THE LOVE OF KING DAVID AND FAIR BETHSABE.  
With the Tragedy of Absalon.  
As it hath been divers times played on the stage.  
Written by George Peele.  
LONDON, Printed by Adam Islip. 1599.   

The love of David and fair Bethsabe, with the Tragedy of Absolon.  

Prologus.  
OF Israel's sweetest singer now I sing,  
His holy style and happy victories,  
Whose Muse was dipped in that inspiring dew,  
Archangels stilled from the breath of jove,  
Decking her temples with the glorious flowers,  
Heavens rained on tops of Zion and Mount Sinai,  
Upon the bosom of his ivory Lute,  
The Cherubins and Angels laid their breasts,  
And when his consecrated fingers struck  
The golden wires of his ravishing harp,  
He gave alarum to the host of heaven,  
That winged with lightning, broke the clouds and cast  
Their crystal armour, at his conquering feet.  
Of this sweet Poet jove's Musician,  
And of bis beauteous son I press to sing.  
Then help divine Adonay to conduct,  
Upon the wings of my well tempered verse,  
The hearers minds above the towers of Heaven,  
And guide them so in this thrice haughty flight,  
Their mounting feathers scorch not with the fire,  
That none can temper but thy holy hand:  
To thee for succour flies my feeble muse,  
And at thy feet her iron Pendoth use.   
He draws a curtain, and discovers Bethsabe with her maid bathing over a spring, she sings, and David sits above viewing her. 

HOt sun, cool fire, tempered with sweet air,  
Black shade, fair nurse, shadow my white hair  
Shine sun, burn fire, breath air, and ease me,  
Black shade, fair nurse, shroud me and please me  
Shadow (my sweet nurse) keep me from burning  
Make not my glad cause, cause of mourning.  
Let not my beauty's fire,  
Inflame unstaid desire,  
Nor pierce any bright eye,  
That wandereth lightly.   Bethsabe. 
Come gentle Zephire tricked with those perfumes  
That erst in Eden sweetened Adam's love,  
And stroke my bosom with the silken fan:  
This shade (sun proof) is yet no proof for thee,  
Thy body smother than this waveless spring,  
And purer than the substance of the same,  
Can creep through that his lances cannot pierce.  
Thou and thy sister soft and sacred air,  
Goddess of life, and governess of health,  
Keeps every fountain fresh and arbour sweet,  
No brazen gate, her passage can repulse,  
Nor bushy thicket, bar thy subtle breath,  
Then deck thee with thy loose delightsome robes,  
And on thy wings bring delicate perfumes,  
To play the wantons with us through the leaves,  Da. 
What tunes, what words, what looks, what wonders pierce  
My soul, incensed with a sudden fire,  
What tree, what shade, what spring, what paradise  
Enjoys the beauty of so fair a dame?  
Faite Eva placed in perfect happiness,  
Lending her praise-notes to the liberal heavens,  
Struck with the accents of archangels tunes,  
Wrought not more pleasure to her husband's thoughts,  
Than this fair woman's words and notes to mine.  
May that sweet plain that bears her pleasant weight,  
Be still enameled with discoloured flowers,  
That precious fount, bear sand of purest gold,  
And for the Pebble, let the silver streams  
That pierce earth's bowels to maintain the source,  
Play upon Rubies, sapphires, chrysolites,  
The brims let be embraced with golden curls  
Of moss that sleeps with sound the waters make,  
For joy to feed the fount with their recourse,  
Let all the grass that beautifies her bower,  
Bear Manna every morn instead of dew,  
Or let the dew be sweeter far than that  
That hangs like chains of pearl on Hermon hill,  
Or balm which trickled from old Aaron's beard.  
Cusay, come up and serve thy lord the King. Enter Cus.  Cus. 
What service doth my lord the King command?  David. 
See Cusay see, the flower of Israel,  
The fairest daughter that obeys the King,  
In all the land the lord subdued to me.  
Fairer than Isaac's lover at the well,  
Brighter than inside bark of new hewn cedar,  
Sweeter than flames of fine perfumed myrrh.  
And comelier than the silver clouds that dance  
On Zephyr's wings before the king of heaven.  Cus. 
Is it not Bethsabe the hittites wife  
Urias, now at Rabath siege with joab?  Dau. 
Go know, and bring her quickly to the King,  
Tell her, her graces hath found grace with him.  Cusay. 
I will my lord. Exit Cusay to Bethsabe.  David. 
Bright Bethsabe shall wash in David's bower,  
In water mixed with purest Almond flower,  
And bathe her beauty in the milk of kids,  
Bright Bethsabe gives earth to my desires,  
Verdure to earth, and to that verdure flowers,  
To flowers, sweet Odours, and to Odours wings,  
That carry pleasures to the hearts of Kings.  Cusay to Bethsabe, she starting as something affright. Cusay. 
Fair Bethsabe, the King of Israel  
From forth his Princely tower hath seen thee bath,  
And thy sweet graces have found grace with him,  
Come then and kneel unto him where he stands,  
The King is gracious, and hath liberal hands.  Beth. 
Ah what is Bethsabe to please the King,  
Or what is David, that he should desire  
For fickle beauty's sake his servants wife?  Cusay. 
David (thou knowest fair dame) is wise and just,  
Elected to the heart of Israel's God,  
Then do not thou expostulate with him  
For any action that contents his soul.  Beth. 
My lord the King, elect to Gods own heart,  
Should not his gracious jealousy incense,  
Whose thoughts are chaste, I hate incontinence.  Cusay. 
Woman thou wrong'st the King & doubtst his honour,  
Whose truth maintains the crown of Israel,  
Making him stay, that bade me bring thee straight.  Beth. 
The Kings poor handmaid will obey my lord,  Cus. 
Then come and do thy duty to his grace,  
And do what seemeth favour in his sight.  Exeunt. David. 
Now comes my lover tripping like the Roe,  
And brings my longings tangled in her hair,  
To joy her love I'll build a kingly bower,  
Seated in hearing of a hundred streams,  
That for their homage to her sovereign joys,  
Shall as the serpents sold into their nests,  
In oblique turnings wind the nimble waves,  
About the circles of her curious walks,  
And with their murmur summon easeful sleep,  
To lay his golden sceptre on her brows,  
Open the doors, and entertain my love,  
Open I say, and as you open sing,  
Welcome fair Bethsabe King David's darling.  Enter Cusay with Bethsabe. David. 
Welcome fair Bethsabe King David's darling,  
Thy bones fair covering, erst discovered fair,  
And all mine eyes with all thy beauties pierced,  
As heavens bright eye burns most when most he climbs  
The crooked Zodiac with his fiery sphere,  
And shineth furthest from this earthly globe:  
So since thy beauty scorched my conquered soul,  
I called thee nearer for my nearer cure.  Bethsa. 
Too near my lord was your unarmed heart,  
When furthest off my hapless beauty pierced,  
And would this dreary day had turned tonight,  
Or that some pitchy cloud had cloaked the Sun,  
Before their lights had caused my lord to see  
His name disparaged, and my chastity.  David. 
My love, if want of love have left thy soul,  
A sharper sense of Honour then thy King,  
(For love leads Princes sometimes from their seats,)  
As erst my heart was hurt, displeasing thee,  
So come and taste thy ease, with easing me.  Beth. 
One medicine cannot heal our different harms.  
But rather make both rankle at the bone,  
Then let the King be cunning in his cure,  
lest flattering both, both perish in his hand.  David. 
Leave it to me my dearest Bethsabe,  
Whose skill is conversant in deeper cures,  
And Cusay hast thou to my servant joab,  
Commanding him to send Urias home  
With all the speed can possibly be used.  Cusay. 
Cusay will fly about the king's desire. Exeunt.  joab, Abisay, Urias, and others, with drum and ensign. joab. 
Courage ye mighty men of Israel,  
And charge your fatal instruments of war  
Upon the bosoms of proud Ammon's sons,  
That have disguised your king's Ambassadors,  
Cut half their beards, and half their garments off,  
In spite of Israel, and his daughter's sons,  
Ye fight the holy battles of jehovah,  
King David's God, and ours and jacob's God  
That guides your weapons to their conquering strokes,  
Order your footsteps, and directs your thoughts  
To stratagems that harbour victory:  
He casts his sacred eyesight from on high,  
And sees your foes run seeking for their deaths,  
Laughing their labours and their hopes to scorn,  
While twixt your bodies, and their blunted swords,  
He puts on armour of his honours proof,  
And makes their weapons wound the senseless winds.  Abis. 
Before this city Rabath we will lie,  
And shoot forth shafts as thick and dangerous  
As was the hail that Moses mixed with fire,  
And threw with fury round about the fields  
Devouring Pharaoh's friends, and Egypt's fruits.  Urias. 
First mighty captains, joab and Abisay,  
Let us assault and scale this kingly Tower,  
Where all their conduits and their fountains are,  
Then we may easily take the city too.  joab. 
Well hath Urias counselled our attempts,  
And as he spoke us, so assault the Tower,  
Let Hanon now the king of Ammon's son,  
Repulse our conquering passage if he dare.  Hanon with King Machaas and others, upon the walls. Hanon. 
What would the shepherds dogs of Israel  
Snatch from the mighty issue of King Ammon,  
The valiant Amonnes, and haughty Syrians?  
'tis not your late successive victories,  
Can make us yield, or quail our courages,  
But if ye dare assay to scale this Tower,  
Our angry swords shall smite ye to the ground,  
And venge our losses on your hateful lives.  joab. 
Hanon, thy father Nahas gave relief  
To holy David in his hapless exile,  
Lived his fixed date, and died in peace:  
But thou instead of reaping his reward,  
Hast trod it underfoot, and scorned our King,  
Therefore thy days shall end with violence,  
And to our swords thy vital blood shall cleave.  Mach. 
Hence thou that bear'st poor Israel's shepherd's hook,  
The proud lieutenant of that base borne King,  
And keep within the compass of his fold,  
For if ye seek to feed on Ammon's fruits,  
And stray into the Syrians fruitful Medes,  
The mastiffs of our land, shall weary ye,  
And pull the weasels from your greedy throats.  Abis. 
Who can endure these Pagans blasphemies,  Urias. 
My soul repines at this disparagement.  joab. 
Assault ye valiant men of David's host,  
And beat these railing dastards from their doors.  Assault, and they win the Tower, and joab speaks above. 
Thus have we won the Tower, which we will keep,  
Maugre the sons of Ammon, and of Syria.  Enter Cusay beneath. Cus. 
Where is lord joab leader of the host?  joab. 
Here is lord joab, leader of the host.  
Cusay come up, for we have won the hold. He comes.  Cusay. 
In happy hour then is Cusay come.  joab. 
What news then brings lord Cusay from the king.  Cusay. 
His majesty commands thee out of hand  
To send him home Urias from the wars,  
For matter of some service he should do.  Urias, 
'tis for no choler hath surprised the King,  
(I hope lord Cusay) 'gainst his servants truth.  Cusay. 
No rather to prefer Urias' truth.  joab. 
Here take him with thee then, and go in peace,  
And tell my lord the King that I have fought  
Against the city Rabath with success,  
And scaled where the royal palace is,  
The conduit heads and all their sweetest springs,  
Then let him come in person to these walls,  
With all the soldiers he can bring beside,  
And take the city as his own exploit,  
lest I surprise it, and the people give  
The glory of the conquest to my name.  Cus. 
We will Lord joab, and great Israel's God  
Bless in thy hands the battles of our King.  joab. 
Farewell Urias, hast away the King.  Urias. 
As sure as joab breathes a victor here,  
Urias will haste him, and his own return. Exeunt.  Abisa. 
Let us descend, and open the palace gate,  
Taking our soldiers in to keep the hold.  joab. 
Let us Abisay, and ye sons of juda,  
Be valiant, and maintain your victory. Exeunt.  Ammon, jonadab, jethray, and Ammon's page. Ionad. 
What means my lord, the king's beloved son,  
That wears upon his right triumphant arm,  
The power of Israel for a royal favour,  
That holds upon the Tables of his hands,  
Banquets of honour, and all thoughts content  
To suffer pale and grisly abstinence  
To sit and feed upon his fainting cheeks,  
And suck away the blood that cheers his looks.  Ammo. 
Ah jonadab it is my sister's looks,  
On whose sweet beauty I bestow my blood,  
That makes me look so amorously lean,  
Her beauty having seized upon my heart,  
So merrily consecrate to her content,  
Sets now such guard about his vital blood,  
And views the passage with such piercing eyes,  
That none can scape to cheer my pining cheeks,  
But all is thought too little for her love.  Iona. 
Then from her heart thy looks shall be relieved,  
And thou shalt joy her as thy soul desires.  Ammon. 
How can it be my sweet friend jonadab,  
Since Thamar is a virgin and my sister?  Iona. 
Thus it shall be, lie down upon thy bed,  
Feigning thee fever sick, and ill at ease,  
And when the king shall come to visit thee,  
Desire thy sister Thamar may be sent  
To dress some dainties for thy malady:  
Then when thou hast her solely with thyself,  
Enforce some favour to thy manly love:  
See where she comes, entreat her in with thee.  Enter Thamar. Thamar. 
What aileth Ammon with such sickly looks,  
To daunt the favour of his lovely face?  Am. 
Sweet Thamar sick, & wish some wholesome cates  
Dressed with the cunning of thy dainty hands.  Tham. 
That hath the King commanded at my hands  
Then come and rest thee, while I make thee ready  
Some dainties, easeful to thy crazed soul.  Am. 
I go sweet sister, eased with thy sight.  Exeunt. Restet jonadab. Ion. 
Why should a Prince, whose power may command,  
Obey the rebel passions of his love,  
When they contend but 'gainst his conscience,  
And may be governed or suppressed by will.  
Now Ammon lose those loving knots of blood,  
That soaked the courage from thy kingly heart,  
And give it passage to thy withered cheeks:  
Now Thamar ripened are the holy fruits  
That grew on plants of thy virginity,  
And rotten is thy name in Israel,  
Poor Thamar, little did thy lovely hands  
Foretell an action of such violence,  
As to contend with Ammon's lusty arms,  
sinewed with vigour of his kindless love,  
Fair Thamar now dishonour hunts thy foot,  
And follows thee through every covert shade,  
Discovering thy shame and nakedness  
Even from the valleys of jehosophat,  
Up to the lofty mounts of Libanon,  
Where cedars stirred with anger of the winds,  
Sounding in storms the tale of thy disgrace,  
Tremble with fury, and with murmur shake  
earth with their feet, and with their heads the heavens,  
Beating the clouds into their swiftest rack,  
To bear this wonder round about the world. Exit.  Ammon thrusting out Thamar. Am. 
Hence from my bed, whose sight offends my soul  
As doth the parbreak of disgorged bears.  Thama. 
Unkind, unprincely, and unmanly Ammon,  
To force, and then refuse thy sister's love:  
Adding unto the fright of thy offence,  
The baneful torment of my published shame,  
O do not this dishonour to thy love,  
Nor clog thy soul with such increasing sin,  
This second evil far exceeds the first.  Am. 
jethray come thrust this woman from my sight,  
And bolt the door upon her if she strive.  jethray. 
Go madame go, away, you must be gone,  
My lord hath done with you, I pray depart. He shuts her out.  Tham. 
Whether alas, ah whether shall I fly  
With folded arms, and all amazed soul,  
Cast as was Eva from that glorious soil  
(Where all delights sat bating winged with thoughts,  
Ready to nestle in her naked breasts)  
To bare and barren vales with floods made waste,  
To desert woods, and hills with lightning scorched,  
With death, with shame, with hell, with horror sit,  
There will I wander from my father's face,  
There Absolon, my brother Absolon,  
Sweet Absolon shall hear his sister mourn,  
There will I live with my windy sighs,  
Night Ravens and Owls to rend my bloody side,  
Which with a rusty weapon I will wound,  
And make them passage to my panting heart:  
Why talk'st thou wretch, and leav'st the deed undone.  Enter Absolon. 
Rend hair and garments as thy heart is rent,  
With inward fury of a thousand griefs,  
And scatter them by these unhallowed doors.  
To figure Ammon's resting cruelty,  
And Tragic spoil of Thamar's chastity.  Abs. 
What causeth Thamar to exclaim so much?  Tham. 
The cause that Thamar shameth to disclose.  Absa. 
Say, I thy brother will revenge that cause.  Tham. 
Ammon our father's son hath forced me,  
And thrusts me from him as the scorn of Israel.  Abs. 
Hath Ammon forced thee? by David's hand,  
And by the covenant God hath made with him,  
Ammon shall bear his violence to hell,  
Traitor to Heaven, traitor to David's throne,  
Traitor to Absolon and Israel.  
This fact hath jacob's ruler seen from heaven,  
And through a cloud of smoke, and tower of fire  
(As he rides vaunting him upon the greens)  
Shall tear his chariot wheels with violent winds,  
And throw his body in the bloody sea,  
At him the thunder shall discharge his bolt,  
And his fair spouse, with bright and fiery wings  
Sit ever burning on his hateful bones,  
myself as swift as thunder, or his spouse,  
Will hunt occasion with a secret hate,  
To work false Ammon an ungracious end:  
Go in my sister, rest thee in my house,  
And God in time shall take this shame from thee.  Tham. 
Nor God nor Time will do that good for me.  Exit Tham. restat Absolon. Enter David with his train. David. 
My Absolon, what mak'st thou here alone,  
And bears such discontentment in thy brows?  Abs. 
Great cause hath Absolon to be displeased,  
And in his heart to shroud the wounds of wrath.  David. 
'gainst whom should Absolon be thus displeased?  Abs. 
'gainst wicked Ammon thy ungracious son,  
My brother and fair Thamar's by the King,  
My stepbrother, by mother, and by kind,  
He hath dishonoured David's holiness,  
And fixed a blot of lightness on his throne,  
Forcing my sister Thamar when he feigned  
A sickness, sprung from root of heinous lust.  David. 
Hath Ammon brought this evil on my house,  
And suffered sin to smite his father's bones,  
Smite David deadlier than the voice of heaven,  
And let hates fire be kindled in thy heart,  
Frame in the arches of thy angry brows,  
Making thy forehead like a comet shine,  
To force false Ammon tremble at thy looks,  
Sin with his sevenfold crown and purple rob,  
Begins his triumphs in my guilty throne,  
There sits he watching with his hundred eyes,  
Our idle minutes, and our wanton thoughts,  
And with his baits made of our frail desires,  
Gives us the hook that hales our souls to hell:  
But with the spirit of my kingdoms God,  
I'll thrust the flattering Tyrant from his throne,  
And scourge his bondslaves from my hallowed court  
With rods of iron, and thorns of sharpened steel:  
Then Absolon revenge not thou this sin,  
Leave it to me, and I will chasten him.  Abs. 
I am content, then grant my lord the king  
Himself with all his other lords would come  
Up to my sheep feast on the plain of Hazor.  Da. 
Nay my fair son, myself with all my lords  
Will bring thee too much charge, yet some shall go.  Abs. 
But let my lord the king himself take pains,  
The time of year is pleasant for your grace,  
And gladsome Summer in her shady robes,  
Crowned with Roses and with planted flowers,  
With all her nymphs shall entertain my lord,  
That from the thicket of my verdant groves,  
Will sprinkle honey dews about his breast,  
And cast sweet balm upon his kingly head,  
Then grant thy servants boon, and go my lord.  Dau. 
Let it content my sweet son Absolon,  
That I may stay and take my other lords.  Abs. 
But shall thy best beloved Ammon go?  Dau. 
What needeth it that Ammon go with thee.  Abs. 
Yet do thy son and servant so much grace.  Dau. 
Ammon shall go, and all my other lords,  
Because I will give grace to Absolon.  Enter Cusay, and Urias, with others. Cusay. 
Pleaseth my lord the king, his servant joab  
Hath sent Urias from the Syrian wars.  Dau. 
Welcome Urias from the Syrian wars,  
Welcome to David as his dearest lord.  Urias. 
Thanks be to Israel's God, and David's grace,  
Urias finds such greeting with the king.  Dau. 
No other greeting shall Urias find,  
As long as David's sways the elected seat,  
And consecrated throne of Israel.  
Tell me Urias of my servant joab,  
Fights he with truth the battles of our God,  
And for the honour of the Lords anointed?  Urias. 
Thy servant joab fights the chosen wars  
With truth, with honour, and with high success,  
And 'gainst the wicked King of Ammon's sons,  
Hath by the finger of our sovereign's God,  
Besieged the city Rabath, and achieved  
The court of waters, where the conduits run,  
And all the Ammonites delight some springs:  
Therefore he wisheth David's mightiness  
Should number out the host of Israel,  
And come in person to the city Rabath,  
That so her conquest may be made the kings,  
And joab fight as his inferior.  David. 
This hath dot God, and joabs prowess done,  
Without Urias' valours, I am sure,  
Who since his true conversion from a Hittite,  
To an adopted son of Israel,  
Hath sought like one whose arms were lift by heaven,  
And whose bright sword was edged with Israel's wrath:  
Go therefore home Urias, take thy rest,  
Visit thy wife and household with the joys  
A victor and a favourite of the Kings  
Should exercise with honour after arms.  Urias. 
Thy servants bones are yet not half so crazed,  
Nor constitute on such a sickly mould,  
That for so little service he should feign,  
And seek (as cowards) refuge of his home:  
Not are his thoughts so sensually stirred,  
To stay the arms with which the lord would smite  
And fill their circle with his conquered foes,  
For wanton bosom of a flattering wife.  Da. 
Urias hath a beauteous sober wife,  
Yet young, and framed of tempting flesh and blood,  
Then when the King hath summoned thee from arms,  
If thou unkindly shouldst refrain her bed,  
Sin might be laid upon Urias' soul,  
If Bethsabe by frailty hurt her fame:  
Then go Urias, folly in her love,  
Whom God hath knit to thee, tremble to lose.  Urias. 
The King is much too tender of my ease,  
The ark, and Israel, and juda dwell  
In palaces, and rich pavilions,  
But joab and his brother in the fields,  
Suffering the wrath of Winter and the Sun:  
And shall Urias (of more shame than they)  
Banquet and loiter, in the work of heaven?  
As sure as thy soul doth live my lord,  
Mine ears shall never lean to such delight,  
When holy labour calls me forth to fight.  David. 
Then be it with Urias' manly heart,  
As best his fame may shine in Israel.  Urias. 
Thus shall Urias heart be best content,  
Till thou dismiss me back to joabs hands,  
This ground before the king my master's doors, He lies down.  
Shall be my couch, and this unwearied arm,  
The proper pillow of a soldiers head,  
For never will I lodge within my house,  
Till joab triumph in my secret vows.  David. 
Then fetch some flagons of our purest Wine,  
That we may welcome home our hardy friend,  
With full carouses to his fortunes past,  
And to the honours of his future arms,  
Then will I send him back to Rabath siege,  
And follow with the strength of Israel.  Enter one with the flagons of Wine. 
Arise Urias, come and pledge the King. He riseth.  Urias. 
If David think me worthy such a grace,  
I will be bold, and pledge my lord the king.  Dau. 
Absolon and Cusay both shall drink  
To good Urias, and his happiness.  Abs. 
We will my lord to please Urias' soul.  Dau. 
I will begin Urias to thyself,  
And all the treasure of the Ammonites,  
Which here I promise to impart to thee,  
And bind that promise with a full carouse.  Urias. 
What seemeth pleasant in my sovereign's eyes,  
That shall Urias do till he be dead  Dau. 
Fill him the cup, follow ye lords that love  
Your sovereign's health, and do as he hath done.  Abs. 
Ill may he thrive or live in Israel,  
That loves not David, or denies his charge.  
Urias, Here is to Abisay's health, lord joabs brother, & thy loving friend.  Urias. 
I pledge lord Absolon and Abisay's health. He drinks.  Cus. 
Here now Urias, to the health of joab,  
And to the pleasant journey we shall have,  
When we return to mighty Rabath siege.  Urias. 
Cusay I pledge thee all, with all my heart,  
Give me some drink ye servants of the king,  
Give me my drink. He drinks.  Da. 
Well done my good Urias, drink thy fill,  
That in thy fullness David may rejoice.  Urias. 
I will my lord.  Abs. 
Now lord Urias, one carouse to me.  Urias. 
No sir, I'll drink to the King,  
Your father is a better man than you.  Dau. 
Do so Urias, I will pledge thee straight.  Urias. 
I will indeed my lord and sovereign,  
I once in my days be so bold.  David. 
Fill him his glass.  Urias. 
Fill me my glass. He gives him the glass.  Dau. 
Quickly I say.  Urias. 
Quickly I say.  Urias. 
Here my lord, by your favour now I drink to you.  Dau. 
I pledge thee good Urias presently. He drinks.  Abs. 
Here then Urias, once again for me,  
And to the health of David's children.  Urias. 
David's children?  Abs. 
I David's children, wilt thou pledge me man?  Urias. 
Pledge me man.  Abs. 
Pledge me I say, or else thou lovest us not.  Urias. 
What do you talk, do you talk?  
I'll no more, I'll lie down here.  David. 
Rather Urias go thou home and sleep.  Urias. 
O ho sir, would you make me break my sentence.  He lies down. 
Home sir, no indeed sir? I'll sleep upon mine arm,  
Like a soldier, sleep like a man as long as I live in Israel.  David. 
If nought will serve to save his wives renown,  
I'll send him with a letter unto joab  
To put him in the forefront of the wars,  
That so my purposes may take effect.  
Help him in sirs. Exit David and Absolon.  Cusay. 
Come rise Urias, get thee in and sleep.  Urias. 
I will not go home sir, that's flat.  Cusay. 
Then come and rest thee upon David's bed.  Urias. 
On afore my lords, on afore. Exeunt.  Chorus. 
O proud revolt of a presumptuous man,  
Laying his bridle in the neck of sin,  
Ready to bear him past his grave to hell,  
Like as the fatal Raven, that in his voice  
Carries the dreadful summons of our deaths,  
Flies by the fair Arabian spiceries,  
Her pleasant gardens, and delightsome parks,  
Seeming to curse them with his hoarse exclaims,  
And yet doth stoop with hungry violence  
Upon a piece of hateful carrion:  
So wretched man, displeased with those delights,  
Would yield a quickening savour to his Soul,  
Pursues with eager and unstaunched thirst,  
The greedy longings of his loathsome flesh,  
If holy David so shook hands with sin,  
What shall our baser spirits glory in.  
This kingly giving lust her reign,  
Pursues the sequel with a greater ill.  
Urias in the forefront of the wars,  
Is murdered by the hateful Heathens sword,  
And David joys his too dear Bethsabe,  
Suppose this past, and that the child is borne,  
Whose death the Prophet solemnly doth mourn.  Enter Bethsabe with her handmaid. Beth. 
Mourn Bethsabe, bewail thy foolishness,  
Thy sin, thy shame, the sorrow of thy soul,  
Sin, shame, and sorrow swarm about thy soul,  
And in the gates and entrance of my heart,  
Sadness with wreathed arms hangs her complaint.  
No comfort from the ten stringed instrument,  
The twinkling Cymbal, or the Ivory Lute,  
Nor doth the sound of David's kingly Harp,  
Make glad the broken heart of Bethsabe.  
jerusalem is filled with thy complaint,  
And in the streets of Zion fits thy grief:  
The babe in sick, sick to the death I fear,  
The fruit that sprung from thee to David's house,  
Nor may the pot of Honey and of Oil,  
Glad David or his handmaid's countenance.  
Urias, woe is me to think hereon,  
For who is it among the sons of men,  
That sayth not to my soul, the King hath sinned,  
David hath done amiss, and Bethsabe  
Laid snares of death unto Urias' life.  
My sweet Urias, fallen into the pit  
Art thou, and gone even to the gates of hell,  
For Bethsabe, that wouldst not shroud her shame.  
O what is it to serve the lust of Kings,  
How lion-like thy rage when we resist,  
But Bethsabe in humbleness attend,  
The grace that God will to his handmaid send. Exit Beth.  David in his gown walking sadly, To him Nathan. 
The babe is sick, and sad is David's heart,  
To see the guiltless bear the guiltless pain.  
David hang up thy Harp, hang down thy head,  
And dash thy ivory Lute against the stones.  
The dew that on the hill of Hermon falls,  
rains not on Zion's tops, and lofty towers,  
And David's thoughts are spent in pensiveness,  
The plains of Gath and Askaron rejoice.  
The babe is sick, sweet babe, that Bethsabe  
With woman's pain brought forth to Israel. Enter Nathan.  
But what saith Nathan to his lord the king?  Nathan to David. Nathan. 
Thus Nathan saith unto his Lord the King:  
There were two men both dwellers in one town,  
The one was mighty and exceeding rich  
In Oxen, sheep and cattle of the field,  
The other poor having nor Ox, nor Calf,  
Nor other cattle, save one little Lamb,  
Which he had bought and nourished by the hand,  
And it grew up, and fed with him and his,  
And eat and drank as he and his were wont,  
And in his bosom slept, and was to live  
As was his daughter or his dearest child.  
There came a stranger to this wealthy man,  
And he refused and spared to take his own,  
Or of his store to dress or make him meat,  
But took the poor man's sheep, partly poor man's store,  
And dressed it for this stranger in his house:  
What (tell me) shall be done to him for this?  Dau. 
Now as the lord doth live, this wicked man  
Is judged, and shall become the child of death,  
four fold to the poor man shall he restore,  
That without mercy took his lamb away.  Nath. 
Thou art the man, and thou hast judged thyself,  
David, thus sayth the Lord thy God by me:  
I thee anointed King in Israel,  
And saved thee from the tyranny of Saul,  
Thy masters house I gave thee to possess,  
His Wives into thy bosom did I give,  
And juda and jerusalem withal,  
And might (thou knowest) if this had been too small,  
Have given thee more.  
Wherefore then hast thou gone so far astray,  
And hast done evil, and sinned in my sight?  
Urias thou hast killed with the sword,  
Yea with the sword of the uncircumcised  
Thou hast him slain, wherefore from this day forth,  
The sword shall never go from thee and thine:  
For thou hast ta'en this hittites wife to thee,  
Wherefore behold, I will (saith jacob's God)  
In thine own house stir evil up to thee,  
Yea I before thy face will take thy Wives,  
And give them to thy neighbour to possess:  
This shall be done to David in the day,  
That Israel openly may see thy shame.  David. 
Nathan, I have against the Lord, I have  
Sinned, O sinned grievously, and lo  
From heavens throne doth David throw himself,  
And groan and grovel to the gates of hell. He falls down.  Nath. 
David stand up, Thus saith the Lord by me,  
David the King shall live, for he hath seen  
The true repentant sorrow of thy heart,  
But for thou hast in this misdeed of thine  
Stirred up the enemies of Israel  
To triumph and blaspheme the God of hosts,  
And say, He set a wicked man to reign,  
Over his loved people and his Tribes:  
The child shall surely die, that erst was borne,  
His mother's sin, his kingly father's scorn.  Exit Nathan. Da. 
How just is jacob's God in all his works!  
But must it die that David loveth so?  
O that the mighty one of Israel  
Nill change his doom, and says the babe must die,  
Mourn Israel and weep in Zion gates,  
Wither ye cedar trees of Libanon,  
Ye sprouting Almons with your flowering tops,  
Droop, drown, and drench in Hebron's fearful streams.  
The babe must die that was to David borne,  
His mother's sin his kingly father's scorn.  David sits sadly. Enter Cusay to David and his train. Seruus. 
What tidings bringeth Cusay to the King?  Cusay. 
To thee the servant of King David's court,  
This bringeth Cusay, as the Prophet spoke,  
The Lord hath surely stricken to the death,  
The child new borne by that Urias' wife,  
That by the sons of Ammon erst was slain.  Seruus. 
Cusay be still, the King is vexed sore,  
How shall he speed that brings this tidings first,  
When while the child was yet alive, we spoke,  
And David's heart would not be comforted?  Da. 
Yea David's heart will not be comforted,  
What murmur ye the servants of the King,  
What tidings telleth Cusay to the King?  
Say Cusay, lives the child, or is he dead?  Cusay. 
The child is dead, that of Urias' wife, David begat.  Da. 
Urias' wife sayest thou?  
The child is dead, then ceaseth David's shame,  
Fetch me to eat, and give me Wine to drink,  
Water to wash, and Oil to clear my looks,  
Bring down your shawms, your Cymbals, and your Pipes,  
Let David's Harp and Lute, his hand and voice,  
Give laud to him that loveth Israel,  
And sing his praise, that shendeth David's fame,  
That put away his sin from out his sight,  
And sent his shame into the streets of Gath,  
Bring ye to me the mother of the babe,  
That I may wipe the tears from off her face,  
And give her comfort with this hand of mine,  
And deck fair Bethsabe with ornaments,  
That she may bear to me another son,  
That may be loved of the Lord of hosts:  
For where he is, of force must David go,  
But never may he come where David is.  They bring in water, wine, and oil, Music, and a banquet. 
Fair Bethsabe, sit thou, and sigh no more,  
And sing and play you servants of the King,  
Now sleepeth David's sorrow with the dead,  
And Bethsabe liveth to Israel.  They use all solemnities together, and sing, etc. David. 
Now arms, and warlike engines for assault,  
Prepare at once ye men of Israel,  
Ye men of juda and jerusalem,  
That Rabba may be taken by the King,  
lest it be called after joabs name,  
Nor David's glory shine in Zion streets,  
To Rabba marcheth David with his men  
To chastise Ammon and the wicked ones. Exeunt omnes.  Enter Absolon with two or three. Abs. 
Set up your mules, and give them well to ear,  
And let us meet our brothers at the feast,  
Accursed is the master of this feast,  
Dishonour of the house of Israel,  
His sister's slander, and his mother's shame.  
Shame be his share that could such ill contrive,  
To ravish Thamar, and without a pause  
To drive her shamefully from out his house,  
But may his wickedness find just reward.  
Therefore doth Absolon conspire with you,  
That Ammon die what time he sits to eat,  
For in the holy Temple have I sworn  
Wreak of his villainy in Thamar's rape.  
And here he comes, bespeak him gently all,  
Whose death is deeply graved in my heart.  Enter Ammon with Adonia and jonadab, to Absolon and his company. Am. 
Our shearers are not far from hence I wot,  
And Ammon, to you all his brethren  
Giveth such welcome as our fathers erst  
Were want in juda and jerusalem,  
But specially Lord Absolon to thee,  
The honour of thy house and progeny.  
Sit down and dine with me King David's son,  
Thou fair young men, whose hairs shine in mine eve  
Like golden wires of David's ivory Lute.  Abs. 
Ammon, where be thy shearers and thy men,  
That we may power in plenty of thy vines,  
And eat thy goat's milk, and rejoice with thee.  Am. 
Here cometh Ammon's shearers and his men,  
Absolon sit and rejoice with me.  Here enter a company of shepherds, and dance and sing. Am. 
Drink Absolon in praise of Israel,  
Welcome to Ammon's fields from David's court.  Abs. 
Die with thy draft perish and die accursed,  
Dishonour to the honour of us all,  
Die for the villainy to Thamar done,  
Unworthy thou to be king's David's son. Exit Absa.  Ionad. 
O what hath Absolon for Thamar done,  
Murdered his brother, great king David's son.  Adon. 
Run jonadab away, and make it known,  
What cruelty this Absolon hath shown.  
Ammon, thy brother Adonia shall  
Bury thy body among the dead men's bones,  
And we will make complaint to Israel  
Of Ammon's death, and pride of Absolon. Exeunt omnes.  Enter David with joab, Abyssus, Cusay, with drum and ensign against Rabba. 
This is the town of the uncircumcised,  
The city of the kingdom, this is it,  
Rabba where wicked Hannon sitteth king:  
Despoil this King, this Hannon of his crown,  
Unpeople Rabba, and the streets thereof,  
For in their blood and slaughter of the slain,  
Lieth the honour of King David's line.  
joab, Abisay, and the rest of you,  
Fight ye this day for great jerusalem.  joab. 
And see where Hannon shows him on the walls,  
Why then do we forbear to give assault,  
That Israel may as it is promised,  
Subdue the daughters of the Gentiles Tribes,  
All this must be performed by David's hand.  Da. 
Hark to me Hannon, and remember well,  
As sure as he doth live that kept my host,  
What time our young men by the pool of Gibeon,  
Went forth against the strength of Isboseth,  
And twelve to twelve did with their weapons play,  
So sure art thou, and thy men of war  
To feel the sword of Israel this day,  
Because thou hast defied jacob's God,  
And suffered Rabba with the Philistine  
To rail upon the tribe of Benjamin.  Hannon. 
Hark man, as sure as Saul thy master fell,  
And gored his sides upon the mountain tops  
And jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchisua  
Watered the dales and deeps of Askaron  
With bloody streams that from Gilboa ran  
In channels through the wilderness of Ziph,  
What time the sword of the uncirumcised  
Was drunken with the blood of Israel:  
So sure shall David perish with his men,  
Under the walls of Rabba, Hannon's town.  joab. 
Hannon, the God of Israel hath said,  
David the King shall wear that crown of thine,  
That weighs a Talon of the finest gold,  
And triumph in the spoil of Hannon's town,  
When Israel shall hale thy people hence,  
And turn them to the tile-kill, man and child,  
And put them under harrows made of iron,  
And hew their bones with axes, and their limbs  
With iron swords divide and tear in twain.  
Hannon, this shall be done to thee and thine,  
Because thou hast defied Israel.  
To arms, to arms, that Rabba feel revenge,  
And Hannon's town become king David's spoil.  Alarum, excursions, assault, Exeunt omnes. Then the trumpets, and David with Hannon's crown. Dau. 
Now clattering arms, and wrathful storms of war,  
Have thundered over Rabath's razed towers,  
The wreakful ire of great Jehovah's arm,  
That for his people made the gates to rend,  
And clothed the Cherubins in fiery coats,  
To fight against the wicked Hannon's town,  
Pay thanks ye men of juda to the King,  
The God of Zion and jerusalem,  
That hath exalted Israel to this,  
And crowned David with this diadem.  joab. 
Beauteous and bright is he among the Tribes,  
As when the sun attired in glistering rob,  
Comes dancing from his oriental gate,  
And bridegroom-like hurls through the gloomy air  
His radiant beams, such doth King David show,  
Crowned with the honour of his enemy's town,  
Shining in riches like the firmament,  
The starry vault that overhangs the earth,  
So looketh David King of Israel.  Abyshai. 
joab, why doth not David mount his throne,  
Whom heaven hath beautified with Hannon's crown,  
Sound Trumpets, shawms, and Instruments of praise  
To jacob's God for David's victory.  Enter jonadab. jonadab. 
Why doth the King of Israel rejoice,  
Why sitteth David crowned with Rabath's rule,  
Behold there hath great heaviness befallen  
In Ammon's fields by Absalon's misdeed,  
And Ammon's shearers, and their feast of mirth  
Absalon hath overturned with his sword,  
Nor liveth any of King David's sons,  
To bring this bitter tidings to the King.  David. 
Ay me, how soon are David's triumphs dashed,  
How suddenly declineth David's pride,  
As doth the daylight settle in the west,  
So dim is David's glory, and his gite.  
Die David, for to thee is left no seed,  
That may revive thy name in Israel.  Iona. 
In Israel is left of David's seed.  Enter Adonia with other sons. 
Comfort your lord, you servants of the King,  
Behold thy sons return in mourning weeds,  
And only Ammon, Absalon hath slain.  Da. 
Welcome my sons, dearer to me you are  
Then is this golden crown, or Hannon's spoil.  
O tell me then, tell me my sons I say,  
How cometh it to pass, that Absolon  
Hath slain his brother Ammon with the sword?  Ado. 
Thy sons O King went up to Ammon's fields  
To feast with him, and eat his bread and oil,  
And Absalon upon his mule doth come,  
And to his men he sayth, When Ammon's heart  
Is merry and secure, then strike him dead,  
Because he forced Thamar shamefully,  
And hated her, and threw her forth his doors:  
And this did he, and they with him conspire,  
And kill thy son in wreak of Thamar's wrong.  David. 
How long shall juda and jerusalem  
Complain and water Zion with their tears?  
How long shall Israel lament in vain,  
And not a man among the mighty ones  
Will hear the sorrows of King David's heart?  
Ammon thy life was pleasing to thy Lord,  
As to mine ears the Music of my Lute,  
Or songs that David tuneth to his Harp,  
And Absalon hath ta'en from me away  
The gladness of my sad distressed soul. Exeunt omnes.  Manet David, Enter widow of Thecoa. Widow. 
God save King David, King of Israel,  
And bless the gates of Zion for his sake.  Dau. 
Woman, why mournest thou, rise from the earth,  
Tell me what sorrow hath befallen thy soul.  Widow. 
Thy servants soul O King is troubled sore,  
And grievous is the anguish of her heart,  
And from Thecoa doth thy handmaid come.  David. 
Tell me, and say, thou woman of Thecoa,  
What aileth thee, or what is come to pass.  Widow. 
Thy servant is a widow in Thecoa,  
Two sons thy handmaid had, and they (my lord)  
Fought in the field, where no man went betwixt,  
And so the one did smite and slay the other.  
And lo behold the kindred doth arise,  
And cry on him that smote his brother,  
That he therefore may be the child of death,  
For we will follow and destroy the heir.  
So will they quench that sparkle that is left,  
And leave nor name, nor issue on the earth,  
To me, or to thy handmaid's husband dead.  David. 
Woman return, go home unto thy house,  
I will take order that thy son be safe,  
If any man say otherwise than well,  
Bring him to me, and I shall chastise him:  
For as the Lord doth live, shall not a hair  
Shed from thy son, or fall upon the earth.  
Woman to God alone belongs revenge,  
Shall then the kindred slay him for his sin?  Widow. 
Well hath King David to his handmaid spoke,  
But wherefore then hast thou determined  
So hard a part against the righteous Tribes  
To follow and pursue the banished,  
whenas to God alone, belongs revenge.  
Assuredly thou sayst against thyself,  
Therefore call home again the banished,  
Call home the banished, that he may live,  
And raise to thee some fruit in Israel.  Da. 
Thou woman of Thecoa answer me,  
Answer me one thing I shall ask of thee,  
Is not the hand of joab in this work?  
Tell me is not his finger in this fact?  Wid. 
It is my lord, his hand is in this work,  
Assure thee, joab captain of thy host,  
Hath put these words into thy handmaid's mouth,  
And thou art as an angel from on high,  
To understand the meaning of my heart,  
Lo where he cometh to his lord the King.  Enter joab. David. 
Say joab, didst thou send this woman in  
To put this parable for Absalon.  joab. 
joab my lord did bid this woman speak,  
And she hath said, and thou hast understood.  David. 
I have and am content to do the thing,  
Go fetch my son, that he may live with me.  joab kneels. joab. 
Now God be blessed for King David's life,  
Thy servant joab hath found grace with thee,  
In that thou sparest Absolon thy child,  
A beautiful and fair young man is he,  
In all his body is no blemish seen,  
His hair is like the wire of David's Harp,  
That twines about his bright and ivory neck:  
In Israel is not such a goodly man,  
And here I bring him to entreat for grace.  Enter Absolon with joab. David. 
Hast thou slain in the fields of Hazor  
Ah Absalon my son, ah my son Absolon,  
But wherefore do I vex thy spirit so,  
Live and return from Gesur to thy house,  
Return from Gesur to jerusalem,  
What boots it to be bitter to thy soul,  
Ammon is dead, and Absolon survives.  Abs. 
Father I have offended Israel,  
I have offended David and his house,  
For Thamar's wrong hath Absolon misdone,  
But David's heart is free from sharp revenge,  
And joab hath got grace for Absalon.  David. 
Depart with me you men of Israel,  
You that have followed Rabba with the sword,  
And ransack Ammon's richest treasuries,  
Live Absalon my son, live once in peace,  
Peace with thee, and with jerusalem.  Exeunt omnes. Manet Absolon. Abs. 
David is gone, and Absolon remains,  
Flowering in pleasant spring time of his youth,  
Why liveth Absalon, and is not honoured  
Of Tribes and Elders, and the mightiest ones,  
That round about his Temples he may wear  
Garlands and wreaths set on with reverence,  
That every one that hath a cause to plead,  
Might come to Absolon, and call for right?  
Then in the gates of Zion would I sit,  
And publish laws in great jerusalem,  
And not a man should live in all the land,  
But Absolon would do him reasons due,  
Therefore I shall address me as I may,  
To love the men and Tribes of Israel.  Exit. Enter David, Ithay, Sadoc, Ahimaas, jonathan, with others, David barefoot, with some lose covering over his head, and all mourning. Dau. 
Proud lust the bloodiest traitor to our souls,  
Whose greedy throat, nor earth, air, sea, or heaven,  
Can glut or satisfy with any store,  
Thou art the cause these torments suck my blood,  
Piercing with venom of thy poisoned eyes,  
The strength and marrow of my tainted bones:  
To punish Pharaoh, and his cursed host,  
The waters shrink at great Adonis' voice,  
And sandy bottom of the sea appeared,  
Offering his service at his servants feet,  
And to inflict a plague on David's sin,  
He makes his bowels traitors to his breast,  
Winding about his heart with mortal gripes.  
Ah Absalon the wrath of heaven inflames  
Thy scorched bosom with ambitious heat,  
And Sathan sets thee on a lusty tower,  
Showing thy thoughts the pride of Israel  
Of choice to cast thee on her ruthless stones,  
Weep with me then ye sons of Israel.  He lies down, and all the rest after him. 
Lie down with David, and with David mourn,  
Before the holy one that sees our hearts,  
Season this heavy soil with showers of tears,  
And fill the face of every flower with dew,  
Weep Israel, for David's soul dissolves,  
Lading the fountains of his drowned eyes,  
And powers her substance on the senseless earth.  Sadoc. 
Weep Israel, O weep for David's soul,  
Strewing the ground with hair and garments torn,  
For tragic witness of your hearty woes.  Ahimaas. 
O would our eyes were conduits to our hearts,  
And that our hearts were seas of liquid blood,  
To power in streams upon this holy Mount,  
For witness we would die for David's woes.  Iona. 
Then should this mount of Olives seem a plain,  
Drowned with a sea, that with our sighs should roar,  
And in the murmur of his mounting waves,  
Report our bleeding sorrows to the heavens,  
For witness we would die for David's woes.  Ith. 
Earth cannot weep enough for David's woes,  
Then weep you heavens, and all you clouds dissolve,  
That piteous stars may see our miseries,  
And drop their golden tears upon the ground,  
For witness how they weep for David's woes.  Sadoc. 
Now let my sovereign raise his prostrate bones.  
And mourn not as a faithless man would do,  
But be assured, that jacob's righteous God,  
That promised never to forsake your throne,  
Will still be just and pure in his vows.  Da. 
Sadoc high priest, preserver of the ark,  
Whose sacred virtue keeps the chosen crown,  
I know my God is spotless in his vows,  
And that these hairs shall greet my grave in peace:  
But that my son should wrong his tendred soul,  
And fight against his father's happiness,  
Turns all my hopes into despair of him,  
And that despair, feeds all my veins with grief.  Ithay. 
Think of it David, as a fatal plague,  
Which grief preserveth, but preventeth not,  
And turn thy drooping eyes upon the troops  
That of affection to thy worthiness,  
Do swarm about the person of the King,  
Cherish their valours, and their zealous loves,  
With pleasant looks, and sweet encouragements.  Da. 
methinks the voice of Ithay fills mine ears.  Ith. 
Let not the voice of Ithay loath thine ears,  
Whose heart would balm thy bosom with his tears.  David. 
But wherefore goest thou to the wars with us,  
Thou art a stranger here in Israel,  
And son to Achis mighty king of Gath,  
Therefore return, and with thy father stay,  
Thou camest but yesterday, and should I now  
Let thee partake these troubles here with us?  
Keep both thyself, and all thy soldiers safe,  
Let me abide the hazards of these arms,  
And God requite the friendship thou hast showed.  Ith. 
As sure as Israel's God gives David life,  
What place or peril shall contain the King,  
The same will Ithay share in life and death.  Da. 
Then gentle Ithay be thou still with us,  
A joy to David, and a grace to Israel.  
Go Sadoc now, and bear the ark of God  
Into the great jerusalem again,  
If I find favour in his gracious eyes,  
Then will he lay his hand upon my heart  
Yet once again before I visit death,  
Giving it strength and virtue to mine eyes,  
To taste the comforts, and behold the form  
Of his fair ark, and holy tabernacle,  
But if he say my wonted love is worn,  
And I have no delight in David now,  
Here lie I armed with an humble heart,  
T'embrace the pains that anger shall impose,  
And kiss the sword my lord shall kill me with,  
Than Sadoc take Ahimaas thy son,  
With jonathan son to Abiathar,  
And in these fields will I repose myself,  
Till they return from you some certain news.  Sadoc. 
Thy servants will with joy obey the King,  
And hope to cheer his heart with happy news.  Exit Sadoc, Ahimaas, and jonathan. Ith. 
Now that it be no grief unto the King,  
Let me for good inform his majesty,  
That with unkind and graceless Absalon,  
Achitophel your ancient counsellor,  
Directs the state of this rebellion.  David. 
Then doth it aim with danger at my crown,  
O thou that hold'st his raging bloody bound,  
Within the circle of the silver moon,  
That girds earth's centre with his watery scarf,  
Limit the counsel of Achitophel,  
No bounds extending to my soul's distress,  
But turn his wisdom into foolishness.  Enter Cusay with his coat turned, and head covered. Cusay. 
Happiness and honour to my lord the King.  David. 
What happiness or honour may betide  
His state that toils in my extremities?  Cus. 
O let my gracious sovereign cease these griefs,  
Unless he wish his servant Cusay's death,  
Whose life depends upon my Lord's relief,  
Then let my presence with my sighs, presume  
The pleasant closet of my sovereign's soul.  Da. 
No Cusay no, thy presence unto me,  
Will be a burden since I tender thee,  
And cannot break thy sighs for David's sake:  
But if thou turn to fair jerusalem,  
And say to Absalon, as thou hast been  
A trusty friend unto his father's seat,  
So thou wilt be to him, and call him King,  
Achitophel's counsel may be brought to nought.  
Then having Sadoc and Abiathar,  
All three may learn the secrets of my son,  
Sending the message by Ahimaas,  
And friendly jonathan, who both are there,  
Then rise, referring the success to heaven.  Da. 
Cusay I rise, though with unwieldy bones,  
I carry arms against my Absalon. Exeunt.  Absalon, Amasa, Achitophel, with the concubines of David, and others in great state, Absalon crowned. Abs. 
Now you that were my father's concubines,  
liquour to his enchased and lustful fire,  
Have seen his honour shaken in his house,  
Which I possess in sight of all the world.  
I bring ye forth for soils to my renown,  
And to eclipse the glory of your King,  
Whose life is with his honour fast enclosed  
Within the entrails of a jetty cloud,  
Whose dissolution shall power down in showers  
The substance of his life and swelling pride:  
Then shall the stars light earth with rich aspects,  
And heaven shall burn in love with Absalon,  
Whose beauty will suffice to chaste all mists,  
And clothe the sun's sphere with a triple fire,  
Sooner then his clear eyes should suffer stain,  
Or be offended with a lowering day.  Concub. 
Thy father's honour, graceless Absalon,  
And ours thus beaten with thy violent arms,  
Will cry for vengeance to the host of heaven,  
Whose power is ever armed against the proud,  
And will dart plagues at thy aspiring head,  
For doing this disgrace to David's throne.  2. 
To David's throne, to David's holy throne,  
Whose sceptre angels guard with swords of fire,  
And sit as Eagles on his conquering fist,  
Ready to prey upon his enemies,  
Then think not thou the captain of his foes,  
Wert thou much swifter than Azahell was,  
That could outpace the nimble footed Roe,  
To scape the fury of their thumping beaks,  
Or dreadful scope of their commanding wings.  Achip. 
Let not my lord the King of Israel  
Be angry with a silly woman's threats,  
But with the pleasure he hath erst enjoyed,  
Turn them into their cabinets again,  
Till David's conquest be their overthrow.  Abs. 
Into your bowers ye daughters of Disdain,  
Gotten by fury of unbridled lust,  
And wash your couches with your mourning tears,  
For grief that David's kingdom is decayed.  1. 
No Absalon, his kingdom is enchained  
Fast to the finger of great jacob's God,  
Which will not lose it for a rebel's love. Exeunt.  Amasa. 
If I might give advise unto the King,  
These concubines should buy their taunts with blood.  Abs. 
Amasa no, but let thy martial sword  
Empty the pains of David's armed men,  
And let these foolish women scape our hands  
To recompense the shame they have sustained.  
First Absolon was by the trumpet's sound  
Proclaimed through Hebron King of Israel,  
And now is set in fair jerusalem  
With complete state, and glory of a crown.  
fifty fair footmen by my chariot run,  
And to the air whose rupture rings my fame,  
Where ere I ride they offer reverence.  
Why should not Absolon, that in his face  
Carries the final purpose of his God,  
That is, to work him grace in Israel,  
Endeavour to achieve with all his strength,  
The state that most may satisfy his joy,  
Keeping his statutes and his covenants pure,  
His thunder is entangled in my hair,  
And with my beauty is his lightning quenched,  
I am the man he made to glory in,  
When by the errors of my father's sin,  
He lost the path that led into the land,  
Wherewith our chosen ancestors were blessed.  Enter Cusay. Cus. 
Long may the beauteous King of Israel live,  
To whom the people do by thousands swarm.  Abs. 
What meaneth Cusay so to greet his foe,  
In this the love thou show'dst to David's soul,  
To whose assistance thou hast vowed thy life,  
Why leavest thou him in this extremity.  Cus. 
Because the Lord and Israel chooseth thee,  
And as before I served thy father's turn,  
With counsel acceptable in his sight,  
So likewise will I now obey his son.  Abs. 
Then welcome Cusay to king Absalon,  
And now my lords and loving counsellors,  
I think it time to exercise our arms  
Against forsaken David and his host,  
Give counsel first my good Achitophel,  
What times and orders we may best observe,  
For prosperous manage of these high exploits.  Achi. 
Let me choose out twelve thousand valiant men,  
And (while the night hides with her sable mists  
The close endeavours cunning soldiers use)  
I will assault thy discontented fire,  
And while with weakness of their weary arms,  
Surcharged with toil to shun thy sudden power,  
The people fly in huge disordered troops  
To save their lives, and leave the King alone,  
Then will I smite him with his latest wound,  
And bring the people to thy feet in peace.  Abs. 
Well hath Achitophel given his advise,  
Yet let us hear what Cusay counsel us,  
Whose great experience is well worth the ear.  Cus. 
Though wise Achitophel be much more meet  
To purchase hearing with my lord the King,  
For all his former counsels, than myself,  
Yet not offending Absolon or him,  
This time it is not good, nor worth pursuit:  
For well thou knowest thy father's men are strong,  
Chafing as she bears robbed of their whelps.  
Besides the King himself a valiant man,  
Trained up in feats and stratagems of war,  
And will not for prevention of the worst  
Lodge with the common soldiers in the field:  
But now I know his wonted policies  
Have taught him lurk within some secret cave,  
Guarded with all his stoutest soldiers,  
Which if the forefront of his battle faint,  
Will yet give out that Absalon doth fly,  
And so thy soldiers be discouraged.  
David himself withal, whose angry heart  
Is as a lions, letted of his walk,  
Will fight himself, and all his men to one,  
Before a few shall vanquish him by fear.  
My counsel therefore, is with Trumpets sound  
To gather men from Dan to Bersabe,  
That they may march in number like sea sands,  
That nestle close in another's neck:  
So shall we come upon him in our strength,  
Like to the dew that falls in showers from heaven,  
And leave him not a man to march withal.  
Besides if any city succour him,  
The numbers of our men shall fetch us ropes,  
And we will pull it down the rivers stream,  
That not a stone be left to keep us out.  Abs. 
What says my lord to Cusay's counsel now?  Ama. 
I fancy Cusay's counsel better far  
Than that is given us from Achitophel,  
And so I think doth every soldier here.  All. 
Cusay's counsel is better than Achitophel's.  Abs. 
Then march we after Cusay's counsel all,  
Sound trumpets through the bounds of Israel,  
And muster all the men will serve the King,  
That Absalon may glut his longing soul  
With sole fruition of his father's crown. Exeunt.  Ach. 
Ill shall they fare that follow thy attempts,  
That scorns the counsel of Achitophel.  Restat Cusay. Cusay. 
Thus hath the power of jacob's jealous God  
Fulfilled his servant David's drifts by me,  
And brought Achitophel's advise to scorn.  Enter Sadoc, Abiathar, Ahimaas, and jonathan. Sadoc. 
God save lord Cusay, and direct his zeal  
To purchase David's conquest 'gainst his son.  Abia. 
What secrets hast thou gleaned from Absalon.  Cusay. 
These sacred priests that bear the ark of God,  
Achitophel advised him in the night  
To let him choose twelve thousand fighting men,  
And he would come on David at unwares,  
While he was weary with his violent toil:  
But I advised to get a greater host,  
And gather men from Dan to Bersabe,  
To come upon him strongly in the fields,  
Then send Ahimaas and jonathan  
To signify these secrets to the King,  
And will him not to stay this night abroad,  
But get him over Jordan presently,  
lest he and all his people kiss the sword.  Sadoc. 
Then go Ahimaas and jonathan,  
And straight convey this message to the King.  Ahim. 
Father we will, if Absalon's chief spies  
Prevent not this devise, and stay us here. Exeunt.  Semei solus. Semei. 
The man of Israel, that hath ruled as King,  
Or rather as the Tyrant of the land,  
Bolstering his hateful head upon the throne,  
That God unworthily hath blessed him with,  
Shall now I hope, lay it as low as hell,  
And be deposed from his detested chair.  
O that my bosom could by nature bear,  
A sea of poison to be powered upon  
His cursed head that sacred balm hath graced,  
And consecrated King of Israel:  
Or would my breath were made the smoke of hell,  
Infected with the sighs of damned souls,  
Or with the reeking of that serpent's gorge,  
That feeds on adders, toads, and venomous roots,  
That as I opened my revenging lips  
To curse the shepherd for his Tyranny,  
My words might cast rank poison to his pores,  
And make his swollen and rankling sinews crack,  
Like to the combat blows that break the clouds,  
When jove's stout champions fight with fire,  
See where he cometh, that my soul abhors.  
I have prepared my pocket full of stones  
To cast at him, mingled with earth and dust,  
Which bursting with disdain, I greet him with.  David, joab, Abyshai, Ithay, with others. Semei. 
Come forth thou murderer and wicked man,  
The Lord hath brought upon thy cursed head  
The guiltless blood of Saul and all his sons,  
Whose royal throne thy baseness hath usurped,  
And to revenge it deeply on thy soul,  
The Lord hath given the kingdom to thy son,  
And he shall wreak the traitorous wrongs of Saul,  
Even as thy sin hath still importuned heaven,  
So shall thy murders and adultery  
Be punished in the sight of Israel,  
As thou deservest with blood, with death, and hell.  Hence murderer, hence, he threw at him. Abis. 
Why doth his dead dog curse my lord the King,  
Let me alone to take away his head.  Da. 
Why meddleth thus the son of Zervia  
To interrupt the action of our God?  
Semei useth me with this reproach,  
Because the Lord hath sent him to reprove  
The sins of David, printed in his brows,  
With blood that blusheth for his conscience guilt,  
Who dares then ask him why he curseth me?  Semei. 
If then thy conscience tell thee thou hast sinned,  
And that thy life is odious to the world,  
Command thy followers to shun thy face,  
And by thyself here make away thy soul,  
That I may stand and glory in thy shame.  Da. 
I am not desperate Semei like thyself,  
But trust unto the covenant of my God,  
Founded on mercy with repentance built,  
And finished with the glory of my soul.  Semei. 
A murderer, and hope for mercy in thy end  
Hate and destruction sit upon thy brows  
To watch the issue of thy damned ghost,  
Which with thy latest gasp they'll take and tear,  
Hurling in every pain of hell a piece.  
Hence murderer, thou shame to Israel,  
Foul lecher, drunkard, plague to heaven and earth.  He throws at him. joab. 
What is it piety in David's thoughts,  
So to abhor from laws of policy  
In this extremity of his distress,  
To give his subjects cause of carelessness,  
Send hence the dog with sorrow to his grave.  David. 
Why should the sons of Zervia seek to check  
His spirit which the Lord hath thus inspired:  
Behold my son which issued from my flesh,  
With equal fury seeks to take my life.  
How much more than the son of jemini,  
Chiefly since he doth nought but God's command,  
It may be he will look on me this day  
With gracious eyes, and for his cursing bless,  
The heart of David in his bitterness.  Semei. 
What dost thou fret my soul with sufferance?  
O that the souls of Isboseth and Abner,  
Which thou sent'st swimming to their graves in blood,  
With wounds fresh bleeding, gasping for revenge,  
Were here to execute my burning hate:  
But I will hunt thy font with curses still,  
Hence Monster, Murderer, Mirror of Contempt.  He throws dust again. Enter Ahimanas and jonathan. Ahim. 
Long life to David, to his enemy's death.  Da. 
Welcome Ahimaas and jonathan,  
What news sends Cusay to thy lord the King.  Ahim. 
Cusay would wish my lord the King,  
To pass the river Jordan presently,  
lest he and all his people perish here.  
For wise Achitophel hath counselled Absalon  
To take advantage of your weary arms,  
And come this night upon you in the fields.  
But yet the Lord hath made his counsel scorn,  
And Cusay's policy with praise preferred,  
Which was to number every Israelite,  
And so assault you in their pride of strength.  Ionat. 
Abiathar besides entreats the King  
To send his men of war against his son,  
And hazard not his person in the field.  David. 
Thanks to Abiathar, and to you both,  
And to my Cusay, whom the Lord requite,  
But ten times treble thanks to his soft hand,  
Whose pleasant touch hath made my heart to dance,  
And play him praises in my zealous breast,  
That turned the counsel of Achitophel  
After the prayers of his servants lips.  
Now will we pass the river all this night,  
And in the morning sound the voice of war,  
The voice of bloody and unkindly war.  joab. 
Then tell us how thou wilt divide thy men,  
And who shall have the special charge herein.  Dau. 
joab, thyself shall for thy charge conduct,  
The first third part of all my valiant men,  
The second shall Abisay's valour lead,  
The third fair Ithay, which I most should grace,  
For comfort he hath done to David's woes,  
And I myself will follow in the midst.  Ith. 
That let not David, for though we should fly,  
ten thousand of us were not half so much  
Esteemed with David's enemies, as himself,  
Thy people loving thee, deny thee this.  Da. 
What seems them best, then that will David do,  
But now my lords and captains hear his voice  
That never yet pierced piteous heaven in vain,  
Then let it not slip lightly through your ears,  
For my sake spare the young man Absalon.  
joab thyself didst once use friendly words  
To reconcile my heart incensed to him,  
If then thy love be to thy kinsman sound,  
And thou wilt prove a perfect Israelite,  
Friend him with deeds, and touch no hair of him,  
Not that fair hair with which the wanton winds  
Delight to play, and loves to make in curl,  
Wherein the Nightingales would build their nests,  
And make sweet bowers in every golden tress,  
To sing their lover every night asleep.  
O spoil not joab, jove's fair ornaments,  
Which he hath sent to solace David's soul.  
The best ye see (my lords) are swift to sin,  
To sin our feet are washed with milk of Roes,  
And dried again with coals of lightning.  
O Lord thou seest the proudest sins, poor slave,  
And with his bridle, pull'st him to the grave,  
For my sake then spare lovely Absalon.  Ith. 
we will my lord for thy sake favour him.  Exeunt. Achitophel solus with a halter. Achi. 
Now hath Achitophel ordered his house,  
And taken leave of every pleasure there,  
Hereon depends Achitophel's delights,  
And in this circle must his life be closed.  
The wise Achitophel, whose counsel proved  
Ever as sound for fortunate success,  
As if men asked the Oracle of God,  
Is now used like the fool of Israel,  
Then set thy angry soul upon her wings,  
And let her fly into the shade of death,  
And for my death, let heaven for ever weep,  
Making huge floods upon the land I leave,  
To ravish them, and all their fairest fruits.  
Let all the sighs I breathed for this disgrace,  
Hang on my hedges like eternal mists,  
As mourning garments for their masters death.  
Ope earth, and take thy miserable son  
Into the bowels of thy cursed womb,  
Once in a surfeit thou didst spew him forth,  
Now for fell hunger suck him in again,  
And be his body poison to thy veins,  
And now thou hellish instrument of heaven,  
Once execute th'arrest of jove's just doom,  
And stop his breast that curseth Israel. Exit.  Absalon, Amasa, with all his train. Abs. 
Now for the crown and throne of Israel,  
To be confirmed with virtue of my sword,  
And writ with David's blood upon the blade,  
Now jove let forth the golden firmament,  
And look on him with all thy fiery eyes,  
Which thou hast made to give their glories light,  
To show thou lovest the virtue of thy hand,  
Let fall a wreath of stars upon my head,  
Whose influence may govern Israel,  
With state exceeding all her other Kings.  
Fight lords and captains, that your sovereign's face  
May shine in honour brighter than the sun,  
And with the virtue of my beauteous rays,  
Make this fair land as fruitful as the fields,  
That with sweet milk and honey overflowed.  
God in the whiffing of a pleasant wind,  
Shall march upon the tops of Mulberry trees,  
To cool all breasts that burn with any griefs,  
As whilom he was good to Moses' men.  
By day the Lord shall sit within a cloud,  
To guide your footsteps to the fields of joy,  
And in the night a pillar bright as fire  
Shall go before you like a second sun,  
Wherein the essence of his godhead is,  
That day and night you may be brought to peace,  
And never serve from that delightsome path,  
That leads your souls to perfect happiness.  
This shall he do for joy when I am King:  
Then fight brave captains that these joys may fly  
Into your bosoms with sweet victory. Exeunt.  The battle, and Absalon hangs by the hair. 
What angry angel sitting in these shades,  
Hath laid his cruel hands upon my hair,  
And holds my body thus twixt heaven and earth?  
Hath Absalon no soldier near his hand,  
That may untwine me this unpleasant curl,  
Or wound this tree that ravisheth his lord?  
O God behold the glory of thy hand,  
And choicest fruit of Nature's workmanship,  
Hang like a rotten branch upon this tree,  
Fit for the axe, and ready for the fire.  
Since thou withholdst all ordinary help  
To lose my body from this bond of death,  
O let my beauty fill these senseless places,  
With sense and power to lose me from this plague,  
And work some wonder to prevent his death,  
Whose life thou mad'st a special miracle.  joab with another soldier. Sould. 
My lord I saw the young prince Absalon  
Hang by the hair upon a shady oak,  
And could by no means get himself unloosed,  joab. 
Why slewst thou not the wicked Absalon,  
That rebel to his father and to heaven,  
That so I might have given thee for thy pains  
ten silver sickles, and a golden waist.  Sould. 
Not for a thousand sickles would I slay  
The son of David, whom his father charged,  
Nor thou Abisay, nor the son of Gath,  
Should touch with stroke of deadly violence.  
The charge was given in hearing of us all,  
And had I done it, than I know thyself,  
Before thou wouldst abide the king's rebuke,  
Wouldst have accused me as a man of death.  joab. 
I must not now stand trifling here with thee.  Abs. 
Help joab, help, O help thy Absalon,  
Let not thy angry thoughts be laid in blood,  
In blood of him, that sometimes nourished thee,  
And softened thy sweet heart with friendly love,  
O give me once again my father's sight,  
My dearest father, and my princely sovereign,  
That shedding tears of blood before his face,  
The ground may witness, and the heavens record,  
My last submission sound and full of ruth.  joab. 
Rebel to nature, hate to heaven and earth,  
Shall I give help to him, that thirsts the soul  
Of his dear father, and my sovereign lord?  
Now see the Lord hath tangled in a tree  
The health and glory of thy stubborn heart,  
And made thy pride curbed with a senseless plant,  
Now Absalon how doth the Lord regard  
The beauty whereupon thy hope was built,  
And which thou thoughtst his grace did glory in?  
Findst thou not now with fear of instant death,  
That God affects not any painted shape,  
Or goodly parsonage, when the virtuous soul  
Is stuffed with nought but pride and stubbornness?  
But preach I to thee, while I should revenge  
Thy cursed sin that staineth Israel,  
And makes her fields blush with her children's blood?  
Take that as part of thy deserved plague,  
Which worthily no torment can inflict.  Abs. 
O joab, joab, cruel ruthless joab,  
Herewith thou woundst thy Kingly sovereign's heart,  
Whose heavenly temper hates his children's blood,  
And will be sick I know for Absalon.  
O my dear father, that thy melting eyes  
Might pierce this thicket to behold thy son,  
Thy dearest son gored with a mortal dart:  
Yet joab pity me, pity my father, joab,  
Pity his soul's distress that mourns my life,  
And will be dead I know to hear my death.  joab. 
If he were so remorseful of thy state,  
Why sent he me against thee with the sword?  
All joab means to pleasure thee withal,  
Is to dispatch thee quickly of thy pain,  
Hold Absalon, joabs pity is in this,  
In this proud Absalon is joabs love.  He goes out. Abs. 
Such love, such pity Israel's God send thee,  
And for his love to David pity me,  
Ah my dear father, see thy bowels bleed,  
See death assault thy dearest Absalon,  
See, pity, pardon, pray for Absalon.  Enter five or six soldiers. 
See where the rebel in his glory hangs,  
Where is the virtue of thy beauty Absalon,  
Will any of us here now fear thy looks?  
Or be in love with that thy golden hair,  
Wherein was wrapped rebellion 'gainst thy sire,  
And cords prepared to stop thy father's breath?  
Our captain joab hath begun to us,  
And here's an end to thee, and all thy sins.  
Come let us take the beauteous rebel down,  
And in some ditch amids this darksome wood,  
Bury his bulk beneath a heap of stones,  
Whose stony heart did hunt his father's death.  Enter in triumph with drum and ensign, joab, Abyshai, and soldiers to Absalon. joab. 
Well done tall soldiers take the Traitor down,  
And in this miry ditch inter his bones,  
Covering his hateful breast with heaps of stones,  
This shady thicket of dark Ephrami  
Shall ever lower on his cursed grave.  
Night Ravens and Owls shall ring his fatal knell,  
And sit exclaiming on his damned soul,  
There shall they heap their preys of Carrion,  
Till all his grave be clad with stinking bones,  
That it may loathe the sense of every man,  
So shall his end breed horror to his name,  
And to his traitorous fact eternal shame. Exit.  5. Chorus. 
Oh dreadful precedent of his just doom,  
Whose holy heart is never touched with ruth  
Of fickle beauty, or of glorious shapes,  
But with the virtue of an upright soul,  
Humble and zealous in his inward thoughts,  
Though in his person loathsome and deformed.  
Now since this story lends us other store,  
To make a third discourse of David's life,  
Adding thereto his most renowned death,  
And all their deaths, that at his death he judged,  
Here end we this, and what here wants to please,  
We will supply with treble willingness.  Absalon with three or four of his servants or gentlemen. Abs. 
What boots it Absalon, unhappy Absalon,  
Sighing I say what boots it Absalon,  
To have disclosed a far more worthy womb  Trumpets sound, enter joab, Ahimaas, Cusay, Amasa, with all the rest. joab. 
soldiers of Israel, and ye sons of juda,  
That have contended in these irksome broils,  
And ripped old Israel's bowels with your swords:  
The godless general of your stubborn arms  
Is brought by Israel's helper to the grave:  
A grave of shame, and scorn of all the Tribes,  
Now then to save your honours from the dust,  
And keep your bloods in temper by your bones,  
Let joabs ensign shroud your manly heads,  
Direct your eyes, your weapons, and your hearts  
To guard the life of David from his foes.  
Error hath masked your much too forward minds,  
And you have sinned against the chosen state,  
Against his life, for whom your lives are blessed,  
And followed an usurper to the field,  
In whose just death your deaths are threatened,  
But joab pities your disordered souls,  
And therefore offers pardon, peace, and love,  
To all that will be friendly reconciled  
To Israel's weal, to David, and to heaven.  
Amasa, thou art leader of the host,  
That under Absalon have raised their arms:  
Then be a captain wise and politic,  
Careful and loving for thy soldiers lives,  
And lead them to this honourable league.  Amasa. 
I will, at least I'll do my best,  
And for the gracious offer thou hast made,  
I give thee thanks as much as for my head.  
Then you deceived poor souls of Israel,  
Since now ye see the errors you incurred,  
With thanks and due submission be appeased,  
And as ye see your captains precedent  
Here cast me then our swords at joabs feet,  
Submitting with all zeal and residence  
Our goods and bodies to his gracious hands.  All stand up. joab. 
Stand up and take ye all your swords again,  
David and joab shall be blessed herein.  Iona. 
Now let me go inform my lord the King,  
How God hath freed him from his enemies.  joab. 
Another time Ahimaas, not now,  
But Cusay go thyself, and tell the King  
The happy message of our good success.  Cus. 
I will my lord, and thank thee for thy grace.  Exit Cusay. Iona. 
What if thy servant should go to my lord?  joab. 
What news hast thou to bring since he is gone?  Iona. 
Yet do Ahimaas so much content,  
That he may run about so sweet a charge. Exit.  joab. 
Run if thou wilt, and peace be with thy steps,  
Now follow, that you may salute the King  
With humble hearts and reconciled souls.  Ama. 
We follow joab to our gracious King,  
And him our swords shall honour to our deaths.  Exeunt. David, Bethsabe, Salomon, Nathan, Adonia, Chileab, with their train. Beth. 
What means my lord, the lamp of Israel,  
From whose bright eyes all eyes receive their light,  
To dim the glory of his sweet aspects,  
And paint his countenance with his heart's distress?  
Why should his thoughts retain a sad conceit,  
When every pleasure kneels before his throne,  
And sues for sweet acceptance with his grace,  
Take but your Lute, and make the mountains dance,  
Retrieve the suns sphere, and restrain the clouds,  
Give ears to trees, make savage lions tame,  
Impose still silence to the loudest winds,  
And fill the fairest day with foulest storms,  
Then why should passions of much meaner power,  
Bear head against the heart of Israel.  Da. 
Fair Bethsabe, thou mightst increase the strength,  
Of these thy arguments drawn from my skill,  
By urging thy sweet sight to my conceits,  
Whose virtue ever served for sacred balm  
To cheer my pinings past all earthly joys,  
But Bethsabe, the daughter of the highest,  
Whose beauty builds the towers of Israel,  
She that in chains of pearl and unicorn,  
Leads at her train the ancient golden world,  
The world that Adam held in Paradise,  
Whose breath refineth all infectious airs,  
And makes the meadows smile at her repair.  
she, She my dearest Bethsabe,  
Fair peace, the goddess of our graces here,  
Is fled the streets of fair jerusalem,  
The fields of Israel, and the heart of David,  
Leading my comforts in her golden chains,  
Linked to the life and soul of Absalon.  Beth. 
Then is the pleasure of my sovereign's heart,  
So wrapped within the bosom of that son,  
That Salomon, whom Israel's God affects,  
And gave the name unto him for his love,  
Should be no salve to comfort David's soul?  Dau. 
Salomon (my love) is David's lord,  
Or God hath named him lord of Israel  
In him (for that, and since he is thy son)  
Must David needs be pleased at the heart,  
And he shall surely sit upon my throne:  
But Absalon the beauty of my bones,  
Faite Absalon the counterfeit of love,  
Sweet Absalon, the image of content,  
Must claim a portion in his father's care,  
And be in life and death King David's son.  Nat. 
Yet as my lord hath said, let Salomon reign,  
Whom God in naming, hath anointed King.  
Now is he apt to learn th'eternal laws,  
Whose knowledge being rooted in his youth,  
Will beautify his age with glorious fruits,  
While Absalon incensed with graceless pride,  
Usurps and stains the kingdom with his sin,  
Let Salomon be made thy staff of age,  
Fair Israel's rest, and honour of thy race.  Da. 
Tell me my Salomon, wilt thou embrace  
Thy father's precepts graved in thy heart,  
And satisfy my zeal to thy renown,  
With practice of such sacred principles  
As shall concern the state of Israel?  Sal. 
My royal father, if the heavenly zeal  
Which for my welfare seeds upon your soul,  
Were not sustained with virtue of mine own,  
If the sweet accents of your cheerful voice  
Should not each hour beat upon mine ears  
As sweetly as the breath of heaven to him  
That gaspeth scorched with the Summer's sun,  
I should be guilty of unpardoned sin,  
Fearing the plague of heaven, and shame of earth:  
But since I vow myself to learn the skill  
And holy secrets of his mighty hand  
Whose cunning tunes the music of my soul,  
It would content me (father) first to learn  
How th'eternal framed the firmament,  
Which bodies lead their influence by fire?  
And which are filled with hoary Winter's ice?  
What sign is rainy, and what star is fair?  
Why by the rules of true proportion  
The year is still divided into months,  
The months to days, the days to certain hours?  
What fruitful race shall fill the future world?  
Or for what time shall this round building stand?  
What Magistrates, what Kings shall keep in awe  
Men's minds with bridles of th'eternal law?  Da. 
Wade not too far my boy in waves too deep,  
The feeble eyes of our aspiring thoughts  
Behold things present, and record things past:  
But things to come, exceed our human reach,  
And are not painted yet in angels eyes:  
For those, submit thy sense, and say, Thou power  
That now art framing of the future world,  
Knowest all to come, not by the course of heaven,  
By frail conjectures of inferior signs,  
By monstrous floods, by flights and flocks of birds,  
By bowels of a sacrificed beast;  
Or by the figures of some hidden art:  
But by a true and natural presage,  
Laying the ground and perfect architect  
Of all our actions now before thine eyes,  
From Adam to the end of Adam's seed,  
O heaven protect my weakness with thy strength,  
So look on me that I may view thy face,  
And see these secrets written in thy brows.  
O sun come dart thy rays upon my moon,  
That now mine eyes eclipsed to the earth,  
May brightly be refined and shine to heaven.  
Transform me from this flesh, that I may live  
Before my death, regenerate with thee.  
O thou great God, ravish my earthly sprite,  
That for the time a more than human skill  
May feed the Organons of all my sense,  
That when I think, thy thoughts may be my guide,  
And when I speak, I may be made by choice  
The perfect echo of thy heavenly voice.  
Thus say my son, and thou shalt learn them all.  Salo. 
A secret fury ravisheth my soul,  
Lifting my mind above her human bounds,  
And as the Eagle roused from her stand,  
With violent hunger (cowering in the air)  
Seizeth her feathered prey, and thinks to feed,  
But seeing then a cloud beneath her feet,  
Lets fall the foul, and is emboldened  
With eyes intentive to bedare the sun,  
And stieth close unto his stately sphere:  
So Salomon mounted on the burning wings  
Of zeal divine, lets fall his mortal food,  
And cheers his senses with celestial air,  
Treads in the golden starry Labyrinth,  
And holds his eyes fixed on Jehovah's brows,  
Good father teach me further what to do.  Nath. 
See David how his haughty spirit mounts  
Even now of height to wield a diadem,  
Then make him promise that he may succeed,  
And rest old Israel's bones from broils of war.  David. 
Nathan thou Prophet, sprung from Jesse's root,  
I promise thee, and lovely Bethsabe,  
My Salomon shall govern after me.  Beth. 
He that hath touched thee with this righteous thought  
Preserve the harbour of thy thoughts in peace.  Enter Mess. Mess. 
My lord, thy servants of thy watch have seen  
One running hitherward from forth the wars.  David. 
If he be come alone, he bringeth news.  Mess. 
Another hath thy servant seen my lord,  
Whose running much resembles Sadoc's son.  Da. 
He is a good man, and good tidings brings.  Enter Ahimaas. Ahim. 
Peace and content be with my lord the King,  
Whom Israel's God hath blessed with victory.  Da. 
Tell me Ahimaas, lives my Absalon?  Ahim. 
I saw a troop of soldiers gathered,  
But know not what the tumult might import.  Dau. 
Stand by, until some other may inform  
The heart of David with a happy truth.  Enter Cusay. Cusay. 
Happiness and honour live with David's soul,  
Whom God hath blessed with conquest of his foes.  David. 
But Cusay lives the young man Absalon?  Cus. 
The stubborn enemies to David's peace,  
And all that cast their darts against his crown,  
Fare ever like the young man Absalon,  
For as he rid the woods of Ephraim  
(Which fought for thee as much as all thy men)  
His hair was tangled in a shady oak,  
And hanging there (by joab and his men)  
Sustained the stroke of well deserved death.  David. 
Hath Absalon sustained the stroke of death?  
Die David for the death of Absalon,  
And make these cursed news the bloody darts,  
That through his bowels rip thy wretched breast.  
Hence David, walk the solitary woods,  
And in some cedar's shade the thunder slew,  
And fire from heaven hath made his branches black  
Sit mourning the decease of Absalon,  
Against the body of that blasted plant  
In thousand shivers break thy ivory Lute,  
Hanging thy stringless harp upon his boughs,  
And through the hollow sapless sounding trunk,  
Bellow the torments that perplex thy soul.  
There let the winds sit sighing till they burst,  
Let tempest muffled with a cloud of pitch,  
Threaten the forests with her hellish face,  
And (mounted fiercely on her iron wings)  
Rend up the wretched engine by the roots  
That held my dearest Absalon to death.  
Then let them toss my broken Lute to heaven,  
Even to his hands that beats me with the strings,  
To show how sadly his poor shepherd sings.  He goes to his pavilion, and sits close a while. Beth. 
Die Bethsabe to see thy David mourn,  
To hear his tunes of anguish and of hell,  
O help my David, help thy Bethsabe,  She kneels down. 
Whose heart is pierced with thy breathy swords,  
And bursts with burden of ten thousand griefs.  
Now sits thy sorrows sucking of my blood,  
O that it might be poison to their powers,  
And that their lips might draw my bosom dry,  
So David's love might ease him, though she die.  Nat. 
These violent passions come not from above,  
David and Bethsabe offend the highest,  
To mourn in this immeasurable sort.  Dau. 
O Absalon, Absalon, O my son, my son,  
Would God that I had died for Absalon:  
But he is dead, ah dead, Absalon is dead,  
And David lives to die for Absalon.  He looks forth, and at the end sits close again. Enter joab, Abisay, Ithay, with their train. joab. 
Why lies the Queen so prostrate on the ground?  
Why is this company so Tragic hewed?  
Why is the King now absent from his men?  
And marcheth not in triumph through the gates?  He unfolds the pavilion. 
David awake, if sleep have shut thine eyes,  
Sleep of affection, that thou canst not see  
The honour offered to the victor's head,  
joab brings conquest pierced on his spear,  
And joy from all the Tribes of Israel.  David. 
Thou man of blood, thou sepulchre of death,  
Whose marble breast entomb my bowels quick,  
Did I not charge thee, nay entreat thy hand,  
Even for my sake to spare my Absalon?  
And hast thou now in spite of David's health,  
And scorn to do my heart some happiness,  
Given him the sword, and spilled his purple soul?  joab. 
What? irks it David, that he victor breaths,  
That juda and the fields of Israel,  
Should cleanse their faces from their children's blood?  
What art thou weary of thy royal rule?  
Is Israel's throne a Serpent in thine eyes,  
And he that set thee there, so far from thanks,  
That thou must curse his servant for his sake?  
Hast thou not said, that as the morning light,  
The cloudless morning, so should be thine house,  
And not as flowers by the brightest rain,  
Which grows up quickly, and as quickly fades?  
Hast thou not said, the wicked are as thorns,  
That cannot be preserved with the hand,  
And that the man shall touch them, must be armed  
With coats of iron, and garments made of steel,  
Or with the shaft of a defenced spear?  
And art thou angry he is now cut off,  
That lead the guiltless swarming to their deaths,  
And was more wicked than an host of men?  
Advance thee from thy melancholy den,  
And deck thy body with thy blissful robes,  
Or by the Lord that sways the heaven, I swear,  
I'll lead thine armies to another King,  
Shall cheer them for their princely chivalry,  
And not sit daunted, frowning in the dark,  
When his fair looks, with Oil and Wine refreshed,  
Should dart into their bosoms gladsome beams,  
And fill their stomachs with triumphant feasts,  
That when elsewhere stern war shall sound his trump,  
And call another battle to the field,  
Fame still may bring thy valiant soldiers home,  
And for their service happily confess  
She wanted worthy trumps to sound their prowess,  
Take thou this course and live, refuse, and die.  Abisay. 
Come brother, let him sit there till he sink,  
Some other shall advance the name of joab.  Offers to go out. Beth. 
O stay my lords, stay, David mourns no more,  
But riseth to give honour to your acts. Stay.  He riseth up. David. 
Then happy art thou David's fairest son,  
That freed from the yoke of earthly toils,  
And sequestered from sense of human sins;  
Thy soul shall joy the sacred cabinet  
Of those divine Ideas, that present  
Thy changed spirit with a heaven of bliss.  
Then thou art gone, ah thou art gone my son  
To heaven I hope my Absalon is gone,  
Thy soul there placed in honour of the Saints  
Or angels clad with immortality,  
Shall reap a sevenfold grace, for all thy griefs,  
Thy eyes now no more eyes but shining stars,  
Shall deck the flaming heavens with novel lamps,  
There shalt thou taste the drink of Seraphins,  
And cheer thy feelings with archangels food,  
Thy day of rest, thy holy Sabbath day  
Shall be eternal, and the curtain drawn,  
Thou shalt behold thy sovereign face to face,  
With wonder knit in triple unity,  
Unity infinite and innumerable,  
Courage brave captains, joabs tale hath stirred,  
And made the suit of Israel preferred.  joab. 
Bravely resolved and spoken like a King,  
Now may old Israel, and his daughters sing. Exeunt.  
FINIS.