſome, as if their envie were ſo nice

To wound the Perſon, and to ſpare the Vice:

But Joſeph's heart with Zealous ſorrow bleeds

While to his father he rehea…ſt their deeds.

Nay, further thus, he did exaſperate

His Brethrens ſpleen, and mov'd their ſweiling hate;

p. 4Quoth he Dear Brethren, not a foggy ſtream

From a diſtemper'd liver, no vain theam,

Ingroſt my fancie, when thus (by your leaves)

I dreampt, you and my ſelf were binding ſheaves,

My ſheaf (me thought) roſe up; all your's, in ſigne

Of duty, did obeyſance unto mine.

His Brethren ſtart and check him, how ſo plain?

And muſt thou thus become our King, and raign?

True; in your robes your Majeſtie's impall'd,

Oh how we long to ſee your grace inſtall'd?

A ſcepter for him, no, thou ſawcy ſwain,

A Rod to whip thee to thy wits again.

Nay further, harmleſſe Joſeph did incur

Their hate, which needed not a ſecond ſpur;

Brethren quoth he, No aim to diſinherit

You of your Birth-right; 'tis no private Spirit;

My head like th' higheſt region of the air

From all ſuch Meteors is pure and fair,

I dream'd the Sun and Mo… did with a troop

Of'leven ſtarrs, unto mee humbly ſtoop.

No ſooner ſpoke, but all his Brethren rouz,

One ſtamps and fumes, another frownes and vowes,

Muſt Father, Mother, and we all eleven

Submit to thee! how long ſince cam'ſt from heaven?

When is your Majeſtie's inauguration,

King of your country, Father of your nation?

Theſe Temples are too ſtately to be bound

With roſie Chaplets, no, they muſt be crown'd;

Theſe armes of late too maſſie grown to weigh

The worthleſſe ſheephook, muſt a ſcepter ſway.

Joſeph takes all with an unfurrow'd brow,

And mildly crowcheth with a lowly bow,

Anon unto his Father tells again

The heav'nly dreams of his inſpired brain;

Who though his ſon was yet in years but green,

It fills him more with wonder than with ſpleen;

Quoth he Thine and thy Brothers purity

Spark like a conſtellation in my skie;

In whom Vice ne'r could get a patronage,

Free from the ſins that do ingroſs this age,

p. 5But that I with the reſt ſhall proſtitute

Submiſſively to thee I yet diſpute;

This in the Brethren had ill blood begotten,

Which by hot rage was ſoon to rancour rotten,

And yet no opportunity had been,

That they might vomit their impoſtum'd ſpleen.

Time was when youthfull Joſeph's Brethren fed

Their fleecy charge on Shechems flow'ry bed,

Anon-their wanton Lambkins further rov'd,

And they with them to Dothan next remov'd,

When Jacob calling Joſeph to his tent

With ſuch like words him to his Brethren ſent;

Run, and make haſt again, my darling ſon,

On whoſe lifes thread, that, of my life is ſpun;

I through whoſe Organs breath my life, and whoſe

Eys if long abſent, mine would quickly cloſe;

Theſe apples in thy cheek, my pretty page,

Are th' onelyonly food that do ſuſtain my age;

Thou knowſt in Shechem now thy Brethren are,

Run, and bring how they and their flocks do fare.

Obedience, wing'd with loyalty now poſts

With nimble ſpeed to Shechems paſt'rall coaſts,

And finding not his Brethren there, he wanders

In crooked by-paths, mazes and Meanders,

Thus roved he perplex'd, till found by one,

Who told him they to Dothan late were gone;

Thither he bends, and might anon behold

His Brethren, and their flocks, as late was told.

One of his Brethren ſeeing him, in haſt

Cryes yonder commeth our Enthuſiaſt,

All with conſent giv'd way to headſtrong fury,

Sans the convention of the ſacred Jury

Of reaſon love and faith, Joſeph muſt die,

Grim death ſhall caſt him in a Lethargy.

Then when he wakes let him with dreams out-brave

Our thoughts, thus ſlain let's caſt him in ſome Cave.

This ſaid thus ſtarts up Reuben, Heav'n forbid

We ſhould be guilty all of fratricide,

Forbear, the milder Citizens of th' wood

Upon each tree will carve this theam of blood,

p. 6Forbear, the Fiſh will loſe their being mute,

Each Bird 'gainſt murther quaintly will diſpute;

Forbear, our Lambs with bleating Oratory

When they come home will tell of Joſephs ſtory,

Our Heards miſcarry, and each pregnant Ew

Enix abortive Lamb-kins at the view;

Forbear, the raging winds will burſt their lungs

And in articulate tones pronounce his wrongs.

O be not taught by ſelf-experience,

Conſider Cains juſt curſe for this offence;

And ſince God is the ſame, can we expect

But like proceedings ſhould have like effect?

Yet if your charity cannot forgive,

Then let humanity grant that he live;

Into the pit let's caſt the ſilly Swain,

So ſpoke, that he might ſet him free again.

This ſaid, our nimble youth with active pace

Where they conſulted had attaind the place;

All ruſh on him God ſave our Soveraign ſheaf,

Nay prethee ſpeak not, reſolution's deaf;

Do'ſt bluſh? wee'l empty all theſe veins of blood

As clean as is thy ſoul from grace and good;

This is the coat, this that Majeſtick ſute,

To which we all muſt humbly proſtitute,

A coat of Sack-cloth for to expiate

Thy ſin, and to appeaſe deſerved hate,

Far better would become thee, thou ſhalt die,

Pale death ſhall cloath thee in her livery;

What, not a word unleſs you wear a Crown?

Pray knit your brows, wee'l tremble at your frown;

I prethee weep; I prethee ſigh, my Boy,

That we may dance, that we may ſing for joy;

Let's place him on yon-hillock, for a throne,

Then to his Majeſtie wee'll all fall proue;

Come, come, ſtrip off this coat, and next prepare

For to uncloath thy ſoul; why doſt thou ſtare?

Rapt in ſome ſtrange Enthuſiaſm we know;

Death, quoth another, ſhall intrance him now.

At this our youth grew pale, his blood retreats,

And to his heart a fierce alarum beats,

p. 7Knees bended, hands expans'd, erected eye,

All ſilent Rhet'rick of humility,

Got nought but this, We will without remorſe,

Of ſoul and body make a quick divorce,

Like poor Abſyrtus by his Siſter ſlain,

Or wretched Itis ſo he beg'd in vain;

Quoth he, I doe not uſe this bootleſs ſtrife,

For to obtain that worthleſs name of life,

I fear not death; yet Brethren, pittie take

If not for mine, yet for my Fathers ſake;

Since ther's a God, to Heaven I appeal,

If I you hate, may not the ſtones conceal

But give me ſtrait the lie, my ſoul is white,

Black guilt on her ne'r could ſuch treſpaſs write;

If that it could then I would never grudge,

Nay ſhould my ſelf-condemn were I my Judge;

Had I deſerv'd death I'd yeeld to dye,

Juſtice ſhould ſwill untill my veins were dry.

Oh how his pittie-pleading eyes would view

Now ſadly one, then to another ſue!

Then to their unrelenting Breſts would fly,

Claſping their necks, Sweet Brethren pitty me.

The true imagination of his pains

Doth make my blood carcer within my veins;

When I think on't my paſſion is ſo wild,

I ſtart, and cry as preſent, Save the child.

My fingers fayl and in perplex'd demurs

Inſtead of words my pen indenteth blurs;

My heart doth quake my joints are all benum'd,

My trembling tongue unto my jaws is gum'd:

Yet not for him alone, but for my Saviour

Of whom he was the type, with worſe behaviour

They uſed him of old, let every age

At once preſent their Scenes upon one Stage,

And all the miſeries in Hiſtory

Coucht in moſt tragick prodigality,

And in moſt gorgeous rhetorick expreſt,

Yet his but in their naked colours dreſt

Would ſhew moſt gaudy, ſuch as would inforce

Ev'n Pagans unto mourning and remorſe.

p. 8Anon our Brethren did deliberate,

Not to extenuate but defer their hate,

Till all the horrour of their wittieſt rage

Might wait on death in horrid equipage.

Mean while of Reubens counſell they admit,

And (void of mercy) caſt him in the pit;

Where if they meant him meat for Wolves or Bears,

Or in the empty pit to drown in tears,

Or left him there a prey to greedy famine,

The text is ſilent, nor may I examine.

Mild Reuben joyfull that by this perſwaſion

He ſtopt their fury, thought by this evaſion

When the dark night might, with his care conſpire,

To free young Joſeph from his Brethrensire,

Wherefore he cri'd I'm void from this offence.

Bear witneſſe heaven of my Innocence,

Now when they had left Joſeph, and were dining,

And in a bloody ſynod were combining,

They lifted up their eies, and might diſcern

A company, which they anon might learn

Were Midianites, whoſe trade was merchandice,

As Gilead Balm, gum, mirrh, and fragrant ſpice,

For Egypt on their bunch-back'd Camels bound,

Which ſeen, thus Judah riſeth from the ground;

Brethren, quoth he, the blood in Joſephs veines

The ſelf ſame tincture with our own retaines,

And from the ſelf-ſame chanell it derives

As we do that which actuates our lives,

He is our fleſh, let not his blood be ſpilt

(Since murther cann't be hid) leſt that the guilt

On us and our poſterity intail

A curſe, from death let forefight be his bayl;

Come then, let's ſell him to yon merchant-crew,

And then ſee what will of his dreams enſue;

The Brethren all aſſent to this advice,

And one is ſent to barter for the price.

Quoth he, Good ſirs we have in yonder cave

A ſmooth-fac'd lad, whom you may buy your ſlave,

Whom we would ſell at reaſonable price

Of gold, or ſilver, mirth, ſweet balm, or ſpice:

p. 9Mean while our youth (bleſſing their cruelty

That yet where God ſate thron'd he ſaw the skie)

Thus prayd, Great God of Angels, and of Man,

Who meteſt out yon heavens with the ſpan,

Who ſtretch'ſt them like a curtain, and canſt roll

Them up together like a Parchment ſcroll,

I've not deſerv'd this at my Brethrens hands,

Yet greater, by tranſgreſſing thy commands,

And ſince thou by the hate, doſt me reprove,

Of thoſe, of whom I moſt did hope for love,

'Tis juſt, 'gainſt thee I oft commit offence,

Who moſt of me expectedſt reverence:

Yet if I by my Brethren yeeld my breath,

O pardon me, and pardon them my death.

No ſooner had he voyc'd this prayer, when

His furious Brethren had approacht the den,

Whence having took him up by tackled cords,

Who look'd for nought but death, they uſe theſe words,

Look you, quoth one, look yonder are thy maſters,

Wee'll give thee time to weep at thy diſaſters;

Forſake thy native for a forreign land,

Where this fair skin ſhall be Sun-parch'd and tand;

Prepare theſe dainty limbs t'endure the gripes

Of hardeſt labour, and theſe ſides for ſtripes;

Prepare this dainty palate to be parch'd

With thirſt, this ſtomach to be hunger-ſearch'd.

Quoth Joſeph, if you will not pitty take

For mine, nor Jacobs, then for heavens ſake

Here let me ſtarve, here let me dig my grave

Within this pit, O ſell me not a ſlave.

I'd weep ſuch characters, my tears ſhould trace

Such Water-works upon my blubberd face,

Whoſe intricate Meanders ſhould out-vie

Trajans or Buſhells in Hydrography.

His mones no more appeaſe their raging minds

Than can a Sea-mans whiſtle ſtill the winds;

But him for twenty ſilver pieces ſell,

And with a ſcornfull look they bid farewell.

As Arethuſa through the mazes led

Of the dark earth, through her incloſed bed,

p. 10At length makes paſſage, ſo my ſorrow ſwels,

O'r flows my Brain, and drowns my brinie cels;

Their names, and natures ſeem to ſuit each other,

Judas ſold Chriſt and Judah ſold his Brother,

And when I ſin how can't be underſtood

But that I'm guilty of my Saviours blood!

I ſold him, and he bought me, yet in vain,

For I each day doe barter him again;

Sins are too pregnant, that they ſhould appear

So far remov'd, only in Plato's year:

Their Brother by the Patriarks of old,

After our Saviour was by Iudas ſold,

Men are liv'd o'r again; O could our times

Non guilty plead from ſuch unnat'rall crimes!

For ſpurious vices are hereditary,

Though th' ages vaniſh, and the ſeaſons vary.

Now nights dark mantle had the world behung,

Nights Quiriſter her ev'ning notes had ſung,

And carefull Reuben thinking all ſecure,

Darkneſs at hand that might his care mature,

Unto his Brother hies, and comming near

He cries aloud dear Brother Ioſeph hear;

No anſwer made, unto a higher ſtrain

He tunes his voice aloud to rouze the Swain,

None but an echo anſwers, with his fiſt

Then thumps his Breaſt, leſt death and ſleep had kiſt,

Then carefull fear makes nearer ſcrutiny,

Believing not his ear, he truſts his ey,

And finding him not there ſadly returns

Unto his Brethren, rents his cloaths, and mourns.

The child is not, then I, I will not home,

But like ſavage Satvr hence will come,

Like a wood-Cit'zen, on the ſame accounts

With Bears and Wolves I'd dine and ſup by ounce.

You never ſuckt the Breaſts of Wolves or Bears,

That you ſhould be obdurate to his tears;

Since he is ſlain, where have you him inhears'd?

Which of you hath his guiltleſſe boſome piec'd?

Fear you not Rachel will appear anon.

And to our Father mone her murtherd ſon,

p. 11And with ſtrong dreams at night intrance his ſpirit?

You for a bleſſing may a curſe inherit.

Had rage no other countermine in ſtore

Againſt contempt but death? what could it more?

At this they all ſtood mute, none was ſo bold

For to reply that Joſoph's bought and ſold,

Untill that one more boldly for the reſt

To mourning Reuben all the truth confeſt.

That done, the coat which they from Joſeph ſtript

I'th' blood of a young tender Goat they dipt.

Chriſts cloaths were parted, Joſephs dipt in blood,

May ne'r by them our Church be underſtood,

May ne'r our Church lie tinctur'd in her gore,

Not rent by Shiſmaticks, I heav'n implore,

Nor hereſies, may not that lovely Spouſe

Be forc'd, nor Goats upon that Vineyard brouze;

May ne'r the Boars on it commit their rapes,

Nor in their mud lie drunken with her grapes.

Now Dan's inſtructed with a feigned prize

Of Joſephs coat to pierce his Fathers eyes.

Quoth he, Sir walking partly for to muſe,

Partly to gather hurdles for our Ewes,

I ſaw my Curr ſtrangely to breath the wind,

Anon this bloody garment for to find,

I doubt 'tis Joſephs, and I could not reſt

Till you reſolv'd what yet my fears ſuggeſt;

Then Jacob rent his cloathes, puts ſackcloth on,

Doubtleſſe, quoth he, ſome beaſt hath torn my ſon,

Come grief unſluce the floodgates of my brain,

Break ope the ſprings, let forth the ſilver rain:

Hath age or paſſion drain'd my humours drie?

What means within my brain this ſtrangury?

My brain's a barren cloud, though it have felt

The heat of grief 'twill not diſſolve nor melt;

Me thinks now ſhould my dropſi'd skin deplore

My Ioſephs death with tears through ev'ry pore,

I've heard great ſorrow's dumb and wanteth words,

But now griefs barren, and no tears affords;

My brain and fancy both alike are drie,

I can nor weep, nor ſpeak my miſerie;

p. 12Would from the North I ſtormy ſighs could borrow,

Tears from the fleeting South to weep my ſorrow,

My heavy heart as moated round with led,

Doth lie within my boſome buried?

I've heard ſome have been nouriſhed by Beaſts,

Some children have been foſtred at their Breaſts,

Then, then, could not my Joſeph's inn'cent ey

E'n charm all Beaſts from their Antipathy?

Dans words did grate the griſles of my ears,

Crackt not my eye-ſtrings when I ſaw through tears

The Coat? O would it had been a diſguiſe,

But tears were not falſe glaſſes to mine eyes;

I'd weep the dreggs of tears, theſe ſeem the froth

Of triviall grief, ſince tears cauſe childrens growth.

Come Benjamin, Now thou mayſt juſtly borrow

Thy Mothers name Benoni, ſon of ſorrow;

Th'art not ſo young in years, but canſt conceive

Of this our loſſe, how canſt thou chooſe but grieve?

Father, quoth he (then were his eyes afloat

When as as he viewd the parti-coloured coat)

Do not all ſorrow to your ſelf ingroſſe,

You weep a Sons, and I, as Brothers loſs;

O would my tears were of that pretious rate

That they ſlain Joſeph could redeem from fate;

Joſeph's not loſt, I've heard you oft rehearſe

That Enoch had with God ſo neer commerce

That God did take him, might not providence

Have like reſpect to Joſeph's innocence?

If ſo, I've likewiſe often heard you name

How that my faithfull Grandſire Abraham

Would in obedience unto Gods command

His only Son, with an impartiall hand,

Offer to God, you've many, he no more,

Grudge not to ſpare God one of all your ſtore.

Quoth Jacob, Oh theſe hopes are counterfeit,

I'd gladly cheat my grief with ſuch deceit,

My fear's too reall, then his tears he ſhowr'd,

Doubtleſs, quoth he, ſome beaſt hath him devour'd.

Come, come, my children, weep with me awhile,

While that I lie like to a floating Ile

p. 13Soaking in tears, come, and in Sympathie

Of Joſephs fortunes lend a bleeding eie.

Talk not of cloaths, this is griefs ornament,

Sorrow my food, and Machpalah my tent.

Would I had never ſeen theſe diſmall years,

Then ne'r had I thus dy'd imbalm'd in tears.

Grief be my Sexton, Sorrow toll my Bell.

Death my Veſpillo bee, Fates ring my knell,

My Nun-like ſoul is weary of her cloyſter,

So ſorrow ſucks my marrow, dries my moyſture.

In pitty of his tears, what tyrant keeps

His eyes from raining when an old man weeps?

With the Venetian ſorrow hath a Sea

Eſpouſed to my brain, tears are griefs plea,

Whoſe headſtrong torrent who can but affront?

What Xerxes can but guive my Holieſpont?

The Midianties as doubting a reprieve

Of their lov'd purchaſe ſtrait to Memphis drive,

Whoſe burniſh'd turrets as they did approach,

Shewd like ſome Saphyrs dropt from Phoebus Coach;

Whoſe lofty Pinacles tranſparent light

Did ſeem to mock the twinckling ſtarrs by night:

The Merchants willing to obtain regard

Of Putiphar Captain of Pharoahs guard,

And good opinion of their trading truth,

With humble Court'ſie thus preſent our youth.

Great Sir, quoth they, as we paſto'r the plains,

It was our chance to meet with Hebrew ſwains;

At whoſe much importunity we bought

This youth, whom we have to your Lordſhip brought;

Aſſuring thus our ſelves, that if the grace

Of mind be anſwerable to his face,

So ſweet a face, ſo bleſt a Genius,

Is fitter for your Lordſhip, than for us.

Quoth Putiphar it argues not your thrift,

To tender gratis ſuch a worthy gift,

Let not your courteſie thus ſeem ſo nice,

Nor circumſtantiall, but tell the price.

Quoth one, the Hebrews askt Spice Balm, or gum,

But twenty ſilver pieces was the ſum;

p. 14At this the Captain ſtarteth How ſo cheap?

So rare a purchaſe for ſo ſmall a heap?

Were I a King, and ſuch a ſon had loſt,

I would redeem him at my kingdom's coſt,

Nay though twice Egypt, and though Nile did ſtream

In golden Cataracts, ſurpaſt a dream,

Though each ſand were a Saphyr on his banks;

Take gold for ſilver, for your love take thanks;

Theſe homely weeds do not beſeem my lad,

Thou ſhalt in ſcarlet, and in ſilks be clad,

Nor by extorting trialls will I prove,

How thou hereafter wilt deſerve my love,

Though I am not like thoſe that doe rejoyce

When that they buy, in nature, more than choice;

This ſaid, the multitude about him crowds,

Hee like a ſtar bemantled round with cloudes,

Or like a Diamond if richly ſet

In the circumference of a ring of jet.

You in his face might read whom he ador'd,

And in their viſage, whom they oft implor'd.

Now to his home the Captain brought his page,

Dreſt with the reſt in ſcarlet equipage,

Whoſe bluſhing cheeks natures freſh livery,

Did ſhame the ſcarlet with a nobler die;

Jove ne'r was ſerv'd by ſuch a Ganymede,

No falſe Ixion to his maſters bed;

What e'r he did ſome Angel did attend,

And brought his actions to a proſperous end,

And for his ſake, his Maſters care and pain

Was ever recompence'd with double gain.

This ſeen, there's granted to his providence

The office of a ſteward to diſpenſe:

Where God's the ſuperviſor who will fear?

T'a faithfull ſteward God's a treaſurer;

Succeſſe the midwife was, and gain the heir

And happy iſſue ſtill of each affair.

Envy at this repines, and madly ſhakes

About her horrid head her ratling ſnakes;

Her looks more meager grew, her limbs more thin,

And with her ruſty teeth begins to grin

p. 15At Joſephs Fortunes, he muſt drink a ſup

Of hers, as well as Fortunes pleaſant cup;

Among the reſt that homage did of duty,

And vow'd adorates were to Joſephs beauty,

His miſtris (fair Iempſar) tore the veil

Of modeſty, no counſell could be bail

For captive reaſon J ſeph gave the wound,

And who to cure't but Joſeph may be found?

Firſt reaſon to her fancy read this lecture,

Should this be known what would the Court conjecture?

Reaſon exiled judgment thus deprav'd,

Thou to thy ſervile vaſſall thus inſlav'd.

I grant ſweet Joſeph hath a peerleſs beauty,

But can his loyally diſpenſe with duty,

He owes his maſter Potiphar her Lord?

And fear'ſt thou not his luſt-revenging ſword?

But what quoth ſhe? let fore-ſight wait one age,

Youth ne'r to counſell ſues for Patronage;

Let fab'lous fears preſent their bug bear faces,

And marſhall all their horrours yet the baſis

On which my reſolution grounds my love

What terrour can but ſhake what fear remove?

Now this reſ…lv'd upon what flight evaſion

Hath critick reaſon, and what vain perſwaſion?

Wer't not for gifts this face perſwades alone

Since he hath eyes and ears, he may be won.

Pregnant with hopes impariently ſhe tends

Till time might provent Pander for her ends,

And long had ſweating loſt conſpir'd with fraud,

Untill fa…e Opportunity the Baud

To ſ…ch deſigns, appointed time and place,

When ſhe uninterrupted pleads her caſe.

Dear J…ſeph, long with hopes my breſt hath teem'd,

Time long unfleg'd and …llow wing'd hath ſeem'd,

Til they deliver'd by the Midwifry

B… of this happy Opportunity,

Which ſince it ſmiles on us, I hope my love

Shall not by coy neglect abortive prove.

Why ſtarts thou at love nam'd? why doſt thou ſcorn?

'Tis to and for love that we all were born.

p. 16Frown not but ſpeak yet ſpeak not while you frown,

I will not hear, nay pray, you ſhall not down.

What is it that thou feareſt? no ſpie waits

To fright our dalliance to diſtracted ſtraits.

Pray leave theſe niceties, and give a kiſſe

As happy Prologue to enſuing bliſs.

Come youth, I'll ſet thee in a ſhowr of gold.

And rain down Pearls upon thee; nay be bold:

Pray ſmooth this brow, theſe clowdy looks inform

That ſome diſlike is raiſing of a ſtorm.

Madam, quoth he, excuſe if I explode

This your requeſt, 'tis ſin againſt my God.

How can I then do this? this maſſie roof

That thus contains us is not thunder proof:

How can my loyalty break down the verge

Of reaſon, love, and duty? ſince the charge

Of all to me is granted, you except

What hath my Lord from me detain'd or kept?

Which would much aggravate this groſs abuſe,

So farre beyond remiſſion, as excuſe.

Now here was beauty, if he had been fond

Beauty with beauty here might correſpond.

Here were large promiſes, that might inchant

A ſtern refuſall to a ſilent grant.

Since heaven was his love, it is no wonder

If leſs he fear'd her frown than heavens thunder.

Not willing to deſiſt at this repulſe,

Our Amoriſt with ſecond thoughts conſults;

Firſt fearing leſt her faces nice peruſall

Might in the lad occaſion this refuſall,

Her glaſſe ſhe curſes, grief her heart doth gnaw;

I thought quoth ſhe, theſe beaming eyes could thaw

E'n froſt-congealed veins, and might ſuffice

To melt a heart though moated round with yee;

But I'm deceiv'd, by Chemoſh and you light

My nayles could damn you to eternall night,

And on this face could act a Martyrdome,

Bite off this fruitleſs tongue, and hence live dumb.

Alas poor ornaments, deſpiſed treſſes,

Contemned promiſes, deceiving dreſſes,

p. 17Love took me pris'ner, yet I could take arms,

And now what wit, what counſell-countercharms

Can exerciſe my love? love's ſpirit lies

Beyond the reach of all our ſorceries.

What patience can conceal't, What reaſon ſmother?

Falſe expectation is a curſt Stepmother.

With what an Uſury doth ſhe extort

An ages longing for a minutes ſport?

But joy with grief, Fate on one Bottome ſpins,

And pain and pleaſure often-times are twins.

Though Pain's the elder, yet to the forlorn

Anon Joy th'younger Siſter will be born;

On this our Lover Deifies Perſwaſion,

And with a Godhead ſhe inveſts Occaſion;

Shee'll try once more, though ſhame do countermand,

Though life with death in equall ballance ſtand.

Deſpair and Hope long in her Breſt conteſted,

Untill her mem'ry time and place ſuggeſted;

And now how ſlowly Phoebus ſnailes his courſe,

And draws his fiery Coach with founderd horſe;

The wings of flagging Time are clipt, he feels

The keyes of ſleep and death weigh'd at his heels.

Occaſion ſerving her you may conceive

Our wanton Amoriſt thus playes the Eve.

Dear Joſeph, Fate and Fortune have conſpir'd

For to mature the ſute I late deſir'd,

Then let's no longer this our bliſs prorogue,

But now cloſe up our loving Epilogue;

Why looks diſdain aſquint? this forehead furld

In angry folds? Survey this little world,

What beautie's in the world (my type) ſurmiz'd

That's not in me more gloriouſly compriz'd?

My Eyes dim Phoebus light, my Cheeks the ſphears,

And what deformed clouds on them appears?

Each beauty here's a ſtar, only from hence

My J…eph doth diſdain their influence;

The Sun's all eye, the walls can do no wrong,

By palate, throat, two lips, four teeth and tongue.

Then fear no ſpies, theſe frowns ſhall never daunt,

They'r but an Introduction to a grant.

p. 18What, fear'ſt the light? the windows ſhall be ſeeld;

Since love is blind, Come do not frown, but yeeld.

Quoth hee, What means this chat, this bootleſs flattr'y?

Remove your Siege, my Fort diſdains the Batt'ry;

O let your face and deeds be Relatiſts,

Where heaven, grace, and beauty in one twiſts,

'Tis a rare mixture, elſe for what's this face?

Your world doth want his Sun if void of Grace.

Is luſtfull Sodoms fiery doom forgot?

Or was't not heard? me thinks the room's too hot.

This Curtain's woven in too thin a loom

To bear out forked lightning and this room

Not built of ſuch unmalleable ſtuff,

But the ſame God can thunderbolt it through.

What Mimick figures doth this Face aſſume

To ſet forth Paſſion? uſe this fruitleſs rheum

Diſtilling from your Eyes to purge your guilt,

For to this purpoſe all in vain are ſpilt.

On this Iemſar madly ruminates,

Fortune's a Strumpet, who, but Bawds the Fates?

Occaſion is a Traitreſs, 'tis no ſlander

If Venus be call'd Where, Cupid a Pander.

Anon ſhe frets and fumes, vext with the pride

That ſhe ſhould be neglected, and deni'd.

Then rails on Nature 'cauſe her beauties vigour

Could not prevail, then threats her with this rigour.

Poor face, quoth ſhe, my nails could quote in ſcarrs,

And trace thy ſhame in bloudy characters.

Theſe Eyes, theſe Eyes, are Baſilisks, elſe ſure

Where they are thus avoided, might allure;

Then ſince that nought avails this idle breath,

I'll to my glaſs, and look my ſelf to death.

Weak Hair! How often have I thought in vain

That you in amorous guives could Hero's chain?

Are you thus ſlighted? can a ſervile groom

Break through your treſſes like a Spiders loom?

I'd gladly Reaſon re-admit my tutor,

And friendly counſell, as her Coadjutor;

But where ſome beauties cloy the appetite,

His ſets a ſharper edge upon delight.

p. 19Let reaſon chat, ſo with attentive griſle

Rough Boreas hearkens to the Sea-mens whiſtle;

For what! who but a leaden-ſpirited clown

Will fearfully ſtand bent at ev'ry frown?

True Reſolution hath my temper ſteel'd,

Which back will ſpring, till broke will never yeeld.

Long Summers crown the long expected primes,

And who will gain his ends muſt wait on times,

Where pleaſure's principall, pain paies the uſe.

Of Fate and Fortune now ſhe begs excuſe;

And Love with whom ſhe madly late conteſted

Is in his Deity now re-inveſted;

Who'll not endure Love's pecking Doves ſhall ſmart

For his impatience with his angry dart;

To thoſe that yeeld Love is a gracious Queen,

A tyrant to a refractory ſpleen;

Somtimes ſhe fears ſuſpition might diſcover

To Putiphar, ſhe was her Vaſſals lover,

And then what ſlight, or what inſinuation

Can free her from his juſt repudiation?

But Fear's a Pigmie dreſt in Gorgons cloaths;

To gain her ends ſhee'll break all nuptiall oaths:

On Lovers perjuries they ſay Joves ſmiles,

And Love is ſtill auſpicious to ſuch Wiles.

As did Semiramis once woo her Nine,

So likewiſe our Egyptian Meſſaline.

Occaſion ſerving her, you may ſurmize,

Thus makes her third aſſault upon her prize.

Look dear, how Time hath granted what I claim'd,

And Chance preſents the ſcope to which I aim'd,

Let's not delay, of my requeſt accept,

And in my graunt let Nature have her debt;

Thou to a Father wert a Child, I gather

That to a Child thou mightſt become a Father;

Pray do not thus diſcourteouſly impeach

Me as before, hear, till I end my Speech;

Yet in my ſuing looks if I were mute,

Thou mightſt moſt plainly read my loving ſute;

Regard theſe Tears, Pearls of ſo rare eſteem

Which Pharoh, if a Captive, might redeem.

p. 20What's here, ſhouldſt thou of envie take advice?

What's here deformed that thou ſhouldſt be nice?

Here's ſymmetry no ill-proportion'd frame,

Nature and Art herein deſerve no blame;

My ſinewes active are my ſpirits quick

Are as thine own, they'r neither gr…ſs nor thick;

Which granted, ſpeak, who (but a ſenſleſs ſtone)

To ſuch requeſts as theſe would not be prone?

Madam, quoth he my reſolution's fixt,

Nor with ambiguous doubts at all is mixt;

Were you an Angell come from heav'n, and mov'd

Me to this ſute, I never would have lov'd;

Which yer I grant, conceive that Heav'n and Hell,

Things inconſiſtent, incompatible

Shall in harmonious unity combine,

Yer I one thought to your requeſt incline;

Though nature you with choyſeſt parts endows,

My ey ſhall never countermand my vows.

I hate not love, but that intemp'rate flame

Of burning luſt that thus uſurps his name;

Love at a heav'nly beam doth light his torch,

While helliſh flames the luſt-allured ſcorch.

Much more than this, for ſacred love I'd ſpeak;

The text is old, the oratory weak.

Pray ſpeak no more, my ears do burn for ſhame

To hear your talk, my cheeks are all aflame.

Thus daily did our pathick Amoriſt,

The fair Iempſar, in her ſute perſiſt;

And Joſeph's truth, as bold was as her luſt

Denies to violate his faith and truſt.

Oft did his ears pump her invention dry,

And then her ſighes her meaning would ſupply;

And as ſome doe obſerve, the viſage keeps

The ſelf-ſame figures when it laughs and weeps,

So various were her paſſions, none could read

In hers where that ſhe ſmil'd, or wept indeed.

Had but the Syrens to Ulyſſes ſung

So ſweetly, as here woo'd Iemſars tongue,

'Tis thought Ulyſſes had, though ne'r ſo chaſt,

Broke through the yeelding Cable, burſt the Maſt,

p. 21His mens unſealed ears charm'd by her notes,

Had left their empty ſhip to Neptunes floats.

Now would ſhe ſtrike her Breſts, then otherwhiles

Weep tears would cheat even the Crocodiles.

Ne'r was a Roe more weary of her chaſe,

Ne'r timerous Hare to ſhun the Hunters trace,

Doubled more folds, or made more neer eſcapes,

Than to avoid her, he did vary ſhapes;

And when he ever would himſelf unmew,

Shee like diſdained Echo ſtill would ſue;

Or like his ſhadow, only had not fled,

Had he returned to her luſtfull Bed.

Iempſar at young Joſephs chaſt regrets,

Is madly malecontent, and thus ſhe frets.

Shall expectation longer dull my ſenſe?

Or I turn'… o'r to racking patience?

Stoop I ſo low, and in my ſute ſo ſerious?

And is this Lad ſo ſullen and imperious?

Shall I, ſhall I, who was ſo nobly born

Thus prove a …rop… to my vaſſals ſcorn?

Shall I, whoſe words can either ſave or doom,

Thus …ive, as ſentenc'd by my ſervile groom?

Shall I, whoſe powrfull face was wont to bow

The ſtouteſt Monarchs to an amorous vow,

Be thus deſpis'd contemn'd condemn'd, rejected,

My promiſe ſlighted and my faith ſuſpected?

I'll make him know by dear experience,

What 'tis a womans fury to incenſe.

Women are Angels, grant to what they mov'd,

Deni'd are Furies, hate what e'r they lov'd.

But yet there are ſome hopes; perhaps this Boy

Is out of inexperience thus ſo coy:

A bold aſſault, perchance, may win the crown,

Then will I thunder if he dare to frown;

The ſweeteſt Wine hath ſtill the ſharpeſt lees;

And water heat, once coold will hardeſt freeze:

Seeing thus my reſolution hath decreed,

Let Ven… or Alecto be my ſpeed.

Ne'r could our haunted youth have the enjoyment

Of eaſe or quiet, labour or employment,

p. 22But him ſhe haunts, at length he unaware,

Thus boldly ſhe anticipates his ear.

Look dear, my care thy utmoſt hath outvi'd;

Why fly'ſt me ſo? ſweet give me leave to chide;

Was it not grief enough thou ſhould'ſt deny mee?

But thus likewiſe diſcourteouſly to fly mee?

Denyalls wound but where love cannot plead

His ſute through abſence, ſorrow ſtrikes him dead:

Dear, Why art thou and I grown day and night,

When I am moſt then thou art leaſt in ſight:

Look Time o'rſhades us with a proſp'rous wing,

And but thy love could I wiſh any thing?

Frown not, ſince Fortune ſmiles, make uſe of ſeaſon,

Here is no blab to prate, then fear no treaſon.

Art thou religious? What is zeal but love?

And ſuch proficients muſt ſuch means improve;

Leave, leave this coyneſs, let not love be baniſh'd,

Make uſe of love, before this Youth be vaniſh'd.

This ſaid, our haſty lover is grown mute,

As was invention prompting a recruit.

Quoth Joſeph, Madam, leave theſe Syrens ſongs,

This pair of ears can dry a thouſand tongues,

They ne'r ſhall force a paſſage to my heart;

My reſolution goes beyond your art.

Then be reſolv'd, I wiſh you underſtood

Luſt ſtains the tincture of your noble blood.

Love is all valour, damned luſt a craven;

Love's Embleme is a Dove, but Luſt's a Raven.

More I could ſpeak.—and more he would have ſpoke

Had ſhe not luſtfully caught at his Cloak,

Who, of his Cloak, not chaſtity, bereft,

Fled, and his garment with his Miſtris left.

He gon, her blood through choler grew aduſt

Within her veins, black, as her burning luſt;

Where Luſt's the Mother, Hate is ſtill the Child,

Thus Love and Luſt are never reconcil'd.

Iempſar raves, no other pains ſhe felt

Than did ſome Witch her waxen ſtatue melt,

Her heart knockt at her ribs e'n ſuch a pain

Did Meleager (Poets ſay) ſuſtain,

p. 23When that his Mother with her angry hand

Into the flames had caſt the fatall brand;

Officious envy ſoon a lie ſuggeſted,

And ſhe as by ſome horrid gheſt infeſted

Exclaim'd aloud, her ſervants at the noyſe

Approach'd, whom ſtrait ſhe greeteth with this voice.

Quoth ſhe, The ſlave on which He ſo conſides,

Forſooth the Steward who our buſineſs guides,

Would raviſh me; but by my outcrie chac't,

Fled, and his garment with me left through haſt,

Glad ſhe had dreſt her lie in ſuch a ſhape,

That he on her attempted had a rape,

She knew the Youth ſhould from her Husband win

No expiation for ſo foul a ſin,

On which triumphing our incenſed Dame

Layes up the Garment till her Husband came.

He come, her mind our Lady thus diſcuſt,

As Phaedra once accus'd her ſon of luſt.

With mournfull looks, moyſt eies, and hands expans'd,

Quoth ſhe, The Youth whom you have ſo advanc'd,

Had raviſh'd me, had not my ſhreeking tongue

More powerfull been, than my defence was ſtrong.

And as a witneſs of what he deſign'd

For haſt he left with me his Cloak behind.

This ſaid, the blood boyld in the Captains veins,

Rough Jealouſie ſtrait gave his rage the reins;

Quoth He to Joſeph, is this lovely look

So fair an Index to ſo falſe a Book?

Nay ſure old Nature doted, when ſhe ſhrind

Within ſo fair a Caſe ſo foul a Mind.

Hence, I'll ne'r truſt to beauty, ſince I know

Worſt thoughts lurk mask'd under the faireſt ſhow.

How I'm deceived who would ever fear

A Devill mov'd within this ſplendid ſphear?

I know the reaſon now, and will aſſent

Why faireſt flowers have ſtill the fouleſt ſent.

Is thy Religion but a feign'd diſguiſe?

Is luſt the zeal that thus thy temper fries?

Wert thou for this prefer'd, ſo highly fed,

That thou ſhouldſt thus attempt to ſtain my Bed?

p. 24Could none, could none, ambitious luſt, ſuffice

But ſuch a purchaſe of ſo rare a prize?

Hardſhip ſhall check this temper day and night,

Hunger ſhall quell this luſtfull Appetite;

Yet though thou herein wer't ſo malapert,

And this offence might cancell all deſert,

My rage ſhall not glut on thy fleſh for food,

Nor ſhall my furyes revell on thy blood;

Yet leave theſe robes that I may be reveng'd,

Theſe golden Chains for Guives muſt be exchang'd,

Theſe Rings for Manacles, for Tapeſtry

Darkneſs ſhall ſerve thee for a Canopy;

To priſon hence, whence hope for no reprivall:

Think'ſt thou my thoughts can brook my ſlave, my rivall?

Oft Joſeph thus began, yet when he ſpoke

The Captain on the Jaylour would invoke.

My grief the rigour of your doom exceeds,

That Fate hath interwoven ſo my deeds

With ſecrecy that what my Miſtris ſaith

Beyond my truth, of all ſhould purchaſe faith:

Yet innocence is bold and I avouch

If e'r I ſo attempted her to touch,

May heav'n and earth againſt me both conſpire,

And may I ſtand the object of their ire,

If I were falſe, then as my juſt deſert,

May this right hand prove traytour to my heart.

To God who is as innocent, ſo juſt

I do appeal, I never ment this luſt;

To him, that will both quit me for this blame,

And in the end make envy bluſh for ſhame.

Theſe notwithſtanding Joſephs vows and tears,

So Jealouſie ſtood in the Captains ears

As Centinell, that no complaint or mone

Could force a paſſage unto reaſons throne;

And thus no further brought unto the teſt

The Jaylour entertains his wofull gueſt.

Although a Pearl through glaſs more dully ſhines,

'Tis not the priſon Wall but guilt confines;

Where conſcience in the boſome runs atilt

Againſt the heart, the Jaylour there is guilt.

p. 25And if the body, not the mind be free,

What is that but a captiv'd liberty?

The greater world to ſuch, no leſs doth ſeem,

Than is the leſſer in the ſouls eſteem.

But innocence though in a narrow gyre

Is free as ever fancy can deſire;

Angels ſpread not more free their aery wings;

The charter'd Libertine of the Woods, not ſings

More free; the ſhip cuts not the ſilver fome,

Nor Fiſh more freely in the Ocean come;

Nay Winds are limited, and Sea's reſtrain'd,

But Innocence is free, though bound and chain'd.

Oft our impris'ned Youth his God implor'd,

And with theſe mournfull ſighes the heavens board,

Thou that art cloath'd with light; as with a cloak,

Before whom heaven vaniſheth like ſmoak,

Diſpell, O Lord, that wilfull ignorance

That would miſcall this Providence, a Chance;

Lord, I have ſinned, and this heavy ſcourge

Thou plagu'ſt me with, was formed in my forge;

'Tis ſin, my conſcience, Lord, doth ſo atteſt,

Betraies my freedome unto this arreſt;

So that I cannot ſatisfie my mind

Which of the two more ſtraightly is confin'd,

Either my Soul within this fleſh immur'd,

Or elſe my Body that is thus ſecur'd;

Thou, that for former ſins doſt thine correct

(Although then innocent) with falſe ſuſpect;

Thou who mak'ſt greateſt men, like ſtouteſt trees

At thy rebuke to bow their knotty knees;

Since ſin upon my Soul writes not this guilt;

Let mercy bayl, let not my life be ſpilt:

This of thee, Lord, I humbly do importune,

Who art far much above Men, Fate, or Fortune.

Our Youth in Priſon had not long been kept,

But that his winning manners ſoftly crept

Into the Jaylours breſt, and won ſuch grace,

The Jaylour captive to his Pris'ner was;

So ever did this holy Witch inchaunt him,

So ever Joſeph's good conceit did haunt him;

p. 26That he anon commiſerates the youth,

And makes ſtrange deſcants on Iemſars truth;

Anon his care by conſtancy matur'd,

Had ſo the Jaylour of the truth aſſur'd,

That to his providence, he grants at large

His keyes, his care, his cuſtody and charge;

Anon great Pharaoh highly was incens'd,

For thus ſuſpition had her plaint commenc'd

His Butler and his Baker had compli'd

On him to act a poys'nous Regicide;

The King defer'd not, but on his attaint

Both were confined to a cloſe reſtraint;

Both to the ſelf-ſame priſon were conveigh'd

To which ſweet Joſeph lately was betray'd,

Whom ſo the Captain of the guard inlarg'd

That with the new-come Pris'ners he was charg'd,

Who for a time were both in priſon kept,

Till in a night when ſleep payd Natures debt;

Their brains had etertained ſuch conceits,

Whoſe reſolution drove them to ſuch ſtraits;

What ſhould theſe dreams import, whoſe ridling fancy

They fear'd ſurpaſt the rack of Necromancy;

With ſtrange imaginations thus perplext

They ſate revolving on the fancies text:

Till Ioſeph came, who ſtrait in humble ſort

Thus asks what theſe demeanours did import,

Quoth he, what means this eye, late, quick, and full

So ſuddenly grow hollow, ſunk and dull.

Theſe fixed looks, what do theſe ſighs imply?

This viſage dreſt in ſorrows livery?

Grief vented much is eas'd, then tell the cauſe

On what you thus demur, and ſadly pauſe;

This night, quoth they, our troubled Genii

Have fixt ſo ſtrangely on our memory

Strange Dreams, beyond our powers to untwiſt,

And (worſe) we fear, of Charm or Chemoſh Prieſt,

This ſayd, quoth Joſeph heaven oft in Dreams

Preſents imagination with Theams

Of high import, inſpired fantaſie

Oft ſpeaks more true then weak Aſtrology;

p. 27And as 'tis Gods t'inſpire, I dare be bold

To ſay 'tis likewiſe his for to unfold;

Weak ſorcery may feed you with deluſion,

Ne'r ſatisfie you with a true concluſion;

Then here unload your thoughts to me, and I

I'th'end may prove your faithfull Mercury.

At this the Butler ſpeaks then hear, Ipray

Me thought one Vine three branches did diſplay,

Which firſt, me thought, did bud, then bloom'd abroad,

Then bore ripe cluſters of a pleaſant load;

I having Pharaohs Cup, before him ſtood,

And in it to him cruſht their ſparkling blood;

Quoth Joſeph then, three branches are three days,

Which time expired, Pharaoh ſhall thee raiſe

From up this Dungeon, unto former grace,

And ſhalt officiate in thy wonted place.

But then, quoth he, as this ſhall thus prove true,

So to the King for my releaſment ſue,

That I no longer thus, may ly inplung'd,

My ſpotleſs name by infamy expung'd;

For I long ſince was raviſhed by theft,

Both of my Country, and my friends bereft;

Then when you are to dignity reſtor'd,

Pray think on what I humbly here implor'd;

Remember Joſeph, quit me from this blame,

Leſt I prove, ſhortly, nothing but the name.

From that ſin of Luſt, heav'n knows I'm cleer,

As is you light that Chariots in his Sphear.

The Baker ſeeing the Butlers Dreams import,

Was of his re-advancement in the Court,

Quoth he, I likwiſe ſtrangely dream'd, me thought

As to the Court I three white Baskets brought

With bak'd-meats, and with other plenty ſtor'd,

Wherewith I might repleriſh Pharaohs board,

The Birds allured by the dainties fled,

And pickd them as I bore them on my head.

Quoth Joſeph theſe three Baskets do preſage,

When thrice the Sun hath paſt the azurd ſtage.

The King ſhall from this Priſon thee conveigh,

And hang thee on a tree for Birds a prey;

p. 28The third day Memphis with triumphall mirth

Held in remembrance of their Pharohs birth,

When that the Butlers innocent deſert

Was re-advanc'd the Baker to the Cart

From Priſon was conveigh'd, and in this ſeaſon

Was hang'd in expiation of his treaſon;

Whoſe trunk allured many an aery gueſt,

Who ſeem'd in honour of the time to feaſt;

The Butler notwithſtanding this, forgot

Sad Joſeph that foretold his future lot,

As fatteſt fields yeeld weeds of fouleſt ſavours,

Ingratitude repayes the greateſt favours;

Since Pride, is Fortunes daughters 'tis leſs ſtrange

To ſee how ſoon us can Preferment change:

For they whoſe Fortunes flie another ſphear

Unto their Mates, ſtern Planets oft appear;

At leaſt deſpiſe them, or their Vows forget;

So Bells at firſt ſpeak thick, but rais'd are ſet.

So ſmall Brooks roar, but gaining depth of land,

Their ſwelling ſtreams are at a ſullen ſtand.

Twice ſwelling Nile his barren banks had drown'd,

And with his fertile ſlime inricht the ground,

Twice twelve times had the Miſtris of the night,

Lookt black, through abſence of her lovers ſight,

When that great Pharaoh on his couch lay ſtretcht,

And leaden Morpheus on his ſenſes watcht,

His roving Genius was entertain'd

By ſuch conceits, which, though his fancy feign'd,

Yet under them, he fear'd, was coucht a ſenſe

Of high Import, and mighty Conſequence;

When, ſtraight, he tryes the Charmers and their Spells,

Who all implor'd their wonted Oracles;

One woo'd the Stars, another pli'd the Tomb,

A third his Spirit charm'd, but all were dumb;

As when ſome did the Delphian Shrine implore,

When th'Oracle grew dumb, and ſpake no more.

On which the Butler being ſeen awoke

By racking memory, thus humbly ſpoke,

Great Sir, I cannot give my thoughts a truce,

Till I my ſelf thus to your Grace accuſe,

p. 29I with the Baker were accus'd long ſince

To have conſpir'd the death of thee, our Prince,

On which, as Traitours to the ſolemn Oath

Of our Aleageance, you confin'd us both;

When in one night, our fancies had impreſt

Such Dreams on memory, which to the teſt

Of Reaſon brought, drove us t'amazed ſtraights

Who might unfold their intricate conceits;

When to a fellow-pris'ners much requeſts

The Captains ſervant, We unlockt our Breaſts,

Who, the reſults both of my innocence

Foretold, and of the Bakers juſt events.

Pharaoh not asking why he was attach'd,

A haſty Meſſage to the Guard diſpatch'd

To ſet their Pris'ner free; who we may gheſſe,

Was brought to Pharaoh in a ſeemly dreſſe;

Who, now rejecting all the Magick ſect,

Thus ſpeaks to Joſeph with a mild aſpect;

Strange Dreams, this night, my Spirits have ingroſt,

Remembrance haunts me like an angry Ghoſt,

And I have heard thy Spirit is accute,

And canſt unravell Dreams beyond diſpute;

Now, couldſt thou lead me through this Maze, and Miſt

Of doubts, could'ſt thou my ridling Dreams untwiſt?

Quoth Joſeph, Then let Pharaoh hear me ſpeak,

Yet 'tis not I, but God, for I am weak;

Let fears all vaniſh, let debarement ceaſe;

My God ſhall to great Pharaoh anſwer peace.

Quoth Pharaoh, as I ſlept, this was my Dream.

Me thought I ſtood cloſe by a pleaſant ſtream,

I look'd, and from the banks I ſaw there climb'd

Seven Kine, fat-fleſh'd, and well proportion limb'd,

Which in a Medow neer the River plac'd,

Fed pleaſantly, and made a full repaſt:

Next, from the ſtream aſcending, I obſerv'd,

Seven Kine, ſmall limb'd, ſunk-ey'd, and hunger-ſtarv'd,

Who ſtraight devour'd the reſt that came before,

Yet ſtill remain'd ill-favoured, lean, and poor,

Then I awoke, and while I ſadly mus'd,

Where this were naturall, or elſe infus'd,

p. 30I know not yet, what vapours did condenſe

Within my brain, ſleep once more lockt my ſenſe,

When lo, I dream'd again, One ſtalk ſustaind

Sev'n eares of Corn, rank, good, and heavy-graind;

Next them, ſev'n eares thin, blaſted, and deflowr'd

Aroſe, which ſtrait, the former crop devour'd:

I told the Charmers this yet ne'r could learn

Of them, what theſe my dreamings did concern.

Great Sir, quoth Joſeph thus, theſe ſev'n full ears,

And ſev'n good kine, are ſeven plenteous years,

In which the earth ſhall in increasfull crops.

Rejoyce the Husbandmen beyond their hopes;

The ſev'n thin eares, and ſeven ill-favoured kine,

Are ſeven years of Famine, I divine,

Which ſhall enſue the firſt, the Springs recruit

Be void, the Earth fail of her wonted fruit;

The Vine ſhall not her wonted Vintage bleed,

And Nile in nothing fruitfull but in weed.

The Dream was twice preſented, for to ſhew

That this establiſh'd is, and ſhall enſue

Through Gods decree, now (by your Graces leave)

If I might counſell what I fit conceive,

Though I am ſhallow, and my thoughts I ſtill

Confeſſe, flag much below your Counſels skill.

Yet I might ſay, that oft (your Grace doth know)

To loweſt means we greateſt matters owe.

And though that no one can anticipate

The Heavens decree, and croſs the doom of Fate,

Your Grace may know there's by this warning meant,

That you this judgement may through care prevent;

Let Pharaoh make one of his wiſeſt Peers

Chief Maſter of the Corn the plenteous years.

Who may diſperſe his ſervants through each County.

To gather up Ceres ſuperfluous bounty

To a fifth part, while plenty ſo ſhall laſt,

Through riot that there be no ſpoil nor waſt,

Who where there are no Barns may give a charge;

To build where they are ſmall for to inlarge;

For great ſhall be the plenty and extream

Shall be the famine, as your Grace did Dream;

p. 31So ſhall you wiſely deal, like carefull Ants,

Whom Natures teacheth to prevent their wants;

Famine's Death's younger Siſter, 'tis an Elf

More terrible than War or Death it ſelf.

This liking Pharaoh well he anſwers thus;

Where can we find ſo fit a Genius?

So dext'rous as thy ſelf ſo full of merit,

In whom there is inſhrin'd ſo rare a Spirit?

So worthy of our confidence, ſo prompt?

Of my affairs here take the full accompt,

Who dares againſt my choice for to repine?

Or turn a Rebell to thy Diſcipline?

My Genius, my triple ey I ſwear

Thou than my other two art far more dear;

How joy refines my temper! oh 'tis ſtrange,

They erre that think Complexions cannot change.

Embraces diſtant are O would that Fate

Would grant we might more neer incorporate.

My wit wants words to ſet my Paſſion forth,

Or Hieroglyphycks to deſcribe thy worth;

Who dares with thee confeſt? there's greater none

Than thee but I that ſit upon the Throne.

So …e late under an Imperious guard,

Was now advanced unto high reward;

Pharaoh ſate at the Helm, but Joſeph ſteer'd,

And in the ſecond Chariot was preferr'd

And ſome, according to the Kings Decree

Would run before him, crying, Bow the knee.

So he, who ſeem'd in miſerie forlorn'd

His neck hath with a golden Chain adorn'd;

His finger decked with a precious Ring

Which Pharaoh wore as Embleme of a King.

Who in deſpiſed rags did lie of late.

Now in rich Robes walk'd in Majeſtick ſtate:

The Bias of all Egypt he, that drew

Their Inquiſition t'an admiring view:

The Court was but the Ring, and he the Gem,

As to a branch of Egypts Royall Stem.

All did ſubmit themſelves, and to the Court

As to a late deſcended God reſort.

p. 32Firſt, one would call him Father, and ſalute

Him with a preſent of his early fruit;

In things of weight, one by his Genius ſwore,

A third in pain would Joſephs God implore,

The old (late weary of their lives) deſir'd

To bleſs their Eyes with him yet they expir'd;

The middle ag'd would bleſs him, and the young

Unto him iſſue, in a num'rous throng;

Rich, poor, ſtrong weak, the humble, and the haughty,

All ran to ſee the Author of their ſafety;

So he, on whom the heavens ſeem'd to frown,

Is now advanced unto high renown.

So he, who late in Priſon did obey,

Now o'r all Egypt bears a mighty ſway;

Our Saviours trueſt Type; ſo Chriſt aroſe

To ſave thoſe whom God of his mercy choſe;

As Pharaohs love to Joſeph was inclin'd,

Hath God the Father to his Son reſign'd

All Power, hath Him from bonds of fleſh releas'd,

So is the Father in the Son well pleas'd;

Hath at his right hand plac'd him, wills that wee

At Jeſus name ſhould bow an humble knee.

Thrice ten times Joſeph had ſeen I aniveer

With double face to uſher in the year,

When thus he ſtood before great Pharaohs face,

And gain'd this meaſure of his Princely grace,

Which age, now for a boſome help matur'd,

Such was kind Pharoahs love, that he procur'd

Potipherah, the princely Prieſt of Un,

To take his Countries Father for his Son,

His firſt-born was Manaſſeth, for I have

Quoth he, forgot how I was ſold a ſlave.

My preſent happineſs where e'r I come,

Makes me forget my Friends and native home;

His ſecond Ephraim, for I, a ſtranger,

Quoth he, am fruitfull in a Land of danger;

About which age our bleſſed Sacrifice

Having redeem'd us not with common price,

But with his blood, aſcended hence from this,

… a far more glorious world of bliſs;

p. 33And for his ſweet belov'd, though he the groom

Prorogue the Mariage till the day of doom;

He ne'r is abſent from the Church, his Spouſe,

Both by the Spirit dart their mutuall vowes.

Now 'gan the plenteous years, Nile at no time

Did ever leave ſuch fruitfull beds of ſlime;

The Husbands pain though great, though fat the ſoyl,

Yet ſtill the fruit ſurpaſt their hopes and toyl;

As if God through a gracious remorſe

Of mans great toyl, had here repeal'd that curſe

Of tedious barrenneſs, for here their ground

Did like a fertile Paradiſe abound;

Fields that this Marſhes weep, that Fens did mourn,

With fruit now laught, and ſung with cheerfull corn;

The weather ſeaſonable, no fierce rain

Egg'd on by Tempeſts, waſh'd away their grain;

The heat was temperate, Sols gawdy torch

Did ſmile to ripen, never kiſs to ſcorch.

And now did Joſeph, like a carefull Father,

Againſt the time of Dearth begin to gather,

Conceiv'd how many ſands are on the ſhore,

So vaſt, ſo numberleſs was Joſeph's ſtore;

Who, from the Kings Exchequer ſtor'd with Coin,

Fill'd up both Field and City, then would join

Barn unto barn, which large repoſitories

Stood long as Monuments of Joſeph's glories.

Now to prevent all riots he began,

Which ſtill deſtroyes more than a Famine can,

Corrupting plenty often is the Nurſe

Of foul diſeaſe, no bleſſing but curſe,

Time oft can witneſs, when abuſe begat

Upon ſo fair a piece ſo foul a Brat.

Sev'n times had Sol cheer'd the Cymmerian coaſt,

Twelve times ſo oft exchang'd his monthly Hoſt,

Since Nature like an ill-drawn Picture grew,

When it is pencill'd with a partiall view;

Or an unconſtant Parent, whoſe love's blind,

And ſo imparts his ſtore by Gavell kind,

Since ſhe thus Egypt with ſuch plenty bleſt,

But prov'd almoſt a Stepdame to the reſt.

p. 34Anon (all things being hurried on the hinge

Of change, and ſubject to the fatall ſwinge

Of miſery) here Famine rays'd her ſtage,

And 'gan, as Joſeph did foretell, to rage.

Nile that was wont to drench their parched earth,

Now only flow'd in tears to weep their dearth;

As if ſome pore, or dry-exhauſting vein

Had drain'd that ſlime that ſhould refreſh their grain;

The Husband-man lamented, that his ſeed

Di'd not to live again, the noyſome weed

Did revell in his labour whoſe exceſs

Did riot in a fruitfull barrenneſs;

Thus pin'd he, 'cauſe he liv'd a bootleſs ſlave:

Now might he with his Plough ſhare dig his grave;

His Prune-hook uſeleſs was, unleſs the Fate

Of Dearth therewith he would anticipate.

Now Famine had preſented her firſt ſcene,

Which made the frighted Country-man to glean

His late neglected fields, and that is priz'd

As a rich Harveſt which was late deſpis'd;

Another greedily would ſcrape the dough

That lay neglected in her kneading trough;

That face, which had Natures freſh liv'ry worn,

And ſhew'd as verdant as the roſie morn,

Now full-fac'd plenty had the Land forſook

Famine diſplay'd pale colours in each look,

All walking like to naked Skeletons

Unto their Fellows made their heavy mones;

Some in the ſtreet did reel, how could they tread

A ſteady pace, that lack'd the ſtaff of bread?

Now all neer famiſh'd, and their gleanings done,

With trembling ſteps they all to Pharaoh run,

As to their Father, making their complaint,

While ſome through weakneſs in his preſence faint.

Great Sir quoth one, look how our beautie's blaſted,

Our ſtrength is ſpent, our ſpirits are exhauſted,

Our young ones ſtarve, our abler ſtomacks feed,

(Unleſs thou food ſupply,) on graſs and weed;

Obſerve how Dearth mocks Death, our nether jawes

Hang down through weakneſs, while we plead our cauſe;

p. 35Look, look, how ſome would ſpeak, but their faint lungs

Stop the intendments of their clammy tongues;

Grant, and diſmiſs us, for we here reſort

Not for to make a Charnell-houſe thy Court.

The King prick'd with remorſe of Egypts want,

Thus mildly condeſcends his Princely grant,

Quoth he, go, and what Joſeph ſhall injoyn

Obey, doubt not, his ſpirit is divine.

That ſaid, they croucht their thanks, have you obſerv'd

How that a Falcon through neglect neer ſtarv'd,

Soon as her Keeper comes within her ſight,

Both makes an eager, though a ſlug-like flight,

Unto her prey, and though her limbs be weak,

Shee fiercely tugs it with her ragged beak;

So the Egyptians in a numerous preſs

To Joſeph's Palace, make their full addreſs,

Some dumbly paſſionating begg'd, ſome kiſt

His feet, who op'ning all his ſtore diſmiſt

Them all without a rigorous diſpute,

With a glad burthen of their purchas'd ſute.

Now Egypt in this fatall time of dearth

Remain'd the onelyonly Store-houſe of the Earth,

The worlds chief Granary, of grain the ſole

Exchequer of each Land from Pole to Pole;

Ev'n Canaan on whoſe rich abounding ſtore

Once lived thirtie Kings, muſt now implore

Her neighbours help, glad if ſhe might in peace

Be made partaker of her bleſt increaſe;

Among whom (ſo did Providence deſign)

Old Jacob and his Sons began to pine

Through dearth; the palat late ſo liquoriſh,

Would gladly banquet on a common-diſh;

Oft Jacob ruminates and weighs the cauſe

Why were all Kingdomes offer'd to the jawes

Of Famine, then concludes they'r juſtly curſt,

Since they ſuch monſtrous ſinners long had nurſt;

Then would he doubt leſt that his Childrens ſin

Had brought this Curſe on fertile Paleſtine.

Then ſeeks with Sacrifice for to appeaſe

The heavens wrath, ſo might their fields increaſe;

p. 36Diſtruſt he would not, for he did believe

God would redeem him with a ſafe reprieve,

Who promis'd that his ſeed (though death did rage)

Should have their Country for their Heritage;

While thus imagination had ingroſt

His ſenſe, and fancy thus divinely gloſt;

He calls his ſons, to whom, you may ſuppoſe,

His ſmother'd thoughts old Jacob did diſcloſe.

My Sons, quoth he you know our Corn is ſpent,

And little's left either in Field or Tent,

Our plenty-pregnant ſins have now at laſt

Brought forth a Dearth, the mighty Protoplaſt

Mov'd by our monſtrous ſins hath ſtrongly ſeel'd

The heav'ns with braſs, and th'earth beneath hath ſteel'd:

And Death and Famine two remorſleſs Mates,

Triumphing ride, and knock at all our gates;

Thoſe dainties fail that fed our glutt'nous luſt,

Our chalkie teeth have loſt their unctuous ruſt,

Why do you whiſper thus, why do you gaze

One on another? let your Lambkins graze.

There's Corn in Egypt, goe and buy, my ſons,

That we may live, we and our little ones.

You know our fruitfull fields forbear to teem,

We ſtarve, unleſs your ſpeedy care redeem;

Go, and make haſte my ſons, your Brothers pain

Shall be redoubled till you come again;

Your Sheep ſhall feed upon their pleaſant grounds,

No Goat ſhall rove beyond his wonted bounds,

No Dog ſhall fright, no rav'nous Beaſt purſue

With fearfull flight a Kid or tender Ewe.

No dull delay could their intents adjourn,

But when ſtout Chaunticleer had wak'd the morn,

The carefull Brethren with a ruſtick port

Knockt to fair Memphis, then to Joſephs Court;

For he it was who did diſpenſe the Corn

To thoſe whom meager Death had made forelorn.

Anon to Joſeph they themſelves addreſt

With great ſubmiſſion, and with lowly creſt

The proſtrate Ten unto his Lordſhip croucht,

In every look humility was coucht,

p. 37Whom Joſeph knew, yet he his paſſion checkt,

And ſtrangely views them with a ſtern aſpect;

And thus began What are you, and from whence?

Under what clime have you your reſidence?

Quoth they Great Maſter, Canan is our home,

Hither to buy food are thy ſervants come.

Their lowlineſs remembring him the truth

Of his preſaging Dreams while yet a Youth.

Now might pale rancour ſwell, revenge inſult,

And malice might demand no common mulct,

And envy by that ſeeming Juſtice backt

Of like for like, might proudly now exact

Great recompence, a Dungeon well might ſit

Their cruelty that doom'd him to the Pit;

The law of Nature now might ſeem to crave

As they had him, ſo he ſhould them inſlave;

And in remembrance of their ſlouts, in ſcorn

Diſmiſs them hopeleſs, and deny them Corn.

Where envy is the memories Recorder,

Expect proceedings in remo…ſlleſs order;

But he ne'r entertain'd Her as a gueſt,

Much leſs a Tenant, in his peacefull Breſt;

Their ſight his pitty, not revenge begate,

His blood did daunce for joy, not boyl with hate;

Yet though his bowels did through paſſion yern,

As were his looks, thus his reproofs were ſtern.

Quoth he, what made you hither to repair

To leave your own, to breath a forreign air?

How careleſs is our guard? how have they watch'd?

That ſuch ſuſpitious Spies paſs unattach'd?

Y'are Spies, our tortures ſhall the truth extort,

Why you thus ſaucily approach our Court;

You come to ſpie our weakneſs, you ſhall feel

What ſtrength our Country hath, perhaps our Steel.

Our ſins makes God ſeem ſtrange, as clouds we ſee

Shrowd th'ey of heav'en, ſo ſin Gods heav'nly ey;

Or if but ſeen his cheeks with an anger glow,

Wrath's on his ey thron'd, ruin on his brow,

And while they ſin, as Traitors he attaints

Unto his Covenant, his deareſt Saints.

p. 38The Brethren ſtarted at theſe thundring words,

The active blood within each body curds,

Quoth they, let not your Lordſhip this Impute,

Nor miſ-interpret our unfeigned ſute,

We all the tincture have of one mans blood,

Who hither hath us ſent to buy ſome food,

And ſo let heaven with thy ſervants deal,

As we intend unto your Common-weal.

Wee'll have the truth of this upon the racks,

Quoth he, your ſute, your Aſſes and your Sacks

Are meer pretences, you are all but Spies,

Theſe ſpecious colours cannot blind our eyes.

We're twelve, quoth they, and by one man begot,

The youngeſt is at home, and one is not,

We are no ſuch, that to ſuch ends do rome,

Hither to buy food are thy ſervants come;

Let not your Lordſhip trample miſerie;

Pitty a ſtrangers privilege ſhould be;

O do not cenſure, w'are ſo innocent

We ſcarce conceive what by your words is meant;

If want be treaſon, and to come to buy

Food be invaſion, then we come to ſpy.

Y'are Spies, quoth he, vain words no longer urge,

They are too empty this your guilt to purge,

Since you no other voucher can produce

To prove your truth, but only this excuſe,

My Sentence, like my words, none may revoke,

Send for that youngeſt Son of whom you ſpoke;

Unleſs that Brother prove your evidence,

By Pharaohs life yee ſhall not part from hence,

Send one, mean while ye ſhall be all reſtraind

To prove if that your words be true or feign'd,

But if th'event convince you of a lie,

Why then by Pharaohs life ye come to ſpie.

Now were the Brethren all impriſoned.

Till thrice the Sun had left Aurora's bed;

When thus his Lordſhip ſpake. Sirs if y'are true,

Doe this, I fear a God as well as you,

If your cauſe ſpring from an unfeigned ſource,

No falſe injuſtice ſhall divert its courſe;

p. 39If true, you blunt, if falſe, you whet the edge

Of our proceedings, leave one as a Pledge

Of our return, yet ſee you doe not fail,

None but that Brother proves your pledges bayl.

Now conſcience like a wound by time o'r-skin'd,

(Launc'd by the memory of what they'd ſinn'd)

Grew to an Ulcer, which ſeem'd ſound before,

And guilt, like Titius Vultur gripes the ſore;

Croſſes the Midwives to the conſcience be,

From the groſs womb of dull ſecurity;

As Sols fierce heat diſſolves the ycic plain,

That drowns the murmur of the roaring main;

So croſſes ſoon the frozen heart-ſtrings thaw,

As if a flaming Hell were in the Maw,

Heart-gnawing Vultures gripes are not ſo fierce

As thoſe, that do a frighted conſcience pierce;

Like a fierce lightning which doth frie at once

The marrow, and incinerates the bones.

No Tyrants cruelty, nor are the phangs

Of rav'nous Beaſts more horrid than thoſe pangs,

Which now the Brethren knew, when that they felt

Their wounded hearts even in their Breſts to melt;

Brethren, quoth one would we could that forget

Which doth our conſcience-ſeared heart-ſtrings fret,

When we (O horrid piacle inroll'd

In heavens notaries) our Brother ſold,

Tyrants had wept, but we would not condole

The bitter anguiſh of his troubled ſoul;

This Curſe our Brother did to us bequeath,

Whom we undoubtedly betrayd to death;

The fact was haynous, and the ſin moſt groſs,

So here is rage for rage, and croſs for croſs;

Me thinks, as yet, his mones do pierce my ears,

My heart drops blood, faſt as his ey wept tears;

Our ſcourging conſcience more doth tyrannize,

Than did our rage upon ſo weak a prize.

This ſaid, quoth Reuben, Brethren, ſpake, not I

(Soon as I heard your Plot your Tragedy)

Although I fortun'd not to intervene,

When you were acting of that rigid Scene.

p. 40O ſpare the Child, but you prov'd to my plea

As deaf and unrelenting as the Sea;

Bondage is Bawd to death, I fear whoſe kniſe

Made quick abridgement of his tender life;

We juſtly bondage fear, and which is worſe,

His blood may challenge blood, a greater curſe,

Little the Brethren thought that their remorſe

Of Conſcience, their language and diſcourſe

His Lordſhip underſtood, whoſe meanings were

Deliver'd them by an Interpreter;

Who now no longer could his paſſion ſmother,

But as in Tydes one wave purſues another,

Oft ceaſing not, till in their rolling ranks

They drown all Barriers and fencing Banks;

So at each circumſtance his paſſion higher

And higher ſwell'd, then did ſo high aſpire,

That he retiring could not tears refrain,

But through his eyes diſcharg'd his troubled brain;

Who though the rain was paſt, would yet allow

Some frowning clouds to triumph on his Brow.

Anon quoth he returning to the room,

Your reaſon's woven in too thin a Loom,

To take our faith, my will by oath is ſeal'd,

By vow my ſentence not to be repeal'd;

Since you no other evidence a lege

To prove your truth, thus will I chooſe my pledge;

Before them all then Simeon was bound;

Ev'n thus, quoth he, the truth I'll juſtly ſound

Of your intents, you gain no further grace,

Unleſs that younger Brother ſee my face;

That youngeſt Brother only ſhall redeem

This Brother bound then traffick with eſteem.

Why do you whiſper thus? ſpeak, if your cauſe

Be juſt demur not thus, Truth needs no pauſe.

Now had he charg'd the Steward of his Treaſure

To fill their Sacks with Corn in bounteous meaſure,

To ſtore them for the journey, and to pack

Their Money in the mouth of each mans Sack.

Their Aſſes loaden, now you may conceive

With humble promiſes they take their leave,

p. 41And leſt old Jacob might through their delay

Do not leſt they might prove an untimely prey

Unto ſome danger, leſt his hopes might bleed

T'a lingring death they make the greater ſpeed.

Now at his Inne as each his Aſſe did bait,

Opening their Sacks, their Money in full weight

Was in their Sacks mouth, much they did reſent

With ſad amazement that ſtrange accident;

One doubted Egypts ſpells, another fear'd

Th'abuſed Medium, which another clear'd;

A third non-payment, and a fourth purſute,

But all concluded in confus'd diſpute;

But all grant 'twas an act that God had wrought,

Which ſhould b'unravel'd far beyond their thought.

Conceive them now at home, where, you may gheſs,

They tell their Father of their ſad ſucceſs;

Dear Sir, quoth one, the Maſter of the Land

Dealt roughly with us, and began to brand

Us with the name of Spies, as ſome that aim'd

To ſearch their weakneſs, which we all diſclaim'd,

We humbly all our ſute for Corn inferr'd

As witneſs of our truth, and more averr'd,

We're twelve, quoth we, and by one man begot,

The youngeſt is at home, and one is not;

Excuſe, nor plea, could not maintain our cauſe,

But He th'advantage taking of that clauſe,

The youngeſt is at home, thus aim'd to prove.

Where we were ſuch that to ſuch ends did rove;

Quoth he, where either you ſpeak truth, or feign,

I'll doe no more than Juſtice ſhall maintain;

Take for to nurſe your houſes and be gon,

And come not here without that youngeſt Son.

If y'have at home a Brother, as you ſpoke,

That labours with you under the ſame yoke

Of filiall duty, if you here approach

Sans him, as Spies, no doubt, you now encroach;

And that you may conceive, how far your wit

Shall fail of our ſuſpect you to acquit,

Let one of you, here, as your Pledge reſide

Till your return, ſo ſhall your truth be tri'd.

p. 42You me, quoth mourning Jacob, have beguil'd

Of Simeon now, and Joſeph whilſt a Child;

And think you with this ſlight me to ſupplant?

To take his Brother? This I cannot grant.

At this, quoth R…uben, let my Sons be ſlain,

If I return thy ſon not ſafe again;

Both mine I'll ſacrifice unto thy rigour,

If that he come not home, in perfect vigour.

My Son, quoth Jacob, ſhall not hence go down

To be a prey to thoſe of Memphis town,

The journey's dangerous, and at each pace

Death may arreſt him with his Ebon Mace;

Oh be advis'd, my ſons, when Joſeph di'd,

My Soul neer ſayl'd forth with his purple tide;

And ſhould his Brother fail, the ſelf ſame dart

Would cut the Cables of my an'chring heart,

Or weigh it from my boſomes anchorage;

Deliberate, take pitty on my age.

Now Jacobs Corn was ſpent, and yet this year

Small ſhew of future harveſt did appear,

Who calling for his Children, thus began;

My Sons, quoth he, life, which ſome tearm a ſpan

Dearth will t'an inch reduce, and we ſhall wax

(Being Famine-ſuck'd) as empty as our Sacks.

Again go buy ſome food, there's yet ſmall hope

That th'heavens will their wonted fatneſs drop;

Your Brother ſhall take care, that while you want,

No rav'nous Beaſt neer to your folds ſhall haunt.

At this, quoth Judah, Egypts Maſter ſwore

He neither would our Brother bound reſtore,

Nor yet ſupply our wants, untill thy Son

Appeard before his face as we have done;

If he be ſent we'll go; ſince here are graves,

Why ſhould we hence to dy Egyptian ſlaves?

Quoth Iacob, why ſpoke you of Benjamin?

Now ill betide ſuch an unnat'rall ſin,

You might the matter with more judgement wave,

Unleſs you meant to hiſs me to my grave.

Dear Sir, quoth they, with us He ſubtly dealt,

And roughly asked of us where we dwelt,

p. 43Then of our Kindred, and our Fathers life,

Then of the youngeſt ſon began the ſtrife,

Who thought ſuch ſtrife would from theſe words ariſe,

The youngeſt is at home, through his deviſe?

Dear Sir quoth Iudah, if we thus divide,

We ſhall be guilty all of ſuicide,

Since, though w'are brought unto thoſe exigents,

God to prevent our Dearth the means preſents;

Of me require him, may my hopes be rackt

On all extremities, thy rage compact

With danger to o'rthrow me, may my name

Be henceforth branded with eternall ſhame

T'have ſlain my Fathers joyes, if that the Swain

Be not ſafe to thy Boſome brought again:

If thou hadſt ſent him, which thou wouldſt not grant.

We now had laught with ſtore, who weep through wan…

Our Sacks that now exhauſted are, and empty,

Repleniſh'd with our care had ſwell'd with plenty.

Well then, quoth Jacob, ſince it muſt be ſo,

And that I muſt thus needs embrace my woe,

Goe take a Preſent for the man, the ſavour

Oft of a little brings the greateſt favour.

He may your Brother from his Bonds releaſe,

Send you repleniſh'd home, my Son in peace;

Take Nuts and Almonds, Myrrhe, ſweet Balm, and Ho…

And leſt there were miſtakes, take double Money.

Dear Image of thy ſweet deceaſed Mother,

Sweet relique of thy too too ſoon ſlain Brother,

By Natures ſecret and unknown inſtinct,

Thine to my cords of life, are ſtrongly linckt

In a firm Union, ſoon again return,

Leſt ſoon thy abſence hiſs me to my urn.

Ev'n as a friend who till his cy-ſtrings fail.

Stands viewing of his Friend late under ſayl,

As if his feet unto the ſhore did grow,

Firſt points him out as ſmall as is a crow,

The maſt to th' diminution of a hair,

Till all diſſolv'd are quite from that to air.

So Iacob though his Suns began to ſet,

And that through age almoſt his ey-lids met,

p. 44Long correſpondence with their motion kept,

Then out of ſight he turn'd his head and wept.

Omit their weary journeys tedium,

Cold fear already did their ſenſe benumn,

For now they ſaw (ſo may your fancy prompt)

Fair Memphis, Arts chief pride, and Natures pomp▪

Who now with Country gates, and ruſtick greets

To the nice Citizens, knockt through their ſtreets:

Then did they all to Joſeph's Palace plod,

Each one approaching with a ſubmiſſive nod;

Soon Joſeph at firſt-ſight his Brother knew,

Soon joy and fear their tears began to brew;

Then charg'd the Steward of the houſe to haſt,

For they at night with him ſhould take repaſt;

Long had they not attended, till a Groom

Conducted them into an inner room;

When Conſcience to its former rigour grew,

And Fear of danger pierc'd the wound anew,

Fear made ſtrange deſcants, and few could conclude

Why they, in manners rough, in habit rude,

Were uſed kindly thus, unleſs to cloak

Their cloſe intents to ſeiz them, and to yoak

Them as their ſlaves, or how God had diſpos'd

About the Money in their Sacks inclos'd.

Whereof they fearing now a rough inqueſt,

Themſelves to Joſeph's Steward thus addreſt;

Sir, long it is not, ſince with full-ſtufft Sacks

We left the noiſe of Nilus Cataracts,

Since we t'your Maſter ow'd, we are not brought

(Being Dearth exhauſted) to our former nought,

But fears have mixt ſweet joy with ſow'r conceit,

We in our Sacks our Coin found in full weight;

Of this event we often have revolv'd,

Which yet ſtands undetermind, unreſolv'd;

Pitty with caſuall errors oft diſpenſeth,

While cruelty miſtakes, as fauls commenceth;

Unleſs we much miſtook, our money weigh'd

In equall ballances we truly pay'd,

Yet that we payd it, we will not aver,

For memory is frail, and we may erre,

p. 45But faults are loſt i'th' name of Innocence,

Since what e'r hap'ned'twas not meant offence;

Deceit could not advantage, ſince we knew

We ſhortly muſt our former ſute renew,

Great Sir 'twas no impoſture, for, What ſtranger

Is ſo fool-hardy as to play with danger?

Then here accept your due, and grant our ſute

On like Conditions for a new recruit.

Sirs, quoth the Steward, to remove your terrour,

There was no falſe deceit, nor caſuall errour,

I had your coin, nor will deſerve the curſe

To take th'advantage on a ſtrangers purſe;

I had good weight, as you had bounteous meaſure,

Then traffique with eſteem, and trade at pleaſure;

Your God, your Fathers God, whom you adore

Did each mans Money in his Sack reſtore;

None ſhall your perſons hurt, your ſtate impair,

Our actions, like your faces, ſhall be fair;

And you (his Lordſhip ſeldome grants this boon)

Muſt at my Maſters table dine at noon;

Half all mens hearts are His, mil'd courteſie,

That wins each heart, ſits ſmiling in his eye.

As token that his Lordſhip thus was pleas'd,

Their Brother Simeon was ſtraight releas'd,

Who, unattended with a ridgid Mace,

Was now ſaluted with a glad embrace;

Now were a little of their fears ſuſpended,

And they to Joſeph's Houſe were all attended;

One brought in water with a courteous greet,

To waſh their journey-dirt-bedaubed feet,

One dreſt their Aſſes, in officious duty,

Another ſhew'd the Palace and its beauty;

All which, thus ſhew'd ſo far beyond their merits

They rather thought dreams of their troubled ſpirits

Than reall objects, now they 'gan to ſhape

Them in their beſt attire, anew to ape

The ſeemlieſt poſtures, how they might preſent

The Token with a grace their Father ſent,

Then all of Table courteſie combine,

Becauſe they heard they with the Lord ſhould dine.

p. 46Gladly did Joſeph his affairs prorogue,

Now were deferr'd the needy Catalogue,

Imagine him returned to his houſe,

Where they with humble thanks, with hearty vowes,

In great ſubmiſſion proſtrate on their face,

Tender their Fathers Preſent to his Grace.

Sirs, quoth his Lordſhip, if I erre not much

You are the ſame, or very like to ſuch

Whom I as Spies ſuſpected, if y'are ttue,

Preſent that youngeſt Brother to my view;

Oft-times hath Phoebus wheel'd about his teem,

Yet you ne'r came to gain your loſt eſteem,

And yet, I fear, the day is yet to dawn.

Wherein you will redeem again your Pawn.

Sir (quoth they, crouching) we at length have won

Our wary Father for to ſend his Son,

Our former callow hopes again are fledge.

That you to freedome will reſtore our pledge.

As yet quoth Joſeph, doth that old man breath?

Hath Fate not yet betray'd him unto death?

Is death yet retrograde? hath yet your God

Unto your Famine ſet a period?

Great Sir, quoth they, our Father yet doth breath

Through heav'n and you, but no triumphant wreath

Of full-ear'd Harveſt crowns the Husbands brows,

Nor one ſmali Sheaf doth anſwer all our vowes;

Our Father lives, though not with wonted heat

His heart with healthy vigour yet doth beat;

As yet he lives, unleſs his life be ſpun

To th'utmoſt thread, through abſence of his Son;

By us he beggs you, Sir, (though we are rude,

And though of language indigeſt and crude)

This preſent as the Intereſt t'accept

Of a more vaſt, and far immenſe a debt;

Is this, quoth Joſeph, he of whom I ſware,

That being owes, and life to the ſame care,

Of the ſame Sire with you? they, on their knee

Falling ſubmiſſively, ſay this is he.

Let God, quoth Joſeph from his bounteous treaſure

Showr on thee bleſſings in a gracious meaſure;

p. 47I now my Cenſure willingly revoke,

Gladly releaſe your brother from this yoak,

Untill your miſerie be retrograde,

You ſhall b'admitted here in peace to trade.

Y'are proof enough, y'are of an honeſt tribe,

What doth this Preſent mean? I ruth needs no bribe.

Scarce could he Paſſion check, which would eruct

What he would have concealed, ſcarce obſtruct

His tears, which now like billowes rais'd by wind,

Diſdain'd within their cells to be confind;

Which leſt too ſoon they might excell his power

He ſtept aſide, and wept a plenteous ſhower;

Thrice had he waſh'd his face, but tears did riſe

Too great a chanell for his conduit-eyes,

And he muſt ſtay their weeping, the extent

Of his large cells had too too ſmall a vent:

Thrice, had he lockt his door, but all in vain;

For through the flood-gates broke the ſilver rain;

Thrice, he in Paſſion, as he paſt the ſtair,

Did for his Brother hug the empty air:

Then muſt return, for tears again did trace

Their rivulets upon his blubber'd face:

Scarce could he with his Paſſion take a truce,

Scarce could he ſtop his tear-betraying ſluce;

His reeking cheeks, like Roſes rain-bedaſht,

Imagin from their ſtains at length were waſht;

When Paſſions cloſe recluſe at length came down,

With looks importing, nor a ſmile nor frown,

None there deſpaired, through a ſtern reflect,

None by his pleaſant looks might him ſuſpect;

At his command the Table ſtrait was ſpread;

The Dainties uſher'd by a grim death head;

Where Joſeph by himſelf was ſerv'd in ſtate;

His honour had no rivall, knew no mate:

And Egypt 'mongſt all of the Univerſe,

With th' Hebrews might not eat, and ſcarce commerſe.

Now as each Brothers age excell'd in date

Of years, each one above another ſate;

The eldeſt was not Lord, nor th' young'ſt his Page,

But each took place according to his age;

p. 48To whom his Lordſhip ſent to each a diſh,

And ſo ſurpaſt at once, deſert and wiſh;

And as, though clouds ſhrowd Titans golden ray,

Through them, unſeen, he doth diſpenſe the day;

So Joſeph, though thus ſtrange, yet did diſpenſe

Kind welcome through his favours influence;

As oft the Sun doth through thoſe vapours pierce

That ſhrowd his beauty from the Univerſe

So through his auſtere ſtrangeneſs, oft there ſhin'd

Beams of unwonted favour, while they din'd,

On Benjamin, though few the cauſe could gheſſe,

Why he was ſerved with a five fold meſſe.

And though his Lordſhip by no means could brook

Exceſs his Butler, Luxurie his Cook,

No Kickſhawe wanting was, nor Courtly cate,

Which they enjoy'd in peace and jolly chat.

Now heav'n through grief of loſing Phoebus light

In mourning darkneſs entertain'd the night;

And ſtars like to obſequious Tapors ſhin'd,

As if lamenting that their Lord declin'd;

When Joſeph charg'd the Steward of his Corn

With early care t'anticipate the morn;

Yer ſleep the Howlets watchfull ſenſe benum'd.

Birds chirp their morning peals, or Beetle hum'd;

In plenteous ſort to fill each Brothers Sack,

Till ev'n they did with ſwelling plenty crack;

To give them for their journey and reſtore

In each ones Sack his Money as before;

And in the youngeſt Brothers Sack to knit

His ſilver Cup, Love's waited on by wit.

Soon as Aurora wept her dewy drops,

And jocund day peer'd on the mountain tops,

The carefull Brethren kindly were diſmiſt,

And when departing Sol the morn had kiſt,

His Lordſhip ſent his Steward on purſute

Of the late ſtrangers to their charge t'impute

T'have ſtoln his Lordſhips Cup, and thus to gloſs

With harſh expreſſions on a fault ſo groſs;

That if his Lordſhips late unwonted care

Wrought no impreſſion, yet how they did dare

p. 49T'abuſe him thus, whoſe power like the Kings

Could reach far off like wide-ſtretcht Dragons wings?

That not deliberation could of time

Nor cloſe evaſions excuſe this crime;

That 'twas the Cup by which his Lord divin'd,

No weak conjecture of a doubtfull mind.

This ſpoke, that by this means he might reduce

Them, on pretence to anſwer this abuſe,

The carefull Steward this command diſcharg'd,

And wiſely on the premiſes enlarg'd;

Soon like a biting froſt this fierce arreſt,

Nipt all the hopes that budded on their creſt;

Great Sir, quoth they why ſpeaks my Lord theſe words?

They of our hearts diſſect the tender cords;

God, who Heaven rules, and Hells infernall vault,

Knows we are innocent, free from this fault,

Fearing miſtakes, we brought again our Coin,

Why ſhould we Gold or Silver then purloin?

Wee'll this offence not with pretences gild,

Truth needs no colour, let his blood be ſwill'd

By the ſevereſt Juſtice at a ſup,

With whomſoe'r is found his Lordſhips Cup.

Well, quoth the Steward, as you ſay, I'll deal,

Your words are juſt, and I to them appeal,

With whomſoe'r his Lordſhips Cup is found.

Ev'n as you ſpoke, he ſhall my ſlave be bound;

But yee ſhall all be free through innocence,

Since each muſt anſwer for his own offence;

At this each willingly his Sack unknit,

While each one ſought himſelf for to acquit,

The Cup was found knit in the young'ſt his Sack,

At which ev'n all their ey-ſtrings ſeem'd to crack,

So ſtars as ſham'd of day I've ſeen to wink,

So have I ſeen the Snail being hit, to ſhrink

Within his ſhelly penthouſe, and now fail'd

Their eyes, as ſudden grief their ey-balls veil'd.

What ſhould they ſay? for to deny the deed

Did ſeem a ſhift weak as a Nilus reed

Which would both fail and hurt them, ſhould they lie,

What ſhould they do? who like a late-ſpawn'd frie

p. 50In the wild Sea, were ſubject to the prey

Of every greater fiſh, ev'n ſo ſeem'd they.

Sad Beniamin ſpar'd neither vowes nor oaths

To back his innocence, each rent his cloathes

And back in grief returned to the City

Submiſſively to crave his Lordſhips pitie.

Gueſs them return'd, to them the Lord begun,

What deed is this, quoth he, that you have done?

I gave you Wine, for which my Cup you ſtole,

Thought you I had not a divining Soul?

The fact is evident, then ceaſe to quilt

A web of ſpecious lies upon your guilt,

This aggravates what I of late ſuſpected;

Heav'n will not you ſhould thus paſſe undetected.

Great Sir, quoth they, you juſtly may upbraid

Us with your love, we juſtly are betrayd,

The fact is clear, what ſhall we then allege

To clear our ſelves? and who ſhall be our pledge?

Wee ſcarce have blood in all our veins, great Lord,

Enough to ſtain your Vice-revenging ſword;

Creat Sir, we beg if bondage expiates,

Our Crime, then mercy rules among the Fates?

Nay, quoth the Lord, my heart's not Adamant,

No rocky Iſle where ſuch like Furies haunt,

Nor hath my Soul ſo liquoriſh a guſt

That nought but blood can ſatiate her luſt,

Mercy, and Juſtice, here, are neer a kin,

Our mercy here's ſtill greater than the ſin;

Think, I have pitty on your Fathers age,

Nor will enſlave you all in vaſſalage,

I'll onelyonly recompence upon that Youth

That had my Cup, bonds, for his breach of truth.

No ſore-tormenting Probe unto the quick

More deeply ſearcht a wound, nor of the ſick

No launcet hit more ſure the maſter-vein,

Than did his Lordſhips words pierce through each ſwain,

Who ever thus, in tearms accutely coucht

Rub'd on the matter they would have untoucht;

Some beg'd, ſome wept, and ſome confus'dly mutter'd,

Some indigeſted reſolutions utter'd,

p. 51At laſt, quoth Judah, humbly on his knee,

Great Sir, yet what you ſpake your vow decree,

Let not your anger flame, that I, ſo rude

In language, and in habit, thus intrude;

You ask'd when firſt wee hither did repair,

Doth yet your Father breath the common air?

Have you alive a Brother more at home?

Our ſpeech in devious falſhoods did not come,

But kept truths rode, quoth we, Our Father's old,

Half wearied Fate doth yet her diſtaff hold,

We have a Brother more, a youthfull page,

Whom He eſteems the comfort of his age,

His Fathers joy, ſince his deceaſed Brother,

The onelyonly Son of his expired mother;

And ſince our Father's old, and lame, and dim,

He only walks, and breaths, and ſees in him;

Then ſaidſt thou, as a witneſs of your truth,

Bring down your Brother, let me ſee the youth;

Great Sir, quoth we, our Brother ſtands between

Death and our Fathers lamp as th'only ſcreen;

And He remov'd our Sires declining ſnuff

Would ſoon b'extinguiſht by ſome envious puff;

Yet ſaidſt thou to thy ſervants, bring the Child,

If that you will we ſhall be reconcil'd;

All this we to our Father did rehearſe,

With the proceedings of our laſt commerce;

Our Corn exhauſted there was long diſpute

'T wixt Want and Nature, we renew'd our ſute

To him to ſend our brother, and at large

Importunately urg'd your Lordſhips charge;

So, quoth our father, were I moſt forlorn;

By Rachaell I had two children born,

Whereof one parting hence, became a feaſt

(Ay me!) I fear unto ſome rav'nou, Beaſt,

With whom fled half my life, then leave his Brother,

'Twere Paricide to take away the other;

O think, my ſons, ſhould you remove the prop

That ſtayes my age, I in my grave ſhould drop;

Were there a Chryſtall window in each Breſt,

We know no more than what we have confeſt;

p. 52Now ſhould we home, and leave his ſon behind,

As with Prophetick doubts his fear divin'd,

Both hope and life would fail him, ſhould I know

That I my ſelf were the unhappy Bow,

Through whom falſe death aim'd her remorſleſs dart

To the true manſion of my Fathers heart,

What ſhould I do? that ſhall both guilty ſeem,

Both of my Brothers loſs, and death of him;

I to my Sire was ſurety for the youth,

Have pitty on his age, and on my truth.

When death, quoth I, my lamp of life ſhall quench,

May my good name dy in a noyſome ſtench;

And with like vows I heaven did implore,

If I his ſon not ſafely did reſtore;

Then if my Lord pleaſe to reverſe his doom,

I'd gladly ſerve bound in my Brothers room;

Great Sir, be pleas'd t'admit me in exchange,

I'd weary cruelty, and mock revenge,

I'd count deaths ſentence but an idle breath,

Yer I'd ſeem guilty of my Fathers death.

Good Sir, have pitty, I would dare to meet

A Thunderbolt wrapt in a lightning ſheet,

Yet I'd provoke a Fathers angry gall,

Since Parents curſes are Propheticall.

As a new tun'd Cask of unpurged Wine;

Wind pris'ned in the earth, or like a Mine,

The one, if clos'd, will make a furious vent;

The other break forth in a thundring rent;

Such were his Lordſhips tears, ſuch was his joy,

Which Paſſion though it long ſeem'd ſtrange and coy,

And fickle in the wooing, th'end did prove

In it was coucht a Brothers tender love,

Which he no more was able to reſiſt,

Than the quick pulſe that thumpt within his wriſt;

And joy, like wind impris'ned in the earth,

Will ſhake th'hearts center but 'twill have a birth.

Now ſince he could no longer thus conteſt,

H'intended ſecretly t'unlock his breaſt,

Shame, that's ſins daughter, wer't not for this care

Might here have prov'd the mother of deſpair;

p. 53Open reproofs, like an impetuous rain,

Do waſh away, but not refreſh the grain.

Now would he think to ſpeak, and then retreat,

Then on the prize his heart a charge would beat,

And though the cauſe, as yet, obſcurely ſlept,

Yet Pharaohs ſervants heard him while he wept;

At laſt he thus began, I Joſeph am;

Is th' Oyl yet ſpent that fed my Fathers flame?

This on the porches of their ears he beat,

But all in vain, that ſenſe had left her ſeat.

And with the eyes, by horrour ſcattered,

Had to the brain as an Aſylum fled;

Yet being the kingly hearts chief centinells,

He by degrees diſmiſt them from their cells:

For ſenſe-bereaving horrors are like lees,

Which being once ſtirr'd, will ſinke, but by degrees.

Now, when they ſomething had expell'd their fears,

Hee with theſe ſpeeches board anew their ears,

I am your brother Joſeph whom you ſold;

Is yet my Father 'mongſt th'alive inroll'd?

Come neer, and ſee, I have no falſe reſerves,

Come, on this viſage ſpend your viſive nerves,

I am the ſame as when you took my coat,

Though chang'd in hiew, and of a rougher throat,

Though heav'n have chang'd my Fortune, years my ſtature,

Nor time hath chang'd my love, nor clime my nature.

Fear not, the fact though groſs, ſhall not be blaz'd,

'Tis from the book of my remembrance rac'd,

Then judge your ſelves not raſhly, bleſs the deed,

For I was promis'd to preſerve your ſeed,

Two years are paſt, wherein remorſleſs dearth,

Hath knit the bowels of the teeming earth,

And yet theſe five years Nile in vain ſhall flowe,

The Husband-man in vain ſhall plough and ſow;

Like a true Alchimiſt hath providence,

Drawn Honey from the Poyſon of offence;

You ſold, God ſent me hither, heav'n be bleſt,

That turn'd your very ſin unto the beſt;

Haſt then, with winged ſwiftneſs, and infuſe

Freſh ſpirits in our Father with this news,

p. 54Say thus, ſaith Joſeph, whom thou thoughtſt to be

Seal'd in the boſome of eternity;

Thus ſaith thy Son, who, by the common vogue,

Was thought one of grim deaths large catalogue;

Thus ſaith our Brother, here I am ador'd

As Pharaohs Father, and all Egypts Lord,

Come down, thou with thy houſe, thy heards, and flocks,

Time limps away, methinks, with leaden ſocks

Untill thou come, accept of my advice,

Thine ſhall be Goſhen Egypts Paradiſe;

Let no delay this thy deſcent prorogue,

Leſt Famine in a fatall Epilogue

End thee, and thine; come, that with my Protection

I in ſome ſort may anſwer thy affection.

The Sun five times ſhall paſs through all his Inns,

Till dearth ſhall fully expiate our ſins;

Mean while deſcend, and of my ſtore partake;

Since heav'n by me prepar'd it for thy ſake.

Haſt for your own ſakes, that I may refreſh.

And cloath your naked bones with tender fleſh;

My words and actions have not divers centers,

Both end in one, but if upon the tenters

This ſtretch your faith, beſide the foretold ſigns

Obſerve this viſage and its wonted lines;

Sweet Benjamin, bleſt were th' Astrologers,

If as I know theſe eyes, they knew the Starrs;

If ſo, though all events be cloſely ſeal'd,

No doubt the future ſhould be all reveal'd.

His Lordſhips ſpeeches were no ſooner ended,

But he and Benjamin together blended

Themſelves in cloſe embraces, both did lie

Entwined like the Zodiacks Gemini;

As if they meant, leſt we again ſhould part,

Come, by the ſtrings let's knit each others heart;

Their eyes now pay'd their long-retained debt,

Each on anothers neck entwined wept;

That done, the reſt with ſweet inviting phraſes

He even wearied in his cloſe embraces;

Then kiſt them all, and Chorus-like enquir'd

Again, is not my Father yet expir'd?

p. 55God will be ſu'd to, who no other task

Impoſeth on our wants, but this, to ask;

And though he ſeem long in majeſtick pauſe,

Not onelyonly not to hear, but ſlight our cauſe,

'Tis but to edge devotion, to inhance

His Grace upon our Souls before he grants;

All diſtance then is chang'd to an imbrace,

Wrath falleth as a Vizzard from his face,

He not defers, nor his affection ſmothers,

Nor doth diſdain at all to call us Brothers;

As one that dreams he's falling from a ſteep

And tow'ring precipice into the deep,

Awaking finds himſelf free from ſuch harms,

And taking ſafe repoſe in friendly arms:

Such were the Brethrens fears, and ſad extremes,

Which now did ſeem but fancies and vain dreams,

When Joſeph in their Paſſions Extaſie

Reviv'd their ſenſes from their Lethargie;

With ſundry Paſſions were at once their minds

Like a Ship toſt 'twixt two oppoſing winds;

Now would they joy, then grief, by ſhame being backt,

Their new reſolved greetings would diſtract;

The tears from divers ſprings ſeem'd to proceed,

Which they not ſo much ſeem'd to weep, as bleed;

Within their brain two floods at once aroſe,

Of joy, and grief, as when two Seas oppoſe;

Some wept, ſome weeping ſmil'd, like Aprils weather,

Which rains, then ſhines, then rains and ſhines together.

Now were they all reſolved to regreet

Their Brothers courteſie, but as a fleet

Which comming neer the harbour, back is thruſt

Into the Ocean by ſome angry guſt,

Shame would retard intention, ſome would ſmother

In ſilent whiſpering the name of Brother;

Glad Reuben though he gave to God the glory,

Yet bleſt perſwaſion, and his oratory,

And Judah though he ſold him, yet was bold

To ſay he joy'd, though griev'd he thus was ſold.

Now they confeſt his Dreams no vain Phantaſms,

But heav'nly, and inſpir'd Enthuſiaſms,

p. 56Their Sheaves and Stars had bow'd, the ſawcy Boy

Was now their Lord, and Egypts chief Vice-roy;

Glad Benjamin admiring the reſults

Of their immanity, thus now exults,

A Brother loſt, and found, is worth like mirth,

As if you joyed at a Brothers birth;

Come then let's triumph, for who could expect

From this ſo bad a cauſe ſo good effect?

To hear the Lord ſpeak; how he was re-ſold,

How often faſhion'd in afflictions mold,

His Chaſtity, which with a full mouth'd blaſt

Shall fill Fames trump as long as time ſhall laſt,

How he ran Chance as blind as ever painted,

Yet he by adoration thus was Sainted

In mens opinions, would make a dint,

And deep impreſſion in hearts of flint;

For joy ſome ſwounded, and each circumſtance

Of each relation ſtruck them in a trance,

Each paſſage made each minutes time the mother

Of ſome new joy ſo one joy crown'd another;

Had th'whole world ſeen each act, heard each rehearſall,

No doubt the joy had here been Univerſall.

T'expreſs the triumph fully would extort

Deſcriptions treaſury, undoe report.

Now tell-tale Fame hath with a nimble wing

Proclam'd theſe tidings to the Court, and King,

Who thus to Joſeph, placed next his Throne,

We to thy Fathers care, thy Mothers grone,

All owe our lives, nay more, for to him ſeeng

Thou being ow'ſt, we owe him all well being;

Now ſince he liveth, and the fatall Star

That blaſts our Kingdomes plenty, ſpreads ſo far

Her fatall influence as Canaans clime,

Send for thy Father, on our Souls this crime

Shall not write guilt, that He amidſt our ſtore

Should faint, whom for thee, all are bound t'adore;

To Him alone for thee all Egypts bound

So deep, more than conceit hath line to ſound;

Thy duty ſhall joyn iſſue with my will,

Since his one life exceeds the num'rous Bill

p. 57So far, that daily doth attend our gates,

As doth one Phoenix life whole clouds of Gnats;

Thus by thy Brethren ſay, wee, youth, and dotage,

Both lofty Palace, and the lowly cotage,

Owe thee, the Father of a Son ſo bleſt,

More than by Hieroglyhick can b'expreſt;

Thus ſaith the King, let not thy thoughts be gravell'd

In doubts, thy Joſeph who my Dreams unravell'd,

Which all our Sophies did in vain examine,

Shall nouriſh, and protect thee in this famine.

Which though it have ſet limits to my wiſh,

And ſcarcity doth ſeaſon every diſh,

Delay not thy deſcent: for thou deſerveſts

The greateſt meaſure of our ſev'n years Harveſts.

This to thy Brethren ſay, go take the beſt

That Egypt yeelds, and lead each man his beaſt,

Since that remorſleſſe dearth to death proſcribes

Your aged Father and his hopefull tribes,

Think Egypts King for Joſeph's ſake deplores

Your empty Wine-preſſes and threſhing-floores;

Go, bring your Father down, if Egypts Map.

Have land whoſe poares breath a more vigo'rous ſap

Than this, that is more fertile and more pleaſant,

Come down, none ſhall reſiſt thee, Peer nor Peaſant;

This ſay, and for thy Fathers eaſe take Waggons,

And for thy Brethren, ſpare no ſprightly Flaggons

To ratifie their welcome, ſince with them

Thou art a Branch ſprung from the ſelf ſame ſtem.

Glad Joſeph was that Pharaoh's thus inclin'd

To what before he had himſelf deſign'd;

Envy could not upbraid his want of love,

So much he did the means, and time improve,

Scarce Morpheus could at all betray his ſenſe,

But care would counter-charm His influence,

When bright Hyperion mounted Phlegons back,

He gave command to fill each Brothers Sack,

To all he gave proviſion, leſt the length

Of the large journey, ſhould exceed their ſtrength;

To each (remitting their unnat'rall quarrell)

He bounteouſty gave changes of apparell;

p. 58To Benjamin, beſides five change of rayment,

Three hundred ſilverlings in courteous payment;

To Jacob thus, a choice Viaticum,

And to reward his Mirrhe, Spice, Balm, and Gumm,

Ten Aſſes load of thoſe beſt things, in which

Egypt is held moſt happy, and moſt rich,

And ten ſhe Aſſes load of Corn; cloſe thriſt

Seems baſe, where princely duty walls a gift.

Their Aſſes ready, and their juſtling Waggons,

Leſt that our Joſeph's (ſhould like Cadmus Dragons

Fierce teeth-ſprung Brethren) when they fail'd in words,

Diſpute the matter with their angry ſwords,

While each one to acquit himſelf attempted,

Who from that former rage was moſt exempted,

At leaſt, they might expect to be ſurpriz'd,

The lot of quarr'ling ſtrangers not advis'd,

As a ſmall Fleet, who, in a forreign Sea,

While each ſhip would maintain a private plea,

And rudely mutiny amongſt themſelves,

Is ſunk, ſurpriz'd, or daſht againſt ſome ſhelves;

For fear of which events you may conjecture,

Ioſeph thus to his brethren reads this lecture;

You may remember, but I wiſh that it

You could ſo ſoon forget, as I remit,

When you conſpired my deſtruction,

As if your hearts were gravell'd into ſtone,

Or rib'd with ſteel, congeal'd t'an Iron maſs,

Yet though your Bowells thus were cramt with Braſs,

Mine now are ſoft with pitty, may you find.

As here of body, alway peace of mind;

Confeſſion cancells all, and I accept

Acknowledgement, as if you pai'd the debt;

Your pardon is with many favours ſeal'd,

Which time ſhall ne'r ſee cancel'd, age repeal'd;

For which grant this one favour, 'tis but one,

That you forget the wrong that you have done,

I, in oblivion have lai'd it deep,

Then dig't not up again, but let it ſleep;

Both for your Fathers, mine, your ſafeties ſake,

Drink, to it all a draught of Laethes Lake;

p. 59Take my example, 'twas I had the wrong,

'Tis I that for your reconcilement long;

Since I forgive it, in diſſentious ſort

Do not one on another it retort?

Diſſent not in the way, leſt that you teach

Strangers to take advantage on the breach;

Adviſe with Policie, if not with Love;

Nay, with the Serpent, if not with the Dove;

Serpents will not ſting Serpents, nor will cruſh

The Cockatrices egg, then Brethren bluſh,

That Reaſon's law to that of ſenſe ſubſcribes,

Should Brethren quarr'll with Brethren, Tribes with Tribes?

With ſuch advice as This, you may ſuppoſe

Our carefull Ioſeph did his farewell cloſe.

Ev'n thus our Saviour yer his laſt he breath'd,

Peace, his laſt Legacy, to his bequeath'd;

Who, if he now ſhould come, would look to find

Us, as he left us, of a peacefull mind;

And if both Poles did now to ruine reel,

Did th'world its pangs of diſſolution feel,

Would he not find, adherents did increaſe

More to the Prince of diſcord than of peace?

While that old Iacob fervently did burn

In expectation of his Son's return,

Gheſſe them come home, who to their Father thus,

The Sum of their proceedings did diſcuſs;

Dear Sir, you cauſeleſly accus'd Fates knife

To have bereft thy Ioſeph of his life;

Unleſs that ſhe again have knit his cord,

For hee yet liveth and's great Egypts Lord.

My Sons, quoth he, my Meditation chewes,

And dubiouſly doth ruminate your newes,

O be adviſed, when my Ioſeph di'd

My tears ſtow'd high, ev'n at their higheſt tide

But if you mock my grief, I drown in tears,

My heart of Ioſeph an impreſſion bears

Too deep to be forgot, inhaunce not grief,

Leſt you incur a Curſe, not win belief.

Dear Sir, quoth they, what's by theſe Waggons meant

There's twenty Aſſes load that he hath ſent

p. 60As dutious Pledges? thoſe our change of cloaths,

But if theſe fail, believe us on our oaths.

So now, quoth he, theſe evidences draw

My Faith as ſtrong, as Vouchers do in Law;

Speak thick till th'vapours of your breath condenſe

Ev'n to the ſmoth'ring of my hearing ſenſe;

I've ſurfeited with ſorrow, but this joy

Is ſo tranſcendent, it can never cloy,

My ſoul would hence, and leave her truth behind,

How ſhe diſdaineth thus to be confind!

My ſenſes ſeem too weak to hinder her,

But ſhe would hence my winged harbinger;

O for ſome Eagles pinions, or ſome Dragons

With wide-ſtretcht wings to waft along our Waggons;

Their motions are too dull, O would their wheeles

Were ſwift as Titans, or the ſlippery Keeles

Which with a Sphear-tike ſwiftneſs cut their way

Through the wide Boſome of the yeſty Sea;

I'll down and ſee my Son, and yeeld my breath

In Joſ…ph's boſome, and then welcome death.

Conceive him on his journey, with his train,

When in the Viſions of the night, his brain

Receiv'd the Ordinance of Pharaoh's love

Confirmed to an act from heav'n above;

And ſeal'd with promiſes that God would bleſs

This his removall with a good ſucceſs;

And with aſſurance that he had decreed

The ſafe returning of his num'rous ſeed,

Gueſſe Judah likewiſe ſent for to direct

His Fathers face to Goſhen, then reflect

Your thoughts on Joſeph, who you now may gather

In gallant equipage did meet his Father,

Imagine with what triumph at the laſt

Earth-rending ſound, and tomb-dividing blaſt,

The widdow'd Soul will welcome the return

Of her dear Body from the ſleepy urn;

With ſuch like joy, your fancy may admit,

Were Joſeph and his Father ſweetly knit

In twin'd embraces, as if they each other

Would cramp in chained arms, or meant to ſmother

p. 61Each other in their kiſſes; haſt thou ever,

Beheld a Gardner while he did diſcover

Two ſprigs aſunder, then to joyn by craft

Two divers parts in one entired graft;

Ev'n thus was Jacob twined with his Son,

As if they meant to grow again in one;

Iacob could onelyonly with glad tears diſpute;

For as great ſorrow's dumb, great joy is mute;

Ev'n ſo did Joſeph, at his Brethrens ſight

His eyes but drizled, now they rain'd down-right;

For tears are badges both of joy and ſorrow,

Both Paſſions do alike the viſage furrow;

Dear God, quoth I acob, then in num'rous chace

Tears purſue tears upon his reeking face

Bleſt heav'n that alwayes thus doſt me reſtore,

Unleſs 'twere heav'n I could wiſh no more;

Sweet Son, I know theſe eyes, this roſie cheek,

That thus in dutious tears doth ſweetly reek,

Since yet thou liv'ſt, Fate finiſh out my glome,

And let my Soul on wings of joy fly home,

But yet, my darling Son, great heav'n forgive,

If I for thee do yet deſire to live;

My tears ſhall tell the reſt, my lungs are weak,

If not, I know not what I more ſhall ſpeak.

Sir, quoth his Son (then tears in a full ſtream

Choakt the proceedings of his dutious theam)

Dear Sir, my ſwelling Breſt will burſt a ſunder,

Like wind-ſwoll'n Clouds rent by the heavens thunder,

My mouth a veſſell of a narrow bore,

That muſt by ſlow degrees vent forth its ſtore,

Though pay I cannot what your love deſerves,

Yet to requite I'll ſtretch my utmoſt nerves,

Since Seas repay, through crannies of the earth,

Streams to the Springs from whence they had their birth,

Then why ſhould Chilkren if advanc'd by Fate,

Neglect their Parens in a meaner ſtate?

But yet I boaſt not, that my power is ſuch,

But joy, I'ave means t'expreſs my love ſo much;

Though heav'n have freed me from the ſlaviſh yoak

Of heavy bondage, that he hath not broke

p. 62Of filiall duty, this that thus doth deck

With gawdy Ornament my gorgeous neck,

I count leſs honour, than that dutious bond

In which I ſerve thee; do not then deſpond;

I Father am to Pharaoh, but will be

A true, obſervant, dutious Son to thee;

No bleer-ey'd ſorc'rers, nor Egyptian Weirds

Shall hurt your perſons, wrong your Flocks or Herds,

Thy crown of ſilver hairs I'll ever hold

In greater honour, than his Crown of gold;

Honours null not relation, th'Oceans flood

Alters not Nilus, nor can honour, blood,

It tickles oft the temper with conceits,

But as for me, honour on duty waits;

I'…l goe before, and as your true Attorney

Poſſeſs the King of your intents and journey;

My Father, and his houſhold, flocks and droves,

Have late left Paleſtinu's Sun-parcht groves,

And down are come, whoſe cognizance of old,

Both was, and is, a ſheephook and a fold,

Which ſhould his Grace demand, ſpeak, I beſeech,

According to the tenour of my ſpeech,

And ſince th' Egyptians ever entertain

A Shepheard, both with fury and diſdain,

You may in Goſhen ſafely live, and trade,

Where for your Flocks are Paſtures, Wells and Shade.

And thus you may, if thus you wiſely deal,

Inſtate your ſelves in Egypts Common-weal.

When Love with Policy had thus conſpir'd,

Imagine Ioſeph to his charge retir'd,

Where he without a dilatory pauſe,

Thus to his Sovereign, pleads his Fathers Cauſe;

Dread Sir, what am I? a dead dogg, or flea?

That thou ſhouldſt grant my ſute, or hear my plea?

Who firſt thy favours didſt to me impart,

And then lookſt on me worthy of deſert,

To all which wouldſt thou adde this one requeſt,

I'd count it greater far than all the reſt;

My Father, and my Brethren late are come,

And have left Canaan their native home,

p. 63Their ſtomachs bark for food, their bodies lean,

Their looks are meager, and their teeth are clean,

And Dearth more fierce than either Wolf or Fox,

Hath from the Paſtures ſcarr'd their Heards and Flocks,

Which with them they have brought, and all to prove

The promis'd bounty of his princely love,

That while Dearth falls unto her loweſteb,

Their threads of life may to a peacefull web

Of ſafety here be ſpun, whoſe hearts do pant

In expectation of thy Princely grant.

This ended, quoth the King, My darling Prince,

I rather will inlarge, than baſely mince

My promiſe to evaſions, I applaud

Thy filiall love, nor power ſhall, nor fraud,

Oppoſe, or circumvent you, no, my gem,

I love the Branch, nor will neglect the ſtem;

Since I ſent for him, he and his affairs

Held room in equall with my choiceſt ears.

Joſeph triumphing at theſe bleſt events,

Five of his Brethren to his Grace preſents,

To whom, quoth Pharaoh, by what labours ſweat

Have you your ſuſtenance, are cloath'd, and eat?

Do you the Sullow hold, or tug the Oars?

What trade expells your vigour through your poars?

Dread Sir, quoth they, we are but ſimple worms,

Or ſuch like creatures of deſpiſed forms;

Yet not to grate thy ears with vain digreſſion,

Ours, and our Fathers trade, is by ſucceſſion

To feed our Flocks, and ſo by carefull thrift

Our providence enlargeth heavens gift;

We feed them, they feed us, and leſt we freeze

In Winter time, they cloath us with their fleece;

When Phoebus firſt diſplayes his golden locks,

We ſend abroad our Heards, diſmiſs our flocks,

And while he chears the world, with carefull hook

We them protect, defend, and overlook;

And when the Sun again withdrawes his gold

From th'Weſtern hills, we pin them in our fold;

We are by famine from our homes divorc'd

No idle vagrants, but are ſadly forc'd;

p. 64We … in vain for Springs, our Wells are ſunk

Down to the Center, and our Earth is ſhrunk

And bak'd to ſtony clods, whoſe chaps in vain

Gape for the ſhowers of refreſhing rain;

Now we intreat thee in this time of Dearth,

That art the onelyonly Father of the earth,

Let us in Goſhen live, where both are Rocks

Fi… for our Goats, and Paſture for our flocks;

We'll in the Land not plant our ſelves, nor build,

But ſojourn in our Tents as ſtrangers ſhould,

We'll all b… …uled by thy Country lawes,

And with our labours feed our hungry maws;

At …his, quoth Pharoah, Sirs, do not deſpond,

To ſuch it were no weakneſs to be fond;

Your Brother makes you nigh as if each vein

Swell'd with …igh blood, and of a nobler grain;

Nature none equalls unto me in blood,

Who ſhall partake more freely of our food,

Then ſhall your Father, and your ſelves, I grant

You may in Egypt freely build and plant;

This ſaid, thus unto Joſeph he inſiſts,

Dear Joſeph, I, my Peers, and princely Prieſts,

Thy Fathers comming do congratulate,

And likewiſe with thee, all condole his Fate,

Yet though the Sun ſhoot forth his ſcorching beams,

The air diſtill groſs dewes, and rotten ſtreams,

Our Fields forbear to ſpring, our Trees to bud,

And Nile deſiſt to yeeld his fruitfull mud;

As if the Skies, had with the earth combind,

To act the ruine of all humane kind;

My Genius tell me, and I more than hope

Thy Fathers, and each Brother Horoſcope,

With kinder aſpect, happier things foretold,

And that 'tis in Fates Notaries inroll'd,

That Egypt is deſign'd (without diſpute)

Their ſafe Aſyle, from Famines fierce purſute:

All Egypt is before thee, if our Land

Have any part untouch'd by Famines band

Of ſcourging plagues, as Goſhen moſt is known,

Let them poſſeſs that Country as their own,

p. 65They ſhall not be as Meteors for a time

Exhal'd, but as fix'd Stars in Egypts clime:

And if thou knowſt one fit to feed my Herd,

Let him unto that Office be prefer'd.

This ſaid, old Jacob by his carefull Sonne

Was brought, and placed neer to Pharaohs Throne;

Where, having breathed on the King, and Peers,

A bleſſing both of Peace, and many years,

Grave, Sir, quoth Pharoah, we our thanks retort,

And welcome thy deſcent unto our Court;

Thy dutious Son was for his Father zealous,

I and my Peers, were of thy ſafety jealous,

Leſt Famine having draind our Fields, and Cells,

Should leave you, like ſo many barks and ſhells,

Sans coar, or kernell, ceaſe thou to requeſt,

Live boldly on thy Joſeph's Intereſt.

Who ſees the Sun, but reaſon wills for ſhame

To praiſe the Author of that glorious flame?

And who ſurvives his neighbour in thoſe dayes

Who for the Son will not the Father praiſe?

Thou haſt a Son whom all the world muſt prize,

Leſs worth hath been ador'd with Sacrifice;

An Angell ſent from heav'n, could not have done

More than preſerv'd us all, ſo hath thy Son;

'T was he, that when all Charmers were nonpluſt,

Inchanters all were dumb, my Dreams diſcuſt,

All Sorcery as huſht, now with their Spells

Let them recruit their Garners, and their Cells;

Astrologie's undone, now let them dine

On joynts of Taurus, or ſome empty ſigne;

I'll make no nice enquiries, I have had

A full rehearſall of thy life and trade.

Thus thou wouldſt ſpeak, but I anticipate

Thy ſad complainings, which would thus debate;

That as Deucalions flood drown'd all the Earth,

Some fear leſt it diſpeopled be by dearth;

That your Earths chaps yawn like ſo many graves

To ſwallow you, unleſs that plenty ſaves,

That Famine's grown a Monſter of huge ſtature,

Which not with few content, exacts on Nature;

p. 66Since plenty, as if Bankrupt of her ſtore,

Keeps private houſe in Egypt, you implore

Thy Joſeph being her Steward, ſhe would daign

T'accept thee, and thy ſons, amongſt her train;

I'll not impoſe upon thy lungs a task

Of large, long-winded anſwers, but this ask

Since Nature in thee fails, thy eyes decline,

And in thy two-leav'd Spheres withdrawes their ſhine;

And each decaying part doth ſeem to crave

With bended ham of ev'ry land a grave;

How long was't ſince thy Souls inſpired flame

Poſſeſſion took of this declining frame?

Dread Sir, quoth Jacob, rudeneſs, are, and age

Unfit to act upon a Kingly ſtage,

A hundred, and full thirty years I've ſeen,

Both few, and evill, all my dayes have been;

Nor have I yet attained to the age

Of my fore-Fathers in their Pilgrimage;

Though I am antient, I may truly ſay

Sorrow, as well as age, hath made me gray,

'Tis grief poſtdates my time, which 'twere but vain

To think that joy can antidate again:

An ounce of grief emacerates the fleſh

More than a pound of joy can it refreſh,

Sol ſooner may regrade his morning track,

Than joy can change this gray to youthfull black;

If I've a Son, whom all, of all degrees,

From thoſe that fry, ev'n unto thoſe that freeze,

Under their Zones, are bound to praiſe, and love,

Impute it not as his, but Gods above;

Let not the Husbandman give to the clod

That glory, which is onelyonly due to God;

Yet if his merit be ſo much, and more

Than he can be made Bankrupt of, w'implore

That you would lay it, (if our charge ſurmount

Your expectation) on my Sons account.

This ſaid, again on them he bleſſings breath'd,

And them, departing, to his God bequeath'd;

And glad he brought his wiſhes to this cloſe

Reſigns himſelf as Joſeph ſhould diſpoſe.

p. 67Gheſs him in Goſhen next, where he immerds

The fruitfull Paſtures, with his Flocks and Heards;

I'th' Land of Ramiſſes he liv'd, a ſoyl

Which Famine could not of its vigour ſpoyl;

And though it laught not, now, with kinds of grains,

It ſmil'd with Paſtures to delight our Swains.

To him by Joſeph all reſpect was ſhown;

No Manumiſſive Corbon yet was known

To Superſedeas a Son, for he

Still gave, yet ne'r eſteem'd himſelf as free;

No, though he cheriſh'd had his age, as long

As He by him was nouriſh'd being young;

For filiall dutie's Gods command, no Bull

Can it repeal, no Vote can change, or null,

No wit, or art reverſe it, no mans joint

Carv'd it, 'twas ſculptur'd by his fingers point

That publiſh'd it by thunder, and His bolt

Or worſe, ſhall vengeance take on their revolt

That dare oppoſe it, for they who explode

Duty to Parents, next will theirs to God.

Old Jacobs Cells were ſtor'd with Wine, and Corn,

As full and free, as was that plenteous Horn

Jove gave his Nurſe, ev'n ſuch was Joſeph's love

Unto his Father, great as that of Iove;

Nor time, nor charge could dull it, even ſo

Wells if you draw them, will the freer flow.

Nor was our Joſeph's duty onelyonly ſuch,

But to his Brethren was his love as much;

Though for their former rage he once ſeem'd ſtrange,

Yet now they found in him a bounteous change,

As pardon is the daughter of Contrition,

So love's the common iſſue of remiſſion;

He, who was like the Sun, that could diſpenſe

Upon the mean'ſt his bounteous influence,

Could not neglect the Starres, could not deny

Unto his Brethrens want his gracious eye;

Not like to ſome, whoſe proud advanced height,

Looks on all other men as out of ſight,

As fixt in higher Sphears, out of the view,

And the Horizon of the common crew,

p. 68As if conceit of honour with th'affection,

Had likewiſe chang'd the temper and complexion;

But Joſeph thought it honour to deſcend

His Brethrens Father, and his Fathers friend.

Now more and more the Dearth began to rage,

Advancing on in horrid equipage;

New maladies outbrav'd the Phyſicks skill,

And deſp'rate murther acted now its will,

Faintneſs had ſome confined to their Beds,

As if Dearth meant to ravell out their threds,

Or if ſhe ſcorn'd the common way, by knife,

And meant t'untwind their fatall glomes of life;

The Barns were empty, where was nought, unleſs

The mournfull Owle, to wail their emptineſs;

The gawdy gallants ſpirit now grew dull,

And wiſh'd a Garner for his Wardrobe full;

His Robes no better than the Beggers raggs,

The poor mans Scrip good as the rich mans baggs;

Though Gold be cordiall, it but to the ſight,

But a ſad meale to hungry appetite;

The clown that thought that metall was divine,

Had rather find a Garner than a Mine;

Were Nole a Tagus, and each fand i'th' ſtream,

Such ſtones whereof Philoſophie doth dream;

Yet Midas now, would gladly change his wiſh

For roots, or Acorns, or ſo mean diſh;

The Harveſts paſs, the Clown no longer reaps,

But now his Husbandry lay all in heaps;

O'r-grown with Burrs, rough Thiſtles, Docks, and Sedges,

The Culter ruſted, and the fruitfull Hedges

Now with diſorder'd boughes grew perewigg'd,

None plow'd, prun'd, planted, ſow'd, manur'd, or digg'd;

Dearth ſo purvei'd for Death, now were the rodes

Wherein they juſtled with their plenteous loads,

So much o'r-grown, through ſcarcitie of men,

Each fearfull Beaſt there boldly made his den;

Each houſe as empty ſtood, the owner's dead,

As were their Bodies, now their Souls were fled;

Each look ſo meager, none could know, almoſt.

Where 'twere the man that walk'd, or elſe his Ghoſt,

p. 69Who, now with weakneſs, bow'd their feeble hams

Like late-earnd Lambkins, yer they ſuck'd their dams;

The Oxe i'th' Commons motionleſs did lie,

The Gum down-roping from his pale dead eye,

The Cow lob'd down her head, the raw-bon'd Aſs

His mouth was foul with half-chew'd roots of graſs,

Each Beaſt half ſtarv'd, drooping the ſide, and hip,

Not moving for the Scourge, goad, ſpur, or whip;

Unto the Cities there was no reſort

Except of Crows, who tore in knaviſh ſport

Their dead, and ſtill, impatient of delay,

Rookt on the houſe tops, waiting for their prey;

Their ſtreets o'rgrown with rubbiſh, ſeem'd t'expreſs

Unto the eye a civill wilderneſs;

So pining Dearth had ſhriv'led each ones skin,

With looks diſtorted they did ſtrangely grin,

Which when they view'd in glaſſes, and in brooks,

Amazedly they ſtartled at their looks;

In fine, a task that lames both tongue, and pen,

All nothing, but the ſhales, or husks of men;

This while, had Egypt for all kind of grains

Exchang'd their Coin, their Jewels, and their Chains,

All which our loyall Joſeph never wreſts

To his own uſe, but adds to Pharaohs Cheſts,

This ſtore exhauſted, you may gheſs for bread,

Thus the Egyptians to Joſeph plead;

Dread Sir, great Pharaoh's darling, Egypts Saint,

Vouchſafe a patient ear to our complaint;

We have for Corn exchang'd our coin and gold,

And yet Dearth rageth as your Grace foretold;

Our Barns are empty, not through our default,

Nor hath an en'my ſow'd our Fields with Salt;

None enviouſly have choakt our Fields with ſtones;

None of theſe things are authors of our mones;

Great Nile's offended, and no wonted ſhout

Awakes the Echo, ſince no flood ran out

Through his fat banks, cut by our num'rous troops,

No, Nile within his ſhallow chanell ſtoops;

Our Money faileth, and who will not hold

A grain of Corn well worth an ounce of gold?

p. 70Our hopes are faild, and when the main-ſpring Hope

Is out of tune, the leſſer wheels will ſtop

Of joy and pleaſure; yet we'll not deſiſt,

Since in thee bounty hath with goodneſs kiſt.

Think on thy honour, let it not be ſaid

That we now periſh, whom you firſt didſt aid;

Redeem us from the jawes of Death, which boon

Will make thy fame ſhine bright as Titans noon.

Sirs, quoth the Lord, my troubled heart doth languiſh

In true imagination of your anguiſh;

Yet though I you condole, I hope each knowes

That I diſpenſe as Pharaoh doth diſpoſe;

Yet will he grant (ſuch is his mild remorſe)

Corn in exchange for Heards, and teams of Horſe.

Glad was all Egypt, nor at all deferr'd

T'accept his love, each brings his team and heard;

On which exchange they liv'd this year, yet pind

In ſad conceit of two years yet behind,

More then with food refreſh'd; ſo ranging Deers

Fear more emacerates, than plenty cheers.

The year being ended, which as in a ring

It ſelf within it ſelf again doth bring,

Sad Egypt having all their cattle ſpent,

Which Induſtry had got, or Fortune lent,

Gheſs them in a full preſs, with bended ham,

And proſtrate faces, unto Ioſeph came;

Great Sir, quoth they, now this is the third time

We have appeald to thee, and yet no prime.

Is Nile after ſo many years effluxions,

Th'earth weary grown after ſo oft productions?

And ſo expects like an exhauſted ſoil

A reſt and reſpite from the wonted toil;

Our Share tuſts, and our tools that digg'd the earth

Hang like ſome Trophies dedicate to dearth;

Each body here's her Obelisk, that bears

Her triumph Grav'd in meager Characters;

Since Pharaoh, firſt, our Cauſe to thee refer'd;

There's none but hath exchang'd his Teem and Herd,

Wee not a Beaſt detain, there's none, great Prince,

That can thy ſervants of ſuch fraud convince,

p. 71Now if our perſons may, and each ones land

Ioyn'd with thy love, in equall ballance ſtand

With one years diet more, we have to boaſt,

Nor will as yet eſteem our ſelves as loſt;

So Pharaoh ſhall a double title have

In each one, of ſubject, and a ſlave;

View but theſe looks well, thou wilt not demur,

Nor will thy pity need another ſpur,

Thou art our noſtrills breath, why ſhould we dy,

The breath of all our noſtrills being by?

And ſince now's the laſt year, by fate decreed

That Dearth ſhall rage, we further beg ſome ſeed

To ſow the land, that it may be reduc'd,

Which in its ancient Chaos lies confus'd.

Sirs, quoth our Lord, my heart with you condoles

The bitter anguiſh of your troubled Souls,

Yet 'twere a ſin in me beyond excuſe,

Should I not all diſpence to Pharaohs uſe,

Yet as I pittie what you have diſclos'd,

So will I grant you what you have propos'd;

Gheſs Ioſeph now for Pharaoh wiſely changes

Bread for their Fields, their Mannors and their Granges,

And with the Citizens for Pharaoh Barters,

For Corn, their Houſes, Liberties, and Charters,

And that their lands and rights might all be known

By ſome clear evidence as Pharaohs own,

Th'Egyptians were to Cities far remov'd;

To the lands end, ſo Pharaohs right was prov'd,

Yet the Prieſts lands, and I ſis Princely Flamines,

Became not Pharaohs nor the greedy Famins;

As if 'twere Sacrilegious extortion,

Ev'n in this Panic ſale to buy their portion;

Nor were they famiſhed, for Pharaohs ſtores

They made as bold with, as their threſhing floors;

And which, thoſe Prieſts who, then, ſerv'd I ſis Cow,

Or they that ſerve the Lamb of heaven, now,

Are worth moſt honours? reader, fear, and pray,

Leſt Pagans judge us at the latter day.

Gheſs Egypt now, were in a full convention

By Joſeph ſummond then to ſoft attention,

p. 72To whom, quoth he, Sirs there is none but knowes,

And will acknowledge ſtill, with thankfull vowes,

That y'are preſerved, not by common Power,

Since Fate, and Fortune on you all did lower,

If Pharaoh's bounty did not intervene,

Your Play were marr'd now in the latter Scene;

And you, like long-toſs'd Veſſells, ſhould fall ſhort,

And drown within the kenning of the Port;

Now ſo will Pharaoh as you do importune,

In true commiſeration of your fortune,

Not out of Avariee for to ſupplant,

But out of pitty to ſupply your want;

Be't then in Egypts Notaries inroll'd,

That y'have your lands, and ſelves to Pharaoh ſold,

Lo, here is ſeed, go, ſow the land in peace,

Which with its former vigour ſhall increaſe;

Whereof a fifth part you ſhall grant the King,

You now being ſafe under his Graces wing,

You for your houſhold ſhall the reſt reſerve,

To nouriſh them, Bread's natures chiefeſt nerve.

This he Enacted, and a Statute ſeal'd,

Which to this day's not cancell'd, nor repeal'd;

At this quoth Egypt, moſt renowned Prince,

Whoſe trueſt Hieroglyphick were a Lynce,

For as with him compar'd, each creature's blind,

Each ſpirits dark to thy inlightned mind;

Nature (the worlds great Soul) muſt needs confeſs

Thee alone her preſerver, th'world muſt bleſs

Thee the ſole cauſe, thy pitty and remorſe,

That Dearth on both, now acts not a divorce;

To thee we owe, we here converſe with men,

And not with Ghoſts, in deaths unſavoury den;

Thee, that our Wives by her impartiall Bawd

Not raviſh'd are for death; we praiſe, we laud,

Thee, that our children, like ſo many elves

Shrink not to nought, but yet look like themſelves,

Admit us ſafe, under thy Graces wing,

Renowned Prince, ſo will we ſerve the King.

Grant now that debt that Adam did ingage

All men in, Death hath claim'd of Jacobs age;

p. 73Who ſwearing Joſeph to tranſport his bones

Hath breath'd his laſt in bleſſings on his Sons;

Grant Ioſeph next, by generall ſuffrage

Attended on in mourning equipage,

His Fathers corps (to Canaan brought) interr'd

In Machpelah, ſo of his oath was cleer'd.

When Iacob thus had deaths arreſt obeyd,

Conſcience within the Brethren 'gan t'upbraid

Their old offence anew, thus guilt would plead;

Their Brothers hate but ſlept, though it ſeem'd dead,

Occaſion now might wake it, th'end might prove,

That with their Father, di'd their Brothers love;

That wounds are dang'rous when they inward bleed,

And if their Brother all this while ſhould feed

Upon revenge, ſince full rage now had vent,

It's poys'nous rancour ſhould on them be ſpent.

Fear by guilt raiſed ſeldome is remiſs,

Till in concluſion hope and pardon kiſs;

Nor were our Brethren negligent, but ſtrove

To gain firm int'reſt in their Brothers love;

Yet ſo conceit had of their weak demerits

Diſſolv'd their courage, and outbrav'd their ſpirits,

That they came not, but ſent, nor durſt they frame

The meſſage in theirs, but their Fathers name,

Know'ng if their ſute in Iacobs name were coucht,

'T would like a Charm, not ceaſe till it had touch'd

Their Brothers midriffs with remorſe, 'twould wreſt

A ſoft remiſſion from his melting Breſt;

Great Sir (this was the burthen of their ſute,

And thus they humbly taught to proſtitute)

Thus ſaid our Father, yer in Ephrons Urn

He pawn'd his body for his Souls return,

Thus in my name you ſhall to Ioſeph ſpeak,

Remember not thy Brethrens ſin, nor wreak

Thy juſt revenge upon their hate, which ſin,

Than all their ſinns in groſs hath greater been;

Remit what God hath pardond, and in this

On their ſoft Souls thy pardon ſeal with His;

p. 74Thus did our Father bid, whoſe Soul above

Hovers with bleſſings yet to crown thy love;

Now this offence remit we thee intreat,

Whoſe hearts with true devotion truly beat

Of Jacobs God, t'whom from our hearts ariſe

Zealous affection in Sacrifice.

For Gods, for Iacobs ſake, our fault remit,

Though we for neither would at all acquit

Thy innocence, and if it yet appears

Thy rage doth flame, we'll quench it with our tears.

Mild Joſeph pittying their anxious fears

Could not but ſecond grief again with tears,

Now griev'd he they ſuſpected him, and wept

Then joy'd their conſcience not ſecurely ſlept.

Now, as one having foil'd a fell diſeaſe

Wherein he long hath labour'd, doth not ceaſe

Untill that Phyſick ſhall the reliques purge,

Which after might in wonted Symptoms urge,

Ev'n ſo the Brethren though they now might judge

Their Brother reconcil'd, and that no grudge

Did ſwell his peacefull Breſt, but that with tears,

He entertained had their anxious fears;

Yet Conſcience never leaves her nice inqueſts,

Till in the Boſome ſhee of pardon reſts.

Nor were the Ten remiſs till they found out

By true experience they had nought to doubt;

Wherefore all in a perſonall ſubmiſſion

Thus beg their Pardon, and thus couch contrition;

Neither preſum'd they on an equall greet,

But thus fell proſtrate at their Brothers feet.

Dread Sir, in Jacobs name, and for his ſake,

We come to ſecond what our meſſage ſpake;

Thus Jacob ſaid, yer he enjoy'd on high

The bleſſings purchas'd by his lamed thigh;

This in my name to Ioſeph ſpeak, pray blot

Thy Brethrens ſin (if it be not forgot)

From thy remembrance, ſince they are convinc'd,

And their Souls in repentant tears are rinc'd;

p. 75Trample not grief, guilt is a greater ſcourge

That can revenge inflict, or Juſtice urge;

'Tis true, the fault was great, and to be brief,

Such as me thinks yet ſtartles my belief;

Yet think not on revenge, their fault forget,

And let not rage uſurp mild mercies ſeat;

This did our Father bid, before his death;

Yer Angells ſuck'd his Soul out with his breath;

And now we hope, our fault did not ſo harden

Thy heart, but tears may melt it to my pardon.

Huge winds, they ſay, are ſtill'd by little rain,

Then let not all our tears thus fall in vain,

Thou at firſt ſight, we hope, was't reconcil'd,

For ever ſince thy carriage hath been mild;

And if yet mercy in thy Breſt bear ſway,

Our hopes are anchor'd in a happy Bay.

If not — but then their paſſion grew ſo high,

That with th' Apoſiopeſis of a ſigh

They there muſt ſtop; to whom quoth Joſeph thus,

I know already what you would diſcuſs;

'Tis true, your fact was groſs, and ſince y'are come,

If you want tears, I here will lend you ſome

For to lament it, God did you prevent,

And unto good did wreſt your bad intent,

Who hath ſo many ſav'd alive by one

Unworthy perſon as you ſee is done;

I long for no revenge, but that you ſentence

Your ſin to death by an unfeign'd repentance;

Tears are the blood I thirst for, ſince to God

Belongs revenge, I'll not uſurp his rod;

Yet ſince you fear I will revenge your deed,

That falſe ſuggeſtion doth from guilt proceed;

For though there be no cauſe, yet buſie guilt

Still holds her hand upon her Daggers hilt,

Envy doth burn like fire, and then no doubt

But once in ſeventeen years it would break out;

But yet, thus may your buſie guilt inſiſt,

My cords of friendſhip, you may doubt, were twiſt

p. 76Upon my Fathers heart-ſtrings, and guilt durſt

Infer, perchance, both were together burſt,

Fear not my Brethren, this the end ſhall prove

That guilt's a traitour which miſconſtrues love;

Doubt no cloſe malice, fear no poys'nous rancour,

But in this Boſome let your hopes caſt anchor,

I'll nouriſh you, reſpect you little ones,

And when I die the like will charge my Sons;

With ſuch advice as this you may ſuppoſe

Mild Ioſeph did his ſatisfaction cloſe;

Ev'n ſo as theſe, Gods Saints do never ceaſe,

Till through repentance they have purchas'd peace,

I in Gods mercy ioy, that he did die

A ſacrifice for me yer I was I,

Yet can I not but grieve, and grieving mourn,

That I him crucifi'd yer I was born,

Nay greater cauſe of grief, for, I'm the Iew,

And him each minute crucifie anew,

My ſighes ſhould wing me to ſome Hermites Cave,

Where with my nayles I'd hourly dig my grave,

And there would live a ſorrowfull Recluſe,

Tears ſhould be Helicon, and grief my Muſe,

And as an Anch'ret would my ſelf immure,

Yet live in tears a gawdy Epicure.

When Ioſeph fully pardon'd had this crime,

Admit a certain Intervall of time,

When Fortune (ſerving, whom ſhe can't ſeduce)

As proud of his acceptance, grew profuſe

T'wards Ioſeph in her favours, which he took

Still with a thankfull, not ambitious look;

Vertue commandeth Fortune, and doth clip

Her wings, or holds her like an anchor'd ſhip;

Nor doubted he, leſt that with giddy changes,

She ſhould vacillate in her wonted ranges,

God who Alph' and Omega is, is love

Which ſtill doth Alpha and Omega prove;

Thus Ioſeph long in honour liv'd, the ſtrength

Of whoſe old age extended to that length,

p. 77That his Poſterity to three degrees

Deſcent he ſaw, and on his aged knees

Were Machirs children brought, Manaſſeh's Son;

So might he boaſt as Iacob once had done,

Who comming one o'r Iordan, was increaſt,

When he came back, a Nation at the leaſt.

Now as the glorious Sun, who proudly oft

Hath rid in triumph through the azurd loft,

Anon meets an Eclips, which, in a brook,

If view'd, affronts him with a gloomy look,

So death (which makes a falling-Star of each,

Although he mount unto the higheſt reach,

And altitude of honour in his Sphere)

Began to threaten Ioſeph with ſuch fear;

Rude death eſteems not honour, and Fate dooms

With equall ſentence Monarchs and their Grooms;

Shuffles the Beggers ſcabs, and Ladies paint

Into a clod, nor Villain knowes nor Saint,

So Ioſeph with the mean'ſt of Adams race

Muſt feel th'arreſt of Deaths imperious Mace;

When Fates black-bed-roul of diſeaſes 'gan

T'aſſault the ſuburbs of his inward man;

He (conſcious of his weakneſs) 'gan to doubt

His Souls frail manſion could not long hold out;

Wherefore his Brethren he, as one convenes,

To whom, Sirs, I perceive what heaven means,

For death (Gods Bayliff) with his Ebbon Scepter

Stands ready to arreſt me as his debtor;

Nought but my life acquits me, and each day

Preſents my ſenſes with ſome new decay;

Now Brethren, ſince you know my youthfull Dreams

(Th'event can witneſs) were no idle theams,

I'll ſpeak a truth too now, but it propounds

Its burthen to your thoughts on ſurer grounds;

'Tis truth, as if 'twere by the heavens hoaſts

Proclaim'd, and witneſs't by our Fathers Ghoſts;

That God will ſure, in his appoined time,

To Can'an bring you back, your Native clime,

p. 78Which Abr'ham, Jſaack, and to Jacob both,

He gave by promiſe, and confirm'd by oath,

Then do not my expiring ſpirit grieve,

Nor forfeit Can'an by your unbelief;

Believ't, as if each of you (as an heir

Unto Gods promiſe) now breath'd Can'ans air;

Record it on your Souls, in after years

Let theſe my words ſtill echo in your ears;

And when you ſee th'event doth not fall ſhort

Of expectation, ſwear for to tranſport

My bones with you to Can'an, for I luſt

To be diſſolved with my Fathers duſt;

So Joſeph yeelded to the Fates, ſo old,

That he an hundred and ten years had told;

Did all the Muſes Springs unto my brain

Pay Tribute, as all Rivers to the Main;

I could not weep him as he was, nor fits

My creeping ſtile with Egypts tow'ring wits;

Yet thus conceive they mourn'd, th' Aſtrologers

Began to curſe the baſe-revolting Stars;

Could one command the Sun, he'd make him burn

As an obſequious Tapor on his Urn;

The Moon a ſecond, then unto his Hearſe

The yeſty Sea ſhould pay its brackiſh tears;

A third the Orbs, then he would make them meet

On earth in honour for his Winding ſheet;

A fourth the Air, then ſhould ſome Meteors ſhine

Like to a Fun'rall lamp ſtand o'r his ſhrine;

A fift the Earth, then ſhould her teeming womb

Spread a continued May about his Tomb;

A ſixth command the Fire, then he would bid

A ne'r to-be-extinguiſh'd Pyramid

Blaze on his Hearſe; A ſeventh would ſet forth

Fit Hieroglyphicks to deſcribe his worth;

Pharaoh deveſted of his Kingly State

In mourning wailes Zaphnath-Paaneahs fate,

The princely Prieſts lament, and Iſis Cow

Within her Temple did in mourning low.

p. 79Th'embalming Doctor not at all forbears,

But with his Odours doth commix his tears;

One, in commemoration of his alms

With them his name as with ſweet odour balms;

Grief witty grew in ſome, each day his years

Some vie with ſighes, and ſome, his months with tears;

'Twere infinite to quote their Fun'rall Odes,

Endleſs for to deſcribe their mourning Modes;

Fit Mourners were they all, whom you might ſee,

Nature had deck'd in mourning Cap-a-pe:

But this large task had dull'd my tyred Muſe,

My fingers are benum'd, my Pen's obtuſe,

Leave him in Egypt, where on this Divorce

Worms ſweetly fed on his embalmed Courſe.

FINIS.

End of the text · Daniel Cudmore, The History of Joseph (1652)