CCXVIII. Nehemiah, Chap V.
The Jews complain of their Debt, Morgage,
&c. Nehemiah causeth Restitution.
Injustice
soon, and Avarice intrude,
And Want, and loud Complaints their Steps pursu'd:
The Rich oppress'd the Poor, and curs'd Debate,
And heavy Debts obstruct the rising State:
Their Children some, and some their Lands engag'd
For Taxes and for Bread, and worse presag'd:
The Governor with Prudence and Success,
The growing Mischief did in time redress:
The Rulers all their morgag'd Lands restore,
And eating Usury exact no more:
The Register of Judah's small Remains,
They next review, return'd from Babel's Chains,
Conven'd unanimous with pious Fear,
From Ezra's Mouth the sacred Law to hear:
Th'Interpreters of Heav'n the Sence explain,
Which those oraculous ancient Leaves contain;
And gently still the People, who begin
To mourn their own and their Fore-fathers Sin.
Awhile they bid unbend from Grief and Care,
For festal Joys and sober Mirth prepare:
Appeas'd they thence depart, and as they find
Of old, by Moses and by God enjoyn'd,
The verdant Mount from Olives nam'd, ascend
And from the Trees their leavy Branches rend:
The sailing Pine, the friendly Palm they bear,
Nor Olives, nor the Lover-Myrtle spare:
Almost disrob'd the triple Mountain stood,
And to the Town the Crowd transplant the Wood:
Of these they frequent shady Bowrs compose,
The City one continu'd Arbour grows;
Beneath whose chequer'd Roofs the many run,
Admit the gentle Air, and skreen the Sun:
With chearful Shouts and festal Songs proclaim
Their Gladness and their mighty Saviour's Name:
Nor long before their Feast to Fasting turn'd,
Their own and Fathers Sins sincerely mourn'd:
Their ancient Contract is with Heav'n renew'd,
And seal'd by all the trembling Multitude.
They swear to keep the Sabbath's sacred Day,
And Tithes and Off'rings to the Temple pay:
How soon forgot their Oaths and solemn Vows!
How soon forsaken God's tremendous House!
Their Dues unpaid, the Sons of Levi fled,
Their Tribe dispers'd around the Land for Bread:
Nor this the generous Tirshatha endures,
The Levites he recalls, their Rights secures:
The Sabbath's strict Religion he renews,
Profan'd alike by Heathens and by Jews:
The Pontiff's Son he from the Temple chas'd,
Who with a Stranger's Blood Great Aaron's Line disgrac'd.
