ched with death.

(ll. 35-53) Wailing arose at the fall of their princes; their
hall-joys were hushed and their treasure was scattered. Fiercely
at midnight He smote the oppressors, slaying their firstborn,
laying their watchmen low. Wide the destroyer's path, and the
way of the fell folk-slayer! The whole land mourned the dead.
The host departed. Loud was the voice of their wailing, little
their joy! Locked were the hands of the laughter-makers; the
multitude had leave to go its way, a wandering folk. The Fiend
was robbed and all the hosts of hell. Heaven's might came upon
them; their idols fell. That was a glorious day through all the
world when the host went forth! Many a year the vile Egyptians
suffered bondage, because they thought for ever to refuse to
Moses' kinsmen, if God would let them, their longing for the
journey of their heart's desire.

(ll. 54-62) The host was ready. The prince who led them was
stalwart and bold. He passed by many a stronghold with his
people, leaders and lands of many hostile men, by narrow, lonely
paths and unknown ways, until at last they marched, in armour,
against the Ethiopian realm. Their lands were covered with a
cloud, their border-homes upon the mountain-slopes. Past these,
with many a hindrance, Moses led his people.

XLIII

(ll. 63-67) And two nights after they escaped their foes God bade
the noble prince to make encampment about the town of Etham in
the marchlands, with all his force, a mighty army, and tumult of
the host.

(ll. 68-88) With anxious hearts they hastened on their northward
way; they knew that southward lay the Ethiop's land, parched
hill-slopes and a race burned brown by the heat of the sun. But
Holy God shielded that folk against the fiery heat, stretching a
covering over the flaming heavens, and over the burning air a
holy veil. A cloud widestretching severed earth from heaven, and
led the host; burning and heavenly bright the fiery flame was
quenched. The warriors marvelled, most joyous of hosts. The
shelter of the day-shield moved across the heavens; God in His
wisdom had covered the course of the sun with a sail, though
earth-dwelling men knew not the mast-ropes, nor might behold the
yards, nor understand the way in which that greatest of tents was
fastened. So He showed honour and glory upon the faithful!

(ll. 88-97) Then was a third encampment to the comfort of the
folk. The army all beheld the holy sail, the gleaming mar