Pharaoh sore oppressed the Hebrews in the land.
Moses did one day before the Pharaoh stand:
"The LORD hath spoken thus to thee this day," said he;
"Israel is My firstborn; thou shalt set him free.
"Else, if thou refuse, thy firstborn I shall slay.
"Let my son depart from thee at once today."
"I know not the Lord; I will not let them go!
"Get you gone, for now the people's work is slow!"
Moses swiftly did from Pharaoh's halls depart.
Let the plagues now come, for Pharaoh hardened his heart.
By the Nile at dawn stood Moses with his rod.
Pharaoh there was made to feel the wrath of God:
Water turned to blood; quite unfit to drink.
All the fish, they died: the Nile was made to stink.
Still the Pharaoh would not hear the LORD of hosts.
Frogs came from the river, filling all the coasts.
After this was lice, and flies, and cattle's death.
Boils and fire and hail; a sight to take their breath.
"Egypt is destroyed; let the Hebrews go!"
Locusts came and ate away all things that grow.
Then came three day's darkness; such as could be felt-
But there was no darkness where the Hebrews dwelt.
"I will bring yet one more plague to Pharaoh's land;
"Thus shall he be forced to thrust you with his hand.
"I shall send my angel forth that night to slay
"Every firstborn having not lamb's blood that day
"On the very doorposts of his dwelling place.
"Late that night shall grief be seen on Pharaoh's face."
And it came to pass, as the LORD had said,
Every firstborn without blood was found as dead.
"Take the Hebrews now and leave," Pharaoh cried,
"Tarry not, ere my people all have died!"
Then the Hebrews left the land where long they dwelt.
They went into the wilderness, what joy they felt!
It was told the Pharaoh that the people fled.
Pharaoh and his servants changed their hearts and said,
"Wherefore have we let this people from us fly?
"Let us now pursue them lest our honour die!"
When the Hebrews saw the armies close behind,
They complained to Moses of their swift decline.
"As there were no graves, thou hast brought us here!
"We shall surely die; therefore do we fear."
"Do not fear! For Egypt you shall no more see!
"Peace! Stand you still, the LORD shall set you free!"
At the touch of Moses's rod the sea did part.
Passing through dry land were people, beasts, and carts.
Pharaoh drave his chariots heavily to chase
And bring back the Hebrews to their former place.
Suddenly, before the king could turn and flee,
Walls of water became one, for all to see.
Horse and rider both were thrown into the Sea!