25

They entertain'd th' attentive Moab lords
With loofe and various talk that chance affords,
Whilst they pac'd flowly on; but the wife king
Did David's tongue to weightier fubjects bring.

Much," faid the king, "much I to Joab owe, "For the fair picture drawn by him of you; 30 ""Twas drawn in little, but did acts exprefs "So great, that largeft hiftories are lefs, "Ifce, methinks, the Gathian monfter ftill; "His fhape laft night my mindful dreams did fill. "Strange tyrant Saul, with envy to pursue 35 "The praife of deeds whence his own safety grew! "I've heard (but who can think it?) that his fon "Has his life's hazard for your friendship run: "His matchlefs fon, whofe worth (if fame be "true);

"Lifts him 'bove all his countrymen but you, 40 "With whom it makes him one." Low David "bows,

But no reply Moab's fwift tongue allows. "And pray, kind gueft! whilft we ride thus," fays he

45

"(To gameful Nebo still three leagues there be) "The ftory of your royal friend relate, "And his ungovern'd fire's imperious fate; "Why your great State that nameless family "chofe,

(The frequent curfe of our loofe-govern'd "State);

"All Gibeah's, and all Jabcfh' blood it coft; "Near a whole tribe, and future kings, we loft. "Firm in this general earthquake of the land, Ico "How could religion, its main pillar, ftand? "Proud and foud man his Father's worship hates, "Himfelf, God's creature, his own god creates!

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"Oft pitying God did well-form'd fpirits raife, "Fit for the toilfome bufinefs of their days, "To free the groaning nation, and to give "Peace firft, and then the rules in peace to live. "But they whose stamp of power did chiefly lie "In characters too fine for most men's eye, "Graces and gifts divine;-not painted bright 70 "With ftate to awe dull minds, and force t' "affright;

"Were ill obey'd whilft living, and at death "Their rules and pattern vanifh'd with their "breath.

"The hungry rich all near them did devour; "Their judge was Appetite, and their law was

"Power.

"Not Want itself could luxury restrain; "For what that emptied, Rapine fill'd again. "Robbery the field, Oppreflion fack'd the town; "What the Sword's reaping fpar'd, was glean'd “ by th' Gown.

"new:

"The only land which ferv'd but One before, "Did th' only then all nations' gods adore.

105

They ferv'd their gods at first, and foon their

66

kings

"(Their choice of that this latter flavery brings); "Till fpecial men, arm'd with God's warrant, "broke

"By jufteft force th' unjustly-forced yoke ; "All matchlefs perfons, and thrice worthy they "Of power more great, or lands more apt t "obey.

"At laft the priesthood join'd, in Ithamar's fen, "More weight and luftre to the fceptre won; 115 "But, whilft mild Eli and good Samuel were "Bufied with age, and th' altar's facred care, "To their wild fons they their high charge "commit,

"Who' expofe to fcorn and hate both them and it. "Eli's curs'd houfe th' exemplary vengeance "bears

120

"Of all their blood, and all fad Ifrael's tears; "His fons abroad, himself at home, lies flain; "Ifrael's captiv'd, God's ark and law are ta'en. "Thus twice are nations by ill princes vex'd, "They fuffer By them first, and For them next. "Samuel fucceeds;-fince Mofes, none before 126 "So much of God in his bright bofom bore. "In vain our arms Philiitian tyrants feiz'd; "Heaven's magazines he open'd when he pleas'd: "He rains and wind for auxiliaries brought; 130 "He mufter'd flames and thunders when he

"fought.

"Thus thirty years with strong and steady hand "He held th' unfhaken balance of the land; "At laft his fons th' indulgent father chofe "To fhare that state which they were born to lofe;

years

"Of your just reign; and at your feet to lay "All that our grateful hearts can weakly pay "In unproportion'd words; for you alone "The not unfit reward, who feck for none. 195 "But, when our forepaft ills we call to mind, "And fadly think how little's left behind "Of your important life, whofe fudden date "Would difinherit th' unprovided state; "When we confider how unjust 'tis, you, "Who ne'er of power more than the burden "knew,

200

"At once the weight of that and age fhould have (Your ftooping days prefs'd doubly towards the

66

grave);

"When we behold by Ammon's youthful rage, "Proud in th' advantage of your peaceful age, "And all th' united Eaft, our fall confpir'd; 206 "And that your fons, whom chiefly we defir'd "As ftamps of you, in your lov'd room to place, "By unlike acts that noble ftamp deface; "Midst these new fears and ills we're forc'd to "Aly

210

216

"T" a new, and yet unpractis'd, remedy; "A new one, but long promis'd, and foretold "By Mofes, and to Abraham fhown of old; "A prophecy long forming in the womb "Of teeming years, and now to ripenefs come. "This remedy's a King; for this we all "With an infpir'd and zealous union call: "And, in one found when all men's voices join, "The mufic's tun'd, no doubt, by hand divine: ""Tis God alone fpeaks a whole nation's voice; "That is his public language; but the choice "Of what Peculiar head that crown must bear, "From you, who his Peculiar organ are, "We' expect to hear: the people fhall to you "Their king, the king his crown and people,

Owc.

226 "To your great name what luftre will it bring "T' have been our Judge, and to have made our King!

"The mighty flocks of Ifrael and their sheep. Oft from the field in hafte they fummon'd

14

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" were

"Some weighty foreign embaffy to hear; They call'd their flaves, their fons, and friends, " around, 180

66

"Who all at feveral cares were scatter'd found; They wash'd their feet, their only gown put on, "And this chief work of ceremony was done.

"I fear, my friends, with heavenly manna fed, "(Our old forefathers' crime) we luft for bread. "Long fince by God from bondage drawn, I fear, "We build anew th' Egyptian brick-kiln here. "Cheat not yourfelves with words; for, though a King

"Be the mild name, a Tyrant is the thing.

"His luxury fome, and fome his luft, t' obey: "His idle friends your hungry toils fhall eat, 250 "Drink your rich wines, mix'd with your blood "and fweat

"Then you'll all figh, but fighs will treasons be; "And not your griefs themfelves, or looks, be "frec:

"Robb'd ev'n of hopes, when you these ills fuf"tain,

"Your watery eyes you'll then turn back in vain "On your old Judges, and perhaps on me, 256 "Nay, ev'n my fons, howe'er they' unhappy be In your displeasure now; not that I'd clear Their guilt, or mine own innocence indear: Witnefs th' unutterable Name, there's nought "Of private ends into this question brought. "But why this yoke on your own necks to draw? "Why man your God, and paffion made your "Law?

"Methinks (thus Moab interrupts him here) "The good old feer 'gainst Kings was too fevere. "'Tis jeft to tell a people that they're free; 266 "Who, or How many, fhall their masters be "Is the fole doubt; laws guide, but cannot reign; "And, though they bind not kings, yet "reftrain.

"Thy too-fmall court, haft made this place thy "throne;

"With humble knees, and humbler hearts, lo! "here,

"Bleft Abraham's feed implores thy gracious ear; "Hear them, great God! and thy juft will infpire; "From Thee, their long-known King, they' a King defire.

301

"Some gracious figns of thy good pleasure fend; "Which, lo! with fouls refign'd, we humbly here "attend.

"He fpoke, and thrice he bow'd, and all about "Silence and reverend horror feiz'd the rout; 305 "The whole tent shakes, the flames on th' altar by "In thick dull rolls mount flow and heavily; "The feven lamps wink; and, what does most "difmay,

"Th' oraculous gems fhut-in their natural day : "The ruby's check grew pale; the emerald by "Faded; a cloud o'ercaft the fapphir's fky; 311 "The diamond's eye look'd fleepy; and swift night,

"Of all thofe little funs eclips'd the light: "Sad figns of God's dread anger for our fin :"But ftrait a wondrous brightness from within "Strook through the curtains; for no earthly "cloud

316

"Could thofe ftrong beams of heavenly glory "fhroud;

320

"I dare affirm (fo much I truft their love) 270 "That no one Moabite would his fpeech approve. "But, pray go on.-'Tis true, Sir, he replies; "Yet men whom age and action render wife "So much great changes fear, that they believe "All evils will, which may, from them arrive. 275 "On men refolv'd thefe threats were fpent in

"vain;

"All that his power or eloquence could obtain Was, to enquire God's will ere they proceed "T'a work that would fo much his bleffing nced. "A folemn day for this great work is fet, 280 "And at th' anointed tent all Ifrael met "Expect th' event; below, fair bullocks fry "In hallow'd flames; above, there mount on high "The precious clouds of incenfe; and, at last, "The fprinkling, prayers, and all due honours,

paft,

285

"Lo! we the facred bells o' th' fudden hear, "And in mild pomp grave Samuel does appear. "His ephod, mitre, well-cut diadem, on;

"Th' oraculous ftones on his rich breaft-plate "fhone.

"Tow'rds the blue curtains of God's holieft place (The temple's bright third heaven) he turn'd "his face; 291

His large, black eyes, fill'd with a fpriteful light,

"Shot forth fuch lively and illuftrious night, As the fun-beams, on jet reflecting, show;

His hair, as black, in long curl'd waves did flow; "His tall ftraight body amidst thousands stood, "Like fome fair pine o'erlooking all th' ignobler "wood, 351

"Of all our rural fports he was the pride;

So fwift, fo ftrong, fo dextrous, none befide. "Reft was his toil, labours his luft and game; "No natural wants could his fierce diligence tame, "Not thirst nor hunger; he would journeys go "Through raging heats, and take repofe in fnow. His foul was ne'er unbent from weighty care; "But active as fome mind that turns a sphere. "His way once chofe, he forward thrust outright, Nor ftep'd afide for dangers or delight, 361 Yet was he wife all dangers to foresee; "But born t' affright, and not to fear, was he, "His wit was strong, not fine; and on his tongue An artless grace, above all eloquence, hung. 365 Thefe virtues too the rich unusual drefs Of modesty adorn'd, and humbleness: "Like a rich varnish o'er fair pictures laid, "More fresh and lafting they the colours made. "Till power and violent fortune, which did find No ftop or bound, o'erwhelm'd no lefs his "mind, 371

Dil, deluge-like, the natural forms deface, "And brought forth unknown monsters in their place.

44

Forbid it, God! my mafter's fpots fhould be, "Were they not feen by all, difclos'd by me! 375 But fuch he was; and now to Ramah went

(So God difpos'd) with a ftrange, low intent.

Great God! he went loft affes to enquire,

And a fmall prefent, his fmall queftion's hire, Brought fimply with him, to that man to give, From whom high Heaven's chief gifts he must 381

"receive:

Strange play of Fate when mighticft human "things

Hang on such small, imperceptible ftrings! 'Twas Samuel's birth-day; a glad annual feast "All Rama kept; Samuel his wondering guest "With fuch refpe&t leads to it, and does grace

"He tells the mighty fate to him affign'd, 390 "And with great rules fill'd his capacious mind; "Then takes the facred vial, and does thed "A crown of myftic drops around his head; "Drops of that royal moisture which does know "No mixture, and difdains the place below. 395 "Soon comes the kingly day, and with it brings "A new account of time upon his wings. "The people met, the rites and prayers all paft, "Behold! the heaven-inftructed lot is caft; ""Tis taught by Heaven its way, and cannot "mifs;

4C0

"Above the whole vaft throng he' appear'd fo " tall,

"As if by Nature made for th' head of all: "So full of grace and ftate, that one might

"know

410

""Twas fome wife eye the blind lot guided fo: "But blind unguided lots have more of choice "And conftancy than the flight vulgar's voice. "Ere yet the crown of facred oil is dry, "Whilst echoes yet preferve the joyful cry, 415 "Some grow enrag'd their own vain hopes to "mifs,

"Some envy Saul, feme fcorn the houfe of Cis: "Some their first mutinous wish, a King!'

"repent,

"As if, fince that, quite spoil'd by God's confent: "Few to this prince their firft juft duties pay; 420 "All leave the old, but few the new obey. "Thus changes man, but God is conftant fil "To thofe eternal grounds that mov'd his will; "And though he yielded firft to them, 'tis fit "That ftubborn men at laft to him fubmit. 425

"As midit the main a low fmall island lies, "Affaulted round with ftormy feas and fkies, "Whilft the poor heartless natives, every hour, "Darkrefs and noife feem ready to devour; "Such Ifrael's ftate appear'd, whilft o'er the

"ply'd.

Luftre, and noife, due to a public fate. "Whilft he his flaves and cattle follows home, "Lo! the fad meffengers from Jabefh come, 455 Implore his help, and weep, as if they meant "That way at leaft proud Nahash to prevent. "Mov'd with a kingly wrath, his ftrict command "He iffues forth t' aflemble all the land; "He threatens high, and difobedient they, 450 "Wak'd by fuch princely terrors, learnt t' obcy. "A mighty hoft is rais'd; th' important caufe Age from their reft, youth from their pleasure, "draws;

"Arm'd as unfurnish'd hafte could them provide; "But conduct, courage, anger, that supply'd. 465 "All night they march'd,and are at th' early dawn On Jabefh' heath in three fair bodies drawn: "Saul did himself the first and strongest band, "His fou the next, Abner the third, command.— "But pardon, Sir, if, naming Saul's great fon, "Iftop with him awhile ere I go on.-

471

"This is that Jonathan, the joy and grace, "The beautifull'ft and beft, of human race; "That Jonathan, in whom does mix'd remain "All that kind mothers' wifhes can contain! 475 "His courage fuch as it no ftop can know, "And victory gains by' aftonishing the foe; "With lightning's force his enemies it confounds, "And melts their hearts ere it the bosom wounds; "Yet he the conquer'd with fuch sweetness gains "As captive lovers find in beauty's chains: "In war, the adverfe troops he does affail "Like an impetuous form of wind and hail; "In peace, like gentleft dew that does affwage "The burning months, and temper Syrius' rage; "Kind as the fun's bleft influence; and, where'er "He comes, plenty and joy attend him there : "To help feems all his power; his wealth, to give;

"To do much good, his fole prerogative : "And yet this general bounty of his mind. 490 "That with wide arms embraces all mankind, "Such artful prudence does to each divide;, "With different measures all are fatisfy'd;

"Keen as his fword, and pointed, is his wit; "His judgment, like beft armour, ftrong and fit; "And fuch an eloquence to both thefe does join, "As makes in both beauty and use combine; 505 "Through which a noble tincture does appear "By learning and choice books imprinted there: "As well he knows all times and perfons gone, "As he himself to th' future shall be known: "But his chief ftudy is God's facred law, "And all his life does comments on it draw ;"As never more by Heaven to man was given, "So never more was paid by man to Heaven."And all these virtues were to ripeness grown,

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510

Ere yet his flower of youth was fully blown; 515 "All autumn's ftore did his rich spring adorn; "Like trees in paradife, he with fruit was born. "Such is his foul; and if, as fome men tell, "Souls form and build thofe manfions where "they dwell,

520

"Whoe'er but fees his body must confefs, "The architect, no doubt, could be no lefs. "From Saul his growth and manly strength he "took,

"Chaftis'd by bright Ahinoam's gentler look; "Not bright Ahinoam, beauty's loudeft name "(Till fhe t' her children loft with joy her fame) "Had fweeter ftrokes, colours more fresh and "fair, 526

"More darting eyes, or lovelier auburn hair. Forgive me, that I thus your patience wrong, "And on this boundless fubject stay fo long, "Where too much hafte ever to end 'twould be, "Did not his acts fpeak what's untold by me.

""Twas the last morning whofe nncheerful rife "Sad Jabesh was to view with both their eyes. "Secure proud Nahash flept as in his court, "And dreamt, vain man! of that day's barbarous "fport,

"Till noife and dreadful tumults him awoke : 540 "Till into 'his camp our violent army broke. "The careless guards with fmall resistance kill'd; "Slaughter the camp, and wild confufion, fill'd; "Nahafh his fatal duty docs perform, "And marches boldly up t' outface the ftorm; "Fierce Jonathan he meets, as he pursues "Th' Arabian horfe, and a hot fight renews : " "Twas here your troops behav'd themselves fo "well,

"Till Uz and Jathan, their fout colonels, fell. ""Twas here our victory stopp'd, and gave us "caufe

550

"His love to friends no bound or rule does know, "What he to Heaven, all that to him they owe.

"(Who, with a courage equal to his pride, "Broke through our troops, and towards him

"boldly prefs'd)

"A generous joy leap'd in his youthful breast. "As when a wrathful dragon's difinal light "Strikes fuddenly fome warlike eagle's fight,

555