DAVID'S TROUBLES REMEMBERED  

IN  
1. Absalon's Sheepshearing.  
2. joab projecting.  
3. Bathsheba bathing.  
4. Israel rebelling.  
5. Ahithophel hanging.  
6. David returning.   
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
PSAL. 119. 71. It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I may learn thy Statutes.  
LONDON: Printed by Richard Hodgkinson, and are to be sold by Daniel Frere, at the sign of the Bull in Little-Britan. 1638.   


To the Author.  
THe Poem which shall live, and oft be read,  
With four fair Ornaments, is garnished.  
It must describe to life, fitly compare,  
Abound with Sentences, and Fictions rare:  
All these are met in thine, and do conspire,  
To dress thy Lines in durable attire.  
Thy chosen Subject of a sacred strain,  
Is Index of thy sanctified Brain,  
Profaner Muses vent your idle dreams,  
While thine discourseth of diviner Themes.  
It shall be written on thy mournful Hearse,  
He turned all sacred Story into Verse.  
RO. WILLAN.   

Ad Authorem.  
Quiddam ex Virgilii Eclogâ sextâ inflexum, & huic penso pretextum per G. H.  
HAs oh! Laete, fides tibi dant (en accipe) Musae,  
Psalmicini quas ante duci: quibus ille solebat  
Cantando sacros deducere coelitus hymnos.  
His tibi suavifluo currit scaturigine vena,  
Ne quis sit vates, quo se plus jactet Apollo.  
Omnis te pia Musa canit; nec gratior ulla est,  
Quam quae Davidis praescribit pagina nomen;  
Quae canit aerumnas regis, curasque sequaces  
Saepius obsessi latrantibus undique monstris.   

To the worthy Author of this Divine Poem.  
ORder and Number set the World in frame,  
Tuned the harmonious Spheres, made memory  
A Cabinet, to eternize Man's fame,  
And to Record th' eternal Deity,  
All Verses relish not of Levity.  
Who saith, true Poesy is not Divine,  
Knows not the Hebrew Hymn, nor hath read thine.  
Should I believe a Metempsychosis,  
Isha's son's soul silenced by his last fate,  
I'd swear informed thy body, and made this  
Use of thy Peace, to draw his trouble's State,  
That others might take heed, ere 'tis too late.  
Church and State Hypocrites, in their own trap,  
To catch, though masked & lulled in fortune's lap  
Follow thy Prophet, Poets follow thee,  
Till they have learned to leave Venerean Rhymes,  
And thou hast taught religious History,  
Affords the proper Sonnets of our times,  
Best Organs Canzons, true celestial Chimes;  
So having penned Odes for David's Lyre,  
Go, help to chant them in the Angels Quire.  
ROB. SYBTHORP.    

Idem ad Lectorem.  
INcestûs poenae, fraterni sanguinis ultor;  
Principis aerumnae, Proditionis opus;  
Contemptus Cleri, rabies temeraria vulgi;  
Peccantis planctus, contritionis amor;  
Si tibi sint curae: pandit mysteria mira  
A●-laetus vates, alite digna Jovis.  
R. S.   

DAVID'S TROUBLES.  

The first Book.  
Absalon's Sheepshearing.  
I Tell the diverse trials of the King,  
Who heavenly hymns did to his Maker sing:  
Blessed Spirit that infused on him such skill,  
Dispose aright thine humble servants quill  
Now lived the King at home in happy peace  
Free from all Wars and dangerous disease  
Of civil broils: For all Saul's house was slain,  
None but the lame Mephibosheth, remain:  
The Philistines are all brought down so low,  
They dare no other Lord than David know:  
The Syrians in two battles overthrown,  
Now make their peace and serve him as his own:  
The Heral● violating Ammonite,  
Is strong enough to serve, but not to fight.  
Two year are past since Thamar's ravishment,  
The Peers and people free from discontent:  
When thus becalmed with peace, and newly rose  
From meat, news comes (thus fame by going grows)  
That all his sons by Absalon were slain,  
Not one amongst the living did remain;  
This made him from his Cloth of state descend,  
And tear his clothes, and doleful cries out send,  
Lie on the earth whilst all his servants cry,  
And with their clothes all rent, stand mourning by:  
Till jonadab begins thus to the King;  
Take not, my Lord, so grievously this thing,  
As if that all thy sons at once were dead,  
Thine Amnon's only slain who ravished  
His sister Thamar; Absalon this thing  
ere since hath vowed, and now to pass doth bring;  
By fair pretence of making him a feast,  
Thus hath he slain his Brothe● and his Guest.  
By this the Watchman, looking up, descried  
Much people coming on the Mountain's side,  
When jonadab; Lo, as thy servant said,  
The King's sons come, my Lord, be not dismayed;  
They all are safe, scarce had he made an end,  
When down the hill they saw them all descend,  
Who as they nearer came still more lamented,  
The King and all his servants hearts relented,  
As when from Egypt with full sacks of grain,  
Old Jacob's sons came to him home again,  
Because with joseph, Simeon was left bound,  
The Sons and Father make the valleys sound  
With plaints & groans; and cause at home more mourning  
For Simeons miss, than joy at their returning:  
So was it here, King David and his Sons  
Make all the Court to sound with plaints and groans:  
Mean while the guilty murderer Absalon,  
Not daring stay to answer what was done,  
In haste t'avoid the Laws revenging hand,  
To Geshur posts, his Mother's native land.  
Geshur a City is in Syrias Fields  
On judah's borders, where old Talmaie wields  
The Sceptre, who for some respects of state,  
When David yet o'er Hebron only sat,  
To him had given his Daughter, from whose bed  
Came Absalon and Thamar ravished.  
It was no little pleasure to the King,  
To see his goodly Nephew: but this thing  
Amazed him much, great David's Son to see  
Attended with so small a company:  
But his sweet Beauty and brave personage,  
Commended by the flower of his age,  
So takes the good old King, his salutation  
Was all composed of joy and admiration;  
The hidden vigour of his lightning eye,  
His rosy cheeks, his fronts sweet Majesty,  
His Nose like Gnomon of a Dial fair,  
His Lips pure scarlet Ribbons, whereon hair  
Arose like finest Down, his Mouth not wide,  
But opened, did discover on each side,  
An Ivory range of Teeth, as even and sound  
As twinned Lambs which on the Mountains bound;  
His Locks were like to twist of burnish● Gold,  
Which did outweigh, so oft as he was poled,  
The Ramm's fair Fleece, and to the Sunbeams turned,  
Did seem a flaming Bush that never burned:  
In all the Kingdoms of the East not one  
Was found, for Beauty like to Absalon;  
From his feet sole up to his curled crown,  
No blemish could in Absalon be shown:  
This made th'idolatrous vain Syrian  
Think him a God in likeness of a man,  
Believing Sol had left his Chariot bright  
In Geshurs' Court, one night to take delight;  
Or warlike Mars resigned his Sphere above,  
To solace there in pleasing arms of Love:  
The Priests themselves that were, or should be, wise,  
Were ready even to offer Sacrifice:  
When Talmai thus: my fairest Absalon,  
Art thou my Nephew royal David's Son?  
Or dost thou from amongst the Gods descend,  
Me to admonish of my latter end?  
Worship there's due unto a power divine,  
And not Embracements; If that thou art mine,  
Declare the cause that doth thee hither bring.  
Then Absalon: My Parent and my King,  
I duly here do give upon my knee  
The worship, which thou offerest to me:  
I am thy son and servant: But the King  
Lets him not kneel, but whilst from's eyes do spring  
Tears mixed with joy, to's chair of State doth guide,  
Who thus begins, down sitting by his side.  
It hath, too oft, been proved to be denied,  
That all things which on earth to men betid,  
By heavenly Powers are guided to their end,  
What ever Mortals vainly may intend:  
So as Church Policies, and Rules of State,  
Are always subject to eternal Fate.  
When thou thy Daughter borne of Royal Seed  
To David gav'st, he of thine aid had need,  
Against Saul's house, his Hebron to maintain,  
And other parts of Israel's Land to gain:  
Who thought then that thy Daughter's Progeny,  
Should be subjected to strange sovereignty?  
This base Israelite to bear a Son  
To disinherit Maachas Absalon.  
But when I found my Father's mind and fate  
In this agree, contented with my state,  
My life I in a Country Village led,  
And like a Farmer Sheep and Bullocks fed.  
In Court I saw no safety to remain,  
Where Envy and Ambition ever reign,  
With diverse jealousies and strains of state,  
To thrust down virtue, not to emulate:  
Yet feeling Royal Blood boil in a vein,  
Which me assured that I was borne to reign,  
And that to be commanded was too base  
For one descended of so Royal Race,  
I rather chose to be the first in place,  
Than second in the highest Monarches grace;  
My Sheephook therefore I a Sceptre feign,  
My Garland green, a Crown, and that small train  
Of Gallants that did on my person tend,  
I called my Peers. The judges I did send,  
To judge my subjects, which were flocks of sheep,  
Were shepherds, who them did protect and keep,  
And not as now we see some judges do,  
Their Fleeces pull, and take their Bodies too.  
The Law I ruled by, was my will and word,  
A frowning look my executing sword,  
Nor did I less esteem my fragrant Bowers,  
Then Kings their high guilt, princely costly Towers:  
My fields and flocks did yield as wholesome meat,  
I ay a better stomach had to eat;  
And when I pleased to hunt, the little Hare  
More pleasure yielded than Roe Bucke or Bear.  
I often, walking in my shady Groves,  
Herd more sweet dainty Lays of heavenly Loves,  
Than could be tuned by David's choicest Choir,  
What more than I enjoyed could one desire?  
A Country life is too too full of bless,  
If country men knew their own happiness,  
But ah! poor wretches, all admire gay shows  
Of Court and City, but alas who knows  
Their base dissemble, jealousies and cares?  
Forswearing, lying, flattering and fears:  
Whereas their clothes, they seek to change the bed,  
And to account the stolen for sweetest bread,  
That dying, few do know for whom they toiled,  
If for their own or for another's child:  
The while the Countryman, at home alone,  
Enjoys his wife his own dear flesh and bone,  
And sees even in his sons and Nephew's faces,  
Their parents native features, looks and graces.  
And though such shows they make not on their table,  
Yet is their cheer as good and acceptable;  
Yea even their Offerings and Sacrifice,  
Assoon to Heaven may from these Cells arise,  
As those that Kings on stately ● Altars lay,  
And send their Hecatombs up night and day.  
Thus as a King I lived amongst my Peers,  
And wanted nothing but their cares and fears,  
Free from the envy of the Prince and Court,  
Who never did regard my meaner port,  
Until the Heavens or some malicious fate,  
Who better knew, than they, my happy state,  
Even in the swimming fullness of my gladness,  
Me interrupted with this cause of sadness.  
Besides her son, thy servant Absalon,  
Maacha had a daughter, and but one  
By David, of such comely modest grace,  
She was the light and glory of our race,  
Surmounting common beauties of the Court,  
As Sun's bright beams the Stars of meaner sort;  
With which some Courtiers playing, as the Flies  
With flaming Lamps, burned both their wings and eyes:  
Of which was Amnon, whom experience tried,  
That he indeed was not true Eagle-eyed,  
For dazzled with her beams, most pure and bright,  
Against God's Laws and Nature's common light,  
He lusted after his own Sister's bed,  
A wickedness not to be uttered.  
But as the more concealed, the more the fire  
Consumes, so this unnatural desire  
Most fearing it should be to mortals shown,  
(Near dreading God, to whom it all was known)  
Consumes his marrow, and his body dries,  
So as on bed all languishing he lies,  
No means he saw his lawless lust to gain,  
For she a Virgin lived, pure, free from stain.  
When jonadab my father's brother's son,  
(As subtle ones who fairest rising Sun  
Ay worship, and think nothing vil'e or base,  
That may possess them of a Prince's grace)  
Observing Amnons' pulse, doth plainly find  
His sickness not of body, but of mind:  
And saith, my Lord, Art thou not David's son,  
The kingdom's heir? thou know'st their breaths, not one  
From Sihors' Flood to great Euphrates sands,  
That cheerfully observes not thy commands.  
Thou art the life and comfort of our State,  
Why dost thyself and us then macerate?  
Let but thy servants know what thou desir'st,  
And they will more effect than thou requirest.  
Ah! Cousin jonadab saith Amnon, I  
Think better my desires with me should dye:  
To make them known it is as bootless vain,  
As wicked to affect: I will not feign,  
Nor hide the secrets of my heart from thee,  
I love my Sister Thamar: but what he  
Advised the lustful Prince was never known,  
Till thus the cause was by the issue shown.  
One Summer's evening walking, when Sols light  
was giving way unto the Queen of night:  
I, on a Mule by Moonlight, did descry  
A Lady, with small train, who coming nigh,  
Falls to the ground, and with a piteous groan,  
With sighs and sobs doth testify her moan:  
Her hand, alas, she laid upon her head,  
Which was with ashes all besprinkeled,  
Her particoloured garments all were rend,  
That I her piteous case did even lament,  
Before I her discovered by the face,  
To be our Thamar: Ah! saith she, alas!  
Most miserable wight, yet why should I  
Make known my grief, and see no remedy?  
Had any so done me this foul despite,  
I could have overpast my grief more light,  
But my near friend hath me dishonoured,  
My elder Brother Amnon ravished.  
You can but wonder, noble Absalon,  
How he a Virgin Maid could find alone:  
Ah! dearest Brother, by a subtle wile,  
Me and my Father both he did beguile;  
Himself he feigning sick upon his bed,  
Soon as he by the King was visited,  
Most humbly of him doth entreat the grace,  
That I (ah me) might come before his face,  
And in his Chamber make some dainty meat,  
Which of my hand it might be he could eat:  
The King commanded, I forthwith was sent,  
Without the least suspecting his intent,  
Me to dishonour, and my family,  
And violate my chaste virginity.  
But he, alas! when I had baked him meat,  
Two dainty cakes, which he desired to eat,  
Commanded all his men out of the room,  
And bade me into his bedchamber come;  
Where he would be refreshed at my hand,  
I that did simply all things understand,  
Brought in the Cakes, and offered him to eat,  
But found my honour was his longed-for meat.  
For holding fast my hand, he doth begin,  
With these fair words me to his lust to win.  
Pure heavenly Star of my Nativity!  
By whose benign aspect, I live or dye,  
Sweet Sovereign leech! of my souls long diseasc,  
No Physic but thyself my grief can ease:  
Thy only heat can quench my hot desire,  
As Sun's bright shining beams extinguish fire.  
I care not for these Cakes, thy candid hand  
Hath more enriched, than Pearls calcined to sand,  
Were it my pleasure only to obtain,  
And that thou shouldst more honour loose, than gain,  
Thou mightst deny: But Amnon seeks thy grace,  
And humbly supplicates thy sweet embrace;  
Ask half my birthright, only with me lie,  
My dearest Sister, else for love I dye.  
When I, dear Brother! let not God's choice nation,  
Be guilty of so foul abomination;  
By strength a Sister to base lust compel,  
Such sin was never known in Israel:  
Lo! all thy people thee for this will blame,  
And where shall I ah hide my head for shame?  
If thou dost love me, as thou dost pretend,  
(Such foul beginnings never well can end)  
Before thou force me, ask me of the King,  
Not that I foul incestuous guilt would bring  
Upon my Land, or had the jest intent  
To move the King to give us his consent,  
(For what can be a louder crying sin  
Than blood to join to blood and kin to kin)  
I only sought to win him to forbear,  
But I my charms tuned to deaf Adder's ear.  
As when a Wolf hath seized for his prey  
A little Lamb, that went aside to play,  
The Lamb doth bleat and struggle all in vain,  
So I as little by my striving gain,  
For by his strength and power he me oppressed.  
Oh shame forbids me to reveal the rest.  
But as if malice more than raging lust,  
Had him invited to this fact unjust,  
Soon as his pleasure thus was satisfied  
He could not in his presence me abide,  
But as a Strumpet vile or common Whore,  
Commands me strait to get me out of door,  
And when I, lo●h to publish this disgrace,  
By my foul usage, and my blubbered face;  
Him on my knees besought he would forbear  
To do this second wrong, he would not hear:  
But with a furious hatred, far above  
The raging passion of his lustful love,  
Calls he his servant in, and storming more,  
Commands him put me out and shut the door.  
Talmai at this amazed straight up doth stand,  
And cries, are these your fruits of holy Land?  
What other King yet ever gave consent  
To such a base incestuous Ravishment?  
Where he the King his father did defraud,  
And made him to incestuous lust a Bawd:  
Oh had it been mine only Son and heir,  
I would have hanged the wretch up by the hair,  
Or with wild horses torn his joints in sunder,  
Had God forborn to strike him down with Thunder.  
But what said David when he heard this thing?  
Did he th' offender punish? No, O King,  
Saith Absalon, he only seemed displeased  
At first with Amnon, but was soon appeased;  
For neither good nor bad to him was said,  
As if he to displease him were afraid.  
Th' offence he hated, and th' offender loved,  
But love it seems for more than anger moved.  
The Sun hath finished twice his annual course,  
Since Thamar thus was ravished by force,  
Whilst in my house she lived disconsolate,  
Forlorn of all, for fear of Amnons' hate,  
But never any word thereof durst mutter,  
For fear we should but our disgraces utter,  
We knew the King unwilling to repair  
His daughter's loss, with hazarding his heir;  
Nor did I show at all my discontent,  
Lest his distrust should my revenge prevent,  
But covertly my hate dissembeled,  
Till opportune Revenge were offered.  
And now approached the season of the year,  
That I my Sheep on Hazors plains did shear,  
Where I prepared a sumptuous Royal Feast,  
And did invite the King to be my Guest;  
But he unwilling me to over-charge,  
Said, Nay my Son, we will not so much charge  
Thee, at thy house, us all to entertain,  
Nor would he go, although I urged again.  
Then said I, yet let Amnon go with me,  
Ah, saith the King, why should he go with thee?  
More than thy presence nothing mighty King,  
Would to thy servant grace and honour bring;  
But since thou art not pleased with me to go,  
That honour thou deniest, let Amnon do.  
So I him urged, he promised in the end,  
That he with Amnon all his Sons would send.  
Was never Woodman gladder, when at hand  
He spies the Stag come fair upon his stand,  
Than I, at coming of my wis●ed guest,  
For whom indeed I did provide the Feast:  
In coolest vault, whose sweeter Northern light,  
Was freed from hotter gleams of Sunshine bright,  
My servants had the Table covered,  
For David's sons, whilst Thamar ravished,  
In covert close for shame her head did hide,  
Whom Amnon could not in his sight abide.  
When all were come, and at the Table set,  
And, as their stomaches liked, fell to their meat,  
Two of my servants, as I did command,  
Who closely waiting did by Amnon stand,  
So soon as I gave them a secret sign,  
And that his heart was merry grown with wine,  
Down smote him dead, which service bravely done,  
Shall never be forgot by Absalon:  
The King's sons all with sudden horror scared,  
As if like cheer had been for them prepared,  
Haste to their Mules; to thee forthwith I fled  
On swiftest coursers ready sadeled,  
I nothing of the truth from thee conceal,  
And now my King and Father I appeal  
Unto thy justice, where if guilty I  
Be judged of Amnons' blood, then let me dye.  
I would not put my life upon the rude  
And violence of furious multitude,  
Nor on the justice of an angry King,  
Time may again me into favour bring:  
I then shall plainly prove that Absalon  
Hath done no more than David should have done:  
And when Kings suffer such sins in their Land,  
God will revenge them by another's hand.  
Lo thus he ends: When Talmai; valiant son  
I do commend this act so bravely done,  
In answering this foul base indignity,  
Thou hast revenged thy Sister, self and me:  
No generous brave spirit could have born  
So great dishonour, and so foul a scorn:  
Be confident in this, my son, that I  
Will in this quarrel, live with thee and dye.  
The rather for that thou thyself hast showed,  
As just in punishing a crime so lewd;  
So also politic in cutting down  
That Tree, which stopped thy way unto the Crown.  
O grand exploit! which fairly both ways tends  
To public Justice, and to private ends.  
Some reach at Crowns by shedding guiltless blood  
But thou by being great, and seeming good.  
Thus shall my Absalon get thanks and praise,  
As popular in that which must him raise.  
Then Talmai rose, and looking round about,  
Perceived that all his servants were gone out,  
For well-bred Courtiers thought it no fit thing,  
Uncalled, to hear the secrets of a King:  
But soon as they their Master walking hear,  
All in his presence readily appear,  
Where he commands them all, they do their best,  
To entertain his son, so goes to rest.   

THE SECOND BOOK.  
joab projecting.  
OLd Israel did never so lament  
For Joseph's coloured coat, all bloody rent,  
As David for his murdered first born Son,  
And absence of his loved Absalon.  
As when great joab trecherosly had slain  
Brave Abner by a false and subtle train,  
So to revenge the blood of Asahel,  
The King and all the Lords of Israel,  
With garments torn, and ashes on their head,  
Lament and mourn for Abner lying dead:  
So loud did David weep, that all might hear,  
And followed unto the Grave the Beer.  
So now the King, and all his servants mourn  
For Amnons' loss, who never will return:  
Yea Passions david's reason so confound,  
He all the day lies sorrowing on the ground,  
And though the Elders of his house and Peers,  
Persuade him to repress his grief and tears,  
By all their prayers they cannot him entreat,  
To rise up or refresh himself with meat:  
Till Bathsheba out-leading Solomon  
Upon her hand, bespeaks him thus alone.  
Let thy great wisdom, Gracious Sovereign Lord,  
Descend to hear thy handmaid in a word;  
Nor think, O King, as his Stepmother, I  
Too lightly think of thy calamity,  
Be sure I could a full proportion hold  
With thee in sorrow, if that mourning could,  
Thy firstborn Son to thee bring back again,  
But ah, alas! such tears are spent in vain;  
We may to him, he cannot to us come:  
Remember, when thy firstborn of my womb,  
Was with the sickness struck, whereof it died,  
How you besought the Lord, and to him cried,  
If for our sin he would be reconciled,  
And by thee be entreated for the child:  
Thou all the night on earth layst without meat,  
Nor could the Elders of thy house entreat  
Thee to sit up, but when thou heardst 'twas gone,  
Thou didst arise and wash thyself, and soon  
As thou with thine God's house hadst visited,  
Didst cheerfully refresh thyself with bread.  
This was our pattern then, let it be now  
The same to thee: thou mourned haste enough,  
Then cease more to bewail thy firstborn Son,  
And cheer thyself with little Solomon,  
To whom, yet in my womb, God gave a name,  
To show that he should be a man of fame.  
Then said the King; My dearest Queen, the light  
Sent from my God, to guide me in the right,  
Which seeing I allow, yet go astray,  
So Passion doth my Reason oversway,  
Yet with good reason I may this lament,  
Not as a loss, but as a punishment  
Of Rape and Incest suffered in my Land,  
For God is just, and hath no partial hand.  
Affections divert Administration  
Of justice, which is free from acceptation  
Of persons, and doth at the head begin,  
Greatness is no protection for sin.  
To Amnon now as he deserved is done,  
To save one, I have lost another Son,  
God us both justly to his Bar doth bring,  
Him for the rape, me for not punishing.  
Not as if I the Murderer excused,  
Whose malice as an instrument God used,  
Us unto judgement for our sins to call,  
For God is just, and we offenders all.  
The Sun's pure beams draw up from filthy soil  
The lees, yet doth itself no whit defile,  
So of our sins pure God oft makes good use,  
Yet's without sin, as we without excuse.  
Oh God, how wondrous are thy works throughout  
The world, thy judgements all past finding out.  
Shame unto us, all praise to God is due,  
For he is righteous, and his judgements true.  
Thus lauds he God, whilst little Solomon,  
Who newly able was to run alone,  
And like a Pie or Parrot began to chatter,  
All sounds he heard, though nothing to the matter,  
More cheered the King with prattling nonsense,  
Then all his Courtiers studied eloquence,  
And as young David's Harp oft dispossessed  
Saul of his evil spirit, and him refreshed;  
So did this Parrot's pretty melody,  
Dispel the clouds of his melancholy,  
And passions of grief to joy convert,  
Nought more than children cheer an old man's heart.  
Oh blessed Child, saith David! in thy face  
I see a model of all heavenly grace,  
Thou shalt in wisdom, wealth, and power increase,  
And be a King of happiness and peace.  
A Type of that great Prince of peace and rest,  
In whom all Nations of the world are blessed.  
The God that always dwelled with us in Tents,  
Since Sinai thundered his Commandments,  
Will be content t'abide within the frame,  
Thou shalt erect to praise his holy Name.  
Type of the Heaven of heavens, which we live under,  
The Nation's glory and the earth's great wonder:  
To thee shall all the Nations Presents bring,  
As to the highest and the wisest King.  
As stones shall Silver in thy streets remain,  
And Cedars as wild Figtrees on the Plain:  
All Kings to hear and see thee shall desire,  
But they that nearest come, shall most admire,  
To hear thy heavenly Wisdom plain expound,  
The hardest Questions that they can propound.  
Oh happy, couldst thou keep upright thy heart,  
But ah! strange women do the best pervert.  
●o! thus is David's sad melancholy  
●urn'd, like Saul's hatred, into prophecy,  
●s torrent swift which long his course hath held,  
●n sudden by immoderate showers filled,  
●reaks down the Bank, and bears the ground away,  
And finding new his former course doth stay.  
But all these goodly hopes of Solomon,  
Could not divert his love from Absalon,  
Wherefore since Amnon could no more return,  
He now takes comfort and begins to burn  
With such affection to Absalon,  
That even to fetch him home he could have gone,  
Which joab by some signs discovering,  
A woman wise from Tekoa did bring  
In mourning-clothes, with ashes on her head,  
As if she had long mourned for the dead:  
Who being well instructed in her part  
By joab, thus begins to show her Art.  
She meeting David at set time and place,  
Low to the ground falls down upon her face,  
And cries out, help O King! thy servant save,  
Ah woman, said the King, what wouldst thou have?  
I am, saith she, a woman widowed,  
And live alone, thy handmaids husband's dead,  
Who leaving me two sons, whilst in the field  
Each strove with other, both too stout to yield,  
And there not being any nigh to part,  
He that struck first was stricken to the heart:  
So now he only doth to me remain,  
Who in his fury hath his brother slain:  
Happy yet were thy servant, if I might  
Enjoy this only Son, my soul's delight,  
But all the kindred of my family,  
In just revenge for brother's blood, do cry,  
Give us the heir to slay: So they my light,  
In Israel would, ah me! extinguish quite,  
Not suffering this one man on earth alive,  
Thine handmaids husbands name here to revive.  
The King, by nature most affectionate,  
With her in sorrow doth participate,  
And saith, go home, good woman, be content,  
Concerning thee, I'll give commandment.  
But she replied again, my Lord and King!  
The guilt of this iniquity, God bring  
Upon my Father's family and me.  
Thou and thy Throne of justice shall be free.  
Good woman fear thou nothing, said the King,  
The man that speaks against thee, hither bring,  
And I will give him an express command,  
Against thee never more to lift his hand.  
Oh King, saith she, remember God thy Lord,  
Nor suffer more the sharp revenging sword,  
To forage as it formerly hath done,  
Lest as my first, it slay my second son.  
Now as the Lord doth live, by whom we all  
Do live, from's head this day no hair shall fall.  
Yet, said the woman, I thine handmaid pray,  
Let me speak one word more, the King said, say:  
Then said the woman: Oh why should the King,  
On us, God's chosen people, evil bring,  
For by the words the King hath uttered,  
Thou plainly hast to us discovered,  
That thou indeed art faulty, oh my King,  
That home thy banished thou dost not bring.  
●y Liege and Lord! consider this thing well,  
What danger 'tis for David's heir to dwell,  
●ut of the Kingdom, and live banished,  
●ea with an Heathen King his life to lead;  
●or as pure water spilt upon the ground,  
〈◊〉 soon dried up, and can no more be found,  
●or is the scent and purity retained,  
●ut whilst in some pure glass it is contained:  
●o people perish all without a head,  
Or like so many Sheep are scattered,  
But God who till this time hath him preserved  
Unto this people, hath for good reserved,  
And moved their hearts to wish at home again,  
Thy son, that yet doth banished remain.  
And now I to the King these things have said,  
Because I of the people was afraid;  
Thus thought I, let me speak unto my Lord,  
〈◊〉 may be he will hear his handmaids word,  
And be as gentle unto Absalon  
●s to thine handmaid and mine only Son,  
Whom thou hast saved from revenging hand,  
That me and him would pluck out of the Land.  
I thought, if to preserve a family,  
Thou wouldst not let the sword my son destroy,  
Thou mightst do much more for the Kingdom's peace,  
And for Religion's wealth and strength's increase.  
For as an Angel, God hath given thee skill  
To hear and judge aright of good and ill:  
And therefore, since the Act of this my Son,  
Is one with thine, God make thy judgement one.  
The King replied, good woman, I desire,  
Hide not from me the thing which I require,  
Tell, Is not joabs' band with thee in this?  
Ah, good my Lord the King, said she, it is:  
I will not leave the truth on either hand,  
For thou, O King, wilt soon it understand.  
Thy servant joab to my mouth conveyed,  
Even all the words which I thine handmaid said;  
That by their circumstance my Sovereign might,  
Without affection see and judge aright,  
And not the peoples and our wishes cross,  
For Absalon's offence or Amnons' loss.  
Therefore, oh King, as now thou hast been wise  
For to discover all we could devise,  
And as God's Angel here dost all things know,  
So, by that wisdom, all things wisely do.  
Thus ends the woman, when to joab so  
The King begins, as thou wilt all must go;  
This thou projected haste, it shall be done,  
Go haste, and fetch the youngman, Absalon:  
Then joab falling down upon his face,  
Gave humble thanks for this so high a grace,  
Oh King, saith he, what grace hast thou expressed,  
In yielding to thy servants bold request?  
And now thought joab, with this simulation,  
To make at once an utter supplantation,  
Of Bathshebes projecting for her Son,  
By bringing back from Geshur, Absalon.  
Such is man's nature ay with envious eye,  
To view our equals, raised to dignity,  
And would more willingly, though with more danger,  
Than to their own, be subject to a stranger:  
But Bathshebe perceiving his design,  
As prudently did work her counter mine,  
And to the Prophet strait herself applies,  
They best direct that first with God advise,  
And thus begins: Good Prophet! seest thou not  
How cruel joab cunningly doth plot,  
To bring in grace again proud Absalon,  
And ruin utterly my Solomon?  
What then shall all those prophecies betid,  
Which have by thee of him been prophesied,  
If joabs' craft against us may prevail,  
Ah help! God's promises do never fail.  
Madame, saith Nathan, they shall ay endure,  
And like the Mountains, stable stand and sure;  
The Goat shall easilier dive into the deep,  
And Dolphin up to top of Mountains creep,  
Than earthly powers Gods promises withstand,  
What's arm of flesh against his mighty hand?  
men's subtle windings, close dissimulations,  
Are even as vain as their imaginations,  
Turned by his power and wisdom to those ends  
And purposes, his goodness here intends:  
God works not here by likely means, as man,  
What he is pleased to will, he always can:  
By causes he sometimes, oft times without,  
Against all causes brings he things about;  
All things are wrought according to his will,  
They happy who it cheerfully fulfil,  
And voluntary Agents do their best,  
Upon his goodness faithfully to rest:  
Experience forbids us to distrust  
Th' Almighty, as unable or unjust.  
All Saul's projectings, David to keep down,  
Were but as steps to raise him to the Crown,  
The more deliverances, the more his praise,  
No keeping down whom God intends to raise.  
Good Nathan, saith the Queen, no eloquence  
Instructs us like our own experience;  
(I now delight not to recount my story,  
Mine be the shame, I give to God the glory:)  
From bed of sin, which did me well-nigh smother,  
He raised me up to be the happy mother  
Of such a child, whose wise and potent hand,  
Should sway the Sceptre of this holy Land,  
And be to all succeeding generations,  
Our glory, and the astonishment of Nations.  
Lo! Nathan I have bred him in my womb,  
And suckeled at my breasts, till he's become  
Of Learning capable: Now I him bring,  
To thee to be instructed like a King.  
Madam, saith Nathan, 'tis the best of Arts,  
To give right rules to children, for their parts:  
For as of other things, so of mankind,  
In youth the time is to instruct the mind.  
What liquor they be seasoned with, they hold,  
To middle age, yea even when they are old:  
Then as the yielding tender twigs in field,  
Contented are to husband's hand to yield,  
And, as it gently them directs, do grow  
Up towards Heaven, or to the ground below,  
So Tutors may their minds depress or raise  
To base desires, or thoughts deserving praise:  
Sweet Manna only did with morning last,  
Soon as the Sun grew hot, the time was passed:  
This is the time true virtues seeds to sow,  
That they with them in strength may thrive and grow,  
And not discern, grown up to middle stature,  
●f they be thus by precept, or by nature.  
First be they taught their Parents to revere,  
Distemper, lying and deceit to fear,  
To have Gods dreadful Name in reverence,  
For hope of good, and fear of punishments.  
On them yet this enforce not, but instill  
It gently, with good liking to their will,  
For what is so enforced on us then,  
We fall into dislike of, growing men,  
And being free and at full liberty,  
More pleasing ways unto our natures try.  
Acquaint their growing minds with pleasing Stories,  
Of virtues sweet rewards, and highest glories,  
But never vices in their presence name,  
Without eternal infamy and blame:  
Nor let them know how commonly they reign,  
Lest they to them a liking entertain:  
This will their minds to virtue elevate,  
And make them vices loathe detest and hate,  
And if you find their Natures do intend  
To any errors, them to th' adverse bend,  
As oft we bow young twigs clean opposite,  
Of purpose only, for to set them right.  
When you have sweetend thus their inclination,  
Nothing improves it more than emulation,  
Be it at School, or play, they exercise,  
Allure them with the glory of the prize:  
Best minds have all this inbred quality,  
To set their chief delight on victory.  
Thus Prophets should good rules and precepts give,  
By which they after do intend to live;  
For so did Nathan with his blessed charge,  
Who now conceiving he was set at large,  
Removed from his awful parent's eye,  
And freely left to his own liberty,  
Begins like Colt to run his full careare,  
But Nathan him restrains with modest fear,  
Yet not abridging him those sweet delights,  
To which his tender pupillage invites:  
He by the gentlest means him first inclined,  
To sports that better Body might and mind,  
And told and taught him all brave martial Story,  
To fill his limbs with strength, and heart with glory.  
An error 'tis in those that youth up train,  
Them from sweet lively pleasures to restrain,  
Licentious looseness is a foul extreme,  
Between these two doth lie the golden mean.  
They that our best and noblest horses breed,  
Do let them run at liberty and feed,  
Till they unto their height of strength be grown,  
Then gently tamed for services and shown.  
Who to their Books too hardly youths constrain,  
The heat draw from their stomach to the brain,  
Them making heavy, lumpish, dull, and slow,  
And dry that moisture up should make them grow.  
As Colts which at the first be over-toiled,  
Turn jades, and are in every journey foiled.  
As fruit ripe in the morning rots ere noon,  
Such is the fate of all that ripe too soon.  
But such is not the fate of Solomon,  
Though all his equals are by him outgone:  
In learning, riding, any recreation,  
He all transcends beyond all emulation.  
These soon are past, and now he sets his mind,  
The highest wisdom only out to find,  
Which Nathan finding shows his utmost Art,  
To season with God's holy fear his heart,  
The holiest heavenly precepts to instill,  
Both to his understanding and his will,  
Wherein this child not only doth outgo  
His equals, but even his great Master too,  
" So do we often see great God imparts  
" To his Vice-gerents, large and ample hearts,  
" By which they may more able be to lead,  
" And guide the people in their Maker's stead.  
You great ones that do subtilely project,  
By means unjust, and cruel, to effect  
The things you aim at, and ofttimes in blood  
Of friends and allies, make your actions good;  
That make no conscience, by dissimulations,  
To ruin Cities, Families and Nations.  
Though oft you pass unseen by mortal eyes,  
He sits in heaven that all your works descries,  
Conducing all your projects to those ends,  
His goodness, not your malice, here intends.  
Yea those pure spirits, which are waiting still  
On earth, his heavenly pleasure to fulfil;  
See all your windings, and with grief behold  
Proud mortals here, so desperately bold,  
Upon these frail and brittle habitations,  
To perpetrate so foul abominations  
In sight of God, of Angels, and the Devil,  
Who takes delight to see them work all evil:  
Oh do but make a true just estimation,  
Of them that use such close dissimulation:  
Survey their lives, and you shall plainly see,  
The best men have been open fair and free.  
Deep Politics fair virtue's forms commend,  
As most conducing to their aims and end,  
But hold the practice is an hindrance,  
To all that great affairs would advance,  
They Grace and Holiness itself would seem,  
Not to be so in deed, but in esteem,  
By false pretence of Goodness to do evil,  
A Principle for Lucifer the Devil.   

THE THIRD BOOK.  
Bathsheba bathing.  
OH what a happy thing 'tis to be bred  
Of godly Parents, and well tutored;  
Especially for Kings, whose education  
Brings happiness or ruin to a Nation;  
Yea Subjects children, bred too tenderly,  
Infect a City, Town or Family,  
With lewd examples, quickly followed.  
By Precepts we are dragged, by Patterns led.  
Now David by too good experience,  
Had proved what mischief comes by indulgence,  
In breeding children; Amnon grown so bold,  
He might not by his Father be controlled  
For foulest incest, Maachas Absalon,  
Hath killed the Prince his brother and is gone.  
Fair Thamar now remains more desolate  
By Amnons' murder, than his rape or hate;  
Revenge that's private, lawless shedding blood  
Without the Magistrate, doth no man good;  
The Murderer in exile must remain,  
Till joab comes to bring him home again,  
Who taking for's Companion Abishai,  
Lo thus begins discoursing on the way.  
Many that are indeed, or would seem wise,  
And by the past, of things to come, surmise,  
Do hold that in all bodies politic,  
Diseases are, as men, are well or sick,  
That rising Kingdoms periods have, which passed,  
They like our bodies here, decline and waste,  
Till their last ruin; and, as bodies, states  
Beginnings, risings, fall have and dutes:  
And sure 'tis no hard matter to observe,  
How states are healthful, thrive, decline and starve.  
But he's the Statist profitably wise,  
That knows their sicknesses and remedies,  
Be their disease in body, feet, or head,  
By Prudence they may be recovered,  
But he indeed is Master of his Art,  
That keeps th' infection from the head and heart,  
The King and Army, for by these, lo all  
Monarches and Kingdoms flourish, rise and fall;  
And sure we seldom see a remedy  
Of such infection, but Phlebotomy.  
Nought more (saith Abishai) foments the rude  
Seditions of the giddy multitude,  
Than those our wand'ring Levites, discontent  
At Churches, or the Kingdom's government;  
Their reason why they are so disaffected,  
Is, that they think their gifts too much neglected,  
That they are not assumed, yet able are  
The weight of government alone to bear;  
And therefore new Church Orders will devise,  
To make the people all the old despise,  
And thus would bring into the people's hate,  
All ancient governor's of Church and State.  
Lo! this disease, now good experience finds,  
Like plague of Leprosy, infects the minds  
Of people, and instilling close dislike  
Of Governors, at Church and State does strike.  
These seem, at first, low on the ground to creep,  
But soon they into Counsel Chambers peep;  
Where, though they dare not reach up at the Crown,  
They all that are above them would pull down;  
And if our Ruler's negligence give way,  
Whereby they may but seem to bear the sway,  
They such strange Church-disorders will propound,  
As quickly would both Church and State confound,  
Agreeing all to cross what Law commands,  
Yet differing in their several demands.  
Some Statists think that this distemper grows  
The more, that Rulers strive it to oppose:  
But our too late experience hath found,  
How dangerous 'tis, to give these humours ground,  
Though scarce a great man meddles in these actions,  
Except some few to strengthen more their factions;  
I wish such to some newfound Land would go,  
That we the sound might from the th' infected know.  
Alas! saith joab, these vain idle rude  
Distempers of the brainless multitude,  
Are by a purge or vomit quickly spent,  
Or turned into the body's nourishment:  
They most, in times of wanton peace, do breed,  
Begot at first of Humour, and do feed  
On Air, popular applause, I mean,  
No Policy can them extirpate clean,  
So long as there is moisture to supply  
juice to the root, if that once fail, they die.  
Many divine of changes in our state,  
Because our King hath been unhappy late,  
Since his last marriage, his Child is dead,  
His firstborn slain, his daughter ravished,  
And Chileab is lost, his second Son,  
So now his heir is M●●ch as Absalon.  
Few but myself, our State's disease do know,  
Whereby so many troubles on us grow,  
Our sickness is of sin even in the head,  
Which (as diseases most by ease are bred)  
Grew in the King, when he too much did yield  
To pleasure, whilst his Army lay in field.  
For whereas in all Battles he was wont  
To be most valiant, and the first in front;  
When we last went against the Ammonite,  
He in his Palace had another fight,  
Till plainly I discovered, past all doubt,  
The City Rabbab could not long hold out,  
I sent for him to th' taking of the same,  
Lest it were called after by my name.  
Not to delay thee long, although the King  
Did sin in secret, God would have the thing  
To all be known: vain hope 'tis to conceal  
Our sins from men, which we to God reveal.  
●weet Bathsheba, jude as fairest Maid,  
By diverse Princes courted, wooed and prayed,  
At last was carried by the bravest Lord,  
That ere in Monarch's quarrel drew a Sword;  
A Hittite, but the noblest of his house,  
Wise, modest, valiant and religious,  
Who amongst King David's Worthies had a name,  
And second was to none in worth and fame.  
Nor was she fair without, and inly base,  
But like Gold Picture in a Silver case,  
Was by this Lord beloved, and liked again,  
Thus fairest Dames make choice of bravest men.  
A happy union and a blessed pair,  
As truly virtuous as seeming fair,  
In true affection tide, and linked in love,  
As Spheres which by one mutual motion move;  
So she him honours, and he is so kind,  
They seemed two bodies governed by one mind:  
Yet were not their affections more combined,  
Than Love and Honour in them both conjoind.  
Was ever Virgin to the Temple led,  
More chaste than she into Vriahs' bed?  
To revelling she seldom would resort,  
But was most part a stranger at the Court,  
Whose strange and new attires, she did not know,  
Where Ladies naked breasts, and shoulders show,  
Like Chapmen, who their wares show to the eye,  
And bid you like for love, for money buy:  
Love never friends more closely fastened,  
No Turtles truer to each others bed.  
There Love and Honour arm in arm did stand,  
But ever Honour had the upper hand:  
Whereof a proof to thee I'll briefly tell.  
When Hanun had reproached Israel,  
In violating with imprudent hands,  
Our King's Ambassadors, the sacred bands  
Of mutual Amity 'twixt State and State,  
By David sent, him to congratulate,  
Their beards and garments shaving to the thighs,  
In foulest scorn, as if they had been spies;  
And that he saw, he stank in David's sight,  
He hired the Syrian and the Aramite  
Against our King, which when he understands,  
He me commands to muster all his bands,  
And men of might: of which not one did I  
Wish more, than brave Vriahs' company.  
And therefore where my Officers I sent  
To others, at his house, to him I went,  
Where I them found enchained in Lovers charms,  
Delighting sweetly each in others arms;  
When I made known to them the King's command,  
Amazed they gazing each on other stand:  
A while with dear affection, honour strove,  
But Honour got the victory of Love.  
And she begins; my Lords, I must confess,  
I like my husband, know no earthly bliss.  
But not for beauty, wealth, or wanton love,  
Did I desire to make him mine, above  
All other Princes, that to me did sue,  
But for his valour, worth, and honour true:  
But since he cannot serve to my content,  
Without his worths and honour's detriment,  
Go cheerly forth, let it be never said,  
With thee thy courage in mine arms is laid.  
●hould you want men, these woman's arms should fight,  
To be revenged on the Ammonite,  
Who on God's people put so foul a scorn,  
●s never any Nation could have born.  
These Sweet expressions of her loyal love,  
〈◊〉 heart of flint, or sullen brass might move  
To pity her: I must confess my heart,  
Till than did never act a yielding part.  
Thou know'st in what fierce battles I have been,  
What cruelties in Conquests I have seen,  
When we the hated City Rabbah sacked,  
How diversely the common soldier racked,  
All of both sexes, were they young or old,  
To make them show where they had hid their gold.  
The streets on all sides echoed plaints and groans,  
And children's brains were dashed against the stones,  
●ere babes hang sprawling on a Soldier's spear,  
〈◊〉 Lady fair, one drags out by the hair,  
Whilst other from her tear her rich attire,  
●hen throw her naked body in the mire:  
Lo here a child and mother, loath to part,  
Are nailed fast together with a Dart:  
Here little babes not knowing ill from good,  
Do play and paddle in their parent's blood:  
All Captives which we took, thou sawst put under,  
The Tile-kils, or with Saws cut quite asunder:  
●ome we with iron Axes hew and pair,  
And some we under iron Harrows tore.  
All these fierce Hostile furies did not move  
Mine heart, so much as these effects of Love.  
So as indeed I was content to yield,  
●athshebas breasts should be Vriahs' field.  
But she replied, Lord joab, I do hate  
To purchase pleasure at so high a rate,  
And therefore wished her husband to prepare  
Himself for Arms, the rest should be her care.  
A tender Mother that hath only one,  
Most careful is in breeding up that Son,  
Soon as he for some place in School is fit,  
Where are best helps for to enrich his wit,  
When time's at hand, that he should thither ride,  
And be disjoined from his Mother's side,  
Although his absence grieves her at the heart,  
Yet for his good, she's willing he should part,  
She trusts some friend a Chamber to prepare  
At School, whilst she for needful things takes care;  
So Bathsheba commends her only one  
To me, to care for, as my dearest Son:  
Nor ever would omit, what might advance  
Her husband's honour, worth and valiance:  
Thus were we by our King sent out to fight  
Against Ammon, Ishtob and the Aramite.  
Where, as we near approached the City Gate,  
We Arams host behind us spied, though late,  
When as before us, lo! the Ammonite,  
In Battle ready set, came out to fight.  
When I the Battle thus in front did find,  
Ammon before, the Aramite behind,  
I put the choice of Israel in array  
Against Aram, and the rest, my Abishai,  
I did commit to thee, that thou shouldst fight  
Most valiantly, against the Ammonite.  
Whom, if thou wert unable to resist,  
I promised thee mine aid, and if I missed  
Thy help against Aram, thou shouldst help again,  
●ever, said I, play the valiant men.  
We for our Cities, and God's people fight,  
●et him do what it seems good in his sight.  
●gainst proud Aram soon I got the day,  
Which Ammon seeing, turned and run away  
●nto their Town, we to jerusalem,  
returned with honour, having beaten them.  
●ut haughty Syrians, scorning one should tell,  
That they were vanquished thus by Israel,  
●reat Hadadezar, that same potent King,  
To whom the petty Kings did presents bring,  
●ends for the Aramites beyond the Flood,  
●nd came again to make their quarrel good.  
Which David hearing, them at Helam met.  
●here both in battle each against other set,  
●e all his Chariots and Footmen lost,  
With Shoha that great Captain of his Host.  
●ut when the Kings saw Hadadezer fell,  
Their greatest King, 'fore th' host of Israel,  
They made their peace, and being weak and poor,  
resolved to help the Ammonite no more.  
Thou me about haste with long stories led,  
But what's this to the sickness of the head;  
All this, saith Abishai, I saw and know,  
● will forthwith, saith joab, briefly show,  
But we old men, ('tis held a fault in all)  
Are in our Tales too circumstantial.  
But this that to my purpose was so fit,  
● could not without prejudice omit.  
These were the special reasons moved the King  
To root out Ammon, for the following Spring,  
About the time that Kings go forth to war,  
His Soldiers David mustered near and far,  
And me against strong Rabbah with them sent,  
Whilst he at home in ease lived, and content;  
Where as one evening from his Couch he rose,  
Which he did often use for his repose,  
And walking on his houses Battlement,  
To view the glorious Stars in Firmament,  
(Which now the Sun had new withdrawn his sight,  
Began to shimmer with their borrowed light)  
Lo he from thence a glorious object spies,  
Which makes his heart do homage to his eyes,  
Out of the water he discerns a light  
Arise, more glorious than the Queen of night,  
And yet he thought it could not be the Moon,  
Her beauty borrowed is, this was her own.  
Yet 'twas a woman, but of such a feature,  
As in her frame, all Arts conjoined with Nature,  
Who sat all naked in a velvet chair,  
Broad-spreading with white Comb her golden hai●▪  
Which as thin clouds do, oft in Summer's night,  
Obscure the beams of fairest Cynthia's light,  
So shadowed her hair from David's eyes,  
Her singular admired rarities.  
But soon she leaps into the water light,  
Where lo, she shines like to a Lily white,  
In purest glass, or as we see a Grace  
Ideaed sweetly in a Crystal Case.  
To make the way seem short, I to the life  
Describe the beauty of this Worthies wife.  
One while with arms as if with oars she drives  
Her swimming body, and anon she dives;  
One while upright, she in the water stands,  
Above her head it pathing with her hands,  
Whose drops upon her hair like pearls did leap,  
Which falling down do seem to mourn and weep.  
But best might the particulars appear  
Of her sweet countenance and beauty rare,  
When like fair Roach (which on a Summer's day,  
'Bove water leaps, as Fishes use to play.)  
She leaves the Bath, and on a chair set higher,  
Her Maiden's haste with warmed clothes to dry her.  
Then lo, her soft silk hair with curled folds,  
Out-braves the brightness of sweet Marygolds,  
Her Oval from, her nimble vigorous eye,  
where's sweetness, humbleness and mijesty,  
Her brows thin hair, as silver fri●ge adorns,  
Like Cynthia's beams, when first she shows her horns:  
Her cheeks sweet beds of Lilies and of Roses,  
Betwixt which, like a rising hill, her nose is,  
Beneath that lo her lips like Rubies show,  
Or Red-rose bud that new begins to blow:  
Below which, lo a valley dimpled in,  
Us leads to flowery hillock of her chin,  
Her Ivory neck, which doth her head uphold,  
Like silver handle to a cup of Gold,  
On her fair shoulders is by joints so placed,  
It turns like golden fane, yet stands as fast.  
Beneath which rise her either si●ken breast,  
Like pair of milk-white Pigeons in a nest;  
Or like the first forbidden fruits of sin,  
Whereof first Eve to Adam did begin,  
Or like two bunches of a fruitful Vine.  
And when she blushes like to sops in wine;  
Her either hand as richest Cabinet,  
Had on each finger Pearls and Diamonds set,  
Each limb of her beseemed even Beauty's Queen,  
I only now describe what may be seen.  
But when her warmed clothes had sucked in  
The water, loath to leave so fair a skin,  
She from her chair leaps nimbly to her bed,  
And from his sight with clothes was covered:  
Which more amazed the King, than all the sight  
Before could yield him comfort and delight:  
So have I seen in clearest Summer night,  
Dart from the skies a Lamp of shining light,  
Whereat rude people stand amazed all,  
And swear they saw a Star from Heaven to fall,  
Which doth portend, say they, great alterations  
Of State, Sword, Famine, Plague or Inundations.  
But how, saith Abishai, at eventide  
Were these sweet Beauties by the King descried?  
Quoth joab, brother 'twas not so late night,  
Where Sun was set, but by the Heaven's pure light,  
The King might easily look down from his Tower,  
And see a Lady bathing in her Bower:  
Yea Abishai thou know'st in darkest night,  
Where such a Sun doth shine, there needs no light.  
Thus he that late ascends the Battlement,  
To view the glorious Stars, and Firmament,  
And in them to admire God's grace and glory,  
With too much gazing, sings another story:  
Lo he whose soul was like a weaned Child,  
Pure, simple, abstinent, and undefiled,  
Becomes impure, thus is base slime and dust  
From heavenly thoughts proclive to fleshly lust.  
He first looks to inquire, then with delight,  
Next with consent, last with sharp appetite.  
Thus Achan looked, liked and coveted  
The cursed Gold, and thing prohibited.  
Base lust of th' eye, that sets our mind on fire,  
And burns us with inordinate desire:  
Vncircumoised boasting Philistin,  
Who, if in single fight, he gets within,  
Doth conquer all, and therefore David chose  
To fight with him at distance, never close.  
But now that he is called to single fight  
With spiritual Philistin, of greater might,  
Contrary clean to that he did before,  
Than closing, he desireth nothing more;  
And therefore soon as he could well inquire,  
And find 'twas Bathsheba, he did desire,  
He sends one of his Chamber, to invite  
Her to the Court, sometimes to take delight,  
Till her beloved Vriah did return,  
And not to sit all day at home and mourn:  
Glad was the woman, that her Lord and King,  
Did so much for her Husbands honouring,  
And says, though for Vriahs' safe retire,  
To pray and mourn I only do desire,  
I will myself and him this thing denay,  
Ere I my gracious King will disobey.  
Soon as the King her in the Court doth see,  
Amongst the Ladies, like fair Cypress Tree,  
Amongst the Shrubs, or Cynthia shining bright,  
Amid the twinkling Stars in frosty night,  
He first begins her beauty to commend,  
And blushing kissed her cheek, and calls her friend,  
And said that if he might a servant be  
To such a beauteous Mistress: his degree  
Of State should bow, her humbly to observe,  
And do his best her favour to deserve.  
Thus though her Husband's Honour first did bring,  
This Dame to Court, yet proud now, that a King  
Should there confess, he did such service owe,  
(For few fair Ladies but their beauty know)  
As ready was to take as he to offer,  
All Compliments of Court, the King would proffer,  
Not once suspecting such a godly King  
Would offer her the least dishonouring:  
Nor could all Satan's cunning him have brought.  
At first, to entertain so foul a thought,  
But as a simple Lamb on flowery banks  
Of jordan bounds, and leaps, and places his pranks,  
Till his fair shadow in the watery glass,  
He spies, which seems the substance to surpass,  
Whereon he nigher comes, and comes to look,  
Till unawares he falls into the brook,  
Whence he may strive to get out, but in vain,  
The streams by force him carry to the Main:  
Even so the King at first begins to play  
With her pure hand, as on his Couch he lay,  
Then gazing on her eyes and modest face,  
Reflecting beauties, like a Looking-glass,  
He unawares in Beauty's snare is took,  
Even as the Lamb was drowned in the Brook.  
Oh loathsomeness, deceitfulness of sin?  
The sweetness, bitterness we find therein,  
Beginnings, fawn, growing, terror, smart,  
Our weakness, Satan's envy, man's false heart!  
Thus Mortals (which to Heaven should seek the way)  
As Fishes, which in fresher water play,  
Swim in delights, and lustful pleasures all,  
Till unawares they in the dead-sea fall:  
But as you evermore shall see one sin  
Beget another, to lie hidden in,  
So David, his Adultery to hide,  
Commits first drunkenness, than homicide,  
For she perceiving that she had conceived,  
And fearing jest (for being so deceived)  
The Lords and all the people would her blame,  
Because her Lord could not beget the same,  
Who had been three full months to battle gone,  
Before her bathing, and the act was done,  
She hereof closely certifies the King,  
Who seeks thus to provide a covering,  
He sends to me a Letter, which required  
Vriah home, as if he had desired,  
To know by him, how all things did succeed,  
But 'twas to father what his wife did breed.  
In brief Vriah comes, and doth relate  
To David mine, and all the people's state,  
And how the wars went on, and prospered,  
Then David wished him get him home to bed,  
Refresh thyself, thy journey hath been great,  
And after him he sends a mess of meat.  
But brave Vriah, hating all delight,  
Or pleasure, which disabled him to fight;  
Among the Guard did all that night attend,  
Nor would to his own house, and wife descend.  
Which when the King, next morrow, understands,  
He of Vriah thus the cause demands.  
Brave Hittite, may thy King the reason know?  
Why this last night, when thou didst from me go,  
You went not home, but tarried with my Guard,  
As of thy journey thou hadst no regard?  
Who said, the Ark with judah, Israel,  
And my Lord joab in their Tents do dwell,  
Abroad i'th' field: What then, shall I alone  
Lie with my wife, and eat and drink at home?  
As thy soul lives, and as thou liv'st, O King,  
I am resolved not to do this thing.  
The King yet caused him in the City stay  
All that, and afterwards another day,  
In hope at last he to his wife would go,  
But when he found that this way would not do,  
He makes him in his presence sup that night,  
And drink down healths, until his head was light,  
Yet he his wife regarded ne'er the more,  
But with the Guard all night lay as before.  
Oh such brave Spirits, saith Abishai, would raise  
Unto themselves and us immortal praise,  
Were they but, as they due deserve, regarded,  
But see, saith joab, how this was rewarded?  
He brings a Letter signed with David's hand  
To me, which did to this effect command:  
" Of thee, and of thy host I did inquire  
" By this, and find all things as I desire,  
" This only now to thee, I do not find  
" This Hittite answerable to my mind,  
" And therefore set him foremost in the fight,  
" Where thou discernest the men of greatest might,  
" And when he is in danger, soon retire,  
" And let him dye: No other cause inquire,  
" Of thy King David. Having this command,  
My part was to obey, and not to stand  
In disputation, were it wrong or right,  
And therefore where I saw most men of might  
Defend the walls, I brave Vriah sent,  
Where all succeeded just to mine intent,  
Of David's servants many likewise fell,  
Both of judea, and of Israel.  
Whereof, when first I certified the King,  
He seemed much displeased with the thing,  
But when he heard Vriah also died,  
His wrath appeased, he thus again replied.  
Salute thou joab, tell him after-care  
Or grief avails not against the chance of War,  
For thus the sword doth usually devour,  
All that do come within his reach or power:  
Be not discouraged, make thine Army strong,  
To be revenged of this and all our wrong.  
What said his wife, saith Abishai hereto?  
Even mourned for fashion, as ●ich widows do,  
Saith joab, but as soon as that was done,  
The King her makes his wife, and takes her home.  
The joy to be a Queen soon dries her eyes,  
And with her husband's murderer she lies.  
Wondrous iniquity, saith Abishai,  
I never heard the like, until this day,  
A head distempered thus cannot but ache,  
And make the heart and all the members shake.  
He were a man of wondrous wisdom sure,  
That could to this disease apply a cure:  
Is not one Prophet left in Israel,  
That dares the King of these offences tell?  
Yes sure, saith joab, there's a skilful one,  
Hath searched this sore unto the very bone,  
Good Nathan, yet with such a gentle hand,  
He made the King his faults to understand,  
By telling others, so the sore did press,  
With prudent, gentle, pious tenderness.  
For Prophets that reprove such faults in Kings,  
Must strike at one, to sound out other strings,  
And not reproach their errors to their faces,  
Nor publish to the people their disgraces.  
Since Bathsheb as conception did begin,  
The King slept in this Lethargy of sin,  
They both had like beginning, life and growth,  
And have like bringing forth, and birth of both.  
As skilful Leech to cure his Patient's ills,  
With gold oft covers bi●ter wholesome pills:  
So Nathan doth this Parable apply,  
A seeming-sweet but bitter remedy.  
Pardon my Liege, saith he, if justice I  
Desire, when sins to Heaven for vengeance cry,  
Lo in a City were, nay which is more,  
Still are two men, one rich, the other poor,  
The rich had mighty Herds and Flocks, the poor  
A little Lamb had only for his store,  
Dear bought, which he at home with him did cherish,  
And even amongst his sons and daughters nourish,  
Drank of his cup, eat of his bread, and ay  
As his own daughter in his bosom lay.  
But lo, a stranger to the rich man came,  
Who secretly purloins the poor man's Lamb,  
Whereof he for the stranger doth prepare,  
And his own Herd and all his Lambs did spare.  
Now as the Lord lives, David doth reply,  
The man that did the thing deserves to dye;  
Besides he fourfold shall the Lamb restore,  
Because he was so cruel to the poor.  
As he that doth besiege a mighty Tower,  
Doth use at first more policy than power:  
But when the breach is made, and he got in,  
To show his strength and courage doth begin:  
And as we see Ambassadors of Kings,  
In forms are courteous, but advance the things,  
Which unto them their master doth command  
With resolution, so doth Nathan stand,  
The breach with as much courage to maintain,  
As he the same by subtle means did gain:  
Thou art the man, saith Nathan, thou alone  
This vile abominable thing hast done;  
Thou art the rich, Vriah was the poor,  
Thou hast thy choice of wives, he one, no more,  
Which thou hast ravished, and her husband slain,  
The wicked stranger, lust to entertain.  
This is the thing I must make plainly known,  
The words I speak are Gods, and not mine own.  
I have anointed thee the King of all  
My people, and thee freed from hand of Saul,  
I gave to thee thy Master's house and wives,  
And to thy hand committed all the lives  
Of Israel and judah, and would more  
To thee have given, if thou hadst wanted store:  
Oh! why shouldst thou my Precepts thus despise!  
And do this wicked evil in mine eyes?  
The stout Vriah by thy sword is dead,  
And thou his wife hast taken to thy bed.  
This Worthy oft escaped more dangerous fights,  
Thy sword hath killed him, not the Ammonites.  
The sword shall never from thine house depart,  
Because thou hast despised me, and art  
Defiled with ravishing Vriahs' wife,  
And for thy pleasure took'st away his life.  
Thus, saith the Lord, against thee I will raise  
Up evil in thine house, even in thy days,  
Thy fruit begotten in Adultery,  
Shall only breed thee sorrow, and so dye,  
Thy Son with incest shall defile the bed,  
Of thine own daughter, by him ravished:  
Thy Sons shall rise up one against another,  
And Brother's hands imbrue with blood of Brother:  
Thy Wives shall be defiled in open light,  
The Sun shall blush to see so foul a sight:  
Thou sin'dst in secret, but this shall be done  
In sight of all the people and the Sun.  
As tender Oaks shaked with fierce blasts of wind,  
B● yielding do the faster rooting find,  
When stouter Oaks, which give no way at all,  
Are thrown quite down, and ruin in their fall,  
So it with David fares, whose heart relents,  
And shakes and trembles at God's menacements,  
His sin confessing, but his Faith holds fast,  
And sings this Penitential Psalm at last.  

PSAL. 51.  

OF thy great goodness, Lord, some pity take  
On me whom sin  
Doth now awake,  
If thou in loving kindness wilt begin,  
All mine offences easily may,  
Be by thy mercies done away.   

●hen wash me throughly from this stain  
Of sinful guilt,  
Till none remain.  
●ow I confess, O Lord, thou canst and wilt,  
Cause sin, which now me lies before,  
Never to rise against me more.   

●gainst thee I, O Lord, have sinned alone,  
And in thy sight  
This evil done,  
●hat judged, thou mightst be found most pure and right,  
I full of sin, of good bereaved,  
Just as my mother me conceived.   

Thou truth dost in the inward parts require,  
Which to discern  
Lord, me inspire,  
So I of thee may secret wisdom learn:  
With Hyssop purge me, I shall grow  
More clean and pure than whitest snow.   

Of joy and gladness make thou me to hear,  
My broken bones  
Thus shalt thou cheer,  
And into joyful Ditties change my groans,  
Thy face turn from my sins foul hue,  
My heart make clean, my spirit renew.   

Cast me not out from thee for my demerit,  
Nor take from me  
Thy holy Spirit;  
Recomfort, Lord! my will conform to thee,  
So shall I sinners teach thy way,  
And them convert that go astray.   

From guilt of blood, O Lord, deliver me,  
Oh help or never  
Shall I be free,  
So of thy goodness I shall sing for ever,  
Open thou my lips, mine Organs raise,  
Then shall my mouth set forth thy praise.   

Thou sacrifice desir'st not, else would I  
With all my might  
Thereto comply,  
Nor dost thou in burnt-offerings delight,  
A troubled spirit's best sacrifice,  
Broke contrite hearts thou'lt not despise.   

Let thy protecting arms like walls embrace  
Jerusalem,  
And Zion grace;  
Then our burnt offerings thee shall please again,  
We will upon thine Altar lay,  
Gifts and oblations every day.   
Here joab ends, when noble Abishai;  
●o thy discourse hath shortened much the way,  
Beyond the River I discern the plain,  
That jair, Manasses son, by sword did gain,  
Upon which bordereth the Geshurite,  
Ride on, we may see Talmai's Court to night,  
And bring most welcome news to Absalon.  
I know saith joab well, what I have done:  
This is a project of mine own devising,  
To please the setting Sun, as well as rising;  
Nothing more pleasing is to David's mind,  
No service more the Prince's heart can bind,  
Nor to King Talmai be more acceptable,  
Who will us gratify as he is able.  
What's he? saith Abishai, a petty King,  
Saith joab, here on Gilead bordering:  
Great Hadadezar was Lord Paramount,  
And here did but as Tributaries count  
These lesser Kings, till we at Helam slew  
His Captain, and his Army overthrew.  
Since that they all are servants to our King,  
(Except old Talmai) and him Presens bring.  
But night encroacheth now so on the day,  
They leave their talk and look unto their way,  
By which that night to Geshurs' Court they come,  
Most welcome to the King and Absalon:  
For this was their Ambassage from the King,  
The youngman to Jerusalem to bring.    

THE FOURTH BOOK.  
Israel rebelling.  
SOL had no sooner harnessed his horse,  
Rejoicing, Giantlike, to run his course,  
His longest journey from the East to West,  
When Talmai, who that night took little rest,  
(So were his thoughts ta'en up, and filled with care,  
For's Grandchild Israel's apparent heir,  
And plotting both their powers to combine,  
To subject to one head all Palestine)  
To his Bedside did send for Absalon,  
And as a Father counsels thus his son.  
Besides thy royal birth, and riper age,  
Thy strength of wit and goodly personage,  
With virtues all, which fit a man to reign,  
And with the people love and favour gain,  
Thou hast in highest Courts of Kings been bred,  
And learned how subjects should be governed:  
And howsoe'er thou now liv'st banished from  
Thy Father's presence, and thy royal home,  
Yet lo, the people's votes thee all design,  
Great judah's King and Lord of Palestine:  
The chiefest Arts we have in Courts to rise,  
Is silence and dissembling injuries,  
Acknowledging for savours all disgraces,  
And giving for them thanks with smiling faces,  
Yea, Kings must oft. (I know to whom I speak thus)  
Give way and smile at wrongs, or they will break us.  
They that will curb their Peers and people's factions,  
Must look especially to their first actions,  
For nought so sure establisheth a Crown,  
As then to merit honour and renown:  
For such is ay the people's waywardness,  
They measure Princes virtues by success.  
Of all we most obnoxious are to hate,  
Such multitudes for us insidiate,  
Our nearest kindred, servants, wives and friends  
Pretending service but to have their ends,  
Amongst all none so base pernicious are,  
As th'impudent dissembling flatterer,  
A close infection in a royal house,  
And to the King and State most dangerous,  
Beginning soon as they begin their days,  
For all are taken with immoderate praise,  
Yea in their cradle they are rocked together,  
No King but on this Limebush leaves a feather.  
Oh! 'tis at Court a gainful occupation,  
To pry into their Prince's inclination,  
And what they find them cover and desire,  
That always to commend most and admire;  
To have their words and actions ever lined,  
●ust by the square they find their King inclined,  
Be it to lust, excess, or cove i se,  
These Brokers will new tricks for them devise:  
Most infamous foul greediness of gain  
They style good thrift, and ear-ring for the main:  
The infectious precedents of filthy lust  
Sweet gentle Courtship, and the tolls unjust  
Kings raise for fuel to their prodigality,  
Are gloriously entitled Liberality.  
They take all lets out of the ways that lead,  
To base desires, by shame prohibited.  
Thus they all seeds of virtue seek to choke,  
And cover over vice with virtue's cloak;  
So as should heavens to Kings no larger heart  
Than to the common people here impart,  
How should they quite themselves of these diseases,  
Which now by custom common grown, so pleases:  
For deep wise prudent Counsellors of state,  
That find reproofs procure them only hate,  
Distinguish private vices of a King,  
From public errors in administering,  
And looking to the Kingdom's government,  
Avoid all private means of discontent.  
He that will m●n in due subjection bind,  
Must, as the body, so command the mind.  
The King and Priest here acts his several part,  
One guides the hand, the other rules the heart,  
Do never such sharp penal Laws compose,  
If you their consciences leave free and loose,  
The people will them desperately pervert,  
Religion is the only ruling Art,  
And holds upon the mind for better ●ye,  
Than fear of any pain or penalty:  
See it but in our meats of flesh and fish,  
No Law makes them one day forbear a dish,  
But let devotion bid a yearly Fast,  
All will abstain, though forty days it last;  
No humane Edict but a Law divine,  
Could make your jews abstain from flesh of Swine:  
You see how here I my disccur'e apply  
To yours, not to my own Church policy.  
Wisely advised, saith Absalon, to reign,  
But how, my Lord, shall I the Kingdom gain,  
For Israel's Crown not as thy Geshur goes  
To th'eldest son, but's at the King's dispose,  
And I have many causes just to fear,  
This last born son is to the King so dear,  
I of my birthright shall be dispossessed,  
Except I in the people's favour rest.  
The people's grace, saith Talmai's but a blast,  
A vapour that doth like a bubble last,  
Up suddenly of wind and water blown,  
And with another blast as quickly flown,  
Thou by such breath mayst rise up, but canst stand  
No longer than thou serve to their command;  
They follow headlong after novelty,  
By pride seduced or simplicity,  
The proud are heads and authors of the faction,  
The simpler but the hands and feet of action:  
They both alike ambitiously descent,  
From Rules of Church and civil Government:  
And always will applaud a new deviser,  
To seem than all their Predecessors, wiser:  
And thus by innovation of things,  
They would enforce new Laws on Gods and Kings,  
Admitting unto them no other measure  
Of worship and obedience, than their pleasure:  
Serve but their turn, thou shalt their minion be,  
Cross them, their savour as their censurs free,  
Adventure not to fly upon these wings,  
These are not made to raise but pull down Kings.  
Oh but, my Lord, saith Absalon, a Crown  
Cannot be taken up, till it be down,  
And therefore I affect, to learn the Art  
Of drawing factious spirits to my part,  
Of whom, against the King, I may have need,  
If he design another to succeed.  
The way, saith Talmai, civil wars to breed,  
Let Heavens, not I, appoint one to succeed,  
But if they so on thy high fortunes frown,  
The people must be courted for a Crown,  
Thou art to strive with all dexterity,  
To act thy part as in a Comedy,  
For few of them the truth from error knows,  
And nothing takes them more than glittering shows,  
Congees, embracements, visits, salutations,  
Large promises, fair speeches, commendations;  
If you with real blessings them would please,  
Provide free traffic, plenty, peace, and ease,  
They war abroad than peace will rather choose,  
May they sit free at home and hear good news:  
But most of all the people to content,  
Be always blaming present government,  
To gain a Crown, thou early must and late,  
Observe all suitors standing at the gate,  
And where thou seest a discontented brow,  
Embrace him, ask the causes, why and how?  
Approve his cause, however good or bad,  
A factious spirit nothing more will glad.  
Oh say, thy matter's good, thou needst not fear,  
If that the King would take the pains to hear:  
But he doth solace with the Queen at home,  
And ne'er thinks to depute one in his room:  
I must confess, my friend, it is not well,  
Were I but made a judge in Israel,  
Your causes should be heard without delay,  
And not as now put off from day to day,  
That thou wert better suffer injury,  
Than take such pains to buy a remedy.  
Since I with David first joined in Affinity,  
I often have observed how your Divinity,  
Prepares the people first to reverence,  
And next them seasons with obedience;  
Yea nothing more them right or wrong inclines,  
Than as their Guides are sound or rash Divines:  
Kings may command men's bodies as their head,  
But people's hearts are by their Prophets led.  
And therefore as to civil Government,  
So against Church-orders show thy discontent;  
No Music is so sweet to people's ear,  
As evil of Church-governors' to hear:  
And if thou findest a Levite hot and young,  
Of which but few, thou know'st, can hold their tongue  
Of custom give him countenance and grace,  
And mention thy dislikes when he's in place:  
What then he hears thee and thy servants mutter,  
He in th' assemblies openly will utter:  
For which if he be silenced as his due,  
At Court soon for his restitution sue,  
Where want of years, and indiscretion blame,  
Thou of a zealous Prince shalt get the name:  
It skils not if his cause be good or bad,  
His sufferings will to his credit add.  
For all the people after him will run,  
Commending highly all that thou hast done,  
And say, O had our Prince the judge's place,  
None but such zealous men should be in grace.  
As when a Company desire to bring  
Renown and credit to some newfound Spring,  
They give it our the water is most sure  
And medecineable for every cure,  
Then women, children, men, and all that hear,  
To drink that water travel far and near,  
In some it such a strong conceit doth breed,  
They of Diseases cured are indeed:  
And as when we erect an Image new  
Of any Deity, lo all the crew  
We speak of, with their offerings thither flock,  
And do their homage to a stone or stock,  
Till daily use satiety doth bring  
To men, both of the Image and the Spring  
So when the parents and near kinsfolk bring  
A Levite that at th' Altar scarce can sing,  
With wondrous wit and gravity to preach,  
Oh then, they all admire to hear him teach,  
Yea giddy people run from far and nigh,  
Whilst other neighbour Temples empty lie,  
And by their violence and strong conceit,  
Sublime his spirits to the very height,  
Where he no longer can retain that grace,  
Than till a new one, like him comes in place,  
Then doth their famous Prophet's honour fall,  
And like the spring and Idol is in all.  
Let a great man, run riot, swagger, swear,  
And for his lust and pleasure nothing spare,  
If he familiarly himself acquaint  
With such, they'll publish him to be a Saint.  
These are good means, but I advise that thou  
Invent unto thyself some newfound vow,  
Be it the vainest thing thou canst devise,  
They'll follow thee by droves to sacrifice:  
As now you see them run most greedily,  
To fasts maintained without authority,  
Or t'hear a rattling shallow L●vite prate,  
Whose tongue is interdicted by the State:  
Do but disgrace old rules, and fashion new,  
Thou shalt their hearts●o thee for ever glue,  
For nothing doth the people so possess,  
As humouring, their spiritual wantonness;  
Nor can a Prince a project better cloak,  
Than underneath a Sacrifice of smoke.  
But now one tells the King, that joab stayed  
For Absalon, and therefore humbly prayed  
Him haste to horse: So Talmai with a kiss,  
And many blessings, doth his son dismiss  
To David, who consigned him to his place,  
Nor might he come at Court to see his face:  
And now that private life which want him bring  
Delight and solace, fitting for a King,  
Is even of discontent become the nest,  
His head can only on Court pillows rest:  
His three years sojourning in Geshurs' Courts,  
Have made him loathe all wont Country sports,  
He therefore sends for joab him to bring,  
Unto the Court, and presence of the King:  
But David knowing well, that men in place  
Encourage vice, if they offenders grace,  
For twice twelve months would not endure to hear,  
That Absalon should in his sight appear,  
'Tis well the mutherer may save his head,  
And not be countenanced, though pardoned.  
In this so strict was David to his son,  
That joab dares not visit Absalon,  
Until he set on fire his field of grain,  
So what love could not, anger did constrain,  
And now was joab more for fear than love  
Compelled, thus for his son the King to move:  
Thou know'st two years are past since I, O King!  
Thy son unto Jerusalem did bring,  
When thou consind'st him to his wont place,  
Nor ever since wouldst let him see thy face,  
I well perceiving 'twas against thy mind,  
He should be graced and honoured in this kind,  
All visits have forborn, though oft required,  
Till now lo! he my Barley field hath fired,  
Lo, thus your Grac● may see, I am compelled  
By fire unto his just requests to yield:  
And yet indeed I find thy sons desire,  
To see his Father, hotter than the fire.  
When I approached his solitary gate,  
I found him walking all disconsolate,  
But soon as unto him my face appears,  
His heart pours from his eyes a flood of tears,  
And he begins, when thou me home didst bring,  
I surely thought it would have pleased the King,  
To have accepted me to former grace,  
And that I should have served before his face,  
Else why should I from Geshurs' Court have gone,  
To live here solitary all alone?  
Alas, what do I by my coming gain,  
If in this prison I confined remain?  
The Sun hath full five times fulfilled his race,  
Since I beheld my father's cheerful face:  
O bring me once again into his sight,  
And let him hear my cause and judge upright,  
Then if I seem unrighteous in his eye,  
I willing am for my offence to dye:  
Lo banishment and death is much more light,  
Than live disgraced out of my Father's sight.  
Thus Ioab ●ubtly warms the melting heart  
Of longing David, whilst he doth impart  
This final affection of his son,  
And finds this parley hath the fortress won.  
As when an enemy besiegeth round  
A Castle, which the Captain knows unsound,  
Though at the first he valiantly pretend,  
To hold the Fort out to the sieges end,  
Yet if his foe him good conditions tenders,  
He them accep's, and soon the Fort up renders:  
So here the King, although for precedent,  
He would not show his heart once to relent  
For Absalon, yet thinking he did find,  
By joab, how the youngman was inclined,  
Lo his affections yield, and grow more strong,  
Because he them dissembled had so long,  
And therefore for him sends, and with a kiss  
His pardon seals, for all that was amiss.  
And now is Absalon as great as fair,  
In hope now Israel's apparent heir,  
But as we evermore proud mortals see,  
In greater danger, in prosperity;  
Then when adversity their sails do scant,  
And prudence more appears in store than want:  
So is't with Absalon more surfeiting  
Of Grace, than with displeasure of a King,  
Or of his former foreign banishment,  
Great spirits loathe all moderate content:  
For though in humane judgement none indeed,  
So likely was his Father to succeed,  
If his ambition could itself contain,  
Till age a period gave to David's reign,  
And that the Crown had fallen to him by course,  
Which now he sought to seize upon by force,  
Yet his aspiring mind, impatient,  
That time should thrust 'twixt him and his content,  
Begins even now to travel with ambition,  
That never finds lest stay or intermission  
Of pains and throws, till like the viper's seed,  
In coming forth it leaves the mother dead.  
And now the rules of State old Talmai read,  
By him in judah's Court are practised,  
And (like lusts stinking flame that all perverts)  
He first takes people's eyes and next their hearts.  
Unwonted pomp and shows of splendour bright,  
That used to take the people's favour light,  
Are with all State-magnificence prepared,  
Lo, fifty foot attend him for his Guard,  
His Charrets thunder, and his horses feet,  
Most proudly trample up and down the street,  
And all jerusalem and judah ring,  
With daily triumphs of their hopeful King,  
Their eyes and tongues entangled thus in snares,  
He likewise fetters for their hearts prepares.  
He rising early standeth by the gate,  
And for each suitor is an Advocate,  
His ear all causes hears, his tongue doth flatter,  
Couldst thou be heard my friend good is thy matter,  
His hand even like his tongue still courting is,  
His lips salute the meanest with a kiss,  
And nothing gives him cause of discontent,  
But this the present state and government,  
That is by him as deeply censured,  
As all his Clients causes flattered.  
Thus as a Thief that breaketh in by night,  
(For these heart-s●ealers always shun the light)  
Lays hold on every thing that he can get,  
(And all is fish to them that comes to net)  
Ne'er pondering the weighty from the light,  
No more had he respect to wrong or right,  
For being crept at that by-window in,  
Their hearts he seeks to steal away, not win.  
Alas how little silly people knows,  
Right to distinguish truth from glozing shows,  
All is not gold, good friends, that glisters bright,  
No natural colour shows like painted white;  
And now nought wants but some religious Cloak,  
To keep the fire covered, lest it smoke,  
The treachery of an ungracious son,  
Must have his warrant from Religion:  
The vow he made in Syria must be paid,  
And 〈◊〉 shall, for there the plot was laid,  
How he the people's hearts should steal away,  
And, by pretended vow, the King betray.  
Thus Hypocrites mock God to have their ends,  
And foulest fact the fairest means pretends.  
But nothing more could please the Father's mind,  
Than so devout a ●oly son to find  
Returned from Geshur, that idolatrous Court,  
Where they of true Religion make a sport:  
Yet whilst he bows his knees, and humbly prays  
God to accept that sacrifice of praise  
At Hebron, where he first began to reign,  
When Saul and's sons on Gilboa were slain,  
His son is there projecting to cast down  
●rom's Father's royal head, th' imperial Crown:  
His double guilt of feigned piety,  
Such grace and favour won in every eye,  
That lo, two hundred honest meaning men,  
Go with the Traitor from Jerusalem.  
True hearted Israelites, whose just intents  
Are sound and good, as is your conscience,  
●oore silly Sheep, you right go, crastray,  
●ust as your Guides direct you in the way.  
Beware of them that holy vows pretend,  
But have, like Absalon, a wicked end,  
That under promise of reforming things,  
Do reach at Crowns and dethronizing Kings,  
Nought better than their fruits to you will show them,  
Yet take these special marks whereby to know them;  
They always with the times are discontent,  
Still blaming States and Church's government,  
Kings, Nobles, Judges, Priests and Rulers all,  
Without respect within their censure fall;  
Whose faults are greater in perspective shown,  
But all must covered be that are their own.  
They have an open greedy itching ear,  
No time nor hands to practise what they hear:  
Oh! prophesying is the only thing,  
No duty else they know to God or King.  
Well-minded people, heed well what you do!  
Beware how you with such to Hebron go,  
To offer sacrifice, which they oft season  
With high contempts, rebellion and treason.  
And now the Prophet's tuning sweetest Lays,  
Unto his God and Saviour's endless praise;  
When lo! a Messenger comes trembeling,  
And thus begins, God save my Lord the King,  
The hearts of all the men of judah are  
Turned after Absalon, these ears did hear  
The Trumpets sound, the people cry amain,  
In Hebron, Absalon as King doth reign:  
And further he hath sent out spies to tell  
The same to all the Tribes of Israel.  
In fine, the Politician subtly wise,  
Whilst he in Giloh offered sacrifice,  
A wicked sacrifice as did thy son,  
Is sent to, for to come to Absalon.  
Oh my L●ege Lord! this hath been plotting long,  
Achitophel's conspiracies are strong:  
For still the people more and more increase,  
With Absalon, the enemy of peace.  
Ah, saith the King, than all of us must fly,  
●f we within the City stay, we die:  
For lo, the people ignorant and rude,  
●he violent unbridled multitude,  
●ike waves of raging seas do ebb and flow,  
When neither we nor they the causes know:  
●esist their fury, it will hotter bourn,  
Give way, it like the tide will back return,  
They that cry loudest, Absalon doth reign,  
May be the first will bring us home again:  
●ire popular ay like a shadow flies,  
●rom them that follow her, and as fast hy's  
To them that shun her, who speed best of all,  
●atch but an empty shadow with a fall.  
Thus was the King out of the City sent,  
●nd all the Country mourned as he went,  
●he Ark and Priests and all accompanied  
●he King with tears unto the River's side:  
●hen thus the King to Ittai; Ancient friend,  
●he son of mine own bowels seeks mine end,  
●hy shouldst thou me from Ga●h accompany,  
●nd so partake of my calamity?  
●ow must wander out, and God doth know,  
●ere I shall return again or no.  
●he greatest gift I to my friends can give,  
〈◊〉 licence to depart from me and live:  
●hen Ittai thus: My dearest Lord and King,  
〈◊〉 force not on me such dishonouring;  
●o leave a King in danger merits blame,  
〈◊〉 to forsake a friend, eternal shame,  
●ith thee I am resolved to live and dye,  
●o suffer thus is no calamity.  
Thus Ittai past the ford, when to the King  
The Priests and Levites th' Ark of God did bring,  
To whom he thus. Reduce into his place  
This holy Ark, if after I find grace  
With God A mighty, he again will bring  
Me hither to behold this holy thing,  
But if in me he cannot take delight,  
Do he with me as seemeth in his sight:  
This he to all: To Zadock then alone,  
He thus begins with tears to make his moan,  
Most reverend Priest, grave, wise, religious,  
The Mediator 'twixt our God and us,  
Yet art thou but a Type, though Aaron's son,  
The true high Priest and Substance is to come:  
I know th' Arks presence, and thy gracious sight,  
Would better us encourage to the fight,  
And all our wars have been most prosperous,  
Where Levites carried the Ark with us.  
But I resolve now not to trouble them,  
You shall return all to jerusalem,  
These holy things to thee committed are,  
That thou of God's true worship shouldst have care,  
Serve him, ye show thy duty to the King,  
Which thou mayst best do, by discovering  
The plots of wicked-wise Achitophel,  
Which knowing, I the better may refel.  
Thou seest these Politician's devise,  
To cloak their treasons under sacrifice.  
Lo, both their vows religiously must pay,  
At Hebron and at Giloh on a day.  
For both the things, which they have vowed, are one,  
To put down God's anointed from his Throne.  
Thou that the secrets of man's heart dost sound,  
Their hypocritical device confound,  
And as they do thy holy Rites profane,  
So make their worldly wisdom foolish, vain,  
●he holy Bishop whose pure crystal tears,  
●hine in his eyes like Diamonds on his ears,  
Makes no reply, but to the City tends,  
Whilst David, weeping up the Mount ascends  
Bare footed, with his head all covered,  
●ea all the people wept, and hid their head:  
Where soon as David had done worshipping,  
Hushai the Archite comes unto the King,  
With garments torn, and earth upon his head:  
To whom the King, should I thee with me lead,  
Thou wilt be but a burden on the way,  
But if thou go to Absalon, and say,  
●s to thy Father I have been, O King!  
〈◊〉 faithful Senator in counselling,  
●o will I be a servant to his son,  
●hou thus mayst me advertise how to shun  
●he cunning projects of Achitophel,  
Who, noble Hushai, thou remember'st well,  
Hath by his tongue and practices unjust,  
Raised up himself to honour from the dust.  
●hou know'st I made him for his eloquence,  
Or rather his unskilful impudence,  
The Steward of my private state and Crown,  
Where he so close all under his long gown  
Conveyed, and's fingers licked by tricks unknown,  
He purchaseth a City for his own,  
〈◊〉 raised him to my highest judgement Seat,  
Where finding him for me too potent-great,  
And his proceedings hollow and unsound,  
Projeeting cross to all I did propound,  
I thought it fit to ease him of his place,  
Which taking for an undeserved disgrace,  
He ever since to cross my best intents,  
My people humours in their discontents;  
And as he at the first had learned the Arts,  
To take their purses, now he catcheth hearts:  
And winds their suffrages as in a string,  
●hey please the people best, that cross the King.  
None e'er was more for my prerogative,  
So long as by it he eould rise or thrive;  
But soon as he to his high pitch was flown,  
None ever laboured more to beat it down:  
Not that I would for gain, by flatteries,  
Trench on my meanest subjects liberties,  
Who never duly will our Laws observe,  
Except Kings by example them preserve,  
In making them our subjects rule and measure,  
And not our own, or judges will and pleasure,  
For Laws come all from purest justice stream,  
And people's safety is the Law supreme,  
But this must shadowed be from people's eyes,  
Who if they fear not Kings them soon despise.  
My dearest, honest Counsellor of State,  
Thou seest they make Religion but a hait  
To catch my people, and betray their King,  
Oh! therefore help me in discovering  
Their most flagitious treason's, and confound  
Achitophel's devises most profound.  
With thee is Zadock and Abiathar,  
To whom discover all that thou canst hear,  
They by their sons to me the truth will send,  
That I may shun the evil they intent.  
Thus by thy Counsel wise thou shalt defend  
All these my people, and thy faithful friend.  
When Hushai thus, the Laws of every Nation,  
●o chiefly tend to common preservation  
Of people's health and safety, which depend  
All on the King their head, whom to defend  
We are obliged in this political,  
As members in the body natural,  
And to their counsel wise submit as they,  
〈◊〉 therefore shall thy just commands obey.  
Now up was Israel in Arms and Laws,  
Became as tame as sleeping Lions paws,  
For where wars rage, Law's execution cease,  
Especially when Princes break the peace.  
And as the Plague that's in a City bred,  
Doth over all the Country soon dispread,  
So spreads th' infectious Leprosy of sin,  
●f it amongst the Prince's first begin,  
The people fuel to the fire bring  
Of any vice, ensampled by the King.  
Thus Absalon's profound conspiracy,  
Hath turned plain-dealing all to policy,  
Now faith and loyalty are out of fashion,  
And treason's grown the only occupation:  
When Ziba with two Asses sadeled,  
Laden with Raisins, Wine, ripe fruits, and bread,  
Which he for David and his men did bring,  
Blames lame Mephibosheth thus to the King.  
Let me find grace and favour in thy sight,  
My gracious Lord, whilst thou prepares to fight  
For Sovereignty with traitorous Absalon,  
Mephibosheth as neuter sits at home,  
In hope when both have spent your strength and store,  
The people will his right to him restore.  
Then Ziba, said the King, thine be his lands,  
God me deliver from these Traitor's hands:  
This like a cunning cur could closely bite  
Yet never bark, and like a Thief by night  
Purloin his Masters living and good name,  
But Shimei dares thus openly defame  
The King himself: Thou man of Belial,  
Thou bloody murderer of the house of Saul,  
God justly now shall bring upon thy head,  
Even all the guiltless blood which thou hast shed,  
And give thy Kingdom to thy rebel son,  
Which thou by wicked means from Saul hast won:  
And more than words, he throweth stones, even then  
When David had about him all his men:  
Yet would he not let Abishai go take  
From him his head, though he did offer make,  
But 〈…〉 humble sinner, free from passion,  
Deserving rather pity and compassion,  
Than now to be insulted over so,  
When God for sin had humbled him so low,  
Replies thus gently, it to us belongs  
Not to revenge, but meekly suffer wrongs,  
Let us not punish him, but humbled be,  
With mourning, anger cannot well agree:  
Alas who knows, but that the Lord hath sent  
Him here, to curse us for our chastisement?  
Not that I Shemei's malice will excuse,  
For that's his own, and though God doth it use  
To punish passed, or sins to come prevent,  
It frees him not from guilt or punishment;  
But I acknowledge all these strokes from God,  
And therefore now will kiss, not burn the Rod:  
The son of mine own bowels seeks my right,  
And life; Then much more may this Benjamite,  
With false reproaching scandals me defame,  
It may be God will bliss me for this shame.  
I that the Spear took from Saul's sleeping head,  
And would not suffer thee to smite him dead,  
And cut his garments lap off in the cave,  
Am now reproached for blood, where life I gave;  
Did not I cause th' Amalakite to fall,  
Who brought me word that he had killed Saul,  
And Banaahs and R●●habs blood he shed,  
When unto me they brought their Master's head?  
Yea lame Mephibosheth, to rule unable,  
Sits like a Prince, and eats at mine own Table.  
I do confess my guiltiness of blood,  
But for Saul's house, I ever did them good,  
But David's gentleness and patience,  
Emboldeneth Shimei in his insolence,  
So as he rails on, and for more disgrace,  
Takes stones and dust to throw in David's face.  
Oh most incomparable patience!  
A King to bear this Subject's insolence,  
But wrongs are ne'er so easily overcome,  
As when we notice take from whence they come.  
But now Ahimaaz and jonathan,  
To David and the host all posting ran,  
And wished them all to pass the flood that night,  
Before they were constrained to the fight,  
So all are passed o'er jordane ere the day,  
When jonathan begins thus on the way,  
No sooner did the Priests our Fathers bring,  
The holy Ark, by the command, O King,  
From Kedrons' Book up to jerusalem,  
When thy son Absalon and all his men,  
The men of judah and of Israel,  
The City entered with A●hi ophel.  
Oh how did knees then bow and voices ring,  
God save King Ahsolon, God save the King,  
So fond of new, so made their old to leave,  
As if all failed, they would themselves deceive.  
But oh! I cannot but with horror tell,  
The bellish counsel of Achitophel,  
Who strongly to secure his part and faction,  
Before he ran too far into the action,  
And lest upon a filial submission,  
Thou shouldst be reconciled, and grant remission:  
Besides the usurpation of thy State,  
He counsels him thy bed to violate,  
That if high Treason could not make all sure,  
Most horrid incest should his part secure;  
For when they thy ten Concubines did find,  
Which thou to keep thy house hadst left behind,  
He counsel gave to spread an open Tent,  
Upon thy houses highest Battlement:  
Where Absalon with every of them lies,  
Before the Sun and all the people's eyes:  
Which damned counsel, and most beastly spectacle,  
They all approve even as an heavenly Oracle.  
Most devilish plot, saith David, now I see  
The danger of Hell's deepest policy,  
Where wickedness and wisdom both combine,  
None can defend us, but a power divine.  
In this deep plot see how Achitophel,  
Doth imitate the Counsellor of Hell,  
Who gives like counsel unto every son  
Of God, as here he puts on Absalon,  
To bring's past hope of reconciliation,  
He thus in●idiates each man's inclination:  
Can he but make us Traitors to Heaven's King,  
What sin's so foul but he on us will bring?  
From ease to sloth, from sloth to foul excess,  
From thence to lust, from lust to wantonness,  
Incest, Adultery, and Homicide,  
Which at the first we seek to cloak and hide,  
But grown in time, by custom, past all shame,  
Upon our houses tops the same proclaim.  
O subtle Politician, wicked fool  
Achitophel! taught in an Atheists School:  
Can one that thinks of God, that judgeth right,  
Hope by such crimes to prosper in his sight?  
Thou either thinkst there is no God of might,  
Or else resolv'st with Satan his despite;  
But he that in the heaven above doth reign,  
Thee scorns, and thine imaginations vain:  
Thy hellish counsel, and this filthy lust,  
Serve but to execute his judgements just:  
I closely did by lust my God offend,  
He pays me openly what I did lend.  
I privily my Subject did betray,  
My son acts treason in the open day:  
Profoundest depth; the Almighty's sapience,  
Thus turns our sins into just punishments,  
Yet leaves th' offenders without all excuse,  
Their malice is their own, his but the use.  
Oh that my Absalon, my son would yet  
Return, I all offences would forget,  
For I have many more than these committed  
Against my God, yet hath he all remitted,  
And though the Devil like Achitophel,  
Had almost plunged me in the jaws of Hell,  
And so provoked my Father's indignation,  
There was small hope of reconciliation,  
Yet I no sooner did repent and pray,  
But God replied, thy sins are done away.  
Oh high exceeding riches of his Grace,  
Which all his works in heaven and earth surpass!  
As Absalon this wickedness hath done,  
In sight of men, of Angels, and the Sun,  
So add we sin to sin, till past all shame,  
On houses highest tops we them proclaim:  
Should each man's secret sins be seen to other,  
Alas! who would endure to see his Brother.  
But all of them are open in his eye,  
Yet he, to save us, is content to dye,  
And at the time appointed will be slain,  
Mean while th' innocent Lamb endures the pain.  
Oh who can mind that Lambs sweet patience,  
And not remit all wrongs without offence.  
Then David poured out such a flood of tears,  
His servants all lament, not one forbears,  
For as a stone in midst of water thrown,  
Makes circle after circle till 'tis grown  
So large, it opens even from side to side:  
Even so did David's lamentations slide  
Through all the Camp, that jonathan forbears  
His farther speech, and joins with David's tears.   

THE FIFTH BOOK.  
Ahithophel hanging.  
OH that so impious an Achitophel,  
Should counsel in the Court of Israel!  
So wise a Senator to such a King,  
Should end his days so fond in a string.  
See what becomes of wisdom without grace,  
And compassing bad ends by vices base,  
They through the ways of blindest error tend,  
And like to their beginning have an end.  
And now the King repressed had his tears,  
When jonathan begins thus to his ears:  
Soon as the villain had by this devise,  
Made Absalon thus odious in thine eyes,  
Lo he invents a second policy,  
Thus to secure a sudden victory.  
Choose me, saith he, twelve thousand men to fight,  
And I will set upon the King this night,  
All wearied now, he with so weak a hand,  
Cannot our unexpected force withstand:  
I will amaze his host, and smite the King,  
And home in peace to thee thy people bring.  
Pernicious counsel! who did this prevent?  
Saith David, had my son twelve thousand sent  
Against us, when we lay on th' other side  
Of jordan, I and all my host had died:  
We than were unprepared, faint, wearied,  
Our courage daunted, and our spirits dead.  
Thy Son and Elders all of Israel,  
Saith jonathan, did like t●is Counsel well,  
But Hushai thy old favourite and friend,  
Came unto Absalon, and did pretend  
To do him service, and thus bowing prays,  
God grant the King long life and happy days.  
Is this thy kindness, saith he, thou dost show  
Unto thy friend, why didst not with him go?  
My Lord, saith Hushai, thou this day shalt prove,  
That I the King did more than David love,  
For with the man, God and the people give,  
By voice this Kingdom, I resolve to live,  
And be his servant, if thou please to grace  
Me so, that I may stand before thy face,  
The service I with David have begun,  
Shall be continued to the King his son.  
Thus to such trust he with the King is grown,  
He makes his secret counsel to him known,  
Amongst the rest this of Achitophel,  
Which he as politicly did refel.  
My gracious Lord, saith Hushai, 'tis a thing  
Of highest wisdom to advise a King,  
But now so deep a Counsellor of State  
Hath gone before, it doth me more amate.  
Achitophel's advice is always prime,  
Yet not to be allowed at this time.  
Thou know'st thy Father and his men be strong,  
And have in wars been exercised long,  
Who neither weary nor weak-handed are,  
But chauf like a fierce and angry Bear  
Robbed of her whelps: Besides thy Father's wise,  
Most expert in all warlike exercise,  
And will not with his men lodge in the plain,  
Lo, many caves and holes do yet remain,  
Which were his haunts, when in the wilderness  
Saul sought him and his Army to oppress.  
From whence he on a sudden will affright  
Thy men, some kill, putting some to flight:  
So shall a rumour straight abroad be blown,  
That thou and all thy host be overthrown.  
The King hath oft been proved too strong to yield,  
Thou never trid'st thy fortune in the field,  
Be well prepared in thy first enterprise,  
For thereby doth thy credit fall or rise;  
The people ebb and flow even like the tide,  
And ever fall unto the stronger side,  
Like drunken men they to and fro do reel,  
And change as oft as Fortune turns her wheel.  
I therefore do advise, whilst thou dost stand  
In Grace, with all the people of the Land;  
(For who is he, that if thou dost but say,  
Come to mine aid, but will thy word obey)  
Thou muster all the people in the Land,  
From Dan even to Bersheba, like the sand,  
And that thou forth in person go to fight,  
Thus will we come against him, with such might,  
And multitudes: we'll set upon him all,  
Thick as the dew upon the grass doth fall:  
And if he get within a walled Town,  
We will with ropes pull all the City down,  
Not ●uffering a stone upon a stone,  
Of all his men we will not leave him one:  
By these devices Hushai did refel  
The dangerous counsel of Achi●ophel:  
Which though for best the Elders do approve,  
Yet Hushai's more the King and people move.  
Oh sure, saith David, God would th●s confound,  
By weak, the Counsels politic, profound,  
He will me re-establish in my Throne,  
And overthrow the plots of Absalon.  
Lo Hushai showed himself a faithful friend,  
And brought to pass the thing we did intend;  
But how did you these counsels understand?  
Hushai, saith jonathan, them out of hand,  
Unto the Priests our fathers close conveyed,  
Who gave us notice of them by a Maid.  
I and Ahimaaz lay in a Well,  
near to the City, called En-Rogell,  
To which a Maid (as if she went for water)  
Comes and informeth us of all the matter:  
Into the City durst we not adventure,  
For no man might come out, that in did enter:  
Yet could we not this thing so closely hide,  
But we were by a youngman both descried,  
Who telling it to Absalon the King,  
He servants sent us back again to bring:  
But as we had before at En-Rogell,  
So at Bahurim lay we in a Well,  
Upon whose mouth a good old woman spread  
Ground Corn, that so we might be covered:  
And when the servants of King Absalon,  
Enquired of her, what was of us become,  
Like that good Rahab, which did hide the spies,  
To save us, she excuses did devise,  
When therefore they had searched and nothing found,  
They back returned, we came out safe and sound,  
And hasted hither thee this news to bring,  
That thou mightst know the danger of the King:  
For who doth know but wise Achitophel,  
May win thy son and men of Israel,  
To take his counsel, and thee follow fast,  
Before that thou hadst over jordan past?  
Whilst jonathan yet speaks, one comes to tell  
Another project of Achitophel,  
Who seeing Hushai's counsel highly prized,  
And that his own, though better, was despised,  
Rides hom on's saddled Ass, and in despite,  
The King such Oracles profound should slight,  
His house and family first ordered,  
His days even with a halter finished,  
And was interred in his father's grave;  
Such end, saith David, wicked Traitors have,  
Their worldly wisdom is to folly brought,  
And, with their breath, their thoughts all come to nought:  
This man that able was to rule a State,  
His furious passions cannot moderate,  
And he that for the public was so wise,  
Now like a wicked fool turns mad and dies.  
Thus whilst he strives for wisdom's highest room,  
He falls into extremest follies doom:  
This is the life of all, and this their end,  
That here on worldly wisdom do depend:  
Wisdom and folly ay their life attend,  
And them accompany even in their end,  
They Cities can in peace and wealth maintain,  
But let their hearts be irreligious vain;  
Their worldly states, they like Achitophel  
Can order, but their souls let hang in hell.  
Vain wisdom! that doth so our thoughts molest  
Abroad, not caring what is in our breast,  
Fond fool, in order thus his house to set,  
And both his soul and body to forget.  
But Hushai's counsel now is followed,  
And all the men of Israel mustered  
By Absalon, in number like Sea-sands,  
The foulest Treasons want no helping hands:  
For as at first a little ball of snow,  
By turning oft; doth great and greater grow,  
Till it unto so huge a heap doth rise,  
There many days it after melting lies:  
Even so this Traitor, who at first began  
With those two hundred men, who with him ran  
To Hebron's sacrifice, in time is grown  
To mighty heaps, and multitudes unknown,  
Who over jordan now do pass with him,  
Even as the King comes to Mehanaim:  
And now lo, both these mighty armies lie  
In Gileads Plains, resolved the day to try,  
Where Amasa by Absalon is made  
The Captain of the host, in joabs' stead;  
But he that was expelled from house and home  
By his own people, and son Absalon,  
Now finds abroad all duty and respect,  
God never his doth finally neglect:  
For as God's Angels at Mehanaim met,  
Good jacob with his enemies beset,  
Esau before his face, Laban behind,  
And ministered sweet comforts to his mind,  
So there an host of men come to the King,  
And earthen vessels, Beds, and Basins bring,  
Beanes, Barley, Lentiles, Flower, parched Corn & Wheat,  
Cheese, Honey, Butter, Sheep, and Beefs to eat:  
The son of that discourteous Ammonite,  
That David's Legates did so foul despite,  
And Machir of Lodebar, who was all,  
Till lately, to advance the house of Saul,  
(For there was lame Mephibosheth maintained,  
Who sole of jonathan alive remained)  
With old Barzillai that rich Gileadite,  
Where Ishbosheth so long maintained his right,  
Did all these things abundantly supply,  
To Princely David and his company.  
For they were weary in the wilderness,  
Faint, hungry, thirsty, and in great distress.  
Oh who doth know the happiness of Rest  
And Peace, but they whom civil wars infest!  
Where beating of the Drums, and Trumpets sounds,  
Are like the dreadful callings of the hounds,  
When in the morning they the fearful hear,  
In open field, do summon to appear:  
Who thinks each bush she sees, stands to belay her,  
And every one she meets, comes to betray her.  
Most direful are th' effects of civil wars,  
Where son of his own loins no father spares,  
Brother embrewes his hands in blood of Brother,  
And dearest friends do butcher one another.  
One by an Engine bullets casts and stones,  
Wherewith he breaks his wives and children's bones:  
Whilst they cast stones down from the City wall,  
Which on their husband's head or parents fall:  
Here servants for the duty, which they owe  
Their masters, pay them with a mortal blow;  
And they are paid for wages, from their master,  
With broken pates, which never need a plaster.  
Here Kings whom duty bindeth to defend  
Their subjects, seek their ruin and their end:  
And subjects count it honour, law, and right,  
Against their Sovereign's dreaded face to fight,  
All is with horrible confusion filled,  
Farms uninhabited, their Lands untilled,  
Their Kine, whose Milk doth yield abundant food,  
Suckle the hungry Soldiers with their blood:  
And Shepherds that the plains all over stock,  
Are glad to save their lives, and lose their flock.  
All Laws are silent, Arms do all in all,  
And strongest put the weakest to the wall:  
Like savage beasts their fellows each assail,  
Where strength and fury against all right prevail:  
Like Pikes in pond the most of might and power,  
Do all the other underlings devour.  
Here heaps of bodies lie unburied,  
Here Infants slain, and Virgins ravished,  
Nor is the peril of the enemy  
More dangerous than privy treachery:  
Where great ones seem to take their Sovereign's parts,  
Yet cleave unto the Rebels with their hearts:  
And therefore him unfaithfully advise,  
Disclosing's secrets to his Enemies,  
Amongst such Traitor's good and loyal held,  
More peril is at home, than in the field.  
These and a thousand more calamities  
Of civil wars, now th' Hebrews miseries,  
And bred at first on this side jordanes flood,  
Are forded over now to Ephraim's wood:  
Which though ambition them at first begins,  
God sends for scourges of the people's sins.  
But Absalon that might no longer reign,  
Than he the people's madness could maintain,  
(Besides he many of their hearts did find  
From him unto the better part inclined)  
Marched on, till both the Armies were in sight,  
On purpose to provoke the King to fight:  
And David, who was stronger now become,  
By many friends, that to his aid were come,  
(It thinking foul dishonour for a Crown,  
To be besieged in a walled Town,  
Caused joab draw his men out of the gate,  
That he might view them all, there as he sat:  
Where he appoints some Captains over ten,  
Someover hundreds, some a thousand men:  
For all, or most part, of his old Commanders,  
To follow Absalon had left his standards.  
When Ittai, David's prudent faithful friend  
Begins, my Lord, stay here, thy servants send  
Against these Rebels, for our King to fight,  
Why should we hazard putting out our light?  
What though ten thousand of thy people fall?  
Thy life is of more value than us all,  
Truehearted Subjects more will every day,  
Turn after thee, and fall from him away,  
With which we'll battle after battle try,  
Till God and our good cause give victory.  
When thus the King: joab and Abishai,  
And Ittai you are men, on whom this day,  
My life, my Kingdom, and my State relies,  
And therefore I will do as you advise:  
The Army order as you shall think fit,  
To each of you a third part I commit,  
Let joabs' might for our main battle stand,  
I●tai and Abishai, the wings command.  
But good my friends, remember Absalon,  
Forget not that he is your Sovereign's son,  
Entreat the youngman gently for my sake,  
On's youth and my grey hairs some pity take;  
This charge he in the gate, with many tears,  
Gave all the Captains in the people's ears.  
But Absalon, who found the people totter,  
And waver like the Seas unstable water,  
And that the Tribeson this side Iordans flood,  
(Who for the King more than the Rebels stood)  
Resolved to dye, all in the King's defence,  
Against his sons rebellious insolence,  
Raised on his Mule, and armed in warlike fashion,  
To all his Army utters this Oration:  
My friends and fellow-soldiers, not mine own  
Content, or private coveting the Crown,  
Me caused these Arms and Weapons up to take,  
But for the public profit and your sake:  
Alas! you know, how bra●e and plenteously,  
I might have lived, in all prosperity,  
Grace, honour, credit, glory, and renown,  
Nought wanting, but the dangers of a Crown;  
Of which, succession made me not so sure,  
As all your votes and wishes did secure.  
But this your favour to the rising Sun,  
Which by my love and care of you I won,  
Was made high treason by these, to the King,  
Who of the State have all the managing,  
Whose tyrannous oppressions should I name,  
I should la● open mine own, and Father's shame.  
For such do rule the King, that are not able  
To rule themselves, a thing intolerable.  
This must be righted: ay you hither bring  
To fight against these Tyrants, not the King;  
'Tis yours, and not my cause, for which we fight,  
I only lend my counsel, strength, and might.  
My friends and kinsmen, I you all leave free,  
Go on which side you most desire to be,  
Some tyranny account a benefit,  
So they at home in peace may quiet sit,  
And rather had the heaviest burdens bear,  
Than noise of Drums and Trumpets sounding hear:  
Such wish I to their Cities soon return:  
But you brave friends, whose hearts do inly burn  
With zeal and hate, against public tyrannies,  
And seek to vindicate these injuries,  
Whom by your faces brave alacrity,  
I easily from base Cowards can descry:  
As with brave courage you with me remain,  
With me as victors you shall ever reign:  
Whilst they whose hearts them fail for cowardice,  
Shall lie and groan still under tyrannies.  
As Moses led you by a mighty hand,  
From bondage of a cruel Lord and Land,  
So come I up, resolved to set you free,  
From all oppressions, wrongs and tyranny.  
The justness of our cause shall us acquit,  
But you that are so miserably light,  
Again for Egypt's fleshpots to return,  
Though you their Brick and Lime for ever burn,  
Return, I say, and live in your own City,  
Your lightness merits not such blame as pity.  
Since I returned from Geshur to this C●urt,  
I viewed your grievances of every sort;  
Tell me to which of all your causes here,  
I have not lent an understanding ear,  
Your suits were good, but either none there were  
Deputed of the King your plaints to hear,  
Or else the judges wanted time and leisure,  
All must attend from Term to Term their pleasure.  
Oh! there is no more gainful occupation  
Than Law, in practice with the jewish Nation:  
Clerks, Patrons, Proctors, Lictors, more abound,  
Than Merchants, Farmours, Soldiers, can be found,  
And whence live these, but on the injuries  
Of you, my people, and your miseries?  
As Winds by Conjurers are oft up blown,  
That Conjurers again may get them down:  
So do these Lawyers, suits and questions raise,  
Not for their Client's profit, but their praise.  
Nor will they them dismiss with little gain,  
For many suits eternally remain,  
With so great costs, as they that overcome,  
Had better been condemned when they begun,  
And even as Soldiers, by continual jars,  
Grow senseless of the cruelty of wars:  
So Lawyers used to wrongs and injuries,  
Compassionate no Clients miseries.  
I cannot find that all the civil broils,  
So much oppress the subject, as the toils  
Men take, when they for justice sue and right,  
More safe in field, than at the bar to fight.  
Have not some Courts yet in your memories,  
Doubled against all equity their fees,  
As if they had no table, law, nor task,  
But you were bound to pay what they will ask:  
Which th' unlearned deskmen to such states doth raise,  
And leaves Professors only place and praise.  
These and more grievances I will redress,  
And make the number of your Lawyers less,  
Which, when they have no place to act their parts,  
Will study other profitable Arts:  
I will appoint for plead certain days,  
And judges to do right without delays.  
Yea many other wrongs I will reform,  
The Levites, which your consciences inform,  
Shall take the tenths of all the souls they teach,  
Where now dumb Priests have all, that never preach:  
Your great ones now do only stand for show,  
And them that bear the burdens keep full low.  
(Thus peoples itching ears the Rebel feasts,  
By railing on their Governors and Priests)  
A trite and common way to palliate  
Rebellion, to traduce the present State,  
That makes the people against their Rulers rise,  
The rude and ignorant against the wise,  
This makes the commons side against the Peers,  
The worst of ills, the utmost of our fears.  
But now the more t' encourage you to fight,  
We war against the broken Ammonite,  
Whom late you did with Saws and Harrows tear,  
And now aids David not for love, but fear.  
Barzillai that rich ancient Gileadite.  
Who comes with wealth, not power to the ●ight,  
And Machir of Manasses, who do bring  
Great store of wealth and victuals to the King,  
Will add but little honour to the day,  
But they will wondrously increase the prey.  
For since the Tribes on Iordans other side,  
Stand for our right, and these from us divide,  
Well may we all their goods and Cattles take,  
And preys of all their Towns and Cities make.  
This oily speech of his did frame the heart,  
Of most of all his Soldiers, to his part:  
●ut most those that by wars hoped for increase,  
And more than death did fear a needy peace.  
But th' Armies now on both sides draw so near,  
They each to other terrible appear.  
near to Mehanaim there is a Wood  
Ignobled, for much loss of Hebrews blood,  
Where when as Ammon war proclaimed had,  
Against th' Inhabitants of Gilead,  
And nothing his ambition would suffice,  
But all the Land that over jordan lies.  
Lo, valiant jeptha cometh to their aid,  
And all their foes in open field dismayed,  
Which Ephraim bold (taking in foul despite,  
That jeptha without them should go to fight)  
Him challenged openly upon the plain,  
Where all are put to flight, that were not slain,  
And taking Iordans passages beneath,  
Slew all, that could not utter Shiboleth:  
In this Wood, joab rather chose to train,  
And rank his men, than on the open plain,  
For seeing's foes did two to one abound,  
He took th' advantage of a narrow ground.  
But Absalon most eager of the fight,  
Presuming on his number, force, and might,  
Calls out, My friends, brave courage on our side,  
The Cowards in the Woods themselves do hide,  
Should they our numbers see in open field,  
Their courages and hearts would fail and yield:  
You fight not now with men, but chase the Hind,  
Which we in bushes, woods, and thickets find.  
This said, the Trumpets sound, they give the sign,  
The Armies meet, and both in battle join,  
The Rebel's Host o'er all the plain are spread,  
The Kings was close, compact, well ordered,  
Both meet so close, they leave no little space,  
men's bodies against bodies fill the place,  
Swords against swords, a Spear against a Spear,  
Some kill, and some are killed, no sparing there.  
In such close ranks there is no choice at all,  
They victors are that stand, they die that fall.  
The echoing woods rebound with shouts and cries,  
Of wounded men, and shrieks of such as dies.  
Yet clashing of men's Arms yield such a sound,  
That it doth all the other noise confound.  
No man his help lends to his nearest friend,  
To save his life, or haste his wished end,  
In heat of Battles ay the gentlest breast  
Is as remorseless, as the cruelest.  
But now the Kings two wings give back to train  
Their foes, in compass of the Battle main,  
And other close ambushments in the Wood,  
By joab laid to make his party good.  
Where stakes, pits, thickets, trees, wild beasts conspire,  
To pay rebellious Traitors duest hire:  
Lo here a company unwares do fall,  
Into some covered pit, are drowned all;  
Here one doth seek the enemy's sword to shun,  
And to the paws of cruel Beasts doth run;  
Here one puts on his courser fresh and free,  
And his own brains knocks out against a Tree:  
One seeking to avoid the cruel push  
Of sharper Pike, is hanged in a bush:  
All had ill footing, but who ere did fall,  
Was certain to be trodden down of all:  
Here is a quagmire, where some sticking fast,  
Their fellows following tread them in for haste;  
One leans against a Tree to take his breath,  
And lo a Serpent stin●s him to the death:  
Here is a Ditch, in which so many fall,  
It now is filled, the rest pass over all.  
Thus by the Wood more perish than the Sword,  
Such help the Heavens to Traitors ay afford!  
But whilst before his Host the Rebel's fall,  
The King falls to his Arms spiritual:  
(For like to Children than we come to God,  
When we lie underneath our Masters Rod.)  
" Oh God, judge thou my cause, saith he, do right  
" Against my foes, with whom I now do fight,  
" I never them offended to this hour,  
" And yet they all my soul seek to devour,  
" Shall they escape thus with their wickedness?  
" Nay, thou, O Lord, shalt bring them to distress:  
" But now I pray against him, whom most I love,  
" Oh therefore had I wings even like a Dove,  
" Then would I fly away, and be at rest,  
Until these stormy winds and tempests ceased.  
When lo, the watchman lifting up his eyes,  
One running to the City-ward espies,  
Which he as suddenly tells to the King,  
Oh sure, saith David, he doth tidings bring,  
Ah, saith the watchman, I a second see  
Come running, but know not who it should be.  
But lo, the first, oh King, doth seem to run  
Like to Ahimaaz, old Zadocks son.  
Ah! saith the King, he ay good news doth bring,  
Who lo, then comes and saith: All's well, O King,  
God blessed be, who now hath set thee free,  
And given unto thy hands, thine enemy.  
But oh! saith David, is the youngman well?  
My Lord, saith he, joab and Israel,  
Prevailed in the field against ●hy son,  
Before I came away, the field was won;  
But when he me and Cushai to thee sent,  
I tumults saw, but knew not what they meant:  
Then turn aside, saith David, stand by here,  
Till Cushai with his tidings doth appear;  
Then Cushai comes, and tidings cries, O King,  
God on thy foes doth all their mischief bring,  
He hath avenged thee on thine enemies,  
And all that up against my Lord do rise.  
But ah, saith David, how is't with my son?  
So be't, saith Cushai, unto every one,  
That up against my Lord the King doth rise,  
As Absalon, be all thine enemies.  
When as the Rebels first before us fled,  
And joab and thy servants followed,  
The youngman post upon a Mule did ride,  
Under an Oak whose arms dispreaded wide.  
When lo, his hair, which he wears somewhat long,  
Was so entangled in the boughs among,  
The Mule not staying, but still putting forth,  
There left him hanging 'twixt the heaven and earth;  
Which when a Soldier saw, he joab told:  
Who thus replied, couldst thou him there behold,  
And yet forbear to smite him to the ground?  
For which thou shouldst no small reward have found.  
Ah, saith the man, though thou to me shouldst give  
A thousand silver sh●ckles, as I live,  
I would not for this great reward be won,  
To lift my hand against my Sovereign's son:  
I heard the charge the King gave in the gate,  
To us and all his Captains as he sat:  
I sure against my life had done this thing,  
Thou wouldst have first accused me to the King.  
But joab hasts to him, and with a Dart,  
The youngman smites even thorough to the heart:  
And his ten Squires round compassing about,  
Him smote quite through to put all out of doubt.  
Then joab sounds the Trumpet to repeal,  
The people from pursuing Israel.  
Cushai would have gone on, the King to tell,  
How they did with the youngman's body deal,  
Who cast into a pit his flesh and bones,  
And laid on him a mighty heap of stones,  
Which heap, saith joab, shall for ay defame  
A son's rebellion, and this traitor's name,  
More than the stately pillar he did frame  
In Kings fair Dale and called it by his name,  
In this for ever his reproach shall sleep,  
And live, when's Monument becomes a heap.  
But even as joab with his cruel Dart,  
Smote Absalon into the very heart;  
So Cushai's speech so strikes the King, he cried,  
Oh Absalon my son, would I had died  
For thee my Absalon, my son, my son.  
Ah David, why mak'st thou such grievous moan?  
Thy words would move a Tiger's heart and ears,  
What then to see thy piteous face and tears?  
What shall thy life, at thousands valued,  
Be now exchanged for a Traitor's head?  
Wouldst thou thy life, for such a son, lay down,  
That sought his Father's death to get his Crown?  
Canst thou not live without that Absalon,  
That could not live in peace, till thou art gone?  
Never was known a King more passionate,  
Nor any Father more affectionate:  
Herein me thinks, oh Singer sweet! thou art  
A man affected after Gods own heart:  
A heart of melting wax, not like a stone,  
Thy Honey, buttered words, and heart be one.  
As thou wouldst for thy traitorous son have died,  
So will he be for Traitors crucified:  
Thou seek'st to save him who would thee betray,  
He doth for's persecuting murderers pray,  
And cries, whilst they scourge, scorn, and kill him too,  
Father forgive, they know not what they do.  
Though we be sons, rebellious and ungrate,  
Our heavenly Father is compassionate:  
And Angels sends to bear in their Arms,  
Whilst we against him breath wars and sound Alarms:  
Oh love incomprehensible, infinite!  
Angel's amazement, holy Saints delight,  
My soul is ravished with thy brighter beams,  
As eyes are dazzled with Sun's purer gleams:  
This love was never livelier set forth,  
Than by this Type, thy Deputy on Earth.   

THE six BOOK.  
David returning.  
ALas! what virtue, goodness, or deserts,  
Can to a King assure the people's hearts?  
When such a Prince, so gentle, gracious, kind,  
Doth more revolters, than good subjects find.  
Thus some few great men waxing strong in factions,  
Begin the people in rebellious actions,  
Till led on by opinion without reason,  
They fall to flat Rebellion and Treason,  
Whom God repays in justice for such deed,  
Achitophel's or Absalon's due meed,  
But God of hosts, to whom it is all one,  
To save with many, or with few or none,  
Takes part with justice, and lets Israel feel,  
What 'tis against God's Kings to life their heel,  
Sure this Rebellion must be general,  
When twenty thousand in a battle fall,  
Yet of this numberless rebellious power,  
The Wood doth more than all the swords devour:  
And yet the King doth more lament and plain  
For Absalon, than all his subjects slain;  
Thus pious Fathers by their indulgence,  
And gentleness to children, give offence,  
Thus did old Eli, thus good Samuel,  
Isaac loves Esau more than Israel,  
And this bewails the death of Absalon,  
As Amnons' his incestuous wicked son;  
Whereof when tidings came to joabs' ear,  
(For all the people of the Town might hear,  
The King cry Absalon, oh Absalon,  
Would I had died for thee, my son, my son!)  
That day which should have been for mirth and gladness  
Was turned to a night of dole and sadness;  
The people which should triumph in that day,  
All blushed for shame, as they had ran away,  
And as they had deserved less praise than blame,  
Into the City at the Posterns came.  
For lo, the King had covered his head,  
And cried, Ah Absalon! my son is dead.  
When joab coming in unto the King,  
Begins, Thou shame dost and confusion bring,  
This day on all thy faithful servants faces,  
Which saved thy life and thee from all disgraces,  
And have preserved thy sons and daughters lives,  
The Honours of thy Concubines and wives.  
For which thou makest them this fair amends,  
Thou lov'st thine enemies, and hat'st thy friends.  
This day thou piainly hast thyself declared,  
Thou neither Prince nor servant dost regard:  
Lo! had thy son lived, though all Israel,  
And we had died, it would have pleased thee well.  
Ah but, saith David, ●hou mightst well have take  
The youth alive, and saved him for my sake;  
Alas, O King! saith joab, for whose sake  
Did all we Arms against the Rebel take?  
For whose sake should thy servants with him fight?  
But to defend our Kings, his Father's right.  
To all thy servants he was courteous,  
To suitors affable and gracious,  
And to all Israel plausible and free,  
The Youngman only cruel was to thee.  
Most wretched Traitor, vile unnatural son,  
Of sons and Traitors none like Absalon:  
Base graceless Darling of a holy Sire,  
Whose blood he hunts for, seeking to aspire  
By all base means, unto thy State and Crown,  
Who, if he could, would God from Heaven pull down.  
What other Prince of Israel hath done  
Such services as I for Absalon?  
I by the Tekoite got thy consent,  
To call him from his three years' banishment,  
Who was so glad as I thy grace to gain,  
To bring him home from Geshurs' Court again?  
I brought him to thy presence, and in grace,  
After two years' confinement to his place,  
All this I did as to my Liege's son,  
But now he is unnatural become,  
The heavens, to keep thy servants free from blame,  
Bring him, even as Achitophel, to shame.  
His Mule resigns her load unto the Tree  
Of justice, thus should Traitors hanged be.  
His bush of hair, which never might be shorn,  
Till it were grown too heavy to be born,  
There bore his burden: Lo thus God doth smite  
Him in the part, he sinning took delight;  
Thus Heaven, the Mule, his hair, and Oak conspire,  
To give this Rebel his deserved hire.  
I only lent the Oak a Dart or twain,  
To put the Traitor sooner out of pain;  
Yet we must use him gently for thy sake,  
Such gentleness will many Traitors make:  
So long as gentleness in Governing,  
Is held to be a virtue in a King,  
No Treason nor Rebellion shall be said  
To prosper by their faults, all will be laid  
Upon the Heavens, or man's maliciousness,  
That thus abuse a Prince's gentleness:  
A most pernicious Pest's such lenity,  
In Governors of State or family.  
Didst thou thou not seem by mildness to consent,  
Unto thy daughter Thamar's ravishment?  
Of which ne'er Amnon heard least good or ill,  
Till Absalon it punished, against thy will:  
And now thy gentleness and indulgence,  
By yielding to the vain profuse expense,  
And costly bravery of Absalon,  
More ●itting for a Monarch than thy son,  
Who could not up and down the City ride,  
With less than fifty footmen by his side,  
Hath raised his high ambition to thy Crown,  
And thus, lo, thou art vexed by thine own.  
The ●reasures of thy Kingdom must supply  
Him means, for managing this treachery.  
Sure had he lived this day to see thy face,  
Thou hadst received him to thy former grace,  
But we that have adventured goods and lives,  
To save the King, his daughters, sons, and wives,  
Secluded from thy face and presence be,  
As if we all were Traitors, and not he:  
Now therefore, here I swear before the Lord,  
Except thou harken to thy servants word,  
And come and stand in some fair open place,  
To show thy servants comfort in thy face,  
Of all the men, that thus for thee did fight,  
There will not one remain with thee by night,  
Which will be worse far, oh King, than all  
The evils, that ever did thee befall.  
Alas, saith David, I could not allow  
In other men, the things which I do now,  
But Parents love is strong and natural,  
And violently down the hill doth fall:  
Floods falling from precipite hills you may,  
As well as Parent's loves to children stay.  
But if mine errors only you relate,  
You do not me advise, but exprobrate:  
'Tis easy others faults to reprehend,  
True wisdom others, and his own to mend.  
But joab seeing speeches-liberty,  
Did only rub, not heal the malady,  
Begins with modesty to blame the time,  
And some of those offenders that were prime:  
When David thus, what must we here abide,  
Or shall we go on Iordans other side?  
What thinkst thou▪ must we try another field?  
Or will the people and the Cities yield?  
No doubt, saith joab, all the Towns will yield,  
None of the faction can maintain the field;  
Nor do I know a man, now he is gone,  
They will accept to be their minion.  
Now that the stream is turned, behold the tide  
Will flow as fast unto the other side;  
men's fancies like an optic glass make all  
The eye is fixed on, seem fair, great and fall:  
Where people love, they shows for truth will take,  
And where they hate, of virtue's vices make,  
What made them else so vain fantastical,  
To follow Traitors, and from thee to fall?  
For as we in Prospective glasses see,  
Things farthest off, far fairer than they be;  
So people by their fancy do approve  
King's vice or virtues, as they hate or love.  
Be but at first of these thy friends secured,  
Who now much danger have for thee endured,  
And thou, as of one man, shalt draw the hearts,  
Even of all Palestina to thy parts.  
The Tribes which now beyond the flood remain,  
Will strive, which first shall bring thee back again:  
Yea judah, who was first to put thee down,  
Will come first to restore thee to thy Crown.  
Thus came the King into the City gate,  
Which when the people heard, they that of late,  
For grief and sorrow fled unto their Tent,  
Do thither come, for joy incontinent,  
Who them with comfortable words so pleaseth,  
He all their former griefs and sorrows easeth.  
The King was scarce descended from his Throne,  
When Rumours over all the Camp are blown,  
That all the Tribes do strive about the King,  
Which first of them him back again should bring:  
Oh, say the people, he is just and wise,  
And sa●ed us from all our enemies,  
And from the Philistines delivered,  
Yet now out of the Land from us is fled,  
For Absalon, late in the Battle slain,  
Whom we anointed over us to reign.  
Ah, saith the King, then will it be a shame,  
For judah of my kindred, tribe and name,  
If when as all the Tribes of Israel haste,  
To bring me home again, they be the last.  
And therefore sends he to the Priests, that they  
Should in this manner to the Elders say.  
Why should you be the last that seek to bring  
Again unto his house with you the King?  
Now seeing all the other Tribes conspire  
To that, the King of you doth most desire,  
You are my brethren, mine own flesh and bone,  
Then be not last, but rather come alone  
To fetch me home to you, and I will grace  
Your Captain Amasa with joabs' place.  
Is he not also of my flesh and bone?  
What though he fought against me for my son?  
This was and is a politic wise fashion,  
To sway the people by the Priest's Oration;  
For they have at command the people's ear,  
And what they teach, we all are bound to hear.  
In jebus City is a spacious Court,  
Where Elders and the people ay resort,  
To hear the Prophets and the Law expounded,  
And Rules of good and holy life propounded;  
Where God, whom heaven of heavens cannot contain,  
Doth with his Ark in Tents of skins remain.  
Here reverend Zadock, to the Congregation,  
Out of his Pulpit, utters this Oration,  
By which he wisely did the hearts command  
Of Elders all, and people of the Land.  
Men, Brethren, Fathers, whom I see this day  
Assembled here, in great concourse, to pray,  
For th' health and safety of our holy King,  
Whom God in peace and honour to us bring.  
I will not exprobrate your least omission  
Of any duty, in his last dismission:  
I only of his merits make narration,  
And leave all to your loyal application.  
Will you be pleased to hear me first begin,  
Where first he your and Israel's hearts did win,  
Th' uncircumcised Giant he did quell,  
Defying all the host of Israel.  
(To count his strength and valour I forbear,  
In killing of the Lion and the Bear)  
For this was his first signal act of fame,  
Whereby he honour wan to Ishai's name,  
By which he was made known to Saul, and won  
Such grace and favour, with sweet jonathan,  
Who as his soul most dearly David loved,  
From which he would by no means be removed.  
And though Saul would persuade his son to hate  
Him, as the assured ruin of his State;  
Against his violence he firmly stood,  
And never ceased to do King David good.  
After Goliath slain, he for his hire,  
Became to be Saul's servant and Esquire;  
And on his Harp so cunningly did play,  
He often drove Saul's evil spirit away.  
From whence he was advanced, to have command  
Amongst the men of war, when with his hand,  
The jealous Tyrant sought to strike him dead,  
As on his Harp he played and solaced.  
To ●ide his hate, yet to betray his li●e,  
Saul proffers him his daughter unto wife,  
So with twice fifty fore skins he endow her,  
In hope his foes and him thus to devower:  
But this hope failing, David's victories,  
Began in Saul such fears and jealousies,  
That diverse ways his death he practised,  
But God by Michol him delivered.  
Whence he to Samuel in Ramoth fled,  
Saul thither him pursuing, prophesied.  
Then saved he Keilah by the Philistine  
Besieged, and took great store of Sheep and Kine:  
Thence flies he to Ahimelech the Priest,  
Who paid too dear for such a Royal Guest;  
For spiteful Doeg did to Saul complain,  
And near a hundred Priests by him were slain.  
From thence to Achish Prince of Gath, where he,  
Pretendeth madness and simplicity:  
From thence he hunted to Adullams Cave,  
Like to a Partridge flies, his life to save,  
To Ziph, Eugaddy, Maons' Deserts, where  
He cut off Saul's coat-lap but's life did spare;  
And after took his Sreare from's sleeping head;  
Then he the second time to Achish fled,  
Of whom he was most kindly entertained.  
For hate of Saul, and Ziglags Town obtained.  
Whence he to war on judah's Coasts pretended,  
But so against Amalek his forces bended,  
And other foes of ours, that to complain,  
He never let one man alive remain.  
By which he, fallen now into th' indignation,  
As Achish thought, of his own King and Nation,  
Was brought to field against Saul his King to fight,  
But these Philistine Lords that knew his might,  
And fearing he to th' other side should turn,  
Made him again to Ziglag back return.  
Which burned he found, their women captive led,  
With all their children that him followed;  
For which all were so grieved and offended,  
His Soldiers there to stone him had intended.  
Amid all troubles God did him sustain,  
And helped to win his own, and more again:  
For he so close pursued th' Amalekite,  
And them unwares so furiously did smite,  
He all the Host left dead upon the plain,  
And losses all recovered again:  
Enriching them with spoils that with him went,  
And many presents to our Elders sent,  
In all his troubles, which of you can say,  
He did me wrong, or made of mine a prey?  
Was he not rather unto you, for all  
Your Goods, against your enemies a wall?  
Ask foolish Nabals servants, they will say,  
He was a wall to us by night and day,  
No sheep were lost, no Lambs of ours were slain,  
Whilst David near to Carmel did remain.  
And though the churl did evil him requite,  
Yet God, who is the judge of wrong and right,  
Revenged his churlishness with loss of life,  
Rewarding David's goodness with his wife.  
By this Saul and his sons were overthrown  
At Gilboa, which soon as it was known  
To David, how did he compassionate  
Their deaths, and those afflictions of the State,  
Which were so great, they over jordan fled,  
And many of their Towns abandoned.  
So as by this so great an overthrow,  
Were Israel and judah brought so low,  
They to the son of Ishai presents bring,  
And him acknowledge their anointed King.  
For what was closely done by Samuel,  
Was known to all the Tribes of Israel.  
Had he not been a valiant man of war,  
The Philistines prevailed had so far,  
We surely had long since their servants been,  
And not these days of liberty have seen.  
Abner long at Mehanaim maintained  
The son of Saul, whilst he at Hebron reigned,  
Till Traitors did his head to David bring,  
Then all the Tribes acknowledge him their King.  
Oh with what wondrous joy and acclamation,  
Was he accepted then of all this Nation!  
He went before us in and out, in all  
The wars, in times of Samuel and Saul:  
He saved us from all our enemies,  
And honoured us with glorious victories.  
Oh! than he was of our own flesh and bone,  
And fit to govern all the Tribes alone.  
Sure his deserts were infinite before,  
But hath he not to these still added more?  
Witness this place, where now God's Ark is pight  
In th' heart of judah, which the jebusite  
Against josuab, judges, Samuel, Saul, maintained,  
By David's might and prowess now obtained,  
This holy place, where now you meet to pray,  
And offer sacrifices night and day,  
For Zion's Mount, your King's brave habitation,  
World's wonder, and the Glory of this Nation,  
Whilom of thiefs, and murderers a den,  
Whence they did steal your goods and spoil your men,  
And sacrifice to Rimnon, morn and even,  
And worshipped daily all the host of Heaven,  
Yea often to appease th' infernal Ire,  
Did drive your sons and daughters through the fire,  
This fort, defended by the blind and lame,  
He builded, and Jerusalem did name.  
Did not all Palestine their forces bring,  
Against David soon as he was crowned King?  
Whom all to weak his valour to withstand,  
God twice delivered into David's hand:  
Yea even the God of Hosts, to show his right,  
Led him forth from the Mulberry trees to fight:  
Soon as his enemies subdued are,  
He wholly on Religion sets his care,  
God's Ark into your City home to bring,  
That God might dwell with you, as did the King.  
Why should I here sad Vzzahs' breach recite?  
Whom God, for his presumption, dead did smite.  
For staying but the Ark up with his hand,  
Meddling with sacred thing, against God's command.  
For which it was to Obe● Edom's led,  
Where whilst it stayed, all things well prospered.  
But ah, how did our Prophet dance and sing,  
More like a holy Levite than a King,  
When th' Ark was brought up hither to be reared,  
And set up in the place for it prepared,  
Who though he then was scorned in Mich●ls sight,  
God never did in him take more delight.  
What hath he not for this your City done?  
Besides his many Royal works begun,  
And finished, whereby he changed this hold  
Of earth and stone, to streets of brass and gold.  
'Twas in his mind a Temple here to raise,  
To Gods eternal Worship laud and praise.  
Till God by Nathan otherwise declared;  
Yet he for it materials hath prepared,  
The which his son that Prince of peace shall raise,  
And bless with peace and honour all his days.  
For all such as have had their hands in blood,  
As David, though their wars are just and good,  
From meddling with God's Altar ought abstain,  
The stones whereof should all in peace be lain.  
For what are all our Rites and offerings,  
Ark, Incense, and all other holy things,  
But figures of eternal peace and rest:  
No bloodied hands may minister this feast.  
(Irregularity for second wives  
Is vain, as you shall see by both their lives.)  
And therefore David leaus it to his son,  
He after all his former battles won,  
Hath taken Gath, the key of all your Land,  
The Bridle thus wring out of the hand  
Of Philistines, who now 〈◊〉 brought so low,  
They all their knees to judah's Monarch bow.  
Ittai one of their Lords of greatest might,  
Served under David in this civil fight:  
Moab you know with lines was measured,  
Two lines to save alive, another dead.  
And Hadadezar, Syrians King of Kings,  
With all his Vice-Roys, presents to us brings:  
Now Aram and Damascus ours remain,  
Twenty two thousand of them being slain.  
He hither all the Shields of gold did bring,  
Which he had taken from the Syrian King.  
We quite through Edom all our Armies led,  
And of them eighteen thousand slaughtered.  
So as in all these Cities and walled Towns,  
The King hath put strong men in Garrisons:  
Yea even Damascus, though as Queen she reigns,  
Above the rest, a Garrison maintains.  
What Presents did the son of Tohu bring,  
Of Gold and Silver Vessels to the King?  
Which all together, with a mighty mass  
Of Gold and Silver Vessels, and of brass;  
The spoils of all these Nations related,  
Are to our Temple's structure dedicated.  
And as he did abroad a victor reign,  
At home he right and judgement did maintain.  
Israel was never better kept in order,  
Seraiah Scribe, and josaphat Recorder,  
The Kings own sons, your chiefest Rulers are,  
The chiefest Priests, I and Abiathar.  
God and the King unto this place did choose us,  
Which of you for wrong dealing can accuse us?  
But seeing you are not of judah all,  
But some of Benjamin and house of Saul,  
Which Tribes are so near neighbours, and allied,  
We hardly one from th' other can divide,  
Give me but leave to render an account,  
How he in benefits doth you surmount.  
When Saul and's sons on Gilboas Mount were slain,  
How did he for their deaths lament and plain?  
Especially for jonathan his brother,  
Was ever any friend more kind to other?  
How were the men of jabesh honoured,  
Who Saul and his sons bones had buried?  
Did ever any of Saul's kindred dye  
By David, for revenge or jealousy?  
How did he Abners' loss lament and plain?  
The Traitors that slew Ishbosheth were slain.  
And lame Mephibosheth, who here now stands,  
Hath he not given thee all thy Father's Lands?  
Wert thou not, like a Prince, served with his meat,  
Drank of his cup, and at his Table eat?  
Though Ziba did thee treacherously disgrace,  
The King will sure restore thee to thy place.  
Could ever any Prince do more to win,  
His Subjects hearts? yet should I now begin,  
His merits all not mentioned to recite,  
I could not reckon up them all by night:  
But these are all but favours temporal:  
Ah! what are his sweet Hymns spiritual,  
Whose every letter, tittle, point, and line,  
Have each their sense, sweet, mystical, divine,  
Even as our souls desire, like to the past  
Of heavenly Manna to the spiritual taste;  
By which the soul●s with ●at and marrow fed,  
As bodies were by Manna cherished,  
They over all your Tents like Quails dispread,  
That weakest stomaches might be comforted.  
But ah! no tongue but his can rightly sing,  
The heavenly praises of this holy King,  
Show me his like in all Antiquity,  
For valour, wisdom, justice, piety,  
Yet won by shows and gross dissembling,  
You, for a Traitor, have dismissed this King.  
What Nation is so barbarous and rude,  
But will condemn such base ingratitude?  
If in these errors you shall still remain,  
And do not haste to bring him back again.  
Thus doth this grave high Priest to them divine,  
Like winged, heavenly, holy Seraphine,  
And bows the hearts (this elocution can)  
Of all the men of judah as one man,  
When suddenly arose a murmuring,  
And all cry out aloud, the King, the King.  
All inly moved, each looks upon his brother,  
And ready are to follow one another:  
When one breaks forth, and him they follow all,  
And leave good Zadock preaching to the wall.  
So have I seen a goodly heard of Steers,  
Deep stung in Autumn's heat by flies and breers,  
With tails erect, all follow after one,  
None knowing whither, nor for what they run;  
Scarce from Mahanaim passed was the King,  
When Legates this Ambassage to him bring;  
The men of judah coming are amain,  
Their King home to his house to bring again:  
Lo, they are all, say they, upon the way,  
And therefore he makes haste, that very day,  
To gilgal, where they all in order stood,  
All pressed to ford him over Iordans flood.  
Shimei, that cursed the King, going out mourning,  
A thousand helps now brings to his returning;  
And Ziba servant of Saul's family,  
With twenty servants him accompany.  
All these with readiness attend the King,  
And all things needful to his passage bring,  
When Shimei thus, let not my Lord begin,  
Now to impute or call to mind the sin,  
I did commit against my Lord the King,  
When thou went'st forth, I now abhor the thing;  
Thy servant doth acknowledge his offence,  
And to redeem his former insolence,  
Doth hither first of Joseph's house descend.  
Thee homeward to thy City to attend.  
fain Abish●i would have his neck disjointed,  
Because that he had cursed Gods anointed,  
But David, much offended, doth reply;  
Shall any man this day in Israel dye?  
This day I Israel's King am made again,  
And therefore swear, no Shimei shall be slain.  
And now Mephibosheth the King doth meet,  
That never cut his beard, nor washed his feet,  
Nor changed his raiment, from the day the King  
Went out, till they him home in peace did bring.  
To whom the King, Mephibosheth, ah! why  
I● exile had I not thy company?  
Who thus replies: Ziba, oh King, deceived  
Thy servant, and me of mine Ass bereaved.  
For soon as he did understand, that I  
Resolved was thee to accompany,  
And therefore him commanded to provide  
Mine Ass in readiness, whereon to ride:  
He led the Beast away that should me bear,  
And me accused of treason in thine ear.  
But thou, my Lord, well know'st thy servant's lame,  
And never merited so foul a blame.  
Lo, as God's Angel thou art just and wise,  
Do therefore what good seemeth in thine eyes:  
For I and all my Father's family,  
Were but as dead, when thy benignity,  
Thy servant did at thine own Table place.  
I ask no more, but still to see thy face.  
No more, saith David, I all understand,  
With Ziba, as before, divide the land:  
Let him, his sons, and servants, till the ground,  
The profits to Mephibosheth redound.  
Let him, saith he, both land take and increase,  
Now I do see my Lord returned in peace.  
Barzillai had the King accompanied,  
From Rogelim to Iordans other side,  
And sent the King provision every day,  
Whilst with his Host he at Mahanaim lay:  
For he was wondrous rich, and very old,  
But comely and most gracious to behold.  
fain would the King this good old man have led  
To his own house, and at his Table fed.  
But he replies, Alas! how long have I,  
My Lord, to live? let me go home and dye.  
Thy servant now full four score years hath past,  
And in his meat and drink discerns no taste;  
I cannot hear the voice of 〈…〉  
Why should I be a burden to th● 〈…〉  
Now thou art over jordan, God 〈◊〉 guard,  
Why shouldst thou me requite with such reward?  
Let me return to mine own quiet bed,  
And in my parent's grave be buried.  
My son thy servant Chimham, he shall go  
With thee, to whom, even what thou please●, do.  
Well, said the King, I do accept thy son,  
What thou desirest for him shall be done,  
And for thyself, what ever thou require,  
I shall be glad to answer thy desire.  
Thus did the King with many thanks dismiss  
The good old man, and parted with a kiss.  
Barzillai home returns, to take his ease,  
The King comes to Jerusalem in peace.  
FINIS.    

Imprimatur:  
THO. WEEKS, R. P. Lond. Cap. domest.   

Errata.  
FOl. 3. l. 9 read Jesraelite. fol. 18. l. 5. b. read l. 12. b. read mad. fol. 52. l. 10. b. read fair 〈◊〉