The sons of Jacob Pharaoh did command, To take both food and waggons from the land Of Egypt, to fetch their father straight; They did, and poor old Jacob’s joy was great He said, still as his spirits did revive, It is enough, Joseph is yet alive, The son for whom I mourned, therefore I Will go and see him now before I die. Then on his journey still he doth proceed, And in the land of Goshen, there indeed Joseph did meet him, whom he straight did bring Into the royal presence of the king. When Jacob before king Pharaoh stood, His age one hundred and thirty years, a good Old man was he; Pharaoh gave to his race, The land of Goshen for a dwelling-place. JOSEPH VISITS HIS FATHER. [Illustration] When Joseph knew his pious father lay On his sick bed, to him he hastes away, Joseph he brought Manasseh and Ephraim, Placed them before his father’s eyes now dim, At sight of them, cries Jacob, “Who are these?” “My sons,” says Joseph, “from between my knees.” When near, he kissed them, and with sweet embrace Admires his GOD before his Joseph’s face. These boys of thine which were in Egypt born, They shall be mine, not orphans or forlorn. Manasseh he blest, commended to his GOD, Bids him to mark the steps that Abraham trod, Displeased was Joseph to see his elder son Put by, and the younger the blessing won; But Jacob replied, “Son, I know it well, For Ephraim shall unto great nations swell.” JACOB BLESSETH HIS SONS. [Illustration] Jacob he calls his first born, Reuben, near, Weak as the water from the fountain clear; Simeon and Levi, men of cruelty, They smote a man, and caused him so to die. Judah’s bright sceptre shan’t from him depart Till Shiloh come rejoicing every heart. Zebulun’s a small port where tall ships may pass, Issachar well resembles the couchant ass. Dan as a judge will do his people right, Gad by a troop at last will win the fight; Asher his bread is fat, and of a dainty sort, Naphtali’s a hind loosed for the hunter’s sport. Joseph’s a bough laden with pleasent fruit, Near to a well, whose branches sap recruit: Benjamin like a ravenous wolf doth slay, Devours his prey, then bears the spoil away. JOSEPH’S LOVE TO HIS FATHER. [Illustration]