University of Virginia Library

Nuncius
After Sauls death Dauid the kinge of Iuda was annoynted
But Isboseth the sonne of Saul by Abner was ordayned
to be the kinge of Galaad & Gessuri & of Iesrahel
& of Ephraim & Beniamin, & also of all Israell
But Isboseths forces dayly decay'd: & Dauids power
increas'd, for Abner did vpon occasion of a slaunder
breake from hym, & tooke Dauids part & brought wt h hym all Israel.
But after Ioab hym slewe for the death of his brother Asael
whom Abner kilde before. But Abner's death Dauid lamented
exceedinge much, & wt h Ioab for his death was much offended
And Isboseth was after slayne by Rechab & Baana
& his head vnto Dauid brought by them that did hym slea.
But Dauid did condemne their fact, & for their paynes them killed
& after in the citty of Hierusalem remayned
And there he from the Iebusits did take the Tower of Sion
the wc h the citty of Dauid's cal'd, a goodly habitation.
And Oza touchinge of the Arke when that the oxen spurned
& made yt leane a-syde, was by god for his rashnes killed
wc h frighted Dauid so, that he the Arke of god did cary
vnto Obededoms house, & there the same three monthes did tary:
for wc h Obededom & his house was blest, wc h Dauid hearinge
he to Hierusalem fetcht the same, where he was then remayninge
And before the Arke of our lord Dauid & the rest daunced
in token of their ioy, & afterward Dauid intended
to builde a Temple to our lord, & th'Arke there in to place
but that by the appoyntment of our lord differred was
wt h promise that the same shall by his sonne performed bee
& that his kingdom shall not fayle, but last for all eternity.
And Michol: because that she Dauid mockt when as he daunced
before the Arke, of children was vntill her death depryued:
And six sonnes were to Dauid borne whyle that he dwelt in Hebron
where of his eldest of Achinoam begot was Ammon,
Cheleab the next, & Absalom his third sonne had to name,
fourth Adonias, Saphathia fifth, & the sixt Ietraam.
And diuers countries vnto wc h Israel did tribute pay
are tributaries now become to Israel at this day.
And many Nations conquered are & by Dauid subdued
who in subiection Israel had in the tyme that Saul reigned.
And Dauid for the loue that he to Ionathas did owe
did on his sonne Miphiboseth the lands of Saul bestowe,
& well requited all that were his frendes in his aduersity
& iust reuenge did take vpon them that had done hym iniury.
And Rabba a citty of the Ammonites ys now besiged
by Dauid, & Ioab of his Army chiefe captayne ys ordayned.
But what th'euent of these same warres will be as yet's not knowne
but shortly will yf you'l attentyue bee: So I'l be gone.

Kinge Dauid
What woman's this that's washinge of her selfe? Non can be fayrer

Moguntio.
It's Bethsabee (my Liege) vrias wyfe, & Eliams daughter

Dauid
Go to her streight, & bid her to my chamber come anone
for wt h her loue my heart ys sett on fyre. come let's begone
Wt h Bethsabee now haue I lyen, who hath by me conceiued
a childe, & of all women shee ys by me the best beloued
& yf her husband once were deade, I might inioy her still
where fore how I may hym dispatch some way devise I will
& better none I can inuent then for to sende hym too
the warres, & in fronte of the batell sett hym, wc h I'l do.
for vnto Ioab chiefe captayne of the warres I'l write a letter
to that effect, & there of shall vrias be the carier
hym selfe, but not know the contents there of, for that shall bee
conceal'd from hym: & now I'l write the same & seale yt presently.
My true & trusty seruant Ioab, The bearer here of sett
in the front of the battell where the daunger ys most great
to th'ende that he may be dispatcht (for that ys my intention.
fayle not, but my commandment do, & that wt h expedition.
Dauid thy lord & Kinge.
This will suffice: I'l folde yt vp & seale yt wt h my ringe
& to Vrias yt deliuer, who here in fytt tyme's cominge.
Vrias thou art come, as I could wish, for here's a letter
to be conueyd to Ioab: I pray thee take yt wt h thee thither.

Vrias.
I will so do dreede Soueraigne lord, & that wt h out delay

Dauid
Thankes good vrias for thy paynes. So let's go hence away.

Tholas
Most gratious prince your enemyes agaynst vs haue prevayled
though when we mett them in the field we hotely them pursued
euen to the citty gate, for they shott arrows off the wall
& many of thy seruants slewe, & others sore dyd gall.
& your seruant vrias was one of them that were slayne
as Ioab did will mee for to signify to you dreede Soveraigne
for in the fore fronte of the battell by Ioab he was placed

Dauid
Tholas to Ioab thus shall thou say: Here wt h be not discomfited
for diuerse ys th'euent of warres: now this & now that man
the sworde cutts off. Agaynst the citty wt h thy force go agayne
for thou in tyme may yt destroy, & vnto ruyne bringe.
Thus much say to my seruant Ioab: & so let's hence be goinge.

Nuncius.
When Bethsabee heard of her husbands death for hym shee mourned
a whyle: but since that tym vnto Kinge Dauid shee ys maryed.
& shee hath brought hym forth a sonne: & this Dauids proceedinge
ys scandalous to many, & before our lord displeasinge
So that yt lykely ys, vnlesse the kinge his synne repent
our lord will hym afflict wt h some seuere & grievous punishment.
& that to signify to hym Nathan the prophett's cominge
here wt h the kinge, & (as yt seemes) they seriously are talkinge
& about what yt will appeare, yf you will geue attention
accordinge to your vsuall wonte. & so I will be gone.

Nathan
Dreede Soueraigne lord) there were two men who dwelled in one citty
th'one rych, the other pore: The rych man had exceedinge many
oxen & sheepe: but the pore man one litle ewe had only
wc h he had brought & nourished vp wt h in his house continually
amongst his children, and of his owne bread shee did eate euer
& of his cupp drynke, & slept in his bosome as his daughter.
And when a certayne stranger came to the rych man, he spared
his owne oxen, & sheepe, & tooke the pore mans ewe, & killed
her for to make a feast for the stranger vnto hym come

Dauid
Our lord doth lyue, the man's the child of death that hath this done
He render shall the ewe foure folde, that hath done this same thing

Nathan
Thou art the man. Thus sayth our lord: I thee annoynted kinge
of Israel, & deliuered thee from Saul thy deadly enemy
& the house of thy lord & thy lords wyues I also gaue thee.
yea & I gaue to thee the house of Iuda & of Israel
& will farre greatter things add to thee, yf these be but litle
Why therefore the worde of the lord thy god hast thou contemned
& done yll in his sight? Thou hast Vrias t'Hetheit killed
& his wyfe taken to thy wyfe, & slayne hym in the sworde
of the children of Ammon, for wc h thinge thus sayth our lord
for euer shall the sword not from thy house depart, syth mee
thou hast dispysd, & the wyfe of vrias taken to thee
to be thy wyfe. Behold out of thy house I'l rayse up yll
& take thy wyues before thyne eyes, & to thy neighbour will
them geue: & he shall sleepe wt h them in ye sight of this sunne
for thou hast done yt secretly, but this word shall be done
by me in the sight of all Israel, & sight of the sunne.

Dauid
I synn'd haue to our lord, & wickedly agaynst hym done

Nathan.
Our lord also thy synne away hath taken: Thou shalt not dye
Neuer the lesse the sonne dyinge shall dye, that's borne vnto thee
because thou hast made th'enemyes of our lord for to blaspheme
where as thou rather should haue bene a good example to them.
But now I'l to my house returne haueinge vrgent occasion.

Dauid
And I no longer here will stay my selfe syth he ys gone

Nuncius
the sonne that Bethsabee brought forth god hath wt h sicknes visited
& for recouery of his health dauid fasted & prayed
& lye vpon the ground, & neyther eate nor drunke at all
But when he heard the child was dead, for oyntments he did call
& washt hym selfe, & eate & drunke, & our lord god adored.
Wc h when his seruants saw, there at they greatly were astonyed
& vnto one an other sayd: What a strange thinge ys this?
that while the infant lyu'd he mourn'd, & not when he dead ys?
To whom Dauid did answeare make: I mourned whyle he lyued
sayinge: who knows whether he by god to health may be restored?
But he beinge dead I do not mourne, nor fast, for I do know
he can not come to me agayne, but I must to hym go.
And when the child was dead & buryed, he Bethsabee comforted
& slept wt h her agayne, & since that tyme shee was deliuered
of an other sonne, who Salomon's cald, whom our lord loues intirely.
& ten other sonnes of concubins & wyues wc h he did mary
Dauid begothen hath since to Hierusalem he did come
& Ioab agayne hath fought agaynst Rabba & the citty wonne.
And Ammon one of Dauid sonnes begotten of Achinoam
wt h Absoloms sister ys in loue, who Thamar hath to name
Whom Dauid of Maacha did begot: & what will bee
th'issue there of rests doubtfull yet, but tyme will yt discry
for here Ammon & Ionadab his nephewe cominge are
& to his vncle yt's lyke Ammon will his mynde declare

Ionadab
Ammon) what makes thee day by day so leane beinge the kings sonne?

Ammon.
I am in loue wt h Thamar sister to my Brother Absolom

Ionadab.
Lye on my bedd, & sicknes feyne, & when thy father cometh
desyre hym that thy sister may such meate as thy mynd fancieth
vnto the bringe: & then thou may thy loue to her discouer

Ammon.
Your counsel's good; come let's be gone for I longe to speake wt h her

Thamar
My lord the kinge did tell me that my Brother sicke doth lye
on Ionadab my vncles bed, whither wt h this Broth I'l hye
to try yf he will tayst there of, as the kinge me commanded

Ammon
Stay sister stay & lye wt h mee, for that's yt I desyred.

Thamar
Brother alas what will you do? Intend you for to ravish mee?
In Israel that vnlawfull ys, & vnto me great iniury,
& shame vnto your selfe, & much dishonour to my father
where fore attempt no such foule act, yf you do loue me Brother.
But rather speake vnto the kinge, & he will geue me to thee.

Ammon.
Be quiet for thy labour's lost to stryue & strugle wt h mee.
Now minion thou may gett thee hence: for I my lust haue satisfyed
& the loue that I bare to thee ys turned Now to hatred

Thamar.
This euill in expellinge mee exceedeth farre the former

Ammon
This woman from me Bretzo take, & the dore fast shutt after her

Bretzo.
I will my lord: come lady go syth yt will be no better

Thamar.
O wo ys me! what shall I doe? I shamed am for euer.

Bretzo.
I haue her thrust my lord out at the dores, & shee goes cryinge
& sprincklinge ashes on her head, & her longe garments tearinge

Ammon
Let her do what she list, for my hatred to her is greatter
then euer was my loue. Perhaps to Ahsolom her Brother
she will go make her mone, & to hym tell what I haue done.
& yf shee do yt ys no matter. But now let vs be gone.

Nuncius
Thamar th'abuse of Ammon hath to Absolom declared
who although he did pitty her case, & there at was much grieued
yet he wild her to hold her peace, because he was her Brother
& there of vnto Ammon did not speake one word or other
but did his hatred vnto hym conceale. & Thamar stayed
in Absolom her Brothers house in her mynde sore perplexed
& when the brute there of to Dauid came, he grieu'd exceedingly
But after two yeares Absolom obtayned of his maiesty
that all his Brethren might come to a feast at his sheepe shearinge
where he his Brother Ammon slew, the rest safly departinge.
of whose death when the kinge did heare he was perplexed sore
& all his house, & Absolom fledd to the kinge of Gessur,
where he three yeares remayned hath. But Ioab when he perceiued
that the kings heart for Ammons death from Absolom was turned
a woman got for to propose his pardon by a parable
vnto the kinge, & what effect yt will haue tyme will tell
for here the kinge doth come wt h many nobles in his company
wt h the woman that's to make this suite attendinge on his maiesty
Lo how she mourninge feynes, haueinge putt on a mourning garment
& her face all bedew'd with teares, & garments all to rent
& now shee ys about to make vnto the kinge her mone
where fore attentyue be what she will say, so I'l be gone.

Bruna
Saue me o kinge!

Dauid.
What ys thy suite.

Br[una].
Alas I am a widow
for my husband ys dead, & thy handmayd had sonnes but two
who in the fielde at words fell th'one wt h th'other, & there was none
to stay them, but th'one kild the other, & th'other's fled & gone.
And behold his whole kinred ryse agaynst thy handmayd, sayinge:
Thy sonne that's fled & hath his Brother kild, vnto vs bringe
that he may vnto death be putt for killinge of his Brother
wc h yf yt happ (my liege) of no sonne I shall be the mother
Neither shall my husband haue heire: And this for iustice sake
ys not done, but that they an heire of their owne kynne may make

King Dauid.
Go to thy house, & yf thou speake the truth & do not lye
woman I will commandment geue that thy sonne shall not dye.

Bruna
Dreede Soueraigne your affayres so very many are & great
that your highnes may well this your pore handmayds suite forgett
& this yll may vpon me light, & on th'house of my father
wt h out your fault: where fore my liege make vs yet some securer

King Dauid.
He that gayne says thee & thy sonne, lett hym be brought vnto mee
& I'l such course take that he shall no more presume to touch thee

Bruna.
The kinsmen many are that would reueng'd be of my sonne
so that I can not bringe them all: & yf I bringe but one
or two vnto your grace, by the rest he may killed bee
the while, wherefore my Liege by publish't oath make hym security

Kinge Dauid
Our Lord doth lyue, on th'earth there shall no heire fall of thy sonne

Bruna.
Let not my lord be angry yf I speake agayne.

Dau[id].
Speake on

Bruna
Why then permist thou not Absolom to come agayne,
& them that fled away wt h hym, but let's them still remayne
in the Idolaters land, where they may be drawne to Idolatry?
And as waters do not returne, So on th'earth wee all dye
neuer to come agayne to lyfe, so that Ammon beinge dead,
can not revived bee: but Absolom may be recalled
from Banishment yf that yt please your grace for hym to send:
And God will's not a sinners death but would haue hym amend
hys former faults, & ready ys then for to shew hym mercy.
And god you represent: where fore on Absolom take pitty.
And syth your highnes hath by oath both me & my sonne pardoned
Let (worthy king) lyke fauour vnto Absolom be shewed

Kinge Dauid
Tell me good woman ys Ioab of thy counsell in this matter?

Bruna
He ys my liege: No word of his there was that I did alter

Kinge Dauid
Behold Ioab my wrathes pacifyed, & I will do thy word
go streight & the boy Absolom recall.

Ioab
Thankes gratious lord.
I prostrate fallinge on my face vnto the earth adore thee
Now vnto Gessur I'l begone & Absolom fetch home presently

Kinge Dauid
so do, but bringe hym to his house, & not before my face

Ioab.
I will: & now I humbly take my leaue of your good grace

Kinge Dauid
Adewe Ioab, & god speed thee well. Now I'l also be gone
Bruna farewell.

Bru[na].
All happines attend your royall person.

Nuncius.
Ioab hath brought Absolom vnto his house, but the kings face
he's not admitted yet to see: & for beauty there was
neuer in all Israel his peare: & no lesse was his comlynes
for from sole of his foote to the crowne of his head he's faultlesse
And when he powld his heire (wc h euery yeare once was performed
because his bush did burden hym) of common weight yt weyed
two hundred sicles, & he in Hierusalem two yeares was
& neuer saw of all that tyme the kinge his fathers face.
But in the ende to see hym hee by Ioabs meanes was permitted
& he the kinge ador'd, & wt h a kisse the kinge hym welcomed.
But Absolom hath since that tyme for hym selfe chariots gotten
& men before hym for to go: & when any one doth happen
for iudgment to the kinge to come, then Absolom doth stand
at the entrance of the kings gate, & takes hym by the hand
geueinge hym kynd & louinge words, & frendly hym embraceth
where by all the kings subiects hearts vnto hym selfe he winneth.
But to what ende he doth all this as yet yt ys not knowne
but shortly will yf you will patience haue. So I'l begone.

Absolom
My gratious lord yf yt please you I gladly would be gone
to pay my vowes, wc h I did make vnto our lord in Hebron
for thy seruant vowinge did vow, & made a faythfull promise
when I in Gessur lyuinge was, vnto our lord to sacrifice
yf that into Hierusalem I safly came agayne

Kinge Dauid
Sonne Absolom in peace depart: I will not thee detayne

Absolom
Then humbly I will take my leaue, wt h thankes vpon my knee

Kinge Dauid
fare well my sonne: now he ys gone, no longer here I'l tary

Nuncius
Now Absolom in Hebron ys aryu'd, & hath conspyred
agaynst the kinge his father, & many vnto hym are ioyned
amongst whom ys Achitophel to Dauid that was counseler
where of so soone as the kinge had intelligence by a messenger
he to his seruants sayd: The hearts of Israel are wt h Absolom,
Aryse let's flee lest sodaynly he should vpon vs come
& kill vs, & the citty stryke in the edge of the sworde
& wt h hym there did go six hundred souldiers at his worde
And the priest Sadoc & the Leuits also wt h hym went
caryinge the Arke of god till they had passed Cedrons torrent
But then the kinge made Sadoc backe the Arke of god to cary
in to Hierusalem, sayinge yf that I shall fynde mercy
& grace in the sight of our lord, he'l bringe me backe agayne
& shew me yt: The while yt shall wt h in the citty remayne.
But yf god shall vnto mee say: I am displeased wt h thee,
Let hym do that wc h ys before hym good: I'l take yt patiently.
for till that I to god be reconcild, I am not worthy
to haue the Arke of couenant for to go in my company.
Sadoc then & Abiathar the Arke of god backe caryed
& Dauid weepinge & bare foote vp the mount Oliuet clymbed
wt h his head couered (as all the rest had that wt h hym went)
lest that he had bene seene of them to weepe, mourne, & lament
And when yt was told Dauid that Achitophell in company
wt h his sonne Absolom was: Infatuat o lord quoth hee
the counsell of Achitophel: & then Dauid adored
our lord on the topp of the mount: wc h done Chusay repayred
to hym wt h his head full of earth, & garments all to rent.
whom when Dauid had seene, he to hym thus did say incontinent:
Yf thou go wt h me, vnto me a burthen thou shalt bee
(for hee no warrier was) But yf thou go backe to the citty
& vnto Absolom say: I thy seruant am o kinge
as I thy fathers seruant was obedient in ech thinge
so I'l thy seruant be, Thou shalt defeate Achitophels counsell
for to the priests Abiathar & sadoc thou shalt tell
what thou heares out of the kings house, & they shall to me signify
by their sonnes what ys sayd. And Chusai went vnto the citty
accordinge to the kings desyre: But what he'l do or say
as yet's not knowne, but shortly will, so I'l go hence away

Moguntio
My liege) Siba the seruant of Miphiboseth the sonne
of Ionathas, who in tyme past so much for you hath done
hath brought vnto your maiesty two Asses that were loaded
wt h Rasens, Bread, & figs, & wyne, wc h he to me deliuered

Dauid
Siba what meane those things?

Siba.
The asses are to ryde vpon
when the kings howshold weary ys haui[n]ge long iourneys gone.
The Bread, Rasens, & figs are for thy seruants for to eate
when that they in the desert are, & can come by no meate.
And the wyne is to be drunke when any man ys faynt or thirsty

Dauid
Where's thy old maisters sonne?

Siba.
He in Hierusalem doth tary
& sayth: This day the house of Israel agayne restore
hym to his fathers kingdome wc h his grandfather had before.

Dauid
Siba let all things be thyne wc h I to Miphiboseth gaue

Siba
Thanks my lord kinge for that such grace found in thy sight I haue
Alas my Liege who's that that hurleth stones thus at your grace?
& at your seruants to?

Dauid.
It Simei ys come of Saul's race

Simei
Come forth, come forth thou man of blood, come forth thou man of Belial
our lord hath all the blood repayd the of the house of Saul
Because thou Sauls kingdome invaded hast, our lord hath taken
from thee the kingdome, & to Absolom the same hath geuen,
because thou art a man of blood thyne euils have opprest thee

Abisai
Why curseth this dead dogg my lord? I'l go cutt off his head

Dauid
Let hym alone that he may curse syth our Lord hath permitted
hym Dauid for to curse. And who ys hee that dare say why
hath hee so done? Behold my sonne that did come out of mee
seeketh my lyfe. By how much more he that's the sonne of Iemini?
Let hym alone that he may curse: syth he by god Almighty
permitted ys: perhaps our lord may to me mercy shew
& respect my affliction, & for this days cursinge doe
me good. where fore a whyle yet longer letts walke in his company

Semei
Come forth, come forth thou man of blood, come forth yt I may kill thee
our lord hath repay'd thee all the blood of the house of Saul.
What are you gone? no longer here then I will stay at all.

Chusai
Now Absolom, Achitophel, & all the people are
entred into Hierusalem: wherefore I will prepare
my selfe, & to hym go. But as it seemes he's this way cominge
I will hym meete: God saue thee kinge: our lord saue thee o kinge.

Absolom
Is this thy kyndnes to thy frende? where fore did thou not go
wt h thy frend as before thyne eyes thou sawest others do

Chusai
Because that I his seruant was, but now serue hym will I
that's chosen by our lord & people, & wt h hym will tary
& more then that whom shall I serue? ys it not ye kings sonne?
Service to thee I'l do, as to thy father I haue done.

Absolom
Achitophel what shall we do?

Achit[ophel].
There are left in ye citty
your fathers concubins my liege: Go in & wt h them lye
& when Israel hears that you haue your fathers bed defyled
they will thinke that you neuer will to hym be reconciled
who doubtfull there of yet remayne: But when this deed's once done
they will assure them selues no hope's left of reconciliation
& then they will cleeue fast to you, & quite forsake your father

Absolom.
No doubt there of: come let's begone: thou geues good counsell euer

Achitophel
Dreed soueraigne lord kinge Absolom Ten thousand men I'l take
& rysinge this same night will pursute after Dauid make.
& now when he's both weake & weary I'l stryke hym in the sword

Absolom
That pleaseth me.

People.
And vs.

Absol[om].
Chusai wilt thou here to accord?

Chusai.
The counsell ys not good (my Liege) that's geuen by Achitophel
for both thy father & his men as my Liege knows right well
are very valiant Souldiers, & of a great & fell courage,
And as a sauage beare when her whelps taken are would rage.
Yea & thy father ys a man of warre, & of great pollicy
& perhaps wt h his Souldiers doth not stay, but lyeth secretly
hydd in some caue to saue hym selfe lest he should be assaulted
in the night by his foes, or by his owne men be betrayed
because he's now growne weake, so yt though he his people kill
yet shall not you my gratious lord of Dauid haue your will.
And yf there should (as ofte yt haps) some of your men slayne bee
yt will the rest discourage my liege & animate your enemy.
wherefore my lord by my aduise to gether call all Israel
from Bersabe to Dan, who as the sea sand are innumerable
& as a potent prince in the midst of them thou shalt bee
So shalt thou gayne vnto thy self the glory of the victory
wc h other wyse would to Achitophel redound, yf he alone
the conquest gott, & thou not there in thyne owne proper person
And we thy enemyes will assault where s'euer they are found
& we shall couer them as the dew that falleth on the ground
& not leaue one wt h hym alyue, but put all to the sword
& yf they flye to any citty, the same we'l wt h a corde
& ropes inviron round about, & forth wt h pull yt downe
into the Torrent, & there of shall not be found a stone.

Absolom
Chusai thy counsel's better then the counsell of Achitophell

People of Israel.
We all do thinke no lesse my lord, wherefore take chusais counsell.

Absolom
Assure your selues I will forth wt h putt yt in execution.
where fore to call all Israel to gether let vs begone.

Nuncius
Chusai vnto Abiathar & Sadoc hath related
how all things past, & they the same by messengers haue signifyed
already to kinge Dauid, & there wt h this admonition
that in the desert he stay not this night, but get hym gone
lest he perhaps be swallowed vp, and all his people also
& Dauid liks their counsell well, & forth wt h thence will go
before that the day light appeare ouer the ryuer Iordan
& not one man of all his troupe behinde hym shall remayne
And as I heare Achitophel ys waxen very melancholy
because his counsell was refus'd, & Absolom lefte presently
& to his house wt h in the citty departed all alone
& to what ende yt shortly will appeare. So I'l begone.
Now haue I order taken wt h my house, & am determined
to go & hange my selfe because my counsell was dispysed
& here I haue a rope where wt h that feate shal streight be done
at the next tree that I can fynde for to be hanged on

King Dauid
Achitophel I heare hath hang'd hym selfe, & Absolom
wt h all the men of Israel now ys ouer Iordan come
me to in vade, & therefore I my forces haue deuided
into three parts, where of one third to Ioab ys allotted
an other to Abisai, & the third part vnto Ethai.
& you three shall my captaynes be & fight for me this day
And I also wt h you will go in myne owne proper person.

Ioab.
Not so my liege: Though we should flee the matter's smale or none:
or yf the halfe of vs do fall, they are not much the better
But syth thou as Ten thousand art accompted, yt ys fitter
that in the citty thou remayne yf neede be vs to ayde

King Dauid
Syth that this seemeth good to you, I'l do as you haue sayd.
yet ere you go, Ioab, Ibisai, & Ethai hither come
& listen to my words: See that you saue mee the child Absolom
in any wyse, So fare you well, & our lord your guide bee

Ioab, Abisai, Ethai
In hope there of we'l forward go.

Dau[id].
& I'l vnto the citty

Ioab.
We in the forest of Ephraim haue now wt h our foes incountred
& twenty thousand of them slayne, & many mo are drowned
wt h in the ditches of the forest, then dyed by dynt of sword

Malco Nuncius
I from the forest came my lord to bringe your honour word
that Absolom sittinge vpon a mule, & by chaunce meetinge
the seruants of the kinge, his mule vnder a thicke oke runninge
the head of Absolom stuck in the tree beinge fast intangled
by the heyre, & I lefte hym hanginge there as yet not strangled

Ioab.
If thou saw'st hym, why didst thou not vnto the earth hym nayle?
& I ten siluer sicles & a belt had wt h out fayle
on the bestow'd.

Malco.
yf thou a thousand syluer peeces should
pay in my hand, to the kings Sonne no such thinge do I would
for vnto thee, Abisai, & Ethai the kinge commandment gaue
in all our hearings: See you do me the child Absolom saue.

Ioab.
Though thou would not, yet I my selfe will kill hym in thy presence
where fore come let's no longer stay but forth wt h be gone hence.

Achimas
When vnto Absolom Ioab came he wt h three lances stroke
hym to the heart, & while he gaspinge hange vpon the oke
Ten squiers of Ioabs vnto hym ranne & killed hym out right
wt h vnto the spectators was a lamentable sight
And when that Absolom was dead, Ioab streight the trumpet sounded
& caus'd the lyues of all the rest that fled for to be spared
And in a pitt wt h in the forest they Absoloms corps haue hurled
& there vpon a wonderfull great heape of stones haue heaped
But now I'l runne vnto the kinge & tell hym god hath done
hym iudgement on his enemyes, & also vpon his sonne

Ioab
Stay Achimas thou shalt not go that message for to cary
this day syth the kings sonne ys dead, wc h will but greeue his maiesty
but some other tyme, when there ys better newes thou shalt yt bringe.
Chusai.

Chusai.
what's my lords will?

Ioab.
Go & relate vnto the kinge
what thou hast seene.

Chusai.
I will my lord.

Achim[as].
I will runne after chusai

Ioab.
why wilt thou runne my sonne? Good newes to hym thou shalt not cary

Achimas
But yet what yf I runne?

Ioab.
Runne yf yu wilt. Now I alone
am lefte, wherefore backe to myne army I'l also begone.

Achimas
I haue chusai out runne by goinge of a nearer way
& to the kinge first newes I'l bringe of all that's done this day

Brunus
I haue my liege espyed a man who thys way alone runneth

Kinge Dauid
If he do come alone, he in his mouth good tydings bringeth

Brunus
An other man runninge alone vnto me doth appeare

Dauid
And this same a good messenger ys: Lucky newes we shall heare

Brunus
The first man runnes lyke Achimas who ys Sadoc his sonne.

Dauid
He's a good man, & brings good newes. Achimas tell me what's done.

Achimas
Our lord blesse thee o kinge, & our lord thy god blessed bee
who hath the men shutt vp that lifted vp their hands agaynst thee

Dauid
Is the child Absolom saffe?

Achim[as].
A great tumult my liege I sawe
when as thy seruant Ioab me sent: No other thinge else I know.

Dauid
passe & stand there.

Chusai.
Good tydings to my gratious lord I bringe
for our lord hath iudg'd all this day that ryse agaynst the kinge.

Dauid
Is the child Absolom saffe.

Chusai.
Let th'enemyes of the kinge so bee
as the child, & all that do ryse to yll agaynst his maiesty

Dauid
I sory am, & can not choose but weepe for my sonne Absolom.
O my sonne Absolom, O Absolom myne owne deare sonne!
Who would graunt mee that I might for thee dye O Absolom
o my sonne Absolom, O Absolom myne owne deare sonne

Ioab.
Alas my Liege why do you weepe & mourne so for your sonne,
where as the victory that's gott deserueth exultation?

Dauid
O my sonne Absolom, O Absolom myne owne deare sonne!
who would graunt me that I might for thee dye sonne Absolom?

Ioab
The countenance of all thy people my liege thou hast confounded
who haue thy lyfe, & the lyues of thy sonnes & daughters saued
& of thy wyues & concubins. Thou loues them that hate thee
& hates them that thee loue, & thou cares not for thy Nobility
nor for thy seruants: But yf Absolom had lyu'de I see
& we thy seruants had beene slayne, right well yt would haue pleas'd thee
where fore ryse vp o kinge & speake some comfortable worde
vnto thy men, or else I sweare vnto thee by our lord
one verely will not stay wt h thee this night, & that shall bee
worse for thee then all th'euils that from thy youth haue hapt to thee

Dauid
I will begone & comfort them in the best wyse I can

Ioab.
And by that meanes thou shall procure the loue of euery man.

Nuncius
The king's sett in a publyke place, where all to hym resort
& he wt h frendly word, & chearefull lookes doth them much comfort
And Sadoc & Abiathar commanded hath to say
vnto th'Auncients of Iuda, why make you the longest stay
in comminge to bringe backe the kinge vnto this house, syth yee
my Brethren are, & of my bone & flesh? Say lyke wyse from mee
to Amasa: Art thou not of my flesh, & of my bone?
vnto me lett these & these things by our lord god be done
yf vnder Ioab thou be not euer chiefe captayne of the warre.
And he hath wonne the hearts of all that in Iuda are:
who hym invited to returne, & mett hym by the way
as Simei hath also done, who curst hym the last day,
& hath brought wt h hym to the kinge a thousand men of Beniamin.
And Siba seruant to Miphiboseth hath also wt h hym byn
wt h all his seruants, & hys sonnes: & so Miphiboseth was
& euery one through all the tribes of Israel, who found grace
in the kings sight: And such as had his maiesty offended
were pardoned: And such as had Loyall bene, highly rewarded.
And wt h a ioynt consent all Israel hath brought backe the kinge
vnto Hierusalem wt h ioyfull hearts, & great reioyceinge.
But since one Seba Bochris sonne agayne maketh rebellion
& shortly you shall see th'euent there of. So I'l begone.

Dauid
I Amasa to call to gether the men of Iuda charged
agaynst the third day, but he stays beyond the tyme appoynted
wherefore I stand in feare lest Seba should afflict vs more
then Absolom wt h all his power afflicted vs before.
Wherefore the seruants of thy lord (Abisai go & take
& hym pursew lest that perhaps he an escape should make
by the meanes of some fenced citty

Abisai.
I will wt h out delay.

Dauid
So do, & untill thou returne I'l in Hierusalem stay

Ioab.
Amasa well mett: God saue thee Brother: so now thou art dispatched
vnto Abela let's begone, for there ys Seba harboured

People
Lo here yt ys in sight, let's the walls pull downe of the citty

Cæla.
Heare yee, heare yee, my lord Ioab come hither, & will speake wt h thee
what art thou Ioab.

Ioab.
I am.

Cæla.
vnto thy handmayds words geue eare

Ioab.
I do.

Cæla.
Am not I shee in Israel that the truth doth answeare?
& thou seekes to subuert & ouerthrow a mother citty.
why shall th'Inheritance of our lord head longe be cast downe by thee?

Ioab.
Nay god forbid, nay god forbid good woman I should do so
for my intention's neyther to destroy, nor ouer throw:
But a man of mount Ephraim Seba Bochri's sonne by name
hath lifted vp his hand agaynst the kinge: for hym I came.
only deliuer hym & we will depart then from this citty

Cela
Streight way my lord his head shall off the wall be throwne vnto thee

Ioab
Do as thou saist, & no hurt to the citty shall be done

Cela
Behold my lord there ys the head of Seba Bocri's sonne.

Ioab
I satisfyed am: The trumpet sound, So lets be gone
towards Hierusalem vnto our lord Dauid the kinge

Nuncius
Imagin now that many years since Sebas death are passed
& Israel hath three yeares there of wt h famine bene oppressed
for the synne that agaynst the Gabaonits by Saul was done
for wc h seuen of Sauls race were slayne (Miphiboseth the sonne
of Ionathas beinge sau'd for the oath that Dauid had made
vnto his father, at whose hands, kyndnes receiu'd he had.
And Sauls & Ionathas bones he into Beniamin did cary
& in the sepulcher of Cis his father did them bury
& also wt h them layd the bones of the seuen of Sauls race
wc h for the synne of Saul were slayne: And then agayne god was
propitious to the land: And since that tyme Dauid hath gotten
of the Philisthijms foure seuerall battels wc h he wt h them hath foughten
And when the kinge from all his corporall enemyes was deliuered
& had his synnes for geuen. Agayne by Satan he was tempted
to go & number all his people: wc h charge to Ioab he hath
committed, & at his returne you shall heare what he sayth.
And as yt seemes he cominge ys alone here wt h the kinge
about for to relate to hym the news that he doth bringe.

Ioab.
Eight hundred thousand stronge men I in Israel found o kinge
that could draw sword. And in Iuda five hundred thousand fightinge.

Dauid
In numbringe of the people I haue sin'd o lord exceedingly
th'iniquity of thy seruant lord transfer for I did foolishly

Gad.
Choyce of three things to thee ys geuen o kinge by god Almighty
choose wc h thou wilt there of (sayth hee) that I may do yt to thee:
Eyther thou shalt haue in thy land famyne seuen yeares: Or flee
three monthes before thy Aduersaries face & they pursew thee
or three days pestilence haue in thy land: choose of these three
wc h thou best lykes, & say what I shall answeare hym that sent mee

Dauid.
Exceedingly I am distrest: But yt ys better for mee
into our lord's hand for to fall (for his mercies be many)
then fall in to the hands of men. where fore I make election
of three days pestilence amongst my people. So let's be gone.

Nuncius
Our lord the pestilence hath sent to Israle, wc h continued.
from morninge till the tyme that by the prophet was assigned
And seuenty thousand men there were that of the pestilence dyed
And when that th'Angell of our lord god had his hand forth stretched.
ouer Hierusalem yt to destroy, our lord had pitty
on their affliction & sayd to th'Angel that stroke the citty.
Yt's now sufficient, hold thy hand: Wc h when Dauid perceiued
he sayd: I wickedly haue done: I am hee that haue synned:
These are the sheepe: what haue they done? Let thy hand I beseech thee
o lord agaynst mee & my fathers house conuerted bee.
And Gad that day to Dauid came & thus to hym did say:
Go vp, & build an Altar to our lord wt h out delay
in the flore of Areuna: And Dauid went vp accordingly
& did the flore of hym for fifty syluer sicles buy:
And there an Altar build vnto our lord, where on he offered
Holocausts, where wt h our lord was pleas'd, & the plague forth wt h ceased.
And Dauid now grows old, and Adonias Haggiths sonne
a man most beautifull & fayre, the next borne after Absolom
doth take vpon hym to be kinge before his fathers death
And on his syde Abiathar ys, & wt h hym Ioab partaketh.
But Sadoc, Nathan, & Banaias stand for his Brother Salomon
as shortly shall apparent bee, & so I will be gone.

Nathan.
Haue you not Lady Bethsabee heard tell that Adonias
intendeth to be kinge, where as his fathers promise was
to you that Salomon your sonne should sitt vpon his Throne
& be kinge after hym. Vnto the kinge therefore be gone
(who yet ys ignorant here of & let hym vnderstand
thus much, & while you talkinge are I'l ready be at hand
your wordes for to confirme.

Beth[sabee].
Nathan I'l follow your direction
wt h many thanks: & now vnto the kinge let vs be gone.
God saue my lord the kinge.

Dau[id].
Thanks Bethasabee, what's thy will wt h me?

Bethsabee.
My lord vnto thy handmayd sware by our lord god that after thee
Salomon thy & my sonne should reigne & sitt vpon thy throne.
And now behold Adonias reignes, wc h to my lord's not knowne.
Th'eyes of all Israel on thee looke, desyreinge very earnestly
that thou would shew who shall sitt in thy throne, & be kinge after thee
Else I & my sonne Salomon shall very basely be esteemed
when my lord wt h his fathers sleepes, vnlesse this be determined.

Nathan.
My lord kinge didst thou say? Let Adonias be kinge after mee,
& lett hym sitt vpon my throne? That captayns of the Army
& the kings sonnes he called hath, & Abiathar, where as
he neyther cal'd Salomon thy sonne, mee, Sadoc, nor Banaias.
to feast wt h hym. And now they are wt h hym eatinge & drynkinge
& in his hearinge often say; God saue Adonias kinge.
Proceeded this from thee o kinge, & hast thou not this worde
to me thy seruant told, who vpon the Throne of my lord
shall sitt & be kinge after hym, & his kingdome possesse?

Dauid
Our lord lyueth who hath my soule deliuer'd from all distresse
as (Bethsabee) by our lord god of Israel I sware to thee
that Salomon thy sonne shall reigne & sitt on my throne after mee.
So will I do this day.

Beths[abee].
Thanks worthy kinge, god saue you euer

Dauid
Go & call the priest Sadoc, & Banaias to mee hither.
The seruants of our lord go & take wt h you & sett Salomon
my sonne vpon my mule, & bringe hym forth wt h vnto Gihon
& there let Sadoc & Nathan anoynt hym kinge, wc h done
you shall your Trumpetts sound, & cry aloud: God saue kinge Salomon
And you shall after hym go vp, & on my throne he shall
sitt, & reigne for mee, & the Prince of Iuda be & Israel

Banaias
Amen, & as our lord hath bene wt h thee, be hee wt h Salomon
& higher make his Throne then euer was Kinge Dauids Throne.

Sadoc.
As you my gratious lord commanded haue all shall be done

Dauid
I make no doubt there of at all, wherefore let's hence be gone.

Nuncius.
Sadoc the priest a horne of Oyle did take out of the Tabernacle
& there wt h hath annoynted Salomon kinge ouer Israel
wt h great applause of all the people, who sayd: God saue king Salomon
as you your selues shall shortly heare: & so I will be gone.

[People]
God saue Kinge Salomon.

Adonias.
What noyse ys this I heare? I mervell much what yt should bee

Ioab
And so do I: Belyke there ys some Tumult in the citty

Adonias
Come Ionathas Abiathars sonne for thou dost bringe good tydinge

Ionathas
Not so my lord, for Dauid hath appoynted Salomon kinge:
& hym Sadoc the priest, & the prophet Nathan haue annoynted
in Gihon, & the noyse you heard was of them that reioyced
who did their Trumpets sound, & cry'd aloud: God saue kinge Salomon
wt h wishes that his throne may bee aboue his fathers Throne
Wc h great content vnto his father geues, & he doth prayse
god for seeinge one in his Throne sitt euen now in his owne dayes

Ioab.
It's tyme then to be gone for to prouide for our owne safty

Adonias
What haue you me all lefte? Then I'l go forth wt h & take Sanctuary

Brogus.
My gratious lord Kinge Salomon) Adonias fearinge thee
when all his men were gone from hym betooke hym selfe to sanctuary
sayinge lett Kinge Salomon sweare that hee his seruant will not kill

K. Salomon.
Yf hee a good man bee, assure hym selfe I will not spill
the least heire of his head: But yf he euill found shall bee
he shall then dye. wherefore be gone, & fetch hym streight vnto mee.

Brogus.
My liege I haue hym here allready brought.

Adon[ias].
God saue kinge Salomon
whom prostrate I adore.

Salomon.
Adonias to thy house be gone
The kinge my father waxeth olde, who now is cominge here
I will go take hym by the arme & guyde hym to his cheare.

K. Dauid
Sonne Salomon into the way of all flesh I do enter.
Coragious bee, & play the man, & gods precepts keepe euer,
& then will he confirme his wordes wc h he hath spoken of mee
yf thy children walke in my ways, there shall not taken bee
from thee a man out of the Throne of Israel altogether.
Thou also knows what iniury Ioab did vnto me offer
And how the blood of Abner, & of Amasa he shed
so that their woundes vpon his belt, his loynes, & his shoe bled:
And therefore thee accordinge to thy wisdome I would haue
not to permitt hym peaceably to go vnto his graue.
But thou shalt kyndnes to the sonnes of Berzellai render
for they relieu'd me when I fled from Absolom thy Brother.
And wt h thee Simei ys who wt h a wicked curse did curse mee
when I went to the campe: But when I did returne wt h victory
though he mee mett, & I did sweare at that tyme by our lord
to hym makeinge greate mone, sayinge: I'l not kill thee in ye sword
Yet Salomon permitt not thou hym guyltles for to bee
for thou art wyse & knows what he deserueth for this iniury.
Wherefore sende down his hoary heires wt h blood vnto his graue
for he in iustice doth deserue such recompence to haue.
What more I haue to thee to speake, in priuate I will say
syth now wt h speakinge I grow faynt. where fore come let's away.

Nuncius
Kinge Dauid's dead when yeares he had in Israel reigned fourty
in Hebron seuen, & in Hierusalem thirty & three:
& his sonne Salomon hym succeedes, & sitteth in his Throne
& tyme more of hym will declare: & so I will be gone.