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Simoom, or Hot Wind of Egypt
Multitudes, fugitive on ev'ry side, And fugitive in vain. The sylvan scene Migrates uplifted; and, with all its soil, Alighting on far distant fields, finds out A new possessor, and survives the change.
Ocean has caught the frenzy, and, upwrought To an enormous and o'erbearing height, Not by a mighty wind, but by that voice Which winds and waves obey, invades the shore Resistless. Never such a sudden flood, Upridg'd so high, and sent on such a charge, Possess'd an inland scene. Where now the throng That press'd the beach, and, hasty to depart, Look'd to the sea for safety? They are gone, Gone with the refluent wave into the deep- A prince with half his people."
It is a consolation to every good man, to consider that the world is governed by a wise and good, as well as powerful BEING, who gives liberty to the powers of nature to range, or restrains them, as may best suit his divine purposes; which have always the ultimate good of the whole creation in view.
CHAP.
CURIOSITIES RESPECTING WINDS, HURRICANES, &c.
Remarkable Winds in Egypt---Whirlwinds of Egypt-Tornado-- of the Wind.
Bound as they are, and circumscrib'd in place, They rend the world, resistless where they pass, And mighty marks of mischief leave behind; Such is the rage of their tempestuous kind.
First, Eurus, to the rising morn is sent, The regions of the balmy continent, And eastern realms, where early Persians run To greet the blest appearance of the sun.
Westward the wanton Zephyr wings his flight, Pleas'd with the remnant of departing light:
Fierce Boreas, with his offspring, issues forth T' invade the frozen waggon of the north; While frowning Auster seeks the southern sphere. Ovid.