MOSES SPEAKING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD

Translated from the French of Alfred de Vigny, a celebrated poet, by Sir Tollemache Sinclair. Before God Moses standing upright took a place ; Then in the cloud obscure, spoke to Him face to face. And to the Lord said, "ah, shall I ne'er cease to live? Where dost Thou wish me now to go ? Thine orders give ; Must I then always live thus powerful, but alone? Ah ! grant me the long sleep of death, Lord, hear my moan. What have I done to Thee Lord to be Thine Elect ? I've led thy people where Thou'st wished me, though stiff-necked ; Behold, its feet now touch the promised land, sunlit, Let some one else accept this task from Thee to it. And fix to Israel's steed the bridle, guide each limb, My book and whip of brass I will bequeath to him. Why not leave me a man in ignorance, that bliss? Why didst Thou thwart the hopes which I now sadly miss ? Since, from Mount Horeb unto Nebo's mount of gloom, I've not yet found the place of my long wished-for tomb. Alas ! a Sage Thou'st made me, 'mongst the Sages great. My finger guides this wandering people's steps like Fate, I've sent fierce fire on heads of kings fast down to rain, All men, while kneeling, will to keep my laws be fain, Of human tombs I've viewed the oldest, the most choice, Death in my accents hears a loud prophetic voice, I'm very great, my feet are on the nations all. My hand the generations makes to rise or fall. Alas, Lord, I am powerful, sad, and lonely, now,

0 let me rest in death's long sleep, to Thee I bow. Woe's me ! I also know heaven's secrets, all sublime,

The strength Thou'st lent me of Thine eyes, time after time ;

1 order Night to rend its veil, as if in shame.

Each star my mouth has counted by its mighty name,

Whene'er my gesture from the glorious sky it called,

Each hurried to me, saying 'here I am,' appalled,

I place my two hands on the front of clouds wich cower,

To dry up in their orbs the source of storms which lower,

Great cities I inter under vast moving sands.

At my voice fierce winds blow, and peakes become flat lands,

My feet untiring, stronger are than steel or brass.

Great rivers full of water part when o'er I pass.

The roar of ocean's mute before my thundering voice,

When my race sutlers, and when laws are needed, choice,

I raise my eyes, and then Thy spirit visits me.

The earth then shakes, the sun then hesitates, I see,

Thine angels jealous are, but me admire apart,

Yet, Lord, I am not happy in my inmost heart !

Thou'st made me grow old, powerful, lonely,'gainst my will,

Ah! grant me Death's long sleep, life is the greatest ill.

When thy breath fills me, now their Pastor and their Seer,

All men then say : "He is a stranger, him we fear,"

And their eyes droop before mine, which seem flames of coal,

For they begin to see, alas ! what's in my soul,

I've seen love soon extinct, and friendship dry up fast,

Les vierges se voilaient et craignaient de mourir. M'enveloppant alors de la colonne noire, J'ai marché devant tous, triste et seul dans ma gloire, Et j'ai dit dans mon cœur : Que vouloir à présent ? Pour dormir sur un sein mon front est trop pesant. Ma main laisse l'effroi sur la main qu'elle touche, L'orage est dans ma voix, l'éclair est sur ma bouche ; Aussi, loin de m'aimer, voilà qu'ils tremblent tous, Et quand j'ouvre les bras, on tombe à mes genoux. 0 Seigneur, j'ai vécu puissant et solitaire. Laissez-moi m'endormir du sommeil de la terre I »