The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ An Heroic Poem: Dedicated to Her Most Sacred Majesty. In Ten Books. Attempted by Samuel Wesley ... Each Book illustrated by necessary Notes, explaining all the more difficult Matters in the whole History: Also a Prefatory Discourse concerning Heroic Poetry. With Sixty Copper-Plates |
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| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
 | The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ |  |
Thus to the King of Heav'n devoutly pray,
Nor that enough, you must his Laws obey;
Else him in Glory ne'r expect to see
Nor with vain idle Faith depend on me!
If not your Lord, I can't your Saviour be.
Who then themselves my true Disciples show,
Not only know, but practise what they know;
Them to wise Master-builders I'll compare
Who in the solid Rock with sweat and care
Their firm Foundations lay, the Floods arise
And meet new Floods thick pou'ring from the Skies:
Th' impetuous Winds from stony Caves enlarg'd
With all their dusty Squadrons on 'em charg'd,
The House still stands, each vain assault can mock,
Nor can they move it, till they move the Rock:
But those who with cold Notions are content
Christians alone in Name and Complement;
To foolish Builders them I must compare
Who on th' unfaithful Sand their Houses rear:
Already, heark! the whistling storm is nigh!
See the black Tempest pouring from the Sky!
Waves ride on Waves and push each other on!
From the loose Earth the false Foundation's gone;
The foolish House falls with the mould'ring Shore,
And sinks i'th' vast Abyss to rise no more.
Nor that enough, you must his Laws obey;
130
Nor with vain idle Faith depend on me!
If not your Lord, I can't your Saviour be.
Who then themselves my true Disciples show,
Not only know, but practise what they know;
Them to wise Master-builders I'll compare
Who in the solid Rock with sweat and care
Their firm Foundations lay, the Floods arise
And meet new Floods thick pou'ring from the Skies:
Th' impetuous Winds from stony Caves enlarg'd
With all their dusty Squadrons on 'em charg'd,
The House still stands, each vain assault can mock,
Nor can they move it, till they move the Rock:
But those who with cold Notions are content
Christians alone in Name and Complement;
To foolish Builders them I must compare
Who on th' unfaithful Sand their Houses rear:
Already, heark! the whistling storm is nigh!
See the black Tempest pouring from the Sky!
Waves ride on Waves and push each other on!
From the loose Earth the false Foundation's gone;
The foolish House falls with the mould'ring Shore,
And sinks i'th' vast Abyss to rise no more.
He said—Still his pleas'd Auditors attend,
All thought too soon he his Discourse did end.
Which past, he did from the bless'd Mount descend
To Cana, whence the other Simon nam'd,
'Mongst Galilean Zealots widely fam'd:
There, whilst he at a Nuptial-Feast did dine
When Wine they want, he VVaters turns to Wine.
Nor far from thence, by pleasant Naims VValls
The mournful VVidows Son to Life recalls.
All thought too soon he his Discourse did end.
Which past, he did from the bless'd Mount descend
To Cana, whence the other Simon nam'd,
'Mongst Galilean Zealots widely fam'd:
There, whilst he at a Nuptial-Feast did dine
When Wine they want, he VVaters turns to Wine.
Nor far from thence, by pleasant Naims VValls
The mournful VVidows Son to Life recalls.
Mean while the Baptist did to Virtue press
His Voice, loud-sounding in the VVilderness:
Censor of Vice, unblemish'd as severe,
And as he none did fear, he none wou'd spare:
Ev'n Life it self by far too dear he thought
If with bare silence or mean Flatt'ry bought:
This honest Freedom and plain roughness pleas'd;
Nor rarely wrought a Cure on Minds diseas'd:
Arm'd with Elijah's spirit and holy fire
To his Acquaintance Royal Names aspire;
Virtues they wou'd not follow, forc'd t'admire!
Among the rest so often Herod went
And heard, he grew almost a Penitent;
With all besides one darling Vice did part,
That kept its hold, still festering in his heart:
Dishonourable Love, a lawless Flame,
Unnat'ral Crime, which Incests fouler name
Disgrac'd; the Cause HERODIAS, fair, but vain,
Whose Lord did in poor Trachonitis reign,
And wild Iturea, from whose petty Court
Where only bordering Arabs did resort
Not long before Herod invites her down
To fair Tiberias, his own stately Town:
Until his Brother from the Wars return'd,
Who, while she him at home half Widdow'd, mourn'd
Thro' stony Fields, and Woods of fatal Yew,
Did Bands of roving Ishmaelites pursue:
Arriv'd, her Beauties all the Court surprize,
Her Brother most, who feasts his wand'ring Eyes
On her forbidden Face, thence soon takes fire,
His careless Breast soon glows with loose desire:
All Arts on her weak Sex, prevail he try'd,
Flatters her Vanity, and feeds her Pride:
Now do's he stately Masks and Balls provide,
With Musicks melting Charms, and now apply
The powerful Bait of Courtly Luxury:
Her in his Royal Barge wou'd sometimes take,
And splendid treat, upon the neighb'ring Lake;
Now her convey to proud Caperna'ms Walls
Where, thro' broad Arches Jordan headlong falls:
To ancient Cinn'roth, or Bethsaida fair
To hunt or walk in lonely Desarts there;
Oft wou'd he gaze, and with a sudden sigh
As often—Ah! too happy Philip! cry!
Why shou'd his envious ragged Walls confine
A Treasure ought in Cesar's Court to shine?
Are these the richest Robes he can provide
For such a Queen? This all Iturea's pride?
Trample 'em sordid in the dust, and see
If ought Tiberias has more worthy Thee!
Then, costly Babylonian Robes he brings,
And Tyrian Silks, that cloath and ransom Kings:
All honour'd to be touch'd by her fair hand,
Who Salem and Sebaste might command;
In both his Royal Palaces did stand;
The worst of both to Philip's she'd prefer
And both were hers, tho' both unworthy her.
These Presents she receives, and more than these
Without a Frown,—Sure 'twas no sin to please!
With well-known Art repell'd, yet did invite,
—And wishes she his bounty cou'd requite.
But soon recalls that Wish—she had forgot
That Herod was her Brother—Think me not,
He trembling cries, my Gratitude to show,
I'd gladly give my Crown I were not so—
—Or if I am—
“Friendship so pure as mine, who can reprove?
“Minds have no Sexes 'tis your Mind I love:
Platonic all, her Honour he'll prefer
T'his Life and Love, nor wrong his Queen or her.
He'd only ask a wish, an hand, an eye:
Favours for which 'twas worth the while to dye,
And swears in these eternal Secrecy.
—What bounds has lawless Love? Soon headlong hence
They sunk to Sin, and thence to Impudence:
Bewitch'd with wicked Joy and stupid grown
No measures kept: To all the Court 'tis known,
Last to his Queen, whom he'll no longer own;
Whose Father long his peaceful Scepter sway'd
At fair Damascus, Zobah him obey'd,
Him Aram's fields, and those wild Troops which stray'd
Thro' Geshur's Realm, for Pastures ever green
Renown'd, and the wide wand'ring Hagarene:
To him enrag'd with loud Complaints she fled
Against the Rival of her Crown and Bed;
Her and her faithless Lord with mortal Hate
She prosecutes, and urges on their Fate;
Whilst her old Father, youthful Anger warms
Who for Revenge his fierce Arabians arms.
Herods lewd Court's all silent, or approve
With wicked flattery their Princes love;
Till to the Baptist brought by babbling Fame,
Whom Zeal to injur'd Virtue did inflame;
Inspir'd with that, he from the Desarts came;
Thence to the Court his steps directly bent,
The opening Crowd bow'd lowly as he went;
He past the Guards; struck with religious fear
None durst oppose his way; approaching near
Thro' every Gate and Antichamber past
Preventing his own Fame, arriv'd at last
To the retir'd Alcove; he thither prest,
Sees the false Charmer negligently drest,
Sees the luxurious King lean loosly on her Breast.
Fierce Herod rose at the unwonted Noise,
And hasty asks with a death-threat'ning Voice
And Eyes all flame, what bold Intruder he
Who dar'd invade his Princes privacy,
And rush on certain Fate?—Nay rather tell
How dares a bold Adulterer rush on Hell,
The Baptist firm replies.—No sooner saw
The guilty King, but struck with trembling awe
Silent he stood confus'd, his Queen the same,
With anger pale by turns, and red with shame:
So strange a pow'r undaunted Virtue brings,
Dazling e'en Beauties self and conquering Kings:
Hard was the struggle.—Now his nobler Part,
His Reason rul'd, and from his Royal Heart
Drew sighs of Penitence, Abortive sighs;
Nor sooner were his Tempters charming Eyes
Bent on him, but agen he doubtful stood;
Which that curst Spirit, eternal Foe to Good
Perceiving, found 'twas time himself t'engage,
Inspiring Him with Lust, and Her with Rage:
Silent the King, thus haughty Herodias said—
His Voice, loud-sounding in the VVilderness:
Censor of Vice, unblemish'd as severe,
And as he none did fear, he none wou'd spare:
Ev'n Life it self by far too dear he thought
If with bare silence or mean Flatt'ry bought:
This honest Freedom and plain roughness pleas'd;
Nor rarely wrought a Cure on Minds diseas'd:
131
To his Acquaintance Royal Names aspire;
Virtues they wou'd not follow, forc'd t'admire!
Among the rest so often Herod went
And heard, he grew almost a Penitent;
With all besides one darling Vice did part,
That kept its hold, still festering in his heart:
Dishonourable Love, a lawless Flame,
Unnat'ral Crime, which Incests fouler name
Disgrac'd; the Cause HERODIAS, fair, but vain,
Whose Lord did in poor Trachonitis reign,
And wild Iturea, from whose petty Court
Where only bordering Arabs did resort
Not long before Herod invites her down
To fair Tiberias, his own stately Town:
Until his Brother from the Wars return'd,
Who, while she him at home half Widdow'd, mourn'd
Thro' stony Fields, and Woods of fatal Yew,
Did Bands of roving Ishmaelites pursue:
Arriv'd, her Beauties all the Court surprize,
Her Brother most, who feasts his wand'ring Eyes
On her forbidden Face, thence soon takes fire,
His careless Breast soon glows with loose desire:
All Arts on her weak Sex, prevail he try'd,
Flatters her Vanity, and feeds her Pride:
Now do's he stately Masks and Balls provide,
With Musicks melting Charms, and now apply
The powerful Bait of Courtly Luxury:
Her in his Royal Barge wou'd sometimes take,
And splendid treat, upon the neighb'ring Lake;
Now her convey to proud Caperna'ms Walls
Where, thro' broad Arches Jordan headlong falls:
To ancient Cinn'roth, or Bethsaida fair
To hunt or walk in lonely Desarts there;
Oft wou'd he gaze, and with a sudden sigh
As often—Ah! too happy Philip! cry!
Why shou'd his envious ragged Walls confine
A Treasure ought in Cesar's Court to shine?
Are these the richest Robes he can provide
For such a Queen? This all Iturea's pride?
132
If ought Tiberias has more worthy Thee!
Then, costly Babylonian Robes he brings,
And Tyrian Silks, that cloath and ransom Kings:
All honour'd to be touch'd by her fair hand,
Who Salem and Sebaste might command;
In both his Royal Palaces did stand;
The worst of both to Philip's she'd prefer
And both were hers, tho' both unworthy her.
These Presents she receives, and more than these
Without a Frown,—Sure 'twas no sin to please!
With well-known Art repell'd, yet did invite,
—And wishes she his bounty cou'd requite.
But soon recalls that Wish—she had forgot
That Herod was her Brother—Think me not,
He trembling cries, my Gratitude to show,
I'd gladly give my Crown I were not so—
—Or if I am—
“Friendship so pure as mine, who can reprove?
“Minds have no Sexes 'tis your Mind I love:
Platonic all, her Honour he'll prefer
T'his Life and Love, nor wrong his Queen or her.
He'd only ask a wish, an hand, an eye:
Favours for which 'twas worth the while to dye,
And swears in these eternal Secrecy.
—What bounds has lawless Love? Soon headlong hence
They sunk to Sin, and thence to Impudence:
Bewitch'd with wicked Joy and stupid grown
No measures kept: To all the Court 'tis known,
Last to his Queen, whom he'll no longer own;
Whose Father long his peaceful Scepter sway'd
At fair Damascus, Zobah him obey'd,
Him Aram's fields, and those wild Troops which stray'd
Thro' Geshur's Realm, for Pastures ever green
Renown'd, and the wide wand'ring Hagarene:
To him enrag'd with loud Complaints she fled
Against the Rival of her Crown and Bed;
Her and her faithless Lord with mortal Hate
She prosecutes, and urges on their Fate;
Whilst her old Father, youthful Anger warms
133
Herods lewd Court's all silent, or approve
With wicked flattery their Princes love;
Till to the Baptist brought by babbling Fame,
Whom Zeal to injur'd Virtue did inflame;
Inspir'd with that, he from the Desarts came;
Thence to the Court his steps directly bent,
The opening Crowd bow'd lowly as he went;
He past the Guards; struck with religious fear
None durst oppose his way; approaching near
Thro' every Gate and Antichamber past
Preventing his own Fame, arriv'd at last
To the retir'd Alcove; he thither prest,
Sees the false Charmer negligently drest,
Sees the luxurious King lean loosly on her Breast.
Fierce Herod rose at the unwonted Noise,
And hasty asks with a death-threat'ning Voice
And Eyes all flame, what bold Intruder he
Who dar'd invade his Princes privacy,
And rush on certain Fate?—Nay rather tell
How dares a bold Adulterer rush on Hell,
The Baptist firm replies.—No sooner saw
The guilty King, but struck with trembling awe
Silent he stood confus'd, his Queen the same,
With anger pale by turns, and red with shame:
So strange a pow'r undaunted Virtue brings,
Dazling e'en Beauties self and conquering Kings:
Hard was the struggle.—Now his nobler Part,
His Reason rul'd, and from his Royal Heart
Drew sighs of Penitence, Abortive sighs;
Nor sooner were his Tempters charming Eyes
Bent on him, but agen he doubtful stood;
Which that curst Spirit, eternal Foe to Good
Perceiving, found 'twas time himself t'engage,
Inspiring Him with Lust, and Her with Rage:
Silent the King, thus haughty Herodias said—
—Bold Priest—this Insolence shall cost thy Head,
Is't not enough, hast thou not cheated well
Who can'st the Vulgar scare with Tales of Hell?
Let them drudge on, dull Virtues Laws obey,
But Princes find to Heav'n an easier way.
Guards, drag him hence, and him t'his Fate convey.
Is't not enough, hast thou not cheated well
Who can'st the Vulgar scare with Tales of Hell?
Let them drudge on, dull Virtues Laws obey,
134
Guards, drag him hence, and him t'his Fate convey.
The King arose, with the vex'd Fair debates
And her imperious Sentence mitigates:
His ent'ring Guards the Pris'ner bids secure
And him in strong Macherus walls immure:
Fain each brave Warrior wou'd himself excuse,
And had they dar'd, th' ungrateful Task refuse;
Fain, for the fearless Pris'ner intercede,
Who looks secure of Fate, and bids 'em lead.
Where e'er commanded by the Tyrant, they
With much regret and slowly, at last obey.
Nor after long, as chanc'd, the festal day
Of Herod's Birth arriv'd, at regal Bords,
As Custom call'd, his Captains and his Lords
And all his High Estates invited Dine:
The splendid Feast well o'er, in generous Wine
Concluded, Royal Musick finish'd all,
“Treating their noble Fancies at a Ball:
One Daughter, e'er from him Herodias fled
Had blest the injur'd Tetrarch's nuptial Bed;
Too plain in her the World her Mother spies,
The same fair Face and false deluding Eyes;
Like her, of Slaves she had a mighty band,
And cou'd like her, Smiles, Tears and Oaths command;
Like her, Sweet Poyson from her Eyes and Tongue
Distill'd; she like an Angel mov'd and sung.
Some soft Arabian Tune the Musick play,
She at the signal glides as soft away;
Her feet as nimbly as their fingers move,
From all that saw, she Wonder, forc'd or Love.
The King extravagantly pleas'd, and proud
As she her self to hear th' applauses loud
So justly on her thrown from every side,
Ask, by th' unutterable Name, he cry'd,
Ask what thou wilt, nor shall thou be deny'd,
Tho' half my Kingdom were the mighty Boon.
Instructed by her Mother, but too soon
She claims his Royal Word, Nor ought, she said,
Ought wou'd sh' accept, besides the Baptist's Head.
He struck the Board—Rather than that shou'd fall
Take, cruel Maid! not only half but all
My Realms, he cry'd; If you'll my Words release,
And leave the Holy Man to die in peace!
Inexorably wicked still she stood,
Nothing cou'd quench her Thirsty, but guiltless Blood.
The Council diff'rent suffrages divide,
Some Love engag'd, fair Murdress! on thy side;
Some pure Revenge—He at the Court did rail;
Some hers, because they thought she wou'd prevail.
A generous few there were, who tho' he'd sworn,
His Oath unlawful thought, but over-born
Are lost i'th Crowd—The King himself gives way,
And bids his Guards the Damsels word obey.
Scarce with long search they found a Villain, who
Was black enough the horrid work to do;
Whom from the Dungeon when the Baptist spy'd,
Warn'd he that moment must for Death provide,
Long since that bus'ness is dispatch'd he cry'd,
That I was mortal born, I ever knew;
And since this Debt's from all to Nature due,
The sooner paid the better, gladly I
In Gods fair Cause, and injur'd Virtue's die:
Nor if o'th' Edg of Life our Souls can see
Within the Realms of dark Futurity,
Shall long my guiltless blood unpunisht be.
I see th' Arabians from their Quivers pour
O'r Galilee a dusky deadly show'r;
I see—The ugly Headsman will afford
No longer time, his unrelenting Sword
Soon stop'd his breath, an easie way it found;
And Blood and Life at once gush'd from the ghastly wound.
His Head they to the Feast in triumph bear,
With joy receiv'd by false Herodias there;
Who, lest they should delude her Cruelty,
Wipes his wan bloody Face, and cries 'Tis he!
Now saucy Censures at thy betters fling!
Now, if thou canst, preach on, and scorn a King!
Short-liv'd her wicked Joys base triumphs were,
For in the midst a panting Messenger
With dust all cover'd, Terror and surprize
And hast and danger in his Face and Eyes,
Thro' the thick Circle pale and bloodless springs,
And from the Borders dismal Tidings brings;
That Aretas with his Arabian bands
Passage obtain'd thro' wrong'd Iturea's Lands,
Jordan's small streams had near Cesarea pass'd,
And all the higher Galilee laid wast
With Fire and Sword; to whom strong Abel's Town
Their Gates had open'd, marching Conq'ror down
Thro' old Zaanaims Grove to Kedesh near,
Which with high Ramah, struck with panic fear
Prepar'd to yield—Tho' Guilt in Herod's Eyes
Fear in his Face, to Arms, To Arms, he cries?
With speed the bold Invader meet, before
He march too far, his Troops shall rove no more!
His Forces then from proud Sebaste draws,
And strong Macherus, which th' Arabian aws
Wide-wandring thro' Baara's distant Vale;
From Carmel's Mount and Hermon's fruitful Dale:
With his own Troops his pow'rful Treasure brings
Of Ishmael's Race, Auxiliary Kings
From Jordan's Eastern side, and now cou'd boast
Had Heav'n stood still, a formidable Host:
Ev'n Heav'n it self to bribe t'his side he'll try
By unbecoming aukward Piety;
By mighty Gifts he to the Temple sent,
And more than all—he promis'd he'd repent.
In hast a Corier to the Prison sends,
The Baptist's body to his mourning Friends
He bids be strait deliver'd, him t'inter;
And he with Tears wou'd wash his Sepulchre:
Thro' the thin Vizard all with ease perceiv'd,
His penitence, nor Earth, nor Heav'n believ'd;
Loaden with Curses to the Field he went
But more with guiltless blood—You know th' event!
His swift Retreat, his num'rous Army broke,
The Day and Honour lost without a stroke.
All this did babbling Fame t'our Lord convey
Who with his Twelve at rich Caperna'm lay,
While the great Baptist his Disciples mourn'd,
Till Herod, furious to the Court return'd;
Then with wise Caution, no unworthy Fear,
Seeks a more safe Retreat in Desarts, near
Bethsaida's wealthy Villa, where before
He did, in Heav'nly Wisdoms sacred Lore,
Instruct his Auditors—Thither he went
With his lov'd few, and the calm Moments spent,
In thoughts of that great Work to which design'd,
And all the wond'rous Things were yet behind.
And her imperious Sentence mitigates:
His ent'ring Guards the Pris'ner bids secure
And him in strong Macherus walls immure:
Fain each brave Warrior wou'd himself excuse,
And had they dar'd, th' ungrateful Task refuse;
Fain, for the fearless Pris'ner intercede,
Who looks secure of Fate, and bids 'em lead.
Where e'er commanded by the Tyrant, they
With much regret and slowly, at last obey.
Nor after long, as chanc'd, the festal day
Of Herod's Birth arriv'd, at regal Bords,
As Custom call'd, his Captains and his Lords
And all his High Estates invited Dine:
The splendid Feast well o'er, in generous Wine
Concluded, Royal Musick finish'd all,
“Treating their noble Fancies at a Ball:
One Daughter, e'er from him Herodias fled
Had blest the injur'd Tetrarch's nuptial Bed;
Too plain in her the World her Mother spies,
The same fair Face and false deluding Eyes;
Like her, of Slaves she had a mighty band,
And cou'd like her, Smiles, Tears and Oaths command;
Like her, Sweet Poyson from her Eyes and Tongue
Distill'd; she like an Angel mov'd and sung.
Some soft Arabian Tune the Musick play,
She at the signal glides as soft away;
Her feet as nimbly as their fingers move,
From all that saw, she Wonder, forc'd or Love.
The King extravagantly pleas'd, and proud
As she her self to hear th' applauses loud
So justly on her thrown from every side,
Ask, by th' unutterable Name, he cry'd,
Ask what thou wilt, nor shall thou be deny'd,
Tho' half my Kingdom were the mighty Boon.
Instructed by her Mother, but too soon
She claims his Royal Word, Nor ought, she said,
Ought wou'd sh' accept, besides the Baptist's Head.
135
Take, cruel Maid! not only half but all
My Realms, he cry'd; If you'll my Words release,
And leave the Holy Man to die in peace!
Inexorably wicked still she stood,
Nothing cou'd quench her Thirsty, but guiltless Blood.
The Council diff'rent suffrages divide,
Some Love engag'd, fair Murdress! on thy side;
Some pure Revenge—He at the Court did rail;
Some hers, because they thought she wou'd prevail.
A generous few there were, who tho' he'd sworn,
His Oath unlawful thought, but over-born
Are lost i'th Crowd—The King himself gives way,
And bids his Guards the Damsels word obey.
Scarce with long search they found a Villain, who
Was black enough the horrid work to do;
Whom from the Dungeon when the Baptist spy'd,
Warn'd he that moment must for Death provide,
Long since that bus'ness is dispatch'd he cry'd,
That I was mortal born, I ever knew;
And since this Debt's from all to Nature due,
The sooner paid the better, gladly I
In Gods fair Cause, and injur'd Virtue's die:
Nor if o'th' Edg of Life our Souls can see
Within the Realms of dark Futurity,
Shall long my guiltless blood unpunisht be.
I see th' Arabians from their Quivers pour
O'r Galilee a dusky deadly show'r;
I see—The ugly Headsman will afford
No longer time, his unrelenting Sword
Soon stop'd his breath, an easie way it found;
And Blood and Life at once gush'd from the ghastly wound.
His Head they to the Feast in triumph bear,
With joy receiv'd by false Herodias there;
Who, lest they should delude her Cruelty,
Wipes his wan bloody Face, and cries 'Tis he!
Now saucy Censures at thy betters fling!
Now, if thou canst, preach on, and scorn a King!
Short-liv'd her wicked Joys base triumphs were,
For in the midst a panting Messenger
136
And hast and danger in his Face and Eyes,
Thro' the thick Circle pale and bloodless springs,
And from the Borders dismal Tidings brings;
That Aretas with his Arabian bands
Passage obtain'd thro' wrong'd Iturea's Lands,
Jordan's small streams had near Cesarea pass'd,
And all the higher Galilee laid wast
With Fire and Sword; to whom strong Abel's Town
Their Gates had open'd, marching Conq'ror down
Thro' old Zaanaims Grove to Kedesh near,
Which with high Ramah, struck with panic fear
Prepar'd to yield—Tho' Guilt in Herod's Eyes
Fear in his Face, to Arms, To Arms, he cries?
With speed the bold Invader meet, before
He march too far, his Troops shall rove no more!
His Forces then from proud Sebaste draws,
And strong Macherus, which th' Arabian aws
Wide-wandring thro' Baara's distant Vale;
From Carmel's Mount and Hermon's fruitful Dale:
With his own Troops his pow'rful Treasure brings
Of Ishmael's Race, Auxiliary Kings
From Jordan's Eastern side, and now cou'd boast
Had Heav'n stood still, a formidable Host:
Ev'n Heav'n it self to bribe t'his side he'll try
By unbecoming aukward Piety;
By mighty Gifts he to the Temple sent,
And more than all—he promis'd he'd repent.
In hast a Corier to the Prison sends,
The Baptist's body to his mourning Friends
He bids be strait deliver'd, him t'inter;
And he with Tears wou'd wash his Sepulchre:
Thro' the thin Vizard all with ease perceiv'd,
His penitence, nor Earth, nor Heav'n believ'd;
Loaden with Curses to the Field he went
But more with guiltless blood—You know th' event!
His swift Retreat, his num'rous Army broke,
The Day and Honour lost without a stroke.
All this did babbling Fame t'our Lord convey
Who with his Twelve at rich Caperna'm lay,
137
Till Herod, furious to the Court return'd;
Then with wise Caution, no unworthy Fear,
Seeks a more safe Retreat in Desarts, near
Bethsaida's wealthy Villa, where before
He did, in Heav'nly Wisdoms sacred Lore,
Instruct his Auditors—Thither he went
With his lov'd few, and the calm Moments spent,
In thoughts of that great Work to which design'd,
And all the wond'rous Things were yet behind.
| The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ | |