Egypt, Greece, and Rome (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... THE SEVENTH PLAGUE OF EGYPT George Croly See Exodus iii-xiii for the story of the ten plagues of Egypt, and of the final escape of the Israelites from bondage. 'T was morn, the rising splendor rolled On marble towers and roofs of gold; Hall, court, and gallery below Were crowded with a living flow, Egyptian, Arab, Nubian, there, --The bearers of the bow and spear, The hoary priest, the Chaldee sage, The slave, the gemmed and glittering page, --Helm, turban, and tiara shone A dazzling ring round Pharaoh's throne. There came a man1--the human tide Shrank backward from his stately stride; His cheek with storm and time was tanned, A shepherd's staff was in his hand; A shudder of instinctive fear Told the dark king what step was near. On through the host the stranger came, It parted round his form like flame. He stooped not at the footstool stone, He clasped not sandal, kissed not throne; Erect he stood amid the ring, His only words, " Be just, O king " On Pharaoh's cheek the blood flushed high, A fire was in his sullen eye, Yet on the chief of Israel No arrow of his thousands fell; All mute and moveless as the grave Stood chilled the satrap and the slave. "Thou'rt come," at length the monarch spoke (Haughty and high the words outbroke); "Is Israel weary of its lair, The forehead peeled, the shoulder bare? Take back the answer to your band: 'Go, reap the wind Go, plow the sand Go, vilest of the living vile, To build the never-ending pile What better asks the howling slave Than the base life our bounty gave?'" "King, thou and thine are doomed Behold " The prophet spoke--the thunder rolled Along the pathway of the sun Sailed vapory mountains, wild and dun. "Yet there is time," the prophet said; He raised his staff--the storm was stayed;...