Davideis :: :: University of Virginia Library

AS in the winter, show'rs and storms succeed
To sun-shine, which to travellers do breed
More toil and hardship, than the transient smile
Of sol gave comfort, which they had e'er while;
So after David's heart had been made glad,
By the kind visit which he lately had,
Fresh storms arose, his troubles now grew more,
And dangers greater than they were before;
Saul furiously approach'd, and well he knew,
With num'rous forces, and his own but few;
Saul only wanted knowledge where he lay,
And some, he knew, would guide him to his prey.

The pick-thank Zephites, in whose trackless wood,
Th'afflicted prince, with his retinue stood,
To curry favour, hasten to the king,
And where poor David was, glad tidings bring,
Engaging, if he came without delay,
They David would into his hands betray.

Attentive ears to all the Zephites told,
The king did lend, and smoothly them cajol'd,
Bestow'd a graceless blessing on the band,
Begg'd them to go again, and understand
More fully all his haunts, and closely spy
The lurking places where he us'd to lie,
And bring him word: away the Zephites post,
But David had, meanwhile, forsook their coast,
And to the wilderness of Maon gone,
The plain that's on the south of Jeshimon.
This when Saul heard, he thither bent his course,
Resolving to prevail by fraud or force;
So swiftly he pursu'd, he David found,
And him and all his men environ'd round.

Great was the strait poor David now was in,
So great, he never had in greater been;
No hope to conquer, nor no way to fly,
Nothing remained but to fight or die;
When lo! a messenger came panting in,
And told the king, the bloody Philistin
Invaded had the land, and all was lost,
At least, that lay upon the bord'ring coast,
Unless he came with speed: therefore, O king,
He cry'd, make no delay, thy forces bring

To save thy land, and let the king make haste,
Before the country be laid wholly waste.

This startling message made the king with speed
Return, and David from his danger freed.
Thus God sometimes, by unexpected ways,
Relief to his distressed ones conveys,
Exciting others upon them to fall,
Who would the righteous without cause enthral.

This great deliv'rance, with a thankful heart
To God ascrib'd, thence David doth depart,
And with his little band of men did hie,
Unto the fortresses of En-gedi,
A place of greater strength, and whence he might,
If over-press'd, secure himself by flight;
Concluding right, 'twould not be long ere Saul,
With greater forces would upon him fall.
His expectation fail'd not; for the king,
The Philistins repell'd, doth with him bring
Three thousand chosen men, men he had try'd,
In whose fidelity he could confide;
And now himself, with pleasing hopes he fed,
That he should David take, alive or dead.

But God, who oft on wicked men doth bring,
The hurts they plot 'gainst others, did the king
Cast single into David's hands: now he,
Might with one stroke himself for ever free,
From Saul's pursuits; for Saul had, from his men,
At nature's call, retir'd into a den,

His royal robe he laid aside the while,
Lest any tinct the garment should defile,
Not thinking David in the cave had been,
Or that he had by human eye been seen.

Who but a David, would have let his foe,
At such advantage found, in safety go!
No small temptation to him it must be,
To set himself from all his troubles free;
His firm attendants too their lord provoke,
To strike himself, or let them give the stroke.

But he, whose noble breast was thoroughly fill'd
With loyal principles, from heav'n instill'd,
(Not liking too, in case he should succeed
Unto the crown, his subjects such a deed
For precedent should have) with brave disdain
Of such a fact, his followers did restrain.

Yet, that the king might sensible be made,
How causelessly he was of him afraid,
He gently stept to where the garment lay,
And, undiscerned, cut the skirt away;
Then drawing back, he waited 'till the king,
His robe resum'd, went forth; and following,
He at a distance, well secur'd did stand,
Having the lappet of the robe in's hand,
And with extended voice, but humble speech,
Obeisance made, he did the king beseech,
To view the skirt; an evidence, quoth he,
Of innocence and loyalty in me;

For well thou may'st conclude, when I so near
Unto thee was unseen, I could my spear
As easily into thy side have put,
As from thy garment I the skirt did cut;
But that thy life, O king, to me was dear,
In that I did not hurt thee, doth appear.

So well his righteous cause did David plead,
Having none else for him to intercede,
So did he manifest his innocence,
So clear'd himself from all surmiz'd offence,
So earnestly upon the Lord did call,
Judgment to give betwixt himself and Saul,
That Saul observing, did confounded stand,
Amaz'd to see his skirt in David's hand;
The sight of which, convinc'd him David could,
At the same time have slain him, if he would,
This satisfy'd him, that his life he ow'd
To David's mercy, which from virtue flow'd;
The sense whereof made him first weep, then cry,
‘Thou, my son David, art more just than I,
‘For thou, for all the evil I have done
‘To thee, hast me rewarded well my son;
‘What man his foe, at such advantage found,
‘Would spare! Thy goodness doth to me abound;
‘Wherefore the Lord reward thee good, I pray,
‘For thy great kindness shewn to me this day.’
Then adding, ‘Now, behold by this I know,
‘The Israelitish crown to thee shall go,
‘And that the kingdom shall establish'd be,
‘On thee and thine, by heaven's just decree:

‘Swear, therefore, said he, to me by the Lord,
‘That thou wilt mercy to my seed afford,
‘And not, for my offence, cut off the same,
‘But leave me in my father's house a name.’

His title to the kingdom David knew,
Better than Saul, and whence that title grew;
Ev'n from the sacred oil, which on his head,
The prophet had by God's appointment shed;
Wherefore, to humour Saul, he to him sware;
Which done, Saul straitway homeward did repair;
But David, who too well the king did know
To trust him, up unto the hold did go.