That was the fourth encampment and
pause of the shield-men by the Red Sea.
(ll. 135-141) There dread tidings of inland pursuit came unto the
army. A great fear fell upon them, and dread of the host. So
the exiles abode the coming of the fierce pursuers, who long had
crushed those homeless men and wrought them injury and woe. They
heeded not the covenant which the ancient king had given
aforetime....
((LACUNA -- Two leaves missing.))
XLV
(ll. 142-153) ....who became the people's heir and had their
treasure, and greatly throve. All this the Egyptian race forgot
when their wrath was stirred by a quarrel. They wrought great
wrong to Moses' kinsmen, broke the covenant, and slew them.
Their hearts were filled with faithlessness and rage, the mighty
passions of men. They would fain requite the gift of life with
evil, that the people of Moses might pay for that day's work in
blood, if almighty God would prosper their destructive journey.
(ll. 154-169) Then the hearts of the earls were hopeless within
them as they beheld the shining bands, the hosts of Pharaoh,
marching from out the south, uplifting a forest of lances, with
banners waving above them, a great host treading the
border-paths. Their spears were in array, shields gleamed and
trumpets sang; the battle line rolled on. Over dead bodies
circling screamed the birds of battle, dewy-leathered, greedy for
war, dark carrion lovers.
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