Poems by Sir Alfred C. Lyall :: :: University of Virginia Library

Did he remember the time, when down on his heritage fair
Ziklag, gift of a King, came Amalek, infidel thief?
Harried and ravished and spoilt—we found all burning and bare,
Loud was the cry of the people and sore against David the Chief.

Far o'er the sand we pursued, and sharp was the fight and the slaughter,
Many fell off by the track, but we three were all to the fore.
Or when a host was defied for a draught of Bethlehem's water,
One was my brother, he went, and Benaiah who stands at the door.

Those were the wild old days of war, and raids, and disorder,
Who was to reckon his blows, or stickle at stabbing a man?
Fighting for freedom and lands, and the city of God in our borders,
Judah the Chief of the tribes, and David the lord of our clan.

Enemies oft have I killed, but two, I think, were the greatest,
Absalom, rebel indeed, and Abner, Captain of Saul;
Why should I spare such a prince? Why stab not a man whom thou hatest?
David may punish their death, but David was raised by their fall.

Yet is my end to be thus—but it stands to all ages a token,

Rough is the path of war, and bloody the steps to a throne,
Sharpest the struggle of all when the bonds of a nation are broken,
When house is set against house, and each man fights for his own.

Then as they wrestle for rule, and strive in the hot death labour,
When the leader who fails is lost, and the flames of rebellion spread,
A monarch laughs in his heart as he watches the swing of a sabre,
Hears of a traitor slain, nor asks for the names of the dead.

But when the throne is firm, and cold are the hands that would shake it,
Soft for the killing of men is the heart of the rulers that win;

Tender for Justice and Law, and hard upon him who would break it,
Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord—let the murderer die in his sin.
Woe to the soldier then, for thus shall his zeal be requited.
Trapped by the meshes of law, stabbed by the slaves of the quill;
While citizens timid and sleek, whom the tale of his deeds affrighted,
Cry that the man of wrath may perish—and have their will.

Benaiah, brother in arms, I am pleased it is thou that shalt end me;
Warily dost thou approach, knowing my cunning at fence?
Nay, but our blood is cold, and I have not the heart to defend me,
David has called, and I follow, so slay me that I may go hence.

1 Samuel, xxx.

2 Samuel, xxiii, 15.