Classic Poem

When Pharaoh dar'd to vex the saints,
And thus provok'd their God,
Moses was sent at their complaints,
Arm'd with his dreadful rod.

He call'd for darkness — darkness came,
Like an o'erwhelming flood;
He made each lake, and ev'ry stream,
A lake, a stream of blood.

He gave the sign — and noisome flies
Through the whole country spread;
And frogs in croaking armies, rise
About the monarch's bed.

Through fields, and towns, and palaces,
The ten-fold vengeance flew:
Locusts in swarms devour'd their trees,
And hail their cattle slew.

Then, by an angel's midnight stroke,
The flow'r of Egypt died;
The strength of ev'ry house was broke,
Their glory and their pride.

Ye modern Pharaohs! God commands —
" Let all my people go! "
Break off their chains — unbind their hands,
Or ye shall be laid low.