Mr. Cooke's Original Poems with Imitations and Translations of Several Select Passages of the Antients, In Four Parts: To which are added Proposals For perfecting the English Language |
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THE Lamentation of David for Saul and Jonathan,
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 | Mr. Cooke's Original Poems |  |
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THE Lamentation of David for Saul and Jonathan,
From the first Chapter of the Second Book of Samuel, paraphrased.
On the high Places, in a fatal Hour,
Slain is the Boast of War, and Israel's Flow'r.
How are the mighty fall'n! the Loss deplore!
Our Glory Saul and Jonathan's no more.
Slain is the Boast of War, and Israel's Flow'r.
How are the mighty fall'n! the Loss deplore!
Our Glory Saul and Jonathan's no more.
The Tydings from insulting Gath conceal,
Let none their Fate to Askelon reveal,
Lest the Philistines, and their Daughters, sing
The Song of Triumph o'er the vanquish'd King.
Let none their Fate to Askelon reveal,
Lest the Philistines, and their Daughters, sing
The Song of Triumph o'er the vanquish'd King.
Unfruitful, Gilboa, may your Hills remain,
Nor ever more imbibe the kindly Rain;
Henceforth, ye Mountains, may the Heav'ns refuse,
When most ye need them, their refreshing Dews:
No more beneath your Shades may Off'rings fall,
Whose Heights have witness'd to the Death of Saul.
Curs'd be the Field that saw the valiant dy,
The routed Horsemen, and the Chariots fly;
Where fell the Monarch to his Foes a Prey;
And where the royal Shield was cast away:
Who can distinguish now th'illustrious dead?
As unanointed lys th'anointed Head.
Nor ever more imbibe the kindly Rain;
Henceforth, ye Mountains, may the Heav'ns refuse,
When most ye need them, their refreshing Dews:
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Whose Heights have witness'd to the Death of Saul.
Curs'd be the Field that saw the valiant dy,
The routed Horsemen, and the Chariots fly;
Where fell the Monarch to his Foes a Prey;
And where the royal Shield was cast away:
Who can distinguish now th'illustrious dead?
As unanointed lys th'anointed Head.
Ne'er know'd the Soul of Jonathan to fear;
He dauntless saw the hostile Bands appear;
Firm was his Heart, unerring was his Bow,
Whose Shafts were fatal to the bravest Foe.
Thy great Atchievements, Saul, what Tongue can tell,
Beneath whose Sword the mighty'st Warriors fell!
He dauntless saw the hostile Bands appear;
Firm was his Heart, unerring was his Bow,
Whose Shafts were fatal to the bravest Foe.
Thy great Atchievements, Saul, what Tongue can tell,
Beneath whose Sword the mighty'st Warriors fell!
In future Times may their Examples fire
The Son to Duty, and to Love the Sire;
Who them resemble, future Times shall call
Each Son a Jonathan, each Parent Saul:
Unsully'd Friendship was of Life their Pride,
Whom neither Malice could, nor Death, divide;
They chas'd the routed with the Eagle's Flight,
And as the Lion strong maintain'd the Fight.
The Son to Duty, and to Love the Sire;
Who them resemble, future Times shall call
Each Son a Jonathan, each Parent Saul:
Unsully'd Friendship was of Life their Pride,
Whom neither Malice could, nor Death, divide;
They chas'd the routed with the Eagle's Flight,
And as the Lion strong maintain'd the Fight.
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What Fair of Israel will the Tear deny
To him who deck'd them with the scarlet Dy,
To whom they owe that we with Joy behold
Them tread resplendent in their Robes of Gold?
To him who deck'd them with the scarlet Dy,
To whom they owe that we with Joy behold
Them tread resplendent in their Robes of Gold?
On the high Places, in a fatal Hour,
How are the mighty fall'n, and Israel's Flow'r!
How are the mighty fall'n, and Israel's Flow'r!
O! Jonathan, who can my Griefs express,
What Words can utter Half thy Friend's Distress?
He that depriv'd the mourning Land of thee
Rob'd me of Part, the better Part, of me:
Thy Love to me burn'd with a wond'rous Flame,
Above all Passions which have yet a Name,
The Love of Women far refin'd above,
The noblest Friendship with a Brother's Love.
What Words can utter Half thy Friend's Distress?
He that depriv'd the mourning Land of thee
Rob'd me of Part, the better Part, of me:
Thy Love to me burn'd with a wond'rous Flame,
Above all Passions which have yet a Name,
The Love of Women far refin'd above,
The noblest Friendship with a Brother's Love.
On the high Places, in a fatal Hour,
Fall'n is the Boast of War, and Israel's Flow'r.
Fall'n is the Boast of War, and Israel's Flow'r.
| Mr. Cooke's Original Poems | |