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15
JACOB BLESSETH HIS SONS.
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 Shiloh come rejoicing every heart.
Zebulun's a small port where tall ships may pass,
Issachar well resembles the couchant ass.
Dan as a judge 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.
