Misraim, awake. Behold hath risen in thee
The Day-Star from the east. Awake to see
Thy darkness breaking. Lifteth suddenly
The cloud of night, to show the track where He
Proceeds in strength and lowly majesty.
Egypt, arise. Rise from thy lethargy.
Hark, 'tis the God of Gods, who calleth thee.
Lo, in thy midst the Idols fall, and He
Reigns in their place: then answer speedily;
Yea, at His feet bow down and humble thee.
The Queen herself in courteous majesty,
Bearing the King of Kings, is entering thee.
Lo, where they rest beneath the spreading Tree
While blessings multiply exceedingly,
Blessings of light and of prosperity.
Arise; arise. In wonder shalt thou see
The Temples of the Sun despised - shalt see
The bulwarks broken of idolatry:
Silent the oracles that spake to thee,
And all thy Devil-worship lost to thee
O thou, Bethshemeth, that degradedly
Hast eaten dust, arise. Tis given to thee
The Light of Light to witness; openly
Him to behold whose Light is Verity.
Break thou thine Idols, Rise and make thee free.
Behold the Lord ascendeth now, and He
Upon a Light Cloud rideth; this is He
Who entereth Egypt, and with majesty
Shaketh the Idols in His wrath: for He
As Judge and Saviour will acknowledged be.
Which of the Great Ones of the earth, think ye,
Have left in Egypt such a track as He?
What Kings have entered Egypt openly,
Thus to confound earth's worst idolatry?
Who but the Son of Mary? - Only He.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote