Read "Moses: a Story of the Nile" by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
On the next day Pharaoh called a council Of his mighty men, and before them laid The message of the brethren: then Amorphel, Keeper of the palace and nearest lord Unto the king, arose, and bending low Before the throne, craved leave to speak a word.
Amorphel was a crafty, treacherous man, With oily lips well versed in flattery And courtly speech, a supple reed ready To bend before his royal master's lightest Breath -- Pharaoh's willing tool. He said "Gracious king, thou has been too lenient With these slaves; light as their burdens are, they Fret and chafe beneath them. They are idle And the blood runs riot in their veins. Now If thou would'st have these people dwell in peace, Increase, I pray thee, their tasks and add unto Their burdens; if they faint beneath their added Tasks, they will have less time to plot sedition And revolt."