IN TIME OF WAR.


OUT OF EGYPT.

To Egypt's king, who ruled beside
  The reedy river's flow,
Came God's command, "Release, O king,
  And let my people go."

The king's proud heart grew hard apace;
  He marked the suppliant throng,
And said, "Nay, they must here abide;
  The weak must serve the strong."

Straightway the Lord stretched forth his hand,
  And every stream ran blood;
The river swept towards the sea--
  A full ensanguined flood.

The haughty king beheld the land,
  By plagues afflicted sore,
But, as God's wonders multiplied,
  Hardened his heart the more;

Until the angel of the Lord
  Came on the wings of Night,
And smote first-born of man and beast,
  In his destructive flight.

Throughout all Egypt, not a house
  Was spared this crowning woe.
Then broke the tyrant's stubborn will;
  He bade the people go.

They gathered up their flocks and herds,
  Rejoicing to be free;
And, going forth, a mighty host,
  Encamped beside the sea.


Then Pharaoh's heart repented him;
  He called a mighty force,
And swiftly followed on their track,
  With chariot and with horse.

Then Israel's host were sore afraid;
  But God was on their side,
And, lo! for them a way is cleft,
  The Red-sea waves divide.

At God's command the restless waves
  Obey the prophet's rod;
And, through the middle of the sea,
  The people marched dry-shod.

But, when the spoilers, following close,
  Would hinder Israel's flight,
The waters to their course return,
  The parted waves unite,

And Pharaoh's host is swept away,
  The chariots and the horse;
And not a man is left alive
  Of all that mighty force.

So in these days God looks from heaven,
  And marks his servants' woe;
Hear ye his voice: "Break every yoke,
  And let my people go!"

For them the Red-sea waves divide,
  The streams with crimson flow;
Therefore we mourn for our first-born;--
  Then let the people go.

They are not weak whom God befriends,
  He makes their cause His own;
And they who fight against God's might
  Shall surely be o'erthrown.