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roared like the loudest thunder, and flew, in the greatest ferocity, at the lady, who almost swooned with the fright; whilst Joseph sprung from his horse, gored the monster in the neck, and pinned him fast with his spear to the earth. By this time Potiphar himself arrived, and struck with astonishment, partly at the danger in which his Sabrina had been, and partly at the heroic fortitude of his new and beloved servant, he could not speak a word, till falling first on the bosom of his spouse, and then upon Joseph's neck, he poured forth a flood of joy and gratitude. He instantly enfranchised the deliverer of his love, and placed him at the head of his family, where he acted in all respects as one who serveth not man so much as God. Such circumspection and fidelity rarely attend the stewards of gentlemen of elevated rank. Joseph was exceeding lovely in his person, and the late instance of his gallantry and fortitude, made a criminal impression on the mind of his lady, whilst he, unsuspecting thereof, from a principle of duty and benevolence, performed both to her and to his lord, all the good offices within his power, which, although a duty incumbent on him, contributed to foster the latent flame unlawfully kinkled in her warped heart.

The Almighty Jehovah, whose all-seeing eye, with one comprehensive glance examineth all our thoughts, whether virtuous or corrupt; seeing the workings of Sabrina's heart, and having destined the blooming youth to escape the snare so fatal to his hopes, as well as ruinous to the peace of his undisturbed mind, commanded Gabriel to descend to earth, and give the stripling some striking intimation of the danger he was in, yet still to conceal the quarter from whence it was to come, Obedient to the high behest of the Eternal, the seraph, prest with glowing ardour, binds on his golden pinions, shoots through the vault of ether, and stops not till arrived at the palace of Potiphar, when gloomy night, in her ebon car, had measured half her lonesome journey. He breathed an odoriferous gale upon the bed, and in

stantly the Hebrew exile felt the warm glow of exalted virtue ascending towards the empyreum. Sweet was the slumber when the pious soul breathed after joys of an immortal nature. Soon he fancied himself, studious of his master's affairs, assiduously promoting the interest of his generous patron Thus employed, he saw an hand drawing a net composed of golden wire around the place where he stood, and instantly found himself intangled therein. The snare appeared so formidable, that he saw no way of escape left for him nor could he tell to what purpose he was thus involved. Considering himself as a prisoner in this golden snare, he heard a voice as it had been from the ærial regions. "O Joseph! most favoured of the children of Jacob, remember thou the God of the Hebrews. Take hold of the strength of omnipotence, and one vigorous effort delivers thee from the snare." This said, the young patriarch lift up his heart to his God in this short ejaculation. “O God of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for the sake of him who shall bruise the serpent's head, and destroy the snare of the devil, assist me this once and deliver me." Then collecting all his force, he exerted himself in one vigorous struggle, and found the wires break as easily, as Sampson afterwards did the new cords with which he was bound. Just as he sprung into liberty, he awoke, and rejoiced that it was but a dream.

Joseph's God was with him in whatever he did. He gave him singular wisdom and prudence in the management of all his affairs, insomuch, that whatever he did prospered in his hands; which led his lord to rely upon his wisdom and integrity with a perfect confidence; and unreservedly commit unto his care, the sole management of all his estate. Un envied, he enjoyed this flow of calm prosperity without any mixture of bitterness, besides that which arose from his banishment from Jacob and Benjamin. Happy had it been for Sabrina, if her heart had been as free from unlawful desire as was that of her amiable Hebrew. But alas! she fondly encouraged

the pleasing wish, till it arose to a passion too strong for her to subdue. Shame induced her long to conceal the guilty flame, yet in spite of art and studious care, an inward languor discovered itself in the pensiveness of her countenance. Her unsuspecting lord called every possible means to her assistance. The sons of Esculapius exhausted their skill; the whole Materia Medica was ransacked for a cure; every diversion which pleasantry could devise, in vain was instituted to divert the gloom of her solitary mind. She was never happy in any diversions, unless Joseph made one of the party. Her only seasons of pleasure were when she could prevail with him to sit with her, and entertain her with the history of his native country; which he, unskilled in the mysteries of love, very readily consented to.

About this time an accident happened which served greatly to increase the fatal passion. Potiphar and Sabrina went on a visit to Ira, a Lybian prince, where they plenteously enjoyed the rites of hospitality for two or three weeks, but unhappily were attacked by a band of Arabs as they repassed the howling wilderness. At the first discovery of them, Sabrina sunk, as a person dying, in the arms of her husband; and her soul stood as it were on tiptoe, on her pale trembling lip. As a panther rusheth from the thicket, to seize the passing prey, Joseph bounded from the chariot, vaulted on a led horse, and encouraged the menials to stand by their noble patrons. The Arabs charged them with resolution and vigour; animated by the intrepidity of our hero, the Egyptians returned the charge, and sent amongst them a score of winged deaths, every arrow marked by fate. Then Joseph clapping spurs to his horse, rode up to the enemy, and with his sabre divided the head of Mezero, their captain, from his body, and dealt death to many of the Arabs: the servants of Potiphar following the example of their leader, more than half the banditti were presently dispatched, whilst the rest sought to hide themselves from death, by flight. Joseph pursued and killed many more,

as they strove to fly from his avenging arm. Sabrina being somewhat recovered, Potiphar himself flew to the assistance of his guard, fierce as the lion ravaging for prey; but the work was done, and the enemy discomfited ere he could arrive. Sabrina from the chariot beheld the heroic fortitude of the gallant Hebrew, as he raged along the ranks of the enemy, and every wound be inflicted upon them, was as oil poured into the latent flame.

The grateful soul of the young patriarch rejoiced at having it in his power to manifest the sense which he had of their goodness, by exerting himself in their defence, in a season of difficulty and danger. With modesty he received Potiphar's caresses, who presented him to his lady as her friend and deliverer. His address to his mistress was full of duty, gratitude, and affection; all which encouraged her to hope that he was smote with the same guilty passion with herself, and made her half resolve, at a time convenient, to come to an avowal. Again she resolved to wait yet farther, to see whether his confession would save her from that confusion.

ARGUMENT.

Syrena comforts her mistress by promising success to her armour-She strives to entice him-in vain-She persuades her lady to an avowal-His mistress confesseth her love-Solicits his embrace-To divert her attention from it, he relates the story of Eve eating the forbidden fruit-Applies it to his mistress, with a view to reani mate her virtue-He relates his sister's ravishment, and its fatal consequences-Her silence and discontent at his coldness-Consults her nurse, who encourageth her to persist-She commandeth Joseph to her chamberStrives to win him by persuasion-then to force him --He flies from her, and leaves his scarf behind-Her loves turns to rage and hatred-She accuseth him of an attempt upon her honour-He is imprisoned.

BOOK THE THIRD.

SYRENA, a person well skilled in all the wily mazes of woman kind, was governess to Sabrina in her virgin years, and now attended her in the capacity of waiting-woman. She alone was intrusted with the fatal secret; her mistress having had full proof of her readiness to concur in any measures to gratify her inclination. She consoled her distress and flattered her passion, by assuring her, that as far as she could dive into the secrets of a youthful heart, Joseph was glowing with a passion at least equal to her own. She could read it well in his looks and in his sighs. For amidst all his prosperity, Joseph could not help sighing after his guilty brethren, and his distressed honourable father, from whose embraces he was banished without cause. She promised to use all her wisdom to serve her mistress, and did not doubt by her prudent management to bring the blooming Hebrew to her fond embraces. As he was one day in his office settling his master's accounts, Syrena entered, and having shut the door, she thus accosted him: "Master Joseph, be idle who will,

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