Wisdom 17 - Summary

The plague of darkness is told from inside. The Egyptians who thought to oppress the holy nation lay shut in their houses, 'the prisoners of darkness', fettered with the bonds of a long night. No fire or star could light it; only a dreadful fire, kindled of itself, appeared now and then. Magic failed, and those who promised to drive terror from sick souls were sick with fear. Every sound, a whistling wind, birdsong, falling water, an echo from the hollow mountains, made them swoon, for 'fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth'. Over them alone lay a heavy night.