Davideis :: :: University of Virginia Library

THIS was to Joab told, who weighing well
How this behaviour might the courage quell
Of all the army, or raise discontent,
Which might be doubly dang'rous in th'event;
For soldiers, if themselves they slighted find,
Will shift their sides as nimbly as the wind;
He, that he might his duty not forsake,
Went to the king, and, soldier-like, thus spake:

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‘Thy faithful servants, who have risk'd their lives,
‘Thee to preserve, thy children, and thy wives,
‘Thou shamed hast, by shewing thou extends,
‘More love to enemies than to thy friends;
‘Thy carriage this day shews thou dost not heed
‘Or prince, or servant; for in very deed,
‘If Absalom had liv'd, it's plainly seen,
‘And we all dy'd, thou had'st well pleased been.
‘Wherefore arise, go forth, and kindly speak
‘Unto thy servants, else away they'll break
‘Before the morning; for I boldly dare
‘Unto thee, by the God of Israel swear,
‘That if thou come not in the people's sight,
‘There will not tarry one with thee this night;
‘And that will be worse to thee, I avow,
‘Than all the evil thou hast felt 'till now.’

By this bold speech, perhaps more necessary
Than either decent, or discreet and wary,
Joab so rouz'd the king, that off he threw
His wailing fit; and being a prince that knew,
To his condition how to suit his hand,
And to oblige, as well as to command,
He hasten'd down unto the city gate,
And there, as heretofore, in publick sate;
Which known, the people who before had fled,
Each to his tent, as if they had no head,
Now flock unto him, and with deaf'ning sound
Of joyful acclamations him surround.

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And now a gallant emulation rose
Amongst the tribes, each to be foremost chose,
In shewing their affection to the king,
And striving him in triumph home to bring.
This first among those men of Isr'el fell,
'Tis thought, whom Absalom had made rebel,
Who that they might wipe off the guilt and stain
Of that foul crime, and credit so regain,
Spurr'd one another on, and seem'd to vie
Which should most signalize his loyalty
In bringing back the king, whom now they praise,
Recount his merits, and admire his ways.

But Judah, his own tribe, too backward were,
And too regardless of the common care;
This drowsy negligence did grieve the king;
That therefore them, he to a sense might bring
Of what became them, he a message sends
To Zadock and Abiathar his friends,
Commanding they should to the elders speak
From him, and thus the matter to them break:

‘Why are ye to bring back the king the last?
‘Why ye so slow, when others run so fast?
‘Have ye forgot that ye my brethren are,
‘My bones and flesh, so have a greater share
‘In me than others? Why do ye let slip
‘The season, and let others you out-strip
‘In love and loyalty? This caution take,
‘And to yourselves advantage of it make.’

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He bid them also-to Amasa say,
(Amasa, gen'ral but the other day
Of all the rebels) ‘Art not thou to me
‘A kinsman near by consanguinity?
‘Return to thy allegiance without dread,
‘And be my general in Joab's stead.’

By these and other such engaging arts,
He wrought so strongly on the people's hearts,
That Judah, sensible they had been slack,
Now hasten'd to him, to conduct him back.

Got over Jordan, Shimei was the first,
(Shimei, by whom he was so lately curs'd,
And rudely treated) who, the tide thus turn'd
Contrary to his expectation, mourn'd,
Or seem'd to mourn; perhaps the crafty knave
Might sorrow feign, his guilty head to save;
His guilt and danger now impell'd him in,
To beg king David's pardon for his sin.

He, therefore, pushing in with Judah, led
A thousand Benjamites, himself the head,
To shew, perhaps, what interest he had,
(Which was the worse in one that was so bad)
Or if occasion were, his cause to plead,
And for him with the king to intercede;
This traitor was the first who met the king,
And on his knees Peccavi thus did sing:

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‘Let not my gracious lord, the king,’ said he,
‘Impute this day iniquity to me,
‘Nor bear in mind what I perversly said,
‘And did against him, when he was betray'd,
‘For I thy servant know, that I therein
‘Am guilty of an execrable sin,
‘Therefore I, with the first, am hither come
‘To wait upon my lord, and bring him home;
‘Pardon, my lord, O king, my fault, I pray,
‘Let me find mercy at thine hand this day,’

Before the king could any answer make,
Abishai, Zerviah's forward son thus spake:
‘What, shall not Shimei be put to death!
‘That rebel Shimei! who with pois'nous breath,
‘Did rail upon and curse the Lord's anointed;
‘What less than death can be to him appointed!

This sounded harshly in good David's ear,
And that to him he quickly made appear;
‘For what,’ said he, ‘have I with you to do,
‘Ye busy sons of Zerviah, that you,
‘On all occasions, still contrive to be,
‘As much as in you lies, averse from me?
‘Shall any man be put to death this day
‘In Israel? The Lord, and I, say nay;
‘For have not I, think ye, good cause to know,
‘That I so lately near an overthrow,
‘Still king of Israel am, by Heaven's grace;
‘Which should with you, as well as me, have place;

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‘For since the Lord this day doth me restore
‘Unto the throne on which I sat before,
‘It ought to be a day of thankful joy,
‘Which no sad execution should annoy.’
Then turning unto Shimei, ‘Thou,’ said he,
‘Shalt not be put to death for this by me.’