JOSEPH.

Yet innocence

Must use them, or betray itself. "Twere just

Nay, plead no more.

POTIPHAR.

"Tis but in vain, thy doom

Is fix'd upon conviction.---Thou shalt learn

In prison, if a wretch like thee can learn,

To grow more wise and humble, since this house
Has made thee thus forget thyself and me,

[Exit.

SCENE V.

JOSEPH alone.

This even exceeds my fears. O dreadful stroke!
Imprison'd, deem'd a villain, of defence
Cut off by honour---wherefore was I dragg'd
Forth from that pit? wherefore not left to die
As my deluded brethren once decreed?
Yes, ye had sav'd me from this worst distress,
Had not your hearts relented.---Can that God
Who drew me thence, who with a pitying eye-
What does this vision mean? Methinks the gates
Of heaven are open'd. Bright angelic forms
Seem to descend, like what my reverend Sire
Beheld at Bethel. From their golden wings
The fragrant breeze shook off around me plays,
And cheers my spirits. Hail, propitious guests,
That deign to visit thus a wretch so low.

SCENE VI.

Voice of ANGELS.

Joseph, we come to raise thee up.

Fear not.

SONG:

Providence, by secret ways,

Ways which seem to thwart the end,
Guides man through a wondrous maze,
Brings him where his wishes tend.
Wisdom then should boldly tread

Paths where faith and virtue lead.

True, thou hast lost a powerful friend; but he
And all the nobles of the land shall bow

In reverence towards thee. Thou henceforth shalt serve
Their Lord supreme. Shalt under him preside

O'er Ægypt and its provinces. With tears

Thy brethren shall confess their guilt. Thy Sire

Shall bless those eyes once more, and thou shalt save

The chosen seed of Israel in distress.

CHORUS.

Lo! Israel's God,

Whose powerful nod,

Directs the raging seas,

Makes the blind will

Of man fulfil

His just and wise decrees.

Now the Priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came, and drew water, and filled the troughs, to water their father's flock---and the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.And when they came to Reuel, their father, he said, How is it that ye came so soon this day? -And they said, An Ægyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? Why is it that ye have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. Exod. ii. 16—21.

Come then, fair sisters, let us to yon mead
Retire, and under shade enjoy the breeze.
Lo! there the stately lily, richly clad,
Vies with the robes of kings; the fragrant rose
Glows with a virgin blush. There let us cull
The choicest product of the blooming year
To deck our tresses.