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Now Israel's Sons, whom Ammon had oppos'd
Laid Siege on Rabbah, and her Walls enclos'd;
Where Just Urias, for his Valour known,
Fought for his Country's Honour, and his own;
Defended Judah's Right, and Judah's Lord,
And wrote his Monarch's Title with his Sword;
Abroad he roam'd; him Camps and Arms did please,
Whilst David wanton'd in Domestick ease.
But now he's sent for, and must haste away,
Leave all his Armies, and his Warlike play:
He comes; and David with a feign'd embrace,
A seeming Kindness, and dissembled Face,
Salutes the General, and to know desires
Much of his Troops, of Joab much inquires.
Th' unhappy innocent Man begins to show
Th' Events of War, th' Advantage of the Foe.
Tells what their Forces, what their Numbers were,
The Deaths of all; nor thought his own so near.
At the King's Table royally he Dines,
And drinks of Noble Arnon's costly Wines:
But David, fearing that all Isr'el knew
Those Crimes, which he alone was privy to,
Resolves the Good, the Right'ous, and the Just,
Shall fall a Victim to his royal Lust;
No fear of Judgment can his Mind reclaim,
He dreams of Thunder as an idle Name.
Laid Siege on Rabbah, and her Walls enclos'd;
6
Fought for his Country's Honour, and his own;
Defended Judah's Right, and Judah's Lord,
And wrote his Monarch's Title with his Sword;
Abroad he roam'd; him Camps and Arms did please,
Whilst David wanton'd in Domestick ease.
But now he's sent for, and must haste away,
Leave all his Armies, and his Warlike play:
He comes; and David with a feign'd embrace,
A seeming Kindness, and dissembled Face,
Salutes the General, and to know desires
Much of his Troops, of Joab much inquires.
Th' unhappy innocent Man begins to show
Th' Events of War, th' Advantage of the Foe.
Tells what their Forces, what their Numbers were,
The Deaths of all; nor thought his own so near.
At the King's Table royally he Dines,
And drinks of Noble Arnon's costly Wines:
But David, fearing that all Isr'el knew
Those Crimes, which he alone was privy to,
Resolves the Good, the Right'ous, and the Just,
Shall fall a Victim to his royal Lust;
No fear of Judgment can his Mind reclaim,
He dreams of Thunder as an idle Name.
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