THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STORY OF THE ENVY BORNE TOWARDS JOSEPH BY HIS BROTHERS, AND OF THEIR ARRANGING TO TAKE VENGEANCE ON HIM IN CONCERT.

The scribe of this pen from some master old
Such words as these has in this volume told.
As Joseph now to greater beauty grew,
Was Jacob's heart enchanted with the view;
Saw him the very apple of his eye,*
His other sons neglected passing by—
His love to him would more and more renew,
So that each day their envy greater grew.
There was a tree that in his palace seen
Increased his pleasure with its freshness green.
Whose base was in its place so firmly laid,
It threw upon the ground its bounty's shade,
Like those cell-dwellers who are robed in green
And moved with frantic ecstasy are seen.
Each leaf to utter praises was a tongue,
By which due praises to God's name were sung.
Beyond the azure dome its branches fair,
As sparrows sitting, angels rested there.
With every son that God did him provide,
From that glad tree that with the Sidrah* vied,
A fresh branch sprouting would there come to view
Which with the infant's stature equal grew.
And when the child arrived at age mature,
A green rod from the tree would he procure.
Yet not for Joseph, on whom fortune beamed,
For whom no stick from that tree worthy seemed.
He of life's garden was a plant, unfit
That any wooden branch should vie with it.
He to his father one night said aside:
“O thou to whose arm conquest is allied,
“Pray thou that He in Whom our surety lies*
“A rod for me may grow in Paradise,
“Which from the time of youth till I am old
“Where'er I fall may ever me uphold,
“And both in sport and in the battle field,
“Over my brothers me the palm may yield.”
Then humble prayer to God his father made,
As Joseph wished, his supplication laid.
Down from the Sidrah tree a jasper rod
A heav'nly messenger conveyed from God.
This by time's axe had never wounded been,
Nor from fate's saw had it e'er trouble seen.
Strong and of weighty price, yet light the while,
Nor oil nor colour might the rod defile.
He brought word down that by the grace of God
Pillar of royal house should be the rod.
When new strength Joseph from this gift obtained,
Struck down with grief the envious remained.*
From being's source the stripes by that rod dealt
More heavy than a hundred blows were felt.
Each one within himself conceived a thought,
Into his heart the plant of envy brought.
This to their nature first might vigour lend,
But of disgrace would bear fruit in the end.