CXC. 2 Kings, Chap. VI. from Ver. 3. to Ver. 23.
Elisha discovers the Counsels of Syria to the
King of Israel: An Army of Syrians
sent to take him. He is defended with Chariots and Horses of Fire, &c.
Agen with Israel, Syria War proclaims,
For Glory and for Empire; mighty Names,
Which oft have set the rival World in Flames!
By frequent Spoils the Land too well they knew,
Nor their Advantage wanting to pursue:
What Posts to seize in Council they agree,
Whence they might most infest their Enemy:
To Israel's Monarch Eliseus sent,
Who more than once appriz'd of their Intent,
The Passes seiz'd and did their Spoil prevent.
As Waves when with tumultuous Waves engag'd,
The disappointed Syrian storm'd and rag'd:
What Traitor has my Counsels thus reveal'd,
Or are you all combin'd that still the Wretch conceal'd!
When thus his Slaves around him crouching say,
A Syrian never cou'd his Lord betray;
But 'tis Elisha has his Master shown,
What only to these Walls before was known.
I'll have the Wizard's Head whate're it cost,
The Tyrant cries, and sends a num'rous Host,
Who Dothan's Walls, which with the Prophet bless'd,
By long and speedy Marches soon invest:
As o're the Hills the blushing Morn arose,
Her Beams their glitt'ring Squadrons first disclose,
When thro' the Gates Elisha fearless goes,
His faithful Servant waiting by his side;
Nor sooner he the Syrian Army spy'd,
Trembling and pale—, Alas my Lord! he cry'd,
Their Host so num'rous, and the Foe so nigh,
What Hope to 'scape, or whither must we fly?
His Master thus—with coward Fear away,
We have a larger Army far than they.
He prays, those Scales remove that veil'd his Sight,
His Eyes are struck with new and wond'rous Light:
He saw the Hills with fiery Chariots spred,
Red were the Steeds, their flaming Manes were Red:
Their deadly Scythes of pointed Lightnings made,
Or borrow'd from the Comets threatning Blade:
So close their Ranks, so deep their Files appear'd,
As their own Heav'n they left without a Guard.
Agen to Heav'n the Man of God preferr'd
His fervent Pray'rs, his fervent Pray'rs are heard:
Who the protected Pair did late surround,
Their Eyes with Darkness seal'd, and Shades profound;
Their Army, now a Rout, is scatter'd wide,
And whom they sought their Prey, implore their Guide:
To fair Samaria's Walls he them convey'd,
Their Eyes recover'd when the Prophet pray'd.
O What a Sight! when making first they view'd
Those hostile Walls so oft in Blood embrew'd!
The Guards around in glitt'ring Armour stand,
Each with his Weapon in his strong Right-Hand,
In act to strike; they thought their Prince too slow,
And wait with Pain the Word to give the Blow.
He asks the Prophet, mildly he replies,
And wou'dst thou smite thy captive Enemies?
Th'ungen'rous only with th'unarm'd contend,
And take a Life which cannot theirs offend:
Rather oblige, and home in safety send!
The Not-ill-natur'd Prince his Word obey'd,
A Kingly Feast he for his Captives made;
Then did without a Ransom them release,
And with his Bounty charm'd, to Syria send in Peace.
