University of Virginia Library

To the Author.

The Poem which shall live, and oft be read,
With foure faire Ornaments, is garnished.
It must describe to life, fitly compare,
Abound with Sentences, and Fictions rare:
All these are met in thine, and doe conspire,
To dresse thy Lines in durable attire.
Thy chosen Subject of a sacred straine,
Is Index of thy sanctified Braine,
Prophaner Muses vent your idle dreames,
While thine discourseth of diviner Theames.
It shall bee written on thy mournfull Herse,
Hee turn'd all sacred Story into Verse.

To the worthy Author of this Divine Poem.

DAVIDS TROUBLES.

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The attribution of this poem is questionable.

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Of doubtful attribution.

The first Booke. Absolons Sheep-shearing.

I tell the divers tryalls of the King,
Who hevenly hymns did to his Maker sing:
Blest Spirit that infus'd on him such skill,
Dispose aright thine humble servants quill
Now liv'd the King at home in happy peace
Free from all Wars and dangerous disease
Of civill broiles: For all Sauls house was slaine,
None but the lame Mephibosheth, remaine:
The Philistins are all brought downe so low,
They dare no other Lord than David know:
The Syrians in two battailes overthrowne,
Now make their peace and serve him as his own:
The Herald violating Ammonite,
Is strong enough to serve, but not to fight.
Two yeare are past since Thamars ravishment,
The Peeres and people free from discontent:
When thus becalm'd with peace, and newly rose
From meat, newes comes (thus fame by going growes)
That all his sonnes by Absolon were slaine,
Not one amongst the living did remaine;
This made him from his Cloth of state descend,
And teare his clothes, and dolefull cryes out send,
Lye on the earth whilst all his servants cry,
And with their clothes all rent, stand mourning by:
Till Jonadab begins thus to the King;
Take not, my Lord, so grievously this thing,
As if that all thy sonnes at once were dead,
Thine Amnon's onely slaine who ravished
His sister Thamar; Absolon this thing
E're since hath vow'd, and now to passe doth bring;
By faire pretence of making him a feast,
Thus hath hee slaine his Brother and his Guest.
By this the Watchman, looking up, descride
Much people comming on the Mountaines side,
When Jonadab; Lo, as thy servant said,
The Kings sonnes come, my Lord, be not dismaid;
They all are safe, scarce had hee made an end,
When downe the hill they saw them all descend,
Who as they neerer came still more lamented,
The King and all his servants hearts relented,
As when from Egypt with full sacks of graine,
Old Jacobs sonnes came to him home againe,
Because with Joseph, Simeon was left bound,
The Sonnes and Father make the valleys sound
With plaints & groans; and cause at home more mourning
For Simeons misse, than joy at their returning:
So was it here, King David and his Sonnes
Make all the Court to sound with plaints and groanes:
Meane while the guiltie murtherer Absolon,
Not daring stay to answer what was done,
In hast t'avoid the Lawes revenging hand,
To Geshur posts, his Mothers native land.
Geshur a Citie is in Syrias Fields
On Judahs borders, where old Talmaie wields
The Scepter, who for some respects of state,
When David yet o're Hebron onely sate,
To him had given his Daughter, from whose bed
Came Absolon and Thamar ravished.
It was no little pleasure to the King,
To see his goodly Nephew: but this thing
Amaz'd him much, great Davids Sonne to see
Attended with so small a companie:
But his sweet Beautie and brave personage,
Commended by the flower of his age,
So takes the good old King, his salutation
Was all compos'd of joy and admiration;
The hidden vigour of his lightning eye,
His rosie cheeks, his fronts sweet Majestie,
His Nose like Gnomon of a Diall faire,
His Lippes pure scarlet Ribbands, whereon haire
Arose like finest Downe, his Mouth not wide,
But open'd, did discover on each side,
An Ivorie range of Teeth, as even and sound
As twinned Lambs which on the Mountaines bound;
His Locks were like to twist of burnisht Gold,
Which did out-weigh, so oft as hee was pol'd,
The Ramm's faire Fleece, and to the Sun-beames turn'd,
Did seeme a flaming Bush that never burn'd:
In all the Kingdomes of the East not one
Was found, for Beauty like to Absolon;
From his foots sole up to his curled crowne,
No blemish could in Absolon be showne:
This made th' idolatrous vaine Syrian
Thinke him a God in likenesse of a man,
Beleeving Sol had left his Chariot bright
In Geshurs Court, one night to take delight;
Or warlike Mars resign'd his Sphere above,
To solace there in pleasing armes of Love:
The Priests themselves that were, or should be, wise,
Were ready even to offer Sacrifice:
When Talmai thus: my fairest Absolon,
Art thou my Nephew royall Davids Sonne?
Or dost thou from amongst the Gods descend,
Mee to admonish of my latter end?
Worship theres due unto a power divine,
And not Embracements; if that thou art mine,
Declare the cause that doth thee hither bring.
Then Absolon: My Parent and my King,
I duely here doe give upon my knee
The worship, which thou offerest to mee:
I am thy sonne and servant: But the King
Lets him not kneel, but whilst from's eyes doe spring
Teares mixt with joy, to's chaire of State doth guide,
Who thus begins, downe sitting by his side.
It hath, too oft, been prov'd to be deny'd,
That all things which on earth to men betide,
By heavenly Powers are guided to their end,
What ever Mortalls vainly may intend:
So as Church Policies, and Rules of State,
Are alwayes subject to eternall Fate.
When thou thy Daughter borne of Royall Seed
To David gav'st, hee of thine aide had need,
Against Sauls house, his Hebron to maintaine,
And other parts of Israels Land to gaine:
Who thought then that thy Daughters Progeny,
Should be subjected to strange soveraignty?
This baser Jesraelite to beare a Sonne
To disinherit Maachas Absolon.
But when I found my Fathers mind and fate
In this agree, contented with my state,
My life I in a Countrie Village led,
And like a Farmer Sheep and Bullocks fed.
In Court I saw no safety to remaine,
Where Envie and Ambition ever reigne,
With divers jealousies and strains of state,
To thrust downe vertue, not to emulate:
Yet feeling Royall Blood boile in a veine,
Which mee assur'd that I was borne to reigne,
And that to bee commanded was too base
For one descended of so Royall Race,
I rather chose to be the first in place,
Than second in the highest Monarchs grace;
My Sheep-hooke therefore I a Scepter feigne,
My Garland greene, a Crowne, and that small traine
Of Gallants that did on my person tend,
I call'd my Peeres. The Judges I did send,
To judge my subjects, which were flocks of sheep,
Were shepheards, who them did protect and keep,
And not as now wee see some Judges doe,
Their Fleeces pull, and take their Bodies too.
The Law I rul'd by, was my will and word,
A frowning looke my executing sword,
Nor did I lesse esteeme my fragrant Bowers,
Then Kings their high guilt, princely costly Towers:
My fields and flocks did yeeld as wholsome meat,
I ay a better stomacke had to eate;
And when I pleas'd to hunt, the little Hare
More pleasure yeelded than Roe Bucke or Beare.
I often, walking in my shady Groves,
Heard more sweet dainty Lays of heavenly Loves,
Than could be tun'd by Davids choisest Quire,
What more than I enjoy'd could one desire?
A Country life is too too full of blesse,
If country men knew their owne happinesse,
But ah! poore wretches, all admire gay showes
Of Court and Citie, but alas who knowes
Their base dissemblings, jealousies and cares?
Forswearing, lying, flattering and feares:
Whereas their clothes, they seeke to change the bed,
And to account the stolne for sweetest bread,
That dying, few doe know for whom they toild,
If for their owne or for anothers child:
The while the Country-man, at home alone,
Enjoyes his wife his own deare flesh and bone,
And sees even in his sons and Nephewes faces,
Their parents native features, looks and graces.
And though such shows they make not on their table,
Yet is their chear as good and acceptable;
Yea even their Offerings and Sacrifice,
Assoone to Heaven may from these Cells arise,
As those that Kings on stateliest Altars lay,
And send their Hecatombs up night and day.
Thus as a King I liv'd amongst my Peeres,
And wanted nothing but their cares and feares,
Free from the envie of the Prince and Court,
Who never did regard my meaner port,
Untill the Heavens or some malicious fate,
Who better knew, than they, my happy state,
Even in the swimming fulnesse of my gladnesse,
Me interrupted with this cause of sadnesse.
Besides her sonne, thy servant Absolon,
Maacha had a daughter, and but one
By David, of such comely modest grace,
She was the light and glory of our race,
Surmounting common beauties of the Court,
As Suns bright beames the Starrs of meaner sort;
With which some Courtiers playing, as the Flyes
With flaming Lamps, burnt both their wings and eyes:
Of which was Amnon, whom experience try'd,
That he indeed was not true Eagle-ey'd,
For dazled with her beames, most pure and bright,
Against Gods Lawes and Natures common light,
He lusted after his owne Sisters bed,
A wickednesse not to be uttered.
But as the more conceal'd, the more the fire
Consumes, so this unnaturall desire
Most fearing it should be to mortalls showne,
(Nere dreading God, to whom it all was knowne)
Consumes his marrow, and his body dryes,
So as on bed all languishing he lyes,
No meanes he saw his lawlesse lust to gain,
For she a Virgin liv'd, pure, free from stain.
When Jonadab my fathers brothers son,
(As subtile ones who fairest rising Sun
Ay worship, and think nothing vile or base,
That may possesse them of a Princes grace)
Observing Amnons pulse, doth plainly finde
His sicknesse not of body, but of minde:
And saith, my Lord, Art thou not Davids son,
The kingdoms heire? thou knowst their breaths, not one
From Sihors Floud to great Euphrates sands,
That cheerfully observes not thy commands.
Thou art the life and comfort of our State,
Why dost thy self and us then macerate?
Let but thy servants know what thou desir'st,
And they will more effect than thou requir'st.
Ah! Cosin Jonadab saith Amnon, I
Think better my desires with me should dye:
To make them known it is as bootlesse vain,
As wicked to affect: I will not feign,
Nor hide the secrets of my heart from thee,
I love my Sister Thamar: but what hee
Advis'd the lustfull Prince was never known,
Till thus the cause was by the issue shown.
One Summers evening walking, when Sols light
was giving way unto the Queen of night:
I, on a Mule by Moon-light, did descry
A Lady, with small train, who comming nigh,
Falls to the ground, and with a piteous groan,
With sighs and sobs doth testifie her moan:
Her hand, alas, she laid upon her head,
Which was with ashes all besprinkeled,
Her partie-colour'd garments all were rent,
That I her piteous case did even lament,
Before I her discover'd by the face,
To be our Thamar: Ah! saith she, alas!
Most miserable wight, yet why should I
Make known my grief, and see no remedy?
Had any foe done me this foule despight,
I could have over-past my grief more light,
But my neere friend hath me dishonoured,
My elder Brother Amnon ravished.
You can but wonder, noble Absolon,
How he a Virgin Maid could finde alone:
Ah! dearest Brother, by a subtill wile,
Me and my Father both he did beguile;
Himself he feigning sick upon his bed,
Soon as he by the King was visited,
Most humbly of him doth intreat the grace,
That I (ah me) might come before his face,
And in his Chamber make some dainty meat,
Which of my hand it might be he could eat:
The King commanded, I forthwith was sent,
Without the least suspecting his intent,
Me to dishonour, and my family,
And violate my chaste virginity.
But he, alas! when I had bak'd him meat,
Two dainty cakes, which he desir'd to eat,
Commanded all his men out of the roome,
And bade me into his bed-chamber come;
Where he would be refreshed at my hand,
I that did simply all things understand,
Brought in the Cakes, and offer'd him to eat,
But found my honour was his long'd-for meat.
For holding fast my hand, he doth begin,
With these faire words me to his lust to win.
Pure heavenly Star of my Nativity!
By whose benign aspect, I live or dye,
Sweet Soveraign Leech! of my souls long disease,
No Physick but thy self my grief can ease:
Thy onely heat can quench my hot desire,
As Sunnes bright shining beames extinguish fire.
I care not for these Cakes, thy candid hand
Hath more enrich'd, than Pearles calcin'd to sand,
Were it my pleasure onely to obtain,
And that thou shouldst more honour loose, than gain,
Thou mightst deny: But Amnon seeks thy grace,
And humbly supplicates thy sweet embrace;
Aske half my birth-right, onely with me lye,
My dearest Sister, else for love I dye.
When I, deare Brother! let not Gods choise nation,
Be guilty of so foule abhomination;
By strength a Sister to base lust compell,
Such sin was never known in Israel:
Lo! all thy people thee for this will blame,
And where shall I ah hide my head for shame?
If thou dost love me, as thou dost pretend,
(Such foule beginnings never well can end)
Before thou force me, aske me of the King,
Not that I foule incestuous guilt would bring
Upon my Land, or had the lest intent
To move the King to give us his consent,
(For what can be a lowder crying sin
Than blood to joyne to blood and kin to kin)
I onely sought to win him to forbeare,
But I my charmes tun'd to deaf Adders eare.
As when a Wolf hath seized for his prey
A little Lamb, that went aside to play,
The Lamb doth bleat and struggle all in vaine,
So I as little by my striving gaine,
For by his strength and power he me opprest,
Oh shame forbids me to reveale the rest.
But as if malice more than raging lust,
Had him invited to this fact unjust,
Soon as his pleasure thus was satisfide
He could not in his presence me abide,
But as a Strumpet vile or common Whore,
Commands me straight to get me out of doore,
And when I, loth to publish this disgrace,
By my foule usage, and my blubber'd face;
Him on my knees besought he would forbeare
To doe this second wrong, he would not heare:
But with a furious hatred, farre above
The raging passion of his lustfull love,
Calls he his servant in, and storming more,
Commands him put me out and shut the doore.
Talmai at this amaz'd streight up doth stand,
And cryes, are these your fruits of holy Land?
What other King yet ever gave consent
To such a base incestuous Ravishment?
Where he the King his father did defraud,
And made him to incestuous lust a Bawd:
Oh had it been mine onely Sonne and heire,
I would have hangd the wretch up by the haire,
Or with wild horses torn his joynts in sunder,
Had God forborn to strike him down with Thunder.
But what said David when he heard this thing?
Did he th' offender punish? No, O King,
Saith Absolon, he onely seem'd displeas'd
At first with Amnon, but was soon appeas'd;
For neither good nor bad to him was said,
As if he to displease him were afraid.
Th' offence he hated, and th' offender lov'd,
But love it seemes for more than anger mov'd.
The Sun hath finish't twice his annuall course,
Since Thamar thus was ravished by force,
Whil'st in my house she liv'd disconsolate,
Forlorn of all, for feare of Amnons hate,
But never any word thereof durst mutter,
For feare we should but our disgraces utter,
We knew the King unwilling to repaire
His daughters losse, with hazarding his heire;
Nor did I shew at all my discontent,
Lest his distrust should my revenge prevent,
But covertly my hate dissembeled,
Till opportune Revenge were offered.
And now approach'd the season of the yeere,
That I my Sheep on Hazors plaines did sheare,
Where I prepar'd a sumptuous Royall Feast,
And did invite the King to be my Guest;
But he unwilling me to over-charge,
Said, Nay my Son, we will not so much charge
Thee, at thy house, us all to entertaine,
Nor would he goe, although I urg'd againe.
Then said I, yet let Amnon go with me,
Ah, saith the King, why should he go with thee?
More than thy presence nothing mighty King,
Would to thy servant grace and honour bring;
But since thou art not pleas'd with me to go,
That honour thou deny'st, let Amnon do.
So I him urg'd, he promis'd in the end,
That he with Amnon all his Sonnes would send.
Was never Wood-man gladder, when at hand
He spyes the Stag come faire upon his stand,
Than I, at comming of my wished guest,
For whom indeed I did provide the Feast:
In coolest vault, whose sweeter Northern light,
Was freed from hotter gleams of Sun-shine bright,
My servants had the Table covered,
For Davids sonnes, whilst Thamar ravished,
In covert close for shame her head did hide,
Whom Amnon could not in his sight abide.
When all were come, and at the Table set,
And, as their stomacks lik'd, fell to their meat,
Two of my servants, as I did command,
Who closely waiting did by Amnon stand,
So soon as I gave them a secret signe,
And that his heart was merry grown with wine,
Down smote him dead, which service bravely done,
Shall never be forgot by Absolon:
The Kings sonnes all with sudden horrour scar'd,
As if like cheare had been for them prepar'd,
Haste to their Mules; to thee forthwith I fled
On swiftest coursers ready sadeled,
I nothing of the truth from thee conceale,
And now my King and Father I appeale
Unto thy Justice, where if guilty I
Be judg'd of Amnons blood, then let me dye.
I would not put my life upon the rude
And violence of furious multitude,
Nor on the Justice of an angry King,
Time may again me into favour bring:
I then shall plainly prove that Absolon
Hath done no more than David should have done:
And when Kings suffer such sinnes in their Land,
God will revenge them by anothers band.
Lo thus he ends: When Talmai; valiant son
I do commend this act so bravely done,
In answering this foule base indignity,
Thou hast reveng'd thy Sister, self and me:
No generous brave spirit could have born
So great dishonour, and so foule a scorn:
Be confident in this, my son, that I
Will in this quarrell, live with thee and dye.
The rather for that thou thy self hast shew'd,
As just in punishing a crime so lewd;
So also politick in cutting down
That Tree, which stopt thy way unto the Crown.
O grand exploit! which fairly both wayes tends
To publike Justice, and to private ends.
Some reach at Crowns by shedding guiltlesse blood
But thou by being great, and seeming good.
Thus shall my Absolon get thanks and praise,
As popular in that which must him raise.
Then Talmai rose, and looking round about,
Perceiv'd that all his servants were gone out,
For well-bred Courtiers thought it no fit thing,
Uncall'd, to heare the secrets of a King:
But soon as they their Master walking heare,
All in his presence readily appeare,
Where he commands them all, they do their best,
To entertain his sonne, so goes to rest.

THE SECOND BOOKE. Joab projecting.

THE THIRD BOOKE. Bathsheba bathing.

THE FOURTH BOOKE. Israel rebelling.

THE FIFTH BOOKE. Ahithophel hanging.

Oh that so implous an Achitophel,
Should counsell in the Court of Israel!
So wise a Senator to such a King,
Should end his dayes so fondly in a string.
See what becoms of wisdom without grace,
And compassing bad ends by vices base,
They through the wayes of blindest error tend,
And like to their beginning have an end.
And now the King repressed had his teares,
When Jonathan begins thus to his eares:
Soon as the villain had by this devise,
Made Absolon thus odious in thine eyes,
Lo he invents a second policy,
Thus to secure a sudden victory.
Chuse me, saith he, twelve thousand men to fight,
And I will set upon the King this night,
All wearied now, he with so weak a hand,
Cannot our unexpected force withstand:
I will amaze his host, and smite the King,
And home in peace to thee thy people bring.
Pernicious counsell! who did this prevent?
Saith David, had my son twelve thousand sent
Against us, when we lay on th' other side
Of Jordan, I and all my host had di'd:
We then were unprepar'd, faint, wearied,
Our courage danted, and our spirits dead.
Thy Son and Elders all of Israel,
Saith Jonathan, did like this Counsell well,
But Hushai thy old favorite and friend,
Came unto Absolon, and did pretend
To do him service, and thus bowing prayes,
God grant the King long life and happy dayes.
Is this thy kindnesse, saith he, thou dost show
Unto thy friend, why didst not with him go?
My Lord, saith Hushai, thou this day shalt prove,
That I the King did more than David love,
For with the man, God and the people give,
By voyce this Kingdome, I resolve to live,
And be his servant, if thou please to grace
Me so, that I may stand before thy face,
The service I with David have begun,
Shall be continued to the King his son.
Thus to such trust he with the King is grown,
He makes his secret counsell to him known,
Amongst the rest this of Achitophel,
Which he as politiquely did refell.
My gracious Lord, saith Hushai, 'tis a thing
Of highest wisdome to advise a King,
But now so deep a Counsellor of State
Hath gone before, it doth me more amate.
Achitophels advise is alwayes prime,
Yet not to be allowed at this time.
Thou knowst thy Father and his men be strong,
And have in warres been exercised long,
Who neither weary nor weak-handed are,
But chaufed like a fierce and angry Beare
Rob'd of her whelps: Besides thy Father's wise,
Most expert in all warlike exercise,
And will not with his men lodge in the plain,
Lo, many caves and holes do yet remain,
Which were his haunts, when in the wildernesse
Saul sought him and his Army to oppresse.
From whence he on a sudden will affright
Thy men, some killing, putting some to flight:
So shall a rumour streight abroad be blown,
That thou and all thy host be overthrown.
The King hath oft been prov'd too strong to yeeld,
Thou never trid'st thy fortune in the field,
Be well prepar'd in thy first enterprise,
For thereby doth thy credit fall or rise;
The people ebbe and flow ev'n like the tide,
And ever fall unto the stronger side,
Like drunken men they to and fro do reel,
And change as oft as Fortune turns her wheel.
I therefore do advise, whilst thou dost stand
In Grace, with all the people of the Land;
(For who is he, that if thou dost but say,
Come to mine aid, but will thy word obey)
Thou muster all the people in the Land,
From Dan even to Bersheba, like the sand,
And that thou forth in person go to fight,
Thus will we come against him, with such might,
And multitudes: wee'l set upon him all,
Thick as the dew upon the grasse doth fall:
And if he get within a walled Town,
We will with ropes pull all the City down,
Not suffering a stone upon a stone,
Of all his men we will not leave him one:
By these devices Hushai did refell
The dangerous counsell of Achitophel:
Which though for best the Elders do approve,
Yet Hushai's more the King and people move.
Oh sure, saith David, God would thus confound,
By weake, the Counsels politicke, profound,
He will me re-establish in my Throne,
And overthrow the plots of Absolon.
Lo Hushai shew'd himself a faithfull friend,
And brought to passe the thing we did intend;
But how did you these counsels understand?
Hushai, saith Jonathan, them out of hand,
Unto the Priests our fathers close convai'd,
Who gave us notice of them by a Maid.
I and Ahimaaz lay in a Well,
Neere to the City, called En-Rogell,
To which a Maid (as if she went for water)
Comes and enformeth us of all the matter:
Into the City durst we not adventure,
For no man might come out, that in did enter:
Yet could we not this thing so closely hide,
But we were by a young-man both descri'd,
Who telling it to Absolon the King,
He servants sent us back again to bring:
But as we had before at En-Rogell,
So at Bahurim lay we in a Well,
Upon whose mouth a good old woman spred
Ground Corn, that so we might be covered:
And when the servants of King Absalom,
Inquir'd of her, what was of us become,
Like that good Rahab, which did hide the spies,
To save us, she excuses did devise,
When therefore they had search'd and nothing found,
They back return'd, we came out safe and sound,
And hasted hither thee this newes to bring,
That thou mightst know the danger of the King:
For who doth know but wise Achitophel,
May win thy son and men of Israel,
To take his counsell, and thee follow fast,
Before that thou hadst over Jordan past?
Whilst Jonathan yet speakes, one comes to tell
Another project of Achitophel,
Who seeing Hushai's counsell highly priz'd,
And that his own, though better, was despis'd,
Rides hom on's sadled Asse, and in despight,
The King such Oracles profound should slight,
His house and family first ordered,
His dayes ev'n with a halter finished,
And was interred in his fathers grave;
Such end, saith David, wicked Traytors have,
Their worldly wisdom is to folly brought,
And, with their breath, their thoughts all com to nought:
This man that able was to rule a State,
His furious passions cannot moderate,
And he that for the publike was so wise,
Now like a wicked fool turns mad and dyes.
Thus whilst he strives for wisdomes highest roome,
He falls into extreamest follies doome:
This is the life of all, and this their end,
That here on worldly wisdome do depend:
Wisdome and folly ay their life attend,
And them accompany even in their end,
They Cities can in peace and wealth maintain,
But let ther hearts be irreligious vain;
Their worldly states, they like Achitophel
Can order, but their soules let hang in hell.
Vain wisdome! that doth so our thoughts molest
Abroad, not caring what is in our brest,
Fond fool, in order thus his house to set,
And both his soul and body to forget.
But Hushai's counsell now is followed,
And all the men of Israel mustered
By Absolon, in number like Sea-sands,
The foulest Treasons want no helping hands:
For as at first a little ball of snow,
By turning oft, doth great and greater grow,
Till it unto so huge a heap doth rise,
There many dayes it after melting lies:
Ev'n so this Traitor, who at first began
With those two hundred men, who with him ran
To Hebrons sacrifice, in time is grown
To mighty heaps, and multitudes unknown,
Who over Jordan now do passe with him,
Ev'n as the King comes to Mehanaim:
And now lo, both these mighty armies lye
In Gileads Plaines, resolv'd the day to try,
Where Amasa by Absolon is made
The Captain of the host, in Joabs stead;
But he that was expel'd from house and home
By his own people, and son Absolon,
Now findes abroad all duty and respect,
God never his doth finally neglect:
For as Gods Angels at Mehanaim met,
Good Jacob with his enemies beset,
Esau before his face, Laban behind,
And ministred sweet comforts to his mind,
So there an host of men come to the King,
And earthen vessels, Beds, and Basins bring,
Beanes, Barly, Lentiles, Flowre, parcht Corn & Wheat,
Cheese, Hony, Butter, Sheep, and Beeves to eat:
The son of that discourteous Ammonite,
That Davids Legates did so foule despight,
And Machir of Lodebar, who was all,
Till lately, to advance the house of Saul,
(For there was lame Mephibosheth maintain'd,
Who sole of Jonathan alive remain'd)
With old Barzillai that rich Gileadite,
Where Ishbosheth so long maintain'd his right,
Did all these things abundantly supply,
To Princely David and his company.
For they were weary in the wildernesse,
Faint, hungry, thirsty, and in great distresse.
Oh who doth know the happinesse of Rest
And Peace, but they whom civill warres infest!
Where beating of the Drums, and Trumpets sounds,
Are like the dreadfull callings of the hounds,
When in the morning they the fearefull heare,
In open field, do summon to appeare:
Who thinks each bush she sees, stands to belay her,
And every one she meets, comes to betray her.
Most direfull are th' effects of civill warres,
Where son of his own loynes no father spares,
Brother embrewes his hands in bloud of Brother,
And dearest friends do butcher one another.
One by an Engine bullets casts and stones,
Wherewith he breaks his wives and childrens bones:
Whilst they cast stones down from the City wall,
Which on their husbands head or parents fall:
Here servants for the duty, which they owe
Their masters, pay them with a mortall blow;
And they are paid for wages, from their master,
With broken pates, which never need a plaster.
Here Kings whom duty bindeth to defend
Their subjects, seek their ruine and their end:
And subjects count it honour, law, and right,
Against their Soveraigns dreaded face to fight,
All is with horrible confusion fill'd,
Farmes uninhabited, their Lands untill'd,
Their Kine, whose Milk doth yeeld abundant food,
Suckle the hungry Souldiers with their bloud:
And Shepheards that the plaines all over stock,
Are glad to save their lives, and lose their flock.
All Lawes are silent, Armes do all in all,
And strongest put the weakest to the wall:
Like savage beasts their fellowes each assaile,
Where strength and fury 'gainst all right prevaile:
Like Pikes in pond the most of might and power,
Do all the other underlings devoure.
Here heapes of bodies lye unburied,
Here Infants slain, and Virgins ravished,
Nor is the perill of the enemy
More dangerous than privie treachery:
Where great ones seem to take their Soveraigns parts,
Yet cleave unto the Rebels with their hearts:
And therefore him unfaithfully advise,
Disclosing's secrets to his Enemies,
Amongst such Traytors good and loyall held,
More perill is at home, than in the field.
These and a thousand more calamities
Of civill warres, now th' Hebrewes miseries,
And bred at first on this side Jordanes floud,
Are forded over now to Ephraims wood:
Which though ambition them at first begins,
God sends for scourges of the peoples sins.
But Absolon that might no longer raign,
Than he the peoples madnesse could maintain,
(Besides he many of their hearts did find
From him unto the better part inclin'd)
March'd on, till both the Armies were in sight,
On purpose to provoke the King to fight:
And David, who was stronger now become,
By many friends, that to his aid were come,
(It thinking foule dishonour for a Crown,
To be besieged in a walled Town,
Caus'd Joab draw his men out of the gate,
That he might view them all, there as he sate:
Where he appoints some Captaines over ten,
Some over hundreds, some a thousand men:
For all, or most part, of his old Commanders,
To follow Absolon had left his standards.
When Ittai, Davids prudent faithfull friend
Begins, my Lord, stay here, thy servants send
Against these Rebels, for our King to fight,
Why should we hazard putting out our light?
What though ten thousand of thy people fall?
Thy life is of more value than us all,
True-hearted Subjects more will every day,
Turn after thee, and fall from him away,
With which we'l battail after battail try,
Till God and our good cause give victory.
When thus the King: Joab and Abishai,
And Ittai you are men, on whom this day,
My life, my Kingdom, and my State relies,
And therefore I will do as you advise:
The Army order as you shall think fit,
To each of you a third part I commit,
Let Joabs might for our main battail stand,
Ittai and Abishai, the wings command.
But good my friends, remember Absolon,
Forget not that he is your Soveraigns son,
Intreat the young-man gently for my sake,
On's youth and my gray haires some pitty take;
This charge he in the gate, with many teares,
Gave all the Captaines in the peoples eares.
But Absolon, who found the people totter,
And waver like the Seas unstable water,
And that the Tribes on this side Jordans floud,
(Who for the King more than the Rebels stood)
Resolv'd to dye, all in the Kings defence,
Against his sons rebellious insolence,
Rais'd on his Mule, and arm'd in war-like fashion,
To all his Army utters this Oration:
My friends and fellow-souldiers, not mine own
Content, or private coveting the Crown,
Me caus'd these Armes and Weapons up to take,
But for the publike profit and your sake:
Alas! you know, how brave and plenteously,
I might have liv'd, in all prosperity,
Grace, honour, credit, glory, and renown,
Nought wanting, but the dangers of a Crown;
Of which, succession made me not so sure,
As all your votes and wishes did secure.
But this your favour to the rising Sun,
Which by my love and care of you I won,
Was made high treason by these, to the King,
Who of the State have all the managing,
Whose tirannous oppressions should I name,
I should lay ope mine own, and Fathers shame.
For such do rule the King, that are not able
To rule themselves, a thing intollerable.
This must be righted: I you hither bring
To fight against these Tyrants, not the King;
'Tis yours, and not my cause, for which we fight,
I only lend my counsell, strength, and might.
My friends and kinsmen, I you all leave free,
Go on which side you most desire to be,
Some tyranny account a benefit,
So they at home in peace may quiet sit,
And rather had the heaviest burthens beare,
Than noise of Drums and Trumpets sounding heare:
Such wish I to their Cities soon return:
But, you brave friends, whose hearts do inly burn
With zeal and hate, 'gainst publike tyrannies,
And seek to vindicate these injuries,
Whom by your faces brave alacrity,
I easely from base Cowards can descry:
As with brave courage you with me remain,
With me as victors you shall ever raign:
Whilst they whose harts them fail for cowardise,
Shall lye and groan still under tyrannies.
As Moses led you by a mighty hand,
From bondage of a cruell Lord and Land,
So come I up, resolv'd to set you free,
From all oppressions, wrongs and tyranny.
The justnesse of our cause shall us acquite,
But you that are so miserably light,
Again for Ægypts flesh-pots to return,
Though you their Brick and Lime for ever burn,
Return, I say, and live in your own City,
Your lightnesse merits not such blame as pitty.
Since I return'd from Geshur to this Court,
I view'd your grievances of every sort;
Tell me to which of all your causes here,
I have not lent an understanding eare,
Your suits were good, but either none there were
Deputed of the King your plaints to heare,
Or else the Judges wanted time and leasure,
All must attend from Term to Term their pleasure.
Oh! there is no more gainfull occupation
Than Law, in practise with the Jewish Nation:
Clerks, Patrons, Proctors, Lictors, more abound,
Than Merchants, Farmours, Souldiers, can be found,
And whence live these, but on the injuries
Of you, my people, and your miseries?
As Winds by Conjurers are oft up blown,
That Conjurers again may get them down:
So do these Lawyers, suits and questions raise,
Not for their Clyents profit, but their praise.
Nor will they them dismisse with little gain,
For many suits eternally remain,
With so great costs, as they that overcome,
Had better been condemn'd when they begun,
And ev'n as Souldiers, by continuall jarres,
Grow senselesse of the cruelty of warres:
So Lawyers us'd to wrongs and injuries,
Compassionate no Clyents miseries.
I cannot finde that all the civill broiles,
So much oppresse the subject, as the toiles
Men take, when they for justice sue and right,
More safe in field, than at the bar to fight.
Have not some Courts yet in your memories,
Doubled against all equitie their fees,
As if they had no table, law, nor taske,
But you were bound to pay what they will aske:
Which th' unlearn'd deskmen to such states doth raise,
And leaves Professors onely place and praise.
These and more grievances I will redresse,
And make the number of your Lawyers lesse,
Which, when they have no place to act their parts,
Will study other profitable Arts:
I will appoint for pleadings certain dayes,
And Judges to do right without delayes.
Yea many other wrongs I will reform,
The Levites, which your consciences inform,
Shall take the tenths of all the soules they teach,
Where now dumb Priests have all, that never preach:
Your great ones now do only stand for show,
And them that beare the burthens keep full low.
(Thus peoples itching eares the Rebell feasts,
By rayling on their Governors and Priests)
A trite and common way to palliate
Rebellion, to traduce the present State,
That makes the people 'gainst their Rulers rise,
The rude and ignorant against the wise,
This makes the commons side against the Peeres,
The worst of ills, the utmost of our feares.
But now the more t'encourage you to fight,
We war against the broken Ammonite,
Whom late you did with Sawes and Harrows teare,
And now aids David not for love, but feare.
Barzillai that rich ancient Gileadite.
Who comes with wealth, not power to the fight,
And Machir of Manasses, who do bring
Great store of wealth and victualls to the King,
Will adde but little honour to the day,
But they will wondrously increase the prey.
For since the Tribes on Jordans other side,
Stand for our right, and these from us divide,
Well may we all their goods and Cattels take,
And preys of all their Towns and Cities make.
This oily speech of his did frame the heart,
Of most of all his Souldiers, to his part:
But most those that by warres hop'd for increase,
And more than death did feare a needy peace.
But th' Armies now on both sides draw so neere,
They each to other terrible appeare.
Neere to Mehanaim there is a Wood
Ignobled, for much losse of Hebrewes blood,
Where when as Ammon war proclaimed had,
Against th' Inhabitants of Gilead,
And nothing his ambition would suffice,
But all the Land that over Jordan lyes.
Lo, valiant Jeptha commeth to their aid,
And all their foes in open field dismaid,
Which Ephraim bold (taking in foule despight,
That Jeptha without them should go to fight)
Him challeng'd openly upon the plain,
Where all are put to flight, that were not slain,
And taking Jordans passages beneath,
Slew all, that could not utter Shiboleth:
In this Wood, Joab rather chose to train,
And ranke his men, than on the open plain,
For seeing's foes did two to one abound,
He took th' advantage of a narrow ground.
But Absolon most eager of the fight,
Presuming on his number, force, and might,
Calls out, My friends, brave courage on our side,
The Cowards in the Woods themselves do hide,
Should they our numbers see in open field,
Their courages and hearts would fail and yield:
You fight not now with men, but chase the Hind,
Which we in bushes, woods, and thickets find.
This said, the Trumpets sound, they give the sign,
The Armies meet, and both in battail joyn,
The Rebels Host o're all the plain are spread,
The Kings was close, compact, well ordered,
Both meet so close, they leave no little space,
Mens bodies against bodies fill the place,
Swords against swords, a Speare against a Speare,
Some kill, and some are kill'd, no sparing there.
In such close ranks there is no choise at all,
They victors are that stand, they dye that fall.
The ecchoing woods rebound with shouts and cryes,
Of wounded men, and shriekes of such as dyes.
Yet clashing of mens Armes yeeld such a sound,
That it doth all the other noise confound.
No man his help lends to his neerest friend,
To save his life, or haste his wished end,
In heat of Battails ay the gentlest brest
Is as remorslesse, as the cruellest.
But now the Kings two wings give back to train
Their foes, in compasse of the Battail main,
And other close ambushments in the Wood,
By Joab laid to make his party good.
Where stakes, pits, thickets, trees, wild beasts conspire,
To pay rebellious Traytors duest hire:
Lo here a company unwares do fall,
Into some cover'd pit, are drowned all;
Here one doth seek the enemies sword to shun,
And to the pawes of cruell Beasts doth run;
Here one puts on his Courser fresh and free,
And his own brains knocks out against a Tree:
One seeking to avoid the cruell push
Of sharper Pike, is hanged in a bush:
All had ill footing, but who ere did fall,
Was certain to be trodden down of all:
Here is a quagmire, where some sticking fast,
Their fellowes following tread them in for hast;
One leanes against a Tree to take his breath,
And lo a Serpent stings him to the death:
Here is a Ditch, in which so many fall,
It now is fill'd, the rest passe over all.
Thus by the Wood more perish than the Sword,
Such help the Heavens to Traytors ay afford!
But whilst before his Host the Rebells fall,
The King falls to his Armes spirituall:
(For like to Children then we come to God,
When we lye underneath our Masters Rod.)
“Oh God, judge thou my cause, saith he, do right
“Against my foes, with whom I now do fight,
“I never them offended to this houre,
“And yet they all my soul seek to devoure,
“Shall they escape thus with their wickednesse?
“Nay, thou, O Lord, shalt bring them to distresse:
“But now I pray 'gainst him, whom most I love,
“Oh therefore had I wings ev'n like a Dove,
“Then would I flye away, and be at rest,
Untill these stormy winds and tempests ceast.
When lo, the watch-man lifting up his eyes,
One running to the City-ward espies,
Which he as suddenly tells to the King,
Oh sure, saith David, he doth tidings bring,
Ah, saith the watchman, I a second see
Come running, but know not who it should be.
But lo, the first, oh King, doth seem to run
Like to Ahimaaz, old Zadocks son.
Ah! saith the King, he ay good newes doth bring,
Who lo, then comes and saith: All's well, O King,
God blessed be, who now hath set thee free,
And giv'n unto thy hands, thine enemy.
But oh! saith David, is the young-man well?
My Lord, saith he, Joab and Israel,
Prevailed in the field against thy son,
Before I came away, the field was won;
But when he me and Cushai to thee sent,
I tumults saw, but knew not what they meant:
Then turn aside, saith David, stand by here,
Till Cushai with his tidings doth appeare;
Then Cushai comes, and tidings cryes, O King,
God on thy foes doth all their mischief bring,
He hath aveng'd thee on thine enemies,
And all that up against my Lord do rise.
But ah, saith David, how is't with my son?
So be't, saith Cushai, unto every one,
That up against my Lord the King doth rise,
As Absolon, be all thine enemies.
When as the Rebels first before us fled,
And Joab and thy servants followed,
The young-man post upon a Mule did ride,
Under an Oake whose armes dispreaded wide.
When lo, his haire, which he weares somewhat long,
Was so intangled in the boughs among,
The Mule not staying, but still putting forth,
There left him hanging 'twixt the heaven and earth;
Which when a Souldier saw, he Joab told:
Who thus repli'd, couldst thou him there behold,
And yet forbeare to smite him to the ground?
For which thou shouldst no small reward have found.
Ah, saith the man, though thou to me shouldst give
A thousand silver sheckles, as I live,
I would not for this great reward be won,
To lift my hand against my Soveraigns son:
I heard the charge the King gave in the gate,
To us and all his Captaines as he sate:
I sure against my life had done this thing,
Thou wouldst have first accus'd me to the King.
But Joab hasts to him, and with a Dart,
The young-man smites ev'n thorow to the heart:
And his ten Squires round compassing about,
Him smote quite through to put all out of doubt.
Then Joab sounds the Trumpet to repeal,
The people from pursuing Israel.
Cushai would have gone on, the King to tell,
How they did with the young-mans body deal,
Who cast into a pit his flesh and bones,
And laid on him a mighty heape of stones,
Which heape, saith Joab, shall for ay defame
A sons rebellion, and this traitors name,
More than the stately pillar he did frame
In Kings fair Dale and call'd it by his name,
In this for ever his reproach shall sleep,
And live, when's Monument becomes a heape.
But even as Joab with his cruell Dart,
Smote Absolon into the very heart;
So Cushai's speech so strikes the King, he cry'd,
Oh Absolon my son, would I had di'd
For thee my Absolon, my son, my son.
Ah David, why mak'st thou such grievous mone?
Thy words would move a Tygers heart and eares,
VVhat then to see thy piteous face and teares?
What shall thy life, at thousands valued,
Be now exchanged for a Traitors head?
Wouldst thou thy life, for such a son, lay down,
That sought his Fathers death to get his Crown?
Canst thou not live without that Absolon,
That could not live in peace, till thou art gone?
Never was known a King more passionate,
Nor any Father more affectionate:
Herein me thinks, oh Singer sweet! thou art
A man affected after Gods own heart:
A heart of melting wax, not like a stone,
Thy Hony, butter'd words, and heart be one.
As thou wouldst for thy traytrous son have di'd,
So will he be for Traytors crucifi'd:
Thou seekst to save him who would thee betray,
He doth for's persecuting murtherers pray,
And cryes, whilst they scourge, scorn, and kill him too,
Father forgive, they know not what they do.
Though we be sons, rebellious and ungrate,
Our heavenly Father is compassionate:
And Angels sends to beare in their Arms,
Whilst we 'gainst him breath warres and sound Alarms:
Oh love incomprehensible, infinite!
Angels amazement, holy Saints delight,
My soul is ravish'd with thy brighter beames,
As eyes are dazeled with Suns purer gleames:
This love was never livelier set forth,
Than by this Type, thy Deputy on Earth.

THE SIXTH BOOKE. David returning.

Alas! what vertue, goodnesse, or deserts,
Can to a King assure the peoples hearts?
When such a Prince, so gentle, gracious, kind,
Doth more revolters, than good subjects find.
Thus some few great men waxing strong in factions,
Begin the people in rebellious actions,
Till led on by opinion without reason,
They fall to flat Rebellion and Treason,
Whom God repayes in justice for such deed,
Achitophels or Absolons due meed,
But God of hosts, to whom it is all one,
To save with many, or with few or none,
Takes part with Justice, and lets Israel feel,
What 'tis against Gods Kings to lift their heel,
Sure this Rebellion must be generall,
When twenty thousand in a battail fall,
Yet of this numberlesse rebellious power,
The Wood doth more than all the swords devoure:
And yet the King doth more lament and plain
For Absolon, than all his subjects slain;
Thus pious Fathers by their indulgence,
And gentlenesse to children, give offence,
Thus did old Eli, thus good Samuel,
Isaac loves Esau more than Israel,
And this bewails the death of Absolon,
As Amnons his incestuous wicked son;
Whereof when tidings came to Joabs eare,
(For all the people of the Town might heare,
The King cry Absolon, oh Absolon,
Would I had dy'd for thee, my son, my son!)
That day which should have bin for mirth and gladnesse,
Was turned to a night of dole and sadnesse;
The people which should triumph in that day,
All blusht for shame, as they had ran away,
And as they had deserv'd lesse praise than blame,
Into the City at the Posterns came.
For lo, the King had covered his head,
And cry'd, Ah Absolon! my son is dead.
When Joab comming in unto the King,
Begins, Thou shame dost and confusion bring,
This day on all thy faithfull servants faces,
Which sav'd thy life and thee from all disgraces,
And have preserv'd thy sons and daughters lives,
The Honors of thy Concubines and wives.
For which thou makest them this faire amends,
Thou lov'st thine enemies, and hat'st thy friends.
This day thou piainly hast thy selfe declar'd,
Thou neither Prince nor servant dost regard:
Lo! had thy son liv'd, though all Israel,
And we had dy'd, it would have pleas'd thee well.
Ah but, saith David, thou mightst well have take
The youth alive, and sav'd him for my sake;
Alas, O King! saith Joab, for whose sake
Did all we Armes against the Rebell take?
For whose sake should thy servants with him fight?
But to defend our Kings, his Fathers right.
To all thy servants he was courteous,
To suitors affable and gracious,
And to all Israel plausible and free,
The Young-man onely cruell was to thee.
Most wretched Traytor, vile unnaturall son,
Of sonnes and Traytors none like Absolon:
Base gracelesse Darling of a holy Sire,
Whose blood he hunts for, seeking to aspire
By all base meanes, unto thy State and Crown,
Who, if he could, would God from Heav'n pull down.
What other Prince of Israel hath done
Such services as I for Absolon?
I by the Tekoite got thy consent,
To call him from his three years banishment,
Who was so glad as I thy grace to gain,
To bring him home from Geshurs Court again?
I brought him to thy presence, and in grace,
After two yeeres confinement to his place,
All this I did as to my Lieges son,
But now he is unnaturall become,
The heavens, to keep thy servants free from blame,
Bring him, even as Achitophel, to shame.
His Mule resignes her load unto the Tree
Of Justice, thus should Traytors hanged be.
His bush of haire, which never might be shorn,
Till it were grown too heavie to be born,
There bare his burthen: Lo thus God doth smite
Him in the part, he sinning took delight;
Thus Heaven, the Mule, his haire, and Oake conspire,
To give this Rebell his deserved hire.
I onely lent the Oake a Dart or twain,
To put the Traytor sooner out of pain;
Yet we must use him gently for thy sake,
Such gentlenesse will many Traytors make:
So long as gentlenesse in Governing,
Is held to be a vertue in a King,
No Treason nor Rebellion shall be said
To prosper by their faults, all will be laid
Upon the Heavens, or mans maliciousnesse,
That thus abuse a Princes gentlenesse:
A most pernicious Pest's such lenity,
In Governors of State or family.
Didst thou thou not seem by mildnesse to consent,
Unto thy daughter Thamars ravishment?
Of which ne're Amnon heard least good or ill,
Till Absolon it punisht, 'gainst thy will:
And now thy gentlenesse and indulgence,
By yeelding to the vain profuse expense,
And costly bravery of Absolon,
More fitting for a Monarch than thy son,
Who could not up and down the City ride,
With lesse than fifty footmen by his side,
Hath rais'd his high ambition to thy Crown,
And thus, lo, thou art vexed by thine own.
The treasures of thy Kingdom must supply
Him meanes, for managing this treachery.
Sure had he liv'd this day to see thy face,
Thou hadst receiv'd him to thy former grace,
But we that have adventur'd goods and lives,
To save the King, his daughters, sons, and wives,
Secluded from thy face and presence be,
As if wee all were Traytors, and not he:
Now therefore, here I sweare before the Lord,
Except thou hearken to thy servants word,
And come and stand in some faire open place,
To shew thy servants comfort in thy face,
Of all the men, that thus for thee did fight,
There will not one remain with thee by night,
Which will be worser far, oh King, than all
The evils, that ever did thee befall.
Alas, saith David, I could not allow
In other men, the things which I do now,
But Parents love is strong and naturall,
And violently down the hill doth fall:
Flouds falling from precipite hills you may,
As well as Parents loves to children stay.
But if mine errors onely you relate,
You do not me advise, but exprobrate:
'Tis easie others faults to reprehend,
True wisdome others, and his own to mend.
But Joab seeing speeches-liberty,
Did only rub, not heal the malady,
Begins with modesty to blame the time,
And some of those offenders that were prime:
When David thus, what must we here abide,
Or shall we go on Jordans other side?
What thinkst thou, must we try another field?
Or will the people and the Cities yield?
No doubt, saith Joab, all the Townes will yield,
None of the faction can maintain the field;
Nor do I know a man, now he is gone,
They will accept to be their minion.
Now that the streame is turn'd, behold the tide
Will flow as fast unto the other side;
Mens fancies like an optique glasse make all
The eye is fixed on, seem fair, great and fall:
Where people love, they showes for truth will take,
And where they hate, of vertues vices make,
What made them else so vain fantasticall,
To follow Traytors, and from thee to fall?
For as we in Prospective glasses see,
Things farthest off, far fairer than they be;
So people by their fancy do approve
Kings vice or vertues, as they hate or love.
Be but at first of these thy friends secur'd,
Who now much danger have for thee endur'd,
And thou, as of one man, shalt draw the hearts,
Ev'n of all Palestina to thy parts.
The Tribes which now beyond the floud remain,
Will strive, which first shall bring thee back again:
Yea Judah, who was first to put thee down,
Will come first to restore thee to thy Crown.
Thus came the King into the City gate,
Which when the people heard, they that of late,
For griefe and sorrow fled unto their Tent,
Do thither come, for joy incontinent,
Who them with comfortable words so pleaseth,
He all their former griefs and sorrowes easeth.
The King was scarse descended from his Throne,
When Rumors over all the Camp are blown,
That all the Tribes do strive about the King,
Which first of them him back again should bring:
Oh, say the people, he is just and wise,
And saved us from all our enemies,
And from the Philistines delivered,
Yet now out of the Land from us is fled,
For Absolon, late in the Battail slain,
Whom we annoynted over us to raign.
Ah, saith the King, then will it be a shame,
For Judah of my kindred, tribe and name,
If when as all the Tribes of Israel haste,
To bring me home againe, they be the last.
And therefore sends he to the Priests, that they
Should in this manner to the Elders say.
Why should you be the last that seek to bring
Again unto his house with you the King?
Now seeing all the other Tribes conspire
To that, the King of you doth most desire,
You are my brethren, mine own flesh and bone,
Then be not last, but rather come alone
To fetch me home to you, and I will grace
Your Captain Amasa with Joabs place.
Is he not also of my flesh and bone?
What though he fought against me for my son?
This was and is a politick wise fashion,
To sway the people by the Priests Oration;
For they have at command the peoples eare,
And what they teach, we all are bound to heare.
In Jebus City is a spacious Court,
Where Elders and the people ay resort,
To heare the Prophets and the Law expounded,
And Rules of good and holy life propounded;
Where God, whom heav'n of heav'ns cannot contain,
Doth with his Ark in Tents of skins remain.
Here reverend Zadock, to the Congregation,
Out of his Pulpit, utters this Oration,
By which he wisely did the hearts command
Of Elders all, and people of the Land.
Men, Brethren, Fathers, whom I see this day
Assembled here, in great concourse, to pray,
For th' health and safety of our holy King,
Whom God in peace and honour to us bring.
I will not exprobrate your least omission
Of any duty, in his last dismission:
I onely of his merits make narration,
And leave all to your loyall application.
Will you be pleas'd to heare me first begin,
Where first he your and Israels hearts did win,
Th' uncircumcised Giant he did quell,
Defying all the host of Israel.
(To count his strength and vallour I forbeare,
In killing of the Lion and the Beare)
For this was his first signall act of fame,
Whereby he honour wan to Ishai's name,
By which he was made known to Saul, and wan
Such grace and favour, with sweet Jonathan,
Who as his soul most dearly David lov'd,
From which he would by no meanes be remov'd.
And though Saul would perswade his son to hate
Him, as the assured ruine of his State;
Against his violence he firmly stood,
And never ceast to do King David good.
After Goliah slain, he for his hire,
Became to be Sauls servant and Esquire;
And on his Harp so cunningly did play,
He often drave Sauls evill spirit away.
From whence he was advanc'd, to have command
Amongst the men of warre, when with his hand,
The jealous Tyrant sought to strike him dead,
As on his Harp he plaid and solaced.
To hide his hate, yet to betray his life,
Saul proffers him his daughter unto wife,
So with twice fifty fore skins he endow her,
In hope his foes and him thus to devower:
But this hope failing, Davids victories,
Began in Saul such feares and jelousies,
That divers wayes his death he practised,
But God by Michol him delivered.
Whence he to Samuel in Ramoth fled,
Saul thither him pursuing, prophesi'd.
Then sav'd he Keilah by the Philistine
Besieg'd, and took great store of Sheep and Kine:
Thence flies he to Ahimelech the Priest,
Who paid too deare for such a Royall Guest;
For spitefull Doeg did to Saul complain,
And neere a hundred Priests by him were slain.
From thence to Achish Prince of Gath, where he,
Pretendeth madnesse and simplicity:
From thence he hunted to Adullams Cave,
Like to a Partridge flies, his life to save,
To Ziph, Eugaddy, Maons Desarts, where
He cut off Sauls coat-lap but's life did spare;
And after took his Sreare from's sleeping head;
Then he the second time to Achish fled,
Of whom he was most kindly entertain'd.
For hate of Saul, and Ziglags Town obtain'd.
Whence he to warre on Judahs Coasts pretended,
But so 'gainst Amalek his forces bended,
And other foes of ours, that to complain,
He never let one man alive remain.
By which he, faln now into th' indignation,
As Achish thought, of his own King and Nation,
Was brought to field 'gainst Saul his King to fight,
But these Philistine Lords that knew his might,
And fearing he to th' other side should turn,
Made him again to Ziglag back return.
Which burnt he found, their women captive led,
With all their children that him followed;
For which all were so grieved and offended,
His Souldiers there to stone him had intended.
Amid all troubles God did him sustain,
And helpt to win his own, and more again:
For he so close pursu'd th' Amalekite,
And them unwares so furiously did smite,
He all the Host left dead upon the plain,
And losses all recovered again:
Inriching them with spoiles that with him went,
And many presents to our Elders sent,
In all his troubles, which of you can say,
He did me wrong, or made of mine a prey?
Was he not rather unto you, for all
Your Goods, against your enemies a wall?
Aske foolish Nabals servants, they will say,
He was a wall to us by night and day,
No sheep were lost, no Lambs of ours were slain,
Whilst David neer to Carmel did remain.
And though the churle did evill him requite,
Yet God, who is the Judge of wrong and right,
Reveng'd his churlishnesse with losse of life,
Rewarding Davids goodnesse with his wife.
By this Saul and his sons were overthrown
At Gilboa, which soon as it was known
To David, how did he compassionate
Their deaths, and those afflictions of the State,
Which were so great, they over Jordan fled,
And many of their Townes abandoned.
So as by this so great an overthrow,
Were Israel and Judah brought so low,
They to the son of Ishai presents bring,
And him acknowledge their annointed King.
For what was closely done by Samuel,
Was known to all the Tribes of Israel.
Had he not been a valiant man of warre,
The Philistins prevailed had so farre,
We surely had long since their servants been,
And not these dayes of liberty have seen.
Abner long at Mehanaim maintain'd
The son of Saul, whilst he at Hebron raign'd,
Till Traytors did his head to David bring,
Then all the Tribes acknowledge him their King.
Oh with what wondrous joy and acclamation,
Was he accepted then of all this Nation!
He went before us in and out, in all
The warres, in times of Samuel and Saul:
He saved us from all our enemies,
And honour'd us with glorious victories.
Oh! then he was of our own flesh and bone,
And fit to govern all the Tribes alone.
Sure his deserts were infinite before,
But hath he not to these still added more?
Witnesse this place, where now Gods Arke is pight
In th' heart of Judah, which the Jebusite
'Gainst Josuah, Judges, Samuel, Saul, maintain'd,
By Davids might and prowesse now obtain'd,
This holy place, where now you meet to pray,
And offer sacrifices night and day,
For Sions Mount, your Kings brave habitation,
Worlds wonder, and the Glory of this Nation,
Whilome of theeves, and murtherers a den,
Whence they did steal your goods and spoil your men,
And sacrifice to Rimnon, morn and even,
And worship'd daily all the host of Heaven,
Yea often to appease th' infernall Ire,
Did drive your sons and daughters through the fire,
This fort, defended by the blind and lame,
He builded, and Hierusalem did name.
Did not all Palestine their forces bring,
'Gainst David soon as he was crowned King?
Whom all to weak his valour to withstand,
God twice delivered into Davids hand:
Yea ev'n the God of Hosts, to shew his right,
Led him forth from the Mulberry trees to fight:
Soon as his enemies subdued are,
He wholly on Religion sets his care,
Gods Ark into your City home to bring,
That God might dwell with you, as did the King.
Why should I here sad Uzzahs breach recite?
Whom God, for his presumption, dead did smite.
For staying but the Arke up with his hand,
Medling with sacred thing, 'gainst Gods command.
For which it was to Obed Edoms led,
Where whilst it staid, all things well prospered.
But ah, how did our Prophet dance and sing,
More like a holy Levite than a King,
When th' Ark was brought up hither to be rear'd,
And set up in the place for it prepar'd,
Who though he then was scorn'd in Michols sight,
God never did in him take more delight.
What hath he not for this your City done?
Besides his many Royall workes begun,
And finished, whereby he chang'd this hold
Of earth and stone, to streets of brasse and gold.
'Twas in his mind a Temple here to raise,
To Gods eternall Worship land and praise.
Till God by Nathan otherwise declared;
Yet he for it materialls hath prepared,
The which his son that Prince of peace shall raise,
And blesse with peace and honour all his dayes.
For all such as have had their hands in bloud,
As David, though their warres are just and good,
From medling with Gods Altar ought abstain,
The stones whereof should all in peace be lain.
For what are all our Rites and offerings,
Arke, Incense, and all other holy things,
But figures of eternall peace and rest:
No bloudied hands may minister this feast.
(Irregularity for second wives
Is vain, as you shall see by both their lives.)
And therefore David leavs it to his son,
He after all his former battails won,
Hath taken Gath, the key of all your Land,
The Bridle thus wringing out of the hand
Of Philistins, who now are brought so low,
They all their knees to Judahs Monarch bow.
Ittai one of their Lords of greatest might,
Serv'd under David in this civill fight:
Moah you know with lines was measured,
Two lines to save alive, another dead.
And Hadadezar, Syrians King of Kings,
With all his Vice-Roys, presents to us brings:
Now Aram and Damascus ours remain,
Twenty two thousand of them being slain.
He hither all the Shields of gold did bring,
Which he had taken from the Syrian King.
We quite through Edom all our Armies led,
And of them eighteen thousand slaughtered.
So as in all these Cities and wall'd Townes,
The King hath put strong men in Garrisons:
Yea ev'n Damascus, though as Queen she reigns,
Above the rest, a Garrison maintains.
What Presents did the son of Tohu bring,
Of Gold and Silver Vessels to the King?
Which all together, with a mighty masse
Of Gold and Silver Vessells, and of brasse;
The spoiles of all these Nations related,
Are to our Temples structure dedicated.
And as he did abroad a victor raign,
At home he right and judgement did maintain.
Israel was never better kept in order,
Seraiah Scribe, and Josaphat Recorder,
The Kings own sons, your chiefest Rulers are,
The chiefest Priests, I and Abiathar.
God and the King unto this place did chuse us,
Which of you for wrong dealing can accuse us?
But seeing you are not of Judah all,
But some of Benjamin and house of Saul,
Which Tribes are so neer neighbors, and allide,
We hardly one from th' other can divide,
Give me but leave to render an account,
How he in benefits doth you surmount.
When Saul and's sons on Gilboas Mount were slain,
How did he for their deaths lament and plain?
Especially for Jonathan his brother,
Was ever any friend more kind to other?
How were the men of Jabesh honoured,
Who Saul and his sons bones had buried?
Did ever any of Sauls kindred dye
By David, for revenge or jealousie?
How did he Abners losse lament and plain?
The Traytors that slew Ishbosheth were slain.
And lame Mephibosheth, who here now stands,
Hath he not given thee all thy Fathers Lands?
Wert thou not, like a Prince, serv'd with his meat,
Drank of his cup, and at his Table eate?
Though Ziba did thee trecherously disgrace,
The King will sure restore thee to thy place.
Could ever any Prince do more to win,
His Subjects hearts? yet should I now begin,
His merits all not mention'd to recite,
I could not reckon up them all by night:
But these are all but favours temporall:
Ah! what are his sweet Hymnes spirituall,
Whose every letter, tittle, point, and line,
Have each their sense, sweet, mysticall, divine,
Ev'n as our souls desire, like to the past
Of heavenly Manna to the spirituall tast;
By which the souls with fat and marrow fed,
As bodies were by Manna cherished,
They over all your Tents like Quailes dispread,
That weakest stomacks might be comforted.
But ah! no tongue but his can rightly sing,
The heavenly praises of this holy King,
Shew me his like in all Antiquity,
For valour, wisdome, justice, piety,
Yet won by shews and grosse dissembling,
You, for a Traytor, have dismiss'd this King.
What Nation is so barbarous and rude,
But will condemne such base ingratitude?
If in these errours you shall still remain,
And do not haste to bring him back again.
Thus doth this grave high Priest to them divine,
Like winged, heavenly, holy Seraphine,
And bows the hearts (this elocution can)
Of all the men of Judah as one man.
When suddenly arose a murmuring,
And all cry out aloud, the King, the King.
All inly mov'd, each looks upon his brother,
And ready are to follow one another:
When one breakes forth, and him they follow all,
And leave good Zadock preaching to the wall.
So have I seen a goodly heard of Steeres,
Deep stung in Autumns heat by flyes and breers,
With tailes erect, all follow after one,
None knowing whither, nor for what they run;
Scarse from Mahanaim passed was the King,
When Legates this Ambassage to him bring;
The men of Judah comming are amain,
Their King home to his house to bring again:
Lo, they are all, say they, upon the way,
And therefore he makes haste, that very day,
To Gilgall, where they all in order stood,
All prest to ford him over Jordans flood.
Shimei, that curst the King, going out mourning,
A thousand helps now brings to his returning;
And Ziba servant of Sauls family,
With twenty servants him accompany.
All these with readinesse attend the King,
And all things needfull to his passage bring,
When Shimei thus, let not my Lord begin,
Now to impute or call to mind the sin,
I did commit against my Lord the King,
When thou wentst forth, I now abhorre the thing;
Thy servant doth acknowledge his offence,
And to redeem his former insolence,
Doth hitherfirst of Josephs house descend.
Thee homeward to thy City to attend.
Faine Abishai would have his neck disjoynted,
Because that he had cursed Gods annoynted,
But David, much offended, doth reply;
Shall any man this day in Israel dye?
This day I Israels King am made again,
And therefore sweare, no Shimei shall be slain.
And now Mephibosheth the King doth meet,
That never cut his beard, nor washt his feet,
Nor chang'd his rayment, from the day the King
Went out, till they him home in peace did bring.
To whom the King, Mephibosheth, ah! why
In exile had I not thy company?
Who thus replyes: Ziba, oh King, deceav'd
Thy servant, and me of mine Asse bereav'd.
For soon as he did understand, that I
Resolved was thee to accompany,
And therefore him commanded to provide
Mine Asse in readinesse, whereon to ride:
He led the Beast away that should me beare,
And me accus'd of treason in thine eare.
But thou, my Lord, well knowst thy servant's lame,
And never merited so foule a blame.
Lo, as Gods Angell thou art just and wise,
Do therefore what good seemeth in thine eyes:
For I and all my Fathers family,
Were but as dead, when thy benignity,
Thy servant did at thine own Table place.
I ask no more, but still to see thy face.
No more, saith David, I all understand,
With Ziba, as before, divide the land:
Let him, his sons, and servants, till the ground,
The profits to Mephibosheth redound.
Let him, saith he, both land take and increase,
Now I do see my Lord return'd in peace.
Barzillai had the King accompani'd,
From Rogelim to Jordans other side,
And sent the King provision every day,
Whilst with his Host he at Mahanaim lay:
For he was wondrous rich, and very old,
But comely and most gracious to behold.
Faine would the King this good old man have led
To his own house, and at his Table fed.
But he replyes, Alas! how long have I,
My Lord, to live? let me go home and dye.
Thy servant now full foure score years hath past,
And in his meat and drink discernes no taste;
I cannot heare the voyce of them that sing.
Why should I be a burthen to the King?
Now thou art over Jordan, God thee guard,
Why shouldst thou me requite with such reward?
Let me return to mine own quiet bed,
And in my parents grave be buried.
My son thy servant Chimham, he shall go
With thee, to whom, even what thou pleasest, do.
Well, said the King, I do accept thy son,
What thou desirest for him shall be done,
And for thy self, what ever thou require,
I shall be glad to answer thy desire.
Thus did the King with many thanks dismisse
The good old man, and parted with a kisse.
Barzillai home returns, to take his ease,
The King comes to Hierusalem in peace.