Page:History of Joseph and his brethren.pdf/15

15 Jacob Blesseth his Son.

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 Shilo come rejoicing every heart.

Zebulun's a small port where tall ships may pass,

Issacher well resembles the couchant ass.

Dan as a jndge 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.