Are great events produc'd. This rescu'd child More than an host. Prin. How ill does it beseem Thy tender years and gentle womanhood, Yes, I will save him Mercy, thou hast conquer'd! and from the rushes we'll remove Lead on The feeble ark which cradles this poor babe. [The PRINCESS and her Maid go out. MIRIAM comes forward. Mir. How poor were words to speak my boundless joy ; The Princess will protect him! bless her, Heav'n! [She looks out after the Princess, and describes her action. With what impatient steps she seeks the shore! Now she approaches where the ark is laid! With what compassion, with what angel sweetness, She takes him in her arms O lovely Princess ! This way the Princess bends her gracious steps; Re-enter the PRINCESS. Prin. Did ever innocence and infant beauty That she may nurse the babe : Mir. And, by her garb, Princess, all hail! Forgive the bold intrusion of thy servant. Who stands a charm'd spectator of thy goodness. Prin. I have redeem'd an infant from the waves, Whom I intend to nurture as mine own. Mir. My transports will betray me! [aside] Generous Princess ! Prin. Know'st thou a matron of the Hebrew race To whom I may confide him? Well I know Mir. That she will rear him with a mother's love! [Aside] Oh! truly spoke! a mother's love, indeed! To her despairing arms I mean to give This precious trust!-the nurse shall be the mother! Prin. With speed conduct this matron to the palace. Yes, I will raise him up to princely greatness, [They go out. She kneels. Thou Great Unseen! who causest gentle deeds, And smil'st on what thou causest; thus I bless thee, That thou didst deign consult the tender make Of yielding human hearts, when thou ordain'dst Humanity a virtue ! didst not make it A rigorous exercise to counteract Some strong desire within; to war and fight Then mad'st that mercy duty! Gracious Pow'r! MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES. PART III. Enter JOCHEbed. I've almost reach'd the place-with cautious steps I must approach the spot where he is laid, Lest from the royal gardens any spy me. Poor babe! ere this the pressing calls of hunger Have broke thy short repose; the chilling waves, Ere this, have drench'd thy little shivering limbs, What must my babe have suffered! No one sees me! But soft, does no one listen?-Ah! how hard, How very hard for fondness to be prudent! Now is the moment to embrace and feed him. [She looks out. Where's Miriam? she has left her little charge, [She looks towards the river. Ah me! where is he? soul-distracting sight! He is not there - he's lost, he's gone, he's drown'd! Toss'd by each beating surge my infant floats. Cold, cold, and wat'ry is thy grave, my child! Oh no! I see the ark - Transporting sight! I have it here. Alas, the ark is empty! Enter MIRIAM. Joc. Come and lament with me thy brother's loss Mir. Come and adore with me the God of Jacob! Joc. Miriam! - the child is dead! Mir. He lives! he lives! Joc. Impossible! — Oh, do not mock my grief; See'st thou that empty vessel? Mir. Th' Egyptian Princess took him. Joc. From that vessel Pharaoh's daughter? Then still he will be slain: a bloodier death Will terminate his woes. Mir. His life is safe! For know she means to rear him as her own. Joc. [Falls on her knees in rapture. To God, the Lord, the glory be ascrib'd! Oh, magnified for ever be THY might Who mock'st all human forethought! who o'errul❜st [She rises. |