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.