HIS SECOND DREAM. [Illustration] Soon after this as Joseph sleeping Free from the toils and troubles of the day, He dreamed a second dream, and told the same Unto his brothers, as to them he came; Saying, in sleep appeared before my eyes, The sun, the moon, the seven stars likewise, All making their obedience unto me, With meek and humble humility. He told it likewise to his father dear, Who chid him, saying, what is this I hear? Must I, thy mother, and thy brothers too, Be all obliged to bow the knee to you, Low on the earth, as if you reigned and ruled: ’Tis very hard that aged parents should A meek and lowly veneration pay To you who ought to honour and obey. HE IS PUT INTO A PIT. [Illustration] This very paragraph will clearly show How they did seek young Joseph’s overthrow, His father sent him to the rural plain, Where with their flocks his brothers did remain. When afar off young Joseph they espied, Behold, here comes the dreamer now, they cried Let us conclude to take his life away, And cast him in a pit without delay, Then see how all his dreams will come to pass: But Reuben, Reuben pitied him, alas! And hid him in the pit, there to remain, Till he might safe conduct him home again. What mortal man is able to express, Poor Joseph’s grief when in the wilderness He lay confined? no doubt his present fears Caused his youthful eyes to flow with tears. HE IS SOLD INTO EGYPT. [Illustration] While in the pit young Joseph lay confined, They sat them down to eat, and ere they dined Some Ishmaelites from Egypt passed by; Then Judah made his brothers this reply, “What shall it profit to us now, I pray, If we should take this precious life away?” They all consented to the same with speed, For loth they were to see their brother bleed. Then from the lonesome pit the child they drew, And sold him to those trading merchants, who A score of silver pieces for him paid, And then to Egypt he was soon conveyed. When Reuben found him not, how did he grieve The rest contrive their father to deceive, By staining Joseph’s coat with purple blood, Which caused poor Joseph many a weeping flood. TEMPTED BY POTIPHAR’S WIFE. [Illustration]