(ll. 446-457) Then all that folk was smitten with terror; fear of
the flood fell on their wretched hearts. The great sea
threatened death. The sloping hills were soaked with blood; the
sea spewed gore. In the deep was uproar, the waves were filled
with weapons; a death-mist rose. The Egyptians turned and fled
away in fear, perceiving their peril. They were shaken with
horror and fain to reach their homes. Their boasting was
humbled. The dreadful rushing sea swept over them. Nor did any
of that army come ever again to their homes, but Fate cut off
retreat and locked them in the sea.
(ll. 457-470) Where before lay open roads the ocean raged. The
host was overwhelmed. The seas flowed forth; an uproar rose to
heaven, a moan of mighty legions. There rose a great cry of the
doomed, and over them the air grew dark. Blood dyed the deep.
The walls of water were shattered; the greatest of sea-deaths
lashed the heavens. Brave princes died in throngs. At the sea's
end hope of return had vanished away. War shields flashed. The
wall of water, the mighty sea-stream, rushed over the heroes.
The multitude was fettered fast in death, deprived of escape,
cunningly bound. The ocean-sands awaited the doom ordained when
the flowing billows, the ice-cold, wandering sea with its salt
waves, a naked messenger of ill, a hostile warrior smiting down
its foes, should come again to seek its ancient bed.
(ll. 470-491) The blue air was defiled with blood. The roaring
ocean menaced the march of the seamen with terror of death, till
the Just God swept the warriors away by Moses' hand. The flood
foamed, hunting them afar, bearing them off in its deadly
embrace. The doomed men died. The sea fell on the land; the
skies were shaken. The watery ramparts crumbled, the great waves
broke, the towering walls of water melted away, when the Mighty
Lord of heaven with holy hand smote the warriors and that haughty
race. They could not check the onrush of the sea, nor the fury
of the ocean-flood, but it destroyed the multitude in shrieking
terror. The raging ocean rose on high; its waters passed over
them. A madness of fear was upon them; deathwounds bled. The
high walls, fashioned by the hand of God, fell in upon the
marching army.
(ll. 491-515) With ancient sword the foamy-bosomed ocean smote
down the watery wall, the unprotecting ramparts, and at the blow
of death the great host fell asleep, a sinful throng. Fast shut
in they lost their lives, an army pale with terror of the flood,
when the brown waste of waters, the raging waves, broke over
them. The flower of Egypt perished when the host of Pharaoh, a
mighty multitude, was drowned. The foe of God discovered as he
sank that the Lord of the ocean-floods was mightier than he, and,
terrible in wrath, with deadly power would end the battle. The
Egyptians won a bitter recompense for that day's work. Never
came any survivor of all that countless host unto his home again
to tell of his journey or rehearse to the wives of heroes,
throughout the cities, the grievous tidings, the death of their
treasure-wardens; but a mighty sea-death came upon them all and
swallowed their legions, and slew their heralds, and humbled
their boasting. For they had striven against God!
(ll. 516-531) Then on the shore of the sea Moses, the
noble-hearted, preached to the Israelites, in holy words, eternal
wisdom and enduring counsels. They name it the day's work! And
still men find in Scripture every law which God, in words of
truth, gave Moses on that journey. If life's interpreter, the
radiant soul within the breast, will unlock with the keys of the
spirit this lasting good, that which is dark shall be made clear,
and counsel shall go forth. It hath the words of wisdom in its
keeping, earnestly teaching the heart, that we may not lack the
fellowship of God, or mercy of our Lord. He giveth us, as
learned writers say, the better and more lasting joys of heaven.
(ll. 531-547) This earthly joy is fleeting, cursed with sin,
apportioned unto exiles, a little time of wretched waiting.
Homeless we tarry at this inn with sorrow, mourning in spirit,
mindful of the house of pain beneath the earth wherein are fire
and the worm, the pit of every evil ever open. So now
arch-sinners win old age or early death; then cometh the Day of
Judgment, the greatest of all glories in the world, a day of
wrath upon the deeds of men. The Lord Himself, in the assembly,
shall judge the multitude. Then shall He lead the souls of the
righteous, blessed spirits, to heaven above, wherein are light
and life and joy of bliss. In blessedness that host shall praise
the Lord of hosts, the King of glory, for ever and for ever.
(ll. 548-552) So spake the mildest of men, in a loud voice,
mindful of counsel, and made great in strength. In silence the
host awaited his fixed will, perceiving the wonder, the hero's
words of goodly wisdom. And he spake unto the throng and said:
(ll. 553-563) "Mighty is this multitude and great our Leader, a
strong Support who governeth our march. He hath given the tribes
of Canaan into our hands, their cities and treasure, and
wide-stretching realms. If ye will keep His holy precepts, the
Lord of angels will fulfil the promise which He sware to our
forefathers, in days of old--that ye shall vanquish every foe
and hold in victory the banquet hails of heroes between the two
seas. Great shall be your fortune!"
(ll. 564-579) And at these words the host was glad. The trumpets
sang their song of triumph, and banners tossed to strains of
joyous music. The folk had reached the land. The pillar of
glory had led the host, the holy legions, under God's sheltering
hand. They rejoiced that their lives were saved from the clutch
of the foe, though boldly had those warriors ventured under the
roof of the waves. They beheld the walls upstanding. All the
seas seemed bloody unto them through which they bore their
armour. They rejoiced with a song of battle that they were safe.
The army legions lifted up their voice and praised the Lord for
that great work. The mighty host in chorus, man and maiden, sang
psalms and battle anthems, with reverent voices chanting all
these wonders.
(ll. 580-590) Then could be seen on the shore of the sea African
maidens adorned with gold. They raised their hands in thanks for
their deliverance; they were blithe beholding their safety; they
took heed of the spoils; their bonds were broken. On the
sea-shore they dealt out the booty among the standards, ancient
treasure and raiment and shields. They divided the gold and the
woven cloth, the treasure of Joseph, the riches of men. But
their foes, the greatest of armies, lay still in that place of
death.