University of Virginia Library

Our sacred Muse, of Israels Singer sings,
That heavenly Harper, whose harmonious Strings
Expeld that evill Spirit which Saul possest,
And of his torments often him releast;
That Princely Prophet David, whose high Layes,
Immortall God, are Trumpets of thy praise,
Thou Lord of hosts be helping then to me,
To sing of him who hath so sung of thee.

What time great Saul after so bloody fights,
Return'd a victor of th'Amalakites,
(Two hundred and ten thousand men at armes
Under his conduct) had reveng'd the harmes
Done to Gods chosen people, when as they
Came back from Egypt, troubled on their way:
Saul with their blood had now manur'd the Plaines,
Leading King Agag (as a slave) in chaines:
But for that Saul this Agags blood had spar'd,
And 'gainst the will of the Almighty dar'd
To save that man he should have put to sword,
For disobeying the Almighties word,
Their larded Fatlings keeping for a prey,
Which he commanded to be made away:
For which the living God displeased, swore
To holy Samuel, Saul should raigne no more;
Samuel Gods Prophet, by whose holy hand
The Oyle was pour'd (by his divine command)
Upon the head of comely Saul when he
Was chosen over Israel to be:
But for that place another God had pointed,
Which should by Samuel likewise be anointed:
And this was David his most deare delight,
The sonne of Ishay the just Bethlemite.
Meane while this Youth like a poore Shepheard clad,
(Of whom such care the God of Israel had)
His fathers flock was following day by day
Upon a Desart neare at hand that lay;
Whose wealthy fleeces and fat bodies he
From ravenous vermine hourely us'd to free,
His onely armes, his Sling and Sheephooke were,
Other then those he had not us'd to beare,
With these a Woolfe oft comming from the wood,
Or subtill Fox, that forrag'd for his food,
He quickly slew; or if a Beare opprest
With cruell hunger, hapned to molest
His feeding flocks, he with such bangs him plyde,
That with the prey even in his teeth he dyde;
Or if a Lion as his faire flock graz'd,
Hapt to assayle it, he no whit amaz'd
At his sterne roaring, when his clutches caught
At this brave Sheepheard, but such blowes him raught
Till by the beard that kingly beast he shooke,
And from his jawes the trembling Wether tooke;
And if it chanc't that sometime from the ayre
An Eagle stoop'd a Lambe away to beare,
He with a stone that from his Sling he threw,
Downe from the clouds would fetch her as she flew.

His curled Tresses on his shoulders hung,
To which the dewes at Morne and Eve so clung,
To the beholders that they did appeare
As nature threded Pearle with every hayre:
The Bees, and Waspes, in wildernesses wilde
Have with his beauties often bin beguild,
Roses and Lillies thinking they had seene,
But finding there they have deceived beene,
Play with his eyes, which them that comfort bring,
That those two Sunnes would shortly get a spring;
His Lippes in their pure Corrall liveries mock
A row of Pales cut from a Christall Rock,
Which stood within them, all of equall height.
From top to toe each limbe so cleane and straight,
By every joynt of his that one might try,
Or give true lawes to perfect Symmetry;
The vermine (oft) his Sheepe that would surprize
Became so charm'd with th'splendor of his eyes,
That they forgot their ravine, and have layne
Downe by his flocks, as they would glad and faine
Keepe them from others, that on them would prey,
Or tend upon them, that they should not stray.
Whether in Cotes he had his flock in hould,
Or for the Fallowes kept them in the fould,
He was not idle, though not taking paines,
Celestiall Lyricks singing to the Swaines,
And often sitting in the silent shade,
When his faire flock to rest themselves were layde,
On his Lyre tuned such harmonious Layes,
That the Birds pearcht upon the tender sprayes,
Mad at his musick, straine themselves so much
To imitate th'unimitable tuch,
Breaking their hearts, that they have dropt to ground,
And dy'd for griefe in malicing the sound.
Sometimes a Stag he with his Sling would slay,
Or with his Sheephooke kill a Boare at bay,
Or runne a Roe so long (he was so fleet)
Till it lay trembling, breathlesse, at his feet,
Sometimes againe, he practised a fight,
That from the Desart, should a Dragon light
Upon his Sheepe, the Serpent to assayle,
How by cleere skill through courage to prevaile.
Then with a small stone throwne out of his Sling
To hit a swallow on her height of wing,
And home at night when they their Sheepe should drive,
The sluggish Sheepheards lastly to revive,
He tooke his Harpe so excellently strung,
In a broad Bauldrick at his back that hung,
And on the same stroke such mellodious straines,
That from the Coverts as the neighboring Plaines,
The Ecchoes wakt with sweetnesse of his notes,
Which each to other diligently rotes;
And thus his time the Lords beloved past;
Till God to Samuel calling at the last;

Samuel saith he, to Bethlem take thy way,
To Ishays house, and to that old man say,
Out of his loynes that I will chuse a King,
And when his Sonnes before thee he shall bring,
Chuse out that man that I shall thee appoint,
With sacred Oyle and see thou him anoint,
For of them all, he's knowne to me right well
The first to guide my people Israel.

Samuel replyes, my God, if Saul shall know
Upon what businesse I to Bethlem goe,
Except my blood him nothing will suffice.
Take thou a Heyfer, God againe replies,
And give it out thou purposely dost goe
To sacrifice; as God doth counsell, so
The holy Prophet acts, and comming thither,
The noblest of people get together,
Doubting the Lord had angry with them bin,
And had sent Samuel to reprove their sinne;
But peace to all the holy Prophet cries,
And then preparing to the sacrifice.
The Rites perform'd, he bids old Ishay bring
His Sonnes before him whilst the offering
Smoak'd on the Altars (and the Elders there
Stood round about with reverence and feare)
For in his houshold he a King must chuse.
Ishay who might not Gods command refuse,
Cals Eliab out for Samuel to see,
Who at the first thought surely this was he,
Till God to Samuel said, doe not deceive
Thy selfe (weake man) but thy election leave,
Thou canst not see the soule of man, as I
Who search the heart, and every thought can try.
His second sonne Abniadab then came,
But this not he that Samuel must name;
Then cals he Shamna his third sonne, but yet
This was not he th'Almighties turne must fit,
He cals for more till he had counted seaven,
To none of these yet must the Oyle be given:
Before the Prophet brother stood by brother,
A twelvemonths growth one just before another;
Like seaven brave blossom'd Plants, that in the spring
Nature prepar'd forth goodly fruit to bring:
So comely all, that none in them could read
Which one of them should any one exceed,
If he exceld for lovelinesse of face,
Another for his person and his grace
Match'd him at full, as nature meant to show
Her equall bounties how she could bestow.
There he beholds one brother tall and straight,
Another that was wanting of his height,
For his complection and his curious shape,
Well neare out went him, nature let not scape
Ought she could doe, in them each limbe to fit
To grace the other that was next to it.
When Samuel askes if these were all he had,
Ishay replyes, onely his yongest Lad
That in the Desart on his flocks doth tend,
Samuel commands away for him to send,
For till he came he vow'd he would not sit,
Out of the place nor would he stirre a whit.

Before grave Samuel David soone is brought,
Upon the Prophet which most strongly wrought
When he beheld him beautifull and tall,
Of goodly presence, and well shap'd withall,
His cheeke a mixture of such red and white,
As well with wonder might attract the sight,
A sprightfull aspect, and so cleere an eye,
As shot a lightning at the standers by,
His every gesture seene it in to bring
The majesty that might befit a King;
All those rare parts that in his brothers were
Epitomiz'd, at large in him appeare;
And (in his eare) God doth the Prophet tell,
This David shall be King of Israel.
Whom with the sacred Oyle (instead of Saul)
Samuel anointed there before them all:
Which having done, to Rama takes his way,
Lest Saul for him the country should forelay:

When Kingly David of his owne accord,
Though he were then th'anointed of the Lord,
And though his Sheephooke might his Scepter be,
This holy Youth so humble is, that he
Will back to th'fields his fathers flock to keepe,
And make his subjects, (for a while) his Sheepe.

The powerfull spirit of God, redoubled grew
Dayly in David, and his fame now flew
O'r all the Region, how he was belov'd
Of Gods high Prophet, and by him approv'd;
Field, Towne, and City, with his name doe ring,
The tender Virgins to their Timbrels sing
Dittys of him, and in their rurall playes,
The homely Sheepheards in their Roundelayes
Record his acts, and build him shady Bowers,
The Maydens make him Anadems of flowers,
And to what sport himselfe he doth apply,
Let's follow David, all the people cry.

An evill spirit then sent by God possest
Enraged Saul, so greevously opprest,
With melancholly, that it craz'd his wits,
And falling then into outragious fits,
With cramps, with stitches and convulsions rackt,
That in his pangs he oft was like to act
His rage upon himselfe, so raving mad,
And soone againe disconsolate and sad;
Then with the throbs of his impatient heart,
His eyes were like out of his head to start,
Fomes at the mouth, and often in his paine
O'r all his Court is heard to roare againe;
As the strong spirit doth punish or doth spare,
Even so his fits or great, or lesser are,
That Israel now doth generally lament
Upon their King Gods greevous punishment.
When some which saw this spirit possessing Saul,
Amongst themselves a counsell quickly call,
To search if there might remedy be found
For this possession, each man doth propound
His thought of curing, as by Physick some,
Each man speakes what into his minde doth come,
But some whose soules were ravished more hie,
Whose composition was all harmony,
Of th'Angels nature and did more partake,
By which as Seers prophetickly they spake;
(With holy Magick for some spirits inspir'd,
Which by a cleere Divinity are fier'd,
And sharpned so, each depth and hight to try,
That from their reach and visibility
Nature no secrets shuts, and heaven reveales
Those things which else from reason it conceales)
Those men conclude the spirit that thus had harm'd
Their soveraigne Saul, with Musick must be charm'd.

And having heard of Israels deare delight,
Beloved David the brave Bethlemite,
What wondrous things by Musick he had done,
How he fierce Tigars to his hand had wonne,
Had layd the Lion, and the Beare to sleepe,
And put such spirit into his silly sheepe
By his high straines, as that they durst oppose
The Woolfe and Fox, their most inveterate foes:
Of this Musitian they informe the King,
And all assure him, there was no such thing
For him as Musick, and this man was he
That his Physitian in this kinde must be.

When Saul dispatcht his messengers away
To aged Ishay, that without delay,
His yong'st sonne David should to Court be sent:
The speedy Post relating the intent
To the old man: which in his heart was glad,
For at the first he great suspition had,
That angry Saul might else have bin acquainted,
By Samuels hand his sonne had bin anointed,
And therefore caused David to be sought,
As of his death he direly had forethought.

The good old man o'r joy'd with this good newes,
Cals home his darling from his teeming Ewes,
And to the care of Israels God commends
His loved boy, and kindly by him sends
Of Bread and Wine a present to the King.
They him no sooner to Sauls presence bring,
But Davids beauty so extreamly tooke
The doting King, that in each glance or looke,
He thought he saw high valour mixt with truth,
And neare his person takes the lovely Youth,
And who but David then with mighty Saul
His only favorite is, his all in all?

Not long it is e'r Saul the spirit doth feele
To stirre within him, and begins to reele,
And suddainly into a Trance he fals,
And with his hands lyes grasping at the wals,
When David takes his well-tun'd Harpe in hand,
By which the spirit he meaneth to command;
His quavering fingers he doth now advance
Above the trembling strings, which gin to dance
At his most cleere tuch, and the winged sound
About the spacious Roome began to bound,
The Aers flew high, and every dainty straine
Betters the former, which doth so detaine,
The eares of those stood by, that they heare not
Sauls sad complaints, and suddainly forgot
To lift or stirre him, and the standers by,
Were so intransed with the melody,
That to a holy madnesse some it brought,
Others againe to Prophecy it wrought.
The Wyery cords now shake so wondrous cleere,
As one might thinke an Angels voyce to heare
From every quaver, or some spirit had pent
It selfe of purpose in the Instrument;
The harmony of the untuned'st string
Torments the spirit which so torments the King,
Who as he faintly, or he strongly groanes,
This brave Musitian altreth so his tones,
With sounds so soft, as like themselves to smother,
Then like lowd Ecchoes answering one the other:
Then makes the spirit to shift from place to place,
Still following him with a full Diapase:
Thus day by day as th'evill spirit opprest
Diseased Saul, David himselfe addrest,
T'awayte the houres, before the King to play,
Untill he made th'unruly fiend obay
The force of Musick, more then that to feare
But the least sound of Davids Harpe to heare.

When now the King by Davids cunning cur'd,
Old Ishais Sonne who thought he had indur'd
Restraint too long, gets leave of Saul to goe
To Bethlem back (Gods holy will was so)
He rather chose to view his well-shorne Sheepe,
His yeaning Ewes, and late-falne Lambes to keepe,
Then on a Bed of silke himselfe repose,
And the delights of the fresh fields to lose.

When now Philistia horribly enragd,
With Gods owne people had it selfe engag'd,
With a revengefull deadly hand to smite
The still-preserv'd oft-troubled Israelite,
Who had in Battaile many times before
Upon the earth spilt her unhallowed gore.
Grim-visag'd warre, more sternely doth awake,
Then it was wont, and furiously doth shake
Her lightning sword, intruding with the force
Of men of warre both skilfull foot and horse.
Two mighty nations are now up in armes,
And to both sides the Souldiers come in swarmes:
The fields with Ensignes, as t'were flowers are deckt
Which their refulgence every way reflect
Upon the Mountaines and the vallies nie
And with their splendor seeme to court the skie.
Two mighty Armyes on the playne appeare,
These Isralites, and those Philistians were;
Their great Commanders, proved men of warre:
Their long experience, who had fetcht from farre,
To order fights as they occasion found
T'offend the foe, by fitting with the ground,
Which chosen Israels infantry doth call,
In this defensive warre to follow Saul.
And aged Isha faithfully to show
The love to Saul, and Israel he doth owe,
His eldest three into the Army sent,
That to the field, as well appointed went,
As on their bravery they that bare them most,
Nor was there, in the Israelitish hoste
Three goodlier men, especially when they
Were in their Armes, the most unclouded day
That ever shone, tooke not with such delight
The glad beholders, as the wondring sight
Of these brave Youths, still as they marched by.

Now in the fields the mighty Armies lye
On the wide champaine, each in others sight;
But as the Trumpets showte them out to fight,
From the Philistians hoste a Gyant came,
Whose splendrous Armes shone like a mighty flame
Against the sunne; Goliah nam'd of Gath;
The onely Champion that Philistia hath:
This huge Colossus, then sixe Cubits height
More by a handfull: and his ponderous weight,
Wheresoe're he made but any little stay,
Shew'd that his bredth, it answered every way:
Never such might in mortall man there was,
From head to foot at all poynts arm'd with brasse,
Five thousand sheckles his prov'd Curats way'd,
Upon whose temper, wondrous cost was layd:
His Shield and Harnesse well might load a Teame,
His Lance as big as any Weavers beame;
Whose very Pyle upon the poyse contain'd
A hundred sheckles, he a lesse disdain'd:
His Browes like two steepe Penthouses hung downe
Over his eye-lids, and his angry frowne
Was like a cloud, when it like Pitch appeares,
And some sterne tempest in its bosome beares:
His voyce was hoarse, and hollow, yet so strong,
As when you heare the murmuring of a throng
In some vaste arched Hall, or like as when
A Lordly Lyon angred in his den,
Grumbles within the earth, such his resembled,
That when he spake, th'affrighted hearers trembled:
His Squire before him marching to the field,
Who for this Champion bare a second shield.

Upon two easie hils the Armies laye
A valley 'twixt them in the middle way:
Into the midst of which, Goliah came,
And thus doth to the Israelites proclaime,
If there be found in all your host quoth he
A man so valiant, that dare fight with me,
If I shall fall under his mighty sword,
Israel shall then be the Philistians Lord:
But if I by my puissance shall prevaile
Over your Champion (that shall me assaile)
Then as our slaves, of you we will dispose;
And use at pleasure, as our conquered foes,
For he that's God of the Philistians, boasts
Himselfe more powerfull then your Lord of hosts.
Which challenge thus, not onely troubled Saul,
But bred amazement through the host in all.
For forty dayes thus us'd he forth to goe,
Offring by combate to decide it so.

Old Ishay now desiring much to heare,
Of his three Sonnes (in what estate they were)
Doubting lest they some needfull things might want,
As in the Army, victuals might grow scant;
Wherefore he cals yong David from his sheepe,
And to another gives his charge to keepe.
My Boy quoth he, haste to the Campe and see
In what estate my Sonnes your Brothers be:
Beare them parcht corne, and cakes, though homely food,
Yet simple cates may doe poore Souldiers good:
And to the Generall, ten fine Cheeses beare,
Such in the Campe are not found every where.
And if for need t'have pawn'd ought of esteeme,
Take money with you, and their Pledge redeeme.
David, make haste, for I desire to know
'Twixt the two puissant hosts, how businesse goe.

No marvaile David in his heart were glad,
That he such cause to view the Armies had:
From his brave thoughts, and to himselfe he told,
The wondrous things that he should there behold.
The rare Devices by great Captaines worne,
The five-fald Plumes their Helmets that adorne.
Armours with stones, and curious studs enricht,
And in what state they their Pavilions pitcht,
There should he see their marshalling a warre,
The iron-bound Chariot, and the armed Carre:
As where consisted either armies force,
Which had advantage by their foot or horse:
The severall weapons either nation beare,
The long Sword, Bow, the Polax and the Speare:
There the Philistian gallantry, and then
His Israels bravery answering them agen:
And heare them tell th'adventures had bin done,
As what brave man had greatest honour wonne.

David bestirres him presently, and packes
Up his provision, puts it into sackes,
And by his Servant on his Mule doth laye,
Then towards Sauls Army takes the ready way.
And his no tedious journey so contrives,
That in short time he at the Campe arives:
And at his comming, instantly bestowes
His needfull provant, to the charge of those
That tend the Carriage, and of them doth learne
(As neere as he could make them to discerne
By his description) Ishas Sonnes, who led,
And in the Army where they quartered:
By whose direction he his Brothers sought,
And told them what provision he had brought:
And to all three, their Fathers pleasure show'd,
And how the Cheeses he would have bestow'd.
As they were talking, suddainly a noyse
Ran through the Army, and the generall voyce,
Was the Philistian, the Philistian see,
Goliah comes, ordain'd our scourge to be.
Who as his used manner was, defies
The host of Israel, and thus loudly cryes,
Bring downe your Champion, that with me dares fight,
And this our warre shall be decided streight:
But Israels God, for feare drawes backe his hand,
Nor is there one against me that dare stand.

Which David hearing, his yong bloud doth rise,
And fire was seene to sparkle from his eyes:
His spirits begin to startle, and his rage
Admits no reason that may it asswage:
No nerve of his, but to it selfe doth take
A double strength, as though his arme could shake
The Iron Lance that great Goliah beares:
And beate his brazen Shield about his eares.
His strugling thoughts now being set a worke,
Awake that flame, which lately seem'd to lurke
In his meeke breast, which into passion breakes,
And to himselfe thus Princely David speakes.

Despised nation, Israel quoth he,
Where be those valiant men that liv'd in thee,
What are our soules in lesser moulds now cast,
Then at the first, with time or doe they waste?
What slaved people, but we can stand by,
And heare this base Philistian Dogge defie
God and his people, must he stand to boast
His strength and valour, and in all the hoast
No man dare undertake him; might I prove
My Manhood on him, I should soone remove
The worlds opinion, and both hosts should know
Hee's but a Dogge, on us that raileth so:
And to one standing neere him, thus he spake,
Of this huge Beast, what wonder doe ye make:
What shall be done to that one man that shall
Fight with this Gyant, and before ye all,
His pride and horrid blasphemies shall quell,
And take this shame away from Israel?
When one that heard him, quickly thus replyes,
He by whose hand this huge Goliah dyes,
For Wife to him, Sauls Daughter shall be given,
One of the goodliest Creatures under heaven;
And yet this further, his reward shall be
His Fathers house in Israel shall goe free.

With this yet David closeth not his eare,
But of some other likewise doth enquire
For his reward, the Gyant that should slay,
The formers words, which like a lesson say,
None of them thinking, this yet scarcely man,
Should strike to death the proud Philistian.

His Brother Eliab, now which over-heard,
Young Davids questions, and was much afeard
His over-daring spirit might draw him on,
To worke their shame, and his confusion:
Thinkes with himselfe, it greatly him behooves,
To checke his boldnesse, and him thus reprooves.
Fond Boy, quoth he, why stand'st thou to enquire
After these things, thy businesse lyes not here:
I would not (sure) but you the Campe should view,
A Sheepe-Coate Sir, would better sute with you:
Who have you left, after your Flocke to looke,
Your Scrip (no question) or your shepheards Crooke.
Sirra, my Father sent you not to us,
About the Army to lye loytering thus:
I thinke 'tis time to get you on your way,
Our Father thinkes that we inforce your stay.

At Eliabs speeches, David somewhat mov'd
To heare himselfe thus scornefully reprov'd:
Brother quoth he, few words might have suffic'd,
Had you but knowne how lightly they are priz'd
Of me, these speeches you would have forborne,
Upon some other and have spent your scorne.
I come to view the Campe, you say, 'tis so,
And I will view it better ere I goe.
Why may not I, as well as other men,
I'le goe when I shall please, and not till then?
When time may me more liberty alow,
I may beare Armes perhaps as you doe now:
Looke to your warfare, and what is your owne,
Good Brother Eliab, and let me alone:
For of my selfe I know how to dispose,
And thus away resolved David goes.
And as he went, still as he heares the cry
After Goliah, still more hie and hie,
His spirit is mounted, and his oft demand,
What his reward should be, whose valiant hand
Should kill Goliah, through the Army went,
And was the common talke in every Tent,
(But in the most bred sundry doubts and feares,
When as they way'd his tendernesse of yeares)
Untill his Fame, by going, getting strength
In Sauls Pavilion is cry'd up at length:
Who with much speed, sent out to have him sought,
And to his presence caus'd him to be brought.
Who with a constant and delightfull cheere,
Comes to the King, and doth to him appeare
With such a sprightfull, and majesticke grace,
As victory were written in his face:
And being by Saul, demanded if 'twere he,
That Israels Champion undertooke to be;
He with a meeke smile, boldly doth reply,
I am the man my Soveraigne, 'tis even I:
My Leege quoth he, be not at all dismaid,
Nor let Gods chosen Israel be afraid.
This mighty Monster in the peoples sight,
So terrible, whose shape doth so affright
The multitude, I doe no more esteeme,
Then if a Dwarfe, nor he to me doth seeme
But such a thing, my onely envy's this,
That he is not much greater then he is:
The more his strength, the more his fall will be,
And Israels God more glorifi'd in me.

Quoth Saul againe, thou art of tender age,
And in respect of him a very Page;
Beside, the other Armes that he doth beare,
Thou art not able to lift halfe his Speare:
If he strike at thee, and thy body misse,
Yet on his side, there this advantage is,
The winde of his huge weapon hath the force
To drive the breath out of thy slender Coarse:
And this vaste man, beside his wondrous might,
No man as he, so skilfull is in fight;
Expert in all, to Duels that belong,
Train'd up in Armes whilst yet he was but yong.

The better, answered David, if his skill
Equall his strength, for what is it to kill
A common man? a common thing it were,
Which hapneth every day, and every where;
But for a Giant such a one as he,
Upon the Field to be subdu'd by me,
This to all Nations shall be thought a thing
Worthy of Israels God, and Israels King.
I have slaine a Lion and Beare, quoth he,
And what is this uncircumcis'd to me
More then a Beast. That onely God of might
By whose great power I conquered these in fight,
In spight of humane strength and greatnesse, can
Give to my hands this proud Philistian.

When Saul thus sees that there was in his soule
That courage which no danger could controule,
A valour so invincible and hie,
As naturally enabled him to flye
Above all thought of perill, and to beare
Him quite away beyond the bounds of feare;
He caus'd an Armour for him to be brought,
But first of all a garment richly wrought
He puts upon the brave youth and then bad
That in those goodly Armes he should be clad.
Which put upon him as to stirre he strives,
He thinkes him selfe in Manakles, and Gives,
Their ponderousnesse him to the earth doth presse:
These Armes doe make his Activenesse fare lesse,
For he before had not bin us'd to these,
Nor him at all their boistrousnesse can please,
His Gorget gauld his Neck, his Chinne beneath,
And most extreamly hindred him to breath,
His Curats sit too close upon his side,
He in no hand his Helmet can abide,
It is so heavy, and his Temples wrings,
His Pouldrons pinch him, and be cumbrous things,
His Gaunlets clumsie, and doe wring his Wrists,
And be so stiffe he cannot clutch his Fists;
His Guyses they so strong and stubborne be,
That for his life he cannot bend his knee;
He knew not how to beare his brazen Shield,
Such weapons Sheepheards were not us'd to weeld,
Their weight and their unwildinesse was such,
And they restraind his nimblenesse so much,
That he prayd Saul of these he might be freed,
It is not Armour that must doe the deed,
Let me alone, saith he, and Ile provide
My selfe of Armes, this quarrell to decide.

When forth he goes, shot for his Sling to looke,
And neare the Campe he finds a perling Brooke,
Whose shallow sides with Pebbles did abound,
Where seeking such as massy were and round,
He picks out five, away with him to bring,
Such as he knew would fit his trusty Sling,
And in his Scrip them closely doth bestow,
By which he vowes Goliahs overthrow.

When swift report throughout the Army runnes,
That youthfull David one of Ishaes sonnes,
A very stripling, and the yong'st of eight,
With the Philistian was that day to fight;
That great Goliah which so oft had brav'd
Dejected Israel, and the combat crav'd
With any one she to the field could bring,
Now for it was so pertinent a thing,
As that their freedome or subjection lay
On the successe of this unequall Fray,
Th'event thereof struck every one with feare,
But his sad brethren most perplexed were,
And to themselves thus say they: O that we
So long should draw our lothed breath, to see
That by the pride of this accursed Boy,
Despised Israel should no more enjoy
Her ancient glories, but be made a slave
To proud Philistia; and our fathers grave
Slandred by him; his Family and Name
Branded by David with perpetuall shame.
Curst be the time that he was hither sent,
Curst be the time he came into our Tent.
And now and then they purposed to fly,
Nor would they stay to see their brother dye,
But at the very point to take their way,
Bethinke themselves, it better were to stay,
To seeke his scattered limbes to peeces hew'd,
And see them in some obscure earth bestow'd.

In this sad manner whilst they murm'ring were,
David is busied listning still to heare
Of great Goliah: scarce can he refraine
From calling for him; now in every vaine
His blood is dancing, and a sprightly fire
Takes up his bosome, which doth him inspire
With more then humane courage, nor he can
Conceive a terror to proceed from man,
His nerves and sinewes to that vigor grow,
As that his strength assures him he can throw
Through thicker Armes, then mortall yet could weeld.
Upon the suddaine, when through all the field
The word was heard, Goliah now appeares,
Which Davids heart in such strange manner cheeres,
As that he feeles it caper in his breast.
When soone that huge uncircumcised beast,
As he was wont, betweene the hosts doth come,
And with his harsh voyce, like an unbrac'd Drum,
Cals to the host of Israel, where's your man
You cowardly Nation, where's your Champian
To undertake me, bring him to the field,
Or to Philistia your subjection yeeld.
It was full Summer, and the day so cleere,
As not a little cloud did once appeare;
In view of either Army, the free Sunne
That t'wards the noonsted halfe his course had runne,
On the Philistian darting his cleere rayes,
His bright refulgent Armes so sundry wayes
Reflects the beames, as that he seemes to all
Like that in painting we a Glory call,
And from his Helmet sharpning like a Spyre,
He lookt like to a Piramid on fire.

And now before yong David should come in,
The host of Israel somewhat doth begin
To rouze it selfe; some climbe the nearest Tree,
And some the tops of Tents, whence they might see
How this unarmed Youth himselfe would beare
Against th'all-armed Giant (which they feare)
Some get up to the fronts of easie hills;
That by their motion a vast murmure fills
The neighbouring Valleys, that th'enemy thought
Something would by the Israelites be wrought
They had not heard of, and they long'd to see
What strange or warlike stratagem 't should be.

When soone they saw a goodly Youth descend
Himselfe alone, none after to attend,
That at his need with armes might him supply,
As meerely carelesse of his enemy.
His head uncovered, and his locks of hayre
As he came on being play'd with by the ayre
Tost to and fro, did with such pleasure move,
As they had beene provocatives for love:
His sleeves stript up above his elbowes were,
And in his hand a stiffe short staffe did beare,
Which by the leather to it, and the string,
They easily might discerne to be a Sling;
Suting to these he wore a Sheepheards Scrip,
Which from his side hung downe upon his Hip.
Those for a Champion that did him disdaine,
Cast with themselves what such a thing should meane,
Some seeing him so wonderously faire,
(As in their eyes he stood beyond compare)
Their verdict gave that they had sent him sure
As a choice bayte their Champion to alure;
Others againe, of judgement more precise,
Said they had sent him for a sacrifice.
And though he seem'd thus to be very yong,
Yet was he well proportioned and strong,
And with a comely and undaunted grace,
Holding a steady and most even pace,
This way, nor that way, never stood to gaze,
But like a man that death could not amaze,
Came close up to Goliah, and so neare
As he might easily reach him with his Speare.

Which when Goliah saw, why Boy quoth he,
Thou desperate Youth, thou tak'st me sure to be
Some Dog (I thinke) and under thy command,
That thus art come to beat me with a wand:
The Kites and Ravens are not farre away,
Nor Beasts of ravin that shall make a prey
Of a poore corpse, which they from me shall have,
And their foule bowels shall be all thy grave.

Uncircumcised slave quoth David then,
That for thy shape, the monster art of men:
Thou thus in brasse com'st arm'd into the field,
And thy huge Speare of brasse, of brasse thy Shield:
I in the name of Israels God alone,
That more then mighty, that eternall one,
Am come to meet thee, who bids not to feare,
Nor once respect the Armes that thou dost beare.
Slave, marke the earth whereon thou now dost stand,
I'le make thy length to measure so much land,
As thou lyest groveling, and within this houre
The Birds and Beasts thy carkasse shall devoure.

In meane time David looking in his face,
Betweene his temples, saw how large a space
He was to hit, steps backe a yard or two,
The Gyant wondring what the Youth would doe,
Whose nimble hand, out of his Scrip doth bring
A pebble stone, and puts it in his Sling,
At which the Gyant openly doth jeere,
And as in scorne, stands leaning on his Speare,
Which gives yong David much content to see,
And to himselfe thus secretly saith he,
Stand but one minute still, stand but so fast,
And have at all Philistia at a cast.
When with such slight the shot away he sent,
That from his Sling as 't had beene Lightning went;
And him so full upon the forehead smit,
Which gave a cracke, when his thicke scalpe it hit,
As t'had bin throwne against some Rocke or Post,
That the shrill clap was heard through either host.
Staggering a while upon his Speare he leant,
Till on a sodaine, he began to faint;
When downe he came, like an old o'regrowne Oake,
His huge Roote hewne up by the Labourers stroke,
That with his very weight, he shooke the ground,
His brazen armour gave a jarring sound
Like a crackt Bell, or vessell chanc't to fall
From some high place, which did like death apall
The proud Philistians, (hopelesse that remaine)
To see their Champion great Goliah slaine:
When such a shout the host of Israel gave,
As cleft the clouds, and like to men that rave,
(O'rcome with comfort) crye, the Boy, the Boy,
O the brave David, Israels onely joy:
Gods chosen Champion, O most wondrous thing,
The great Goliah slaine with a poore Sling:
Themselves in compasse nor can they containe,
Now are they silent, then they shoute againe.
Of which no notice, David seemes to take,
But towards the Body of the dead doth make;
With a faire comely gate, nor doth he runne,
As though he gloried in what he had done.
But treading on th'uncircumcised dead,
With his foot, strikes the Helmet from his head;
Which with the sword, ta'n from the Gyants side,
He from the body quickly doth divide.

Now the Philistians at this fearefull sight,
Leaving their Armes, betake themselves to flight;
Quitting their Tents, nor dare a minute stay,
Time wants to carry any thing away,
Being strongly rowted with a generall feare;
Yet in pursute, Sauls Army strikes their Reare,
To Ekron walles, and slew them as they fled,
That Sharams plaines lay covered with the dead:
And having put the Philistines to foyle,
Backe to the Tents retire, and take the spoyle
Of what they left, and ransacking they cry,
A David, David, and the victory.

When straight waies Saul, his Generall Abner sent
For valiant David, that incontinent
He should repaire to Court, at whose command
He comes along, and beareth in his hand
The Gyants head, by th'long hayre of his crowne,
Which by his active knee, hung dangling downe.
And through the Army as he comes along,
To gaze upon him, the glad Souldiers throng:
Some doe instile him Israels onely light,
And other some the valiant Bethlemite.
With Conjayes all salute him as he past,
And upon him their gracious glances cast.
He was thought base of him that did not boast,
Nothing but David, David, through the host.
The Virgins to their Timbrels frame their layes,
Of him: till Saul grew jealous of his praise:
But for his meed doth to his Wife receive
Sauls lovely Daughter, where 'tis time I leave.