MOSES SANCTUS. Most Glorious Maker, all that is to thy glory, Thou sentest them also a law from heaven above, And daily showest them many tokens of great love. The brazen serpent thou gavest them for their healing, And Balaam's curse thou turned'st into a blessing. I hope thou wilt not disdain to help them still. PATER COELESTIS. I gave them precepts which they will not fulfil. Nor yet acknowledge me for their God and good Lord, So do their vile deeds with their wicked hearts accord, While thou hast talked with me familiarly In Sinai's mountain the space but of days forty, Those sights all they have forgotten clearly, And are turned to shameful idolatry. For their God they have set up a golden calf. MOSES SANCTUS. Let me say somewhat, Sweet Father, in their behalf. PATER COELESTIS. I will first conclude, and then say on thy mind. For that I have found that people so unkind, Not one of them shall enjoy the promise of me, For entering the land, but Caleb and Joshua. MOSES SANCTUS. Thy eternal will evermore fulfilled be. For disobedience thou slewest the sons of Aaron, The earth swallowed in both Dathan and Abiram. The adders did sting other wicked persons else, In wonderful number. Thus hast thou punished rebels. PATER COELESTIS. Never will I spare the cursed iniquity Of idolatry for no cause, thou mayest trust me. MOSES SANCTUS. Forgive them yet, Lord, for this time, if it may be. PATER COELESTIS. Thinkest thou that I will so soon change my decree? No, no, friend Moses; so light thou shalt not find me, I will punish them, all Israel shall it see. MOSES SANCTUS. I wot, thy people hath wrought abhomination. Worshipping false gods, to thy honour's derogation. Yet merciful thou mayest upon them look And if thou wilt not, thrust me out of thy book. PATER COELESTIS. Those great blasphemers shall out of my book clean, But thou shalt not so, for I know what thou dost mean. Conduct my people, mine angel shall assist thee, That sin at a day will not uncorrected be. And for the true zeal that thou to my people hast, I add this covenant unto my promises past. Raise them up I will a prophet from among them. Not unlike to thee, to speak my words unto them. Whoso heareth not that he shall speak in my name, I will revenge it to his perpetual shame. The Passover lamb will be a token just Of this strong covenant. This have I clearly discussed In my appointment this hour for your deliverance.