CCIV. 2 Kings, Chap. XXIII. from Ver. 1. to Ver. 20.
Josiah destroys Idolatry.
Nor here his Zeal the brave Reformer stays,
Nor longer his important Work delays;
But with the Temple wisely he begins,
Polluted by his Predecessors Sins:
Idols accurs'd, whose monstrous Forms invade
The sacred Mansion for Jehovah made,
Dethron'd, to Kidron's Fields his Servants bear,
And with their ruin'd Altars burn 'em there:
The Chemarims, and Idol-Priests abhorr'd,
Who Baalim, and the heav'nly Host ador'd,
Extirpated by his avenging Sword:
He cleans'd the City of their num'rous Fry,
And did their sable Cowls in sanguine die.
Those holy Strumpets who more Converts made,
Than cou'd their Priests, with all their juggling Trade
Of Lying Miracles, by Whoredom fed,
Are now dislodg'd and from their Convents fled,
By honest Labour taught to earn their Bread.
Tophet and Hinnom's Vale, deform'd of yore,
With impious Victims, and with human Gore;
Where Noise, and Horror, and Confusion dwell,
Or Hell it self, or else the Type of Hell;
The King defiles, their Altars over-turns,
In his own Fire he monstrous Moloch burns:
Those Steeds which long had rang'd in Pastures fair,
Sacred to Heav'ns broad Eye, and free as Air;
Obtend their ancient Royal Grants in vain,
Agen they champ the Bit, and own the Rein:
See their bright Masters lofty Chariots broke,
Their mouldring Wheels involv'd in Flames and Smoke;
How will he now his heav'nly Fire convey,
Or round his spatious Circle drive the Day?
Chemosh and Milcom, who Prescription plead,
And by their mighty Founder intercede,
Tumbled from their proud Mounts, and with the Blow
To Atoms crush'd in Kidron's Vale below:
What e're their fabling Priests the Poets tell,
That Gods before the Sons of Titan fell,
Dispeopled Heav'n and crowded Earth and Hell;
Never till now so vast a Ravage known,
When thund'ring Baal drops head-long from his Throne.
Old Jeroboam's Heifers plead in vain,
Their Trophies won thro' many an impious Reign,
Their Priests are now themselves for Victims slain;
With Bones and Carcasses their Altars spread,
And to the Dead they sacrifice the Dead.
Among the rest, intomb'd the Prophet there,
Who long before did these Events declare;
The pious Monarch bids his Ashes spare:
Thence to Samaria he his Progress makes,
Their helpless Idols from their Fanes he takes;
Their Priests, and Worshippers, and Altars burns.
And to Jerusalem triumphant he returns.
