Scriptural poems being several portions of Scripture digested into English verse / by John Bunyan.

THE LIFE of JOSEPH, TAKEN Out of the latter Part of the Book of Genesis,

Chap. xxxvii.

WHen Jacob from his Brother Esau fled, He by the Hand of Providence was led To Padan-aram, in Assyria, where He serv'd his Uncle Laban twenty year; During which time he was in all things blest, And with a num'rous Issue 'mongst the rest: Amongst whom none so pleasing in his sight As Joseph was, who was his chief delight: Who by the time that Jacob was return'd Into the Land, where's Fathers had sojourn'd, Was full arriv'd at seventeen years of Age; And by his Hopefulness did then presage, He was indued with a noble Mind, That would to vertuous Actions be inclin'd; For being sent to feed his Father's Flock, Among his Brethren, he great notice took Of what they did, and if in any sort They did amiss, he thereof made report Unto his Father, and did thus create His Father's favour, but his Brethren's hate.

His Father lov'd him better than the rest, As being the Son wherewith his Age was blest: And that his Kindness might the more appear, Made him a party colour'd Coat to wear. But as it often haps, his Father's Love Did in his Brethren greater Hatred move: But that which most incens'd them was his Dreams, By which, in a Prophetick way, he seems Their low Submission, and his future State Of Greatness, plainly to Prognosticate. For to his Brethren thus his Dreams he told, And said, as we were binding Sheaves, behold, My Sheaf arose and stood up in the Field, And all your Sheaves stood round about, to yield Obeisance unto mine: And what, must we Indeed, say they, be subject unto thee? Their Wrath increas'd, this added to his Crime. And Joseph dreamed yet a second time; And said, Behold, I saw the Sun and Moon, And the eleven Stars to me fall down At which his Father highly was offended, And for these words, the Lad he reprehended, And said, fond Youth, Dost thou pretend to shew That I, thy Mother, and thy Brethren too, Must all submit to thee? Thou dost but dream: But Jacob kept his words, and thought of them. Now Jacob's Sons did feed their Flocks in Shechem, And he desired Joseph to go seek 'em, And find them out, and come again and tell If all things with them and their Flocks were well. So Joseph went, and wander'd here and there, But could not find out where his Brethren were,

Untill a Man had told him their Intent Of going to Dothan, where he also went. And when his Brethren at a distance saw him, They held a Consultation how to slay him, And said, here comes the Dreamer, we shall see What the Event of all his Dreams will be; For we will kill, and in a Pit will hide him, And say some Beast or other hath destroy'd him. But Reuben somewhat tend'rer than the rest, Endeavour'd to perswade them to desist From Murder, saying, Into this Pit let's cast him, And this he said in hopes to have releas'd him. And now when Joseph came not dreading ought, They strip'd him of his party colour'd Coat, And led him to a Pit that was hard by, And threw him into't, but the Pit was dry. And sitting down to eat, they chanc'd to spy, A Company of Ishmaelites pass by, Who with Balm, Myrrh, and Spice, their Camels lading, From Gilead came, and were to Egypt Trading: Then Judah said, 'Twill do us little good To slay our Brother, and conceal his Blood; Come therefore, Brethren, be advis'd by me, Let's sell him to these Ishmaelites, for he Is our own Flesh, and 'tis a cruel Deed, To kill him, and to this they all agreed. Their Brother then out of the Pit they hale, And to these Merchants offer'd him to sale: Who, him for twenty Silver Pieces bought, And with them to the Land of Egypt brought. But Reuben ignorant of what was done, Came to the Pit, and seeing the Lad was gone,

He rent his Cloaths in a great Consternation, Returning back with heavy Lamentation. And now that they might make their Story good They kill'd a Kid, and dipped in the Blood Their Brother Joseph's Coat, and home they came, And to their Father's view expos'd the same, And said, this we have found, now thou dost know Whether it be thy Son's Coat, yea or no. And Jacob knew the Coat full well, and said, Now hath some evil Beast devour'd the Lad; Joseph is torn in Pieces without doubt, For, too, too well I know this is his Coat. He rent his Cloaths, and putting Sackcloath on, He for a long time mourned for his Son. His Children striving to asswage his Grief Endeavour'd to administer Relief: But he refus'd, and said, Since he is gone, I will in Sorrow to the Grave go down. Such Lamentation made he for his Son.

CHAP. XXXIX.

AND now these Merchants Sons of Ishmael, Again did poor afflicted Joseph sell, To an Egyptian, named Potiphar, The Captain of King Pharaoh's Men of War And God was with him, and did greatly bless, And crown his Undertaking with Success:

Whereof his Master being well aware, Committed all he had to Joseph's care; And made him Overseer of his House, And from the time his Master us'd him thus, The Lord was pleas'd to give him to partake, Of many Blessings ev'n for Joseph's sake: So that with Plenty he was hedg'd about, And prospered within Door and without: Such was his Master's Love, and he so Just, That all things were committed to his Trust. Now Joseph was grown up to manly Stature, Of goodly Presence, and most comely Feature. Wherefore his Mistress with a lustful Eye, Beheld his Beauty, and resolv'd to try, If to unchaste Embraces she could gain The Youth, but her Endeavours prov'd in vain: For he refus'd, and said, My Master knows In all the House of nothing that he owes, For his Concerns are all at my dispose: There's not a thing that he hath kept from me, But all is in my hand save only thee; Then how can I commit so foul a Fact, And the Displeasure of my God contract? Yet still she sued, and still did he deny her, Refusing to be with her, or lie by her. Now on a time when all the Men were gone Out of the House and she was left alone: And Joseph at that Instant coming in, About some Business he'd to do within; She took Advantage of their being together, And held his Cloaths to force him to lie with her

But Joseph strove, and from her hands got loose, And left his Coat, and fled out of the House. And when she saw that he had made's Escape, She call'd her Servants, and proclaim'd a Rape: Come see now how this Hebrew Slave, said she, Your Master's Favourite, hath affronted me; He came to violate my Chastity, And when he heard that I began to cry, And call for help, afraid least you should find him, He's fled, and left his Garment here behind him. And now to give her words the greater credit, Untill her Husband's coming home, she hid it, To whom she spake, and said, Why hast thou brought This Hebrew here, to set me thus at nought? The Slave attempted to defile my bed, And when I cry'd, he left his Coat and fled, See here it is. Which when he saw, and heard The heavy Accusation she preferr'd, He was exceeding wroth at his Behaviour, And utterly casheir'd him from his Favour; Nay more, he cast him into Prison, where In Fetters bound King Pharaoh's Prisoner's were. But Joseph's God, who never yet forsook Him in Extremity, was pleas'd to look, With great Compassion on his Injuries, And gave him Favour in the Keeper's eyes; So that he was intrusted with the care And charge of all the Pris'ners that were there: All were committed unto Joseph's hand, And what was done, was done at his command, The Prison-keeper took no care at all. Of ought that he intrusted him withal,

Because he saw that God was with him, and All things did prosper that he took in hand.

CHAP. XL.

AND now whilst Joseph in Confinement lay, It came to pass upon a certain day, That Pharaoh King of Egypt, being wroth With his chief Butler, and chief Baker both, For their Offences, put them both in Ward, In the House of the Captain of the Guard: Into the Place where Joseph was confin'd, Unto whose Custody they were resign'd, And he attended on them in the Prison. And there they were continu'd for a season, During which time, it chanced both of them Did in the same Night dream each Man his Dream: Which Dreams according to Interpretation, Had to themselves particular Relation. And Joseph coming early the next day, Into the Room where Pharaoh's Servants lay, Beheld their Countenances much dejected: Wherefore he said. What Evil hath effected This melancholy Frame, what is't that causes These marks of Discontentment in your Faces? Then said they, we have dream'd each Man his Dream, And there is no Man to interpret them. Then Joseph said your Dreams to me make known; Interpretations are from God alone.

Then unto Joseph the chief Butler told His Dream, and said, Methought I did behold A Vine, whereon three Branches did appear, Which seem'd to bud, to blossom, and to bear Clusters of full ripe Grapes, which to my thinking I press'd into the Cup for Pharaoh's drinking. And Joseph said, Thy Dream doth signifie, Thou shalt enjoy thy former Dignity: The Branches which thou sawest are three days, In which King Pharaoh will his Butler raise, And to thy Place again wil thee restore, And thou shalt serve him as thou'st done before: But do not, when it shall be well with thee, Forget me, but shew Kindness unto me, And unto Pharaoh represent my Case, That I may be deliver'd from this Place, For I was stoln out of the Hebrews Land, And also here am wrongfully detain'd. Then the chief Baker having understood, That the Interpretation was so good, He told his Dream to Joseph too, and said, Lo, I had three white Baskets on my Head, And in the Uppermost there seem'd to be, Of bak'd Provision, great variety, Fit for King Pharaoh's Table, and there came A Flock of Birds, and seem'd to eat the same. And Joseph said, Thy Dream portends thy fall, For at the end of three days Pharaoh shall Lift up thy Head, and hang thee on a Tree, So that the Birds shall feast themselves on thee. And on the third day Pharaoh made a Feast Unto his Servants, and among the rest

The Butler and the Baker were brought forth, The day being kept in Memory of his Birth: And to his Place King Pharaoh did restore His Butler, and he serv'd him as before. But the chief Baker he condemn'd to die, According unto Joseph's Prophecy. Yet though the Butler had regain'd his Place, He was unmindful of poor Joseph's Case.

CHAP. XLI.

AND now when two years time was fully past, And Joseph from Confinement not releast, It came to pass that Pharaoh dreamed, and He seemed by a River's side to stand, Whence, he seven fat well-favour'd Kine beheld, Came up and grazed in the neighbouring Field. And after them there came up seven more Lean and ill-favour'd, and did soon devour The seven fat Kine which came up just before. So Pharaoh 'woke, and mus'd awhile, and then Soon as his Sleep his Dream return'd agen. Wherein he saw upon one stalk there stood Seven ears of Corn, exceeding Rank and Good, And seven others, with the East wind blasted, And withered, sprang up, and quickly wasted The seven good Ears, and quite devour'd them: And Pharaoh 'woke, and, Lo! it was a Dream.

And in the Morning he was discontent, And for the wise Men, and Magicians sent, To ease his Mind but there was none of them That could interpret to the King his Dream. Then the chief Butler making his address. Unto King Pharaoh, said, I now confess My former Faults, for when the King was wroth With his chief Butler, and chief Baker both, It pleased him, to put us both in Ward, In the House of the Captain of the Guard: And in one Night we dream'd a Dream, each one According to's Interpretation; And there was then an Hebrew there in Ward, A Youth, that serv'd the Captain of the Guard: To whom we told whereof we had been dreaming, And he interpreted to us the meaning, And what he said fell out accordingly, Me he restored to my Dignity, But told the Baker he should surely die. Then Pharaoh sent a Messenger in haste, And Joseph from the Dungeon was releast: And having shav'd himself, and chang'd his Cloaths, Into the Presence of the King he goes. To whom King Pharaoh said, I have been told Thou canst the meaning of a Dream unfold: Now I have dream'd a Dream, and there is none Can give me the Interpretation. And Joseph said, I cannot do this thing My self, but God shall answer thee, Oh, King. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my Dream, As I stood by a River's side, there came

Up from the River seven well-favour'd Kine, And fed upon the Banks, all fat and fine, And after them there came up seven more, Lean and ill-favour'd, and exceeding poor: Such as the Land of Egypt never bred, And on the seven well-favour'd Kine they fed, And eat them up, but 'twas not to be seen That they had eat them, they look'd still so thin. So I awoke, and mus'd a while, and then Soon as my Sleep, my Dream return'd agen, Wherein I saw upon one stalk there stood Seven Ears of Corn, exceeding rank, and good: Then seven others, with the East wind blasted, And withered, came up, and quickly wasted The seven good Ears, and quite devoured them. And being unsatisfied about my Dream, I sought unto the wise Men of the Nation, But they could give me no Interpretation. And Joseph said, Thy Dream, oh King! is one, God shews to Pharaoh what he will have done. The seven fat Kine, and seven good Ears agree To shew, seven years of Plenty there shall be: The seven lean Kine, and seven blasted Ears, Denote there shall be Famine seven years. This I declare to Pharaoh, God doth shew To thee, Oh King! what he's about to do. Behold seven years of Plenty are at hand, Which shall be very great throughout the Land: And after them seven years of Famine shall Arise, and shall consume the Land, and all The former Plenty shall not be perceiv'd, So much the Land with Famine shall be griev'd.

And since the Dream was doubl'd to the King, It is because God hath decreed the thing, And on this Land the same will shortly bring: Now therefore if I may the King advise, Let him look out a Man discreet and wise, And make him Overseer of the Land; And substitute Men under his Command To gather a fifth part for Publick Use, Of what the seven plenteous Years produce, And in the Cities lay it up for Store, Against the Famine in the Land grows sore; And let it be repos'd in Pharaoh's hand, That so the Famine may not wast the Land. And when King Pharaoh and his Servants heard The Propositions Joseph had preferr'd, They were acceptable in Pharaoh's Eyes, And in the Eyes of all his Court likewise: So that he said, can such an one be found? A Man in whom God's Spirit doth abound. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, forasmuch As God's great kindness unto thee is such, As to reveal this thing to thee, I know No Man so wise or so discreet as thou: Be thou therefore the Ruler of the Land, And let my People be at thy Command; Thou shalt in all things be as great as I, Save only in the Royal Dignity. Behold this day I have advanced thee Said he, to be a Man of high Degree Throughout the Land. And therewithal the King Bestow'd on Joseph his own Royal Ring;

And him with Robes of State did richly deck, And put a Chain of Gold about his Neck, And in his second Chariot made him ride, And as he past, bow down the Knee they cry'd, With so great Honour was he dignify'd. And Pharaoh said moreover, I am King, No Man shall dare to purpose any thing, Or move his Hand or Foot in all this Nation, Unless it shall be by thy approbation. He also gave to Joseph a new Name, And for a Wife gave him a Princely Dame, Who was the Daughter of a Priest of Fame. (Now Joseph had attain'd his Thirtieth Year, When he before King Pharaoh did appear.) And he went out from Pharaoh's Presence, and Began his Progress over all the Land. Now in the seven plenteous Years, the Field Did its Increase in great abundance yield. And Joseph gather'd all that plenteous Crop, And in th' adjacent Cities laid it up: Which like unto the Sand upon the shore, Did so abound that he could count no more, Such was the Plenty that the Earth then bore. And unto Joseph there was born a Son, Even by the Daughter of the Priest of On, Before the Years of Famine were begun, The which he call'd Manasseh, for, said he, God makes me to forget my Misery, And all my Father's House: And after him Was born another he call'd Ephraim; For God, saith he, hath made me to possess Abundance in the Land of my Distress.

And when the seven plenteous Years were gone, The seven Years of Famine next came on, As Joseph said, and there was a great Dearth In every Nation throughout all the Earth; But in the Land of Egypt there was Bread. And when the People, almost famished, Complained to the King, he bad them go To Joseph, and whate'er he said to do. And now the Famine daily waxing sore, Joseph began to bring forth of his Store, Which he had laid up for the Publick Good; To whom th' Egyptians came and bought their Food. And People from all Countries far and near To Egypt came to buy Provision there; For in all Lands the Famine was severe.

CHAP. XLII.

AND now, behold, when Jacob had been told That there was Corn in Egypt to be sold, He said unto his Sons, Why stand ye thus? Go down to Egypt and buy Corn for us; That so our craving Stomachs may be fed, And not lie here and die for lack of Bread. Thus Jacob's ten Sons were to Egypt sent, But Joseph's Brother Benjamin ne'er went;

For why, his Father said, I will not send him, Lest peradventure some ill chance attend him. And Joseph's Brethren came among the rest To buy Provision, for they were distrest. Now he was Governor of all the Land, And all the Corn of Egypt in his hand. Wherefore his Brethren when they came to treat With him for Corn, bow'd down ev'n at his feet: And he no sooner saw them but he knew them, And shew'd himself extremely strange unto them: And very roughly asked who they were, From whence they came and what their bus'ness there And they made answer, We thy Servants from The Land of Canaan to buy Food are come. Now tho' they knew him not, yet he knew them, And calling now to mind his former Dream, He said, I do suspect ye're come as Spies, To see in what distress our Country lies. But they reply'd again, my Lord we're come Only to buy some Food to carry home: Think not thy Servants Spies, but true Men rather, For we are all the Children of one Father. Nay, nay, said he, but ye are come to pry Into the Nations great necessity. But they reply'd again, Thy Servants are Inhabitants of Cana'n, and declare, That we're twelve Brethren whom one Man begot, The Youngest is at home and one is not. Well then, said Joseph, hereby shall I know, Whether ye're Spies, as I have said, or no; Now by the Life of Pharaoh do I swear, Unless your Brother come I'll keep you here:

Send one of you and fetch the Lad to me, And you shall be confin'd, so shall there be A Proof of what you say before mine Eyes, Or by the Life of Pharaoh ye are Spies. Then he for three days put them all in Ward, And on the third day said I have regard To Equity, therefore if ye are true And honest Men, do this; let one of you Be bound in Prison here, and let the other Go carry Corn home and bring me your Brother; So shall ye be approv'd and shall not die. And they prepar'd to do accordingly. And as they were discoursing to each other, They said, we were in fault about our Brother, In that we saw his Soul in great distress, And yet were so exceeding pitiless, As not to hearken to his earnest cries: This is the cause of these our Miseries. And Reuben said, you know I did forewarn, And beg that you would do the Child no harm; But you would not do then as I desir'd, And now his Blood is at our hands requir'd. Thus they discours'd about the cause that brought Their present trouble, but they little thought That Joseph knew of what they did confer, Because he spake by an Interpreter. And he being moved at their words withdrew To weep, and then returned to renew His former talk; and chusing Simeon out, Before them all he bound him hand and foot. And gave command to fill their Sacks with Grain, And to restore their Mony to'em again;

And for their Journey give them Food to eat: In such sort Joseph did his Brethren treat. Then with their Asses laden towards home They went, and when into their Inn they come, As one of them his Sack of Corn unty'd, To give his Ass some Provender, he spy'd His Mony in his Sack again return'd; Wherefore he call'd his Brethren and inform'd Them that his Mony was returned back, Behold, said he, it is here in my Sack. On sight whereof their Hearts were sore dismay'd, And being very much affrighted said, What is the thing that God's about to do, That we do thus these Troubles undergo? Then coming to their Father they related, After what sort they were in Egypt treated: And said, the Man that's Lord of all the Land, And hath the store of Corn all in his hand, Spake roughly to us, and affirm'd that we Were come the weakness of the Land to see. To whom we said, we are all honest Men; We are twelve Brethren, whereof here are ten, And two elsewhere, all which one Man begot, The youngest's with our Father, one is not. Then said the Ruler of the Land, hereby Shall I make proof of your integrity: Let one of you continue here with me, And take Provision for your Family; And get you gone and bring the youngest hither, That so I may be satisfied whether Ye are true Men, as you make protestation, Then I'll release him, and give toleration To you to come and Traffick in the Nation

And now behold, as they their Sacks unloos'd To empty out their Corn, there was inclos'd In each Man's Sack his Money therein bound, As when they came from home; which when they found, Both they and their old Father were afraid; And to his Sons afflicted Jacob said, You of my Children have be••eaved me, Joseph and Simeon now do cease to be And of my Benjamin you would deprive me, These things do ev'n into distraction drive me. Then Reuben said, My Father I resign To thy disposing these two Sons of mine; Give me the Lad, and let them both be slain, If I do not return him safe again. But he reply'd, I will not let him go, For why, his Brother is deceas'd you know, And if upon the way some evil thing Should happen to the I ad, you then will bring These my grey Hairs with sorrow to the Grave, For he's the only comfort that I have.

CHAP. XLIII.

AND now the Famine still continuing sore, And having spent all their late purchas'd store, Their Father bids them to go down for more To whom when Judah had himself addrest, He said, The Man did solemnly protest,

If we without our Brother came again, To seek his Face would be for us in vain: If therefore thou wilt send him, well and good, Then will we willingly go down for Food; But if thou wilt not, we must let thee know, We are resolved that we will not go: For, as I said before, the Ruler swore, Without him we should see his Face no more. Then Isr'el said, why were you so unkind To say you had a Brother left behind? The Man, said they, was so inquisitive, He asked if our Father were alive; Or if we had a Brother, whereunto Accordingly we answer'd, could we know If he would bid us bring the Lad or no? Moreover Judah to his Father said, If thou wilt but intrust me with the Lad, We will be gone, that so both thou and we May be preserved with our Family: I will be Surety for him, if I fail To bring him back, on me the blame entail; For if we had not lingred, we had been By this time here the second time again. Well then, said Isr'el, if it must be so, My Sons, take my Advice before you go; Provide some of the best Fruits of the Land, To give the Man a present from your hand; Balm, Myrrh and Spices, and a little Honey, Some Nuts and Almonds, and take double Money. For peradventure it was a mistake, In that your Money was returned back;

And take your Brother Benjamin and go, And God Almighty grant the Man may show You Mercy, that you may bring back again Your other Brother, and my Benjamin, And if I am bereav'd, so have I been. Then did the Men prepare the Present, and They took their Money double in their hand, With Benjamin, and down to Egypt went, Who unto Joseph did themselves present. Who, when he saw that Benjamin was come, Order'd his Steward to conduct them home, And to provide a Dinner, for said he, I do intend these Men shall Dine with me. Then did the Steward as his Master said, And brought them home, whereat they were afraid, And said, the Man hath caus'd us to come in, Because our Money was return'd again; To take occasion now to fall upon us, And make us Slaves and take our Asses from us. Unto the Steward they drew nigh therefore, And thus communed with him at the Door: O Sir, say they, we came at first indeed To buy Provision to supply our need; And in our Inn as we our Sacks unloos'd, We found our Money therein all enclos'd In its full weight, whereat surpris'd with fear, Not knowing who had put our Money there, We now have brought it in full weight again, And other Money too, to buy more Grain. Peace, Peace, said he, let not fear seize upon ye, For I had the disposing of your Money:

God unto whom you and your Father bow, Hath giv'n you Treasure in your Sacks I trow. And then releasing Simeon, who had been Confin'd in Joseph's House, he brought them in And set them Water, and they wash'd their Feet, And gave their Asses Provender to eat. Then they made ready against Joseph came Their Gifts, in order to present the same At Noon, for they were told he did design To have their Company with him to Dine. And now when Joseph was returned home, Into his Presence they with rev'rence come, And brought their Presents in and laid before him, And fell down at his Feet for to adore him. Then he enquired if they all were well, And said, When you were here I heard you tell Of an old Man your Father, how does he? Is he in Health, or doth he cease to be? Whereto in humble sort they thus reply'd, Thy Servant, ev'n our Father, doth abide In perfect Health, which having said, They bow'd their Heads and great obeysance made. And Joseph viewing Benjamin his Brother (They being both the Children of one Mother) He asked if he were the Lad of whom They spake, then said, God give thee Grace my Son, Then making hast to find a secret place To weep, because his Bowels yern'd apace Upon his Brother, to his Chamber went, Where having giv'n his troubled Spirits vent, He wash'd his Face and did himself refrain, And to his Brethren then came sorth again.

And bad his Servants they should set on Bread: At his command the Tables all were spread; One for himself, and for his Friends another, And for th' Egyptians one apart from either, That so they might not eat Bread altogether; For it is held a great abomination For them to eat among the Hebrew Nation. And they were placed as their age required, The Eldest first, whereat the Men admired: And from his Table Joseph sent them Messes, But in a larger manner he expresses To Benjamin his kindness, which was such, That he appointed him five times as much As to the rest: and they drank plenteously, Till they were merry in his Company.

CHAP. XLIV.

AND to his Steward Joseph spake, and said, Give these Men Corn as much as they can lade. And in their Sacks bind each Man's Money up, And in the Youngest's put my silver Cup Besides his Money: and he made hast and did According as his Master had commanded. And in the morning by the break of day, With Asses laden they were sent away: And now, e'er they had scarce the Town's end past, He sent his Steward after them in hast,

And said, Go follow them and ask them why They have dealt by me so ungratefully? And say unto them, You have done great evil To Rob my Master who hath been so civil, And steal the Cup wherein he drinks his Wine; Is it not it whereby he doth Divine? Then he pursu'd and quickly overtook Them, and these very words to them he spoke. To whom they said, Why hath my Lord such thought? Oh, God forbid that we should be so naught; Behold, thou know'st we brought the Money back The which we found bound up in each Man's Sack, Which shews that we had no design to cheat; How then should we now steal your Masters Plate? With which of us thy Servants it is found Let him be slain, and we to Slavery bound. Now as you say, said he, so let it be, He shall be bound, but you shall all go free. Then they unladed ev'ry Man his Beast, And to his view expos'd their Sacks in hast; And he from first to last them searched round, And lo, the Cup on Benjamin was found: Whereat surpris'd, each Man his Garment rent, And lades his Beast, and back again they went. And now when Judah and the rest were come To Joseph's House (for he was yet at home) They fell before him to the ground, to whom He said, What deed is this that you have done; Are you not sensible that such a one As I, can certainly thereof make trial? Then Judah said, my Lord there's no denial,

We cannot clear our selves: The Lord hath sent, For our mis deeds this heavy Punishment. Behold, to be thy Slaves we all are bound, Both we, and he on whom the Cup was sound. Then Joseph said, the Lord forbid that I Should exercise so great severity: For he with whom 'tis found, and he alone Shall be my Servant, you may all be gone. Then unto Joseph, Judah drawing near, Said, O my Lord! I pray be pleas'd to hear Thy Servant speak, and be not angry now, For as King Pharaoh is ev'n so art thou. My Lord did bid thy Servants to discover Whether we had a Father or a Brother; And we made answer that thy Servants had An ancient Father and a little Lad, The Child of his old age, who was our Brother, And he the only Child left of his Mother, His Brother being dead; and that this Lad Was all the comfort that our Father had: Then thou wert pleas'd to bid thy Servants bring The Lad, that thou might'st have a sight of him. And we made answer, If the Lad should leave His Father, it would bring him to his Grave: And thou didst then protest it was in vain For us without him to come here again. Then towards home thy Servants went their way, And told our Father what my Lord did say: And in a while when all our Corn was spent, Thy Servant, ev'n our Father would have sent To buy more Food; to whom thy Servants said, We cannot go except thou send the Lad:

Because the Man did solemnly declare, Unless we brought him we should not come there. And then thy Servant, ev'n our Father said, Ye know that by my Wife two Sons I had, And one of them went forth and came no more, Which made me think some Beast did him devour, And if I now should also condescend To let this go, and mischief should attend, You will with sorrow bring me to my end. When to my Father I shall come therefore, And he shall see that I do not restore The Lad again, he certainly will die, (Since in his Life my Father's Life doth lie) And we shall bring him to his Grave thereby. For I became a Surety for the Lad Unto my Father, unto whom I said, If I do not in safety him deliver, Then let me bear the blame to thee for ever. I humbly pray thee therefore to accept Me in his stead, and let me here be kept My Lord's Bondslave, and let the Lad go free: For how can I, thy Servant bear to see The Evil that shall on my Father come, If that the Lad return not safely home.

CHAP. XLV.

THen Joseph, who by no means now could hide His Brotherly affection longer, cry'd, Put all Men forth; and he was left alone When to his Brethren he himself made known. Then Joseph weeping lifted up his Voice So loud, that Pharaoh's Servants heard the noise. And to his Brethren did himself discover, And said, Lo! I am Joseph your own Brother; And doth my Father live? Whereat amaz'd, They could not speak but at each other gaz'd. Then Joseph said, Come near I pray, behold, I am your Brother Joseph whom ye sold To Egypt, be not grieved now therefore, Nor vex your selves, for God sent me before To save Life; for for these two Years there hath been A Famine, and five more to come, wherein Seed-time nor Harvest shall at all be seen. The Lord I say hath sent me to provide A Place, and strangely save your Lives beside. So now ye sent me not, but it was rather The Lord, and he hath made me as a Father Unto the King, Lord of his Houshold, and A Ruler over all this spacious Land. Unto my Father therefore go your way, And tell him, Thus doth thy Son Joseph say:

The Lord hath rais'd me to an high degree In Egypt, tarry not but come to me, And thou shalt dwell in Goshen and be nigh me, And with Provision there will I supply thee, Both thou and thine, Flocks, Herds, and all thou hast, (For yet these five Years will the Famine last) Lest otherwise Provision being scant, Thou and thy Family may come to want. Behold, both you and Benjamin my Brother Do see that it is I and not another: Go tell my Father this amazing Story, And bring him hither to behold my Glory. Then falling on his youngest Brother's Neck, And he on his, they o'er each other wept: And to the rest he did likewise, wherefore They now were more familiar than before. And now whilst they discoursed, the Report Of their arrival came to Pharaoh's Court, And he was pleas'd thereat, wherefore he said To Joseph, Let thy Brethren straitway lade Their Beasts with Corn, and thus unto them say, Unto your Native Country hast away, And fetch your Father and your Housholds, and I'll feed you with the good things of the Land. And since you are commanded by the King, Take Waggons with you hence wherein to bring Your Wives, your Little ones, and come down hither, Your Father, you and yours altogether; And never heed to bring your Houshold-stuff, For here in Egypt you shall have enough. Then did the Isr'elites accordingly: And Joseph ord'ring them a large supply

Of Necessaries for their Journey, sent Waggons according to the King's intent. And to each Man he gave a Suit of Cloaths, But on his Brother Benjamin bestows Five Suits, and as a Token of his Love, A Sum of Money over and above. And thus he sent ev'n for his Father's use, Of the best things that Egypt did produce, Ten Asses load, and ten she-Asses load Of Bread and Meat, to spend upon the Road. Then sending them away, he said, I pray See that you do not fall out by the way. And leaving Egypt with their num'rous Train, Unto their Father they return'd again: To whom, as soon as e'er they did arrive, They said, Our Brother Joseph's yet alive, And Lord of all the Land, which sore dismay'd Him, for he scarce believed what they said: Then they of all that past gave him relation, And shew'd the Waggons for a confirmation, Which being manifest before his Eyes, He rais'd himself and said, it doth suffice; Joseph my Son is yet alive, and I Will go to see him once before I die.

CHAP. XLVI.

THen Isr'el setting forward on his way With all his Houshold, came to Bersheba; And offer'd Sacrifice there to implore The God his Father Isaac did adore. And in the Visions of the Night God spake To him, and said, fear not to undertake This Journey into Egypt, for I am The God of thy Fore-fathers, Abraham And Isaac; to the Land of Egypt I Will go with thee, and there will multiply Thy Off-spring, and of thee will surely make A mighty Nation, and will bring thee back; And thy Son Joseph there thine Eyes shall close. After which Vision he from thence arose, And in the Waggons which King Pharaoh sent, He and his Family to Egypt went: His Sons, their Wives and Children, and the rest Of their Concerns, whereof they were possest When they in Cana'n dwelt, and they were then No more in number but Threescore and Ten. And when to Egypt Israel drew near, He sent before him Judah, to prepare His way to Goshen, which when Joseph heard, Immediately his Chariot he prepar'd, And unto Goshen he directly went, And to his Father did himself present;

And being over joy'd fell on his Neck, And for a good while thereupon he wept. Then Jacob said, since thou yet liv'st, and I Have seen thy face once more, now let me die. And Joseph said, my Brethren I will go Unto King Pharaoh, and will let him know That you and all my Father's House are come; And that your Occupation when at home, Hath been in feeding Cattle altogether, And that you've brought your Flocks and Herds all hither Now therefore when you come before the King, And he shall ask you what your Trade hath been, Say thus: Thy Servants from our Youth till now Have dealt in Cattle, we and our Fathers too; That he may let you dwell in Goshen, for Th' Egyptians do a Shepherd's-Life abhor.

CHAP. XLVII.

THen to King Pharaoh Joseph went, and said, My Father and his Sons, with all they had In their own Countrey, are come down to me, And in the Land of Goshen now they be. Five of his Brethren also with him went, Whom he unto King Pharaoh did present. And Pharaoh asked them about their Trade, And they unto the King reply'd and said, We and our Fathers while we were at home Were Shepherds all, and now behold, we come

With all our Flocks, to get some Pasture here, For in our Land the Famine is severe: We therefore pray thee to appoint a Portion Unto thy Servants in the Land of Goshen. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I impow'r thee To use thy pleasure, Goshen is before thee; Settle thy Father and thy Brethren there, And if among them active Men there are, Commit my Cattle to their special care. And Joseph brought his aged Father in Before the King, and Jacob blessed him. And Pharaoh asking him about his Age, He said, The Years of my Life's Pilgrimage Are but an Hundred Thirty, very few And evil, nor have I attain'd unto The Years of my Fore-Fathers longer age, Which they past thro' in this their Pilgrimage. And Jacob blest the King again, and then Out of his Presence he return'd again. And Joseph plac'd his Father and Relations In Egypt, and appointed them Possessions In the best of the Land, ev'n in the Land Of Ramases, according to the King's Command: And there he nourisht them with fit supplies Of Bread, according to their Families. And now the People having spent their store, And Famine still increasing more and more, Egypt and Canaan too, for want of Bread, Were sore distrest and almost famished. And Joseph took the Money they did bring To buy their Corn, and kept it for the King.

Wherefore the People came to represent Their case to him, both Corn and Coin be'ng spent. And Joseph said, If Money be grown scant, Bring me your Cattle and ye shall not want. And they brought Horses, Asses and their Flocks And Herds of Cattel, ev'n all their Stocks, And gave to Joseph in exchange for Bread, For which the People he for that Year fed; And when that Year was past, the second Year They came again, and said, we can't forbear To let thee know our want, my Lord doth know Thou hast our Money and our Cattle too, And there is nothing left (so hard's our fate) But only each Man's Person and Estate, If thou wilt give us Bread, into thy hands Will we resign our Persons and our Lands: And be the Servants of the King for ever, From Death therefore our hungry Souls deliver, And take some pity on our wretched state, Lest we dye, and the Land be desolate. And the Egyptians sold each Man his Field, Beaause the Famine over them prevail'd; And all their Lands became the King's Possession, And Joseph plac'd them at his own discretion. But the Land of the Priests he purchas'd not, For Pharaoh had assign'd to them their Lot; And they receiv'd their Food from Pharaoh's hands, Wherefore they had no need to sell their Lands. And Joseph said unto them, now behold, You and your Lands are unto Pharaoh sold: Lo, here is Seed to sow in each Man's Field, And when the Land its ripe increase shall yield,

A fifth part shall belong unto the Crown, And th' other four parts shall be your own, For Seed to sow your Lands, and for supplies Of Food convenient for your Families. And they said; Thou hast sav'd our Lives, my Lord, Thy gracious favour unto us afford, And we will do according to thy word. And Joseph made it a Decree, to stand Ev'n to this day throughout th' Egyptian Land, That Pharaoh should have a fifth part, except The Priests Lands, which unto themselves they kept. And in the Land of Egypt, ev'n in Goshen Did Isr'el dwell, and therein had possession, And grew and multiply'd exceeding fast. And Jacob liv'd till seventeen Years were past: So that the sum of Jacob's age appears To be an hundred forty seven Years. And when the time approach'd that he must die, He called Joseph, unto whom he said, If I Have now found favour in thy sight, I pray, Swear thou unto me that thou wilt not lay My Bones in Egypt, for I fain would lie Among my Ancestors when e'er I die, And not be bury'd here; therefore fulfil This my Desire: and he reply'd, I will; And he said, swear unto me, which he did: Then Jacob bow'd himself upon his Bed.

CHAP. XLVIII.

AND now when Joseph heard his Father lay Even at the point of death, he hasts away To visit him, and took along with him His Son Manasseh, and's Son Ephraim. Whereof when Jacob heard he strengthned Himself, and rose and sate upon the Bed: And thus to Joseph said, Lo, God appeared To me at Luz in Canaan, and declared, That he would bless, and make me a great Nation, And give my Seed that Land for a Possession: And Jacob said, Behold, these Sons of thine As Reuben and as Simeon shall be mine, And all the rest which shall be born to thee Hereafter, shall be thine, and they shall be Call'd by the Name of their own Family. Behold thy Mother died upon the way, When I from Padan came, near Ephratah, The which is in the Land of Canaan, where, To wit, in Bethlem, did I bury her. And Jacob seeing Joseph's Sons were there, He asked of him who the Children were. And Joseph said, My Father, lo, these be The Sons, God in this Place hath given me. Then Jacob said, I pray thee bring them nigh To me, and I will bless them e'er I die. (Now Jacob's Eyes, by reason of Age, were dim) And Joseph brought his Sons near unto him, And Jacob kissed and embraced them:

And said I never thought to see thy Face, And lo, the Lord hath shown me of thy race. And Joseph from between his Knees brought forth His Sons, and bow'd himself even to the Earth: And in his Right hand held up Ephraim, Towards his Father's Left hand guiding him, And in his Left hand to his Father's right, He held his Son Manasseh opposite. And Isra'l stretching out his Right hand, laid It on the youngest namely Ephraim's head: And laid his Left hand wittingly upon Manasseh's head, although the eldest Son. And Jacob blessed Joseph, saying, The God Of Heaven, in whose Paths my Fathers trod, Who all my Life hath nourish'd me, even he Who from all Evil hath redeemed me, Bless both the Lads, and let them bear my Name, And the Name of my Fathers Abraham And Isaac, and let them multiply In the midst of the Earth exceedingly. And Joseph seeing his Father's Right hand laid On Ephraim's head, he was displeas'd, and said, Not so, my Father, lay this hand upon Manasseh's head, for he's the eldest Son: And therewithal attempted to have laid His Father's Right hand on Manasseh's head. But he refus'd and said, I know't, my Son, I know't full well, he also shall become A People, and be mighty: But indeed His younger Brother shall him far exceed, And many Nations shall come from his Seed.

Thus Jacob blessed them, and said, In thee Shall Isra'l bless, and say, God make thee be Like Ephraim and Manasseh. Thus did he Prefer the youngest to the first degree. And Isra'l said to Joseph, Lo, I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 But God shall visit you, and certainly Shall bring you back unto your Fathers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And thou shalt have a Portion from my hand, Above thy Brethren, which with Sword and Bow I took from th' Amorite, my deadly Foe.

CHAP. XLIX.

AND Jacob called all his Sons together, And said, Ye Sons of Jacob come you hither: And hearken what your aged Father says, Who tells you what shall be in the last days. Reuben my first born, of my Strength the Flower, The excellency of Dignity and Power: Unstable as Water, be for ever vile, Because thou didst thy Father's Bed defile. Simeon and Levi're Brethren, Instruments Of Cruelty are lodged in their Tents: Come not, my Soul, their secret Councils nigh, My Honour, with them have no Unity: For in their Wrath they caus'd a Man to fall, And in their Self-will digged down a Wall. Curst be their anger, fierce, yea cursed be Their Wrath, for it was full of Cruelty:

In Jacob therefore let there Seed be spread, And every where in Israel scattered. Judah shall have his Brethren's Praise, and they Shall bow before him, he his Foes shall slay. Judah's a Lion's. Whelp return'd from pray, He stoop'd, he couch'd, and as a Lion lay, As an old Lion, who shall dare molest, Or rouze him up, when he lies down to rest: The Scepter shall from Judah never start, Nor a Lawgiver from his Feet depart, Until the blessed Shiloh come, to whom The scatter'd People shall from all parts come: Binding his Foal unto the choicest Vine, He wash'd his Garments, all of them in Wine, His Eyes shall with the Blood of the Grapes look red, And milky Whiteness shall his Teeth o'er spread. Lo, Zebulun shall dwell upon the Sea, An Haven for the Ships security, And unto Zidon shall his Border be. And Issacha•• is a strong Ass between Two Burdens crouching, who when he had seen That Rest was pleasant, and the Land was good, His servile Neck unto the Yoak he bow'd. Dan as a Judge shall over Israel sway, He shall be as a Serpent in the way, To bite the Horse, and cast the Rider down. O God! I have look'd for thy Salvation. Gad by a Troop shall be o'ercome, but he Shall at the last obtain the Victory. The Bread of Asher shall be fat indeed, And Royal Dainties shall from him proceed

Like to an Hind let loose is Naphthali, He speaketh all his Words acceptably. Joseph's a fruitful Bough, whose Branches tall Grow by a Well, and over-top the Wall: By reason of Hatred which the Archers bore, They shot at him and griev'd him very sore, But Joseph's Bow in its full strength abode, And by the Arm of Jacob's mighty God, He was indu'd with strength, from whence alone Is Israe'l's Shepherd, and chief corner Stone: Even by my Father's God, who shall assist Thee, by th' Almighty God shalt thou be blest, With Blessings from above, and from below, With Blessings of the Breast, and Womb also. Thy Father's Blessings have prevail'd beyond My Ancestors: Unto the utmost bound Of the perpetual Hills, yea let them rest On Joseph's head, and let him be possest Of all, who was divided from the rest. Young Benjamin shall Wolf-like take his prey, And part at night what he hath took by day. All these are the twelve Tribes of Israel, And thus their Father did their Fate foretel: And blessed every one of them apart, According to their Personal desert: Moreover he gave them a charge and said, Lo, I shall die, but let my Bones be laid Among my Ancestors in Canaan, where Of Ephron, Abraham bought a Sepulcher, Together with a Field, to be a Place Of Burial, for him and all his Race:

(There Abraham and Sarah lie, and there They Isaac and Rebecca did inter, And there when Leah died I buried her.) The Field was purchas'd of the Sons of Heth. Thus having said, resigning up his Breath To him that gave't, his Feet into the Bed He drew, and so was number'd to the dead.

CHAP. L.

AND Joseph fell upon his Father's Face, And did with Tears his lifeless Lips embrace: And sends for his Physicians and advises Them, to embalm his Father's Corpse with Spices: And they did so, and forty days did pass. (For so the manner of Embalming was) And the Egyptians mourned for the space Of threescore and ten days, which being expired He spake to Pharaoh's Servants and desired, That they would please to speak in Pharaoh's Ear, And tell him that my Father made me swear, That I should bury him in Canaan, where He hath provided his own Sepulcher: I therefore pray thee that I may obtain Thy leave, and I will soon return again. And Pharaoh said, Since thou hast sworn, fulfil Thy Oath, according to thy Father's Will.

And Joseph went up to accompany His Father's Corpse with great Solemnity: And with him went up Pharaoh's Servants, and The prime Nobility of all the Land, And Joseph's Houshold, and his Brethren all, Only their Flocks, and Herds, and Children small Were left behind: Moreover there went up Chariots and Horsemen, even a mighty Troop. And they came up to Arad's threshing floar Beyond the River Jordan, where full sore They mourned for him till seven days were past, So long their Mourning in that Place did last. Which when the Canaanites beheld they said, Surely some eminent Egyptian's dead: Wherefore they call'd it Abel-mizraim. 'Thus did his Sons as he commanded them. For to the Land of Canaan they conveigh'd Him, and in Machpelah near Mamre, laid His Body in the Cave which Ephron sold To Abraham, for him and his to hold. And thus when Joseph fully had perform'd His Father's Will, to Egypt he return'd, Together with his Brethren, and with all Them that came with him to the Funeral. Now Joseph's Brethren being well aware That they were Fatherless, began to fear That he would hate them, and requite them all The Evil they had treated him withal. Wherefore to him they sent a Messenger And said, Behold our Father did declare Before he died that we should come and say, Forgive thy Brethren's Trespasses, I pray,

And their Misdeeds for they have been unkind: And now we humbly pray thee be inclin'd To Pardon our Offences, and the rather For that we serve the God even of thy Father. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wept when thus they spake, and they Came nearer, and before him prostrate lay, And said, We are thy Servants all this day. And Joseph bad them not to be afraid, For in the place of God am I, he said: For though you meant me Ill, God meant it Good, And sent me hither to provide you Food: Now therefore trouble not your selves, for I Will nourish you, and all your Family. After this manner did he satisfie And treat them with extream Civility. And Joseph and his Father's House remain'd In Egypt, and he liv'd till he attain'd An Hundred and ten years, and liv'd to see Of Ephraim's Children to the Third Degree: And Machir's Children of Manasseh's Tribe Were also born some time before he died. Then Joseph said, My Brethren, lo I die, But God will visit you undoubtedly; And to that Land again whereof he spake Unto our Ancestors, will bring you back. And Joseph also made his Brethren swear, That they would not interr his Body there. And thus he ended his Life's Pilgrimage, Being an hundred and ten years of Age; And was embalm'd, and in a Coffin laid, In Egypt, till he could be thence convey'd.

The End of the History of Joseph.