He said, “Lord is He of the East and of the West, and of all that is between them, if ye can understand.”

He said, “If ye take any God beside me, I will surely put thee in ward.”

Said Moses, “What! if I shew thee that which shall be a proof of my mission?”

He said, “Forth with it then, if thou speakest truth.”

Then threw he down his staff, and lo! an undoubted serpent:

And he drew out his hand, and lo! it was white⁷ to the beholders.

He said to his nobles around him. “This truly is a right cunning sorcerer:

Fain would he drive you out of your land by his Sorcery. But what do ye suggest?”

They said, “Put him and his brother off awhile, and send summoners to all the cities,

Who shall bring to thee every cunning magician.”

So the magicians were mustered at a set time, on a solemn day:

And it was said to the people, “Are ye all assembled?”

—“Yes! and we will follow the magicians if they gain the day.”

And when the magicians were arrived they said to Pharaoh, “Shall we have a reward if we gain the day?”

He said, “Yes. And verily in that case ye shall be of those who are near my person.”

Moses said to them, “Throw down what ye have to throw.”

So they cast down their ropes and rods, and said, “By Pharaoh’s might we shall surely win.”

Then Moses threw down his rod, and lo! it swallowed up their cheating wonders.

Then the magicians threw themselves down in worship:

They said, “We believe on the Lord of the Worlds,

The Lord of Moses and of Aaron.”

Said Pharaoh, “Have ye then believed on him ere I gave you leave? He truly is your master who hath taught you magic.⁸ But bye and bye ye shall surely know my power.

I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will have you all crucified.”

They said, “It cannot harm us, for to our Lord shall we return:

Assuredly we trust that our Lord will forgive us our sins, since we are of the first who believe.”

Then revealed we this order to Moses: “Go forth by night with my servants, for ye will be pursued.”

And Pharaoh sent summoners through the cities:—

“These Israelites,” said they, “are a scanty band;