THE

CON QJJ E S T.

o v

C A N A A Nj

A P O E in Eleven Books.

By TIMOTHY DWIGHT.

Fired, at firft fight, with what the Mufe imparts,

In t'earlef* youth we tempt the height of arts.

Pope.

H A R T F 0 R D:

Printed, by ELISHA BABCOCK.
M,DCC,LXXXV.To his Excellency,

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire,

Commander in chief of the American Armies,
The Saviour of his Country,

The Supporter of Freedom,

And the Benefactor of Mankind j

This Poem is infcribed,
with the higbelt refpeCt for llis character, the
molt ardent willies for his happinefs, and the
molt .grateful fenfe of the bleflings, fecured,
by his generous efforts, to the United States
pf North America,

by his molt humble,

and molt obedient fervant,

Timothy ‘Dwight.

Greenfield, in Connecticut),
March i, 1785.A S this poem is the firft of the kind, which has been
publifhed in this country, the writer begs leave to
introduce it with ieveral obfervations, which that circum-
/lance alone may perhaps render neceflary.

He has taken to himfelf the liberty of altering the real
order of the two laft battles, becaufe he imagined the illus-
trious events,which attended the battle of Gibeon, would
make it appear to be the cataftrophe of the poem, where-
ever inferted.

He has varied the ftory of the embafly from Gibeon*
for reafons, which he things will be obvious to every read-
er, and which he hopes will be efteemed his fufficient
Juftification.

To give entire Unity to the Aftion, he has made Jabin
the Canaaniti'lh hero through the whole poem ; and ha*
transferred the fcene of the battle, between Hazor and
Ifrael; from the lhores of the lake Merom to the neigh-
bourhood of Ai.

In the Manners, he has fludied a medium between ab-
folute barbarifm and modern refinement. In the bell cha-
racters, he has endeavoured to reprefent fuch manners, as
are removed from the peculiarities of any age, or country,
and might belong to the amiable and virtuous, of every
age : fuch as are elevated without defign, refined with-
out ceremony, elegant without fafhion, and agreeable,be-
caufe they are ornamented with fincerity, dignity, and
religion , not becaufe they are polifhed by art and edu-
cation. Of fuch manners, he hopes he may obferve,
without impropriety', that they poffefs the highefl advan-
tages for univerfal application.

He has made ufe of Rhyme, becaufe he believed it
would be more generally relilhed than blank verfe, even
among!! thofe who are efteemed perfons of tafte.

It may perhaps be thought the refult of inattention
or ignorance, that he chofe a fubjeft, in which his coun-
trymen had no national intereft. But he remarked that
the Iliad and Er.eid were as agreeable to modern nations,
as to the Greeks and Romans. The reafon hefuppofed to
be obvious--the fubjedh of thofe poems furnilh the faireft
ppportunities of exhibiting the agreeable, the novel, the
moral, the pathetic, and the fublime. If he is not deceiv-ed, the fubjeft he has chofen pofle (Tes, in a degree, the
fam'e advantages.

It will be obferved that he has introduced fome new
words, and annexed to fome old ones,a new fignification.
This liberty, allowed to others, he hopes will not be
refufed to him : efpecially as from this fource the copi-
oufnefs and refinement of language have been principal-
ly derived.

That he wilhes to pleafe he frankly confefies. If he
fails in the defign, it will be a fatisfaflion that
he (hall have injured no perfon but himfelf. As the
poem is uniform^ friendly to delicacy, and virtue, he
hopes his countrymen will fo far regard him with candour,
89 not to impure it to him as a fault, that he has endea-
voured to pleafe them,and has thrown in his mice, for the-
advancement of the refined arts, on this fide of the
Atlantic.THE

CONQUEST of CANAAN.

BOOK I.Argument.

GubjeSt propofed- Invocation. After the battle, mentioned
in the beginning of the feventh chapter of Jofhua, the
Jfraelites, in correspondence with the facred hijlory, are
reprefented in circumflances of extreme difrefs. With this
event the poem opens, in the evening. Morning.	Scene

of war. Story of Zimri, and Aram. Zimri returns
to the ajfembly of lfrael, and brings an account of the
death of Aram, and of an army, fent by fabin, king of
Hatter, to ajfifi At. Difrefs of the lfraelites. Char-
miter and oration of Hanniel. After a pathetic addrefs,
and rehtarfal of their mifcries, he attempts to prove the
ItnpoJJibihfy of fucceeding in their prefent defgn, becaufe
of theflrength, fill, and numerous allies of their enemies;
foretels their approaching, ruin, afferts that God is op-
poj'ed to them,that they w'ere led out of Egypt to flince their
murmurs, and, the end being accomplifhed, ought to re-
turn. Panegyric on that country ; obviates objeiiions to
a return, and informs them that, if they fhould conquer
Canaan, they, will be ruined, during the war, by the
necejfary negleii of arts and agriculture, difficulty of di-
viding the land, offettling a form of government, and of
avoiding tyranny ; and concludes voith a new exhortation
to return to Egypt,. Applaufe. fofma replies, and be-
ginning to explain the dijpenfations of Providence, is
interrupted by Hanniel, who frf obliquely, and then open-
ly accufes him of aiming at the ufurpation of kingly autho-
rity ; and afferts the return to be eafy. fcjhua vindicates
his innocence voith feverity upon Hanniel; and allowing
they can return, paints to them the miferies, they will ex-
perience from the Egyptian king, lords, people, and man-
ners, and from providential dijpenfations terminating in
their ruin. He appeals to them to judge of the faljthood
of HannieVs ideas of the purpofes of Heaven, in leading
them out of Egypt ; and declares tb e certainty of their
Juccefs from. their union, with a few exceptions, their
previous profperity, and the favour artd revealed defgns
of Heaven, and exults in their future glory. Applaufe.
Preparation for war. Caleb oppofes immediate war,
and advijts a fajl of two days, foji.ua approves of it.The CONQUEST of CANAAN.

BOOK I,

/" |”'HE Chief, whofe arm to Ifrael’s chofen band
JL Gave the fair empire of the promis’d land,
Ordain’d by Heaven to hold the facred fway,
Demands my voice and animates the lay.

O thou, whofe Love, high thron’d above all height, 5
Illumes th’ immenfe, and iunm the world of light;
Whofe diftant beam the human mind infpires,

With wifdom brightens, and with virtue fires ;

Unfold how pious realms to glory rife,

And impious nations find avenging Ikies:	19

May thy own deeds exalt the humble line,

And not a ftain obfcure tjie theme divine.

When now from weftern hills the fun was driven.

And night expanding fill’d the bounds of heaven,

O’er Ifrael’s camp ten thoufand fire!, appear’d	rj

And folemn cries from diftant guards were heard,

Her tribes, efcap’d from Ai’s unhappy plain,

With fhame and anguilh mourn’d their heroes"ilain,

Line 1.) "Wherever Chief, Hero, Leader, with a capital, re-,
fpeft the IfraelitWh army, Jolhua i« intended ; when they refpeft the
Can'aanitifh army, Jabin is intended. The Teucb, with a capital,
denotes lrad.

B2

BOOK r.

Pierc’d with deep wounds the groaning warrior# ftood ;
Their bofoms heav’d, their tears inceflant flow’d; 29
Their Tons unburied on the hoftile plain,

Their brothers captiv’d, and their parents (lain.

The tender father clafp’d his lovely child, •

That thoughtlefs-fporting innocently fmil’d,

To his fond arms with foft endearments leapt,	2|

Gaz’d on his tears, and wonder’d why he wept.

Her woes with his the trembling mother join’d,

Edg’d all his fears, and funk his. drooping mind,
Array’d in tenfold gloom th’ approaching light,

And gather’d foes unnumber’d to the fight.	34

Thus trembling, fad, of every hope forlorn,

The haplefs thoufands watch’d the coming morn.

Jn Jofliua’s ear their fad complaints refound,

As flow, unfeen, he trac’d the camp around.

Where’er Ihrill cries, or groans diftinguilh’d flow’d 35
Propp’d on his lance, the Hero liftening ftood ;

For oft the fecret hour of night he chofe,

To hulh their tumults, and to learn their woes;

Each tear, each cry his feeling mind opprefs’d,

And fchemes of pity fill’d his labouring breaft.	4*

And now bright Phofphor wak’d the dawning day,
The tents all whitening in th’ expanded ray ;

The fun’s broad beam the fcene of war difplay’d,

A wide extent, with diftant gropes o’erfpread ;

A tall, dark foreft gloom’d the northern round ,	45

And eaftern hills o’er hills-th’ horizon bound :

Far fouth, a plain in vivid green withdrew,

And one unvaried level fill’d the view ;

Beyond, Ai’s grandeur proudly rofe on high,

And azure mountains pierc’d the weftern ikv.

Around their Leader’s tent, th’ unnumber’d train
Throng’d from the*camp, and gather’d on the plain.
When Zimri flow approach’d ; of Afher’s race
The firft in merit, as the firft in place.BOOK r.

3

Him, not a chief, that dar’d the battling field,	55

In fwiftnefs equall’d, or in ftrength excell’d ;

Save JoJhua's arm, that Hill unconquer’d Ihone ;

From every rival every prize he won.

In night’s laft gloom (fo Joftiua’s will ordain’d)

To find what hopes.the cautious foe remain’d,	60

Or what new ftrength, allied, increased their force,

To Ai’s high walls the hero bent hiscourfe.

Aram, his friend, unknowing vile difmay,

With willing footfteps fliar’d the dangerous way.

In virtue join’d, one foul to both was given ;	65

Each fleer’d his path, and led his friend to heaven.

O’er earth’s dim verge as dawn’d the cheerful day.
Near numbering Ai they cours’d their fearlefs way ;
Unfeen, in twining fhrubs, a heathen fate,

Mark’d their ftill path, and boded Aram’s fate ;	70

Swift hurl’d, his javelin fought the hero’s fide,

Pierc’d to the heart, he groan’d, and gafp’d, and died.
The heathen -flew, fierce Zimri clave his breaft,

But Aram’s eyes were clos’d in endlefs reft.

Thus^ while fond Virtue wifh’d in vain to-fave, 75
Hale, bright and generous, found a haplefs grave.

With genius* living flame his bofom glow’d,

And fcience charm’d him to her fweet abode :

In worth’s fair path his feet adventur’d far;

The pride of peace, the rifing grace of war;	So

In duty firm, in danger calm as even,

To friends unchanging, a,nd fincere to heaven.

75.	) While, amid, and among, are ufed throughout this poem,
eupb. grat. inftead of w bit ft, amid ft, and among ft.

76.	Hale bright) The comparifons of this kind were all writ-
ten in the early ftages pf the late war, and annexed to the poem ta
indulge the Author’sown emotions of regard to the perfons named
in them. As it was impoflibleto pay this little.tribute ofrefpef!: to
all the deferying characters, who have fallen in defence of American
liberty, the Author determined to d,tfi(t, after the firlt attempt. The
lines on Major Andre are anxjtcepjucn to the above remark, as are
thofc on General Mercer.4

BOOK I.

How (hort his courfe, the prize how early won !

While weeping friendfhip mourns her favourite gone.
With foul too noble for fo bafe a caufe,	85

Thus Andre bow’d to war’s barbarian laws.

In morn’s fair light the opening bloflom warm’d,

Its beauty fmil’d, its growing fragrance charm’d ;

Fierce roar’d th’ untimely blall around its head;

The beauty vanifh’d, and the fragrance fled;	£•

Soon funk his graces in the wintry tomb,

And fad Columbia wept his haplefs doom.

As now o’er eailern hills the mornii\g burn’d.

Alone brave Zimri to the camp return’d ;

Pale in his front defpair and anguilh fate,	9$

And each kind bofom fear’d for Aram’s fate,

When thus, the Leader—Say, exalted chief.

What dire misfortune clouds thy mind with grief?

0	belt of men, he cried, my tears deplore

The hero’s fate, brave Aram is no more.	1 om

Weep, weep, my friends : his worthy life demands
This laft, poor tribute from your grateful hands,

Nor weep for him alone : dread fcenes of grief
Surround our Heps, and Heaven denies relief.

Th’ infulting wretch, that feal’d the hero’s fate, 105
In death proclaim’d what terrors round you wait.

1	die, he cried, but know, thou culprit, know,

To the dark tomb thy harbinger I go.

O’er Ifrael’s race afcend, from realms afar,

The clouds df ruin, and the ftorms of war.	no

The hofts,that bow to Jabin’s great controul
From Hazor's rocky hills, in thunder roll ;

Hofts, that ne’er knew the tender tear to fhed,

Born in the field, beneath the ftandard bred ;

That raptur’d fly, where Ihrilling trumpets call, 115
Plunge on the pointed fpear, and climb the kindled wall*
Thefe dauntlefs bands (to Ai the meflagecame)

Shall fink in night thy nation’s hated name ;BOOK I.

1

Even now brave Oran, Jabin’$ martial boaft,

Speeds his glad courfe and moves a cotmtlefs hoft :	12*

Raptur’d 1 fee thy camp in flames arife,

And Ifrael’s allies cloud the angry (kies.

He fpoke. Aftonilh’d at th’ impending doom,

Round the pale thoufands breath’d a folemn gloom;

Rent were their martial veflments, tome their hair, 125
And every eye fpoke pangs of keen defpair.

Mid the fad throng, in mournful robes array’d
Vile duft befprinkled o’er his down-caft head,

Pale Hanniel rofe, and with diflembled woe,

Clouded his front, and urg’d the tear to flow.	13#

Of princely blood, his haughty fire, of yore
Proud Pharaoh’s favourite on th’ Egyptian fhore,

O’er Ifrael’s race was fcepter’d to prefide,

To rule their tributes and their toils to guide.

In the fon’s mind again the parent liv’d,	135

His pride rekindled, and his art reviv’d.

Where’er pride call’d, his changing foul would torn-;
Grieve with the fad, and with the envious burn ;

Vaunt with the brave, be ferious with.the wife,

And cheat the pious with uplifted eyes;	144

In Youth’s fond fports with feeming zeal engage.

Or lift, delighted, to the tales of Age.

When Jolhua’s hand the facred rule adorn’d,

With pangs he faw, but ftill in fecret mourn’d :

His clofe revenge the Hero’s fate decreed,	145

And fmooth, fure flander taught his name td bleed.

With friendly grafp he fqueez’d each warrior’s hand ;
With jefts familiar pleas’d the vulgar band ;

Jn fly, fhrewd hints the Leader’s faults difcles’d ;

Prais’d his whole fvvay, but Angle atts oppos’d; 15#
Admir’d how law fo ftern a face could wear ;

Stil’d combat rafhnefs, and nam’d caution fear:

With angels then his fame and virtue join’d,

To tempt coarfe fcandal from each envious mind :BOOK J.

Bled his own peaceful lot, and frnilM, that Heaven, 15$
To minds, that priz'd them, empire’s toils had given.

Yet bafe-born fear his vigorous foul difdain’d j
JEach danger lhar’d and every toil fuftain’d;

Joy’d, in terrific fields, the foe to dare,

And claim’d the honours of the fierced war.	,160

Now the bled period, long in yain defir’d,

His fond hope flatter’d, and his bofom fir’d ;

To end bis rival’s fway, his own fecure,

Refolv’d, hi? fancy deem’d the triumph fure.

In Teeming anguifli oft his hands he wrung,	165

/Lnd words imperfect murrpur’d on his tongue j
At length, with feeble voice, he thus began,

While round the tribes a mute attention ran.

Friends! brethren ! fires! or by what tenderer name
Shall I addrefs the heirs of Jacob’s fame ?	170

Hear to my foul, as thofe red drops, that flow,

Thro* my warm veins, and bid my bofom glow,

If chill’d by grid’s cold hand, the vital flood
Still pours its warmth, nor yet iorfakes the road !

Long has this heart with deep compaflion view’d 175
Your generous tribes, by countlefs ills lubdu’d ;

Ills, thefe pain’d eyes' foreboding, long beheld,

And this fad warning -voice in vain reveal’d.

Thofe counfels, powby fure experience prov’d,

That voice, alone by lfrael’s welfare mov’d,	180

Once more attend. Ye guardian powers, be near,
Enlarge their minds and give them hearts to hear !

Let bafe-born prejudice.no more controul
The native' candour of each generous foul;

AfTert yourfelves ; your future conduct fcan ;	185

Reafon’s the noble!! privilege of man.

Long have our feet with reftlefs error rov’d,

And the fad walle with all its miferies prov’d ;

That walle, by Heaven’s unerring fentence curs’d
With ceafelefs hunger, and eternal thirft,	190BOOK I.

t

The tyger’s rage, the lion’s fearful path,

Beftrew’d with bones, and red with recent death,

Tlje fun’s keen fury, midnight’s gloomy dread,

And all the horrors of th’'impoifon’d fhade.

How oft thefe eyes the haplefs child hare view’d, 19 J
By hunger famifh’d and by pain fubdu’d,

While the fond parent o’er his beauties hung,

And look’d diftref?, that froze his faltering tongne,
Diftrefs, to hear the young* the piercing cry,

That claim’d relief, when no relief was nigh ;	*06

To fee the babe, its face with death o’fcrfpread,

Stretch forth its little hands, and fee for bread :

While friends, all impotent* roll’d down the teir,

Rocks learn’d to feel, arid forefts bent to hear.

When pale Difeafe affum’d her fetal reign,	205

Chas’d the warm glow, and rack’d the joints with pain,
Oft have thefe failing eyes the chief beheld,

In counfct fam’d, and glorious in the field,

Condemn’d the pangs of ficknefs to endare*

Far from relief, and hopelefs of a core ;	816

No downy couch to reft his drooping head,

The ikies his covering, and the earth his bed ;

No foftening plant his ftiffen’d wounds to heal,

Soothe his rack'd nerves, and learn them not to feel;
Nor fweet, embowering (hade to drive away	21 j

Night’s baleful damps, and femmer’s (torching ray.

But who the various ills can number o’er.

Or tell the fahds that form the fea-beat feore ?

Even now by flow degrees our thoufands fall,

Till one wide, common grave involve us all.	8Z*

For fee what woes furround our daring courfe.

That tempts the terrors of unmeafer’d force ;

Safe in high walls, infulting foes deride.

Our boaltful impotence, and banner’d pride;

On bounJlefs wealth, with carelefs eafe, rely,	825

And hofls unnumber’d never taught to fly »t

BOOK I.

Proud of the dreadful deed, the wafting car,

And all the flrength, and all the art, of war.

Thefe foes to aid, what countlefs throngs will join !
What peopled realms againftour arms combine !	230

From Gibedn’s walls, and where tremendous powers
Surround imperial Hazor’s hundred towers,

Or where proud fhores the weftern main behold,

Or orient Gihon’s haughty tides are roll'd,

I fee to fearful combat millions rife,	235

Chiefs mount the car, and point the fated prize;

See in the van-guafd haughty Conqueft ride'

Lo, murder’d thousands pour the ruddy tide !

O’er Ifrael’s camp the clouds of vengeance lower,
pear wings our flight, and flames our race devour. Z40
At that dread feafon, chain’d in bonds forlorn,

Of men the proverb, and of Heaven the fcom,

Hifs’d by vile Haves, our tribes the rack Ihall feel,

Or gafp, far happier, on the griding fteel:

Slow round the form the fires of Molock burn ;	245

Chiefs mount the pile, and babes to allies turn:

Impal’d with anguilh, bleeding fires behold,

Their wives polluted and their virgins fold ;

Their fons, fweet folace of declining age,

In fport transfix’d, or cleft in caufelefs rage ;	250

While threats, while infults rend with fore difmay,

And hungry hounds (land gaping for their prey.

Butceafe my faltering tongue ; ere thefe befal,

Oh Heaven, let Hanniel’s blood bedew yon impious wall.

And will no happier hand direft the road,	255

And tell, where Quiet builds her fweet abode ?

Where is the fage,on whofe angelic tongue
Bright wifdom dwelt, and foft perfuafion hung ?

Does no kind breaft with patriot virtue glow,

And claim an intereftin his country’s woe ?	269

Here then, ye heirs of Jacob’s name, behold
A friend, whofe bofoxn terror ne’er controul’d;b o o x r.

9

Whofe voice, though envious thoufands dare oppofe,

Shall pour the balm, and heal his country’s woes.

How long, brave heroes, (hall your feet purfue 265
Such keen diftrefs, as nations never knew ?

How long your hoft the chains of flavery own,

And millions die, to fwell the pride of one ?

’Gainft Heaven’s decree let folly ceafe to rife,

And tempt no more the vengeance of the Ikies, 27a

To other lords that firm decree ordains

Th’ cxpe&ed mountains, and the promis'd plains.

Our every path unnumber’d woes furround ;

Our blood in dreams bedews polluted ground ;

No glad fuccefs arrays our Heps in light,	27;

And fmiling Viftory triumphs in otfr flight.

Search ancient years; thro’ time’s long courfe return.
When earth firft wanton’d in the beams of morn;

Succefs unchang’d attends, when God approves,

.And Peace propitious fmooths the path he loves. 280
.Bafe flight, and dire amaze, and creeping lhame,

Man loft in guilt, and alien’d ikies, proclaim.

If (till your fetter’d minds, by folly fway?d,

Doubts wavering tofs, and leaden fears invade,

To yon bright dome your eyes convifted turn ;	285

Say why forgets the guiding flame'to burn f
Why round its point forgets the cloud to roll,

Sublime pavilion of th’ all-moving foul ?

The dreaded truth muft Hanniel fingly own ?

Fled is the fmile of Heaven, the Guardian gone. 290
But Virtue aiks, Why, led by God’s command,

Rov’d this brave hoft thro’ many a weary land ?

Each hour, with p^ins replete, each field replies,

And with dread language, loud as clarions, cries,

In Egypt’s realms* where every pleafure fmil’d, 295
And, far from famine, labourers lightly tpil’d,

Wanton with feafts, our thanklefs hearts repin’d,

And tainted prayers provok’d th’ all-ruling Mind ;

C19

E O O KT r.

TirM by long fcencs of woe, th’ ungrateful hoi?, 29$
Learn d humbler thoughts, and prjz’d the good they loft:
Reclaim’d, each Ipotlefs mind adores his ways*'*

And every bleffing wakes the voice of praife.

The end thus gain’d, his terrors lifted high
Bid his warn’d fons the unblels’d putpofe fly.

See, fwiftly borne, the ftorm of vengeance rife! 365
Cloud after cloud invades the angry Ikies ;

Even now o’er earth, fierce peals commencing roar.

And round the-concave flames vindiftive pour ;

Hark,, with what din the diftant whirlwinds roll!

How the floods threaten from the thundering pole! 310
Rife, nimbly rife, burft every dead delay, .

And fl/, ere fury fweep our race away.

But wherd/oh where lhall haplefs Jfrael fly ?

Where find a covert, when the ruin’s nigh ?

Will no kind land the wiflx’d reccfs difclofe 1	31$

No friendly refuge foothe our long, long woes ?

Yes, the fair, fruitful land,- with rapture crown’d,

Where once our fires-a fweer retirement found.

That land, our refuge Heaven’s high willordains,

Pleas’d with our prayers, and piteous of our pains.	3 20

Hail favour’d realms', where no rude tempeft blows.!-
Serene retreats, and (hades of kind repofc !

Ordain’d, the union’d blifs of life to prove,

The wreaths of glory, and thefoowers of love !

There the great prince, with awful fplendor crown’d, 325
F’ronvfoes lhall guard us, and with peace furround,

In no rude combat fated to engage,

Nor fir’d by clarions to vindi&ive rage.

There cates divine lhall yield the f»veet repaft,.

Charm the pall’d eye, and lure the loathing tafte ;	33®

With die refulgent crimfon veftures glow,

And robes of kings fucceed this garb of woe :

Our tribes, in fpicy groves, at eafe recline,

Iftefs the fweU’d fig* and pluck the clufter’d vine;	334B O QX %



Her floods of boundlefs wealth the river roll, [thepole.
And fpring, with autumn join’d, beam temperate round
For thefe blefs’d joys, what mind, fo left to frame,

Can grudge the tribute, regal glories claim ?

Return, how due ! Devoid of decent ftow,

JHowfoon would Power to trampled weaknefs grow f 3^0
How foon bafe minds the feeble judge deride,

And beggar’d rubers quake at wealthy pride?

Nor the juft doom can Avarice* felf deny,

Who frare the blelling muft the tax fupply.

No danger now even timid minds can fear,	^5

Left Item OppreiEon lift her rod fevere:

Unlike our fires, who rais’d impatient cries,

A fairer doom awaits us from the ikies.

Taught by,our hated flight, the nation knows

How, join’d with ours, their vaft dominion grows ; 3^0

Disjoin’d, how fwift the weaken’d tribes decay.

To foes a triumph, and to fchifms a prey.

F.ven now with friendly joy their bofotns burn,

And with fond prefrience hail our wifr’d return;

Bid our own hands, the grateful covenant,frame,	3^

Prepar’d to give, what avarice fcarce can claim ;

Our Tons invite their boundlefs wealth to ihare,

Garlands of fame, and fweet repofe of care.

Here, warriors, here the dreaded miferies flow,

Scenes of dire fcorn, and feats of thickening woe. 380
For blefs’d as hqpe can paint, o’er all our .toil
Let conqueft flourilh, and let glory fmile ;

Still in long train, what ceafelefs ills await!

The wafte of war, and frowns of adverfe fate !	364

While freath’din arms, the conquer’d realms we guard,
End of long pains, and patience’ vvifli’d reward,

Thoferealms what culturing hand (hall teach to bloom ?
Or bid bright vefture purple o’er the loom ?

Unfed, uncloath’d, our tribes fliall wafte away,

(Qur lands grow wild, and every ai t decay.	37012

BOOK I.

Whqfe wifdom then fliall equal lots divine,

And round each province lead the bordering line ?

"Will none, for fancied wrongs, the falchion draw,

His arm the-umpire, and his will the law,

O’er his friend’s prize with rude ifruption pour, 375
Burft nature’s bonds, and bathe in kindred gore ?

Whofe chofen Hand the fceptre then lhall fway ?

What fyftem’d rule the union’d tribes obey ?

To my pain’d eyes what hideous profpedls fpread.

When impious Fattion rears her fnaky head !	389

Array’d in favage pomp, Deftruftion reigns
O’er flaming cities, and o’er crimfon plain*;

Friends, againft friends, that knew but one fond heart,
Aim the dark knife, and lift the fecret dart;

In brother’s blood unfeeling brothers wade,	385

And parent’s bofoms Iheath the filial blade.

Let Pity round the fcene extend her veil,	'

And thrilling virtue Ihun the dreadful tale !

Or lhall one arm the Hate forever fway ?

And, funk to flocks, our torpid race obey ?	390

One voice, thro’ ages, Jacob’s pride controuR
Ourfelves the clay, and he th’ all-moving foul ?

Perifli the thought! t’ oppofe a tyrant’s reign,

One patriot life lhall flow from every vein ;	,

In Ifrael’s caufe lhall burft this fearlefs voice,	395

And this bold arm avenge the free-born choice.

Rife, warriors, rife ! delert this dreary plain,

Thefe fields of llaughter, and thefe haunts of pain !

To fcenes of brighter name, to happier Ikies,

To other Edens lift your raptur’d eyes !	40©

The world’s fair Emprefs chides our dull delay,

Spreads her fond arms, and bids us hafte away,

To blifs, to glory ; feize th’ aufpicious road,

And claim your intereft in the blefs’d abode!

The hero fpoke. As when, in diftant Ikies, 405
Slaw-roll’d, the darkening ftorm begins to rife,B O O K I.	ij

Thro’the deep grove, and thro’ the founding vale,

Roar the long murmurs of the fweeping gale :

So round the throng a hoarfe applaufe was heard,

And growing joy in every face appear’d.	41c

On a tall rock, whofe top o’erlook’d the plain, ^

.The Leader rofe, and hufh’d the reverent train.

By Hanniel warm’d, with airy vifions fir’d,

He faw gay hope their glowing minds infpir’d,

In profpeft bright, at hand fair Egypt lay,	415

Divine the pleafure, and fecure the way ;

With calm, frank afpeft, that ferenely fmil’d,

His port all-winning, and his accent mild ;

Too wife, to thwart at once the general choice,

Or hope to fway alone by reafon’s voice,	42c

He thus began. Ye heirs^of Jacob’s name,

Let Jolhua’s voice your generous candor claim.

In Ifrael’s facred caufe my toils ye know,

My midnight watchings, and my morning woe.

Your long, lone path my wakeful eye furvey’d, 425
Charm’d the fad wild, and cheer’d the languid head ;
Sooth’d drooping ficknefs, banilh’d fear’s alarms
And clafp’d the orphan'with delighted arms ;

’Gainlt fierce invafions rais’d a guardian (hield,

The firft to feek, the laft to leave, the field ;	430

For all your tribes a parent’s fondnefs prov’d,

Fulfill’d each wilb, and even your wanderings lov’d.

In thofe fad fcenes, when pity owns applaufe.

Not Hanniel’s tears adorn a fairer caufe.

For Ifrael’s woe d*:es Hanniel fingly feel ?	43 5

Are thefe eyes blind ? or is this bofotn fteel ?

When ceas’d thefe hands from toil ? or what ftrange fun
Saw Jofhua’s feet the haunts of danger Ihun ?

Your eyes have feen, thefe honed fears proclaim
How oft this bread has pour’d the vital dream:	449

Still be it pour’d. , A nation’s caufe to fave*

Life’s a poor price ; the field an envied grave.n

BOOK I.

Whatever voice your welfare (hall divine,

My heart (hall welcome and my hand fhall join :

But, calmly weigh’d, let Truth our counfels guide, 44j
And Reafon’s choice the deftin’d courfe decide.

So prone the mind in error’s path to rove,

T’ explore is wifdora, and ’tis blifs to prove.

Charm’d, at firft fight, whpn pleafures rife to view,

Each painted feeue our ventrous thoughts purfu£ ;	45#

Jn airy vifions farfeen Edens rife,

And ifles of pleafure tempt enamour’d eyes.

On the calm tide, to aromatic gales,

Our fearlefs hands exalt impatient fails ;

Thro’ fapphire floods the bark forefees its way, 455
While wanton billows fmoothly round it play,

Nor heeds the angry florin, that with dread power,
Climbs dark behind the hill, and hopes th’ avenging hour,
Warn’d by my voice, fuch hidden dangers fly.

And each gay profpeft fcan with fearching eye. 46%
In realms far diflant fpreads th’ expefted fhore,

Hills rife between, and boiling oceans roar :

Two tirefome ways invite our wearied bands,

Thro’ tracklefs deferts, or through hofeile lands.

Say, fhall our fteps again the wafte pervade,	463J

Dare the fierce heat, and tempt th’ impoifon’d (hade?
Oonfult yon chief; his voice again fhall tell
Thofe dreary feenes, he painted now fo well.

Or fhall our feet, its dangers hid from view,

Thro’ peopled realms, a nearer path purfue ?	47^

I blufh, when falfehood leads the chofcn tribes,

Where folly di&atss, and where fear preferibes.

One foe to fhun, fhall fiercer foes be tried ?

Death their delight, and war their carlieft pride. 474
Lo the fierce wrath, at Taberah’s plain that burn’d.
And Korah’s hofl to inftant corfes turn’d,

Rous’d to more dreadful flames, our guilt tofpy,.

Aud fee our feet to hated Egypt fly,BOOK I.

1*

Slhall wing Philiftia’S hod to death and #a'r,

And bid fierce Midian whifl tfcethundering c4r J 4^
Full on her prey avenging Amalek fall,

And guilt and terror every heart appall;

Our wives, our Tonsto favage wrath be given,

Feaft famifti’d wolves, and glut the hawks of heaven:.

No fancied-doom my -ording words declare :	48$

Truth, fix’d as mountains, fills your ftartled ear.

To every beaft the lamb prefentsa prey,

And coward bands invite the world to flay.

But will ye tremble for one lhameful fall ?

Shall one loll combat Abraham’s race appall ?	49®-

Is Aram dead ! iorapid Vengeance fly
By me his orphan babes for vengeance cry ;

Fir’d by his fate, your nerves let ardour firings
Exalt the ftandard, and to combat fpring.

Even Zimri fears, by ftrong affections led,	49,^

While his fond bofon^ mourns his Aranr dead*

Of all the fympathy, that woes impart
To the foft texture of the good man’s heart,

Departed friendfhip claims the largeft fhare,

And forrow in excefs is virtHe there,	50^

But, timid paffion ! Grief, with ftartled eye
Spies fancied ills, and quakes, ere danger’s ntgh/

Yon chief demands, why fled the guardian fire ?

What unknown folly bade the cloud retire ?

That bafe diftruft, which glorious fight delays, 503?
That fmoothj clofe fraud which tempts to dangerous ways,*
Thefe claim the fcourge of Heaven: be thefe aton’d,

Each fear Ihall vanifli-, and-each-hope be crown’d.

While thus the Chief their bofoms warm’d anew,

And every ear, and heart, to virtue drew ;	51^

Their kindling zeal impatient Hanniel eyed.

Shook for his caufe, and frown’d with ftartled pride:

"^Vhen thofe, be cried, whofe choice our warriors loft*-,

Of truth expatiate, and of wifdoitvboaft,book I.

With juft difdain my rifing fpirits burn,	5

And my pain’d heart, at times, forgets to mourn ;

To (hame, to flight, does (acred Wifdom lead ?.

Does facred Truth command our fons to bleed ?

Roufe then to arms; lo Ai impatient (lands,

And yields the doom, oureager wi(h demands ;	5

In wifdom’s caufe with aflive zeal engage,

And fall, a fplendid triumph to their rage.

Far happier lot, to meet the falchion’s fway !

Than, one by one, thus lingering, wade away.

Far other end yon Chief ambitious eyes ;	ij

Conceal’d by virtue’s malkthe danger lies.

Unbrib’d, unaw’d, the honed ta(k I claim,

Toburdthe veil, and ward th’ impending (hame.

Long vers’d in wiles, the lud of power his guide,

He lulls our caution,and inflates our pride;	5

With fenfe, that darts through mail a fearching view,
With pride, that red, or limits never knew,

To deep defigns miitrufllefs hearts he draws,

With freedom foothes, and cheats with flatter’d laws ;
A crown to feize, the patriot’s fire can claim,	5

And mock with feeming zeal the fearful Name.
£ullwell he knows that, worne by (low delay,

Our generous tribes lhall fall an eafy prey;

That long-felt influence, great by habit grown,

Climbs to firm fway, and fvvells into a throne.	5

Be warn’d, be warn’d ; the threatening evils fly.
And feek repofe beneath a kinder (ky.

Short is the toil, the well-known path fecure,

The pleafure endlefs, and the triumph fure.

Rejoic’d, each land will ope the dedin’d road,	j

And fmiling guide us to the wilh’d abode.

Freed from the fearful dorm that round them fpread,
Their hearts (hall hail us, and theirhands (hall aid.

No giant chief in terror there (hall rife ;

No dreadful Jabin fpring to feize the prize:	1BOOK I.

n

Prom Madon’s hillf, to fierce vindi&ive war
No frowning Jobab roll his iron car :

From death’s alarms the potent king lhall guard,

And bowers of tranfport yield the bright reward.

He (poke. Like Angels drefs’d in glory’s prime,55f
With confcioas worth, and dignity fublime,

While the ftill thoufands gaz’d with glad furprize,

His great foul living in his piercing eyes,

The Chief return’d. By wild ambition tofs’d,

To (hame impervious, and to virtue loft,	560

Here bend thine eye, thy front unblufhingrear;

Let frozen Confcience point no fling fevere ;

Then tell, if falfehood lends thee power to tell,

Thy mind believes one fcene, thy lips reveal;

One black afperfion, form’d to blot my name;	5^5

Or one vain profpeft, rais’d for Ifrael’s (hame.

Difclofe what dreaded toil this arm has fled ;

On what dire plain this bofom fail’d to bleed :

Tell, if thou canft, when, lur’d by intereft’s call,

One nerve, one wifh forgot the blifs of all.	570

In virtue arm’d, while Confcience gayly fmiles,

I mock thy fraud, and triumph o’er thy wiles :

Thy darts impoifon’d peace and glory bring;

?Tis guilt alone gives flander ftrength to fling.

Blufh, Hanniel, blulh ; to yonder tent depart; 57$
Let humbler wifhes rule thy envious heart;

Calm the wide lull of power ; contradk thy pride ;

Repent thofe black defigns, thou canft not hide ;

Once more to Heaven thy long-loft prayers revive,

And know, the mind that counfels can forgive* 580
Can I, as God, unfailing blifs allure,

Foil with a wifh, and peace at choice fecure ?	1

What nature can, this arm unbroke fhall bear,

Whate’er man dat’d, this breaft unfhaken dare
Canaan’s hoft, thofe eyes with pain fhall view	585

My falchion vanquifh, and my feet purfue;

DBOOK L

if

On Ifrael’s faithful ions this hand bellow
The blifs of quiet, and the balm of woe.

Should then thefe thoughts, to bafe ambition grown.
With impious madnefs build the envied throne, 5yo
To wing my doom let rapid lightnings fly,
i^nd pamper’d hounds the peaceful grave deny.

Mine be the blifs,the blifs fupreme to fee
My long-lov’d nation blefs’d, and blefs’d by me :

Let others rule; compar’d with this pure joy,	595

A throne’s a bubble, and the world a toy.

In reafon’s face let all thy wifhes fpeed ;

Let foes befriend thee, and let Heaven fucceed :

Then couBt thy gains; the mighty prize furvey ;

And ftraws,.and bubbles, fhall thofe gains outweigh: 60O'
Wrought in gay looms,thy golden robes fliall glare;

Rich banquets tempt, and lufcious wines enfhare :

But to vile fhow (hall Men their blifs confine ?

Or fink to brutes, and only live to dine ?

On thefe poor joys what dreadful ills attend'? 605
Fears ever riling ! miferies ne’er to end !

Tho’ whelm’d in floods one impious tyrant lies,

In the thron’d fon fhalL all the father rife ;

The fame black heart; the fame beclouded mind ;

To pity marbled, and to reafon blind.	6i«

Search ancient times : the annal’d page run o’er ;

With curious eye the fun’s long courfe explore ;

Scarce can each age a Angle king confefs,

Who knew to govern, or who wifh’d to blefs :

The reft, of earth the terror, or the fcorn,	615

By knaves exalted, and by cowards borne.

To lords like thefe fhall ifraei’s millions bow f‘

Bend the falfe knee, and force the perjur’d vow?

A few Ihort years, our wealth content to lhare,

The reft their greedy hands to toil may fpare :	6-ZO

But foon, full foon, their envious minds fhall know
Our growth their ruin, and our peace their woe:-BOOK I.

Then all the plagues, from jealous.power that fpring,
And death, the tender mercy of a king,	6z4

Your breads lhall feel; and, rack'd with anguilh, mourn
The day, when madnefs counfell’d to return.

Can I forget, how, from the dunghill rais’d,

Villains who bow’d, and fycophants who prais’d.

O’er Jacob’s heirs were Icepter’d to prefide,

Their tributes gather, and their labors guide ?	630

From them, each cruel pang your heart lhall rive,

That coward minds, or offic’d Haves, can give :

Their daring hands prophane the fpotlefs charms*

That yield loft tranfport to your melting arms ;

Each generous thought the brandilh’d fcourge controul
And Infult rend the agonizing foul.	636

Then too lhall Egypt, fir’d with wrath, recal
The plagues they felt, their king’s, their nation’s fall;
Againlt your race, while Vengeance fpreads the wing,
With fury arm them, and to torture fpring ;	<640

Your facred dome lhall burn ; your altars rend ;

Your priefts deltroy ; your hated worfhip end.

In that dread period, what aufpicious lhore
Shall banilh’d Virtue*s lifted wings explore?

In what new realm, when, crulh’d, her votaries fail,

Build the bright dome, and fpread the hallow'd veil;

Her priefts infpire ; her altars teach to vife.

And waft her morning incenfe to the Ikies t
Her final flight your hearts in vain lhall mourn;

In vain, with anguilh, call her wilh’d return;	650

In vain the hour extatic figh to find,

And the fweec fabbath of a guiltlefs mind.

To Egypt’s crimes our fons lhall fall a prey,

And learn her manners, while they own her fway :

From many a bower obfcene the poifon glide,	655

Taint the young foul, and freeze the vital tide ;

The facred Law our riling hope forfake,

And lifp out curfes, ere they know to fpeak:ao

BOOK I.

Sad Confcience bow beneath an iron rod,

And torpid Reafon own a reptile God.	660

Then, rous’d to wrath, (hall Heaven refufe to hear;
Mock all your pangs, and hifs your bitter prayer :

In poifon’d gales, its wafting curfea rife ;

The plague empurpled taint the fickly Ikies:

The fields all wither, famine rend the breaft,	665

And babes, fad victims! yield the dire repaft.

Then from Sabean climes, with hideous found,

Swift cars fhall roll, and favage war refound ;

To bl6od, to vengeance, chiefs their holts infpire,

Spread boundlefs death,and wrap the world in fire: 670
Our fons, blefs’d refuge of the waning year !

Charm of fad toil, and fweet repofe of care !

’Gainft their own haplefs fires with foes combine,

And with new anguilh point the dart divine.

Thus o’er our race fhall matchlefs mifery roll, 675
And death, and bondage blaft the fifing foul;

Till the laft dregs of vengeance Heaven expend,

Blot out our. race, and Ifrael’s glory end ;

In final darknefs fet our fun’s pale beam,

And black oblivion Ihroud our haplefs name.	680

For this dire end, were fuch bright feenes bellow’d ?
For this, th’ eternal covenant feal’d by God ?

For this did ocean’s trembling waves divide,

And o’er pale Egypt roll their whelming tide ?

For this, the feraph lead our facred bands ?	685

For this loud thunder fpeak the dread commands ?

From the hard rock refrelhing waters rife ?

The food of angels Ihower from balmy Ikies ?

The fun-bright wafte its flaming heats allay,

And Jordan’s parting billows yield our way ?	690

But Hanniel cries, Thefe wondrous figns were given,
To fcourge our guilt, and bend our hearts to Heaven.
Were this the end, fierce famine had annoy’d ;

The plague had wafted, or the fword deftroy’d.BOOK I.

tt

To fairer blifs he led the chofen train
Thro’ the dark wave, and o’er the howling plain,
Ordain’d, when yon proud towers in dull arc hurl’d,
To found an empire, and to rule a world;

O’er earth’s far realms bid truth and virtue fhine,
And fpread to nature’s bounds the Name divine.

What tho’ a few bafe minds the courfe oppofe,
Slaves of poor pride, and Ifrael’s bitter foes ;

For pomp, for banquets would their race dellroy,
And fmile, to fell a nation for a toy;

What tho’ of lifelefs mold, a feeble race
With fouls of maids the fhape of men difgrace ;
Think life no life, unblefs’d with torpid eafe,

Shrink from alhield, and fhiver at a breeze :
*Gainft thofe let Juftice’ angry falchion flame,

And hiding Vengeance blaft their impious name:
Thefe drefs th’ inglorious loom ; in fleep decay.
And to their kindred nothing fleet away,

Far other mind our true-born race infpires ;

Keen bravery prompts, and Abraham’s virtue fires:
I fee to combat ardent heroes rife ;

I fee bright glory flafh from fparkling eyes ;

Hark a glad cry ! that every danger braves,
c* Perilh the day, ere Ifrael’s fons be Haves
Swift pour new transports thro’ my thrilling veins;
Heaven’s voice in thunder calls to hoftile plains :
Mark, mark the found divine ! ceafe every care j
Gird on your arms, and wake to manly war:

To bright pofleflions glory points the way,

And calls her fons, her heroes, to the prey.

By friendlhip's ties, religion’s bands combin’d,
By birth united, and by intefeft join’d,

In the fame view our every wifl-i confpires,

One fpirit a&uates, and one genius fires;

Plain, generous manners vigorous limbs confefs,
And vigorous minds to freedom ardent prefs j

695

700

705

710

7'5

720

7*2$

730B O O K I,

3X

In danger’s path our eyes ferenely fmile,

And well-flrung finews hail accullom’d toil:

’Gainlt holts like thefe what foe with hope can arm ?
What numbers daunt them ? or what fears alarm ?

To reeds before them deadly fpears lhall turn,	73 J

Swords blunt th«ir edge, and flames forget to burn ;

To the flight mound defcend the heaven-topp’d wall,
The floods grow dry, and hills and mountains fall.

Rife then to war; awake to bright alarms;

Hail the glad trump, and feize your eager arms !	740

Behold, my fons, behold with raptur’d eyes,

How flight the toil, how vail theglorious prize!

Thefe golden robes the fate of Sihon tell,

How Midian yielded, and how Amalek fell;

How funk proud Jericho’s invaded wall,	745

And wide Canaan trembled at her fall

How through each region rings the dreadful cry.

And their wild eye-balls fee deltruction nigh.'

That faith, that arm of Heel, that dauntlefs foul
That bade o’er Balhan’s walls deftruttion roll,	750

O’er fields, o’er towers, lhall Ifrael’s ftandasd bear,

Tam realms to flight, and wrell the prize of war;

Fill life with glory ; Heaven’s complacence gain,

And call fair Peace to cheer the crimfon plain.

Then o’er wide lands, as blifsful Eden bright, 755
Type of the Ikies, and feats of pure delight,

Our fens, with profperous courfe, lhall ftretch their fway,
And claim an empire, fpread from fea to fea :

In one great whole th’ harmonious tribes combine ;

Trace Jullice’ path, and choofe their chiefs divine ;	760

On Freedom’s bafe ereft the heavenly plan;

Teach laws to reign, aud fave the rights of man.

Theh fmiling Art lhall wrap the fields in bloom,

Fine the rich ore, and guide the ufeful loom ;

Then lofty towers in golden pomp arife ;	765

Then fpiry cities meet aufpicious Ikies;BOOK I.

*»

The foul cm Wifdom’s wing fobfimely foar,

New virtues cherifli, and new truths explore:

Thro* time’s long tratt our name celeltial run,

Climb in the eaft, and circle with the fun ;	77©

And fmiling Glory ftretch triumphant wings
O’er hofts of heroes, and o’er tribes of kings.

The Leader fpoke ; and deep in every bread
A thrilling joy his cheerful voice imprefs’d.

Round the wide tram, late drown’d in fad difmay, 77J
His eyes refulgent caft a living fay:

Soul caught fawn foul the quick, -enlivening charm ;

Each parent’s vifage bade his children arm ;
fn every heart th’ undaunted wifh began ;

O’er the glad field a pleafing murmur ran ;	780

On Ai’s high walls they caft a longing eye,

Refolv’d to conquer, or prepar’d to die.

So, when the northeaft pours a deepening (form,

Night (hades the world, and clouds the heaven deform,
Loud on fome fhip. defcends the driving rain,	785

And winds imperious tofs the forging main ;

Diffoly’d in terror, failors eye the wave,

Lift ardent prayers, and wait the gaping grave:

If chance ip ^beauty’s bloom the morn airife,

Still the rough roar, and -charm the troubled ikies,	790

Serenely opening, far the billows o’er,

The blue-foen mountains, and the native (hore;.

Raptur’d the new-born day with fimuts they had,

And ftretch their canvas to the joyous gale.

When fickening Hanniel faw their bofoms glow, 795
Their fierce eyes burn, and tears of tranfport flow,

The lov’d, the fond defign, his -changeful mind.

With fecret pangs, to happier hours confign’d.

High o’er the reft, his fhonts diitinguifti’d rofe ;

With well feign’d fmiles his -artful vifage glows, 80C
And thus his voice—When pierc’d with -iu-ael’s grief
I drove in vain to lend the wilh’d relief,B O O K 1.

Perhaps this heart, by nature prone to know
The good man’s intereft in his country’s woe,

Of peace, and profperous arms too foon defpair’d, 8o$
Unreal ills forefaw, and fancied dangers fear’d.

Yet ftill thofe views a kind indulgence claim,

Your fame their glory, and your blifs their aim.

Should this bold courfe be doom’d to woe fevere,

Pure is my warning voice, my confcience clear; 8lO
On defin’d fight Ihould friendly Conqueft fmile,

With joy, my foul (hall welcome every toil;

In Ifrael’s caufe, to fcenes of danger driven,

To war is trahfport, and to die is heaven.

The hero ceas’d : a faint applaufe was heard, 815
.And half-form’d fmiles around the plain appear’d,

With ftartling found the trump’s deep voice began ;

To feize their arms the raptur’d thoufands ran ;

When Caleb, reverend chief, all white with age,

Serenely rofe, and bulh’d the tumult’s rage.	82#

Deep thought fate muling on his furrow’d face ;

Calm wifdom round him call an awful grace;

With fmiles juft Heaven furvey’d his conftant truth,
Innerv’d his limbs, and lengthen’d out his youth :

Even now his arm rejoic’d the fword to wield, 825
To lead the conteft, and to fweep the field.

Near the great Chief, in purple robes he Hood ;

Senfe, from his tongue, and fweet perfuafion flow’d ;
Round the wide plain attentive filence hung,

And thus fage counfels fway’d the liftening throng .	830

My voice impels to arms ; but let the Iky
Lead on our holt, and bid the heathen fly.

Were lfrael fpotlefs in the Eternal’s fight,

Ai had not boafted a victorious fight.

When Virtue drefs’d us in divine array,	835

Joy cheer’d each hour, and fmooth’d the rugged way :

To fcenes of fame each warrior ardent ran,

And claim’d the glories of the dreadful van,BOOK I.

2S

But when black Vice our brealts with poifon ftain’d,

We {hook for dangers timorous Fancy feign’d ;	840

Each fhameful Held beheld our fquadrons fly,

And heroes arm’d for battle but to die.

And now fome fin, fome folly, not bemoan’d,
Rebellion bold, or injury unaton’d,

Pours on our heads their flood of grief and care,	845

Bids Ai exult, and all our fons defpair.

Elfe round the heavenly dome the cloud had fpread,

And facred fires illum’d the nightly {hade.

Let the whole' race to God fuhmiffive bend ;

Let ceafelefs prayer to Mercy’s, throne afcend;	85Q

’Till the third morn, the pious fall endure ;

Each deed be holy, and each bofom pure ;

Then o’er our path with joy ftiall Heaven prefide,

Our guilt difcover, and our counfels guide.

Then, nor ’till then, to war let trumpets call ;	85$

Lead forth thefe bands, and mount the yielding wall.

But ihould our courfe, this day, to fight be driven,

Should arms bebrandifh’d in the face of Heavin,

Look round your fteps ; furvey the dreadful road ;

Think if the fword and ftiield can war with God. ■	860

Thus fpoke the fage. Bleft man ! the Chief replied,
The war’s firft honour, and the council’s pride !

Thine is the voice of God : th’ infpiringray
Shines ihro’ thy breaft, and gives the brighteft day.

Two days ftiall combat ceafe. The camp around, 865
Let the fad faft in every tent be found :

Two days to Heaven be rais’d by pious fear
The grateful tribute of a humble prayer.

So ftiall we wipe away the crimfon ftain,

And Ifrael’s glory gild the conquering plain.	870

He fpoke. Each warrior with delight obey’d ;

Each cheerful face th’ obfequious mind difplay’d.

The hoft difpers’d ; and prayers, and reverent fighs
Rofe in foft incenfe to th’ approving Ikies.

ETHE

CON QXJ EST of CANAAN.

BOOK IF.Argument.

Morning. Giieonites ajfemile for the worjhip of the Sun.
Mina refutes to join them in this worjhip ; the king en-
quires the rea/on. She mentions her adoration of the true
Go D. The king being anxious to know more of the mat-
ter, after an apology for fpeaking inJuch qn affembly, Jhe
gives a general account of the Deity, and his difpenfations.
As he is fill further inquifitive, foe gives him a more
minute account of the Divine works, in a hijlory of the
creation—our firft parents—the fall—general fucceeding
apofacy—deluge-—fecond apojlacy—calling of Abraham
—Ifraelites journeying into Egypt—oppreffton and plagues
of Egypt—Ifraelites* deliverance—journey through the
wildernefs—promulgation of the divine law---deftruSion
of Sihon, and Og—lajl prophecy, death, and burial of
Mofes, and the commijjion of JoJhua. The Gibeonites
being much ajfifted at the profpeft of their deftrufiion,
Minapropofes an embaffy to fojhua, to folicit peace. The
Icing approves the propofol. Conclufon,The CONQUEST of CANAAN.

BOOK II.

EYOND thofe weftern. hills, whole haughty brow,
JD To heaven exalted, fcorn’d the world below,

A plain outfpread, with growing verdure bright,

And Hole, extenfive, from the aching fight.

Here, in proud pomp, adorn’d with countlefs fpires, £
That mock’d the glories of the folar fires,

Gibeon’s imperial towers fublimely rofe,

And fpurn’d the terrors of furrounding foes.

Now o’er the hills red ftreanis began to burn,

And burlling fplendors ulher’d in the morn ;	10

With living dies the flowers all-beauteous glow’d ;

O’er the glad fields etherial odours flow’d ;

The foreft echoed with a boundlefs fong,

And rifing breezes pour’d the {trains along.

Adorn’d with green, before the palace lay	ij

A fpacious fquare, and fmil’d upon the day.

Here, ere the dawn the kindling Ikies illum’d,

Or opening flowers the fragrant gales perfum’d,

Ofevery age, a vaft, aflembled train
Pour’d from the lofty domes, and fill’d the plain. 20
High in the midfl two facred altars (hone,

Adorn’d with honours to their God, the Sun.

This, deck’d with art, and bright in royal pride,

With fable gore the quivering vittim died:BOOK II.

On that gay flowers In rich profuiion lay,	25

And gales of Eden bore their fweets away.

Here, white with age, in fnowy vefture drefs’d,

Aradon flood, their monarch, and their prieft;

Red in bis hand a torch refulgent fhone,

And his fix’d countenance watch’d the riling fan. 3a
When firft the flaming Qrb, with glorious rays,

Roll’d o’er the hills, and pour’d a boundlefs blaze ;
Charm’d at the fight, the monarch ftretch’d his hand.
And touch’d the tributes with the facred brand ;

Through frelhen’d air perfumes began to rife,	35

And curling volumes mounted to the Ikies.

Thrice to the earth the raptur’d fuppliants bow’d,

Then flruck the lyre, and hymn’d the riling God.

O thou, whofe burfting beams in glory rife,

And fail, and brighten, thro’ unbounded Ikies !	40

The world’s great Parent! heaven’s exalted King ?

Sole Source of good ! and life’s eternal Spring !

All hail, while cloath’d in beauty’s endlefs ray,

Thy face unclouded gives the new-born day !

Above all fcenes is plac’d thy heavenly throne;	45

Ere time began, thy fpotlefs fplendor fhone:

Sublime from eaft to weft thy chariot rolls,

Chears the wide earth, and warms the diftant poles ;
Commands the vegetable race to grow,

The fruit to redden, and the flower to blow.	50

This world was born to change : the hand of Time
Makes, and unmakes the fcenes of every clime.

The infett millions fcarce the morn furvive ;

One tranfient day the flowery nations live:

A few fhort years complete the human doom ;

Then pale Death fummons to the narrow tomb.

Line 28. Aradon flood, their monarch,') Gibeon is generally fup-
poferf to have been a commonwealth. But as mod nations, in that
early age, had a chief magi (Irate, verted with more or lefs civil and
reCgious powers, I have fuppofed fuck a raagiftrate, and gives hfca
the itfual epithpts.BOOK If.

3*

Lalh’d by the flood, the hard rocks wear away ;

Worne by the florin, the leflening hills decaj ;
Unchang’d alone is thine exalted flame,

From endlefs years to endlefs years the fame;	*6*

Thy fplendors with immortal beauty Ihine,

Roll round th’ eternal heavens, and fpeak thy name divane-
When thy bright throne, beyond old ocean’s bound, '
Thro’ nether Ikies purfues its deflin’d round,

Loft in th’ afcending darknefs, beauty fades;	Sg'

Thro’ the blank field, and thro’ the woodland, lpreads
A melancholy filence. O’er the plain
Dread lions roami, and favage terrors reign.

And when fad Autumn fees thy face retire,

And happier regions hail thy orient fire,

High in the ftorm imperious Winter flies,

And defolation faddens all the Ikies.

But when once more thy beam the north nfcends,

Thy light invigorates, and thy warmth extends ;

The fields rejoice, the groves with tranfport ring, ife.
And bouHdlefs nature hails the Iky-born fpring.

Nor even in winter’s gloom, or night’s fad reign,

Darts the warm influence of thy beams in vain.

Beyond the main fome fairer region lies,

Some brighter ifles beneath the fouthern Ikies,

Where crimfonWar ne’er bade the clarion roar,

Nor fanguine billows died the vernal fbore :

No thundering ftorm the day’s bright face conceals,

No fummer fcorches, and no froft congeals;

No ficknefs waftes, no grief provokes the tear,	Sg

Nor tainted vapours blaft the clement year.

Round the glad day-ftar endlefs beauties burn,

And crown’d with rainbows, opes th’imperial morn;

A clear unbounded light the Ikies dilplay,

And purple luftre leads the changing day.

O’er Confcious fhades, and bowers of foft r.epofe,

Young breeaes Jpring, and balmy fragrance blows;32

B O O K II.

The fields all wanton in ferenefi beams.

Wake fairer flowers, and roll diviner ftreams ;

Thro’ the long vales aerial mafic roves,	95

And nobler fruitage dies the bending groves.

Thro* fpotlefs nations as the realm refin’d,

Thine influence there fublimes th’ immortal mind;

Its aftive pinions fwift thro’ nature roam,

Lofe the low world, and claim a nobler home.	100

Their limbs, of endlefs life, with glory crown’d,

New youth improves, and growing charms furround :

On the blefs’d fliore thy fplendors love to fhine,

And raife thy fons each hour, to raptures more divine.

Thus ceas’d the found : the harp’s melodious firain 105
Join’d the glad hymn, and charm’d the liftening train ;

A fparkling joy each fpeaking face difplay’d,

While light.expanding leflen’d every fhade.

Fair as the lucid flat, that up the fky
Leads the gay morn, and bids the darknefs fly,	110

Befidethe king a lovely Virgin flood,

Nor join’d the fong, nor with th’ aflembly bow’d.

A fweet difpleafure ting’d^ier melting eye,

And her fad bofom heav’d th’ oppreflive figh.

Her foft diflrefs the watchful king furvey’d,	115

And thus, with friendly fmile, addrefs’d the maid.

Say, loveliefl fair one, whence the meaning gloom,
That damps our joys, and clouds thy rofy bloom !

Why does thy foul the reverence due deny
To yon bright orb, that gilds the orient flcy ?	izo

Far other God, replied the fair, demands
My vocal tranfports, and my fuppliant hands ;

A God, whofe power rais’d high yon azure round,
Form’d the wide earth, and fix’d the ocean’s bound ;

Who more the fun tranfcends, than his gay glare 125
The tranfient glimmerings of fome half-feen ftar.-

Strange fcenes, the monarch cries, thy voice declares>
And breathes fweet mufic thro’ our raptur’d ears.BOOK It,

3i

Bat Canfl: thou, unconvioc’d, yon orb behold*

O’er earth, o’er heaven, in endlefs triumph roll’d? 13*
What boundlefs joy his gladfome courfe attends!

What glory brightens! and what good defcends !

Round the blue void his beams unchanging fhine,

And fpeakhis nature, and his name, divine.

Yet flill my curious thoughts the tale demand,	135

And afk improvement at thy lovely hand.

Say then, O fair, what dll-exalted Power
Thy willies reverence, and thy hands adore.

With dbwn-caft eye, and cheek of crimfon bright
That fweetly mingled with the fpotlefs white,	, 140

Replied the virtuous maid. Tp bolder tongues
Of man’s bold fex, the arduous talk belongs.

But thy fond cares, that fav’d my life, demand
'Toils far fuperioT from my grateful hand.

Thy blifs, thy endlefs blifs, my voice lhall bribe 14$
To pafs the bounds, the maiden’s laws prefcri.be*

Far, very far beyond this lower Iky,

Beyond the fun, beyond the flames on high,

^Dwells in pure light, in heaven’s ferene abode.

The Source of life, the Spring of endlefs good;	15,®

All fcenes, all heights above, fublimely reigns;

All worlds created, and all worlds fuftains.

Yon orb, whofe brightnds wakes thy raptur’d praife,

Is but a beam of his unbounded blaze.

His breath illum’d, his hand exalted high,	155

And roll’d him flaming thro’ th* expanded Iky.

His bounteous influence, thro’ all nature driven,

Warms the wide earth, and cheers the wider heaven.

All fcenes, all beings his pure fight furveys,

Where morn begins, and where pale eve decays,; 1.6®
Where hell’s dark fhores the glooms of night difplay ;

Or heaven’s broad palace glows in lading day ;

Thro’ worlds of endlefs youth, where angels fhiue.

And unknown nations rove in light divine.

F34

BOOK ir.

He moves, informs, direfts, and rules the whole ;	165

Their caufe, their end, their guardian, and their foul.

He wakes the beauties, of the vernal morn;

He bids the flames of fultry fumrtifcr bum ;

He fhowers th’ autumnal Wealth ; and his dread power
Sounds in the wintry ftorm, and bids the wild waves roar.'

In thefe.vaft'regions conntlefs beings move,	I'j'v

Live in his fmiies, and wanton in his love :

In all, his power, and boundlefs wifdom, fhine,

The works,, the glories of a hand divine.’

Thron’d in high heaven, in ftarry manfioiis reign, 175.

Ofpureft intelledl, th’ angelic train

All fenfe, all foul, all love, eternal power

Their thoughts contemplate, and their fongs adore.

Thro’ earth’s wide realms unnumber’d tribes we find,.
Of different ranks, for different ends defign’d.	180

On every leaf the infeft millions fwarm,

Hum round the flower, or in the fun-beam warm j
The birds, on painted pinions, gayly fly
Thro’ the wide regions ofthefapphire fey ;

Bealls climb the cliff",or walk thefavage wood} 185
And fifhes fport around the foamy flood.

Thefe, with the reptile race, to time a prey,

Of dull were fafliion’d, and to dull decay.

To man of nobler rank, two parts were given,

This form’d of earth, and that infpir’d by heaven. i<}«-
Such as the texture, fuch th’ allotted doom ;

His body moulders in the narrow tomb :

But the wing’d foul, when earth in duft is hurl’d,

Shall fpring, immortal, from the finking world ;

Ordain’d, if crimes its earthly courfe diftain,	195

To bathe in fire, and wafte with enalefs pain ;

If cleans’d from guilt, with adlive joy to rife
To the pure tranfports of angelic feies ;

But man, unmindful of his nobler birth,

vain feeks pleafure from furrounding earth.	200BOOK II.

Far different, far, tlie fcenes by Heaven defign’d
To fill the wilhes of the active mind.

This bounded point is but our being’s morn ;

To endlefs life th’ etherial Soul was born.

Upward with nimble flight her thoughts Ihould loar, fiQ$
And, wing’d by virtue, brighter worlds explore ;

Earth’s groveling joys difdain with confcious .pride,

Like angels fafhion’d, and to heaven allied.

For this fair train our nature to prepare,

And the pure fragrance of immortal air,

To raife the. downward heart from earthly toys,

And mould our wifhes toiiiblimer joys,

Thro’ earth’s wide realms, afflictions firft began,

The nobleftbleffings Heaven bellows on man.

Tdil, difappointment, hunger, thirll, and pain, 2>h$
A long, long, difmal, melancholy train,

Cleanfe the dim eye, diflolve the powerful lull,

And loofe the chains, that bind our hearts to dull.

From forrow’s fire, like filver well refin’d,

Freed from vile.earth, fhall rifeth’ undrofly mind, 2Z9
Each hour, with beams of clearer beauty Ihine,

And ceafelefs claim an image more divine.

At length, vyhen licknefs brings th’ expedted doom,
its powers fhall rife triumphant o’er the tomb.,

Forward to nobler fcenes with rapture fpring,	.-2-25

And hail the melfage of th’ undreaded king ;

While life’s long llream its farthell Ihore .lhall lave,

And feek the bofom. of th’ eternal wave.

Then fhall we fee diviner winds arife*

The main grow calm, and fmiles invell the Ikies :	23.®

Then lhall our happy hands exalt the fail,

Launch on the deep, and call th’ etherial gale 4
With joy, our fpirits leave the fading Ihore,

And hear the leflening florins at diftance roar.

Jr.wrapp’d in beams of uncreated light,	'	;235

All.heaven, difi&loe’d, lhall burft upon the fight;BOOK II.

36

Streams of immortal blifs in vifion roll,

And holls of angels hail the kindred foul.

With rofy fmiles, thus {poke the lovely mJrid,

While o’er the plain a boundlefs filence fpread. <40
Like the tun’d lyre, the mufic of her tongue
Pour’d foft perfualion on the truths Ihe fung :

Pleas’d, her fweet grace, and fparkling eye, they view.
And the frank mein, that Falfehood never knew.

To all, Aradon bent a yielding ear;	*45

For Heaven infpir’d his honeft heart to hear.

Mid favage realms, fair Gibeon’s fons inclin’d
To manners gentler, worfhip more refin’d:

Each focial art adorn’d the generous door ;

The Granger welcom’d, and reliev’d the poor;	254)

And hence they liv’d. From nature’s bounteous Lord,
Even virtue’s iemblance finds a fure reward,

A calm delight exulting in his eyes,

With gentleft voice, the monarch thus replies,

O brightefl of thy fex, an angel's tongue	255

Alone can boaft the fweetnefs of thy fong.

Led by thy voice, my raptur’d mind would know
The mighty Power, from whom all bleffing9 flow ;

Would learn what holy feers his will explain,

What prayers delight him, and what offerings gain;

Safe in his fmiles, beyond the grave refpire ;

Exult o’er death, and flee from endlefs fire ;

To thofe immortal regions fpeed my flight,

And prove fome humble feat, amid the fons of light.

But fay, O fair, when form’d the Power divine 26^5
The lamps that round yon fky forever fhine ?

Know’ll: thou the day when earth’s wide realms were made,
The hills exalted, and the ocean fpread ?

Whofe hand thine infant mind to reafon wrought,

In virtue nurs’d thee, and in wifdom taught?	270

Tno’ age my trembling brow has whiten’d o*er,

Strange unknown feenos thy curious thoughts explore*? O O K I*.

&

Return’d the; lovely maid, Thy glad: requeJJ
Wakes my fond hope, and warms my grateful breaft—■
Know, mighty prince, when Elam’s deathful fpear 275
Pierc’d the fell foe, and loos’d my foul from fear,
Fromlfrael’s camp, thro’ unknown paths, I ftray’d,

My lone Heps wandering round the woodland Ihade.
JTwas there, the lacred truths the prophet fung,

And thus fweet mufic tun’d his heavenly tongue. 280
From realm* divine high-rais’d beyond all height,

Th’ almighty Parent caft his piercing fight;

With boundlefs view, he law the ether'ial vail
A clouded gloom, an undelightfome wake:

Around the extended wild, no fun’s hroad say	285

Mark’d the clear fplendor of immortal day ;

No varying moon, ordain’d at eve to rife,

Led the full pomp of conlle,Hated ikies ;

No day in circling beauty learn’d to roll;

No fair fpring fail'd, nor froft congeal’d the poje;	29?

Subftantial darknefs fpace unmeafur’d fill’d.

And nature’s realms lay defolate and wild.

He fpoke : at once, o’er earth’s far diftant bounds
The heavens wide-arching ftretch’d their fapphire rounds
With hoary cliffs the far-feen hills afcfind ;	?95

Down link the vales, and wide the plains extend ;
Headlong from fteep to fleep the billows roar>

Fill the broad main, and tofs againft the (hore.

He fpoke ; and beauty thro* all nature flow’d ;

With fpringing verdure earth’s wide regions glow’d ;3P?
Forth rulh the flowery tribes, and trees on high
Shroud their tallfainmits in the ambient Iky*

He fpoke; the heavens with fudden glory fivone;
fn godlike pomp burft forth the golden fun ;

Far thro’ immenfity his kindling ray	3°5

Shot life and joy, and pour’d the new-bprn day;

With milder luftre rofe the charms of even,

The moon’6 broad beam, and all the pride of heavcn*BOOK II.

3*

He fpoke; and fifties fill’d the watry rounds,

Swarm’d an the ftreams, and fwam the Ocean’s bounds?
The green fea fparkled with unnumber’d dies,	311

And varying beauty wav’d upon the Ikies;

Whales through the foaming billows proudly rode,

And unknown monfters gambol’d o’er the flood.

From the deep wave, adorn’d with nobler grace, 315
IncountleTs millions fprang the feather’d race ;

Thro’ the far clouds the eagle cleft his way,

And foar’d and wanton’d in the flames of day;

Full on the morn the peacock op’d his beams,

And fwans majeftic row’d thi’ expanded ftreams. 32®
He fpoke; and, wondering, from difparted plains
In throngs unnumber’d rofe the beftial trains :

Their fnowy robes the harmlefs flocks reveal’d:;

Gay fteeds exulting pranc’d the vernal field ;

The lion glar’d, and mid the, gazing throng	3Z5

■Shook his rough main, and grimly ftalk’d along.

The wide earth finilh’d, from his weftern throne,

^ln fplendid beauty look’d the gladfome fun ;

Calm were the Ikies, the fields with luftre crown’d,

'And nature’s incenfe fill’d th’ etherial round.	33®

Enfhrin’d in facred light, the Maker flood,

Complacent finil’d, and own’d the work was good.

Then from his hand in filent glory came
A nobler form, and Man his deftin’d name ;

Ereft, and tall, in folemn pomp he ftood,	335

And living virtue in his vifage glow’d.

Then too a fairer being ftiew’d her charms;

Young Beauty wanton’d in her fnowy arms ;

The heavens around her bade their graces fly,

And Love fate blooming in her gentle eye.	34©

© pair divine ! fuperior to your kind ;

To virtue falhion’d, and for blifs defign’d !

He, born to rule, with calm, uplifted brow,

Look’d down majeftic on the world below ;B O O K II.	39

1To heaven, his manfion, turn’d his thought fublime; 345
Or rov’d far onward thro’ the fcenes of time ;

Oler nature’s kingdom cafl a iearching eye,

,And dar’d to trace the fecrets of the Iky ;

On. fancy’s pinions fcann’d the bright abode,

And claim’d his friend, an Angel, or a God.*	350

Her he indu’d with nature,more refin’d,

A lovelier image, and a fofter mind.

To her he gave to kindle fweet defire,

Taroufe great thoughts, and fan th’ heroic fire :

At pity’s gentle call to bend his ear ;	355

To prompt for woe the unaffected tear ;

In fcenes refin’d his foftening foul improve,

And tune his wifhes with the hand of love.

Taher he gave with fweetnefs to obey,

Infpire the friend, and charm the lord away ;	36a

Each bleeding grief with balmy hand to heal.

And learn Impending finews not to feel;

Each joy t’ improve, the pious wifh to raife,

And add new raptures to his languid praife.

To this lov’d pair a blefs’d retreat was given,.	36 j

A feat for angels, and a humbler heaven ;

Fair Eden nam’d: in fwift fucceffion, there
Glad fcenes of rapture led the vernal year ;

Round the green garden living beauty play’d ;

In gay profufion earth her treafures fpread ;	37®

The air breath’d fragrance ; ftreams harmonious rung,
And love, and tranfport, tun’d th’aerial fong.

With tranquil beams the feventh bright morn appear’d
And thus, from firey clouds, a voice was heard.

This day, O Man, to facred tranfports rife,	373

And pafs the hours in converfe with the fkies:

To prayer, to praife, be all thy wifhes given ;

Soar from the world, and here begin thy heaven!

So fhall thy fons purfue.the virtuous road,

And, each returning fabbath, wake to God.	38©BOOK II,

4®

The foverfigh voice the reverent pair Obey’d f
A folemn beauty earth and heaven array’d ;

With joy the pinion’d tribes, in every grove,

Hymn’d the bleft influence of immortal love :

Man join’d the Concert, and his raptur’d lays	3H3

fcharm’d the gay fields, when angels Ceas’d topraife.

Mid Eden’s groves the tree ofgldry flood,

That taught the un alter’d bounds of ill, and good:

Its fruit, all beauteous to the ravifh’d CyC,

Denied toman, and facred to the iky :	391

Denied alone ; a boUndlefs ftote was given,

Food for bright angels, trahfcript fair of heiven.

And thus the law—If vain defife to taft'e
Prompt thee, rebellious, to the dire repaft ;

Hear, hear, O man ! on that tremendous day,	395

Thy life, thy blifs, thy virtue, pafs away j
No more the heir of endlefs joys refin’d,

But guilty, wretched, to the duft confign'd ;

Toil here thy lot, thine end the dreary tomb,

And hopelefs anguifh thine eternal doom.	400

The fovereign Voice the pair obfequioUs heard,

Th* injunction reverenc’-d, and the danger fear’d :

•Till urg’d by impious lull, by hell infnar’d,

They pluck’d the fruit; the guilt, and fentence ihar’d,
For one poOr banquet, one unreal joy,	40$

Hebell’d, and yielded blifs without alloy ;

To howling deferts were from angels driven,

And loft the fweet fociety of heaven.

Then ills on ills unnumber’d rofe forlorn ;

No more the orient beam’d th’ angelic morn ;	41*

Fragrance and Beauty clos’d their blifsful reign
Nor Spring'perennial danc’d along the plain.

Cold Night her fearful clouds around them fpread.

And gave new terrors to the howling foade.

Loft in the bofom ofth’ afcending florin,	413

The fun’s faint beam in winter ceas’d to warm ;BOOK II.

O’er plains, and hills, the chilling froft cotigealM j
The fno\v tefnpeftuous fadden’d all the field ;

On the wide wave the headlong whirlwind pour’d*

And all the thunders of the ocean roar’d.	42®

Where late gay bloom’d the harVeft’s waving pride,

And purpled fruits the bending branches died,
Impervious thorns, and clinging brambles fpread,

And unblefs’d famine gloom’d th’ autumnal fhade:

For blood, the raging wolf began to arm ;	4Z$

Fierce, hungry tygers rung the dread alarm j
The lion’s fovereign voice, with thrilling found,.

Clear’d the wide grove, and fhook the hills around*

The facred damp the mind forever loft,

The ikies’ perfection and the angel’s boaft :	43b

Elfe had our life roll’d on, from forrow clear*

A femblance bright of heaven’s eternal year.

Now ftain’d with guilt, the foul to hatred turn’d 5
With pride was lifted, and with envy burn’d.

Fierce bickerings rofe ; with conqueft noife was crown’d*
And Reafon’s ftill, fmall voice in curfes drown’d:	436

In vain fweet Friendfhip charm’d the ftilbbOrn ear ;
Shefung, and wondering found ho heart to hear.

By hands, not wifdom, next the caufe was tried,

And blows obtain’d what argument denied.	440

Revenge foon taught to point the'murdering knife,

And fecrOt ambuih hedg’d the hated life.

The villain’s gloomy path black night conceal’d.

And virtuous blood bedew’d the lonely field.

Then roufing banners War with transport rais’d ;	445

Forth flafh’d the fteel; the far-feen fignal blaz’d:

O’er the fear’d hills the warning clarion rang,

And fwift to combat ftartled nations fprang;

In floods of dreaming gore the fields were drown’d,

And flaughter’d thoufands heap’d th’ embattled ground.
The regal dome, the turret’s golden gleam	451

Grac’d the fad triumphs of th’ imperious flame}

G4*

BOOK II.

From wall to wall infulting engines frown'd,

And all the pride of art fell crumbling to the ground.

To earth’s wide realms, from fcenes above the Iky, 455
Th’ Almighty Ruler turn’d his fearching eye :

Deep funk in boundlefs guilt the regions lay,

And vice exulting claim’d a lingle fway.

Her countlefs millions, lur’d by Pleafure’s charms,

Balk’d in her fmiles, and fported in her arms;	460

The fong, the fealt, infpir’d the jocund' hours,

And Lewdnefs wanton’d in luxurious bowers.

In vain from door to door the beggar ftray’d ;

His portion hunger, and the froft his bed :

In vain fad Sicknefs rais’d her feeble cry ;	465

No friendly hand appear’d, nor melting eye:

Virtue, fair pilgrim, call a wilhful view,

And fpread her wings, and figh’d a laR adieu.

He faw, while terror veil’d his awful face,

And bade fierce ruin wrap the guilty race,	470

Borne by the vengeance of his lifted arm,

Far roll’d the black immenfity of ltorm ;

From eall to well were pour’d the glooms on high,

And cloudy curtains hungth’ unmeafur’d iky.

Shook by the voice that rends th’ immortal plain,	47 j

Jn one broad deluge funk th’ etherial main ;

Huge.floods, imprifon’d in the vaulted ground,

With wild commotion burlt the crumbling bound ;

O’er earth’s broad climes the furging billows driven
Climb’d the tall mountains, and invaded heaven :	480

The pride of man, the pomp-embofom’d tower, ,

Towns wrapp’d in gold, and realms of mighty power, <
All plung’d.at once beneath th’ unfathom’d wave,

And nature perilh’d in the boundlefs grave.

From realms, where funs with milder glory Ihine, 48$
His voice awak’d the wellern wind divine.

At once the balmy wind obedient blew.

And fpriaging beauty cloth’d the world anew;BOOK II.

46

In rofy youth her climes emergent fmil’d,

And flowery vifltants rejoic'd the wild.	49®

How, doom'd to pafs beyond the liquid grave,

The ark’s rich treafure triumph’d o’er the wave;

How. the blefs’d favorite, riling from the main,

Rul'd orient lands, and peopled earth again,

Thou know’ll. The wonderous tale, thro* every clime,
Tradition wafts along the ftream of time.	496

With circling fplenjjor, and etherial die,

The covenant bow fpread fudden round the ficy,

From thofe gay heavens, that arch’d with pomp divine,
Fair o’er the angelic world forever Ihine,	50®

To earth remov’d, and fix’d by God’s decree,

An endlefs barrier ’gainft th’ ambitious fea.

Safe in the facred fign, ungrateful man
New fcenes of guilt with eager zeal began.

Again black Vice, o’er nature ftretch’d her fway; 505
And magic Pleafure charm’d the foot allray.

No facred anthems climb’d the bright abode;

Nor Reafon blulh’d to hail a golden god :

With rage, and conflid, earth was cover’d o’er;

Towns funk in flames, and fields were drench’d in gore.
With impious jells they mock’d a future doom ;	511

Sung o’er the Ihroud, and danc’d into the tomb.

From land to land the clouds of death unfurl’d,

And one widedethargy benumb’d th' oblivious world.

Then too, proud Afhur, queen of realms, began 515
To forge her chains, and bind inglorious man.

Hence, tyrants fprang, and dar'd with impious claim,
Demand the honours of the facred Name ;

Hence Hern Oppreflion rais’d his iron rod,

Hence crirnlon Slaughter wrapp’d the world in blood:
Thro’ every clime the night of llavery fpread,	521

And Heaven repenting griev’d that man was made.

From this black mafs, this mingled hollof foes,

One feinted friend th’ Almighty Ruler chofe;44

BOOK II.

For him, blefs’d champion of his yielding cattfis!	525

He chang’d the liable courfe of nature’s laws ;

(An hundred fummers faw the circling morn,

Ere his firfthope, the promis’d heir was born)

To him , to his he gave Canaan’s Ihore,

’Till the bright evening gild the weft no more. 53a
To Idol guilt the world beftde was given,

Their name, their memory blotted out of heaven.

When the dire famine o’er all nations fpread,

His hand the favorite race to Egypt led*.

As fome fair tree, where fruitful ftreams are roll’d, 535
Lifts fpiry (hoots, and bids its leaves unfold ;

O’er the green bank ambitious branches rife,

Enjoy the winds, and gain upon the Ikies;

While opening flowers around it gayly fpring,

And birds with tranfport clap the^painted wing;	54©

So each fond fun, and each fuoceflivelhade
Beheld with fmiles the infant nation fpread;

From field to field the riling boughs expand,

Share the glad fmiles of heaven, and fill the jealous land.
Their fudden growth the envious tyrant view’d, 545
And impious hands in infant gore imbru’d,

With bold oppreflron bath’d the ftreaming eye,

Rack’d the lad foul, and rous’d the fuppliant cry.

Their bleeding wrongs the omnifcient Mind furvey’d,
And bade fierce Vengeance bare her flaming blade. 55a
No more the limpid wave ferenely flow’d ;

But thro’ fad Ihores the river roll’d in blood ;

Unnumber’d reptiles climb’d the ftately dome,

Croak’d o’er the feaft, and crawl’d the pillar’d room ;
Jnfedte in countlefs millions earth o’erfpread ;	55 j

The fickening murrain gloom’d the paftur’d lhade ;

From darken’d Ikies the florin's red bolts were hurl’d.
And hail, and lightening fwept the wafted world ;

Rike cloudy curtains, locufts hung the day ;

Pajedeath, and famine mark’d their baleful way :	56*£ O O K II.

49

Three days blank midnight wrapp’d the realm inglottm,
And all herfinft-born funk in one broad tomb.

Then, high in air his lucid banner fpread.

To the bright fign colle&ed Ifrael fled,

With tranfport trac’d the-finger of the iky,

Wing’d their glad path, and hail’d redemption nigh.

In vain- its countlefs ills -the -wafte difolos’d ;

In vain thefea their facred path oppos’d ;

Back roll’d th’ inftinttlvemain ; and round their -fide
In cryftal fplendor flood the conffcious' tide.	57*

In the hright front, a cloud his dark abode,

Thron’d on the rulhing winds, an angel rode,

The fpreading volumes mark’d their path by day,
Andguiding flames illum’d their nightly way.

Behind, the tyrant, urg’d by Heaven’s decree, 575-
Drove his palehoft, and trenibled'thro’ the Tea.

On the tall ftiore fnblime the 'Prophet flood,

And flretch’d his hand above the eager flood;
Wide-circling all, far clos’d the billow’d womb>

And Egypt’s glories found a watery tomb.	5801

Thro’ fpacious climes of fierce and fcorching day,

The cloud expanded led their lonely way,

’Till, white with cliffs, and crown’d with many a lhade,
In cloudy pride fam’d Sinai rear’d its head.

On this lone mount, the all-difcerriing Mind	585

To teach his name, t’ unfold his law, defign’d ;

On earth to'witnefs truth and power divine,

And bid o’er Jacob’s.fons his fplendors fhine:

Beneath its haughty brow the thoufands lay,

And hop’d the wonders of th’ expetted day.	59^

Fair rofe the dawn: from heaven’s fublime abode,

Th* almighty Power inboundlefs glory rode ;

Long du/ky folds a cloud around him fpread,

His throne furrounding with impervious fhade.

Its flame-brightfkirts with light exceflive (hone,

A noon-tide n>orn, that dimm’d the rifing fun.BOOK IT.

Forth from its womb unufual lightnings fly,

And thunders, hurl’d on thunders, rock the fky:

To Sinai’s top the wonderous fcene defcends;

Down plunge his clifB ; his tottering fummit rends ; 600
O’er all the mountain burn devouring fires,

Wreath’d in dread fmoke, and crown’d with lofty fpires.
Loud as hoarfe whirlwinds earth and heaven deform*

Loud as the thoufand thunders of the llorm,

With clear, dread voice, in pomp tremendous, roll 60$
The tramp’s long-founding terrors thro* the pole.

The Seer majeftic climbs the towering height,
And,"bofom’d deep in glory, leaves the fight.

There, while the world was hufti’d in filent awe,

The Sovereign Mind difclos’dth’ eternal Law;	610

And thus the dread commands. O Ifrael, know,

I am the Lo.rd, who fnatch’d thy fons from woe,

From Egypt’s bondage trac’d thy various ways;

Nor ihall bafe Idols (hare myfacred praife.

Let no vain words my fearful Name prophane ;	615

Nor toil, nor fports my holy fabbaths ftain.

Thy parent’s voice with reverent mind obey :

Thy hand from dire revenge, and ihurther Hay:

Let not a thought thy neighbour’s couch afcend ;

And not a wilh to others wealth extend :	620

Let truth thy converfe, truth thy oaths confine :

And every pailion to thy lot refign.

Unnumber’d ftatutes then his voice ordain’d,

The poor protedied, and the rich reftrain’d;	'

And taught, what manners profperous rule allure,	6z5

Their foes to vanquilh, and their peace fecure.

Then thro’ long, weary climes their courfe was turn’d,
Still mov’d the cloud, and Hill the glory burn’d.

With ceafelefs care he fill’d their hearts with good;	,

The fties dilfolving Ihower’d immortal food :	630

With wondering joy they faw the ftreamy rain
Four from the rock, and Ipread along the plain.BOOK II.

47

And clouds of quails, from every region driven,

Blacken’d the fields, and fill’d the bounds of heaven.

*	’Twas then, near Edom’s realms the thoufands lay, 635
And her proud prince denied th’ expe&ed way.

Whate’er their Hate, whate’er their God concern’d,
From their great Seer my curious parent learn’d ;
Charm’d with the fcene, he left his native foil,

Shar’d all their wants, and barter’d eafe for toil. 649
Thro’ long, lone paths we bent our circlingcouile,
Untir’d by winter’&rage, or fummer’s force;

Bright angels led the van ; and round the road
Dread fcenes of terror mark’d the prefent God.

Even now I fee fierce Sihon’s hoflile train,	64,5

Sheath’d in dire arms, and frowning o’er the plain.

In childhood then, around my lire I clung,

Danc’d in his arms, and in his bofom hung/

With nimble Heps the facred warriors fped,

Blew the fhrill trump, and fill’d the field with dead. 659
Like drifts of rufhing dud, that fweep the fkies,

On fear’s light pinions fwift the remnant flies;

From town to town we wing our rapid way,

And the wide region finks an eafy prey.

Then giant Og his heroes drove to arms,	651

Whirl’d his proud car, and thunder’d hoarfe alarms:

In diftant fields I faw the florm afcend,

Its fhades all darken, and its clouds extend ;

Down the grim hills I heard the volumes roll,

And burfting terrors rend the fhuddering polei	660

As fnows, flight fabric, in warm funs decay,

The impious fquadrons fudden melt away.

Now o’er the Seer had fix-fcore fummers run,

And hoary locks around his temples fhone,

When founds melodious, opening from the fky, 56$
To the fad train declar’d his end was nigh.

*	See Book IV, Line 239.BOOK II.

4*

H is mind rafpirM with more than mortal fights
Saw future fcenes and ages mill to light ;

And thus his voice. On Ifrael’s eholen train,

Like vernal fhowers let endlefi bleffings rain :

Each riling age, afoend thy glory higher.

With time roll on, and with the fkres expire !

But oh, my Ions, this voice attentive hear ;

Let thefe lad drains command the lidening eat!

To unborn years I dretch my raptur’d eye* 5	675

I fee the promis’d feed in glory rife !

The etherial dar triumphant mounts on high,

And fairer beams adorn the unmeafur’d Iky :

All heaven impatient waits the facred.morn ;

Jefus defcends ; the filial Go d is born :

Hods of bright angels round the favorite Ihine,

And earth is ravilh’d with their hymns divine.

*Tis he, whofe offering guilt (ha'll walh away,

And r?ife Mankind to climes of ceafelefs dayj

The blifs of truth, and virtue, fhall infpire,	685

And warm the bofom with feraphic fire.

Hade, hafte, ye days ,of heaven ! with rapid wing,

To this fad world the hope of nations bring !

Defcend, O Prince of peace ! thy love bedow ;

Oeanfe the dark foul from feeds of endlefs woe ;	69*

With all earth’s myriads Jacob’s Tons unite,

And bid immortal glory fpring to light.

No more the gentile realms in dud (hall mourn j
Nor evening altars to tjv’ infernals bum ;

But wait’d, reviv’d, by thy ccledial name,	695

One cloud of incenfe, one unbounded flame,

To heaven afcend : the fun fhall brighter rife,

And peace, and light, and glory gild the Ikies.

Thus the grea" Seer ; and warm’d with heavenly grace,
Befought all bleffings for his darling race ;	700

Then up fam’d Pifgah’s fide fereneJy drew,

Where all Canaan met his rapturous view ;BOOK II.

Thence Ms glad foul explor’d her native day,

And left, for blifs, the tenemental clay;

His foul, fcarce lower than the angels made,	70|

With glory mitred, and with truth array’d.

As the bold eagle, borne from humble vales,

Lifts his ftrong wings, and UP th’ expanfion fails;

O’er groves, o’er hills, o’er mountains, wins his way,

And climbs exulting in the noon-tide ray ;	7

Now far beneath him fees each birdling fly I
Now clouds light-floating fkim the lower iky l
In profped wide, with piercing ken, defcries
Far, leflening towns, and fpacious empires rife $

Here rivers wind, the lakes their borders fpread ;

And there the blue-feen ocean fmooths his bed;

In pride fublimfe, he holds his upward way,

And balks, and triumphs, in the flame of day.

$0, borne with angel-flight, his mighty mind,

Afcending, left the commion wing behind;	7*^

Full on the fun’s great Source fuperior drew,

*Till truth’s wide regions ftretch’d in glorious view ;
There fair Creation fpread her boundlefs plan ;

There op’d, myflerious, all the world of man :

With every fplendor bright Redemption fhone;	7*S

And, one immenfe of beauty, God the Son.

Still up the heavens he wing’d his folar flight,

And foar’d, and mingled with unborrow’d light.

Fit in a wild Vale’s folitary gloom,

Jehovah form’d his favourite’s lonely tomb;	730

For life diftinguilh’d, there his limbs refine,

’Till morn’s laft beams in purple glory fhine ;

Then, rob’d in beauty, ihallthe Prophet rife,

AhdTail, the peer of angels, thro’ the Ikies.

But, ere his fpirit fought celeftial day,	73g

To Jofhua-’s hand he gave the deftin’d fway,

A Chief divine ! with every virtue crown’d.

In coitibat glorious, and in peace renown’d,

H8 O O K IL

fa

To hint the Almighty voice—-Thy .chofen hand
Shall guide my Tons, and rule the promis’d land. 74®
That land, where peace, and every pteafure reigns,

O’er-heaven topp’d hills, and fair, extended plains ;
Where countlefs nations build the lofty dome,

Nurfe purpling vines, and teach the vales to bloom ;

That land is thine* Where’er thy foot lhall tread, 745
Froht the parch’d climes where Midian’s thoufands fpread,
To realms, where Hazor, arm’d with potent fway,

Bids kingdoms bow, and conquer’d chiefs obey :

Or where Euphrates winds his gentle flight ;

Or the broad ocean rolls in evening light;	750

All, all is thine. Who dare thy courfe withftand,

Shall feel the fury of th’ Eternal hand.

Loft in black crimes the torpid nations lie,

And claim fierce vengeance from an injur’d flcy.

Rife, Fife to arms ! o’er Jordan’s yielding flood 755
My guardian hand fhall point the deftin’droad.

Thus fpoke the fair : and while th’ etherial ftrain
Breath’d a foft mufic o’er the wondering train,

With ahiious look th’impatient monarch cried—

© beflr of maids, thy fex’s nobleft pride l	j6a

Far round the neighbouring realms by fame is rung
The wOnderous race, thy lovely voice has fung.

Oft have I heard, how, arm’d with dreadful rod,

Before his votaries march’d their mighty God ;

How kings in vain their rapid courfe oppos’d,

Their holts all vanquilh’d, and their empire clos’d.

But ftill, milled by Rumour’s dubious tongue,

Jn fad fufpenfe my mind all-anxious hung*

Now with clear truth the fcenes tremendous fhine ;
Offorce convinc’d, I own the Power divine.	77»

And muft our race with one wide doom expire ?

Thefe turrets fink f thefe walls be wrapt in lire }

Mull yon bright maid, whofe foft and lovely fmile
Could murderers charm, and wolves of rage beguile}HOOK IL	5*

Theft beauteous infants, fcarce to- reafon bom,	77 $

Sweeter than flowert perfume the vernal morn,'

To war’s unpityingfttfy yield their breath,

And fielplefs dofe their little eyes in death ?

O thou great Go«l, whofe fway o-’er heaven prefides,
Whofe fearching eye the wofldVvaft empire guides: 7S0
Stay, Hay thine hand ; this guilty nation fpare j
Let thefe fweet babes thy bdundlefs pity (bare!

Unform’d our infant prayer--but cries flncere
And honeft hearts will find a bounteous ear.

He fpoke ; around, the melting voice of woe 785
Breath’d fad complaints, and tears began to flow ;

When thus the Prince again—G lovelieft maid !

Where, where fhall Gibeon And the needed aid?

Can no kind hand the friendly refuge give ?

No pitying faviour bid my children live ?	yg*

Say, lovelieft fair, canft thou no fuccouF lend ?

Our teacher thou—be thou our guardian friend.
Perchance thy bounteous Ruler, form’d to blefs,

O’er fuppliant realms may lift the branch of peace.

The maid return’d—perhaps a virgin’s mind, 795
Though wifdom fail, the wifh’d retreat may find.

To Ifrael’s camp two trufty heroes fend ;

Let me, reftor’d, their peaceful fteps attend.

The maid, thou feeft by blelt adoption (hares
Their mighty Leader’s fond, parental cares.	'80©

Pleas’d with the offering, Jofhua’s hand may give
The palm of peace, and bid thy nation live.

Charm’d with the thought, joy fparkling in his eyes,
With voice exulting, ftrait the king replies.

O fair divine ! thy mind, with wifdom bright, 805
Even age out-foars, and climbs an angel’s flight.

Let peace thy life furround. The talk be mine
Soon to prepare, and end the bleft defign.

Thy lovely voice molt find a generous ear ;

So fweet a flraia even oaks would bow to hear. 810BOOK It.

5*

Tlje Monarch fpoke; and o'er the circling throng
Bright fmiles broke foith, and pleas’d applaufes rung;

A beauteous femblance of the fields around,

Starr’d with young flowers, and with gay verdure crown’d.
Where airy fongs, foft proof of raptur’d love,	£l j

Wav’d on the gale, and echo’d thro* the grove $

While the clear fun, rejoicing Hill to rife.

In pomp roll’d round immeafurable ikies.t a t

CONQUEST o? CANAAN;

BOOK JH.Argument.

CbaraSlers of Hezron, Irad, and Selima. Morning. I rad
and Selima walk out on the plain, northward of the camp,
and bold a conveyfation on the juflice of the War. As
they are returning to the camp, they overbear two Ifrael-
ites converflng on a defgn of returning into Egypt. Irad
communicates the difcovery to JoJhua. Ibe alarm is gi-
ven, and an army percieved, coming from Ai to attack
the camp. JoJhua gpes out to the place of rendezvous,
marjhals a body of trDips, and fends them, under the com-
mand of Zimri, to meet the army of Ai. In the mean
time the camp is in a general uproar, and a large body of
the Ifraelites ajfembled, weftward of the camp, for the
purpoje of returning into Egypt, After thtconfujmn is inf'
a degree allayed, Tadmofh'arangues the infurgents, with
a lift of grievances, and fiimulates them to perfeverance.
Caleb who, with Hezron, had beenfent by JoJhua, upon
Irad's information, to watch the motions of the Camp, re-
plies to him. Arflan anfwers him,'■ with impudence, and
Hezron him, wito feveriiy. Infurgents march. As they are
quitting the plain, JoJhua comes out, with a body of troops,
to attack them. T'he chieftainsfet their forces in array.
JoJhua orders them to dijperje. Ardan affronts him, and
is killed. The infurgents difperfe, and the chiefs return
to the camp. Irad goes out to view the battle. Armies
engage with violence, and equal fuccefs ; until the chiefs
of Ai, influenced by fuperflitious Jears, excited by the ap-
pearance of a thunder ftorm, order a retreat. Zimri alfm
retires. Scene of the beauties of an evening after tfa
fiortn concludes the book**Thb CONQUEST or CANAANl

BOOK III.

Judah's thoufands Hezrori held the fway;

W And love, and reverence, bade them all obey.

The chief, of (imple manners, knew no art;

Truth was his language ; honefty his heart:

To blefs mankind his life’s unvaried end;	g

His gueft the ftranger* and the poor his friend.

So fair his (trong, and iiubborn virtue (hone,

Heaven crown’d his wilhes with a lovely fon.

Td mould young Irad was his darling care ;

To form for peace, to animate for war ;	10

His limbs t’ inneirve; his vices to controul.

And lead to wifdom’s fount his thirily foul.

In earlieft years, the favourite Youth began
(hew thofe charms, which rarely grace the man.

To raflinefs brave, his bofom burn’d for fame ;

Yet knew a milder, and a nobler flame :

Love’s gentle (ire his palfions could controul,

And pure Religion warm’d his manly foul.

Notthat, which broods upon the furly brow,

Or walks on frozen joints demure, and (low;	a*

At truth, and virtue, points the fatal wound,

Swells on the tongue, and vanilhes in found :

But that,whofe influence fires th’ angelic band;

Smooths the rough bofom; opes the narrow hand,}book m.

5«

zj

Serenely brightens in the cheerful face;

Calls round each aft unutterable grace ;

With riling morning, bows the fecret knee.

And wafts, great God! the humble foul to thee.

His raptur’d father wilh’d no fecond fon ;

Bat found both parents’ charms combin’d in one $	3*

His own ftrong fenfe, and daring thought, refined
By ihefoft graces of a mother's mind.

His lively duty cheer’d the waning year ;

With hand all gentle wip’d the aged tear ;

Explor’d each wilb, prevented each requeft,	3$

And thought it heaven to make a parent blelk
Nature’s politenefs, unaftefted eafe,

Mov’d in his limbs, and fram’d his foul to pleafe ;

To wOrth complacent gave the juft reward,

And notic’d himble life, with kind regard.	4#

Nature can form the foul, or.rough, or fine j
Bat all her clouded beauties faintly Ihine:

Religion bids a new creation rife,

Fragrant as fpring, and fair as fpangled Ikies.

Thus, on the canvas, Weft, with raptur’d view, 45
Sees new-born worlds his magic hand purfue;

Th’ impaftion’d forms dift'olve in fpft delire,

Or glow, and tremble, with feraphic lire ;

They breathe, they fpeak, they move, the field around,
And the ear liftens for th’ expefted found ;	$9

But thefe itfuft fade : while Virtue’s ftrokes lhall live,
TVdnfcend earth’s flcy-built tomb, and with the heaven*
Beyond his peers, by nature, Irad (hone ; [revive.
By Virtue, ripert’d to the duteous fon ;

By virtue, aim’d at life’s fublimeft end,	53

Rofe to the faint, and foften’d to the friend:

Pfeas’d his fond nation faW his glories rife.

And a new Jolhua charm’d their raptur’d eyes.

The virgins viewed, how could they not approve'
Efteem’s the file at harbinger of love.	6+book in,	re

The kind eye, gliftening with a frequent tear,

The coafciotls blufn, that faw difcovery near,

Th’ unbidden figh, that fwell’d the beating breaft,

And the fix’d gaze-, that fcarce could be reprefs’d,

The foft emotions to his eye reveal’d,	6$

And new, Arange tremors through his bofom thrill’d.

But far o’er all Selima’s charms prevail’d,

When his pleas’d heart her piercing eyes affail’d.

His youngeft birth, blefs’d Caleb own’d the fair,

His life’s chief folace, and his favorite care.	70

Not nature’s hand her beauty could improve ;

Her voice was melody ; her mind was love ;

Her Ilature tall ; her air intrancing eafe ;

Her fkin the lilly, opening to the breeze ;

Her cheek was health’s inimitable die,'	75

And .the bright foul fate fparklirig in her eye.

No vile cofmetic ftain’d her lovely face ;

No affectation murder’d real grace :

Her robes all neatnefs, told the world how fine,

How pure, th’ angelic habitant within.	80

Sweetnefs etherial majefty controul’d,

And form’d an Irad of a foYter mould.

Such was her foul, as when, of darknefs born,

O’er young creation rofe beginning morn,

Fair, in her front, a blulhing Virtue flood,

Juft fprung to life, and cy’d the forming God;

From grace to grace with glowing wifdom grew,

And fmil’d, and triumph’d, in the rapturous view.

Now twice nine years had o’er the fair-one roll’d,
Illum’d her eyes, and bade her charms unfold ;	go

When her quick fancy, felf-infpir’d to rove,

Attun’d her feelings to romantic love.

Oft on the youth (he fix’d a fecret gaze,

And oft, with tranfport, liiten’d to his praife.

Tfhe charms of face, the beauty of defert,	9J

Stole foft, and filent, through her yielding heart*

IBOOK III.

&

Efleem, which hermits fcarce could difapprove,

Bloom’d in his (miles, and open’d into love.

Nor (hone her glances on his bread in vain;

The gaze, that gave, return’d the pleating pain.

Judgment, in both, the fpatlefs flame improv’d ;

They lik’d from fancy, but from reafon lov’d.

Oft would each (ire his tender wilh declare,

To fee one band unite the lovely pair.

Oft figh’d thfe youth t’ unfold his anxious mind;

3ut dill a mode A fear his lips confin’d :

In pleas’d attention on her charms he hung,

And half-heard wifhes trembled o’er his tongue.

At length, kind Heaven, propitious to the pair,

Led his fond fleps, where love had led the fair.

In a lone walk, far-didant on the plain,

Surpriz’d, his tongue unbidden told his pain.

The beanteous maid, of frank and gentle mind,

Smil’d in his hopes, and blel's’d with love refin’d,

In truth’s mild beam the fpotlefs union grew,

And gave fuch joy, as youthful angels knew.

Now wak’d the dim-feen dawn. O’er hills afar
Rofe in gay triumph morn’s refulgent flar ;

Up the gay (kies fore-running beauty fpread ;

The grey mid fail’d along the mountain’s head;'	120

In clouds th’ embofom’d lark her matin fings,

And from his couch impatient Irad fprings,

To morn’s unnumber’d fweets invites the fair,

Gay profpe&s, magic fongs, and fragrant air.

Rapt with the charms, which nature gives to view 12$
The great, the high, the beauteous, and the new,

To her foft power they bow’d the yielding mind,

Warm’d a9 they heard, and as they gaz’d refin’d ;

In flowery tribes, where thoufand fplendors play ;

When magic profpett holds the lingering day;	1 JO

When brighten’d Evening fpreads' her gayefl train,

And hails young Hefper to bis native main;

10a

105

n«

USBOOK III.

fn cloudy wilds, where gloomy thunder lies,

The pale moon mourns, and mountains prpp the Ides.

O’er northern plains ferene the lovers ftray,	I

And various converfe charms their eaCy way—.

How Tweet, O fair—the Youth with rapture cries—
'Earth’s beauteous Teener,, and wpnders of the ikies!

The folding clouds ! the gates of morn unbarr’d'!

The dewy plains, with flowery gems ipftarr’d!	140

The clifF-topp’d mountain ! the deep-waving grove ?

The air all odour ! and the world all love 1

Thrice fair are nature’s works—the maid replied,

And her face bloom’d in beauty’s living pride— -
"When round her fields my thoughts pptroubled roll, 445
An eafy joy fteals foftly on my fold:

Tir’d as I gaze, my breaft with rapture warms,

Her glories ravifh, and her mufic charms.

But oh the fate of Ai’s unhappy field,

That every joy, and every hope, difpell’d!	450

Fled are . the charms, that nature once attir’d
And loft the Tweets, that ether r once inTpir’d.

As now through well-known paths, retir’d I ftray,

And Teek accuftom’d beauties round my way;

At every turn, the Teeming trump alarms,	1.5-5

Tale corfes riTe, and groans, and clalhing arms ;

From my pain’d boTom heaves th’ unbidden figh t
The ftill tear trembles in my labouring eye;

Loft, but to grief, my feet bewilder’d rove,

And my heart deadens to thyfelf, and love.	>160

O fatal haplefs combat! caufe unjuft !

That blends the nobleft heroes with the duft ;

From Tad Canaan’s Tons their wealth demands,

The flocks they tended, and their .cultur’d lands;

Bids o’er their peaceful domes deftnnftjon flame, i6f
And blots with deep diftionoiir Ifrael’s name.

The Prince rejoin’d, By all-creating Heaven,

To Abraham’s Tons thefc fruitful fields were given.(So

B O O X III.

Whate’er he made, the Maker claims his own ;

Gives, and refumes, advis’d and rul’d by none. I
By him bellow’d, a righteous fword demands
Thefe flocks, thefe cities, and thefe promis’d lands.

Yet not ’till crimes, beyond long-fuffering great,

Had fill’d their cup, and fix’d their changelefs Hate,
Would Heaven permit our race its gift to claim* >75
Or feal the glory of th’ almighty Name.

In vain mild Mercy hop’d their Hearts to gain.

And Patience look’d for Penitence, in vain.

As rolling fireams ohe courfe eternal keep,

All rufli impetuous down the guilty fteep.	«8o

The maid return’d, The nations’ foul difgrace,

Stain’d with black guilt, I grant Canilan’s race.

But not alike are all from virtue driven ;

Some, more than others, claim the fword of Heaven ;

Yet undiftinguifh’d falls the general doom,	185

The belt, the word, we deftine to the tomb.

Where Hazor’s hundred towers majeftic rife,

Frown o’er her plains, and dare avenging flties;

In all that elegance of artl?fs charms,

Which prompts mild loye, and rival hate alarms;	19a

In that fweet union of ferene defires,

Which blows with fragrant breath rnmingled fires;
Young,'beauteous fair-ones, through her regions known,
Ou.tvie the maid, thoulov’ll to call thy own.

To thefe bright virgins chofen I rads how ;	195

Lefs wife, lefs virtuous, and lefs’fair than thou;

But crown’d with many a grace ; of thoughts refin’d,
Ofpleafing perfbn, and of dauntlefs mind.

Shall this blefs’d train, fo young, lb fair, fo braye,

Fall, with black wretches, in a firey grave ?	29Q

Or round wild regions muft they haptefs roam,

Exil’d from joy, and forc’d from cheerful home ?

To hunger, thirfl, and forrow, fink and pray,

And breathe, with lingering death, their lives away,BOOK III,

61

Should’ft thou, when'war to Salem drives her courfe,
Seize the keen'fteel, and join the conquering force, 206
While thy bold bread with glory’s warmth beats high,
-And wreaths well-twin’d approach thy ravilh’d eye,

To fome lone hamlet loofely wandering come,

Where fimple fwains had built their peaceful home, 21a
Where care in filence fmoothly pafs’d away,

And home-bred happinefs deceiv’d the day;

Should there fweet, helplefs children meet thy view,

Fair as young rofebuds look thro’ early dew,

With infant wonder, ph thine armour gaze,	215

And point, with artlefs hands, the fteely blaze:

Say could thy heart one angry purpofe know,

Or doom fiicb cherubs to a fingle woe ?

Charm’d by foft fmiles, 1 fee thy heart retire,

And mild cpmpaffion breathe a gentler fire ;	,220

Thy love'paFental o’er them kindly yearn,

Prompt pleafing hope, and all their wilhes learn ;

Thy bounteous hand each needed blifs bellow.

And in the angel lofe th’ intended foe.

Yet Ihould dread war o’er thefe fair regions fly, 225
Unnumber’d virgins, bright as thofc muft die ;

To flames unnumber’d babes refign their breath.

And ere life brofioms, meet untimely death.

To thee, O prince ! without a blufli, 1 own
Such woes tremendous freeze my heart to Hone. 230
Ere Irad’s arm fueh precious ljves deflroy,

Let me, far guiltier, ceafe from every joy ;

Quick 10 the dreary grave my form defeend,

Our love all vanilh, and our union end.

Tbe Prince replied, Blefs’d gentlenefs of mind !	235

The grace, the glory of a heart refin’d !

When new-born, helplefs beings meet our eyes,

In noble minds, fach thoughts relifllefs rife :

Even brutes, when young, our tender willies try,

And love forbids the infant whelp to die	2496*

BOOK III.

Yet oft this kindest impnlfe of the foul
Bids wild defire in murmuring tumults roll,

And blames the Power, whofe love alone, to earth,

And all earth’s drear and dark events, gave birth.

In thy pure bofom, angels mud approve.	245

For fad Canaan’s youth, this generous love.

But once as fair, as young, as foft as they,

As white with innocence, with fmiles as gay,

Were thofe black throngs, whole crimes as mountains rife.
And wipe out pity from th’ all bounteous Ikies. 259
As eggs innoxious, oft in meadows ftrew’d,

Break into afps, and pour the viper’s brood ;

Nurs’d in rank foils, to llrength the reptiles gpow,
Refound the hifs, the fting of vengeance throw,

Uprear the creft, inroll the fnaky fpire,	35 g

.Light the keen eye-ball with terrific fire;

Prom fields, and forefts, death, and poifon gain,

And fcatter wide deftru&ion round the plain:

So, harralefs once, by vile affections lur’d,

In guilt, and years, thofe babes alike matur’d ;	260

Athirft for fin, all patterns left behind,

The form all putrid, poifon’d all the mind,

To every crime, to every madnefs, driven,

Curs’d the fad world, and hifs’d the name of Heaven.
There the fot reels, the murderer prowls for blood ;	26$

There the ftarv’d orphan fues in vain for food ;

For man man burns, with Sodom’s tainted flame,

And the world fickens with inceftuous Ihame.

Even nature’s ties their bofoms bind no more,	•

Wives wade in nuptial, fires in filial gore ;	270

To howling Molock blooming babes expire,

And mothers round them dance, and light the funeral fire.

Should then thefe infants to dread manhood rife,

What unheard crimes would fmoke thro’ earth and Ikies!

What holls of demons fin’s dark realm would gain !	275

£R>w hell gape hideous roand Canaan’s plain !BOOK III;



This fea of guilt unmeafur’d to prevent,

Our chofen raee eternal Juftice fent,

At once the bright polTellion to reclaim,

And ’gainft its victims point the vengeful flattie, 280
Thus crimes their due and dire reward fhall know ;

Thus God be witnefs’d fin’s unchanging foe ;

From land to land Jehovah’s glory Ihine,

And fear, and horiage, wait the Name divine.

But, O UnrivalPd maid ! the kindeft doom	28 j

Thefe babes may deftine to an early tomb.

To manhood rifen their guilt, beyond controul,

Would blot their dames from life’s celeftial roll.

Now, in'fair climes, their fouls, forever blefs’d,

May bloom in youth, and ihare immortal reft ;	290

And hail the bblindlefs grace, that fnatch’d its foes
From fins unnumber’d, and from lading woes.

And, O bright maid! whate’er high Heaven defign’d
Is juft, is glorious to th’ omnifeient Mind.

When Heaven commands, the virtuous alk no more: 29J
His will is juftice, as his arm is power :

Led by his voice, our caufe divine we know
We tempt no evil, and we fear no foe*

All gentle Youth 1 Selima loft replied—-
How well thy words from falfehood truth divide 1	300

With what fweef tendernels, thy voice difplays
The truth, the luftre, of th’ Eternal ways.

But fay, blefs’d Prince! will Heaven our race fucceed ?
Shall we viftorious gain the darling meed ?

So oft our hoft rebellion blackens o’er,	309

I fear, left triumph crown our arms no more.

When will the friendly cloud again return ?

When o’er yon dome the nightly glory burn ?

Rejoin’d the fmiling Prince; too anxious maid,

Let faithleis terror ne’er thy heart invade,	3 IQ

To Abraham feal’d. the facred covenant ftands—

Thy countlefs fons Hull rule Canaan’s lands.—

BOOK III.

Guilt’s impious train thefe tumults fhall deftroy ;

Too vile, too bale, to (hare the promis’d joy.

And he, whole foul, a plant for earth too fair,

Has grown, and ripen’d for a kinder air,

Full foon may feel the hand of blalting timer,

By Heaven tranfplanted to a nobler clime,

Pafs the cold winter of the frozen tomb,

And rife, and flourifh in eternal bloomt
But to glad fields, beyond thofe hills that lie,

And drink mild influence from theweflern Iky,

The reft triumphant foon lhall wing theirway,

Seize their vail towns, and reign from fea to fea.

Then join’d in love, in'bands connubial join’d,

Each paflion calm’d, and every tafle refin’d,

Our fears lhall end, unclouded hope begin,

•Peace’ gentle morning o’er Canaan Ihine ;

In foft beatitude the feafons roll,

And growing union mix the kindred foul.

The maid return’d—O day fupremely fair !

Not blooming Edert own?d a. happier pair.

But, Youth belov’d ! my bofom, rack'd with pain,

Tells me, fad tale ! the darling wilh is vain.

Tells me that chofen morn will never come,

Nor blits be finifh’d, but beyond the tomb.

For earth too bright were thefe love-lighted fires !

Too blefs’d th’ indulgence of fuch pure delires !

Here unallay’d, no lot, noyoy appears;

Grief poifons hope, and pleafures mix with tears. 34®
Ah faireft, wifeft, lovelieft of thy kind !

Of form all finilh’d’ and of matchlefs mind !

Sweet-fmiiing viiltant from yonder Iky 1
Too bright to live, and O too dear to die !

Why, haplefs Mina ! why from friends, and home, 34J
Didlt thou, unguided, in the wild wood roam ?

Perhaps the hungry wolf around thy way
Lurk’d with grim rage, and feiz’d his helplefs prey.

3l?

3»



330BOOK III,

6j

Perhaps, O lot of anguilh ! brutal men

Thy path unguarded, with fell eyes, have feen, 350

Or doft thou pales unfeen, unburied, lie,

Sad forrow’s vittim, in th’ inclement Iky ?

How foon is thy fair courfe of glory run •!

Thy hopes all ended ! all thy duties done !

Sleep, lovely maid ! in hollow’d filence reft,	355

Let fragrant gales thy form with leaves inved ;

There with new fweets, the lovely wild-rofe bloom.

And pitying flrangers raife thy verdant tomb.

Ah haplefe maid 1 the tender prince rejoin’d---
How thy rich graces charm’d each generous mind !	360

Even Jolhua’s love how nobly didd thou claim,

Thy willies virtue, and thy aftions fame !

When his toils rofe, when dangers dire opprefs’d,

And Ifrael’s griefs hung heavy on his bread,

Thy gentle mind, a foul-fupporting day,	365

Seren’d thole toils, and charm’d thofe griefs away ;

A calm retreat from fear, and doubt, and Arife*

And all the hidden pangs of fcepter’tf life.

Red in mild llumbers, lovely maiden 1 red j

Thy life be copied, and thy memory blefs’d 1	370

Each loft-eyed virgin bid thy fame revive.

Attune her lyre, and in her aftions live ;

So, join’d with thee, in beauty’s didantclime,

Her praife lhall triumph o’er the death of time.

As thus the converfe pafs’d, with many a tear, 375
To the dill camp approach’d thefadden’d pair.

In th’utmod llcirt, a tent at diftancs dood ;

Whence mingling voices, fcarce-didinguilh’d, flow’d.
Heard’d thou—a warrior low his zeal exprefs'd—

When generous Hanniel Jacob’s Tons addrefs’d ?	380

How on his words the thoufands lidening hung !	.

How fweet perfuafion charm’d us from his tongue 1
From pride, from pomp, from love of titles free.

He loves the poor; he feels for thee and me.

Km

b o o k m.

Oli, could our tribes by fed experience learit	jSj

What children tell, and what the blind difcern/

Him for their leader would they raptur’d claim.

And fly from endlefs toil, and endkfs lhame.

From hideous war my wearied foul recoils j
I alk no treafures rais’d from battle’s fpoils.'	390

To painful arms let Tons of {laughter run ;

By them be glory’s painted bubble won :

To peace, of aims far different, would I fly,'

In peace inglorious live, inglorious die:

While peace, while plenty, mucn-lov’d Egypt^krtows,
Hears no {brill _ trump, and dreads no banded foes,

Thefe boafted flocks, and towns, and promis’d fields,

To them my firft, laft wife'delighted yields.

With earneft voice, his fellow pleas’d replies—

Since toil and^pain have taught thee to be wife, qoo
Know, my brave friend, a fecret, faithful band
Soon point their couffe to Egypt’s darling land.

When firft to combat Jofhua bends his way,

To guard the camp thefe bold aftbciates ftay ;

With one firm heart, our path we then begin,	465

And noble Hanniel leads the blefs’d defign.

But hufh’d in filence ntuft thefe counfels reft,

Scarce even to’tried1; and faithful friends confefs’d;

Deft the dread ©hiefs all-watchful, piercing eye,

With fun-like ken, the Hated plot defery.	41a

Thou know’ll what ills a plot difclos’d attend ;

Our names muft periftt, and out lives muft end-

His friend return’d—The lov’d, the bold defign
My glad foul welcomes, and my hand {hall join/

Hail happy tidings ! hail aufpicious fields!	41.5

"Where genial nature every pleafure yields—-
Too blefs’d, to that fweet native land I fly,

That cot, that heritage, that friendly Iky- —

Dear fcenes of youth ! where peace and pleafure, mild,
With cheerful health, and ceafolefs plenty fmil’d— 42m*BOOK III.

*7

Might thefe, O envied lot! again be given,

’’Twere blifs too great; I claim no higher heaven.

This .heard, Selima to her tent withdrew ;

While ftrait to Jolhua ardent Irad flew,

To him, apart, the dangerous plot disclos’d,	425

And what the tribe, and whei^ the tent, expos’d.

As Tome fond parent eyes his darling child,

Pleas’d, the great Hero on the favourite limPd,

His zeal, his prudence prais’d, and on his head
Befought the Heavens their choice!! blifs to Ihed. 430

Mean time from diftant guards a cry afcends,

And round the camp the dinning voice extends ;

Th’ alarming trump .«efounds ; the martial train
Pour from the tents, and crowd th’ accuftom’d plain, -
In mazy wanderings, thickening* darkening, roll, 435
Pill all the field, and {hade the boundlefs pole.

As wherp proud Erie winds her narrowing fhorps,

And o’er huge hills a boiling ocean pours,

The long white-lheeted foam, with fury hurl’d,

Down the cliffs thundering, lhakes the liable world, 440
In folemn grandeur clouds of mill arife,

Top the taljl pines, and heavy, feek theikies.:

So fpread the volumes of the dull afar •;

So roar the clamors of commencing war.

Anxious, and active, there the Leader ftrode, 445
Nerv’d every heart, and Reel’d for death and bloody
From rank to rank, he hufh’d the tumult’s found.

And fpread deep filence o’er th’ attentive ground:

Then while the chiefs combin’d the dread afrajr^

Tow’rd a high rock he bent his rapid way ;	450

From the tall height, to Ai he call his eyes-.

And faw, in fouthern fields, her fqundrons rife ;

A cloud, far-fpreading, o’er the plain impelled,

Roll’d up th’ expanfe, and wrapp’d the gloomy field ;
Approaching, widening, flow the darknefs came, 455
Emblaz’d with gleams of intermitted flame.ft

BOOK III.

So, long and black, like feirte of riling even,

Thick clouds, now gathering, fill’d the-northern heave®-;
Borne on flow winds, that ceafelefs chang’d its. form,.
O’er the dark mountains fail’d th’ expanding itorm ; 460
In riling grandeur far-off thunders roll,

Dim lightnings flalh, and gild the clouded pole ;

More wide, morevaft, the folemn gloom afcends,

And frowning, deepening, round th’ horizon bends.

At once the Hero gave the loud command ;	465

In awful filence mov’d the chofen band ;

Compatt, to Ai they cours’d their dreadful way,

And generous Zimri rul’d the long array,

Mean time new fcenes around the camp began,
Thetribes all motion, man confus’d with man; 470
From tent to tent fwift-haftening feet appear’d ;
Low-murmuring voices, mingling founds were heard ;
Loud, and more loud, the earneft clamors grow,

Hum through the tents, and all the camp o’erflow.

To Egypt’s realms—-refounds the general cry— 475
From thefe fad fcenes, with profperous feet, we fly,

Thefe holts of foes, thefe fields of ceafelefs fight.

This fway of bondage, and this war of flight.

Halle, freedom’s fons, andfeize her happy fhores,

For all her peace, and wealth, and joy, are yours. 480
Thus round the holl the mingled clamor flew,

And loud, and fierca, debates tumultuous grew ;

They urg’d, perfuaded, threaten’d, flatter’d, cried,

With love conjur’d, with llubborn breaft denied ;

Friends left.their friends, with anfwering lookfevere> 285
Sigh’d fad departure, dropp’d th’ expreflive tear;

From parents children headlong burlt away,

While groans recall’d them from the dire affray ;

To brothers brothers gave the parting hand,

And Virtue eyed, with tears, the fwerving band. 490
AH drefs’d in arms, and cloth’d in rich array,

Forth from the camp the warriors bent their w?v*-BOOK III.

*9

Their hands their gold, and favourite treafures bore,
And each fond bofom hail’d th’ Egyptian Ihore.

O’er the broad circuit of the weftern plain,	495

From all fides gathering, mov’d the numerous train,

This way, and that, in thoufand paths impell’d,
Immingling, rufhiug, darkening, hid the field,

To one great central phalanx fwiftly driven,

Gloom’d the fad ground, and cait a (hade on heaven, 500
Frowning, and fierce, expanded o’er the plain,

And, proud of numbers, deem’d refiflancp vain.

Of name obfcure, before th’ increafing throng
Two haughty chieftains proudly llalk’d along ;

Felt all the joys, which little minds o’errun,	505

From fway firft tried, and influence fcarce begun ;
Look’d wife, inportant hurried o’er the field ;
Commanded, queftion’d, with loud threats compell’d ;
Spoke with ftern voice; advifing, wavering flood,

And fcarce the ground was printed, where they trode. 510
Far round the plain the mingled tumult ran,

Chief anfwer’d chief, and man rehears’d to man.

Thro’ each fmall circle loud the murmur fpread,

Of fpoils ungiven, virtues unrepaid,

Woes unextinguifh’d, labours ne’er to end,	515

The flarving houfhold, and the naked friend—

Where now’s the heart, that blefs’d the prophet’s fway,
That footh’d the tribes, and bade the foul obey,

Swept Balhan’s fields, o’erthrew proud Sihon’s throne,
And to poor warriors left the fpoils they won ?	520

But now new chiefs, in wiles and learning train’d.
Wield a dread fceptre, with aa iron hand ;

All, all but Hanniel ; Hanniel fingly glows
With Ifrael’s good, and weeps for Ifrael’s woes.

Hail then, oh hail the b’efs’J, aufpicious day,	525

That opes to brighter realms our happy way !

The chiefs, we chafe, the glorious path fhall guide.
Uncurs’d with learning, and unllain’d with pride.70

BOOK III.

Thus round the plain the tumult fhrill refounds j
Of different note, immix unnumber’d founds;

High tofs’d in ether helms confus’dly fly,

And claihing.fhields to clalhing fhields reply ;
Loud, hoarfe, and rough, wide jars difcordant noife,
And raging paflions fwell the clamorous voice.

So, where on ocean’s brim the long beach winds,
Breaks his proud waves', and all his fury binds,

Unn umber’d fowls, of various wing, arife,

And tofs in wild gyrations to the ikies ;

From each harih throat hard drains of difeord roar,
Break with dire din, and grate along the fhore ;
Loud, and more loud, the nations heaven deform.

Or gloom the ftrand, and croak the coming flpriq.

As round the plain the mingled tumult ran,
Tadmor, the elder chieftain, thus began—

Hail, Tons of freedom ! Jacob’s faireft boaft !

Heirs of the iky, and virtue’s genuine hoft !

Well did brave Hanniel teach, in words divine,
How faft our tribes, with toils, and griefs, decline ;
Full well he mark’d what deep defigns are laid
By chiefs, of man, nor truth, nor Heaven, afraid ;
That, fwell’d with pride, and train’d in artful lore,
O’erleap all right, and crufh the haplefs poor.

To us no leader tells the deep defign,

What hofts oppofe us, and what lands combine ;
What towns are next befieg’d ; what dangers tried j
What fpoils are won, and who thofc fpoils divide.

In Egypt’s realm the long-wifh’d rule to gain,

They found each art, and each bold effort, vain :
Thence thro’ the wafte they urg’d our fatal way,
And hop’d, in this dire land, untroubled fway ;

Yet there the poor a lot far happier found,

With faffs unburden’d, and with rites unbound;

Our tributes paid, at plenteous feafts we fate,
Stretch'd in foft eafe, and every dainty ate.BOOK III,

O’n, why from thofe fair regions did we come ?	565

Why, blind and headlong, leave our darling home ?

Here our own leaders Egypt’s kings outdo,

An d change of lords is all the good we know.

Halle then, from thefc dread fields of mlfery fly ;

With chiefs you chofe again to Egypt hie ;	57$

Where eafe, and wines, and feafts, and fofc delight*

Earth ever fruitful, flcies forever bright,

Awake fweet pleafare-, raptur’d love revive,

And teach poor mortals what it is to live :

Now feize the hour, by. Jolhua’s folly given,	575

Or op’d for Ifrael by a pitying Heaven.

Ai’s gallant fons will fweep his hoft away,

Worne by long labours, and to falls a prey ;

Or, fcapM the field, their weary feet mull fail;

Or, join’d in light, our arms will foon prevail ;	5S0

This day bey.ond purfuif our courfe removes,'

And leaves the tyrant to the Haves he loves.

He fpoke ; at Once, from all th’ impatient train*

A bull of triumph Ihook the founding plain ;

Thence role the Ihout; as oft the heavens replied ;	5S5

And, borne thro’ fields, and woods, the far-off murmur died*
Thus, when the vernal Horn! forbears to rave,

And the wild river fwells his torrent wavd,

Huge ifles of ice, along the clifted Ihore.

Float flow, and cumbrous; foleran thunders ro^r; 590
In deep gradations, rife, and burll, and roll,

Wave o’er the founding hills, and lelfen to the pole.

When firft from Jolhua faithful Irad went,

He fummon’d Judah’s heroes to his teat,

Bade them the tribes with prudent caution eye,	595

Purfue their motions, and their views defcry,

Their tumults hulh, or Ihould their efforts fail,

With fpeed to him convey th’ unpleafing tale.

When round the’ camp diforder’d fcenes began,

Strait to the found th’ attentive heroes ran ;	60aBOOK III.

7*

Watch’d all the murmurs of the gathering train*■%

And follow’d anxious to the troubled plain;

But firft the tidings to the Leader fped,

What bands aflembled, and what chieftains led.

Urg’d him with hafte to arm a numerous fores, 605
And ’gainft th* infurgents bend his rapid courle.

And now, when Tadmor ceas’d, the fhouts decay’d,
Withfweet, mild accent, thus grave Caleb faid—

How flight the toil, miftaking chief, to prove

’Tis wifdom’s voice direfts the path, we love !	6!•

Though thorns, though ferpents hedge the fatal way,

The fond heart bids, and anfwering feet obey.

Each truth, each argument, thy voice runs o’er,

Forbids our hoft to feek th’ Egyptian lhore.

The waile’s dire ills thy plaintive words refound, 615
Yet through that wafte the darling realm is found ;

Again thofe countlefs woes our race muft try ;

Again with toil, and thirft, and famine, die.

Or Ihall we flee, by Hazor’s bands'compell’d,

To meet fierce Amalek, in the hoftile field.	62®

Willhofts that tremble, where Ai’s Tons appear.

Abide the conflift, when Philiftia’s near.

But to what end, againff unnumber’d foes,

Shall Ifrael war to gain Egyptian woes;

Shame, vice, idolhtry, and bondage, join'd,	625

The wrath of Heaven, and hiding of mankind ?

If war is deftin’d Ifrael’s fearful doom,

With war, let freedom, wealth, and glory come ;

Let peace, let realms, let empire crown the toil;

The world applaud us, and th’ Eternal fmile	63#

In this fair laud, Hull each poor warrior reign
Lord of himfelf, and monarch of the plain.

His boufe, his herd, his harveft all his own,

And changelefs law tranfmit them to his fon.*

But Egypt’s wealth her king alone commands, 635
He.r fons, her gold, her products, and her lands.BOOK III.

n

Fhf him oar hands, in llavifti woe, muft toil,

And pamper fplendor on the beggar’s fpoil,

Poor beyond thought, fufpended on a breath,

Our life a fufferance, and a nod our death.

But Ifrael’s chiefs are train’d in dangerous lore,
And hence regardlefs of the homble poor.

Say, Tadmor, fay, the wiles of art to limn*

To Egypt’s realms impatient doll thou run ?

To courts, to lords, with fmooth deceit o’erhung,
Where art firll budded, and where learning fprung ?
Truth, confcience, Heaven, thine idle dreams*deny )
Repent, return ; nor, fnar’d by treafons, die.

The hero fpoke. From all the angry train
A riling murmur wav’d along the plain :

As ’twixttall hills, where rufhing torrents roll,

640

645

656

A flow, and lingering groan afcends the pole;

Thro’gloomy caverns hums the folemn found,

Fills all the hollow realm, and {hakes the- ihady ground.

Ardan, the younger chieftain, quick return’d, 65 £
And from his eye-balls kindling fury burn’d---
Imperious prince, I know thy heart of Heel
Ne'er lov’d the poor, and never knew to feel.

But that proud voice, which aw’d my breaft before,

Now fails to rule, and guides the hoft no more.	660

I mock thy threats, .thy utmoft power defy,

Thy reafons trample, and thy words deny.

Chang’d is the feene. Thy pride muft now^obey
In worth thy betters, and thy lords^in fway.

Go tell yon flaves, that bafe, and beftial train,	{>65

Thy arts, thy arguments, and threats are vain ;

Bid them their friends, their gallant brethren fee,

A hoft of heroes, daring to be free,

Of numbers countlefs, bravery never aw’d,

Dup’d by no laws, and blinded by no God,	670

Their courfe now bending to the blifsful fliore,

Where peace and plenty bid the cup run o’er :

L7+

BOOK III.

While they, .poor reptiles! in dread bondage lie,

Drag life in mifery, and unburied die.

Halle, hafte, ere vengeance on thy helmet light, 675
And plunge thee fwift to everlafting night.

Bale, reptile mifcreant!—Hezron fierce replied—

Go dream of Egypt; fwell thine inleft pride ;

Thy wings expand ; around thy dunghill fly ;

Buzz thy fmall moment, and forgotten die.	680

For know, vain wretch ! the voice of peace is o’er;

The hand of Mercy lifts her branch no more;

To fpeed thy doom impatient Jullice flies,

And wings the vengeance of affronted Ikies.

The hero fpoke. A rifing hifs began,	685

And round the plain contemptuous murmurs ran :

Quick tow’rd the camp the princes bent their courfe,

And, turn’d to Egypt, mov’d the rebel force.

Their ftandard rofe : a Ihout to heaven afcends^

And wide, and deep, the gloomy holt extends.	690

Far round the files each calls exulting eyes ;

Each feels the prowcfsofhis arm a rife:

By pride their force, their numbers doubled o’er,

All fods defpis’d, and Jolhua fear’d, no more ;

From voicfc to voice the haughty tale rebounds, 695
And air re-echoes with the mingling founds.

As near the diflant groves the warriors drew,

And homeward call a lingering, parting view ;

Behold ! in eallern fields, a numerous train

Pour’d from the camp, arid haften’d o’er the plain. 700

There trembled Ephraim’s enfign in the Ikies ;

There the bull’s vengeance blaz’d from wrathful eyes ;

In aft to wound,, with threatening horns, he flood,

Felt his vafl ftrength, and fnuff’d his rival’s blood.

Behind the mighty Chief, in pomp, impell’d,	705

The darkening phalanx widen’d o’er the field]

Sublime, the Hero wing’d his dreadful wayj
And round the rebels filed a dire difmay.BOOK III,



Amaz’d, the chieftains faw his haftening courfe,

And rang’d, with a£live fpeed, their numerous force {710
In wild, diforder’d ranks, confus’d they flood,

Spoke founding boafts, and thirfted loud for blood.

As near the noify fquadrons jofliua drew,

Round the rude files he call a fearching view ;

For Hanniel’s fteps he gaz’d ; but gaz’d in vain, 715
Nor found the hero on the troubled plain.

For well his mind, b,y fad experience, knew
What fearful ills defeated plots purftfe,

How fway accuftom'd, faction wild o’erthrows,

And fudden tumults end in certain woes.	720

Thence, to his tent by cautious thoughts confin'd,
Disjointed counfels throng’d his reftlefs njind;

He view’d, he wilh’d ; but knew the wifh was vain,

And boded ruin to his favorite train.

Too wife the Chief, too fix’cLthe hoft, he faw j ,725
Too firm th’ obedience to the facred law ;	,

In fullen filence mourn’d his lot fevere,

And wail’d devoted treafon, with a tear.

High in the van, the Leader rais’d his voice,

The hofts all trembling at the dreadful noife— 73®
Halle to your tents, with fwift obedience hafle,

That Mercy's veil may hide the follies paft ;

Halle, ere this hand, by injnr’d juftice driven,

Plunge In your breads, th’ avenging fword of Heaven :
Your Maker’s voice, with confcious fpeed, obey, 735
And let deep forrow walh your guilt away.

Thus he. Bold Ardan with fhrill voice replied—

Let no vain hope inflate thy fwelling pride—

Know, proud, mif-deeming leader ! Heaven defigh’d
Jacob’s brave fons to bow with willing mind ;	743

The chiefs, we freely chofe, our hearts obey,

And crouch no more, obfequious to thy fway.

To happier realms, with profperous feet, we go,	*•

And leave thy bondmen here to every woe;B O O K III.

Leave them to toil, to groan, to mourn their doom, 745
Languilh out life, and die without a tomb :

While we, fair freedom’s fons, fuperior fly
To peace, and tranfport, in a kinder Iky.

The Chief difdain’dreturn. With wrathful lpok,

His eyes ftream’d terror, as the culprit fpoke ;	750

forth from the van, with awful port, he ftrode ;

O’er his bright arms reflefted lightnings glow’d j
With lifted hand, he drove th’ avenging blade,

And plung’d proud Ardan fwift to endlefs ihade.

Th’ aflonilh’d train, like hunted harts impell’d, 757
Scatter’d in headlong terror, o’er the field.

So, on heaven’s plain Vvhen war and tumult fprung,

By Britain’s pride, and earth’s bright Phoenix, fung,
When Satan, madden’d with Tartarean rage,

Har’d Michael’s fword, and Michael’s might engage ;

In pomp divine the great Archangel flood ;	7614

A fun’s broad fplendors round his forehead glow’d ;

Down his long wings thick, branching lightnings fell-;
Dire as ten thunders, rufh’d his flaming fteel ;

Th’ Apoflate funk ; fear wing’d the rebel train, 765
Swift as the rapid whirlwind, o’er th’ empyreal plain.

Pleas’d, the g>eat chief, and Judah’s heroes view’d
The flying train, -by guilt and fear fubdued ;

While to high heaven their grateful praifes rpfe,

Whofe guardian hand had fav’d from countlefs woes, 770
Then loud the cries proclaim—to Egypt’s land
Whatever wretch lhall lure a guilty land,

By Hones opprefs’d^his life fhall fall a prey,

And dread oblivion fweep his name away .

While thus the rod of vengeance Jofhua fway’a, 777
And the dread tumults of the plain decay’d,

Th’ approaching hofts, at diftance, Irad view’d,

And Zimri’s thoufands, with glad feet purfued,

Trac’d all the pomp of war, with wild delight,

And wilb’d, unarm’d, to fhare th’ impending fight. 780BOOK III.

n

Like ocean’s waves, the ions of Ai were driven*

And lowering Ifrael call a gloom on heaven ;

Proud chiefs, in golden fplendor, trod the plain,

And tower’d majeftic o’er the vulgar train.

So, flraight and tall, beyond the foreft fair,	785

The pine, ambitious, Hands without a peer ;

O’er every grove beholds his Roughs afcend,

Oaks climb beneath, and humble cedars bend;

Shares the mild winds, the fullenftorm defies,

And towers, and waves, and wantons, in the ikies; 790
In pride fublime, demands the fylvan reign,

And glows, and triumphs, in immortal green.

As now the tempcft hid the orb of day,

The threatening fronts approach’d, in dark array;

Swift through th’ expanfion clouds of arrows fly ; ypj
Stones fhower on ftones, and whizz along the lky \

Sing the fhrill firings ; the hiding darts refound ;

From clanging bucklers rattling pebbles bound;

Now here, now there, the warriors fall; amain
Groans murmur; armour founds; and (houts convulfe the
With deep amaze, the Tons of Ai beheld [plain. 8oq
Their foes, with ardour, tempt the deathful field.

For now, elate, they-fought the early fight,

To.certain victory march’d with fierce delight ;

And fondly hop’d, ere Oran’s hofis fhould come, 805
To feal devoted Ifrael’s haplefs doom.

But vain their hopes; for with firm duty flrong,
Undaunted Zimri fir’d the martial throng—

Now, warriors, now—the glowing leader cried—

Shall Ifrael’s arms regain their ravilh’d pride ;	810

Ai now Ihall learn, untaught our force to flight,

What virtue warms us to the generous fight;

That one loll field (hall ne’er otw race difmay,

Nor Ihauie, nor terror, ftain the glorious day.

While thus untroubled thoughts his words confefs’d, 815
All-anxious fears difturb’d his boding breaft.19

BOOK III.

Tie hoft he knew diftruftful of the fky,

Propenfe to terror, and prepar’d to fly ;	,

He faw them fad move lingering o’er the plain.

New arm their foes, 'and double all their train :	82©

And the great Chief a ftrong injunction gave,

Each poll with care to guard, each band to lave,

Each opening fair for wife rftreat t’ imbrace
To tempt no lofs, and hazard no difgrace.

Bat far beyond his thoughts, the found of war,	825

The clafh of arms, the Ihouts that rend the air,

Th* infpiring tumults of the dreadful plain,

New ftrung-their nerves, and rous’d their hopes again.

In quick oblivion, flight and fear were loft;

Increaling ardours every bofom tofs’d ;	830

Fifm-wedg’d, onfhaken, rufh’d the darkening train;
Spears flew ; air murmur’d ; corfes heap’d the plain ;

One flight of twinkling arms, all ether ihone ;

Earth roar’d one Ihout confus’d, one mingled groan;

Each hoft prefs’d eager; each difdain’d to fly ;	83^

And wide confufion blended earth and iky.

Mean time the ftorm, along dark mountains driven,
Hung o’er the plain, and tvrapp’d the mid-day heaven j
More frequent lightnings blaz’d the flcies around,

And peals more dreadful (hook the folid ground. 840
From the black clouds the whirlwinds burft amain,

Scour’d all the groves, and rag’d along the plain ;

Beneath, huge fhouts the murmuring concave rend,,

And drifts of dull in gloomy pomp afcend.

With boding hearts, the chiefs of Ai furvey’d 845
The fun’s pure fplendor loft in cloudy (hade ;

The fun, their god, his fmiling face withdrew,

And round the world a fearful darknefs flew:
Hence'tmapprov’d they deem’d the doubtful day,

And fcann’d, with careful looks their homeward way *.850
As thus they backward gaz’d, the driving rain
B-idh’d, with impetuous fury, o’er the plajn;BOOK III*

n

Pierce down th* expanfion ft reaming torrents ihower’d,
And blood-llain’d brooks along the champain pour’d.
Theclalhof arms, the long-refounding cries	855

Wav’d o’er the world a hoarfe, tumultuous noife;

From heaven’s huge vault loud-rolling thunders came*
And lightnings blaz’d infufferable flame.

Then fad,'dilhearten’d, from the dreadful fire

Ai’s generous leaders bade their hoft retire.	860

Reluftant, flow, difdaining bafe defeat,

From Ifrael’s Tons the grifly ranks retreat;

Surpriz’d, fierce Ifrael fee their backward courfe*

Hang o’er their rear, and prefs with gathering fofee;
Intenfer (bouts afcend ; the lightning's flame	865

Calls o’er the ihields a ftrong alternate gleam;

Loud thunders roll; the fields all quake around;

And the rain ruffling roars along the ground.

Then Zimri’s piercing voice, with ftern commands,
Reftrains the fury of his eager bands*	'	870

So fierce the thoufands burn for raging war,

Even Angle warriors urge their foes afar ;

’Till near the chief, they fee the ftandard rife,

While yet the tempelTfills the raidway (kies,

Then deep-embofora’d in th’ obfeuring rain,	875

Their foes untroubled crofs the homeward plain.

Mean time the winds were pafs’d, the' ftorm was o’er*
And dreaming torrents ceas’d from heaven to pouf;

Strait to the camp, by ZiiAri’s voice compet'd,

The bands flow-moving crofs’d the fpacious field. 88b
With joy, the thief revolv’d the troubled day,

The fate, and influence of the fierce affray ;

Ai, in fierce conflidl, fail’d the wreath to gain,

And ifrael, dauntlefs, trod the ikirmilh’d plain ;

He faw the hort again to combat won	8Sg

Their hopes new-kindled,and their terror gone ;

ThenCe his own bofom boding fear difpell’d,

And promis’d triumph on the future field.to

BOOK III.

And now the Ybu’th they pafs’d, as, with fond eyes,

He faw the varying fate of combat rife ;	890

To him, deep-pondering, blew theftorm in vain,

Scarce heard the peals, or mark’d the battering rain :
’Till Ai, retir’d, the doubtful ftrife rellgn’d,

And calm’d the tumults of his anxious mind.

Then gentler fcenes his rapt attention gain’d, 895
Where God’s great hand in clear effulgence reign’d,

The growing beauties of the folemn even,

And all the bright fublimities of heaven.

Above tall weftern hills, the light of day

Shot fir the fplendors of his golden ray ;	900

Bright from the ftorm, with tenfold grace he fmil’d,

The tumult foften’d, and the world grew mild.

With pomp tranfcendant, rob’d in heavenly dies,

Arch’d the clear rainbow round the orient fkies ;

Its changelefs form, its hour of beam divine,	905

Fair type of truth, and beauty ; endlefs ftiine,

Around th’ expanfe, with thoufand fplendors rarp,

Gay clouds fail’d wanton through the kindling air ;

From (hade to fhade, unnumber’d tinctures blend;
Unnumber’d forms of wonderous light extend;	910

In pride ftupendous, glittering walls 2fpire,

Grac’d with bright domes, and crown’d with towers of fire,
On cliffs cliffs burn ; o’er mountains mountains roll:

A burft of glory fpreads from pole to pole :

Rapt with the fplendor, every fongfter lings,	915

Tops the high bough, and claps his gliftening wings:
With new-born green, reviving nature blooms,

And fweeter fragrance frefhening air perfumes.

Far fouth the florm withdrew its troubled reign ;
Defcending twilight dimm’d the dufky plain ;	92*

Black night artjfe ; her curtains hid the ground ;

Lefs roar’d, and lefs, the thunders folemn found ;

The bended lightning fhot a brighter flream,

Or wrapp’d ail heaven in one wide, mantling flame jBOOK III.

81

By turns, d’erjflains, and woods, and mountains, fpread
Faint, yellow glimmerings, and a deeper fhade. 916

From parting clouds, the mooii out-breaking flione,
And fate, foie emiprefs, On her filver throne ;

In clear, fiill beauty, round all nature fmiPd,

And ckaini’d o’er heaven, iud earth, dominion mild; 93a
With humbler glory, liars her court attend,

And blefs’d, and union’d, filent lultre blend.

All thefe bright fqenes revolv’d, his raptur’d mind;
Withfweet tranlition; heaven in all divin’d j
Where, round the prOfpedt, grandeur, beauty, glow’d,
They (hone, the grandeur, beauty, of a God ;	936

God look’d through-all, as, with refplendence gay,

They rais’d, and bore him from himfelf away.THE

CONQJJEST of CANAAN;

BOOK IV;Argument.

Morning. Tribes effemble. Story of Achan.	EmbaJJy

frpm Gib&on. Sfory of Mina-f Jcfoua gives her lo 'E-
lam, prince ofGibeon, in marriage, and makes peace with
the Gibconites. Feaft. JoJhua's prayer. Cloud dejcends
on the tabernacle. Elam follicits leave to return to Gibeon.
JoJhua conjents. Sports of the Ijraelites. Conduit of
Hunniel. Walls built around the catfip •	Story of Melon.The CONQUEST of CANAAN.

BOOK IV.

\TOW .the .third fun illum’d the azure main,

11 And ITrael anxious gather’d on the plain.

In every face fufpenfe and grief appear’d,

.Each fqn w.as doubted, and each parent fear’d;
Brothers on brothers cafra ljde-long eye,

And trenjbling fair-ones prefs’d the rifing figh.

Mid the vvide.concourfe great Eleazar fhone,

The facred minider of Heaven’s high throne.

White were his aged locks, and round his face
Calm contemplation call a folemn grace;

O’er his pure..vedure fhining unguent fpread,

And breath’d the fragrance of th’ Arabian lhade :

Full on his bread the liar-bright Urim gloW’d,

And o’er his brow beam’d Holiness to God.

The facred rites perform’d, he bent his way
To the bright dome that mock’d the rifing day.

The train tyith reverence bow’d. Around his head
Red fpires of lambent flame ferenely play’d ;

On the clear fplendors gaz’d the crowd aroun<^,

And deep attention hulh’d the lhady ground.

Now in the facred place the Pried ador’d,

And thus his voice Jehovah’s fmiles implor’d.

P thou, whole wifdom built the bright abodes,

Great king of kjngs, and fovereign God of Gods#86

book IV.

Almighty Father hear! Let grace divine	2S

Shower on onr hod, and cleanfe from every fin!

Thoufeeft, Omnjfdeat Mind ! what guilt unknown
Foliates onr race* and dares infult thy throne:

Thoufeeft; and oh may thy all-gracious voice
That gnilt declare, and bid thy ions rejoice !	30

He fpoke. A rufhing (band of winds began,

Song in the vail, and thro* the temple ran ;

A fapphire flame, unutterably bright,

<Shot from the gloom, and wrapp’d the walls in light;

The dome all trembled; earth beneath it ihook ;	3$

And o’er the ark a voice in thunder fpoke—

To Ifrael’s thoufands, from th* Eternal throne,

This mighty mandate by thy voice be known.

Of Judah’s race, a wretch, by madnefs driven,

With impious hand, hath dat’d the wrath of Heaven:
Stones ihalliiishouie.deftroy, and flames devour; 41
1 au commands;’ let all my ions adore.,—

Nor more ; an awful darknefs round him fpread,

Still as the gloomy manfions of the dead.

All fad, all flow, return’d the mournful pried,	45

And drong impatience every eye exprefs’d—

What the decree of Heaven ! the Leader-cried—

With iolemn voice, the facred Seer replied—

Of Judah’s race, a wretch, by madnefs driven,

With impious hand, hath dar'd the wrath of Heaven :
Stones fhallhis houfe deftroy, and flames devour ;	5-1

Lam commands; let all his Tons adore.

He fpoke ; and forrow gloom’d the plain: in hade,

So Jolhua’s voice decreed, the lots were'cad ;

The wretch, fb long conceal’d, arofe to view,	5 j

And dcbaii & name to fearful vengeance drew.

Forth from the crowd, with languid fteps,aivJ flow,

The viftim firode, and look’d unutter’d woe ;

His ufelefs hands hung feebly by his fide;	%

His tottering knees their wonted aid denied ;	60Hi* front was clouded with a wild difmay;

For haftening ruin darken’d o’er his way.

And thus the youth forlorn—My hated name
Sinks in the mifery of undying ihame.

Pafs’d is the day of grace; my dimmed light
Fades in the fkirt of everlaftihg night.

From the rich fpoils my hand a ftore convey’d.
Help’d by the night, and fafe in covert laid.
Beneath my tent the milchiefany be found,

Where fpreads the flooring o’er the fecret ground.
Why did my heart relift that lovely fair.

Who fweetly warn’d me of the tempting (hare?
Hear, all ye warriors! fly the fatal road,

And learn, that Vengeance waits the foe* of God !

Great Jolhua' heard; and tho’ bis feeling mind
To crimes was gentle, and to mileiy kind;

Fierce on the youth he caft a dreadful eye.

That wither’d all his Areiigth, and bade him die.
And could no hoilour,' and no law, controul
The groveling wilhes of thy gloomy foul ?

How durft thou, impious, face th* Almighty rod,

Put forth rebellious hands andfleal front God ?
Did ft thou not know, weak man! th’ avenging Sky
Trac’d thy dark footfteps with all-fearching eye ?
Didft thou not fear, amidft the gloomy deed,

Its vengeance burftingon thy guilty head ?

Didft thou not fear the ft lugs of confciouS Ihame l
The thunder’s terror*; or the lightning’s flame ?

Go, raife to Heaven the fad, repenting eye,

A Heaven that hears, when Mifery lifts her cry !
Perhaps foft Mercy yet may lend an ear,

While thy fun glimmers in hislall career.

Not pity’s wilh, but folly’s, hides from view
The wretch, whom Juftice’ awful feet pnrfue.

Go then, unpardon’d, link in (harae forlorn,

Of Heaven the vi&im, and of earth the fcorn;BOOK IV.

S3

Awarding lamp, o’er guik’s benighted way,'

To light bewilder’d error back to day.

He fpoke. The: victim, with dread horror phle,

Walk’d trembling onward" to a diltant vale;	ibti

His look of anguilh afk’d a hand to fave,

And Pity’s eye purfued him to the grave.

Mean time around their Chief the princes flood,

And kind compaffion in their bofomis glow’d

When rob’d in fair attire, two flrangers came,	105

And bow’d refpedlful, at the Hero’s name.

Ode, pafs’d his flrength, was grac’d with manly fears,
Crown of the brave, and palm of glorious wars;

Tall was his frame, his countenance roughijr kind;

And his calm front with honeft boldnefs firin’d, 11 or
Drefs’d in light robes, as flowers adorn the wild,
la nature’s prime his young Companion fmil’4
Sweetnefs ineffable. Devoid of art.

His eye, foft-glowing, look’d the friendly heart.

Hail flrangers, hail ! the mighty Hero cried, lij,
Whofe port befpeaks a nation’s faireft pride.

Bring your kind hands the peaceful branch from far ?

Or pant your bofoms for the fate of war ?

The elder chief replied—-From Gibeon’s king
Qur friendly hands no hoflile meffage bring.	120

ThoJ oace in fight renown’d, now filyer age
fjerents his brow, and cools ambition’s rage.

*Tis his firfl glory, Gibeon’s weal c* encreafe,

Tofoothe fad wpe, and widen human blifs.

Pafs’d are five morns, fince round th’ extended plain,
With fond impatience, rufh’d a chofen train,	126

O’er rocks, and flreams, the nimble deer purfued,

Trac’d the wild marfh, and fcour*rf thedeviou# wood.
From the lone manfionsof the unpierc’d lhade,

At once deep cries our wondering ears invade.	13a

Led by the Unknown voice, we nimbly hied
Thro’ the thick grove, and flrait the fcen'6 deferied.BOOK IV,

*9

*Twixt two rough favages, whofe hungry eyes
Lower’d death, and ruin, o’er their helplefs prize,

Fair as the ftar of mom, a lovely maid,	135

In pangs of terror, call’d in vain for aid.

Her robes embroider’d loofely met the view ;

Her hair, unbound, in wild diforder flewy

All pale (he flood, and to the pitying Iky

Stretch’d her white hands, and rais’d a piercing cry. 140

In vain, on terror’s wings, the caitiffs flew;

His eager fword this generous hero drew ;

Their heads in twain the fteely vengeance clave,

And hungry vultures yield the horrid grave.

To Gibeon’s domes we led the beauteous fair, 145
Repos’d on down, and nurs’d with tendered care.

Pleas'd with our pains, her fweet, angelic tongue
Strange truths divine, with heavenly mufic, fung.

Of nature^ Sovereign Lord, the tale began,

How earth was form’d, and how created man ;	1 $<3

How the tall mountains heav’d their cloud-wrapp’d fpireS,
And heaven was flarr’d with thoufand thoufand (ires.

Then too (he told how, rous’d to fearful ire,

Jehovah bade the delug’d world expire ;

Thy nation’s rife ; the rod of Sovereign power, 155
That (hook proud Egypt’s realms from fhore to ftiore,

The cleaving main ; the wonders of the wild,

Where hard rocks flow’d, and fands with verdure fmil'd ;
Food, fhower’d from heaven, perfum’d the morning blafl,
And quails in millions peopled all the wafte.	160

In thele dread feenes, Aradon’s mighty mind
The clear difplays of boundlefs power divin’d ;

Scenes nobler far than ancient fages knew,

Than age e’er taught, or airy fancy drew.

At once, infpir’d with eager zeal to learn

What wondrous truths the glorious fcheme concern.

This prince, his only hope, the monarch ch.afe,

And join’d with me, his pleafure to difclcfe.

NBOOK IV.

£6-

Sweet peace by as his friendly heart demands %

His gold he proffers, and his warlike bands ;	iyfli

At thy requeft, to arms the thoufands fly,

With thee we conquer, or with thee we die.

Shouldft thou Confent, fome bright, and'generous Sage,
Fam’d for pure manners, and grown wife with age,
Skill’d withunfeen, yet all-perfuafive art,	iy j

T’ inform the mind, and foftly win the heart,

Whofe tenets, nobly rais'd o’er pride, and ftrife,

Grace the fair conduft of a virtuous life,

He afks, to fpread Religion’s facred fway,

To lure his ions to heaven, and point the way.	iW

And O what price immenfe c'anft thou demand 1
What golden hoards ? or boundlefs breadth of land ?

One precious prifce our grateful hands reftore,

Unbought by gems, or loads of fhining ore,

In thy own tent, behold thy favorite fair,	18$

Child of thy choice, and darling of thy care !

Thus fpoke Harefhah. While glad fmiles exprefs’d
The Leader’s joy, he thus his chiefs addrefs’d.

Even now, propitious, on our lengthen’d toils

Behold th’ alLwatchful Eye complacent fmiles!	19*

In other realms our growing fame is heard,

Our triumphs number’d and our Guardian fear'd.

But fay, brave princes, (hall thefe bands be tied ?

And Gibeon’s fons to Jacob’s heirs allied ?

Shall fome blefs’d fage her thoufands teach to rife	19^

To peace, to truth, to virtue, and the Ikies t
Your choice I wait—-he fai'J*. Quick Hanniel rofe,
Whofe life was conteft, and whofe joy t’ oppofe.

To fave the fuppliant race his wifh inclin’d,

For Heaven had form’d him with a feeling mind :	20m

But well he knew how fair his matchlefs art
Could gild the latent mifchiefs of his heart;

How thoufands on his words inchanted hung,

Topch’d by the magic of his wily tongue.BOOK IV.

All paths with him were fmooth, that ftiew’d a name,205
Tho’ flaughter’d nations pav’d the road to fame.

Thrice rofe the chief to thwart the Leader’s choice.

And thrice ftrange faltering feiz’d his opening voice ;

Far round he calls his keen, experienc’d view,

And peace, the wilh of every bofom, knew ;

With ftiame his dauntlefs front was cover’d o’er;

And the cheek blulh’d, that never blufli’d before.

Pleas’d the great Leader faw his failing eye,

And voice, in vain, attempt a bafe reply,

Then fmiling thus—Uutaught the wiles of art
I fee mild afpedls fpeak the friendly heart.

Yes let fair Peace, o’er Gibeon’s happy land,

Raife her fweet voice, and lift her facred wand.

’Gainft hoftile realms alone our falchions rife,

Foes to high Heaven, and vidtims of the Skies.

But far remov’d from Ifrael, very far,

Be every wilh t’ extend the wafte of war:

To footh vain pride with conqueli’s dreadful name j
To pamper avarice with the fpoils of fhame ;

To take one hour from man’s too hafty doom,	22$

Or force one widow to a hufband’s tomb.

From death’s fad fcenes, and battle’s horrid toils,

The real hero’s generous mind recoils:

When fwords alone can plead the righteous caufe.

The crimfon Heel his hand reludlant draws;	23#

Grief walks his partner to the dreadful plain,

And glory’s manfions prove the haunts of pain.

’Tis lfraeFs boaft, the human weal t’ increafe ;

To flretch the reign, and nurfe the arts, of peace ;

The fierce, the wild, to tame; the weak defend ;	235

Late to begin, and foon the ftri-fe to end ;

To teach vain man the hlifs to virtue given,

And with new faints t' enlarge' the bounds of heaven.

But now, brave chiefs, to Jofhua’s tent repair—

My fond heart pants to find the lovely fair--	24#

229ft

BOOK IV.

Her fire, in Edom’s realm, our nation join’d,

Urg’d by the dilates of a virtuous mind :

Her, a fweet babe, his hand indulgent -bore,

To virtue form’d, and nurs’d in facred lore.

As fome bright lilly, daughter of the morn,	245

Swells its young leaves, and bids its fplendors burn ;

Fair, ana more fair, th’ expanding beauties glow,

Dance in the fun, and fhame the driving fnow ;

So, born for heaven, ftill brightening to the view,

From truth to truth, from charm to charm, (he grew; 250
Soft was her temper ; all her thoughts rehn’d ;

Beauty her form, and virtue was her mind.

Now at the tent arriv’d, the fair they found;

With many a lovely maid incompafs’d round ;

With fmiles of joy, their friend the virgins hail’d,. 255
And gentle tears on every cheek prevail’d.

When firft her Sire appear’d, around his form
She call, with fweeteft grace, each fnowy arm ;

Pleas’d the great Hero eyed his lovely child,

And gave the fond embrace, and o’er the,charmer fmil’d.

Sweet maid! he cried, where rov’d ft thou from the plaih?
With tears we fought thee, but we fought in vain. 262
Far in the wood, replied the fair, I ftray’d,

No care difturb’d roe, and no fear difmay’d ;

Charm’d with the flowers, that, undiftinguilh’d, fmil’d
With folitary beauty round the wild.	266

A plum’d mufician, on her verdant throne,

Hymn’d, with foft tranfport, to the falling fun.

Slow I approach’d ; the bird before me flew ;

I heard the found ; how could Fnot purfue ?	270

So long I wander’d, day forfook the iky ;

I gaz’d, and gaz’d ; but found not where to fly.

In different paths, 1 roam’d the woody plain ;

But faint, and trembling, ftill return’d again.

Line 243, Her, afweet bale,] This epithet is giveri merely from
tenderaefs.BOOK IV.

15

The wolf began to howl ; and all around,	275

The hungry panther fhook the fhuddering ground ;

Loud roar’d the approaching lion’s dread alarms,

And death rulh’d by me, in a thoufand forms.

The long, long, difmal night at length was gone ;

And cheerful day with pleafing beauty ftione.	280

Hurtl’d was the world, lave where, along the wood,

Rung the foft current of a filver flood.

Down verdant banks, with trembling fteps I ftray’d ;
Each breeze alarm’d me, and each: leaf difmay'd ;

Till, near the-tonfines of the lonely ftream,	zt j

Ro fe two barbarians, as the tyger grim.

My hated garb difpleas’d their (avage eyes,

And female weaknefs bade their luft arife.

O why was ftrength to mifcreant villains given ?

Why lovely virtue left unarm’d by heaven ?	29#

Why muft the helplefs fair-one’s glory Hand
A prey, for every monfter’s brutal hand ?

Thus mourn’d my heart ; when Elam rulh’d to light,
Clave the dire foes, and calm’d my wild affright;

At once low-whifper’d Virtue’s heavenly friend—	zgj

Weak are the fair, that heroes may defend.

She fpoke. The blufti that gives the brightell charm,
Glow’d in her face, and told her heart’s alarm.

Skill’d in the fcience of the human foul,

Th’ experienc’d Chief beheld her paifioiis roll,	30#

Smil’d at th’ expreflive language of her eye,

The dancing bofom, and the deep drawn figh.

On Elam’s face he turn’d a fearching view,

Trac’d his young flame, and all his willies knew.

Oft on the virgin glanc’d his earneft gaze ;	3#$

She glance for glance, and blufti for blufh, repays ;

Their eyes prove faithful to the melting heart,

Waft the fond wifti, and all the foul impart.

Line 287. My hated garb,) She wore the Ifraelitifti drefs,94

BOOK IV.

No pride of beafuty wak’d his young defires}	310

Nor eye that fparkles, fraught with lambent fires •

Nor cheek, that gaily fhines tyith morning glow ;

Nor downy bolbm, dipp’d in fpotlefs fnow.

He figh’d for charms of nature more refin’d,

The Maker’s image, in the fair One’s mind ;

Such charms, as found in heaven, delight improve, 315
And plac’d in angels prompt an angel’s love.

Thus while they paus’d ; with fweet, and modeft grace^
Fear in his eye, and blulhes o’er his face,

The trembling youth began—O Chief divine !

My parent’s voice thou heard’ll, difdain not mine. 32a
To this bright maid my wifhes would afpire—.

O blame not 1 frown not on the fpotlefs fire !—

Thou know’ll the joy her virtues yield to thee ;

Then think her hand were paradife to me.

Pleas’d the Chief faw his eyes with fondnefs fhine, 325
And mien all modefi, merit’s faithful fign,

And thus-r-O fair ! ’tis thine alone to choofe.

Say, mull this heart fo foon its darling lofe ?

Canfl thou to Elam yield a willing hand,

And feek a guardian in a diltant land ?	33#

With voice iiircere, unus’d her thoughts to hide,

And bolbm frank, the virgin’s lading pride,

Theguife, low-creeping Cunning mull approve,

Fair mark of. worth, and friend to virtuous love,

The maid replied—O fire ! ’tis blifs to me,	335

To be by him belov’d, approv’d by thee.

The Chief return’d ; Blefs’d heir of fpotlefs fame !

Thy choice and wifdom ever alk the fame.

Receive, brave Elam ! Jolhua’s favourite care,

As angels virtuous, and as Eden fair.	349

Her hand, her heart fhall heal thy bleeding mind,

Warm’d with pure love, and grac’d with truth refin’d,
Thy fainting llrength, thy languid eye infpire,

Improve thy joys, and wake the hero’s fire,BOOK IV.



Charnfr, with foft tendernefs, thy griefs away,

And gild alike the darknefs and the day.

And thou, brave Elam ! Hill, as ihorn returns,
While early tranfport in thy bofom burns,

On firm foundations let thy fondnefs reft,

Nor cold indifference canker in thy breaft.

Know, all the vows by heedlefs lovers given,

Though oft on earth forgot, are feal’d in heaven:
Then let thy fond connubial actions Ihow
Truth was the language of the lover’s vow.

And thou, my child, to Heaven thyfelf approve;

A ft all the foft commands of duteous love:

So lhall your lives ferenely dance away,

And blifs unclouded light the fetting day.

But now, brave friends, let pleafure round us roll;
Enjoy the genial feaft, and lhare the bowl;

Three days, with me, and every pleafure,'flay;

‘The fourth glad morn /hall gild your homeward way."

Thus he. The feelings of each grateful breaft
With manly dignity the Chiefs confefs’d.

In converfe mild they fate. With bufyeare,

Th’ attendant train the cheerful feaft prepare;

With kindly warmth the fmoaking cauldrons glow,
And fweet thro’ ether riling odours flow.

So vaft, fo various, was the Leader’s mind,

It rov’d through every region, unconfin’d ;

From feenes fublime, with foft tranfition, ran
Thro* all the duties, all the weal, of man;

At once his friends, his race, his Maker, ferv'dj
At once his own domeftic blifs preferv’d;

In nice dependence rang’d the fervant train,

And o’er his houfe bade beauteous order reign.

Thro’ all their minds Religion’s influence ran—
Men, true to Heaven, he knew were true to man—
Her fons he chofe ; and with all-bounteous fway,
Rewarded, rul’d, and led in virtue’s way:



3S*

3SS

3 6*

3 H

$7•



3*#BOOK IV.

*

Hence, rich return of all his watchful toil,

No murmur pain’d him, and no houfhold broil.

Peace round his manfion Ihed her influence mild,

And cheerful, friendly, each domeilic fmil’d.

Now the lov’d maid had ’fcap’d from favage bands,385
With twofold pleafure, wrought their active hands.

So juft, fo gentle was her angel mind,

To want fo bounteous, and to all fo kind,

Her, as the Leader,,each alert obey’d,

And thought it blifs to pleafe the heavenly maid, 39®
Mean time, fele&ed for the genial feaft,

To Jolhua’s tent came many a princely gueft ;

Their courteous hearts the noble ftrangers greet.

And hail the fair with gratulation fweet.

O’er a vaft board a wide pavilion fpread,	39$

With grandeur ftiin’d, and caft apleafing (hade.

There fate the guefts; there cates delight the foul;
There wines infpiring tinge the fpacious bowl :

They tafte, enjoy, and, with light converfe gay,

In calm oblivion roll their cares away.	40a

* Q’er all great Jofhua (hone, with afpedt mild,

Cheer’d every gueft, and with foft fplendor fmil’d :
Touch’d by his eyes, each heart with rapture glow’d,

And fweet complacence every face o’erflow’d.

So round th’ immenfe the fun’s broad glories ftream, 405
Spread boundlefs life, and pour the etherial flame;
Warm’d with pure light, the golden planets roll,

And fmile foft-beaming joy from pole to pole,

In endlefs pride, at beauteous diftance, rife,

Swell the great pomp, and glad the earth, and Ikies. 41a
There, like the day-ftar, beauteous Irad fhone,

His fplendors leflsning in the nearer fun ;

Full on the Chief a fparkling eye he turn’d,

And as he gaz’d, with bright ambition burn’d,

Mark’d all the glories of his awful face,	415

His folemn grandeur, and his matchlefs grace ;BOOK IV;

W

While hoary Hezrdn watch’d with boding eyes,

And faw, well-pleas’d, the future hero rife.

There too, in tranfport brighten’d Caleb’s pride,

With tears; embracing Elam’s lovely bride ;	420

Yet felt foft pain, to fee her favourite’s charnjs,

The deftin’d treafure of a Granger's arms,

To fee her days at diftance doom’d to roll,

And mingling friendftiip foothe no more the {fcul.

In eafy converfe pafs’d the hours away ;	425

Each face {hone cheerful, and each heart was gay ;

In glad fucceflion went the goblets round,

And blendefd voices gave a jocund found.

Mean time throng’d numerous round the Leader’s door;
The ftranger; orphan, widow, and the poor;	430

Call’d from each tribe; by Joftiua’s kind coihmand,

A rare-felt joy infpir’d the friendlefs band ;

They feafted, fang, and in the dance combin’d,

Pour’d forth the raptures of th’ oblivious mind

Then, moving various, o’er the camp they fpread; 43$

Each blifs imploring on the Leader’s head.

When now the feaft was o’er, the fun drew nigh
The gilded borders of the weftern fey :

Forth to the temple march’d th’ illuftriotts train;

'i’he thoufands gathering o’er th’ extended plain. 44$
From a tall rofck, amid the fllent crowd,

The fuppliant Hero rais’d his voice aloud---

O thou, whofe hand illum’d yon rolling fire,

Stretch’d the wide plains, and bade the hills afpire,

Rul’d by whofe power, the ftars unnumber’d rife;	44 j

And fwift-wing’d lightnings flame athwart the feies.
Storms ride majeftic o’er th’ etherial plain,

And wake the fleeping thunders of;the main !

Empires, at thy command, arife, and fall;

And flight and triumph hafteri at thy call!	4*0

Difclofe, O Power Divine ! thy fovereign voice—

Does combat pleafe thee ? combat is our choice—

O93

BOOK IV*

t)oes peace delight thee ? peace alone we prize#

Led by thy will, and guided by thine eyes.

By thee this land to Abraham’s1 race was given* 45}
’Till funs withdraw, and ftars are loft in heaven :

Jf now the bright poifeiEon God Ordain,

And crowns'await us, on the Crimfon plain,

By Tome great fign th’ eternal fmiles difplay.

And point our footfteps to the fierce affray 1	469

At once a hollow wind began to roll,

As diftant thunders rumble round the pole ;

The fields grew black, the forefts felt th’ alarm,

And fwift through ether rufh’d a cloudy ftortn',

High heaven all trembled with the dreadful fbtfnd, 465
And peals on peals, convulfive, (hook the ground.

Rar round the facred donte the darknefs fpread \

The fun’s clear fplendor vanifh’d in the fhade :

Red flames burft forth ; the confcious mountains nod,

And the world fmokes beneath th’ approaching God.

in filent awe, the camp aftonifh’d flood ;	471

And each burned fiercely for the day of blood.

Fix’d in Hill wonder, gaz’d' the ftranger pair,

And mark’d, with anxious mind, the darkening air,

The dome, mvelop’d in the fable fhroud,	475

And peals deep-muripuring in the hollow cloud:

With folemn look, edch freqnent eyed his friend*

And felt, inltinctive, half-form’d prayers afcend.

Mean time the Leader every chief commands—

Two days, let peace refrefh-the fainting bands;	450

The thirdvglad fun, awak’dby trumpet’s found,

Shall light our falchions to the deathful ground.

Sleep, haplefs Ai! thy Iafl returning day
8000 gilds thy turrets with a pitying ray.

And let the chief, th’ important charge who owns, 4$^
0f all our wealth, our wives, and blooming fons,

Bid a long trench wind through the tented ground,

And guardian walls the fpacious camp fur round.He fpcfke. With joy th* attendant chiefs obey’d,

And round the camp the glad commands convey’d. 490
The fquadroas ardent wait th’ appointed morn,

Cleanfe their blue ftiields, and poliih’d coats adorn.

So Joftma will’d ; for well the Hero knew
How glittering Heel allur’d the rayilh’d view $

Thence prais'd the chief, in fhining neatnefs arm’d, 495
Averfe from toys, but with true beauty charm’d ;

And thence in glorious panoply he blaz’d,

A great example, a&ing all he prais'd.

Now round the world pale Eve herfadnefs threw;

Still, folemn darknefs cloudy curtains drew ;	5 ©a

Through the wide camp the Leader trac’d his -way, -
To learn what wifhes marked the bufy day.

Ai, full in view, each heart to combat fir’d,

And with gay profpefts every breaft infpir’d.

No thought of Egypt boding minds embrac’d ;	50^

No childHh fear even vulgar fouls difgrac’d :

In deep oblivion funk the painful wound.

And fierce impatience hop’d th’ embattled ground,
pleas'd the great Hero heard th’ exulting ftrain.

And wandering, liftening, fought his tent again. jjo
When now the morn look'd mildly from the eaft,

To Jofhua Elam thus his voice addrefs’d—

O Chief of Ifrael, crown’d with grace divine !

Let health’? green garland round thy temples twipe.

To blefs mankind be ftill thy lov’d employ;	51 j

To ferve thy Maker ftill thy facred joy ;

No hour of thine to wafting grierbe given

Let each more brightly roll, and antedate thy heaven !

But now, his years impatient of delay,

,My hoary father hopes our homeward wav.	5410

Indulge, great prince, our eager wifh to bear
The rapturous tidings to his longing ear.

His foul rejoic’d will fmile at -nature’? pain$4
And life ilowfwiftnr through bis icy vdn&.BOOK IV.

T<oo

Bid us with fpeed our deftin?d path refume,	52^

And blefs a parent, finking in the tomb.

He fpoke. Harefhah join’d the youth’s requeft:

Even Mina’s eyes a fecret wilh confefs’d.

In love’s kind beat, like ice infummer’s ray.

All former ties, diflolving, pafs away;	530

To new-found friends the foul oblivious flies.

New objefts.charm us, and new paflions rife.

The Hero faw, and kindly bade depart
The lov’d, the long-loft>favourite.of hishe^rt;

With arms impaflion’d clafp’d the bright-eyed fair, 53^
Kifs’d with fond look, and dropp’d a tender tear.

On gay-drefs’d camels, toward the fetting day,

With converfe fweet, the lovers bent their way;

Like two fair ft^rs, that feed a lonely light,

And fink in cloudsi above the mountain’s height. 540
Two feers their fteps attend, to point the way,

That ends in manfions of unchanging day.

And now, o’er all the camp, the raptur’d throng
Crowd the wide plain, and wake th’ enlivening fong.

Here cheerful thoufands bid the walls afcend ;	54$

And broad, and deep, the lengthening trenches bend.
Here the ftrong arm the falchion learns to wield,

Or hurls the javelin o’er the meafur’d field.

With fhouts of praife the conquerors oft are crown’d.

And clanging bucklers fwell th* applauding found. 53Q
Part, join’d in crowds, in mimic fight engage,

Range their fmall hofts, and fport with feeming rage ;
From force unequal here the vanquilh’d fly ;

There, with deep groans, diflembling victims dre.

.Mean time all-watchful. Hanniel, round the plain,
From crowd to crowd, infpir’d the bufy train.	556

He knew the plot, the generous Youth difclos’d,

To dark fufpicion faw his name expos’d ;

To wipe difgjace, his influence to recall,

And, with light, fecret fei»KS, to gather all,- ■	560BOOK IV.



From “tent to tent he urg’d his active way,

And blam’d with words fevere. the wild affray.

Me, cried the hero, Ifrael’s thoufands know
A fair unchanging friend, or open foe.

To generous war fince Ifrael’s voice is given,	5^1

To war I fly , and hope the fin ties of Heaven.

Roufe then to arms; for glorious fight prepare ;

Each thought of peace, each terror vile forbear :

Let glory’s fire each warrior’s breall inflame,

And deathlefs deeds fhall brighten Jacob’s name. 570
Thus.he. The wild the thoughtlefs thoufands drew,
Snar'd by foft words, and caught by gilding fhew j
For war, invigor’d, glow’d th’ undaunted mind,

And kindling eye-balls with new luftre fliin’d.

No walls they need, to flay th’ impending foe; 575
Yet, with light labour, fwift the barriers grow ;

Hope high in view difplay?d unmeafur’d fpoil,

Sooth’d every pain, and leffen’d every toil.

As thus ferenely pafs’d the cheerful day?

And care, and grief, oblivious roll’d away,

At once fhrill rang, fromeaftern woods afar,

The cry of-foes; and growing found pf war.

The fporting warriors, prompt at dread alarms,

Ceas’d from each game, and brac’d for fight their arms;
O’er eaftern fields, with rapid Heps they hied.	58.J

And bands conjoining fwell’d th’ embattled pride.

From the wood haftening, flew, with wild furprize,
Two timorous youths, and rais’d lamenting cries,

With trembling voice, they faid-—Of nought afraid,
Through yonder grove, with eafy courfe, we ftray’d; 59p
A favage band, by twining fhrubs conceal’d,

Burft on our path, and half enclos’d the field.

Amaz’d we flew. Snar’d by the tangling vine,

Our heedlefs Partner fell; of Simeon’s line ;

Helon his name : they feiz’d him fallen; in vain 59}
Uplifting cries, and bcre him o’er the plain.BOOK IV.

102

Quick, at the found, a warripr rais’d his voice—#

*Tis my own fon; the fpring of all my joys—

Halle, hafle, brave friends, my darling Helon fave ;

Nor yield your faithful Shallum childlefs to the grave.
The train, infpir*^ with nimbler footftep.s flew j 6©|
Each prefs’d his fhield, and each bis falchion drew;

The youths, before them, fhew’d the fadden’d way.
Where the fell heathens bore their baplefs prey ;

Where the clofe thicket wrapp’d the ambufh’d force, 6p$
And bending fhrubs, and footfteps mark'd their courfe.
Thence the glad train, with eafe, the foe purfued,

And hoping, haftening, fcower’d the devious wood.

Now, where all-anxious through the favouring fhade,
Their haplefs prize the heathens fwift convey’d;	619

Weening, ere ntPTB* through Oran’s camp to bear
The youth, with tidings of th’ expe&ed war,

The heroes rufh’d: his friends glad Helon knew;

Loud rofe his voice; the warriors eager flew;

While the bold heathens flay’d their ufelefs flight, 61;
Neyv-brac’d their fhields, and firung their nerves for fight,
Shrill through the woods the clafh of arms arofe;
Thefe, fix’d to hojd, and fierce to refcue, thofe ;

The foreft fhook- In front, confefs’d to view.

Full on the heathens raging Shallum flew,	629

One with his lance, and one with griding fteel,

He flew : the vidlimsgave a hideous yell.

To his fon’s voice he wing’d his furious courfe ;

Nought flay’d hisfpeed, and nought withflood his force.
Where two huge heathens ftruggling Helon led, 6z|
He wildly fprang ; one flew ; the other bled:

With fraiitip joy he feiz’dhis raptur’d hand,

And urg’d him trembling toward the friendly band.
There fcarce arriv’d, a javelin pierc’d his fide ;

He groan’d, he funk, grew pale, and fainting died. 639
Aghafl, his darling’s fate the fire beheld,

Then rufh’d delirious round the woody field;BOOK IV.

JOJ

On the fled heathens ftretchM his raging courfe,

O’er took, and fingly drove the gather’d force :

Three fierce he flew ; the reft,in devious ways,	63 J

Fled o’er the field, and ’fcap’d the hero’s chace.

At length return’d, with a deep, burfting groan,

In ftrong embrace he clafp'd his h^plefs fon,

Prefs’d to his bofom, bore him o'er the plain,

And. mid the weeping warriors, fought the camp again;ARGUMENT.

Evening. lrad and Selima walk out on the plain fohth-
ward of the campy aud begin a convetfation concerning
the nature and deflgnation of the viflble heavens. Origi-
nal fate of Man, and of Creation. Reflections on thefall
of Man. V/iJ'dom and benevolence of the prejent fyflem
ajferted. Threefold flatc of man, emblematized in the but-
terfly. Fanciful ideas of Heaven. An old man, in the
habit of a beggar, Jollicits aims 6f lrad, and is directed
to repair to Hezron. The old man informs him that his
requefl was but a pretence, and be came out of the Camp
to flimulatt him to the war, and ufes a variety of argu-
ments to accomplijh the deflgn. He retires, and lrad and
Selima, terrified by the appearance of a meteor, return to
the Camp. Morning. lrad goes to hisfather, and with
tarnefl follicitations, obtains leave to go out to the next
battle. He communicates the intelligence to Selima. A
thoufandyoung volunteers choofe him their leader. Even-
ing. JoJbua fends Zimri with a body of troops to He its
ambujh on the weflern fld« of At.The CONQUEST of CANAAN.

BOOK V.

% TOW funk the fun beneath the weftern main,

X Al	And deepening twilight fhaded every plain :

To the known tent untroubled Irad fped,

And forth* with proffer’d hand, Selima led.

Through fouthern fields they trac’d their eafy way,
And love, and rapture, chang’d the night to day.
The weftern beam decay’d : th’ expanding fky
Spread clear, and boundlefs, to th’ attentive eye;
Scarce fiH’d, the moon afcends the va\ilted even,

And flow behind rolls-on the pride of heaven ;

With joy, thJ unenvious planets round her play,

Join their glad beams, and fwell the mimic day j
From ftar to ftar the mingling luftre’flies ;
Unmeafur’d beauty clothc3 the lucid ikies ; ,

Hufh’d in calm filence fleeps the world ferene.

And floating fplendor gilds the fhadowy feene.

Round the mix’d glories of the fpacious iky
The pair inftin&ive turn’d a raptur’d eye,

From feene to feene With rifing wonder ran,

And mild, with accent fweet, the maid began—

In yon broad field what fcene9 of glory fhine !

The bright effufions of a fource divine !

•Great as the hand, that form’d yon lucid way!

Fair as the morn, that op’d immortal day !io8

BOOK V.

In earlieft youth, when firft my feeble mind	25

In nature’s works celeflial power divin’d,

To thofe gay regions fancy ftretch’d her flight,

And rov’d, and fported, mid the gems of light.

For whom, I cried, afcend yon glowing fires ?

What favourite firft-born of th’ angelic choirs ?	30

Thofe azure curtains ? that fublitne abode ?

A tent of glory for fome darling God !

Say, lovelieft Prince ! for thy fuperior mind
Walks, with fure (lep, iri wifdom’S path refin’d,

Why rove fo far th’ unnumber’d flame* on high ?	35

Why call their endlefs beauty through the fky ?

Is yon blue frame, that limits morn and even,

The fapphire pavement of fome nobler heaven ?

Are ftars but gems of unborn light, that fpread

With dull of gold the ftreets where angels tread i 40

Or if formanthefe works of glory fhine,

For earth-born reptiles furniture divine ;

Say why fo flrange the adls of Heaven appear,

Therefuph bright pomp, fuch wondrous meannefs here.

The Youth return’d—Fair as thofe lucid eyes, 43
All lovely maid ! thy bright ideas rife.

5n vain proud man, with felf-applaufe runs o’er
His arts of Egypt, an3 his Eaftern lore,

Thy foul, on nature’s pinions, takes her flight,

And, felf-inftru£ted, gains a nobler height.	5*

When from the deep, afccnded earth, and heaven,

To man, foie heir, the mighty boon was given.

Unlike his fons, no guilt his mind deform’d ;

His life, his limbs, no fierce difeafes florm’d ;

Nor death’s cold poifon pal’d his growing bloom, 55
Nor knew his feet the journey to the tomb.

Young beauty’s purple fplendor round him play’d ;
Immortal Health his vigorous limbs array’d ;

Life, eldeft heirefs of th’ empyreal fky,

Smil’d on his cheek, and bloflom’d in his eye.	6cBOOK V.

109

Array’d iffen'dle'fs light, his infant nriid

Shone with fait ffilth, and flow’d with grace refin’d;

Her fobe fky-tittttfir’d, Virtue hidnd! him threw ;
Urichanglrig'jubilee his paffions knew*

Heaven’s living lamp; With clear; arfd conftant fhihe,
Sunn’d the pure regions of the World within.	66

Far other glories then afbfe tb vifew;

Parts anfwering parts, and beauties1 ever new.

With flrong, bright charms' the heaven angelic Ihin’d;
The varying profpeft charm’d th’ inchan tedmind ;	76

Soft firdins of rapture bade all ether ring;

The gales, all. fragrance, (h’ed the light offpring;

From ftars, from moonbeanis, life’s fweet ihfluence' flew,
Inspir’d the ftreams; and glow’d in fodering dew;

Bade with ftrong life the purpling Fruits refine,	75

And warm’d the bofom with a youth divine.

Then reign’d fair Love, th* immortal blifs of heaven ;
Then facial angels came on clouds of even ;

Here trac’d new.wohd'ers of th* omnifcient Mind,

Strange to their world, and firXl on earth defign’d ;

In countlefs forihs, where love and beauty glow’d, 8•
And ftamp’d a rival of the bright abode.

Hi?'hand fuch nature to the man .aflign’d,

Hisform fo temper’d, and fo wrought his mind,

All gave delight; .where fpring diiplay’d her prime j 85
Or where blank winter froze the defert dime ;

The vale’s foft pride ; the flower’s etherial form ;

The mountain’s grandeur, and the folemn fiorrri.

But when foul guilt debas’d the beauteous mind.

The fkies grew dim, and fickening nature pin’d. 90
With converfe fweet, no more kind angels came :

No blifsful .morning fticd th’ eternal beam ;

No more from ftarry realms life’s influence fell,

And peace, and Eden bade the world farewell.

Vet ftill with clear, though faded luftre, glow’d 95
The love, the greatnefs, of a bouuuous God.no

3 O 0 K V.

What though cold eaft winds wither’d all the plain;
Though blafts, and mildews ihrunk the golden grain ;
Pale evening’s, ikirts the froft, and damp p’erhung ;

Air bred difeafe, and worms the fruitage flung :	I Of*

Still o’er the mountains ftars ferenely rife ;

Still the foft moonbeam trembles from the Ikies ;

The fun, fair image of unborrow’d day,

Lights heaven, and earth, and cheers the boundlefs fea;
Reviving feafons, crown’d with luftre, roll,	105

And plains of plenty glad th’ expelling foul.

Thefe fplendid fcenes furprize thy curious mind ;

For worms too noble, and for foes too kind.

But not too noble, or too kind, they fhine,

The works of wifdom, power, and love, divine,	1 ip

From morn’s gay bounds, to ikirts ofaiftant even,

They teagh the hand, and fpread the name, of Heaven;

In beauty, grandeur, make Jehovah known,

But mark, with faded charms, a world undone.

Yet thefe, could man the common blifs purfue,	115

Would gentle peace, and fmiling joy, renew,

Light, with foft-beaming hope, the cheerful day,

And drive grim war, and cankering hate, away.

Thus fpoke the Prince. The tender maid replies,
While her fad bofom heaves unbidden fighs.	j 20

Fair fcenes of blifs thy living words difcjofe,

Realms of gay youth, and times of fweet repofe.

Oh had oui-Jire ! but hence, ye wifhes vain !

No fancied joy ihall edge returning pain—

Yet too, too blifsful is the fond employ,	12tj

To nurfe gay hope, and dream unreal joy;

Abroad in fields of airy light to roam,

And fly th’ envenom’d grief, that lurks at home.

Ah, had the fatal fruit, untafted hung,

What blifs had brighten’d ! and what glory fprung ! 139
Ip gentleft union thefe blefs’d hands had join’d,

One wifh inform’d us, and one foul intwin’d ;B O O K V.

Ill

6n fome Tot^e hill our envied man lion flood,

There rich perfumes in morning breezes flow’d j
Sweet Peace around it wav’d her balmy wing, 135
And Youth unchanging drefs’d eternal fpring.

There, O blefs’d lot! each innocent employ
Had form’d, and cherilh’d mild, dotaeftic joy i .

The walk alUpleafing, virtuous love refin’d;	139

Our flocks, our profpech, footh’d th’ improving mind;
For me, the garden op’d its fpicy bloom ;

For thee, foft vefture whiten’d o’er the loom s
Our growing blifs the fun delay’d to fee,

And the poor heathen been as blefs’d as we.

Ah dire reverfe 1 while round this field of gore, 145
War’s hoarfe rough-grating clangors ceafelefs roar;
While fons, and fathers, in one hour are flain,

And each bright youth mud tempt the fatal plain;

While the fad virgin fees, with wearied eye,

No hope remains her, but to weep, and die ;	*56

While pain, and grief, and half-form’d joy inVade;

And funs, gay-rifing fet in mournful fhade.

Kind, tender maid ! the fmiling Princereturn’d—
The haplefs fall how fweetly haft thou mourn’d!

Thy voice, all mufic, wins the raptur’d ear;	15$

Yet more perfuafive drops that melting tear.

But, O bright maid ! by ftrong afre&ions driven.

Let no fond wilh oppofe the choice Of Heaven.

To man’s firft guilt ten thoufand ills adjoin’d,

Writhe the torn limbs, and agoii'ize the mind :	i۩

Pain, famine, toil* the fword, the ruthlefs wave,

Care, envy, broken faith, lad for’row, and the gfavO.

Yet God’s high afts unerring wifdom:guides,

And boundlefs love his every choice decides.

'Hence all events, and hence all beings.right,	165

Deft in their places, to beft ends unite.

Hence from fmall ills unmeafur’d good fhall flow ;

Hence joys unnumber’d fpring from every woe:B O O K V.

m

Through the vfcft whole th’ eternal glories Aiine;

One great I am* all-beauteous, aU divine.	17*

-Taus the great P-tophei.fung ; and oft jny iire
With thefeblefs’d truths my tender heart would fire,
When, won to virtue, on his Lips .1 hung,

And learned pure wifdom from his friendly .tongue.

Heaven's high bebcil, had faithlefs man obey’d, .17
A peaceful earth his;eye had ftill furvey’d ;

Mild hours and feafons fa£t;o’er nature.run ;

His fons, inmillions, fpread to lands unknown^

To Eden's bowers the -filial nations cprue,

Hail’d their great fire, and own’d their happier home.
W^ile from his throne, lupreme of all below,	1B1

Hefaw well-pleas’d, his mighty kingdom grow;

His fubjefts children, Jove his potent fway,

And one vaft houthold fpread to every fea.

But, fprung from earth, and Hill to earth confin’d, 18
Ntxfairer blifs had flow’d.for.poor mankind :

No layv had given the high, Aupendous claim,

To (bar, and brighten in th’ immortal flange.

Now jo,thofe climes where, ’twixt delight and pain,
Expands, untravers’d, night’s eternal main,	19©

yforms, born ot dull, may ppint their lofty way,

And feize the b’ifs of ever-rifing day.

Oft oq the flower, emljofo m’d in perfume,

Thou feeft gay butterflies in beauty bloom ;

With curious eyfc, the .wondrous infedt fcan,	i

By Heaven ordajn’d a threefold type of man.

Firll from the dung-hilt fpra.ng the Alining form,

And crawl’d to view, a hideous, ioathfome worm ;

To creep, with toil, his inch-long journeys, curs’d ;

J he ground his man Aon, and his food the dull :	200

To the next plant, his moment o’er; he drew,

And built his tomb, and turn’d to earth anew.

Oft, from the leaf depending, haA thou feen

Their tombs, with gold beuropp’d, and cloth’d in green;3 O O K Vi	113

There flept th' expeffent, ’till the plastic beam	205

Purg’d his vile drofs, and bade his fplendors flame*

Then burft the bonds : at once in glory rife
His form etherial, and his changing dies,

Full on the lucid morn his wings unfold,

Starr’d with ftrong light, and gay in living gold; aio
Through fields of air at large the wonder flies,

Wafts on the beams, and mounts th’ expanded ikies,

O’er flowery beauties plumes of triumph waves ;
imbibes their fragrance, and their charms out-braves;
The birds his kindred, heaven his manfion, claims, 215
And fhines, and wantons, in the noon-day flames.

So man, poor worm! the nurfling of a day!

Springs from the duft, and dwells in humble clay ;

Around hi& little mole-hill doom’d to creep,

To drag life’s load, and end his toil with fleep.i 220
In filence to the grave hisforrii defcends,

And waits the trump, that time and nature ends,

There flrength imbibes, the beam of heaven to bear;
There learns, refin’d, to breathe its fragrant air;

Of life the bloom* of youth the fplendor, gains, 223
And, cloth’din beauty, hopes empyreal plains.

Then, wing’d with light, the deathlefs man fhall rife,

Sail through yon ftars, and.foar from Ikies to ikies;

See-heavens, o’er heavens, beneath him lefTening roll,

And feel the Godhead warm his changing foul;	23©

From beauty’s fount inhale th’ immortal ray,

And grow from light to light, in cloudlefs day ;

Mid morn’s fair legions, crown’d with grace, be known,
The-peer of angels, and of God the fon.

But O whatfcenes in that far region glow !	233

What crowns of patience ! what rewards of woe t
From yon tall hill, when morn’s inviting air
To woodland wandering lur'd thy chofen fair,

Thou knaw’fi: how Tweet gay profpefts to defer/*

And catch new Edens with the rati fil’d eye.	240

Q*.B O O K V*

ii4

In living green, the lawns at diftance lay,

Where fnowy flocks mov’d round in vernal play {

High tower’d the nodding grovel; the cliffs fublimi
Left the low world, and.dar’d th’ aflaults of time ;

Huge domes heav’d haughty to the morning fires,

And the fun trembled round a thoufand fpires :

All heaven was mild ; and borne from fubjeCt vales,

A cloud of fragrance Cheer’d th’ inchanting gales.

Such pleaflng fcenes if this drear earth fupply,

What fcenes, what glories bloom beyond the fky !	25#

There with ftrong life the plains immortal glow;

There Beauty bids her ftreams of rapture flow:

There changing, brightening,'reigns th* extatic power ;
Smiles in each fruit, and burns in every flower;

In folemn domes, with growing pride, afpires;	25$

Gems with, fair ftars, and robes in living fires;

Round the trees wantons; on the monntains blooms ;
Charms in new fongs, and melts in flrange perfumes.

And O, of liquid light whatfeas extend !

What ikies impufple 1 and what ftars afcend l	260

But ceafe, my tongue ! nor headlong rufh too near
The fun, that kindles heaven’s eternal year.

When great Meffiah fhall thofe gates unbar,

Where grief recedes, and pain, and death, and war ;

Then freed from drofs, froiA every ftain refin’d, 26$
And drefs’din all the elegance of mind>

To her own manfkm fhall thy Soal afpire,

And add new raptures t6 the fainted choir.

With love divine thy heart has learn’d to glow j
Smil’d at each joy, and wept at every woe ;	270

In each foft flatiou amiably flood,

And (hewn the bright ambition to be good ;

The beft, the lovelieft daughter, After, friend ;

Thy life all virtue, and the heavens thine end.

Scarce, of thy years, can blooming cherubs claim 27$
A purer conscience, or a fairer name*BOOK V-

iij

Pleas’d as he fpoke, an aged Form drew near,

The moon-beams whitening o’er his iilver hair.

His quivering limbs a tatter’d garb array’d ;

A ftaff his flow, and faltering footfteps flay’d— 280
Oh youth \ he faid, in wealth thy lot is caft ;

Let humble Poverty thy bounty tafte.

Large as thy treafure be thy heart to give ;

Thy bread impart, and bid my children live.

Sire ! cried the Youth, to Heeron’s tent repair ;	285

The poor, unfriended, never enter’d there.

To (hare his wealth the Heaven-fent flrangers come ;
There orphans, beggars, find a conftant home.

His pious a£h in fweet memorial rife,

And prayers?of thoufands blefs him from the ikies.

Return’d the fage. To life’s far diflan t end,

On thee may Judah’-s envied blifs defcend !

From Aiher’s race I fpring, nor of thy fire,

JNor thee,, fair Prince ! or clothes, or food require.

My higfieft wiih the gifts of Heaven exceed ;	295

Though fmall my portion, yet far lefs ray need.

But O lov’d Youth ! my faithful counfels hear;

Let heary Age command thy lifteriing ear.

Thy growth, thy beauty, nobler than thy peers,

Mine eyes attentive mark’d from earliefl .yearsjoo
I faw.thy limbs in fair proportion rife,

And thy face fmile the image of the ikies.

Thy mind all-lovely,-every voice proclaim’d;

For fenfe diftinguilh’d, and for virtue fam’d ;

Bounteous and brave thy heart; thy tongue difcreet; 305
Thy manners courteous, and thy temper fweet. ,

Oft on thefe plains when gathering armies fpread,

The long van darken'd, and proudenfigns play’d ;
Abforb’d, 1 faw thee war’s gay splendors view,

Trace the deep files, and moving chiefs purfue ; 3'tfi
I faw the martial flame inflinftive rife.

And growing lightnings tremble in thine eyes;II*

B O O K V,

I faw, and fmil’d ; and fir a el’s voice approved,

That deftin’d empire to thine arm helov’d.

But Hill, impell’d by ftrong delire to find	31^

If Fame well fling the beauties of thy mind,

I watch’d thy Heps, when evening hid the main,

Aftum’d thefe rags and fought thee on the plain.

For know, fair Prince ! in Truth’s unbiafs’d Hate,

The proud are little, and the lowly great,	320

From man, man claims, of high, or low degree,

The courteous manners, I have found in thee.

Now o’er thy head have twice ten fiimmers ran;

The Youth is ripen’d, and the man begun:

Thy lhapely limbs are linew’d into force,	3*5

To hurl the dart; to fpeed the nimble courfe ?

Yet on what plain in triumph hall thou Hood ?

When, bold and a&ive, dar’d the ftrife of blood ?

No fear of thine attells the patriot wound ;

Thine arm inglorious, and thy wreaths unbound:	230

Should’ft thou, when Jolhua fleeps, the feeptre bear;

How lhall thy untaught mind conduit to war ?

How know what counfels wifdom bids embrace ?

What ftrength to arm ? the ambulh where to place f
Where on the field to llretch thedreadful wing ?	335

Or with what words of fire the languid arm to firing i
Rife then, brave Youth ! from eafe unhonour’d rife !

Let fun-bright glory tempt thine eager eyes !

When next approaching combat threats the field
Seize the llrong lance, and grafp the Iheltering Ihield;

If Hezron grant, the van’s bright ftation claim, 3 4.1
And leave the foremoil in the chafe of fame !

Ill fits vile eafe a Prince of worth divine,

Whofe countlefs graces fair as angels Ihine;

At home, unnotic’d, ftrdtch’d in floth, to lie,	345

While friends, while fathers toil, and bleed, and die;

Jiinc 323. Twice tenfummers) Thi6 is a miftake of the Sage.BOOK V.

To fliare the ifpoils diftain’d with others' gore,

A mean, falfe plunderer, when the battle’s o’er.
Then while to waT thy bold companions mo.

While deeds of glory, wreaths of life, are won;

On the dread fword while ICrael’s caufe fufpends ;
While empire victory, ruin flight attends ;

While in full view the field of promife lies,

And the brave arm fball win th’ unmeafur’d prize;
Demand thy fhare, thy fliare of danger claim ;

The toils of danger give the crown of fame.

To thee, through tribes, through nations yet to cpme,
.Let grateful Ifrael owe her profperous doom;

Her endlefs rule ; her land in beauty drefs’d ;

Her ftream of glory, and her ages blefs’d.

Thus, in far diftant times, when Joflma’s name
Shall pafs, all-fragrant, down the tide of fame;

When future heroes to their ions fhall tell
How Hezron triumph’d, and how Sihon fell
Combin'd with theirs, thy deeds fliall waft along,
Swell the gfed theme, and mingle in the fong.

No Ihamefiil floth, no dread of manly toil.

No mean, falfe wifh to (hare in others’ fpoil,

No love ofeafe, the generous Youth replied—*

To tents confine me, and to Hezron’s fide.

Far other wilh my glowing mind infpires;

Fame wings my thoughts, and war my bofom fires.
When Glory’s fons aflembling holb array,

Th’ extatic view bears all my foul away.

My pulfe beats high my bridling hair afeends j
My heaving heart a thrilling anguiih rends :

Sighs, prayers, and tears confefs the growing pain ;
But fighs, and prayers, and melting tears are vain.

By love, beyond my higheft claim impell’d,

My fire con drains me from th’embattled field.

Youth, frowns the chief, to ruin heedlefs flies ;

From arms refrain, ’till years fliall make thee wife.

365

38aIll

BOOK V.

Go tell thy fire, the kindling fage return’d,

Thy hated abfence Ifrael long have mourn’d.

In forceful language, aflc their wondering eyes,	38 J

Why funk in floth, their darling Irad lies,

Their voice demands thee to th’ important plain,

To generous toils, and glories bought with pain:

They pant, they burn, to fee thy fplendors fhine,

Thy falchion triumph, and thy garlands, twine.	39*

Not fame alone, but duty points the way,

And truth and virtue chide the dull delay.

This faid, the Ancient o’er the plain withdrew,

And, fading from the moon-beam, left the view.

As loft in filence ftood the wondering pair,	39^

Or maz’d, bewilder’d, rov’d they knew not where,

A cloud afcending eaftern flcies o’erfpread,

Involv’d the moon, and wrapp’d the world in fhade :

A dim-feen luftre cloth’d all heaven aiound,

And long, black fhadows floated o’er the ground. 409
As deep and folemn the far whirlwind roars,

Or waves run rumbling under cavern’d fhores,

With murmuring noife, o’er weftern mountains came
A broad, and dark-red meteor’s awful flame:

Far o’er the woods, and plains, its fanguinehair 405
Stream’d wild, and dreadful, on the burden’d air.

As eaftern groves its leflening light abforb,

Like thoufand thunders, burfts the rending orb;
Wide-ftiooting flames the glimmering Iky furround;

A gloomy glory fpreads the twilight ground ;	4 JO

Loud o’er the world a long, hoarfe echo roars,

And fad Canaan groans through all her fhores.

Quick to the camp return’d th’ aftonifh’d pair,

And half, in broken {lumbers, loft their care.

O’er anxious Irad hovering vifions play’d,	415

Call’d up fair fcenes, or difmal terrors Ihed ;

Oft from his couch, in a£l to finite, he fprang,

And oft his voice in fhouts imperfect rang.BOOK V.

When firft through broken clouds the morning tiun'd,
In purpofe firm he fix’d his doubtful mind ;	420

At Hezron’s feet, with graceful reverence flood,

And claim’d the bleffing, e’er with joy bellow’d.

With dawning fmiles, he blefs’d his lovely fon,

And fweet complacence round his afpedl Ihone.

Will Hezren bend his ear i the favourite cries-— 425
Speak, my belov’d—th’ indulgent fire replies.

Thou know’ll my bofom feels the warrior’s flame,
Sighs for gay arms, and pants for generous fame;

For Ifrael weeps, to aid her caufe afpires,

And burns tumultuous with refifllefs fires.	439

When next our hoft the Ihining falchion wield,

Blefs’d fire! command me to th’ embattled field.

Youths, o’er whofe heads a few more months have rnn
In fport, the peers, the rivals of thy fon,

In glory’s bright career with heroes join,	43 j

And their fair names even nOw begin to Ihine.

Grant, bell of parents ! grant one blifsful day.

And threefold duty'lhall thy love repay.

Why doll thou bring—the anxious fire replied—

The dread requeft, my love has oft denied ?	44O

Why mull thy lire his favourite treafure lofe ?

Why will thy heart the path of danger choofe i
That path, conceal’d where various evil lies,

And the brave perilh, while the daflard flies.

More circling fummers have thofe youths beheld ;	449

Th’accuftom’d age commands them to the field.

Scarce nineteen funs thine infant eyes have feen ;

Secure from (hame, enjoy thy hours ferene.

Let truth, let wifdom be thy virtuous care ;

And the fweet converfe of thy darling fair.	45®

Still with thy partners draw the mimic field;

The javelin hurl, the heavy falchion wield :

So taught their ufe, (halt thou, when battles join,

With fairer names, with veteran heroes Ihine;BOOK Vi

S20

In marlfcalM hods a nobler office claim,	45£

And ftride more fwiftly in the chafe of fame.

Return’d the favourite—To thy faithful fon
Whene’er thy choice, indulgent fire, was known.

No counter choice unduteous words confefs’d,

But my foie anfwer was obedience blefs’d.	46a

When laft mild evening clos’d the cheerful day.

O’er fouthern plains I trac’d my carelefs way ;

There as I gaz’d the works of Heaven around,

A chief, of Alher’s race, my footfieps found—

Youth, cried the hoary fage, the changing fun	465

Beholds, well pleas’d, thy riper years begun.

The fcenes of dangerous war thy bread demand,

And thy lov’d nation a(ks thine aiding hand ;

Their eyes require thee on the hoftile plain,

Nor let a nation claim thy aid in vain.	47®'

Go tell thy fire, while friends^, while brothers die,

*Tis (hame, ’tis guilt, in torpid eafe to lie. t
His duty bids him drefs thy limbs in arms,

And thine ftraitfummons to the trump’s alarms.

Hafte, virtuous Youth ! thy nation’s voice obey, 475
And fly, where Glory points her envied way.

Ah fire belov’d ! to fhame, to fatal (hame
Yield not thy darling lrad’s opening name.

Think, beft of parents 1 with what (lings of gall,
Contempt andfcorn a generous mind appall.	480

Save me from piercing fcorn ; from ruin fave ;

Fromdaftards(hatch me ; rank me with the brave;

Thy nation’s call, more loud than thunders hear ;

Though Trad fail, let ITrael gain thine ear.

With anxious look, th’ unwilling fire replies, 485
r£he tears fa ft-dreaming from his reverend eyes—

O fon belov’d ! beyond expreflipn dear !

The ground of every joy ! and every fear 1
This painful tale difparts my troubled foul ,

And bids my tears in large effufion roll.

45®BOOK V.

W'

How can my heart to fiivage war refign
My wealth, my boaft, my glory, all that’s mine $

The child, the joy, the image, of my mind;

The beft, the only trace, 1 leave behind ;

To prayers long-tried, all-fervent, kindly given }	49$

The richeft bounty of indulgent Heaven i
From infant years thy lovely form to raife,

To lure thy mind to all that merits praife;

’Gainft fatal fnares thy youthful heart to arm,

"With truth illumine, and with virtue warm,	$49

Ten thoufand flghs I breath’d, tbn thoufand prtyerS,
Watch’d countlefs nights, and felt unnnmberM cares*

Bach opening wilh, each riling thought, I fcann’d ;

Each new-born virtue nurs’d with foftering hand:

The flower etherial faw, with rapture, blopm,	50$

Glow with Itrong light, and charm with choice perfume,
And each glad morn beheld my praifes rife,

A grateful tribute to the bounteous Ikies*

As, touch’d with joy, thy beauties I behold,

Thy li mbs invigorate, and thy thoughts unfold ;	310

Thy pure complacence eye the all-lovely Mind ;

Thy love, thy goodnefs flow to all mankind ;

Thy aims expand beyond the flight of youth ;

Thy tongue unvarying yield the voice of truth j
Thy cheerful bounty make the poor thy care;	5

Thy fpotleft mind affedt fo bright a fair
Thy fweet obedience every wilh forerun,

And my blifs double in my darling fon;

Too blefs’d, I wilh, my pains, my toils review’d,

Each pain repeated, and each toil renewed.	$26

But chief, when that bright fair, who gave thee breath,
Sunk, pale and haplefs, in the arms of death,

Thy hand fo gently footh’d her long decay j
So fweetly guileful lur’d her.pains away ;

Whole nights, whole days, fultain'd her drooping bead ;
Dried her fad tears, and watch’d her weary bed;	516122

BOOK V.

Like feme mild angel, fent from pitying ikies,

Shed dewy (lumbers on her languid eyes ;

Illum’d the grave, feren’d the rugged way,

And cheer’d each fainting Hope of future day t 5jo
Me fiom myfelfthy matchlefs duty ftole,

And chain’d thee lovely to my inraoft foul.

Now to far regions is that parent gone.

And, but for thee, thy fire were left alone^i

From thee remov’d, no fecondfelflknow;	J3J

Add, O blefs’d favourite ! folitude is woe.

When wing’d, my fweet companion trac’d her flight,

A wildering gloom obfeur’d the cheerful light;

Each joy was banifh'd from my haplefs doom,

And not a wiih remain’d me, but the tomb.	54°

Her tent, forfaken, feem’d in ihades to mourn;

Her emptyfeat implor'd her blefs’d return :

Friends grac’d my board ; her vacant place I view’d;
Down rufh’d the tear, and every pang renew’d.

Through diftant fields I roam’d ; the fields were fad:

No more her prefence bade the flowers be glad:	5+5

A folemn twilight round all nature fpread,

Drear as dun c^vcs, that houfe the filent 4^ad.

Alone in crowds I flood, in fields alone ;

My hope, my friend, my lovely folace gone.	550

But thou waft left. In thy angelic face
fimil’d her lov’d image, glow’d her matchlefs grace :

To thee I flew ; and, in thy duty, view’d
Her power to charm,, her wifh to blefs, renew’d;

That peace, the world befide could never give, 555
I found in thee, and lov’d again to live.

Too rich, too great, T own my Heaven-lent (lore ;

On earth, if thou may’fl live, I afkno more.

Shall then thy fiFe that dread perfuafion hear l
Or feel the urge ace of that forceful tear ?	$j(5#

Ah ! how can Hezron thy lov’d life deflroy,

And yield th’ infatiate grave my only joy ?BOOK V.

123

For, O fond Irad ! nil the pride of flat 6 i
Fair dreamsj- and painted bubbles, of the great.

No real joy, no gentle peace, contain,	565

But gay deceit, and undifcover'd pain.

Whate’er in Wifdoiti prompts a wilh to live,

Soft, calm domeltic fceiies alone can give.

Should’!! thou be (lain, even thefe mull ceaftlefs mourn;
No joy betides me, and no hopes return j	570

A poor, defpairing ftranger, here I flay,

'Till Death's loud voice (hall fummon me away^

But ah ! to combat Ifrael Irad calls—

The piercing found my ftruggling heart appalls—

Was all my blifs for lfrael’s weal bellow’d i	5.75

And is a nation’s voice the voice of God ?

Go then, my fon, may he thy bofom guard,

To- triumph lead thee, and with fame reward ;

Bright, and more bright, extend thy profperou* doom,

Or fpeed my footfteps to an early tomb.	5 go

Thus the great chief; and riling as h e fpoke.

In his right hand a fword fufpended took ;

Forth from the Iheath the blade refulgent drew,

And his fad eye-balls kindled at the view.

Behold, brave youth—withtearneft voice he cried— 58$
Thine is the fword, thy lire’s, thy grandfire’s pride;

By death of kings, and generous chiefs, renown’d,

With wreaths ennobled, and with triumphs crown’d.
When Egypt’s forts, on proud Sabea’s plains,

By Mofes guided, pour’d their countlefs trains ;	590

High in his haughty car a chieftain rode,

Bore down whole troops, and rolFd through brooks of blood;
Deep in his hreaft, while thoufands round him fell,

Thy generous Grandfire lodg’d this lhining Heel;

Then ceas’d the fight; Sabea’s millions fled,	595;

And the earth groan’d beneath the piles of dead.

Line 589. Egypt's fans) Seethe account of the event referred to
in Joiephmui*4

BOOK V.

To Jahaz’ deathlefs field when Sihon drew,

When combat thicken’d, and when dangers grew,

This arm, this falchion clave the monarch’s fide,

And low on earth abas’d his impious pride.	6oo

From Hezron’s hand the honour’d gift embrace,

Dread of thy foes, and glory of thy race;

And while thy arm their weapon learns to wield,

Let the fame fpirit prompt thee to the field.

Each wild excels, each ufelefs danger (hun ;	605

But firft in virtue's courfe aufpicious run :

Outflrip thy peers; To Jofhua’s height aipire}

Let real glory all thy wifhes fire r
Let mine, my fire’s, my tribe’s, my nation’s fame
Imbibe new fplendors from thy added name,	610

Yet not one fear my boding mind alarms.

Left Irad’s deeds diftain his parent’s arms ;

I know thy generous mind ; and, forc’d to yield.

Allur'd, behold thee grace th’ embattled field.

And oh 1 wilt thou, whofe hand from every foe 615
My life preferv'd, and footh’d in every woe,

My darling fbn defend ! from thee he came ;

Scarce born, [ gave him to th' eternal Name ;

Thine are his virtues ; round his youthful head
A guardian fhield may thy good angel fpread.

Thus fpoke the chief. In Irad's feeling foul
A ft range, tumultuous joy began to roll:

As oft t* unfold his grateful heart he tried,

The fuflbeated founds in filence died.

Down dropp’d the fword ; and ftrait, with homage due,
The Youth enkindling from the tent withdrew j 626
Quick to the lovely fair-one trac’d his way,

And ftrove the tumult of his thoughts t’ allay.

Her in the tent, with maidens compafs’d round,

Select companions of her fports, he found.	630

There, fweetly welcom’d with inftin&ive fmiles,

He fmooth’dhis face with new, but harmlefs wiles,B O 0 E V,

!2J

And, while foft art her tender mind prepar’d,

His own defign, his lire’s confent declar’d.

With guarded lips he (poke; but dire furprize €3^
Pierc’d her fad heart, and gloom’d her Harry eyes;

With one deep ligh, Ihe felt her ftrength decay,

Slid to the ground, and breath’d her life away.

Quick to her aid the Youth impailion’d flew:

And, with the virgins, bade her life renew;	640

Again reviv’d the fplendor of her eye,

And ting'd her cheek with health’s u-anfcendent- die;

O bell belov’d 1 with tender voice he faid—

Let not fuch anguilh wound my beauteous maid ?

Let cheerful hope thy timorous thoughts infpire, 645
And thine eye languifh with a brighter fire !

When o’er my head a few fhort days fhall roll,

My haflening feet mud reach th’ appointed goal;

To manhood grown, the law, from heaven reveal'd,
Refiftlefs calls me to th’ imbattled field.	650

If Ifrael’s fons my falchion earlier claim,

And kindly fummon to the path of fame,

Why fhould’fl thou mourn ? *tis duty points the way ;
When duty calls us, fafety bids obey.

Thou know’ll when eveninglaft the Ikies attir’d, 655
The fage, re proving, generous thoughts infpir’d ;

Plrft from his mouth my nation’s choice I knew;

And fwifc to war my foul obfequious Hew:

No place, no hope, to vile delay was given j

The call of nations is the call of Heaven.	660

Led by his voice, I trull his guardian care;

With equal eafe hefaves in peace, and war.

The fame good hand, that thro' the woodland fhade,

To friends, to fafety, lovelielt Mina led,

Though thoufands fall, may Irad’s bofom Ihield, 665
And wing th’ averted javelin through the field.

Thu9 he, with fcifrell voice, and fondell eye—

Then Hopp’d ;• and anxious, hop’d the maid’s reply.126

B D Q K V.

She, plung’d lit grief, and loft in dread ama2C,

Sate filent, folerhb, fix’d in mournful gaze:	67«i>

With tendereft adiion on her looks he hung,

And thus vain folace tunes again his tongue.

But, doom’d to fall, ihould Heaven my life demand,
And death betide me from a heathen’s hand,

J fall in virtue’s caufe. Far happier doom,	67 J

In that blefs’d path, to find a fpeedy tomb !

Than, loft in fports, or funk in ftiameful eafe,

To drag a worthlefs life, and fwell in glorious days.

And O bright maid ! without one guilty fear,

My thoughts can view refiftlels death draw near. 68#
In that far clime, where joy extends her reign.

My pinion’d foul ftiall fpring to life again;

Strong with empyreal youth, fhall trace her way,

And join the nations of immortal day.

Thence, when thy form is fummon’d to the tomb, 685
Pet,chance my fpifit, wing’d with light, (hall come,

Hail thy releafe from toil, and grief, and pain,

And raptur’d guide thee o’er the track lefs main ;

In bonds etherial there Our fouls be join’d,

And prove th’ extatic nuptials of the mind,	690

With filent, fad, and difcontented air,

And face averted, fate the liftening fair.

While the deep woe her feeling bofom mourn’d,

With a long, heavy figh, fhe thus return’d.

With boding heart I heard the fage’s tale,	jtfpj

But felt fond hopes the dire defign would fail';

That Hezron’s choice, fo often tried in vain,

Would (till confine thee from the fatal plain.

Yet thy lov’d maid, with gentle words, defign’d
To change thy wifh, and footh thy eager mind* 7C0
Bat my foul trembled at the dreadful light,

And every fenfe was loft in wild affright.

Now to dire fate my fondeft hope muft yield,

While empty fame allures thee to the field.BOOK V.

12

Bat O blefs’d youth ! by foft intreaties won,

Where duty calls not, hideous danger fhun.

Let not thy ardour fame’s high impalfe feel,

Tempt nearer fight, and try the deathful Heel.

The fatal front to veteran warriors give ;

Be thy rich boon, thy blefs'd reward, to live.

1 know thy bofom burns with glory's fire;

I know what vifions war’s bright beams infpire.

I fear, would' Heaven the caufe were lefs to fear*

Left chy bold footfteps headlong rufh too near $

Left, wing’d with zeal, on inftant death thou fly.

And leave thy haplefs maid to weep; and die.

For ah ! on Irad all my joys fufpend ;

Grow with thy blifs, and with thy life extend*

Should then dread war compel thee to the grave,

The fad, untimely portion of the brave,

Whither, ah whither can Selima fly ?

Where find a friend, to bid her early die ?

Robb’d of thy face, the world’s a defart drear ;

The houfe of pain, and grief, and cankering care j
Forlorn, and friendlefs, life’s tone path! tread, 72 j
And a(k no lot, but 'with the filent dead.

Nor all thofe joys, thou know’ll to paint fo fair,

Can footh fad woe, or lighten dark delpair.

With thee conjoin’d, I claim my only doOm,

Alike well-pleas’d, or here, or in the tomb.	7 JO

Scarce would my foul, without thee heaven explore,
Where the firft joy Ihall be to part no more.

Oh, would the Chief thy anguifti’d maiden hear,

And mark thy ftation in the humbler rear !

There no fell heathen would thy life annoy ;	735

Nor fatal danger threat Selima’s joy :

’Till age, 'till art, from fure experience won.

Had taught thee caution’s every wile to (hnn.

And then, ah then might peace our days ferenc ;

Wa r ceafe to, rage, and foes no more be feen ;	7 4*

705

71a

715

720book V.

126

She, plung'd id grief, and loft in dread amaze,

Sate filent, folertib, fix’d in mournful gaze:	€7#

With tendereft attion on her looks he hung,

And thus vain fblace tunes again his tongue.

But, doom’d to fall, ftvould Heaven my life demand.
And death betide me from a heathen’s hand,

J fall in virtue’s caufe. Far happier doom,	673

la that blefs’d path, to find a fpeedy tomb !

Than, loft in fports, or funk in (hameful eafe,

To drag a worthlefs life, and fwell in glorious days.

And O bright maid ! without one guilty fear,

My thoughts can view refiftlefs death draw near. 68#
In that far clime, where joy extends her reign.

My pinion’d foul fhall fpring to life againj	#

Strong wkh empyreal youth, fhall trace her way,

And join the nations of immortal day.

Thence, when thy form is fummon’d to the tomb, 685
Perchance my fpirit, wing’d with light, fhall come,

Hail thy releafe from toil, and grief, and pain,

And raptur’d guide thee o’er the tracklefs main ;

In bonds etherial there Our fouls be join’d,

And prove th’ extatic nuptials of the mind;	690

With filent, fad, and difeontented air,

And face averted, fate the liftening fair.

While the deep woe her feeling bofom mourn’d,

With a long, heavy figh, fhe thus return’d.

With boding heart I heard the fage’s tale,	6t)S

But felt fond hopes the dire defign would fail-;

That Hezron’s choice, fo often tried in vain,

Would ftill confine thee from the fatal plain.

Vet thy lov’d maid, with gentle words, defign’d
To change thy wifh, and footh thy eager mind* 7CO
But my foul trembled at the dreadful light,

And every fenfe was loft in wild affright.

Now to dire fate my fondelt hope mult yield,

While empty fame allures thee to the field.BOOK V.

12

But O blefs’d youth ! by foft intreaties won,

Where duty calls not, hideous danger ihun.

Let not thy ardour fame’s high' impulfe feel,

Tempt nearer fight, and try the deathful fteel.

The fatal front to veteran warriors give ;

Be thy rich boon, thy blefs’d reward, to live.

1 know thy bofom burns with glory's fire;

I know what vifions war’s bright beams infpire.

I fear, would' Heaven the caufe were lefs to fear*

Leif thy bold footfteps headlong rufti too near;

Left, wing’d with zeal, on inftant death thou fly.

And leave thy haplefs maid to weep, and die.

For ah ! on Irad all my joys fufpend ;

Orow with thy blifs, and with thy life extend.

Should then dread war compel thee to the grave.

The fad, untimely portion of the brave,

Whither, ah whither can Selima fly ?

Where find a friend, to bid her early die ?

Robb’d of thy face, the world’s a defart (hear;

The houfe of pain, and grief, and cankering care j
Forlorn, and friendlefs, life’s lime path I tread, 72^
And aflc no lot, but with the filent dead.

With thee conjoin’d, I claim my only dobm,

Alike well-pleas’d, or here, or in the tomb.	7 JO

Scarce would my fopl, without thee heaven explore,
Where the firftjoy ftiall be to part no more.

Oh, would the Chief thy anguilh’d maiden hear,

And mark thy ftation in the humbler rear !

There no fell heathen would thy life annoy ;	735

Nor fatal danger threat Selima’s joy :

’Till age, ’till art, from Cure experience won.

Had taught thee caution’s every wife to (hnn.

And then, ah then might peace our days ferenc ;
Warceafe to, rage, and foes no more be feen j	74®

Nor all thofe joys, thou know’ll to paint fo fair
Can footh fad woe, or lighten dark defpair.

705BOOK V.

i>8

Blifs, in glad ftrearas, around our land extend,

Arid every figh, and grief, and terror end.

Thus fpoke the faddening maid. With pteafing guite,
The tender Prince recall’d her vanifh’d fmile j
With tales amufiVe lur’d her grief away,	74$

And cheer’d her foul with hope’s inlivening ray.

Meantime, through Ifrael fpread the rumour far,

That matchlefs Irad join’d the coming war.

Charm’d with the tale, a bold, and generous train
Of youths, his rivals, throng’d the vacant plain j 750
And there, with one glad voice* the hero chofe
To guide their footfteps ’gainft th’ expcdled foes.

To him too youths the flattering meflage bare ;

With model! grace, and fweet, becoming air,

Surpriz’d he heard, and while their hearts he won,
Aflitm’d the trull, and own’d the honour done.	756

And now decay’d the founds of bufy day;

The fun defeending beam’d his final ray ;

In flarry grandeur rofe the bonndlefc night,

And temper’d ether with a milder light.	7

As through the hoft a general filence flow’d,

To Zimri’s tent the watchful Leader ftrode.

And thus—Brave chief, to Ai diredl thy courfe ;

Thy foie command awaits a chofen force :

Through the deep fored deer thy fouthward way,	76j

Where (lately portals hail the fetting day.

When firft the clarion’s voice to conflid! calls,

Forfake thy ambuih, and kfeend her walls;

O’er all her domes let fudden flames afpire,

And her proud turrets fink in hollile fire:	780

Then,through her northern gates diredl thy way,

And lead thy fquadrons tothe fierce affray.

I go-—the chief replied. The moon’s broad round
Look’d in full luilre on the tented ground ;

Fair o’er t-hefhadowy hills Ihe gently rofe,
And Ihew’d a path for Ai’s exulting foea.

785BOOK VI*

iiy

tn glimmering fteel, a long, refulgent train,

Stretch'd in juft files, and dazeled all the plain.

Slow to the wood (heir fading fteps they prefs’d,

The Chief, in filftnt joy, retir’d to reft.T H B

CONQUEST of CANAAN;

BOOK VI:Argument.

Morning. Army ajfembles under the command of Hexron«
and JoJhua. If ad follicits, and obtains a pofi, in the.
front of the wefiern divifion.	Orders, Ifraelites march.

Army of Ai. CharaQers of Oran, and Carmi. Battle.
Feigned retreat of the Ifraelites. Hanniel’s difobedi-
ence, and overthrow, JoJhua refcues him. Signal of
return to battle. JoJhua* s addrejs. Battle renewed.
JoJhua retires, and gives Caleb the command, Exploits^
oflrad. Exploits of Hezron, and of Caleb.	Death of

Ludon. Oran. Death of Hexron. Exploits of Carmi,
His death. Irad rallies Judah. JoJhua dejcends ta
battle, hills Oran, and puts the Heathens to flight. Zim-
ri, having Jet Ai on fire, comes out upon the rear of the
enemy. Final rout, and overthrow of the Heathens. /-
rad’s diftrefs at the fate of hisfaiher, Interview of
rad and Selima. Evetting.The CONQUEST op CANAAN.

B 0 o X, VI.

■XTOW dawning light conceal'd the worlds on high,
And morn in beauty cloth’d the doudlefs fky:
Loud o’er the field the trump’s fhrill found began.

And fwift to arms the ftartled thoufands ran;

From all the camp burft forth the numerous throng, 5
Shook their tali fpears, and wak’d the martial long j
Wide wav'd their plumes* refulgent flalh’d their Ihiel4s,
And fpiry banners trembled o’er the fields,

South of the camp, in two deep fquares they Hood,

And fierce for combat, fac’d the plain of blood* 1$
Before the weftern band great Hezron rofe,

Joy of his race, and terror of his foes:

Averfe from pomp, in ufeful Heel array’d.

Pleas’d, his juft ranks the mighty chief furvey'd;

Pleas’d to the Well-known field of combat drew ;	15

When duty call’d, his foul no terror knew
Of equal ftrength battalions eaftward flood,

And high in front exalted Jolhua ftrode.

By nature faftiion’d millions to controul,

In peace, in war, the great all-moving fouL	20

His mind expanded look’d exiftence through i
His heart undaunted danger never knew iBOOK VI,

*3*

With calm endurance, toils and fears engag'd,

Climb’d as they rofe, and triumph’d as they rag'd}
Patient, ferene, as ills and injuries tried,

Meek without meannefs, noble without pride,

Frank yet impovious, manly yet refin’d,

As the fun watchful, and as angels kind*

His Maker firft, his confcience next he fear'd,

All rights kept facred, and all laws rever’d;	39

Each wandering friend, with faithful friendlhip blam’d;
Each foe applauded,, as fair merit claim’d:

Alike his kingdom wealth and want approv’d ;

The noble reverenc’d, and the peafant lov’d,

His form majellic, feem’d by God defign’d	gf

The glorious manfion of fo vaft a mind:

An awful grandeur in his countenance fate j
Calm wifdqm round him call a folemn ftate;

His deathful arm no iingle force withftood ;

His fpeed, his {kill, no vigor could elude;	40

His piercing eye his mighty foul difpl&y’d;

His lofty limbs refplendent arms array’d ;

With varied lightenings his broad falchion (hone,

And his clear buckler mock’d the riling fun.

Fair in the front of Judah’s manly train,	45

A young gay band, adorn’d the gladfome plain.

Bright was their lleely mail; their polilh’d fhields
With dazling fplqndor ftreak’d the fmiling fields ;

Soft breezes fported through their plumy pride ;

Their trembling falchions glitter’d by their fide ;	5*

Equal their bravery, and their thirft of fame ;

Their age, their ftature, and their arms the fame.

In the fair front, more beauteous than the morn,

When cloudlefs fplendors orient Ikies adorn,

Fifft of his race exalted Irad flood,	55

His foul inflam’d, his falchion drawn for blood;

On Jolhua’s fteps his ceafelefs eye was turn’d,

Charm'd with the pomp, thaj round the hero burn’d ;BOOK VI.

ijs

#4s iris ftature, lofty was his mien,

His eye refulgent, and his brow ferene :	60

Topp’d with two fnowy plumes, that play’d iti hir,

Alilver morion crown’d his auburn hair :

Far o’er the train his form fublimely Ihone,

By nobler arms, and manlier beauty, known.

So, when calm fpring in veils the fparkling plain, §5
And night fails lilent up th’ etherial main,

Round the broad azure liars unnumber’d glow1.

And lhadowy lullre robes the world below :

Thron’d in the wellern heaven young Hefper Urines;

His filver car to nether realms declines J	70

O’er the gay mountains fmiles his living eye,

And links, in fplendor, down the gladfome Iky.

From holt to holl the Chief majeltic Hr ode,
jnfpir’d their hopes, and Heel’d their foiils for blood ;
Their perfect ranks his Ikilfill eyes divide,	73

And his great bofom fwells with manly pride.

As tow’rd the wellern fquare he bent his way.

Where hoary Hezron led the long array j
To meet his Heps impatient Irad ran,

And bent one knee before the godlike man;	8<d

And thus—To youth will Jolhua lend an ear ?—
--Speak my brave fon ; thine every tvilh declare-—
-—With gentle voice, he laid—1The Youth replied—>

See that fair tfain, in wrapp’d in Heel y pride !

Ifl war, though yourtg, our bofoms pant to Urine, 8$
And feel the wilh, that brighter glows in thine.

Give, bell of men ! this brave, though youthful band
In the bright front of charging fight to Hand.

Oh, by ifiy father’s toils in fields of blood,

Whofe love this freedom, and this fword bellow’d, 90
Indulge this ardent wilh ! nor let thy frown
Quench a young flame, that emulates thy owh,

I grant thy with-—the mighty Chief replied,

Smiling fuperior o’er his manly pride,—BOO K VI.*

136

Go, firlt ofyouths, defend thy Maker's law*,	$|

And lift the falchion, in thy country’s caufe.

May God’s good hand thy tender footfteps guard.

With caution blefs thee, and with fame reward i
He fpoke, and kindly raptur’d Irad rear’d *

His fwimming eye the grateful mind declar’d }	10O

Swift he return’d, On high his fhield difplay’d,

Shook his bluefword, and thought the fight delay’d.

Near the blefs’d feene enraptur’d Hezron flood.

And life ran nimbler thrd’ his languid Mood ;

Charm’d with the kind regard, to Irad given,	idj

He kneel’d to earth, and blefs’d al'l-bbunteous Hfeaven,
That Heaven Which gave* his every wifh to Crown,

The Chief to Ifrael, and to him the fon.

Now, rang’d for combat, wait the Warrior bands,

And his brave leaders Jofhua thus commands---
'Till this right hand exalt the javelin bright,

Let every rarik condoft a mimic flight:

Slow, firm, and clofe, be mov’d the fair retreat j
Nor wing’d with ruin wild, and foul defeat:

Meantime a miffive death let arrows rain,	t i 5

<And flings unnnmber’d tempefl all the plaid;

But wheii the javelin’s beams in ether burn,

Swift tO the fight let fevery rank return;

Each -vigorous arhi the fword’S broad terrors rear,

Or hurl the vengeance of the ilaughtering fpear ;	i20

Urace firm the fpacious fhield ; difdain to fly ;

Rufh to glad cohqueft, or with glory die.

He fpofee: o’er fouthern plains, in long array,

To Ai’s high Walls the ftjuadrons bent their way.
Undaunted Ai, th’approaching ftorm beheld;	I iS.

And rous’d her herOeS to the darkening field ;

Her chiefs Command, her northern gates unfold,

Bright arms’burft forth, and holts to fight are roll’d
Like gloomy clouds, the blackening thoufands rife.

And fhrill-voic’d clarions thunder In the Ikies. 13°BOOK VI.

«37

TwowarKke chiefs th' embattled heathens guide,
Their forihs majeftic cloath'd in golden pride;

Wrapp’d in blue mail; insufferably vain,

With cruel front, that frown’d a fterri difdairi;

Around, dark Oran caft a fanguine eye,	i

Wav’d his broad fliieldj and dar’d th’ avenging flty.

Grim in the van, with lofty ftalk; he ftrode,

And (hook his fpear diftairi’d with drops of blood;

Blood, by his hand, in ancient battles Ihed,

In wafted realms, and fields beftrew’d with dead.* 14&
Sheath’d, in his hall the crimfon’d Weapon lay,

Left cankering time fhould cleanle the ftain away;
There, oft retir’d, he turn’d it o’er, and o’er.

And with fierce tranfport view’d the purple gore.

There call’d to Wind the Orphans of his fpear,	145

Smil’d horrid o’er the fcene, nor knew to drop a tear.

Behind him darkly roll’d a cloudy band,

Rous’d to the war from many a diftant land,

With various arms in one great hoft combined*

And various banners dreaming oh the wind.	i^a

*Gainft Jofhua’s hoft the chief imperious ftrode.

And with fond prefcisncti hail’d the fcenes cf blood ;

A gloomy fffiiie array’d his fhaggy brow,

,And thus his horrid joy began to flow.

Blefs’d be the Gods, who gave this rapturous hour ! 155
For this their fires fhall many a youth devour ;

While their gOr’d children bleeding parents view;

And tears in vain their lifelefs form? bedew. •
Warriors rejoice ; yon troop forgets the day,-
When Ai’s brave ftjuadrohs fwept their hoft away ;	160

Soon fhall our fpears be bath’d in brooks of blood,

And fields grow fruitful with a genial flood.

’Gainft Judah’s hofts, inclos’d in burnifh’d arm's.

With matchlefs bravery arid unrival’d charms.

Ai’s dauntlefs fons to fight young Carmi led,	165.

And now the helm firft fpafkled on his head.

TB O O K vr.

*3*

Mov’d by his ceafelefs fighs for martial fafli£,

His royal fire the parent’s fears o’ercame.

Reluftant fent him to. the deathful plain,

-And fondly hop’d his lovely Heps again.	jryo

There pleas’d frith fame’s imaginary charms,

He clafp’d the phantom in his eager arms,

On the bright glories turn’d a raptur’d eye,

And gaz’d, and gaz’d, and fancied blifs was nigh.

Now,.mid the grandeur of the deep array,	175

A dreadful fpace in gloom tremendous lay :

T'3o banners wave in air, nor trumpet’s found ;

But filent terror faddens all the ground.

Loud burft the clarion’s voice, and treriibling far,.

Shoot the broad enfigns o’er the frowning war ;	18a

As thoufahd liars thro’ kindling ether ftream,

Bright Ihofrers of arrows call a tranlient gleam :

From flings tempefluous covmflefs pebbles rain,

Whizz thr6’ the Ikies, and whiten all the plain ;

The fhrill helms clatter, death purffles the wound, 183
And proftrate heroes cloth’d the fprinkled ground;

So, when red luriimer burns the fultry pole,

O’er darkening hills a cloud’s black volumes roll;

Hoarfe rufli the winds ; hoarfe drives the rattling hail,
Batters the craggs, and tempefts all the vale ;	190

Deep groan the forefls, torne their branches fall,

And one'tumultuous rum buries all.

Ere the loofe combat long fufpenfe had hung,

" Retire/’ the great command around them rung
Then, clofely wedg’d, recedes the yielding fight, 193
And well-feign’d terror clothes the mimic flight.

Swift tow’rd their yielding foes the heathens fpring,
Their bucklers blaze, their flafhing iances ling :

Oft they rufli forward, oft the bands retreat;

For lfrael’s hofc difdains a bafe defeat;	zoo-

From ranks behindunnumber’d arrows Ihower,

Ami ftoncs u^number’d down the concave pour ;BOOK VI*

Thick fall the foremoft, clanging arms refound,
'And ftreams of crimfon die th’ embattled ground'.

Meantime, fierce Hanniel, burning ftill for fame,
And fickening ftill at Jofhua’s envied name,

Deem’d this the deftin’d hour, to pluck the crown
From the Chiefs head, and plant it on his own.

Oh heaven, he cried, fhall Ifrael ever flee,

The dupe of cunning, and the coward’s prey ?

Mult thefe pain'd eyes again our ruin view,

Curfe our wild counfels, and our follies rue ?

Come every generous chief, whofe bofom brave
To foul difgrace prefers a hero's grave,

Join Hanniel's path ; and foon proud Ai fhall fee
A few, bold warriors yet difdain to flee.

Whate’er my voice commands, my hand fhall dare,
My deeds uafpotted, as my dictates fair
Far nobler doom, to fall in manly fight,

Than fhare, with titled names in fplendid flight.-—
This faid, his eourfe the hero forward bends,

No chief applauds him, and no chief attends >:

Two vulgar warriors, fad rebuff to pride !

Alone rufh on, and clamour at his fide.

Their dauntlefs eourfe their raptur'd foes defery,
And- well-aim’d lances glitter thro' the Iky ;

Thick round the warriors, finks the hifling lleel,
And death’s cold hand the brave attendants feel;

In Hanniel’s thigh expands a' painful wound,

And the ftunn’d hero raging bites the ground.

Swift to his aid, impaflion’d, Jofhua flew,

Tho’ well proud Hanniel’s dark defigns he knew,
Heard all the vaunts, the clofe injuftice faw,

And felt th’ infractions of his prudent law*:

Yet now the chief lay weltering in his gore ;

Foes in diftrefs to him were fees no more—

O’er the pale form he threw his guardian fhield,

And bore him languid thro’ the dreadful field >

t.39

205

210

2.1,5

220

225

230

25SBOOK VI,

140

Thick ihowcr the done®, the flafhing javelins fing
And his bright arms with ceafelefs murrains ring. 34$
Borne by four warriors o’er the diftant plain,

Reluftant Haitniel fought the camp again :

There friendly plants his dying flrength renew.

And deep's foft influence aids the balmy dew.

While Jolhua thps— Hence taught, ye warriors, know, $45
Wild, headftomg wifhes guide to certain woe,

Jn peace, laws only claim a righteous fway;

In war, one voice commands, the red obey.

Proud difobedienee {leaven configns to fhame j

The path of duty leads alone to fame-	35Q

He fpoke-r-rWith awe the filent fquadrons heard.

The precept reverenc’d, and the teacher fear'd 5
Each faw, abafh’d, the terrors of his frown,

And pleas’d, condemn’d rebellion, not his ov^n.

Meantime, brave Irad, on the weltern plain,	355

Wich pangs retir’d from Ai’s contemptuous train.

As oft: th’ imperious taunt his rage infpires,

And his fcorch’d bofom flames with eager fires,

Their utmofl drength his vengeance promps to try.

He longs, he pants, to bid th’ infulters fly :	260

Ofc toward the hod his courl'e indinftive turns ;

His drawn fword trembles, and his buckler burns ;

Put dill his foul, in child-hood taught t’ obey,

Redrains the widi, and backward turns his way.

Now with pure fplendor glow’d meridian light, 265
And Ai triumphant chas’d th’ imagin’d flight,

When gay in dazzling arms, great Jofhua turn’d :

His eyeballs fparkled, and his bofom burn’d :

The glittering lance his mighty hand uprear’d ;

Loud rofe his voice, and diflant fquadrons fear’d. 370
Behold, he cried, yon Iheets of fmoke afcend !

What heavy volumes round the fkies extend !

Brave Zimri’s conquering arm, while Heaven infpires,
Kurils Ai’s proud portals, and her turrets fires;book vi.

Now wheel your conrfe; to a&ive vengeance fprfcig: 175
Brace the ilfQDg hand; the bloody falchion wing ;

See, Heaven's propitious finger points the way !

Fear chains their limbs, and terror yields the prey ;

O'er our glad conrfe commencing grory fmiles,

And boundlefs treafures crown triumphant toils. ato
He fpoke; the warriors eyed th’ exalted fign j
And thrilling bofoms own'd the voice divine ;

Swift wheel'd, the ranks to combat vigorous rife j
Red lances Ihower, and fhouts convulfe the ikies.

An equal ardour Ai undaunted brings,	285

Fronts the dire foe, and fierce to danger fprings—•

As, borne by warring winds, thro’ ether roll
Two riiing Itorms, and cloud the northern pole ;

O'er fome dark mountain’s head their volumes driven

With floods of livid lightening deluge heaven ;
Peal following peal, careering thunders fly,

Bur ft o’er the world, and rend the fhudderingfky.
With equal nolle the florins of war refound ;

The blackening volumes cloud the hoftile ground.;
Thro' the Ihock'd air in mingled tumult rife,

The conqueror’s triumphs, and the yidtim’s cries.

And now the chief to prudent Caleb’s charge,
While the cloud thickens, and the founds enlarge,
Commends the hoft that own his mighty fway.

And bends to diflant rocks his backward way.
Here high in air he lifts the lance’s beam,

And power divine fupplies a ceafelefs ftream ;

With pointed circles glows the weapon bright,
And calls th’ effulgence of excefflve light.

Long o'er the plain, impatient to purfue,

Had panting lrad fix’d an anxious view,

Sigh’d the great Leader’s warning voice to bear,
Or caprh the radiance of th’ expedted fpear ;

The ready fword his hand all eager prefs’d ;

The well-brac'd buckler glitter’d o’er his bread;;

14 2

B Q O K VI.

Ip th’ utmoft weftern ranks he iilent flood
And look’d far onward thro’ the field of blood ;
Pain’d, left the deftin’d fign, forgot fhould fail,

Or fome bafe dart the Leader’s life aflail.

But when the fun-bright point inftarr’d the air,

’The blooming hero kenn’d the beam afar ;

To his brave peers, with ardent joy he cries,

And .all the warrior fparkled in his eyes.

Lo, generous youths, on yon delightfome plain
Shines the fair javelin, wifh’dfolong in vain !

Now fpurn the hated flight; to combat fpring $

Let virtue roufe you, and let glory wing.

Now fhallour fires, and now the Leader, know
What flames heroic in our bofoms glow;

Ai now fhall learn, untaught our firength to flighty
Not fear, but wifdom plann’d our feeming flight,
On their own heads redoubled vengeance feel.

Or fly inglorious from the conquering Heel.

Rife then, brave youths, their impious feoffs repay ;
My arm to triumph leads the envied way.

He fpoke ; the voice each aftive hero warms ;
With dreadful din they clafli their glittering arms,
Full on their dauntlefs foe? impetuous fall,

And brpak refifllefs o’er th’ embodied wall.

As winter’s Hireling blaft begins to roar,

And drives, in gloomy rage, along the fhore ;
Tome, in it’s path, the trees confus’dly lie ;

The white waves roll, the boughs tumultuous fly.
Not with lefs force, o’er piles of warriors flain,
Pours the bold band acrofs the bloody plain }

J}eath leads their way : with youthful vigor light,
They deal fwift vengeance thro’ the dufty fight,
Regardlefs of the florin, that round them flies,

Of dying murmurs, and of conquering cries.

High in the van exalted Irad ftrode,

And now commenc’d the toils of death and blood.

3’5

ICO

3*5

33Q

335

340

£-45BOOK VI;

Hi

When firft his arm, immingling in the ftrife/

Drew the red dream, and fpilt a human life,

(A lovely youth oppos’d his haplefs head,

And with pure crimfon died the infant blade)

Thro’ his chill’d veins a new, ftrange horror ran,-
And half-form’d tears in cither eye began;

In his your.g heart, unus’d to create woe,

Inftinftive fympathy began to glow j

The dreadful' fCene he gaz’d, and (hook to heafr

The hollow groan and fee pale death fo near.

But foon frefh tranfports in his bofom rife,

Rous’d by fhrill arms, and fir’d by barbarous cries :
Again his fpirit claims th’ imbattled foe ,

And bids two heroes to his falchion bow ;

Thro* cleaving ranks he wings a dreadful way,

And clouds of rolling dull oblcure the day;

Meantime in-Judah’s' van great Hezron fped,-
Hts voice arous’d them and his footileps led ;

With fix’d firm! courfe, the hoary hero ftrode,

His brown arms purpled with the burfting blood;
Ranks after ranks againft his falchion rife,

And chief on chief in fwift fudeeffiori dies.'

For now each breaft fuCh aftive vengeance warms ;
They fpurntihe trifling toil of mHTrve arms;

Each braces firm the fhield, and joys to wheel
The furer vengeance of the griding fteel.

Full on great Hezron’s courfe the heathens rufK’d,
And the firfl chiefs by following chiefs were crufb’d:
In.folemn pomp, againft the growing ftorm
The mjghty hero rear’d his movelefs form.

In vain bright fwords around him ceacelefs hung,
Troops prefs’d in vain, and clattering armour rung.
Spjpn fome hill, while angry tempefts lower,

In ftately grandeur, Hands the mofs-grown tower;
Loud roar the winds; impetuous drives the rain,
And all the fury of th’ etherial main ;BOOK VI*

Hi

Still, rear’d to heaven, it frowns with pride fublime*
Spurns the fierce ftorm, and mocks the wafte of time.

Far diftant, Caleb fwept the critofon plain,	38$

Guided the fight, and pil’d the numerous (lain;

Round his great arm the tlbudy fquadrons hung j
Claih’d on his buckler countlefs weapons rung y
Chiefs after chiefs oppos’d his wafting COUrfe,

-Methis broad fteel, and felt its fatal force.	Jjjd

Ludon,the HiviteS’ prince, his arm defied
All rough with gold, and gay in barbarous pride J
With giant llrength the heathen hurl’d his fpear,

Its terrors quivering through the parted air;

Loud o’er brave Caleb’s flioulders fung the fteel, $9$
'AUd pierc’d a warrior’s breaft; the warrior fell;

His blue mail clang’d; to rife he tried in vain,

But writh’d in dying anguiih on the plain.

The mighty leader rais’d his fword on high,

Its tranfient 1 ightniugs circling in the iky,	409

Foil on the Heathen’s neck a griding wound
Sunk; the loos’d head fell fpouting to the ground*
Amaz’d, the Hivites faw their monarch loft.

And deathlike murmurs groan’d around thehoft*

Near the bold leader Oran rear’d his fteel,	40f

'Where the ftorm thicken’d, and the fierceft foil 3
Imperious taunts provoke the rage of wan,

Loud threats infult, mid tumult founds afar ;

Wedg’d ift a raovelefs throng, the battle grows,

Cries deeper roar, and fhriller ring the blows.	41#

With joy, unfeeling Oran ftrides the flain,

And hails the ruins ofth’ accuftom’d plain ;

No anguiih melts, no wound his pity charms,

No fate impaffions, and no groan alarms ;

Thro’ the red feenes hehews a raptur’d way,	41 j

And mingling darknefs intercepts the day.

Meantime fierce Irad o’er the field is driven.

And boafts ih’ afiiftance of a favouring heaven ;B Ort O K VI.

Though new, to war, with war his bofom gloves;

And knows no tranfport, but the flight of foes,	- 42di|

In feeneeof dillant death bold Hezron ftands,

Dies his blue arms, and pains his aged hands ;

Full many a chief his veteran falchion crowns,

Thi^k flit the fhades, and blood the verdure drowns.
Impetuous Carmi fprings the chief to meet,	4.23

Confcious of youth, and light with nimble feet;

His arm all active ftrewS the fanguine ground,

Wakes the defep groan, dnd deals the frequent wound ;
Full on his angry fword the warriors rulh,

Impel th’ upright, the falling heedlefs cruflt:	43d1

No chief the fury of his arm withftands,

And ruin widens o’er bold Hezron’s bands;

Amaz’d, the hero faw the deluge fpread,

And wide, and wider rife the piles of dead,

Flight full commence in tofts that own his fway, 435
And proud Ai hail a fecond conquering day :

From his fad bofom heav’d a heavy groan ;

Round the whole war Ke mifs’d his favourite fori :
Untaught to droop, he hopes congenial fire
May yet ward fhame, and yet the troops iiifpire—	440

Where now, he cries, are fled the boafls of morn ?

The towering ftalk ? the brow of lifted fcorn ?

Then Judah’s warriors promis’d deeds of fame,

HiTs’d impious flight, and fpurn’d the daftard’s fhame.

Far other feenes now rend theft: haplefs eyes ;	445

The fob advances, ana the boaffer flies;

Broke but by fear; ye wing inglorious flight,

Giants in words, and maidens iti the fight;

Ofi had kind Heaven difpens’d a fpeedier doorri,

And this frail form In Balhan found a tomb !	430

Then had thefe palfied limbs, in peace repos’d ;
Unpain’d with fhame, thefe eyes in triumph clos'd j
Pleas’d to the laft, furvey’d my favourite race.

View’d no bafe flight, and bled for no di^jrace.—BOOK VI.

146

Hence, hence, ye timorous fouls, to Jolhua fly* 455
£nd tell the Chief, ye faw your leader die.

The hero fpoke ; and urg’d by paffion’s force*

On furious Car mi bent his aged courfe ;

Awful in gleam of arms, the chiefs appear,

Here the bold youth, the white-hair’d hero there:	46^

But ere his fword great Hezron could extend,

Or circling, bands their ancient chief defend,

A long, bright lance his wary foe beheld,

Andfnatch’d it glittering on the bloody held ;	*

Swiffc through the hero’s fide he forc’d the fteel;	465

Pierc’d to the:heart, the aged warrior fell;

There lay, a corfe, befpread- with purple ftains,

The form, that triumph’d on a hundred plains.

On Ridgefield’s hills, to ihame to virtue (lead,

Thus daftard bands the fOe inglorious fled ;	47O

When Woofter fingly brat’d the deathful ground,

Pir’d hoflsinvain, add met the fatal wound.

In dangers born, to arms in childhood train’d,

From Gallia’s heroes ri>any a palm he gain’d ;

With freedom’s facrCd flame ferenely glowed	47*5

For juftice arm’d, and fought the field for God ;

With fteady zeal his nation’s intereft lov’d ;

(No terror touch’d him, and no injury mov’d)

Far in the front, with dauntlefs bofom bled,

And crown’d the honours of his hoary head.	480*

Bent o’er his foe, the lovely Carmi flood,

And view’d, with tears of grief, his burfting blood*

And thus—Unhappy fire, he fadly cried—

Perhaps thy monarch’s joy, thy nation’s pride.—

How like my father’s bends thy hoary brow ?	4®$

fjis limbs, his countenance, and his locks offhqw,

All in thy venerable face I fee—

Perhaps the parent of a fon like me—

He fpoke; and fiercely wheel’d his bloody fword,
Sprang to the fight, and many a hero gor’d }

49®BOOK VJ.

*47

His roice,his eye? the joyful haft iafpire,

And through the fweetnefs flames a dreadful fire.

Aftive as light, o’er trembling ranks he hung ;

$hputs fhook the plains, the frighted forefts rung:
Unnumber’d fallen groans were heard around;	495

Unnumber’d corfes cloath’d the purple ground:

From poll to poll retir’d pale Judah’s train,*

And chief on chief increas’d the piles offlain,

Dark as an evening cloud, bold Ai was driven,

Gloom'd all the fields, aad call a (hade on heaven ; (op
Wide roll’d the florm ; wide drove the duft along.

And ruin hover’d o’er the flying throng.

Meantime, brave Irad turn’d his fparkling eyes,

And faw in diftant fields the clouds arife ;

Bad flight and terror fill’d the backward plain, 405
And the foe ibouted o’er his kindred flain.

As, when autumnal clouds the foies deform,

Burfts the wild whirlwind from the gloomy florm;

Hoarfe crafti the pines ; oaks ftiffly ftubborn fall.

And fudden thunders lifleiiing fwains appall:	£1Q

Bo, wing’d by Heaven, impetuous Ifad flew;

As fwift their darling chief the youths purfue ;

Whelm’d in their path, the falling bands expire,

And crowds of warriors from their rteps retire.

Now, where brave Cajmi fwept the purple ground,

Terrific Irad (hook his buckler’s round ;

Alike in years they feem’d, alike in arms.

Of equal ftature, and of rival charms:

Nor this, nor that, the dangerous fight can yield ;
But each demands the empire of the field.

From the fierce chiefs the wondering bands retreat;
Blows following blows their founding Ihields repeat;
tJncleft, each faithful orb the ftroke rebounds,

Blunts the keen blade, and intercepts the wounds:
‘Till Irad’a nimble arm, with fudden wheel,

Through Car mi’s fide impels the fatal fleel,

516I4&

BOOK VI.

Pure ftreams ofcrimfon ftain the fubjett ground,

And the freed foul pervades the gaping wound.

Not that fair pride, that foul-fupporting flame,

That lights the fplendors of th’ immortal name ;	530

Not atl the bravery nature can impart*

Nor the fond wilhes of a virgin’s heart.

Nor parents* vows, nor nations' prayers could fave,

The ydung, bright hero from an early grave.

He fell, with beauty’s faireft beams adorn’d,	535

While foes admir’d him, and while Irad mourn’d.

Ah youth, too fooh allotted to the tomb ;

Oh had kind Heaven difpens’d afofter doom*

On thy fair deeds a fweet reward bellow’d,

And op’d the maniions of the blefc’d abode !	540

Thus, where fad Charleftown lifts her hills on high,
Where once gay firu&ures charm’d ^he morning fky,

Ere Howe’s barbarian hand in favage fire
Wrapp’d the tall dome, and whelm’d the facred fpire,

In life’s fair prime, and n'ew to war’s alarms,	545

Brave Warren funk, in ali the pride of arms.

With me, each generous mind the hour recall,

When pale Columbia mourn’d her favourite’s fall;
Mourn’d the bright ftatefman, hero, patriot, fled,

The friend extinguilh’d, and the genius dead;	556

While he, the darling of the wife, and good,

Seal’d his firm truth, and built his name in blood.

Loud as the rufhing ftorm, the din of war
Burft o’er the plain, and (hook the fields afar ;

Fierce Irad rais’d a loud, ciiftinguilh’d cry-—	555

Here fee, my friends, their gafping leader lie.—

Through Ai’s wide holl my fword fhall hew your way;
Shall Jndah’s fons alone defert the day ?.

Shall Jofhua know you fled ? to glory rife ;

Lift all your arms, and pierce the knave that flies. 569
The hero fpoke ; abafh’d the warriors heard,

Rung their blue arms; and high the ftandard rear’d ;BOOK VI.

Hi

Aloft in air a Lion’s gloomy form
Lower’d, like the darknefs of a fallen florin ;

Arour.d his head his fhaggy terrors frown’d,

And his red eyeballs gleam’d definition round.

Swift from the bearer’s hand fierce Irad drew
The banner’d ftaff, and mid the heathens threw ;
With joy they fprang to feize the glittering prize,
And fmiles of triumph fparkled in their eyes.	i

Shame flufh’d the cheeks of JudahYglowing train ;
Their bofoms heav’d ; their faces flafh’d difdain;

To feize the (tuning fpoil each warrior fprang ;

The combat thicken’d ; and all ether rang ;

Far roll’d the darknefs of the dully cloud ;	<

Loud rofe their cries, and armour clafh’d aloud.

The blackening temped Ai undaunted kenn’d,

Pleas’d to procure, and flubborn to defend ;

Scarce Irad’s arm could cleave the firm-wedg’d train,
As fierce he ftrove the ftandard to regain ;	\

Through ranks on ranks he forc’d afanguine way,

Ere his red falchion won the fplendid prey;

With fmiles, he faw the crimfon tumult grow,

And hail’d the vengeance gathering o’er the foe.

From the tall rock great Jolhua call his eyes, ^
And faw the varying fcenes of combat rife.

To Carmi’s force beheld pale Judah yield,

And role to fave the triumphs of the field ;

But foon new fhouts afcentl the clouded lkv,

His friends now triumph, and the Heathens fly. 5
Now nearer fcenes his fearching view demand,
Where mighty Caleb rules the warrior band ;

Fierce Oran’s fword begins inglorious flight,

And his loud clamours animate the fight:

Scarce Caleb’s arm the conflidt can fullain,	5

His voice aroufe, or deeds infpire, the train ;

So fierce the heathens throng th’ embattled ground,

§0 thick the warriors fall, the groans refound.BOOK VI.

The Hero view’d, and tow’rd the fainting; throng,

Bwift as a rapid Whirlwind, rufli’d along;

As ’gainft a mound4 when tempefts ride the gale,

The raging river foams along the vale ;

Down the wall crumbles, and with dreadful reign
Sweeps a wild deluge on the wafted plain.

Burfting upon the dark embodied throng	6oj.

Thus the wide ruin Jolhua drove along ;

Around his eotirfe increas'd the piles of dea(d,

The brave funk lighting, and the coward fled.

Now, where unfeeling Oran crulh’d the {lain,

All grim with dull, and red with many a ftain,	6Id

While ftniles of tranfport gather'd on his brow,

His fierce eye fparkling o’er the bleeding foe.

While high for death he rear'd his fang uine arip.

And a brave warrior bow’d to (hun tfieftorm,

Great Joftma’s full-orb’d buckler caught the wound, fit 5
And lightnings darted from the moony round,

Then, by his hand with rufoing thunder thrown,

On Oran’s helmet burft a mighty ftone,

That, bounding onward 'gainft a warrior’s fide,

Cfufh’d his llrong ribs, and fhed a plenteous tide, '62.9
Stonn’d by the daggering blow, the leader foil,

Writh’d with the pain, and gave a hideous yell;
furious he lay, with heaving, panting breath,

Roll’d up his whitening eyes, and frown’d in deathj
Curfing the Afield, which feiz’d his nimble dart, 62$
And flopp’d its paftage to the warrior’s heart:

Swift on his throat defcends th* indignant blade,

Burfts the black gore, and leaps the grifly head.

Loud o’er the tumult rpfe the Hero’s cry t
The hoft all quakes, the diftant groves reply--- fijj
Ru{h on, bold heroes, conqueft crowns the day ;
Nowfpring to fight, and feize the trembling prey.

This arm on Oran drove the final wound ;

Let ihouts of triumph {hake the hoftile ground :3 O O K VI.	i$l

Wealth,and fair peace, the generous conteft yields, 635
And wreaths of-glory bloom in bloody fields—

As in th’ enkindled wood fierce winds arife,

And florins of.fire are blown acrofs the Ikies;

Ip blazing trains, the towering pinesdefcend,

And rulhiug thunders all the foreft rend i	64O

So, loud and furious, Ifrael throng’d the fight,

And their blue arihout flafh’d a dreadful light *

O’er the pale rear tremendous jofhuahung;

Their gloomy knell his voice terrific rung;
from glowing eyeballs flafh’d his wrath fevcre, '645
Grim Death before him hurl’d his thundering (pear 5
Heads, fever’d from their necks, beftrew’d his way,

And gufhing bodies round his fbotflieps lay.

Meantime Ai’s (bunding portals wide unfold^

And fierce to combat burfling bands are roll’d ;	-650

In dreadful ponip aicends the widening train;

Battalions on battalions cloud the plain :

There glowing Zimri wings his rapid force,.

And eager thoufands darken round his Courfe,

Ai’s ghaftly foul the fmoking walls furvey’d, tSj.j
And wild amaze each pallid front array’d ;

Here lay in,gore their brethren, and their fires ;

There funk their manfions in terrific fires;

Before, behind, their foes increas'd alarms;	659

TThey rais’d one fhriek, and dropp’d their ufelefs arms :
Where’er-an opening rank receiv’d the day,

Or dull obfcufe difclos’d a glimmering ray,

Borne by light fear, they left the lingering wind#

They fled, they flew, nor caft a look behind;

Oft on the fpear’s protended point they ran j	<66$

While throng’d refiftlefs, meeting man with man,

Steel firetch’d to fteel, and fhield to fhieid oppos’d ;

On every fide the power of Jfrael closed.

So thick they throng’d, no fpear could mifs its courfe ;

In vain no falchion/pent ks ardent force ;	6-p*B O O X Vli

Lefs heard and lefs, refounded piercing crieS;

And dull befprinkled ceas’d to fill the flues.

So, when tall navies lift imperial fails,

And hope th’ indulgence of propitious gales,

When the cold north’s fierce wind the main deform, 675
And, fill’d with thunders, rolls the raging florm,

Heav’d from the bottom, foaming billows rife.

And climbs and cliihb, and roar againft the ikies ;

O’er fhiver’d mails unroll *the furging waves,

And the pale failors plunge in watery graves.	680

Swift as a whirlwind, o’er the fouthern plains
Impetuous Zimri drove the Hivito train:

With profperous courfe, they fped their ha fly flight,

Sunk in the wood, and vanilh’d from the fight.

And now; obedient to the Chiefs command, 68$
Round the tall flandard throng’d each wearied band;

A fmile of tranfpott every face adorn’d,

Their wounds unheeded, and the dead fcaree mourn’d.

Nor knew fair lrad how his parent lay;

But, fir’d with glory, fleer’d his carelefs way j 69O
Nepr the gre^t Chief he mov’d with confcious grace;

And confcious blufhes crimfon’d o’er his face ;

When* pale and ghaftly, on the bloody ground,

Stain’d with black dull, and pierc’d with many a wound.
Stiff gore befprinkling all his locks of fnow,	695

And a cold cloud around his reverend brow,

Hezron appear’d : at once his nerves congeal’d ;

His frozen lips a dumb, dead filence feal’d ;

A movelefs flatue, o’er the fire he hung,

Nor ftreaming tears releas’d his marbled tongue. 700
Then round the corfe impaffion’d arms he threw,

And walh’d the clotted gore in filial dew ;

Glu’d to the form with ftrong embrace* lay,

And kifs’d, with quivering lips, the fenfelefs clay.

At length the Chief, foft pity in his eyes,	703

Bleach’d his kind hand, andforc’d the Youth to rife:BOOK vr.

hi

Four mournful warriors Huron's body bortV
And their eyes gliften’dwith a tender jhower.

The fun declin’d ; befmear’d with dud, and blood,
Slow o’er the plain the Wearied fquadrons trodq ;	710

When, fair as Phofph’or leads thfe morning train,

J)refs’d in new beims, and beauteous from the main ;
Crown’d with white flowers, that breath’d a rich perfume
And cloth’d in loveiinefs, of gayeft bloom,

Rofe in foft fplendor Caleb’s yOungeft pride,	71;

A thoufand ritaidens following at her fide.

In fnow-white robes of flowing filk array’d,

Firft of the virgihs walk’d the blufhing maid }

Her long, dark hair loofe-flodtcd in the wind ;

Her glowing eyes confefs’d th’ etherial mind ;	726

A wreath of olive#ftourifh’d in her hand ;

A filver lyre obey’d her foft Command ;

With founds harmonious rang the Warbled firings,

And thus the maids, and thus Selima lings.

Who comics frohi Ai, adorn’d with gay attirfe,	72^

Bright as the fplendor of the morning Are f
Fair as the fpring, afeends the lovely form,

Arid dreadful as the blaze, that lights the dorm !

Ye maids, with flowerets drew the conqueror’s way,
Strike the loud harp, and fing the dreadful day !	730

To Irad’s fteps the ntatchlefs fair-one came,

Her bread quick-panting, and her cheeks on flame;

Her beauteous hand thfe verdant crown difplay’d ;
Graceful he boW’d, and plac’d it on his head.

Slow to her train the trembling /air Withdrew, 733
The charm’d youths following with a movelefs view.

So, wing’d with light, and drefs’d in flrange array,

The mantling glory of the riling day,

With fweet complacence, fuch as angels fhow

To fouls unprifon’d from this world of woe,	74o

Parted foft-fmiling from our general fire

Some bright-ey’d Virtue, of the heavenly choir,BOOK VI,

Ml

Far in the Tolar walk, with wanderous flight,

The form celellial Icflen’d on his fight.

Again the youth his wonted life regain’d ;

A tranfient fparkle in his eye obtain’d ;

A riling glow his tender thoughts confefs'M,

And the foft motions of his melting breaft.

But foon dark glooms the feeble fmiles o’erfpread
Like morn’s gay hues, the fading fplendor fled j
Returning anguilh froze his feeling foul,

Deep fighs burft forth, arfd tears began to roikTHE

CON QJU EST of CANAAN.

BOOK vir;A^gum?nt.

E-venitig defcribed. I rad's dream. He goes cut to {fro
vo alls of Ai. His lamentation for his father. Refecti-
ons on the fate of Ai. Appearance of an army. Irad
returns inhafe,and alarms the Camp, JnJbua, at his
fequeft, allots him a body of forces, with whom he goes out
to attack the Heathens. Battle by the burning of Ai, be-
tween Hazor, &c. and Ijrael. lrad's exploits. He kills
Adnorx and purfues Samlah to the eafern part of the hofl.
TJzal. Shclumiel. fatin' s character, and exploits. He
kills Shammah, and’Seraiah. Jobab. Confufon of the
Ifraelites. Irad returns. and rallies them. He attack4
Jobab, with Juccefs. Kindling of the neighbouring fo-
reflJeparates the combatants.

The fcene of this battle is partly on the plain eaf of Ai,
partly in the foref fjll eafward\ and partly northward
of the Joref.The CONQUEST of CANAAN,

book; vii.

the wide world immeasurably fpread,

Night, Still and gloomy, caft a Solemn Shade,

Jn heavens half-clouded Stars unfrequent hymg;
Scarce heard, the blall with mournful murmprs rung $
Above tall, eallern hills, the moon’s pale eye	j;

Look’d fad, and dreadful, from the cheerlefs flcy :

Her cold, w an face, half-hid behind a cloud,

That wrapp’d the mountains in a fabje fhroud,

With feeble luftre Streak'd the Shadowy plains,

And edg’d her vapoury robes with difmal Stains.	ip

AH, but the Savage race, to Sleep retir’d,

And the lalt gleams of weftern Skies expir’d.

Stretch’d in his tent, unhappy Irad lay,

And Sad oblivion bore his toils away.

In that (till hour, when r^pt on eagle-wings,	iij

To distant climes bewilder’d fancy Springs,

A death-like Slumber Seal’d his tearful eyes,

And thus unreal Scenes in vilion rife.

Through lonely fields, in rufl’et gloom array'd,

Loll in mute grief, with weary Steps he Stray’d.	20

A Shadowy light, like evening’s duSky ray,

Spread o’er the world, and form’d a twilight day.

Before his wandering path, a northern grqve
§hed midnight round, and pierc’d the clouds above:IS8	BOOK VII.

Blow wav'd the tall, dark pines: a hollow found 2 5
Roll’d through the wpod, and Ihook th’ autumnal ground,
Dull-murmuring fell the fullen, fwelling dreams,

Lulling to deep, and blue in glimmering beams.

With broad, black horrors o’er its bofom fpread,

An eaftern mountain rear’d its ihaggy head ;	3©

High hung the hoary cliff; the cedars height,

Lefs feen, and lefs, withdrew beyond the fight.

Strange unknown fcenes the regions wild difplay,

And folitary mufic flowly dies away.

From the thick grove, in dark-brown robes reveal’d,
A form (talk’d folemn o’er the (huddering field ;	36

Of other worlds he feem’d ; nor caft an eye
On the brown plain, or on the gloomy (ky.

Regardlefs of the fcenes that round him mourn’d,

On Irad's path his fad, flow fceps he turn’d ;	4P

Pale flood the Youth ; the flattfiy lhape drew nigh ;
Gafli’d was his cheek, and fix’d his lofty eye ;

Like a light flame, low hung his beard of fnow.

And death’s cold terrors hover’d on J^is brow.

’Twas Hezron’s felf. With weak, butfplemn found, 45
As fullen graves beneath the foot refound,

His voice began--.Qn fate’s dark verge I (fond,

Whence thickening dangers roll acrofs thy land.

Night wraps the world ; approaching florin* arife,

Hang o’er thy race, arid cloud the fouthern Ikies. 50
My moulderiug bones a colder night detains,

Clos’d in the tomb, and bound in icy chains:

But the wing’d fpirit fairer climes furround,

And heaven unfolding bids her fongs refound.

Faintly he fpoke. By flrange, immortal fpell,	55

^iis^wounds grew fmooth, his fightlefs garments fell:
jlis pallid face a fudden beauty fir’d,

And with ftronglife his changing eye infpir’d ;

O’er his white robes a purple fplendor ray’d; •

Long glittering pinions locfcly round him play’d $	60BOOK vii;.

>53

In dreadful pomp, fublime the Yifion flood,

Add living fragrance breath’d along the wood.

At once the hero, ftartled, rais’d his head 3
Still was his tent, and all the tumult fled ;

Again to fleep he clos’d his wearied eyes,

And broken (lumbers o’er his toils arife.

Sudden, his name re-echoing from the wall*;

A wild, and vilionary murmur calls—

I tad awake ; my voice thine ear invades,

From the dark manfions ofimprifon’dfhades;

In fouthern plains the clarion’s thunders rife,

And fhouts of triumph fill the rending Ikies.

Swift from his couch the Youth aftonilh’d rofe,

(While every vein the dreadful murmur froze)

With active hand his arms around him brac’d ;

With nimble feet the glimmering champain pafs’d,

And tow’rd Ai’s flames; that rag’d with awful force;
Sufpenfe, but fearlefs, fleer’d his lonely courfe.

Sjill o’er his head the airy phantom hilng ;

Irad awake---the voice unreal rung :	86

Sad grief, and anxious doubt his thoughts opprefs’d,

But love’s foft whifpers ftill difturb’d his bfeaft.

Now folemn filence fail’d along the air ;

No bird complain’d ; no echoing voice was near j
Save the flow murmur of the palling gale,	85

That fwept the plain, and founded through the vale.

The flames dark-glimroer’d on the hero’s ftiield,

And call long fhadows o’er the pallid field :

Round the dread fcenes he turn’d regardlefs eyes,

And thus began, with intermingledfighs-—	9°

And art tliou fled forever ? this thine end.

Thou belt of parcuts, and thou fureft friend ?

And could’ft thou fall, a prey to murdering war f
What cruel demon drove, my feet fo far ?

Was no kind angel hovering o’er the throng ?	95!.

Where look’d the P’ower, thy virtue ferv’d fo lpng ?

65

70

75«Bcf

BOOK	VI r,

Thy foul fo pure-*—thy life fo firmly jtflt—

Scarce HeaVia’s own latf could more demand front dull.
Why, O thou righteous Mind ? but ceafe my tongue>
Nor blame the dread decree, that cannot wrong. too/
Mine the foie fault—and mine the fingle blame-—

Wild with the magic of that phantom, fame,
bidft thou for this the guilty ftiield bellow,

To leave thee naked to the fatal blow ?

Didft thou for this the fWord aceurs’d impart,	raj

That Ihould have pldng’d beneath the murderer's heart ?
Far other love, far other faithful cares
Nurs’d my young limbfe, and watch’d my riling years;
My early fteps, frorri pleafure’s flippery road,

Lur’d with foft fmiles, artd led them up to God ; fiat
Thy own bright atttons prompting to purfue,

To virtue charm’d, me, and to glory drew;

With Jolhtia’9 feIf miy wilhes forc'd to vie,

Btfaft of mankind, and chofenof the Sky.

Pale, in the Villons of the guilty bed,	i IJ

Thy form affrights me, and thine eyes upbraid.

There fCenes of dire diffrefs thy words unroll,

Doom’d for my life, and opening on my foul.

Or does thy mind its lov’d employ purfue,

To guard from ill, arid hidden dangers Ihew ?

Perhaps thy thoughts, beyond the lilent tomb1,

Watch, as in life, thy nation’s feCret doom ;

Some rulhing fate unknown difcern afar,

Some threatening ambulh, or feme walling war.

Perhaps the firll of maids thy care demands,	iz£

And claims her fafety from aerial hands*

Ah ! knew the fair what crimes to me belong.

Pier lovely voice had fpar’d tli’ applaudingfong;

A bread more pure her melting arms embrac’d,

And the bright garland worthier temples grac’d. IJO
Thus fpoke the chief, when now his Heps were nigh
Ai’s awful flames, that wav’d acrofs the iky \BOOK VII.

*G*

AU pale, arid gloomy, diftvfe’d the dreadful blaze,

And fmofcy volumes curl’d above the rays ;

A dreary gleam enroll’d the fhsdy ground,	13 J

And the $»rt>wn laud*feapfcr faintly rofe around.

Touch’d by the foleirrft feenc, the hero cried—

Where haplefs Ai 1 is now thy tow cry -pride ?

Where now thy manly fdns, whole ftaewy arms
&ofe, a ftrong bulwark ’gairfft impending harm si	146

Where Sow the heaven-topp'd fpire ? the gilded wall ?
Thy kings, thy heroes f' whelm’d in ruih all—
DeftruAion’s eloufds failed blackenirig o’er thy light,

And wide oblivions never-ending night.

Where yon tall dorte llioots forth the* greedy flanle,i 45
Perhaps forte hero hop’d a deatfilefs name.

Oft wheri return’d frort war, his tender race
Climb'd his fond knee and dik'd the fwee't embrace :

Oft, with a parent’s gliflening eye1, he view’d

IJis face, his virtues in their forms renew’dt	i$d

Perhaps fome daught&r, darling of his cart,

Beam'd, like Selima Fairelt of the Fair i

And could thofe flames feme lovely maid deftroy,

Anation’s glory and a parent’s joy ?

Could babes, fweet-fmiling, claim rfo hand to fave,

But find, unwept, a furnace for a grave ?

Thu* mourn’d his generous heart the doom fetere,

And paid loll Ai the tribute of a tear.

Like ocean's long, deep roar, a ruffling found

Bur ft from the wood, and pour’d along the ground ‘ 160

At once wide trembled o'er the awful fields

The fudden gleam of fpears, and helms, and fhields,

Impetuous roil’d unfeen the rattling car,

And banner’d terrors wav’d th* approach of war.

Loud rung bold I rad’s voice the dreadful found	16§

Stopp’d the long hofl, and fhook th’ affrighted ground;
Thrice, like the barft of thunder, hoarfe he cried j
Thrice, flood the hofl; and thrice the fky replied:

YB. 0 a K vu.

i&i'

The cry wav’d.fdlemn through, the winding Vales;

Night fhook, and murmurs fill’d the, ruftung gales* 17P
The fouthern guards Toon caught the boding found*

And fpread th* alarm the ftartled camp around ;

Loud as tall bilkjws rend the rocky ihore.,.

Rofe the forfofous <:lftrion’s burking roar :

Swift to the eampi-the hero wing’d his way,.	17$

hous’d allthe lioft-, and Scatter’d wild difmay—

Arm, watriors, arm 1 to inftant battle fly !.

The foe’s .at hand ! ye combat, or ye die.

Swift to theie tent-e unmimber-d bands repair ;

Hark ! how the trumpet fills the troubled air !

In foutheffn, fields afcenfls the waging war,

And fierce as whirlwinds roll? the rapid car.

Arm, ere our camp be wrapp’d in one broad flame,

And Ifuae.l’S.manly thoufands, waijta name,

Thus, round the hoil, his animating cry	185

Urg’d fleep’s oblivious hand from every eye ;

Each waking mind the ftrange alarm appalls
Arm, warriors, arm ! each itartled hero calls :

From tent to tent the vyild confufion flies ;

Shouts rend the plains; groans murmur ; flirieks arife ;
A rufhing noife invades the likening ear j	191

Jn fwift fncceflion half-feen forms appear ;	.

Shrill rjngs^the rattling mail ; the trump’s big found'
Cleaves the dun heaven, and lhakes the gloomy ground.
Round a broad flame, that, by the Chief’s ^command,
Shoot? lofty fpires, and gleams along the fand,	196

Deep throng the fcjuadrons; high the flandards flream.
And wave, and glimmer, in the livid beam.

There, while the terrors of the lovely fair

Froze every break, and breath’d a wide defpair, 20©

A quickening glow the Leader’s voice infpir’d ;

Hulh’d were their cries; their leflening fears retir’d;
-Through every bofom thrill’d a new defrght.

And brac’d each Anew for the manly fight.0 O O K VII.

tti'3

Now* tang’d in ranks, the ho ft expedant ftood,	205

Prepar’d for combat, fteel’d to death and blood j
SuddOJJ, before the Chief, with panting breaft,

The generous Youth preferr’d his bold requeft—^

Near Ai’s red ftamejs i fleer’d my carelefs way,

Robb’d of wifh’d (lumbers, and to grief a prey, 2,10
When (heath’d in gleaming arms, a mighty train,,

Pour’d from the wood, and cover’d all the plain ;

On foaming couriers, chiefs impel the war,

Or .whirl the terrors of the wafting car.

And wilt thou, Chief diy-ine, from Irad hear	215

The didates of a mind, that knows no fear?

Shall this young arm again the lance command.

And lead to fight a ftrong,.undaunted hand,

Ta Ai’s wide ruins wing our adive courle,

And tempt the .fury of barbarian force ?	.220

Shall thine unconquer’d fword the camp defend,

And ward the fate.iffhame our fteps attend l.

Safe in thy prudence (hall the race endure,
j&od Jofhua’s name opr wives, apd Tons fecure.

Lo, drefs’d in fteel, we wait thy xuling breath !	225

Counfel is ruin, and delay is death.

Go*in Jehovah’s name-*-the Chief replied,—

Forth Aalk’d the Youth, and warm’d with martial prides
P’er fouthern fields the bands appointed-fleer’d,

Squar'd in juft ranks, and not a warrior fear’d. 230

Now where Ai’s fon« beflrew’d the plain, they came,
Faintly illumin’d by the diftant flame ;

No foe appear’d : the world more gloomy grew,

•^nd, loft in cjouds, etherial realms withdrew ;

Save where lone ftars diffus’d a feeble beapi,	235

Like the far taper’s folitary gleam :

Slow winds breath’d hollow, through the dark profound,
And deepening horror brooded o’er the gtounfl,

Ealt of proud Ai> an ancient foreft ftood»

And fbuthvyarfl far w%s ftretch’d the lofty wood ;	240B O 43 K VIL

North lay fair plains ; and next the walls, array'd
With fcatter’d trees, a fpacioijs level fpread.

Now near the turning domes, the fijttadrons flood,
Their breafls impatient for the fcenes of Wopd :

On every face a death-like glimmer fate,	t\%

The unblefc’d harbinger of inflaftt fate.

High ihro' the gloom, in pale and dreadful fpires,

Rofe the Jong terrors of the dark-red fires ;

Torches, and torrent, fparks, by whirlwinds driven,
Stream’d thro’ the fmoke, and fir’d the clouded heaven.

As oft tall turrets funk with rafhing found,	231

Broad flames burft forth, and fweep the etherial round,
The bright expansion lighten'd all thefeene,

And deeper fhadows lengthen’d o’er the green.

Roud thro’ the walls that ^ail a golden gleam,

Crown’d with tall pyramids pf bending flame,

As thunders rumble down the Hardening vales,

Roll’d the deep folemn voice of rufhing gales:

The bands admiring gaz’d the wanderous fight,

And Expectation trembled for the fight.	469

At once the founding clarion breath’d alarms 5
Wide from the foreft bur ft the flafhof arms j
Thick gleam’d the helms; and o’er aflonifh’d fields.
Like thoufand meteors, rofe the flamerbcighi fhields.

In gloomy pomp, to furious combat roll’d

Ranks fheath’d in mail, and chiefs it) glimmering gold j

In floating luftre bounds the dim-feen fteed,

And cars unfinilh’d, fvyift to cars fucceed :

From all the hoft afcends a dark-red glare,

Here in full blaze, in diftarrt twinklings there ;	270

Slow waves the dre^dful light, as round the fhote
Night’s folemn blafls with deep concuflion voar,

So rufh’d the footfleps of th’ embattled train,

And fend an awful murmur o’er the plain,

Tall in tfi’ oppofing van, bold I rad flood,	47^

And bid the clarion found the voice pf blood.*oo k vii,

Loud blew the trumpet on the Sweeping .gales.

Rock’d die-deep groves, and-echoed round tbs vales;

A ceafelefs murmur all the concave fills,	(hills:

Waves thro’ the quivering camp, and trembles o’er the
High in the gloomy blatse the ftandards flew ;	li t

Th’ impatient Youth his burnish’d falchion drew;
Ten-thouiand fwords his eager tends display'd,
Atidcrimfoti terrors danc’d on every blade.

With equal rage, the bold, Hadrian train	zBg

Pour’d a wide deluge oVr the lhadowy plain ;

Loud rofe the longs of war, loud clang'd the ihiolds,
Pread fhouts of vengeance fhook the fluiddering fields;
With mingled din, (brill, martial mulie rings*

And fwift to combat each fierce hero fprings.	29O

So broad, and dark, a midnight iftor m afeends,
fiurfts on the main, and trembling nature rends ;

The red loam burns, the watery mountains rife.

One deep unmeasur'd thunder heaves the ikies.;

The bark drives lonely ; (hivermg and forlorn, *295
The poor, fad Tailors wiifi the lingering morn :

Not with left fury ruih’d the vengeful train ;

Not with left tumult roar’d th’ embattled plain.*

Now in tke oak’s black (hade they fought conceal’d ;

And now they Ihouted thro' the open field ;	JQO

The long, pale splendors of the curling flame
Call q^er their polilh’d arms a livid gleam ;

An umber’d ltfftre floated round their way,

And lighted falchions to the fierce affray.

Now the fwift chariots ’gainft the ftubborn oak 305
Palh’d ; the dark earth re-echoes to the fliock.

From (hade to (hade the forms tremendous dream,

And their arms flalh a momentary flame.

Mid hollow tombs, as fleets an airy train.

Loft in the Ikies,or fading o’er the plain;	310

So vifionary (hapes, around the fight,

Shoot thro’ the gloom, and vaniih’d froni the fight jBOOK VIL

Theo’ twilight paths the maddening couriers bound.

The ihriU fwords crack, the clalhing ftrields refound.
There, loft in grandeur might the eye behold	31 j

The dark-red glimmerings of the fteel, and gold ;

The chief; the fteed ; the nimbly-rulhing car;

And all the horrors of the gloomy war.

Here the thick clouds, with purple luftre bright, 3*9
Spread o’er the long long, hoft and gradual funk in night;
Here half the world was wrapp’d in rolling fires,

And dreadful vallies funk between the fpires.

Swift ran black forms acrofs the livid flame,

And oaks wav’d flowly in the trembling beam :

Loud rofe the mingled noife ; with hollow found, 325
Deep-rolling whirlwinds roar, and thundering flames re*
As drives a blaft along the midnight heath, (found.
Rufh’d raging 1 rad on the ftenes of death ;

High o’er his fhoulder gleam’d his brandifti’d blade,

And fcatter’d ruin round the twilight fhade.	33^

Futl on a giant hero’s fweeping car
He pour’d the tempeft of refiftlefs war ;

His twinkling lance the heathen rais’d 01* high,

And hurl’d it, fruitlefs, through the gloomy fky ;

From the bold Youth the maddening couriers wheel, 335
Gafh’d by the vengeance of his flaughtering fteel,

*Twixt two tall oaks the helplefs chief rl^ey. drew ;

The fhrill car dalh’d ; the crack’d wheels rattling flew;
Crufh’d in his arms, to rife he flroye in vain,

And lay unpitied on the dreary *plain.	340

' How Samlah’s hands to war the chariot guide,.

Fair, beauteous, tall, fam’d Hamor’s youngeft pride ;

O’er Achfaph’s towers he ftretch’d a potent fway,

And faw furrounding realms his rod obey,

Adnor, an elder birth, proud grandeur fp.uxn’d ;>	345

Lord of his foul, inferior reajms he fcorn’d;

Nor felt one pang, nor fhew’d one envious frown.

When floating Age to S.amlah gave the crown.BOOK VII.

Round, bit young fteps be call akinrd furvey,

And taught the. bleflings of an equal fway;

The pride of arts allur’d him topnrfue ;

To wifdom form’d him, and to virtue drew j
To reafon’s rules his ilormy.ipafllons wrought,

And fhone, a pattern of the truths he taugftt.

'from Jabin’s loins ar matchlefs virgin, fpfung,;

And every voice with Salmff?s praifes rung,

Her, A^nor If d to (hare his brother’s throne,

And made, delighted, Samlah’sblifs his own.

Five weeks t)fr© prince beheld in tranfpott: glide,
Blefs’d itr fhe beauties of his lovely bride:

Heedlefs of* war he dwelt; ’till Jabin’s voice
Rous'd him to arms, and call'd to rudtir joys.

Now, where bold trad fcatter’d blood, and fate,

In the fame car che friendly brothers fate ;

When Adnor thus—Oh fly.yon mifcreant’s arm ;

Nor tempt the terrors of the fweeping Harm 1
Its wonted ai^ my broken fpear denies—

With a fierce look, th,’ impatient; y©uth;replie$—
Me doft thou urge to bafe, unnjanly flight ?

Lehp from the.„chariot; hide in covering night 2.
Shall Salma hear. f (hall Samlah's growing.name
Wafte with the pangs of never-ending (hajne ?

He faid, and furious, urg'd his rapid car,

Crufh’d the firm ranks, and (houted to the war.;

On I rad’s courfe he drove ; the hejo turn’d,

Jfnd a brown glimmering from his buckler burn'd :
'Twixt t|ie bold leaders pour'd an ardent band ;
Sword clafh’d on fword, and hand rofe up to hand ;
They fell ; new fquadrons o’er their eorfes rile.

And louder tumults echo from the (kies.

Imperious Samlah lifts a haughty cry—

Hence, on your lives, prefuming dallards fly !

Who dares trarjfgrefs (hall find a fudden doom s
Crive S’aiqlah p_lace-i-giye kings, and heroes room-

BOOK VIE.

tm

He fpoke. tiir friends r aH anxkms for) cbeir king, $#£
fitiil crowd the;war,.and fwift rodaagerfpriwg;

Loud, fung the vengeance of his poinfed-fteel.

And a bold veteran, deeply wounded, fell;

Enrag’d, the bands on either ftde retreat.

And leave the furious monarch to his face.-
Swift front the chariot faithful Adnor fpraOg;

On I rad’s (hield his raftiing1 falchion rang :

The Youth’s quick wheeling, thro his (Moulder glides ;
Drops the cleft arm, and guftf the living tides.

He funk; and Irad,. touch'd with pity, cried—	39$

Ah youth ! whofe bofom glows with generous pride1*

To fcenes of endlefs gloom’ thv fpirit ffies;

Wing, wing thy voice, for pardon, to the fkres 1
Oh, Sire of all, may this brave warrior’s mind,

In life’s fair climes, fomelowly manfiort'find?	460

v He fpoke. The chief his anfwering mintf addrefs’d—
If foft compaffion warm thy friendly breaft,

Oh hear! nor fparn a dying brother’s prayer!

Let Samfah’s tender years thy pity (bare 1’

Oh may a fire, a bride, thy bafoifl move !	4^5

The charms of beauty, and the calls ofloVe f
Thus this kind youth, and fainting, as he cried.

He liv’d for Samlah, and for Samlah died.

So frown’d dread night on Abraham's fatal plain.

When thou, Montgomery, pride of chiefs, waft tlain.
Spare, fons of freedom 1 fpare that gemerous tear } 4y
To heaven relign, nor name the doom fevdre—-
Great, brave, and juft, to ward Columbia’s fhame,

He hunted toil, in fields of growing fame ;

Alive, fajr Victory fie’er forfook his fide ;	4*3

He liv’d in triumph, and in glory died.

Still bards fhall fing, to earth’s renfoteft dime,

He bled for all, and every heart for him.

Glued to his fide, t’ untimely fate a prey,

Tfcetft bright Macpherfon breath’d his life away. 420ROOK vm

m

Round the fair yOuth in. vain fofc graces glow'd,

And fcienoecharm’d him to her fweet abode ;

In vain fond parents hop'd his ftepe again,

And worth approv'd, and realms admir’d^ id vain.'

Yet patriot virtue writes die glory high,	425

With fuch a chief, in luck a catife, to die.

Soft fpokothe chief—O youth! thy virtuous bloom
Aik’d a lot niilduTi and a later tomb'.

Is there no blifsful feat, by Heaven align'd

To the fair efforts of a clouded mind ?	43 a

To life well-a£ted, can no grace fupply

A fweet ramiffion, and ahappyfty i

But thou, bale coward, claim'd th’aVengingfword;

Could’ft thou look on, and fee thy brother gor'd i

That bed ofbrothersj whole concluding breath'	435

Bertrams the falchidn, And delaya thy death ?-

Pale Samlah heard, and o'er th* embodied wall

He ruih’d, regardlefs of hie brother's fall.

From rank to rank with panting bread heftew,

Where the war open’d > and the couriers drewJ 440
Behind, fierce Itad droVe his dreadful Way,

And left at didance far the pallid ray ;

Ten thoufand fpears around him pierce the gloom ;

Ten thoufand warriors ruflt to hadening doom;

Through the black ether fmoky volumes flow, 445
And with brown light their flrirts all-umber’d glow ;

Far o'er conflicting trains the Iheets defcend ;

The deep night-thickens, and the ftiades extend.

There Uzal brave a Aubborn fight maintain'd.

And crown’d with matchlefs drength, retreat diftain^d;
Dan's mighty chief—On Ai’s inglorious plain, 451
When vanquifh’d Ifrael left their kindred (lain,

His diff, drong buckler brav’d the fierce affray,

Shelter’d the flight, and cover’d all the wayv

Now, in the centre, Ihrill his armour rung,	495

Where the darts fhower’d, and where, the javelins fung,BOOK VII,

*7*

But (Till his dauntlefs footfteps onward drove ;

Nor throng'd battalions could thofe footfteps move*

On alf fides round, a thousand twilight forms

Invade the war, and ftrike their ringing arms;	46a

Here, 'gainft the chief, prepar'd'to pierce his foe,

The lance unheeded aim’d4he fatal blow;

There, whilft the warrior lrften’d- to th* alarm*

High o’er his helmet hung th’ uplifted arm.

Unnutftber’d bucklers twinkle round the field*

In light now dreadful, now; in fhades conceal'd*

Still more remote, involv’d in deeper gloom,

Where hands unnotic’d dealt the frequent doom*
Shelumiel fought; the prince of Simeon’s trains,

Fam’d in the contefts of a thoufand plains.	476

Meantime, dark Hazor’s fons to battle roll'd,

And vaft Madonians, wrapp’d in barbarous gold:

Thefe, with their leaders, near the dreadful ray-,

Whirl’d the fwift car, anddrove their rapid way.

There, drefs’d in gold, tremendous Jabin (hone, 475
And wing’d the" terrors of his moving; throne.

He Hazor’s realms with mighty fceptre fway’d*-
And his proud nod unnumber’d hofts obey’d*

A genius vaft,-with cool attention join’d,

To wifdom falhion’d his fuperior mind :	480

No fcene unnotic’d ’ibap’d hisfearching view
The arts of peace, and arts ofwar* he knew;

To no kind wi(h> or tender tear, a prey ;

But taught by keen difeernment equal fway :

Intereft, of all his life th’ unfhaken guide,	485

TUnmov’d by paflioni and unmov’d by pride.

He firft, inventive, to the wafte of war
Led the tall deed, and drove the dreadful car.

To arms, beneath the ftandard, veterans train’d,

And’every movement, every feint, explain’d:	490

Clofe, left his conduct watchful chiefs Ihould arm
£JoW to-decide,^aftd vigorous to perfor m :B O O K VII.

With firm, fierce bravery forc'd his foes to fly,

And gave onelaw—to conquer, or to die.

Now his great mind, by long fucceffes fir'd,	49$

To matchlefs fame, and fingle rule, afpi-r’d ;

In the fame caufe, beneath his banner join’d,

His voice, his art, this countlefs holt combin'd.

In night’s concealing hour, prepar’d th* affray,

And promis’d triumph, ere the dawning ray.	500

High in his flame-bright car his fpear he rais’d;

A crimion glory from his armour blaz’d ;

Conquer, he cried, or fall, ye dauntlefs bands.

The nobleft heroes of a thoufand lands.

Shall this brave hoftto Ifrael yield the night?	.50.5

Few in their numbers; timorous in the fight—

Shall we, inglorious, blot our ancient fame t
Forbid it virtue, and forbid it ihame .

Lo here the man, ye chofe to guide your path,

Prepar’d for glory, or prepar’d for death ;	510

This arm fliall guide you through the daflard band;

Firfl in the .fight, as firft in fway, I ftand.

He fpoke, and fiercely wing’d his rapid car;

As fierce the fquadrons rufh to glorious war ;

All dropp’d the javelin ; all the falchion wheel’d ;	515

A copious /laughter drench’d the glimmering field ;

From their dire arms a fearful fplendor came,

And o’er their faces wav’d the gloomy flame.

Hand join’d to hand, the vengeful tloufands rag’d ;

Man challeng’d man, andfword with fword engag’d 5520
The vidtors rufh’d j the pierc’d in anguifh cried ;

No flight; no fear ; they conquer’d, or they died ;

For Ifrael’s dauntlefs fons maintain’d the field,

And chief with chief the dread affault repelFd;

Hound the wild region mingled horrors reign’d ;	525

Nor thofe would yield, nor thefe the viftory gain'd.

Firft, in ‘the van, imperious Jabin’s car
Bore down whole troops, and broke the thickening war.172	B O O Z VIl^

High o’er the reft his dreadful voice was heard j
High o’er the reft his lofty form appear’d ;	53(1}

His lhield? a crimfpn moon, before himfpread,

And o’er his vifage hovering horrors play’d ;

His fleeds, like rapid winds, impatient flew ;

His fword the firft, his fpear the diftant, flew;

Round the dark chariot countlefs weapons hung, .53 g
■And groans, with fullen murmur, ceafelefs rung;

Hank after rank he turn’d to hated flight,

And joyful Hazor throng’d the ftubborn fight.

Before this dreadful path, two heroes fought,

And warm’d with vengeance, countlefs wopders wrought.
Sons of one fire, that in the defert fell,	54I

Wjien impious Korah bade the hoft rebel.

With mutual flame their friendly bofoms lov’d ;	5:45

In peace together liv’d, in war together mov’d.

Now, fide to fide, the manly heroes flood,

And fable torrents from their falchions flow’d ;

When Shammah thus—-thou beft of friends, behold
Yon heathen’s car, in gloomy terror roll’d.	55$

How his fierce courfers wing their rapid way 1
How his keen falchion cleaves the yielding prey l
Say, ftiall bur force the mighty Chief defy,

His arm experience, and his falchion try ?

Or death, or triumph, fhall the deed await;	555

And what is death, in Ifrael’s dubious fate t
To prove fierce danger for his maker’s laws,

And proffer life to fave his country’s baufe,

Thou know’ll, brave chief, Seraiah quick replied—T
The good man’s duty, and the brave man’s pride. 566
He fpoke, and fiercely plunging thro’ the war,

Kew’d a wide path, and burft upon the car;

Nor Shammah flay’d. O.i Jabin’s fpacious Ihield
His rapid lance Seraiah’s hand impelled ;

The helplefs orphans generous Caleb bred
In arms inflrucled, and to combat led.m

# P O K VH.

Thro’ the thick orb thepoint no paffege found.

Its fhade dark-quivering in the flamy round.

With a fhort flafh, acrofs the thickening air
The furious Heathen drove the greedy fpear;

Swift on Seraiah’s helmet funk the fteel;

His red arms rang; the hero groan’d and fell.

With pangs, bold Shammah faw his brother’s doom.
And wheel’d his fiery falchion thro’ the gloom ;
from Jabin’s hand a fecond javelin fped,

Sung thro* his ear, and pierc’d his gulhing head;
Shrill rofe the conqueror’6 ftiout; and all around
The plains remurmur, and the woods refound.

Now, more remote fTom Ai’s decreafing light.
Slow mov’d a giant to the dreadful fight.

As when dun fmoke, o’er all th’ horizon fpread,
Tours round the fitting moon a crimfon fhade,
Diftain’d with bipod, her broad, and dreadful eye
Looks death, and ruin, from the fhuddering fky:

So gleams the circuit of his flame-bright fhield.

And carts wide terror thro’ the quaking held,

A beam-like fpear commands his horrid way,

And kll, before him, fhun the dire affray.

And now fierce Ifrael’s Tons, with fad furprize,

To find brave Irad turn’d their boding eyes,
par round they gaz’d ; his form no more appear’d ;
They lillen’d ; but his voice no more was heard.
Then every bofom hidden fears appal;

Their nerves all ftiffen, and their falchions fall;

A timorous fight their frozen hands fuftain,

And fighs, and backward looks, confefs their pain.
With fhouts of triumph, fwifc the Heathens roll’d,
And a bright terror flafh’d from flamy gold ;

A thoufand moony fhields before them burn’d ;

Ranks fell at once, and troops to flight were turn’d;.
Each fatal ftep increas’d the piles of flain,

And boundlefs ruin ravag’d all the plain.

5 6S

57®

S 75

S$°



59°

59;

6o»*7*

BOOK VII.

As when a ftorm in midnight pomp extends.

And a broad deluge on the world defcends, -
From fteep to fteep, difdaining every goal,

Swell’d with hoarfe thunders, mountain-torrents roll 5
The vales all echo to the dreadful found ;

The tome rocks roar ; the cracking trees refound.

Meantime bold Irad far had crofs'd the fight,

And Samlah vanifh'd with aufpicious flight;

Round the dread region gaz’d the Youth ferene,

And eyed the grandeur of the folemn fcene.	619

XJnnumber’d phantoms crowd the dufky war j
The half-feen hero, and unfinifh’d car:

Black were the fhades, as midnight in the tomb,

And floating glimmerings fpread a fearful gloom*

Now roll’d the diftant cries an awful found;	615

Now nearer clamors ihook th’ embattled ground.

At once, from weflern fields, a fhout afcends;

The plains all tremble, and the concave rends:

Quick turn’d the chief, while fad alarms infpire, *

And faw dark forms, that pafs’d along the fire;	620

Slow tow’rd the camp the ftiouting fquadrons move,

And long pale fpires tremendous wave above.

Ah wretch ! he cried—to childiih heat a prey l
How foon wild paffion drove myfteps aftray l
What chief, lefe vain, fhiall lay th’ increafing fear ?

Who cheer the bands, my prefence ought to cheer ?

Ah ! flioulddifgraee, and dire defeat, enfue,

No more this guilty face fhall Jofhua view ;

Thefe eyes ne’er open on a*hoft undone,

But death, or glory, by this arm be won,	630

Thus as he fpoke, he crofs’d the deep array;

To his known form they yield an eafy way;

Red Hath his arms; and high above the field,

Gleams the drear luftre of his orbed Ihield.

So, pale, and dreadful, thro’ the midnight fhade, 633
Sails a broad meteor o’er the mountain’s head;B> o o e vir;

m

Dim rife the cliffs; and on the kindling air,

Stream the long terrors of its fanguine hair.

His voice refounding thro* the gloomy fight,

Reviv'd their krerigth, and turn’d th* increafing flight.
Fly, dakards, Ay j defert your Maker’s laws ;	64I

Vour name dilhonor ; yield your country's caufe j
But come, ye friends of Ifrael’s injur’d name,

Jbns of the flties, and heirs of deathlefs fame !

Know, round the dikant plains, by chiefs infpir’d, 645
By virtue prompted, and by vengeance fir’d,

Bold, manly warriors, never taught to yield,

Cleave their fell foes, and fweep the dully field;

Let this bright pattern every break inflame ;:

Here lift your fwords, where I rad leads to fame.	65 o

Thus every.rank his voice invites to arms
His prefence actuates ; his example charms ;

From band to band, with nimble cpurfe, he flies,

Wheels the long holt, and wakes intenfer cries ;

Thick flafh the falchions ; thick the javelins rain ;	655

And (hooting banners tremble' o’er the plain ;

In every fcene,alert, the youth appears ;

Each chief, each rank, his cry with tranfport hears ;

Shouts fiercely burking likening earth appall;

And hovering Conqtfek yet fufpends her fall;	66©-

And now bold Irad, thro’ the thickek war, /

Drove the tall chief, and darkly rolling car,

When, lo ! the giant full before him kood.

Involv’d in death, and cover'd o’er with blood :

Like fome vak wave, approach'd the horrid form,	66$

Heedlefs of fpears, aud raptur’d with the korm.

His wondterous fize th’ admiring Youth- beheld,

And fnatch’d a lance that glitter’d on the field ^

Loud rang the weapon on the monker’s brow;

Backward he quick recoil’d, and bending low, . 6/<f
Stood kaggering. Irad wav’d his dreadful fwdrd.
Springing impetuous; fvvift between them pour’dB O O X VII.

I7«

Two glooniy chariots., of their lords defpoil’d*

And fierce around them thdufand herttes toil’d:

No more 'the chief could find his defin’d prey, 67^
But turn’d, and mingled in the fierce affray.

Now loud, andfolemn, thro’ the roaring vales
Swell’d the hoarfe murmurs of the founding gales,

With deep confufion (hook the cliff’s tall brow.

And rulh’d tempeftuous on the wtirld below ;	6ga

Froth grove to grove the blaft impatient flies.

Rends the ftiff oak, and howls along the fkies.

On Ai’s broad flames, with wild dominion, falls,

And pours ten thoufand thunders round her walls.

More wide, more! bright, the folding fires afeend, 685
H£ave the dun fmoke, and far in ether bend;

The glittering brands, by rapid whirlwinds driven,
Stream, like dim meteors, o’er the blacken’d heaven j
Swift through the woods red paths expanding roll;

Long heavy volumes thicken rdund the pole j	690

Ffom all the concave fparks in torrents rain,

And fiery tempefts rulh along the plain.

Far through the groves the furious flames had fpread,
And thoufand fires rofe fcatter’d in the fhade,

Rre Haaor's bands (fo eager rag’d the fight)	695

Beheld, wish fad amaze, the fearful fight*

Then Jabin’s-voice, terrific, bade retire,

And the glad warriors fled the widening fire.

Ifrael purfued ; but Jabin’s deathful arm

Whole troops repell’d, and brav’d the wafting flora* '• joo

With the fierce giant* o’er the rear he role,

And cool’d the vengeance of his ardent foes.

Then to the fight, that ftill, with dreadful fway.

Rent eaftern plains, brave Irad wing’d his way.

Part of the foes, that in the wood remain’d,	7°S

Had fled the heat, and fafe receffes gain’d ;

Part, lodg’d in open fields, maintained the war,

And Ihouts rebellow’d tore the murmuring air.BOOK VIII.

*77

Sadden, o’er all the bands, refounds a cry—

bled are oaf friends ; we conquer, or we die :	71<3

Lo round the wood the kindling torrents burn ;

Fix here our ranks ; no warrior can return—

Then fierce defpair the dauntlefs bofdrrt fif’d.

Wing’d the keeri falchion, and the arm infpif’d ;

The chiefs exhorted, threaten’d, fhouted, cried ;	715

The ranks rufh’d onward, met the fteel, and died ;

For Ifrael’s fons a mbvdefs fight maintain,

Glued to the field, and cleaving man to man
Brave Irad’s dreadfiil voice the heroes arm’d.

Strung every nerve, ail'd every weapon warm’d; 720
On friend, and foe, alike the blind fWord fell j
And the fort funk beneath the parent’s Heel.

Wild, and more wild, the ruin rag’d around ; (ground $
Shouts rung.; groans murmur’d ; thunders rock’d the
Through the rent concave rufh’d the loud aedaini, 725
Swell’d with the,roaring wind, and fierce refounding flame.
At length a heathens voice—Retire, retire,

Where yon black opening parts the raging fife—

Quick, at the found, along the glimmering' Iftadd,

Thro’ the Wide foreft panting heroes fled,	73d

In different courfes, where the mobry grotind
Cleft the deep blaze, and form’d a verdant mound.

Swift as the rapid blaft, the youthful train
Nimbly precipitated o’er the'plain ;

On every fide, the flames, with wild career,	735

Roar’d near their path, and added wings to fear ;

None turn’d a gazing eye ; but, with blefs’d flight.
Stream’d thro’ the grove, and fcap’d the vengeful light.

Behind, his path pale age more flow dragg’d on,

And wifh’d, in vain, impending fate to fliun ;	740

Now here, now there, with feeble fteps, they turn’d ;

And here, and there, the fire terrific burn’d.

From tree to tree it flew ; and all around
The moulder’d pines, with hoarfely jufhing found,

A aBOOK vm,

V

Fell thundering. Kindled ruins hedg’d their path; 745
Behind them fwift purfued the blazing death ;
l&efore, bcfide, and bending o’er their head,

The bright, and feorching fplendors fiercely play’d ;
Weak, and more weak/ the cries of anguifh came,
Drown'd in the roaring fury of the flame.	750

To the dire flared Ifrael's fons purfued,

And heathen blood their reeking fwords imbrued j
Then by the chief’s command return’d from fight,

Th* attentive fquadrorts eyed the wondrous fight,

Far found the dreadful region, trees on high,	75^

Wave their tall blazing fummits in the fky ;

Thro’ the dark air, in crimfon terror, fail
Broad Iheets of flame, and bend along the gale ;

Loud, and more loud, the raging whirlwind pours ;

From wood to wood the ruftiing deluge roars;	76®

Then, upvaft eaftern hills with fury driven,

Rolls o’er aerial cliffs, and kindles heaven :

The mountain groves, a long, long ridge of fire,

Shoot their tall flames, and thro’ the clouds afpird.

O’er dim-feenrocks, brown plains, and glimmering flreams
Floats the pale lufire of the trembling beams }	76Gr

The camp aftonifli’d caftj a quivering gaze,

And diflant towns are loft in dumb amaze :

Retir’d the fquadrons, range in dread array,

And watch the fplendors of approaching day.—* 770C O 1ST QV EST OF C A N A A N;

BOOK VIII.Argument.

looming. JoJhua joins Irad. Jobab’s char after, anef
challenge. Irad accepts it, and kills Jobab. Battle.
Irad kills Santlab, and engages Jabin. His death. Ju-
dah routed with great Jlaughfer. Heath of Uzal, and
Shelumiel. Caleb, with a large divifion, marches
out, rallies Judah, and renews the battle, Irad'* death
throws the whole army into confufion. JoJhua injpirits
them, and makes great havoc of the enemy, jbimri's ex-
ploits. He kills the king of the flfttites, and routs them.
JoJhua kills the king of vhimron, and routs the centre,
Jabin, perceiving the other divifions of the army defeat-
ed, orders a retreat, which is performed with regularity*
JoJhua's lamentation over Irad. Scene of Selima's dif-
trefs at thefight tf his cor.pfe. Evening,Ths CONQUEST of CANAAN;

BOOK VIII.

/^\’ER mifty hills the day-ftar'led the morn,

And ftreaming light in hehven begaa to burn ;

Wide fcenes of woe the boyndlefs blaze difplay’d,

Where the fteel triumph’d, and the deluge fpread.

On wafted plains unnurtiber’d corfes lay,	£

And fmoices far fcarter’d climb’d upon the day^

Still clouded flames o’er eaftern mountains rife,

And Ai’s broad ruins fadden all the ikies.

When lo ! in glimmering arms, and black array,

Like ftorms lowrliovering in th’ etheriatl way,	io

Far round the north a gloomy cloud afcends,

Its horror deepens, and its breadth extends.

Compaft and firm, as mov’d by one great foul,

A front immenfe, the widening fquadrons roll ^

Thick lhoot the fpears; the trembling helmets beam,
And waving bucklers caft a moony gleam,	16

As the dire comet, fwift through ether driven,

Jn folemn filence climbs the weftern heayen ;

His fanguine hair, portending fearful wars,

Streams down the midnight iky, and blots the ftars; zo
Pale death and terror light the duiky gloom,

And quivering nations read their fudden doom.BOOK VIII.

182

So in the flaming van great Jofhuarofe,

And fhot red glories on the wondering foes.

At his command the trumpet founded high,	% $

Aerial enfigns dancing in the Iky;

Near and more near, they trac’d a dreadful way*
join’d Irad’s hoft, and llretch’d in long array.

From Hazor’s ranks that now before the wood*

In three embattled fquares, refulgent flood,	39

Great Jobab ftrode. In Madon’s realms he reign’d:

Red was his eye, his brow with blood diftain’d;

A beam his fpear; his vail, expanded fhield
Shot a bright morning o’er the crimfoo field ;

His head fublime a mighty helmet crown’d;	35

His quivering plumes with fable hprrpr frown’d ;

Six cubits from the earth, he rais’d his frame;

His wifh was battle, and his life \vas fame.

Proud ,was his father; prouder was the fpn :	39

Nought mov’d his pride; the tear, nor piercing groan:
Unmatch’d his force, he claim’d a matchlefs fame,

And every cpmbat deck’d his brightening name.

Princes, his captiv’d {laves, beforfe him bow’d,

Stalk’d in his train, and round his chariot rode;

While their fair partners, firfl in triumph led,	, 45

Held the rich pup, or grac’d the brutal bed.

Oft had furrounding realms his aid requir’d,
lire Zimri’a hand Ai’a haplefs turrets fir’d ;

But Hill their prayers, and flill their gifts were vajn,

Till Jofhua’s glory rous’d his fierce difdain.	£q>

Fife had no proffer mov’d his haughty mind,

That deem’d himfelf the champion of mankind.

When the joint wifhes of the various band
To nobler Jabin gave the firfl command.

But Jofhua’s triumphs fill’d his anguifli’d ear;	^

Fir'd at the found, hefnatch'd the deathful fpear,

Refolv’d at once to prove the hero’s might,

And claim; alone, the wreaths of Angle fight,B O O K vim

*Twas he, When Irad rais’d his dreadful voice*

And inmoft Hazor trembled at the noifc,	6#

When prudent Jabin urg’d a nightly dorm,

Ere the Youth’s voice the {lumbering camp (houldariat
Bade his vaft fqiladrons in the wood delay,

Nor lift a fpear, till morn lhould lead the day.

Shall this brave hoft th’ unmanly path pur’fue,	6$

Fight ambulh’d foes,-and bafely Creep from view f
Shall Jobab, like the thief* to conqued Ileal,

And bravery call, what coward minds can feel ?

And now, from Jabin the proud chief demands*

To lead, as firft in place, the central bands*	70

He* coolly wife, refigns the (hadowy name.

And, pleas’d with fubftance* boafts a nobler fames-

Forth from the hod, in fteely pomp, he drode.

And ’twixt th’ embattled lines fublim'ely Hood..

His towering dride, vad height, and awful arms 75
Chill’d all his foes, and fcatter’d wide alarms:

When thus the chief-—Ye ferns of lfracl know
The dauntlefs challenge of no common foe*

If in your hod three heroes can be found,

(Be Joihuaone) to tempt this dangerous ground* $9
Here (liadl they learn what drength informs the brave*
And find no God can ftrield them from the grave.

Stung with the infult cad upon his God,

To the great Leader Irad nimbly drode,

And thus—-'Shall yonder heathen’s haughty cry	8j|

Dare Ifrael’s hod, and Ifrael's God defy ?

Let me this boader whelm in indant ihame,

Avenge my nation’s caufe, my Maker’s name.

Exalted Youth! the {hailing Chief replied,

This elder arm fhall crop his towering pride.	96

Scarce in thy bread has manhood fix’d her feat;

Blot not thy bloom, nor Urge untimely fate.

tine 60) See Book 7, Line 165.BO 0 K	vitr.

Brave as thou art, Bis ftrengthmuftwin. tHe fight,

Awd Ifrael's glory finkinendlefs night.

Think not, he cried, of Irad’s tender age,	9^:

Nor heed the mockery of yon heathen’s rage*

This hand, though young, (hall boaft a conquering day j
Blind is wild rage, and; pride aaieafy prey.

Here too (hall Jofhua’s patent prayers be given,

And the blefs’d- aid, that Virtue hopes,from Heaven. iOO
Should Irad periftl, none the wound (ball Icriow j-
Should Jolhaa fall, our raoe is whelm’d in woe:

Heaven gave his chofen to thy guardian care, -
Tcfc rule in peace, to fave in dangerous war >

On thee alone our fates fufpended lie,	IO5

With thee we flourilh, and with thee we die.

Oh beft.of youths ! provoke not hafty doom,

Nor rufh impetuous to an early tomb.

1 lov’d thy. fire, the good, the juft, the brave—

And (hall this voice confign thee to the grave? I IO
Swift thy name ripens into matchlefs praife ;

My fon, my chofen, (till prolong thy days.

In future fields thy arm (hall brighter (bine ;

IMne be the glory, but the danger mine.

Ah grant my wifh ! th’ impatient Youth replies, UJ
While two full tears Hand gliftening in his eyes—

This arm, unhurt, (frail bid the monfter bleed ;

Angels will guard my courfe; and Heaven fucceed.

IVfy fpear, when night her lateft- darknefs fpread,

Had funk him breathleft in the field of dead ;	I 2(b

But fome kind fpirit fav’d his life, till morn
Should grace the fight, and Irad’s name adorn.

Aid me, oh aid me, Hezron’s every friend !

Your voice, yourwifhes, mull the'Leader bend.

Won by his earned cries> the generous Chief 125
Forc’d his confent; but could not hide his grief.

A figh deals filent from his bleeding breaft.

As his (low tongue permits the fad requeft.BOO K. vnr.

18$

Wrapp'd in bright arn#, while fmiles his joy reveal’d,
The Youth ftalk’d fearlefs o’er the horrid field ;	13S

The holt, with rapture,'view’d his lofty flridei
The leap alert, the-port of confcidus pride;

But each grave chief, by long experience wife;

With faltering accent, to his comrade cries--
I fear, I fear5 left, on the bloody fand,	I33

The bold Youth perifh, b/ yon. monfter’s hand'.

What bravery can* fair Irad will perform,

But can the opening floweret meet the (form ?

Ahj that fuch fwcetnefs, fuch etherial fire

Should fall, the vidtim of a heathen’s ire !	14.O

Thy votary’s courfe, all-gracious Heaven, furirey !

Let fome kind angel hover rodnd his way !

Now near the fcene bold Irad urg’d his courfe,

Where Jobab triumph’d in refiftlefs force ;

When the huge warrior, fwell’d with angry pride, 1^,5
With bended brow, and voice contemptuous, cried—

Art thou the champion of thy vaunting race ?

Shall this poor victory jobab’s falchiOn grace i
Go, call great Jolhua, long to war inur’d,

Whofe arm hath toils, whofe fkill hath holts endur'd, 159
With him, ten chiefs; this hand (hall crulh them all ;
Shame itains the Heel, that bids a (tripling fall;

Retire, ere vengeance on thy helmet light;

Fly to yon troop, and fave thy life by flight.

His haughty foe the Youth undaunted heardj
Vain, empty threats his bofom never fear’d ;

O’er the vail form he turn'd his fmiling eyes.

And faw unrtiov’d the livid vengeance rife.

Then, with a rofy blufli of confcious worth,

Calm from his tongue his manly voice broke forth-— iGo
Do threats like thefe become a hero’s voice ?

Can courage fiud a vent in empty noife ?

To every brave rhan give the^well-earn’d praife,

Nor think on feoffs a bright renown td riife ;

flbbook VIII.

?8$

True bravery claims a noble getierous fame;	16$

Bpt the bafe wretch from vaunts expefts his name*

Let fhame, let truth, thofe coward words recall;

Thou feek’ft my life ; I glory in thy fall.

To me thy pride to me thy' threats are vain ;

Heaven fees alone whofe arm the prize ftiall gain. VjO'
And know, wheree’er may light his angry rod,
i fear no boafter that defies niy Goo.

Now fhield to fhield, and lance to lance, they Hand ;
With taunts imperious fhout the heathen band ;

While kopelefs Ifrael heaven with prayer aflails, 175
And grateful incerife fills the rifing gales.

Stung by the juft reproof, with whizzing found
The giant plung’d his javelin in the ground :

For paflion, uver blind, impell’d his arm,

Steer’d a wild courfe, andfav’d the youth from harm; 1S0
He, calm and fearlefs, with a pleas’d furprile.

Survey’d its curious form and mighty' Cite ;

Then ’gainft his foe, with fare, unerring eye
Drove th'$ fwift lance, and lodg’d it in his thigji.

Enrag’d, the warrior faw his bubbling gore,	185

Writh’d with keen anguifh, and the j-avelin tore;

The flefh purfued ; a copious, fable ftream
Pour’d from the wound, and ftain’d the fteely gleam ;
Then high in air he (hook his funlike fhield,

And wav’d his falchion o’er th’ aftonifh’d field. i<jo-
With matchlcfS force the vengeful weapon fell;

The wary hero nimbly fhunn’d the fteel;

And while his foe with foaming fury cried,

Oft pierc’d his arm, and wounded'oft his fide.

Wild, and more wild, tie giants ftrokes refound, 195.
Glance from the fhield, and plough the cleaving ground*
Till, gathering all his ftrength for one vaft blow,

Dark as a ftorm, he rufties on his foe ;

Lightly the hero fprings ; the monftcf falls,

Like ludden ruins of a turret’s walls;	selrBOOK virx.

Pull on his neck defcenda the glgdfome blade,

And from the trunk departs the griffy head.

Loud Ihouts of joy, from Ifrael’s thoufands driven,
fiurft p’er the plain, and Ihook the walls of heaven:
Amaz'd the heathens faw their champion loll,

And a wide, fallen groan was heard from all the holt
Alert, -bbld Irad feiz’d the giant?s Ihield,

His fword, His fpear, and bore them thro* thedkld;
At Jolhua’s feet, with felf-approving ftniles,

“He call the grandeur of the'glittering fpoils.;

The hoary warriors gather'd round his. way.

And giz'4 and wonder’d at the curious prey }

Then blefs’d the chief, with tranfport in. their eyes,
And own’d th’ afliflance of aufpicious Skies;

While youths unhappy raised lefs ardent prayers,

And wifh'd the deed, arid wilh’d the glory, theirs.

Led byfoft impulfc tow'rdth’ imbattled train,
Kov’d fad Selima down the fpacious plain.

Afar Ihe Hood, and -caft an anxious eye,

And llroye in vain her favourite to defcry.

At once, with diftant din, the Ihduts afcend.

And painful fears her tender bdfom rend ;

Slow tow’rd the camp her lingering Heps inclin'd ;
But oft the fair-one call a look behind.

Now the long thunders of the clarion -found,
Reclam’d from hills, and plains, and groves around,
O’er the dire held the rolhing fquadrons driven,
Extend their fhady files, and blacken heaven :

High in the central front great Jolhua Hand?,

And Ihoots wide terror thro’ th’ aftonilh’d bands ;
Mid eaftern thoufands Zrmri towers along,

And Irad Ihines before the weftern throng.

Unfurl’d, the fudden banners ftream afar,

And, wrapp’d in thunder, joins the dreadful y'ar ;
Wide roll the volumes of the dull around,

And clouds on clouds envelope all the ground.

1S7

20J

210

215

■no

225

2-30

138

BOOK VIH.

As Hoods, jncreas’4 by long-defcending rains#

Pour a brown deluge o’er the wintery plains,

Loud from a thoufand hills, the torrents join,

Where azure honds the river’s courfe confine ;	24Q

The maddening ice, in boundlefs ruin driven,,

Bur,fts, like the thunders of a fisHing heaven ;

The white rocks foam ; the gloomy1 blafts arifit,

Tofs the wild ftream, and roar along the flri.es.

So clos’d the fquadrons of th’ unnumber’d foes j 245
$X> ftormy flouts and hollow groans arofe.

Long in an even ballance hung th’affray,

Nor thofe would loofe, nor thefe could gain, the day.

’Till I-rad’s rapid path, like heaven’s red fire,

Shot through the ranks, and bade the foe retire ;	25Q

With joy, theiT chief furrounding warriors view,

And troops on troops the generous courfe purfue.

At diftance final), proud Samlah’s glittering car,
Whirl’d by white couriers, tempts the griflywar j
O’er all the plain, with piercing found; arife	255

His Item injunctions, and his conquering cries.
Withihouts bold Irad darts along the field,

Now bright in arms, and now in daft conceal’d,

From rank to rank the well-known chief parities.

And ofc his flalhing fteel in blood imbrues.	26Q

Vail, impious wretch, he cried, thy nimble flight,

And vain the covert of Surrounding might.	*

Once haft thou fled the fwiftrpurfuing fpear,

Put fled’ft in vain, for vengeance finds thee here.

Learn from this hand what fate betides the knave, 265
Who yields, unmov’d, a brother to the grave.

If now thy feet efcape the righteous doom,

Let Heaven protect thee to a peaceful tomb 1
In dread amaze aftonilh’d Samlah flood ;

From his pale face retir’d the freezing blood;	270

His wild eye flar’d ; all briftling rofe his hair;

Quick from hit quivering hand the ufclefs Ipear8 O O X VIII.	>*9

Dropp’d ; his teeth rattled, and the falling reins
At random trembled on the courfers’ manes;

Behind he gaz’d, and found no path to fly;	275

For aid he panted, but no aid was nigh.

Deep in his back was lodg’d the fatal Heel;

His breathlefs form, before the rolling wheel,

Plung’d headlpng ; mournful rung a pitying groan,

So fair, fo mild his beauteous afpeft (hone :	280

Even Irad, touch’d by Adnor’s kind requeft,

Felt foft emotions Healing through his breaft.

Then fwift he wheel'd the lightening of hisfword ;
Behind him, Judah’s hoft like torrents pour’dj
Shrill rofe- the tumult of the fields around,	28;

Trembled through heaven and wav’d along the ground r
With fouls undaunted, both the hofts contend;

Spears fill the air, and fhouts the concave rend.

Far diflant, Jofhua moves his awful form,

Swells the confufion, and dire&s the florm.	290

Beyond him, Zimri, fwift as rapid fire,

Darts through the fight, and bids the foe expire.

A mingledhorror-clonds the dreadful plain ;

Here rulh the fighting, and there fall the flain.

Now the mid fun had finilh’d half his courfe, 295
When Irad raging with refiftlefs force,

And far before him breathing wide difmay,

On Jabin’s chariot drove his rapid way.

Brave youths around him throng’d the crimfon fight,
Eyed the blefs’d chief, and fmil’d a fierce delight;	300

From every fwordincreafirig vengeance fell,

And Death fate hovering o’er the fanguine fteel.

Thron’d in proud flate, the favage Monarch rode ;

Jdke two red liars his wrathful eye-balls glow’d ;
Hoarfe^from his voice a dreadful thunder came, 305
And his bright armour flalh’d a fudden flame.

Two deeds, bedi;opp’d with gore, and pale to view,
Emblems of death, his fmoaking chariot drew.BOOK VIST.



Cheer'dby his hand, the couriers fwiftly fprang j
Beat by their hoofs, the brazen buckled rang;	3 tq

Tdw’rd Irad’s path the heathen wing’d his way*

And, boding conqueft, fnuff’d the fancied:'prey.

Unmov’d, th* angelic Youth, with wearied hands
Pav’d his red path, and drove the circling bands---
Stay> lotely hero! flay ; thy courfe forbear ;	31$

Enough th2t fword has ral’d the glorious wlr---
Ah flay, till Ifrael’s fotis thy fteps furround ;

Return, retdrn, dnd be with glory crown’d!

Great Jabin flood, and o’er the bloody field
Rais’d the broad terrors of hi* flaming fhield ;	3 ftn

His grimly brow, all blacken’d o’er with duft,

Frown’d like a florin, and froze the trembling hdft;

Near beauteous Irad ftrtam’d the founding car,

And opening fquadrons yield the dreadful war.

The foaming Chief, ferene the Youth beheld, 325
And rear’d his javelin 4s’er the purple field;

Shrill fung the lance along the dufly Iky,

Bor’d the ftrong fhield, and pierc’d the Monarch's thigh*
Enrag’d, to earth the haughty Warrior fprang;

His red eyCs flam’d ; his arms defcendihg rang;	33c

With lofty aftioit, eath his hand Uprais’d ;

The falchions flalh’d ; aghaft the fqtradrons gaz’d ;

Two generous youths between them nimbly broke,

And bow’d their lives beneath the fatal ftroke.

Their lovely heads (their helmets cleftsjn twain)
jDied the keen fwords, and fpouted on the'plain.
More fierce the Monarch’s difappointed ire
Glow’d in his face, and blaz’d with gloomy fire.
In Irad, innocence ferenely mild,

And beauty’s fweetnefs with fbft fplendor fmil’d ;
Round his fair forehead beams of bravery play,
Nor ftain’d with rage, nor mingled withdiftnay.

Again in ether rofe the dreadful fleel;

Again it lighten’d, and again it fell;book viri.



The Heathen’s, ringing,, leap’d from f rad’s fin^ld;

The Youth’s in fragments, treacherous, ftrew’d the Held.
Held by achief, fwift-kaping from the band,

A fecond falchion touch’d his reaching band,

When—lovejieft Youth ! why did thy buckler’s bound
Shield but thy .bread ? why not thy form furrqund ? 350
Where flood thy friends ? was no kind h^ro near,

To guard thy life, and (lay Selima’s tear ?---
From fome bafe arrrt unfeen, in covert flung,

Through his white fide a coward javelin fung,-
He fell—a groan fad-iriurmur’d round the hofl,	3 jy

Their joy, their glory, and their leadter loft.

Forth from the train a youth impatient fprung,

Spread his fond arnts, and round the hero dung,

With foft endearments flay’d the fleeting breath,

And wifh’d to five him from .the hand of death. 3,60
But Jabin’sfwotd, driven through his friendly fide,
Stain’d his white armour with a fpotlefs tide:

In kind imbrace their heaving boforts lay.

And all life's blooming beauty died away.

Through fields of air, their fecial fpirits join’d 363
Wing’d their light way, nor loft a look behind;

While two bright forms, on rofy pinions borne,

Sail’d round their path, and op’d the gates of morn.

Mid countlefs warriors Irad’s limbs were fpread,

Even there diflinguifh’d from th? vulgar dead. .3$^
Fair as the fpring, and bright as riling day,

His fnowy bofom open’d as he lay;

From the deep wound a little ftfeam of bicod
In lilence fell, and on the Javelin glow’d.

Grim Jabin, frowning o’er his fiaplefs head,	373'

Deep in his bofom plung’d the cruel blade;

Foes, even in death, his vengeance ne’er forgave.

But hail’d their doom, infatfote as the grave ;

No worth, no bravery could his rage difarm,

Nor fxrtiling love coedd melt, nor aujd-beauty ciia'rrn-.BOOK VIIL

With dreadful found, he rais'd his voice on high, j8|
Prose the pale bands, and thunder'd thro* the fky—

Hade, warriors, hade ; your conquering arms difplay;
Here gafps their leader, to the dogs a prey.

See the Haves fly ; ere evening’s dafty hoar,	385

The beads fhall rend them, and the hawks devour.
Receive, illudripas Oran ! here receive
The poor, the (ole reward, thy prince can give.

This vi&im fird 5 a nation foon (hall come

To pay due honoars at thy (acred tomb,	390

Wide dreams of gore in rich libations flow.

And (hades unnumber’d wait thy call below.

Here, dadards, here the worthleis tarcafe yield.

Nor wait the vengeance of a future field.

To day this raptur'd hand your camp (hall bunt; 393
And fires, and wives, sad (bns to mingled afhes tom.

Thus (poke the haughty Chief: with fla(hing eyes.

To fiercer fight infpir*d the warriors rife ;

Clouds after clouds in gloomy pomp afcead.

And flormy clamours troubled ether rend.	469

The thickening temped Judah’s hod furvey’d.

And wedgM their volumes in the dudy (hade;

Man lock’d with man, and helm with helm combin’d,
And fWord with fword in glimmering order join’d,

A long dread front, impervious, hides the fields, 403
Cfbth’d with the grandeur of a tboofaud fhields. •

Fird, in the flaming van to vengeance rofe
Bold IradS train, and dar’d their ardent foes.

Their young; brave minds immortal famed ilfpires ;

Each glowing thought the patriot’s virtue fires ; •	410

Serene they fmil’d to fee the ruin nigh ;

In death they triumph’d, but they fear’d to fly.

O’er the dark deep, asfome tall wave impends.

Its white foam bides, and its point afcends ;

^Gaind hoary rocks the burdiog ruins roar,	415

Shake all the maic, and echo xccad the Store,BOOK VIII.

*95

So Jab in’s car witbgtaomy terror' flew,

And crufhM the ranks that near him ralhly drew;

Boil’d in one mighty mafs, the heathen force,

The fwift-wing’d chariot, and the foaming horfe, 420
O’er all the lovely band refiftlefs fly,

And countlefs warriors round their trad die.

Thus, on the flream’s fair bank in beauty rife
Young, towering trees, and feel indulgent Ikies ;

In fpring’s mild beam their lovely boughs afpire, 42$
Wave o’er the flowers, and call the plumy choir:

At once the floods defcend, the torrents roar ;

The trees lie withering on the wafted Ihore.

All firmly brave, imbrown’d with dull and blood
’Gainft the rude temped Judah’s veterans flood;	43O

Fix’d, even to death, their nation to defend,

With flout, llifF flrength, the ftubborn ranks contend;

To fate undaunted many a hero fprings,

The fhouts redouble, and the concave rings.

Full in the front brave Uzal movelefs Hood,	435

His falchion reeking with inceflant blood;

Fight, warriors, fight, or fall—he faid, nor more;

But wheel’d his arm, and ftepp’d in floods of gore;
Above his feet the purple torrents ran,

And high before him man was pil’d on man.	44Q

So thick the fwords around his helmet hung,

That fword clave fword ; aloud his armour rung ;
Panting he flood ; in floods the fweat diftill’d :

Nor moves the Hero, nor the fquiadrons yield.

From his bright car, that rattling pouir’d along, 44$
With fhouts, and threatniffgs, Jabin fir’d the throng ; '
Man leap’d o’er man : from every fide they rufh’d ;

Bold warriors fell, by Other warriors crufh’d ;

’Till, hurl’d by Jabin’s hand, a javelin flew,

Pierc’d Uzal’s heart, and life’s fair current drew, 45b
Pleas’d, the great hero gave his parting breath ;

My nation own’d my life, and now demands my death*BOOK VIH.

Thus hung with wounds, aprpy to favage.fteel*

In Princeton’s fields the gallant Mercer fell.

"When firft his. native realm her fons. decreed,	4?S‘

In ffavery’s chains, with want and woe to bleed*

Check’d, through his boibm fond remembrance can,

The caufe of freedom was the caufe of man*

In that fair caufe he bar’d his manly breaft,

The friend* the hope, the champion, of th’ ppprefs’tj*
Frqm height to height on glory’s pinions rpfe, 4$ I
Flefs’d by his friends, and prais'd, by generous fpesi;

Swift flew the fhaft i the eagle, ceas’d to rife,

And mourning millions trac’d him down the. fkies.

He fell ; the throng, that prefs’d again# his fhield, 465
plung’d in one heap, and fpread along the field;,

Bucklers on bucklers rang; fteel clafh’don fteel j
Theirjpwn fvvords gafh’d them, Wounding as,they.fell*

In one broad ruin lay the mingled crowd*

And cries, and hollow groans were heard slotid. .470
Spline tall prpp, that bears extended walls.

Mouldering, gives way ; the moffy ftruffare. falls*

The long beams thundering echo round the -fkies*

Earth 0y^fe;es beneath, and clpuds of dpfl arife.

Thus funk'the warriors, fbme.to rife no more,	475

Some, nimbly bounding, bash’d thejir fpears in gore.

Now haughty. Jabin lifts, a louder cry.

The tall bills echp, and the.field? reply.

Fly* daflards, fly ; death hauqtsyour impious way ;

Your proud name finks; yonri<jnadr9ns iwift decay * 48®
Whcre.npw’s the chief, that ledymifr/hpfts abyoad f
Your fftr-fam’d bravery, an£ fc&itiousGqD ?,

Call tlie dread Power, ti^t.<de,ft th’ Bgypti^n ware,.

To mourn your fate, and qpp your head? a gJaYe*
four on, my hprpesj whi,leyonfrifndly light,	48$

bhines ^ thg ke*yen> aP.d icT? *? yi?w the fight.

He {poke, and.on ward vy.ing’d.his dreadful fpim j
Hazpr behind him, like an evening florpi,hook vm.

1fcs

Tlfat rides bh gloomy blalU above the hills,

And wakes the thuttdjfr of the mountain rilli,	49^

Roll'd blackening, lfrael’s foils in fad diftnay,

Bent tow’rd the camp theta flow; uhwillirig tv ay.

Enrag’d Sheluniiel rais'd his angry voice,

But rais’d in vain; ltd hfero heeds the nbife :

Hoarfe with Ihrill cries, and wild with deep dcipair, 495
He rulh’d refiHleft oh the thickeil war,

From Jabin’s lance a grateful exit found,

Sunk in his arm&> and ftiffen’d dtl the ground.

Far from the light, defpoU’d Of helm and Ibleid,

Slept beauteous Irad bh the mournful field ;	$9*

Deaf to the groans, atid cafcelefs of the cries $

His hair foft-whiftUng o'er his hhlf-fhut eyes.

On either fide his lifelefs arms were fpread,

Aqd. blood ran round hint from the couhtlefs dead.

Even there, two warriors; talking o'er the plain, 505
O’er crimfon torrents, and O’er piles of (lain;

Stopp’d, when the lovely form Orofe to fight,

Survey’d his charms, and wilh’d Ho more the fight.

Ah ! haplefo Youth ! tried one, with tender volte#

The Gods’ fair offspring, form'd for milder joys 1 Jt*
A fhte like thine the gentlelt thoughts mull move,

The gaze of Beauty, and the fong of Love.

Sleep on, fair hero 1 for thy corfe mull lie
Bare t6 the fury of a llormy fifcy.

Thus he. His friend, by fofter paflions warm’d, $i£
By grief 4fHi£ted> and by beauty charm’d,

Cries fadly—-No.; for when mty Heps return,

This bleeding brealt thy early fatt lhall mourn ;

The melting long declare thy haplefs doom,

And my own hand erfe# thy head a tomb.

But now, outfpread o’er all the northern plain#
fn fable grandeur roll’d a' Cour.tlefs train;

With trembling fpears, with waving bucklers, bright,

Aad the quick gleams of interrupted light.BOOK V-III;

196

When Joft.ua ftrode the heathen hoft to dare# 525»
To guard the camp was prudent Caleb’s care.

He, coolly wife, had fummon’d all the train,

Difpos’d in ranks, and guided o’er the plain,

Ail arm’d for war, at diflance meet to ftay, i

And wait the changes of the dreadful day.	53P

In even fcale while dubious combat hung.

And far in fouthern fields the tumult rung,

Silent, they liften’d to the blended cry,

And heard faint fhouts in diftant murmurs die.

But now th’ approaching clarion's dreadful found 533
Denounces flight, and (hakes the banner’d ground;

From clouded plains increafing thunders rife.

And drifted volumes roll along the Ikies,

At once the chief commands; th’ unnumber’d throng.
Like gathering tempefts, darkly pour’d along :	54c

High on the winds, unfurl’d in purple pride,

Th1 imperial ftandard call the view afide;

A hero there fublimely feem’d to Hand,

To point the conqueft, and the flight command $

In arms of burnifh’d gold the warrior Atone,	549

And wav’d and brighten’d in the falling fun.

Swift tow’rd the fight approach’d th’ impatient throng.
And wider pour’d the thickening dull along ;

Loud, and more loud, victorious clamours grow,

And, more diflinguifh’d, breathe the founds of woe ; 55O
Pale Judah’s fons a yielding fight maintain,

And many a face looks backward o’er the plain.

When Caleb’s mighty voice, in thunder driven.

Starts all the hoft, and fends the clouded heaven.

What difmal fcenes, enrag’d the hero cries—

Convulfe this heart, and pierce thefe bleeding eyes!

Shall Judah’s race, my brethren and my boaft,

Flee, vanquifh’d, driven, before a heathen hoft?

Can men, can warriors own foblack apart,

The beft of chiefs, your Jofhua to dpfert ?	5&P*97

JB O © K VflL

Say with what pangs will Heaven the wretches try,

That know no honour, and that feel no tie i
On yon bright plain, the conquering Chief behold.
Troops wing’d, before him, cars tumultuous roll’d,

With Heaven’s.imperial fword the fight commands, 56$
And drives fierce ruin o’er decreafing bands!

Say, fhall the Man, who fights-, who bleeds for all,

See your bafe flight, and periih in your fall i
The Chief, as angels kind, as angels true,

Sink in the doom, he warded long from you ?	S7®

Fly then ; but know, afewfhort furlongs pad,

Yon camp wild flames, and favage fwords fhall wade;
Befmear'd with dreaming blood, your parents lie,

And, dafh’d on dones, your gafping infants die ;

Your wives, betray’d by fuch bafe culprits, feel	5 75

Abufe, more dreadful than the griding deel ?

No arm, no fword the falling nation fave,

But this dire evening ope our common grave.

Can thefe dread fcenes even dadards fail to arm ?	5791

Spring from the trance, and burd the fleepy charm ;

Rife, rife like men ; with fhame, with vengeance burn;
Wipe foul difgrace, and fwift to fight return.

And ye brave chiefs, that never knew to yield.

Or turn a backward foot from glory’s field,

But, led by me, the van’s bright honours claim, 585
Smile at fair death, and fhrink from torturing (hame }

Lift high th* avenging fword, from pity free,

And cleave the wretch that bafely dares to dee.

He fpoke : the found their manly bofoms fir’d,

Wheel’d their long ranks, and every arm infpir’d ;	590

£ven cowards now to generous combat arm’d,

And fainting heroes with new vengeance warm’d :

Fierce Hazor’s fons with equal fury driven,

Like one wide cloud, that (hades the fkirts of even,

Rufh’d dark and dreadful: ranks, by ranks impell’d, 59J
Felt the keen lance, and heap’d the dreaming field.BOOK vnr.

igft

Pois’d in A dire frfpenfe, the Combat hung *

Swords daih’d, mail rattled, drilling bucklers rang ;

Here his bold ranks great Caleb’s arm inspir’d i
There Jabin’s mighty hand his warriors fir’d:	6co

No more the foaming deeds could trace their way*

So thick the fqtiadrbns Wedg’d their black array :

Loud tumults roar* the clouded heavens refound,

And deep cortvuliionB heave the labouring ground.

Meantime, great Jofhoa, lightening o’er the plain,
Hedg’d his dire path with heaps of ghaftly flain ;	6t>6

Back roll’d the fquadrons j death’s encircling fhadc
Involv’d his cOurie, and hover'd o’er his head.

At once a quivering voice fair Irad nam’d,

Announc’d his rain, and the flight proclaim’d; 6lQ
From ranks to trembling ranks, the mournful found
Wak’d a fad groan, and breath’d a gloom around;

With livid palenefa clouded every foee*

Congeal’d each vein* and flopp’d the growing chace.

On the far camp thdy turn’d a frequent view;	6ig

Their fainting falchions fcarcb the fight renew :

Throng’d in a blackening ftorm, the foe defeends j
Swift drive the chariotsj far the duft extends :
Withfmiles, bold heathens hail commencing flight ;
Their lances Ihowet; their eye-ball$ flaih delight. 620
Loud as old ocean beats the rocky there,

Loud as the florin’s deep-huriling thunders roar*

Yaft fhouts unrolling rend th’ ether ial round,

Trembles ail heaven, and fhakes the gory ground.

Amaa’d, the Hero faw the wild defpair :	625

Nor knew the caufe, ’till Irad fill’d thy air j
Irad, re-echoing with a fearful noife,

Pal’d the blank face, and froae the faltering voice.

Loud o’er the bellowing fnouts refounds his cry—

My fons, my heroes, whither will ye fly i	63*

Will ye purfue the camp ? defert the flain ?

A ad leave your Irad oa the bloody plain £BOOK VIII.	199

Alas! you fly to mow tremendous lams 4

There ruin feeks you,and bafe death awaits:

There, in fad horror, will your eyes behold	63 5-

Flames round your camp, your wives* your children roll’d »
Let vengeance roufe, let Ifrael’s name infpire,

Let danger Heel you, and let Irad firs,

Tu^n, turn, this inilant feals your final doom ;

Vou gain the day, or fell without a tomb.	64O

He faid, and wav’d his broad, enfaogipn’dfhield ;
Turn, warriors, turn, refounds alongth# field i
A new-born bravery fires the raeaneft foul:

Thick fpears protend ; ranks lengthening onwlard roll t
Lefs loud fierce whirlwinds through the valley.pour i 645
Lefs loud broad flames the fpiry town devour,

When, wing’d by brails, red conflagrations rife,

Blaze in the dpudrcapp’d towers, and fcorch the Ikies,
Black drifts of dull fmoke through the vaft profound
Shouts hoarfely rage, and hollow groans refound.. 65O
As, when through ether’s fields dark florins are driven,
The fwift-wing’d flame, descending,, kindles heaven,
Scath’d by the dreadful ftream, the huge pines fall,

And burfting glory wraps the fmoking ball 9

O’er the tall mountains rolls the voice of Goo *	655

The plains all tremble, and the forefts nod:

So fwift, fo bright, the rufiling hero pour’d 4
With every ftroke his fword a life devour’d;

Full on his foes ha bore refiftlefs ftorm*

Pale fquadrons opening to his angry form5	66®

His fhield blaz’d horror, and his lofty, hand
Fell, with fwift ruin, on the leflening band;

Gafli’d by his hand, the courfers. bur A their reins,

, And hurl’d their riders on the bloody plains ;

Gafii’d by.his hand, the proflrate riders die ;	665

Crack the round wheels, the.fpleodid trappings fly.

Meantime, Far eaftward Afher croud? the war.

Nor heeds the terrors of the rattling car.200

book vnr.

Swift as on. wings of fire a meteor driven,

Mounts o’er the hills, and fweeps the nightly heaven, 670
When the pale wanderer, loft in devious ways,

With bridling hair, ftarts at the fudden blaze,

Rulh’d rapid Zimri through the parting hoft ;

Mark’dhy his eye the haplefs foe was loft ;

O’er quivering ranks his fword inceflant hung j	675

Loud in their ears his voice funereal rung
Death’s hideous peal; hard-following on the found
Sunk the laft ftroke, and corfes doath’d the ground.

Now .while the Hittites fled the dire alarm,

Their haughty king withftood th’ invading arm. 680
Shrill rofe the thunders ofhis piercing cry,

Loft in deaf ears, and echoing through the Iky ;

With fwifter fteps, his warriors urg’d their flight,

And dark behind them rulh’d purfuing night.

Fierce on the king’s bright car, with rapid force, 685
Reflftlefs Zimri drove his dreadful courfe ;

The dauntlefs monarch call his mighty fpear,

That fung, and trembled through th’ enlighten’d air ;
Full on brave Zimri’s helm the polilh’d Heel
Clafli’d harml'efs, and to earth, rebounding, fell. 69O
Regardlefs of the fhock, the nimble chief
Sprang to the car; no fword could lend relief;

Caught by his arm, the heathen beat the ground ;

Wide on his bolom funk the fatal wound ;

The greedy blade, deep-plunging, galh’d his fide, 6g$
And down his buckler pour’d a bubbling tide.

Wing’d with fierce ardour, Zimri mounts the car,

And calls his heroes to the crimfon war.—

Rufh on to conqueft, every generous band,

Lo the blefs’d triumphs of this happy hand !	700

Here, through his fide the fword indignant thruft,

Their furious leader, gafping, bites the dull.-r-
Fly, mifcreants, fly, and let your lives remain
To grace the falchionsof a future plain.i o o e vm.

to i

)Fr6m dovelike fogi what warrior hopes a name i
So cheap the purchafif, vi&ory fcarce is fame.—

Thus, loud andtaunting, rofe the hero’s cry;

Swift rufh his bands ; the heathen fwifter fly:
jliigh in the chariot, in dread poidp reveal'd.

His gloomy hand the firey fteeds impell’d }	7 id

In dufty clouds the hods are fnatch’d from fight,

And Death, and 2imri, darken o’er the flight. .

While thus brave After trod the conquering plain;
And drove wild ruin on the heathert train;

In the dire centre, to refililew war	7^5

Froud Shimron^s monarch urg’d the thundering ear.

In early youth, he law fierce Jabin’s hand
Seize his fair crown, and rule his fertile land g
Then to the vidor*s court a captive brought;

In arms was train'd, in arts politic taught;	72$

Won by foft wiles; his throne of Jabin held;

And bade his realm imperial tributes yield.

There, fir’d to glory by the monarch’s voice,
lie mock’d his pattern, and obey’d his choice,

And hop’d from condildjt, form’d % rules ffrjuft, 72$
Alone to jreign, when jabin ilept in dull.

Full ort his lofty breaft the flafting fliield
Gleam’d a bright terror through the clouded field:

As when the Sun; o*er fcorch’d Feruvia’s plain;

Difeafe, and Jbeath, and Horror in his train;	73$

Unveils his crimfoh face, diflainM with blood,

-Burns the brown hills, and fickens every flood;

Loud rang the hero’s Voice; his lances flew,

Apd every lance the fbremoft warrior flew;

On him great jofhua glanc’d a darkening eyg;

And ruft’d impetuous, with a d<sathful cry:

His fword; fwift-circling, hew*d his difmal way,

Fell’d ranks at once, and broke the deeparray.

Amaz’d, th$ heathen call a look behind,

And thus ia doubt, explor’d hit mighty mind,— 740
D d2®i

8 O O K VIH.

Shall I refilling dare that arm of death,

And reach his heart, or nobly yield my breath £

Or with fome diitanc band the foe engage
Where bravery fails, atnd torn the battle’s rage ?

This arm, this fpear may fpiii his hated life ;	74$

And O what wreaths ftiall crown the happy ftrife 1
What bright rewards (hall jabin’s hand bellow !

What matchiefs honours round my temples flow !

I" claim the contett—hefiee bafe flight and fhame—■-
To fight is glory K and to die is fame.	75*)'

He fpoke ; while Ruin, ftding thro* the plain,

Burft o’er his ranks; and mark’d her path with-Hain:

On Jofhui’s helm fhe fate ; tremendous hung
His arm on high, his voice like thunder rung :

Near the bright car he wheel’d his.ilreaming blade, 75$
And dull around him cad a night-like'(hade,
full on his buckler clafh’d the heathen’s fpear,.

Pierc’d the thick plates, and flafh’d behind in air;
Grazing his fide, it cut the folded garb,

And drops of crimfbn ftain’d tlie poliflv’d barb. 760-
With joy, the king his^/aithful javelin view’d,

Reap’d from his car, apd with his> fword purfue^.

Then Jofhua’s hand uprearM his falchion high,

Its flames bright-circling in the duiky fky ;

Fir A his foe’s arm'dropp’d-on the bloody field; 765.
The fecond itroke^ divides his glittering fhiekl ;

&rll’ oU his throat the fierce avenging blade
Sinks ; the freed fpirit flits to midnight fhade.

“Pour ori to glory”--rutig the Leader’s voice,

The trembling boll-ffirunk backward atthenoife; 770
Sad Shimron’s Tons beheld their monarch dead,
liais’d one deep ho'wl, and, wing’d with horror, fled.
Throng’d in a gloomy florin, their Bead-lcftrg foes
Round the dire flight with lifted falchions rofe ;

Broad ilreams of blood o’er-ran. the, feenes of death, 775
Awi fuilen- groans proclaim’d the parting breath*B ** O K VHL

As boiling Etnl rolls a flood of Are

Down her rough rock? ; and plains, and towns expire.

Lick’d by* the flames, exhaling rivers rife,

And crumbling groves fmoke upward to the Ikies, 780
Swift pours the blazing deluge on the foore,

The (corch’d main foams# the hiding billows roar:

So fierce and dreadful, flew the vidlor hoft,

:Ia .night involv’d, in dufty volumes loft.

Squadrons thick-ftrpwn were fcatter’d o’er the fields, 78.5
And helms, and fwords, and fpears, and fanguine fhields.
Huge piles of flaughter gathering round his courfe,

On Shifnron Jofhua wing’d his mighty force.

Like two red flames his vivid eye-balls glow,

And fhoot fierce lightenings omth’ a(loivifo’d:foe ;	7.90

Before, expanded, his meteorous fhield
Blaz’d a broad ruin .thro’ the ftormy field-;

Round the wild war his flalhing terrors fly ;

Cars burft before him deeds, and heroes die.

So rufh’d an angel down the midnight gloom, 79.5
When Egypt’s firfUborn funk in one broad tomb ;

High in dark, clouds th’ avenging Vifion hung.

His path, like diftant thunder, hoarfely rung ;

Flames foot before him, whirlwinds roll’d around,

Bow’d the tall hills, and heav’d the trembling .ground.
Not with lefs terror blaz’d the Leader on .;	.dot

* Twas ruin all and one unbounded groan-;;

None look’d behind, none turn’d a hearkening ear ;

Nof hills, nor dreams impede the full career :

High o’er the ragged rocks they nimbly bound,. 805
Dafo thro’ the floods, and fcower the level ground :

Fir ft in the tumult, Youth impels his flight ;

Springs o’er the field,.and fcapes purfuing night:

^*aje Age with quivering limbs, and flow-drawn pace,
Feels the keen fword, and finks beneath the chace. 8x0
Far diftant, Zimri, like a fweeping ftorm,

.Grim in the chariot rais’d his^gloomy fonnjit \	book vim

Still on the hindmoft fell his fateful fword %

Earth lhdbk> air trembleflv heaven with thunder rout'd s
Pft, from the car defending to thfe plain,	81J

He ftream’d, like lightening, o’er the ghaftty fi*i*j
Then fwiftly rofe, And oh the heathths fped,

His wheels dark-roiling o’er th* unnumber’d dead/
Meantime, with all the rage of Cofobat fif'd.

While throngs of warriors round his ftfeps expir'd ? Sid
While now, firft difobedient to his call,

The balanc’d victory doubted where to fall1
While Caleb’s arm With youthful vigor warih'd.

Sham’d Judah’s tfooufands and their Vengeance Alin'd |
Prom rank to rank impatient Jabin flew,

Drove thefe with threats, and thofe with prarfirt drew.

But now the eafiern plain loud thunders tend;

The fhrill cars rattle; hoarfer cries afeend ;

Progreflive clouds, in thickening volumes 'driven.

Roll tow’rd the foqth, and lhade the dufty heaven. 83d
jFrom the tall car the Chief furvey’d the field.

And every circling (cene at once beheld,

Even the far \vopd, with fudden flafhes bright.

And the dire omens of tumultuous flight.

Around the war he caft a fearching view,

Saw the day loft, and all its evils knew;

Deep from his inmoft foul burft forth a figh,

And momentary fadnefs gloom’d his eye.

But foon his brow refum’d a cheerful grace,

And living ardour fir’d his artful face.	840

Full well the monarch knew that fears begun,

Frombreaft to breaft, like glancing lightenings, run ;
That one rank fled inftrudts a hoft to fly,

And cowards’ eyes teach heroes’ hearts to die*---
Then, ere his friends the dire event divine,	843

Or Judah’s fans their kindred viftors join,

A wife retreat his mighty mind ordain’d,

And thus the rage of war his voice reftrain’d.BO OK VIIL	aoj

Jfealr, all ye chiefs, brave Ftaeor'i batdi that guide,

Your nation’s pillars, and your monarch’s pride* fej#
Your matehlefs deeds this raptur’d eye hafe told*

And fame’s bright hand to diftant years enroll’d.

But fee, o’er weftern hills the fun’s low fire
Cuts fhort the day* ahd bids the hoft retire.

Firm be yoafr ranks, man M inlock’d with man*

The rear led onward, fix’d the gtnerbns van $

At once let chief with chief infpi^d combine,

■And ’gain ft the foe extend th’ embattled line f
BraCe firm the Shield; the moVelefs fpear protend;

Join hand and heart, and every rank defend.

Your prince behold ; when Hazor claims the Arife,

My wounds art tranfport, and a toy my life.

The here fpoke : as by one find infpir’d.

Swift to their well-known pofts the Chiefs retir'd;

At once, by banners rang’d, to brave the ftorm, 86$
Firm, dreadful lines th' experienc’d fquadrons Form.

Dire o’er the van-guard, Ihield with ihicld combin'd,
Spear lock’d with fpear, th’ undaunted leaders join'd;
’Gainft Judah’s hoft, with ridgy terrors bright,

Rofe a long wall, and flafh'd a fearful light.	876

O'er the tremendous feene the Monarch's Car
Pour’d death around, and rul’d the grifly war:
pierce on the foe, where’er their fteps purfue,

From rank to rank the mighty warrior flew ;

Hearts form’d of ftubborn fteel his deeds appall;	875

The diftant tremble, and the nearer fall ;

Till Caleb’s voice commands the chace to ftay,

And yields his foes an unmolefted way.

Then, ftill and flow, while Judah’s hoft admir’d,

In glooiny ftrength the fullen ftorm retir’d.	88c

So, when in heaven propitious breezes rife.

And on the deep the nimble veflel Hies,

Shagg’d with brown fhades, that o’er the billows lower,
Jn grim, dark pomp recedes the clifted fhore j306

BOOK VilL

Lefs feen, and lets, the awful fcenes decay,

And loft in .blue confufion fade away.

With gpre all hideous, and with dull iiqbiQwn’d,

In the dire, front terrific Jab,in frown’d ;

His lifted arm prepar’d the fatal blow,

And menac’d vengeance to th’ approaching foe.*--	890

S», forward driven by earth’s convulfive pangs,

The tall, hoar cliff in dubious.terror hangs;

High pois’d in dread fufpenfe, its hovering brow
Lowers fwift deftru£lionon the world below :

Amaz’d, the fwain, while fudden fears appall	£95

Starts, as the tottering ruin feems to fall.

Enjoy,,he cried, imperious foes,, enjoy
The fancied triumph, combat Jhali deftroy:

But know, ye boafters, loon this arm ftiall tear

The fhort-liv’d crown, your haughty temples wear; 900

Soon your vain chiefs, your nation want a name,

And all your glories fink in endlefs lhame.

But now, fublime in crimfon triumph borne,

The facred ftandard mock’d th’ etheriaj morn ;

Wide on the winds its wav jog fplendors flow’d, 905
And call’d the warriors from the diflant wood.

Behind great Jofhua, Hazor’s Tons to dare,

Four the hold thpufands to the weftern war,

Beyond Ai’s walls, the leftening heathen train
In well-forni’d fquadrons crofs the diftant plain ;	910

Part flill in fight their ftiady flics extend ;

Part fill the wood, and part the hills afeend ;

To ceafe from toil the prudent Chief CQijjm?n^9*

And balmy quiet fooths the wearied bands.

Half loft in mountain groves, the fun’s broad ray 915
Shower’d a full fplendor round his evening way ;

Slow Jofhua ftrode the lovely Youth to find ;

Th’ unwilling bands more flowly mov’d behind.

Soon as the matchlefs form, arofe to view,

©*er their fad faces flionc the forrowing dew;	920soot: "viii.

Silent they flood. To fpeak the Leader tried.

But the choak’d accents «n his palate died.

His bleeding bofom beat with inward pains.

And leaden languors ran along his veins.

Ah, beft and braveft of thy race ! he faid, 9*5
And gently rais'd the pale, reclining head—

Loft are thy matchlefs charms-, thy glory gone—

Gone is the glory which thy hand hath won*
la vain on thee thy nation caft her eyes j
In vain with joy beheld thy light arife ;	93®

in vain (he wifh’d thy fceptre to obey ;

Vain were her wifhes; vain the deftin’d fway.

Oh ! Irad, lovelieft I rad, nature’s pride!

Would Heaven, myfelf for thee, for thee had died !

Nor morethe thoughts lay ftruggling in his breaft; 935
But tears, expreffive tears forbade the reft.

Borne by fix chie6, in filence, o’er the plain,

Fair Irad mov’d before the mournful train ;
preat Jofoua’s arm fuftain’d his fword, and fhield ;

Th* afflidted thoufands lengthening thro’ the field. 940
When, crown’d with flowers, the maidens at her fide,
With gentle fteps advanc’d great Caleb’s pride.

Her fnowy hand, ihfpir’d by relllefs love,

Of the lone wild-rofe two rich wreaths inwove ;

Frelh in her hand the flowers rejoice to bloom, 945
And round the >fair-one foed the mild perfume.

O’er all the train her adlive glances rov’d ;

She gaz’d, and gazing, mifs’d the Youth fhe lov’d ;

§ome dire piifoflance her boding heart divin’d,

And thtongiag-Krrors fill’d her anxious mind. 95c!
As near the holt her quickening footfteps drew.

The breathlefshero met her trembling view ;

From her chill’d hand the headlong roles fell.

And life’s gay beauty bade her cheeks farewell

O’er her fair face unmeaning palenefs fate,	955

And, funk to earth, foe felt no haplefs fate..BOOK VIIL

20*

With aqguilh Caleb faw her fading'charms.

And caught the favourite in hit haftenlng arms.

Reviv'd with piercing voice, that froze his foul.

She forc'd the big, round tear unwiih’d to roll;	96a

By all his love, befought him loon to lead
Where cruel friendlfcup fnatch'd his lovely dead.

In vain the chief his anguilh drove to hide,

Sighs rent his bread, and chill'd the vital tide.

To Jolhua then, whole heart belide her mourn’d, 965
With gaze of keen diftrefs, the charmer turn’d.--
Oh, generous Chief, to jnifery ever kind,—

Thou lov’jft my fire--lupport his finking mind !

Thy friendly wilh delights to leflen woe—

See how hs6 tears for fallen Irad flow i	97O

He claims thy friendlhip—-generous hero, fee.

Loft to himfelf, his fondneis bleeds for me.—

To view the haplefs Youth, diftrefs’d he fears.

Would wound my foul, and force too copious tears.

But lead, oh lead me, where the Youth is borne !	.97$

Calm is ray heart, nor will my hofojn mourn?—

So cold that heart, it yields no pitying figh—

And lee no tear bedews this marbled eye.

She faid, and look’d refiftleis ; ibft reclin'd
On Jolhua’s arm, Ihe forc’d his melting mind. 980
Prefling her hand, he trac’d * gentle way,

Where breathlefs Irad, loft ip {lumbers lay.

From the pale face his chilling hand withdrew
The decent veil, and gave the Youth to view-
Fix’d o'er the form, with folemn gaze (he hung. 985
And ftrong, deep fighs burft o'er her ftp;uU;QUgne»

On Jolhua then (he caft a wiftiful look;

Wild was her tearlefs eye, and rolling fpoko
Anguilh unutterable. 'Thrice Ihe tried
To vent her woes, and thrice her efforts died.	09^

At length, in accents of ecftatic grief.

Her voice bewilder’d, gave her heart relief.BOOK VIII;

20$

Is this the doom we dread is this to die ? ,

To deep ?—to feel no ntore ?—-to clofe the eye ?—
Slight is the change—how vain the cHlldiili fear,	gg§

That trembles, and recoils, when death is near ?
t tod, methintts, would (hare the peaceful doom,

And feeka calm repofe id Irad’s tomb.

This.breath 1 know, this ufelefs breath aiuft fail;

Theie eyfes be darken'd; arid, this face grbw pale— loo4J
But thou art pale, oh VoUth! thy lot I crave.

And every grief lhall vaniih, in the grave.

She ceas'd; the tender chief without delay,

Soft prelhitg; kindly forc’d her fteps away.

SIoW toW’rd the Canip, with iolfemn pace, they drew;

The cgrfe nioves on * the mournful bands pdrfue. ibo$'
Pale Uzal follows,.virtuous noiv no ifjore ;

And brave Shelumiel, black with dotted gore.
Unnumber'd tears their haplefs fate bewail,

And voice to voice refounds the dreadful tale. t Qi 0
Butlrad, ihktchlds Jrad, tail'd In vain,

Breathes wide i folfcmnfadneftrotindthe plain :
Unhappy, to their tents the holt retir’d.

And gradual; o’eif the mduritains day expir’d,

AdT H £

CONQUEST op CANAAN;

BOOK IV.Argument.

Evening. Interview between Selima and her parent/*
Morning. Dijirefs of tbe Camp. JoJhua dirtBs Zimri
to bury tbe dead. Funeral of Irad. Burial of tbe dead.
Harejhah informs JoJhua of a combination of tfye fur-
rounding nations againji (Jib eon, and Jolt cits bis ajfijl-
ance. Story of Elam and Mina. Ffarejbah if directed
to wait until the divine pleafure Jhall be known,. Even-
tng. JoJhua walks out on tbe plain, northward of tbe
camp, and hears Selima lamenting the death of Ir/d.
AffeBed by the fcent, he breaks out into afoliloquy on hit
dijirefs, and is reproved by an angel, who delivers him a
ejtejfagefrom the Moji High, and direBs him to prepare
fata vifion of futurity.■The €ONQJJEST op CANAAN

BOOK IX.

T^TqW fober evening hung her curtains round,

I And gloomy fadnefs brooded o’er the ground.

All pale, andfolemn, rofe the languid moon,

And fhed a feeble twilight froip her throne.

Sad in her tent, the feeling maiden fate,	£

Fed on hef woes, and figh’d her haplpfs fate.
jDiflblv’d in tears, her tender parents came,

To lhare her grief, and flay life’s parting flame.

Xike dull, cold lights, that hover o’er the tomb,

A lone lamp Jaogqifh’d round the filent room:	10

Befide her couch, two lorn attendants flay’d,

And drooping, lingering, eyed th’ unconfcious maid.

O’er the fad fcene the pair attentive hung;

Then round the favourite form all-anxious clung:

Her tearlefs eye-balls fcarce the virgin turn’d,	15

But, fix’d iu blank defpair, her flumbering Irad mourn’d.*
Awake ! oh wake ! the tender mother cry’d—

My child ! my darling ! nature’s lovelieft pride !

J^wake, and hear! oh hear thy mother’s call 1
Behold thefe tears for thee in angut(h fall!	2q

Ah fee thy fire, with mighty woes opprefs’d !

His fighs hardrburfling from his heaving bread !$OOK IX.

2*4

Turn, turn thine eye! thy haplefs parents fave!

Nor fpeed our footfteps to the dreary grave!

She fpoke. O’er whelm’d in bitter nefs of fate,	t£

Still the fweet maiden unregardful fate •

Pix'd on fhe parent, droop’d her failing eyes,

And deep, and heavy, heav’d her long-drawn fighi.

Again the mother, ISiiPin fad amaze,

Caft on her woes a ftrong, expreffive gaze,	|0

And thus—Q child of parents once too blefs’d 1
Let not fuch anguifly Gear thy bleeding bread.

Swell not, with other pangs, thy miferies dire,

A dying mother, and a widow’d lire :

The balm of patience fummon to thy foul:

Let Heaven’s high voice exceflive grief controul.-
He call’d, from earth's dark wild, the Youth away;

And -call’d complacent, to the world of day.

To nobler lcsnes his mind feraphic flies,

To blifs, to Hesron, angels, and the fkies.	40

Thus fpoke the parent. Struggling rofe the fair,

An* look’d anmeafuHd woe, and blank defpair :

Again fhe languifh’d ; to the couch {he fell,

And life fad-lingering feem’d to bid farewell.

Pierc’d to the 1001, the tender father flood,	4*

And, loll in woes like her’s, the darling view’d,

He faw the mild reproof her fcnfe recall,1
Her ftrenpth reviv’d her tears In fllence fall;

A beam of glimmering hope bis grief allayed,

And thus, with grave, but gentle voice, Jte faid— 50
O child of loVe l fweet daughter of delight i
Let not that death-like gaze our foulvaffright.

Arife to thought 1 to fenfe, andfeafonj rife !

Nor dumb and marbled grieve againft the Skie$.

Such mighty' woes no'earthly lofe requires;

Not I rad claims them, nor true lo-Ve infpires.

All is not loft ; thy parents ftill furvive1:

And for thy blifs, and in thy life, they live.BOOK IX«	*iS

. Jle fpofce. Again the virgin, whelm’d in woes,

With flow, and forceful effort feebly rofe.	6©

His voice rever’d arous’d her quickening foul.

Loos’d her fad tongue, and taught her tears to roll;
Prefling her mother's hand, with head reclin’d,

Sjie thus difclos’d the anguilh of her mind.

6 belt of parents, e'er to daughter given !	6;

Lov’d, next to Irad ! reverenc’d, next to Heaven 1
Let not thefe frowns your haplefs child deftroy.

Bereft of every hope, and every joy !

What hand, what power, can Irad’s breath rtffore ?

Thofe eyes lhiall beamy that face final} fmile, no more ;
That voice ne’er warble mufic’s fweetefl found ; ji
And that pdle form muff moulder in the, ground.

’Tis this, awakes the anguilh of your mind ;

But ye can weep, and weep to Heaven refign’d.

Not fo your daughter : form’d of feebler frame,’ 7$
Grief rends her fbul, and damps the vital flame-
Yet even her heart but fltares the common pain,

Partakes the tears of all, and breathes their fighs again*
Far round all Ifrael call attentive eyes,

And fee for him the general anguilh rife.	84

See his own fon the rfnldlefs lire forget;

The childlefs mother only weeps his fate:

His fate alone the virgin’s ffrrieks proclaim;

And the poor, wailing infant lifps his name.

Elen lifelefs nature mourns him, wrapp’d in gloom, 85
O'etfcaft with woe and confcious of his tomb.

I faw the fun forlorn, and flow, retire j
1 faw the fiient evening fad expire;

In lhades of double gloom afcend the night,

And the liars languilh, With a mournful light.	90

liow cold yon moon extends her widow’d beam!
Announcing death, and pate with fickening gleam !
ilow faint her feeble glimmerings fpread the plain!

How Hill, and lonely, light the azure main !BOOK IX;

*16

White thtis impaffioTv’d, lifelcfs nature all,

Bfpeechlefs for row, mourns the hero’s fall;

Shall I, belov’d, beyond ill nierit dedr.

His beft Seliiiia, and his chofen falr;

Shall I, O Are ! with eonimdn anguilh weep i1

And o’er his grave, with dull indifference, fleep ? ifift

Diimb fields, and fenfelefs fore Its would rdprove

Such bale oblivion of fo bright a fove.

Pleas’d, the great fire beheld her thoughts return.

And heard her melting accents Irad moiirn ;

And thus—O brigKteft; lbveliefi df thy kind,	104

Grac’d with each cHarrti, that robes the angel’s mind.
More dear than ever child tb Are was dear/

As virtue lovely, and as trtith fincere !

Think not thy parents oil their darling frown,

Or feel a thought lefs tender ihaii thy own.	i 16

Like thinC, our wiihes the blefs’d Youth approv'd i
Like thee, we chofe hlni, and like thee, we lov’d.

But O all beauteous daughter ! (hall thy fire
Behold thee, Whelm’d in boundtefs grief expire ?

Or fee thy life to hopeleft ariguilh given ?	iij

Of hear thee murmur ’gairift d righteous Heaven f
Again to earth could thy fond VoutH remove,

His heart would Chide tKee, and his voice reprove;

Bid thee, fubmiflive, to thy Maker fall,

Embrace his hand, and wake at duty’s call;	tz*‘

Bid thee to hifn thy patient thoughts refign.

And blame thy wanderings, with a love like mint;

From griePs excefs, thy parent would refirain,

Affert Heaven’s right, and fix the bounds of pain.

Ah fire Fever’d ! the pleading maid returrts—	225

Nd common Ibfs thy haplefs daughter mourns,

Search the wide world. Can all her regions j>oaft
6ne youth fo fair, Co bright, fo early Ibft f
How Age admir’d him ! How all Ifrael lov’d ?

'ftie world applauded 1 and the Heavens approv’d 1 13OHis form was all* the brighteft thoughts can fratne ;

Ftis mind was all, the fendeit wifh can claim j
Whate’er is great, or good, or foft, or Fair*

Refin’d, Or lovely, fix’d its manlion there.

Even he, whofe hand the facred fceptre bears*	135

Is but an Irad* of matufer years;

It is, O ’tis* as if, in yon fair clime*

Some prince of angels, bright in glory’s prime*
Tranfcending every peer, in worth fupreme,

Mitred with truth, and furin’d with virtue’s beam* 149
In youth’s gay morn, in beauty’s endlefs bloom,

And life, fuperior to the potent tomb,

Had clos’d his fmiles, while Heaven refus’d to fave,

And funk his glories.in the dreary grave.

What tears, forfijeh a lofs, would feraphs filed ?	145

Tears, rich as theirs, Ihould mourn their rival dead.

And where, O where ihall poor Selima find
One beam of light to cheer her drooping mind i
All fad, I wander round the earth, and Ikies ;

But no foft folace meets my failing eyes.	150

To friends I fly: thofe weeping friends I fed
Sunk in the deep defpair, that buries me>

For him, O kindeft, tendered mother! rife
Thy heart-felt anguifii, and thy hopelefs fighs*

Thy tears, all-gentle fire! refiftlefs filed,	155

Approve my grief, and weep the hero dead.

No cheering hope your fondeft love can give*

Sooth your fad child, or make her Irad live:

Then bid me mourn 5 this laft relief bellow*

And yield my bofom to the peace of woe.	\6o

Opprefs’d with grief, the feeling fire rejoin’d—

Sweet, lovely charmer of thy father’s mind 1
From earth, from friends, thy hope can never flow ;

Too poor, to yield the balm of real woe.

When real ills invade ; when Want annoys ;	16$

Wiien hilfing Shame, with lingering death deflroys jBOOK IX.

ii*

‘When pain torments, or ficknefs wafles oar blown?

Or friends too dear defert us, for the tomb :

This barren world no fblace can fupply :

But all earth’s portion is to weep, and die.	17®

Xet there are fpring9 whence hope and comfort rile,
Springs of pure life, and Rowing frofh the fkiei :

Thence gentle Mercy fends her treafures down,

And bright Religion makes the blifs her Own.

To famifh’d Want fhe fpreads a boundlefs ftore, 175
With that uiiblefs’d, the heir of worlds is poor:

Repentant Shame (he bids to crowns afplre,

Grace ever new, and glory ever higher:

On earth, in heaven, her wealth and honours rife#
Ennoble angels, and enrich the Ikies.	l So

Decay and Bain to cheerful peace fhe leads,

With patience arms them, and with comfort feeds ;

And points the realms, where Health and Beauty bloom,
yVnd Life, with frhilesof triumph, braves the tomb.

When Friends, if Virtue's friends from earth retire, 185
And wafte the bofom, with Corroding Rre;

She fees thofe friends again immortal live,

Rife from the grave, and dying worlds furvire,

To each the form, the mind, of angels given,

Fair fons of light, and habitants of heaven.	190

Sthe too, and fhe alone, a Friend fecures,

That through all times, and in all fcenes, endures
At hand, to hear, to love, to blefs, to fave,

In life, and death, and worlds beyond the grave ;

As heaven o’er earth fublime, all friends above, 195
In power in wifdom, truth, and boundlefs love.

In grief, even vaft as thine, his hand can heal,

And teach the heart its anguifh not to feel.

Bright from the tomb, fhe fees thine Irad fife

To peace, and life, and glory, in the fkies;	Z09

One little moment feparate from thy arn^s;

Again to meet thee, withfuperior charms;BOOK IX,



To hail thy riflng foul, from realms above j
To fmile as angels, and as Heaven to love.

Then, O thou child of truth 1 to her controul 205
Refign the' tumults of thy troubled foul.

She on thy wounds Ihall flied her healing power,

Thy faith revive, thy wonted peace reftore ;

With fofteft mulic charm the pafling day ;

Bid Heavenly vifions o’er thee nightly play;	2x9

The tents of angels round thy curtains fpread t
Invite the guardian cherub to thy bed ;

Calm, with fweet flumbers, every ftormy care,

And dry, with downy hand, the plaintive tear.

She too fhalllife*s rough path with flowers adorn ;	215

With fpring’s mild fplendor, cheer the wintry morn;

Thy yielding feet, in ftrong temptations fave ;

Welcome grim death, and triumph o’er the grave i
To brighter fcenes, in happier regions, fly,

And lift to thrones of gkiry, in the fky.	220

The parent fpoke. The haplefs maiden fate
Forlorn, 2nd fad, bewailing Irad’s fate,

Silenc’d, bat not reliev'd* her drooping mind
Fail'd not to figb, nor yet to Heaven refign’d:

At length with vaft, and heavy woes oppefs’d, 2Z5
She funk in flumbers of tumultuous reft.

Mild rofe the morn 4 and, round the tented plain.

The cries of thoufands mourn'd their kindredflain.

In fllent woe the hoary parent flood,

And wail’d his hopes, all funk in fields of blood ;	230

His fons, fweet charm of nature’s evil day,

Fair light of age, and life’s moft pleaiing ftayf
Now left him helplefs, and alone, to And
Some foreign aid to footh a drooping mind.

Strong pangs of forrow fix’d his fpeaking eye, 23$
And his rack’d heart heav’d deep the heavy figb;

The pale, fad widow caft a tender view
On her fweet race, and flied the plaintive dew:atzo

BOOK IX.

Touch’d with her woes, the beauteous orphans mourn’d.
And artfofs tears their Infant cheeks adorn’d.	24Q

The bride deplor’d a young, fond hulbahd’s doom,
Snatch’d from her arms, and banilh’dto the tomb;

Her joys all ended in one dreadful day ;

Her brighteft hopes forever fwept away ;

No profpeft left her, but long years of woe;	245

No with, but ranfom from thefe realms below.

Thefefcenes, with anguifti, pierc’d the Leader’s breaft,
Blank’d his fair profpetts, ana his foul deprefs’d*

Yet ftill, before the hoft, a cheerful grace,

With blamelefs art, array’d his tranquil face.	25Q

In all their pains, to him they call their eyes ;

Like a fond fire, he heard their plaintive cries :

From bis calm brow they caught the placid fmile,

Forgot their miferies, and defpis’d their toil.

Nowin the filence of his tent, alone	2£5

He mourn’d their fears, and made their grief his own,
When Zimrl came, with anxious care opprefs’d,

And Joihua thus his faithful friend addrefs’d.

Hear’ft thou what forrows fill the murmuring air ?

The warriors’ groans ? and terrors of the fair ?	26,0

What tears of anguifh every face bedew !

What throngs of orphans crowd upon the view '•

Oh heavy, heavy pangs Jehovah’s hand
On this fad heart, and on his chofen band!

Ah, where is Hezron? chief of fpotlefs name l	265

His life fo virtuous ! and fo pure his fame !

How foon, O pride of nature, art thou fled
To the dark, lonely manfions of the dead !

How foon to thy compeers, thine angels, given,
All-beauteous Irad ! faired plant of heaven !	275

But ftill foperior grace may point a way,

Through the long darknefs to the promis’d day.

Thefe mournful thoughts with prudent care conceal;
Nor let thy guarded brow a pain reveal.BOOK IX.

*2J

Thy face they watch, the motions of thine eye,	*75

Know all thy fears, and number every) figh.

When leaders fmile, their looks the holt infpire;

Are leaders brave ? the vulgar catch the fire;

With us they faint, they tremble, and they grieve;

With us they joy, they dare, they die, they live. 280
But now more folemn fcenei thy care demand;

Choofe twice ten thoufand of tke warrior band;
Tp.yonder haplefs field thy footfteps fpeed,

And pay the Jaft, fad honours to the dead.

In one hroad pit, our flaughter’d friends entomb;	.285

Nor grudge our foes the fame unenyied doom :

Let men, let hrave men, ne’er refufe the br^ve
The humble blefling of a peaceful grave.'

I go, the darling hero’s fate to clofe,

And bid the matchlefs Youth a,fweet repofe:	apq

*Tis all we <?an, the friendly tear to fhed,

And raife the light tomb o’er his Iayely head,

With foft affedtions, thus the mighty Chief;

And Zimri flow retir’d, with anfwering grief.

Meantime, grave warriors, in black robes array’d, 295
And many a youth, and many a lovely maid,

Along the northern green, the Chief purfued ;

Flowers grac’d their hands, and tears tljeir cheeks bedew’d.
For now brave Irad clos’d his final doom.

Borne to his darklome, everlafting home.	300

Behind the bier, that flow, and folemn mov’d,

Penfive Selima follow’d him Ihe lov’d ;

Qn the fad coffin fix’d a ftedfaft eye ;

Nor dropp’d a tear, nor breath’d a.tender figh.

Her dark-brown hair a wreath pf rofes crown’d ;	309

Tier rotes of fable flow’d along the ground ;

A flower, juft opening to the morning dew,

BJufh’d in her hand, and brighten’d to the view.

Now in the grave the breathlefs Youth was laid:

Sadly ferene advanc'd the lovely maid j	jipBOOK JXt

31*

With fpeaking eyes, bewail'd her haplefs doom,

And dropp'd the floweret in the lonely tomb.

High on the plain the funeral earth was fpread ;

The turf's gay verdure flourilh’d o’er his head :

Each gentle face deplor’d his lotfevere,	315

And f^oke th’ exprdfive language of a tear.

Near the fair maiden flood th’ exalted Chief,

Fix’d in mute Woe, and great in manly grief.

No ill-tinf'd comfort would he flrive to lend,

Nor ape the flatteries of the fpecious friend:	330

Yet the loft texture of his heart could feel—

Wiry fhodld he ope the wonnd he could not hell ?

As thus their bolbms Wail'd^ his haplefs end.

And mourn'd* as each had loft his chofen friend ;

Admir’d why Heaven had made fuch worth in vain, 3*3
And why confin'd it to the dreadful plain;

His generous deeds in deep difpair ran o'er,

And faw him live, and (peak, and a&, no more;

Through the fad filence of the folemni fcene,

The bands of Zimri crofs'd the gloomy green, 330
Unnumber’d widows, on the field, they found,

Whofe fons, whofe hulbands, ftrew’d the crinrfon ground :
Slow mov'd the fair-ones round the dreadful plain,
Walh’d the black gore, and prov’d the countlefs flain ;
And when the partners of their joys they knew, 333
They cleans’d their ftiften’d wounds in briny dew ;
Wail’d their hard lot, that fwept, in life’s gay bloom.
Each hope, each rapture, to the fullen tomb
With tears of anguifh, envied earth its truft,

And grudg’d the grave the lov’d the precious dull. 340
Three days, above the undiftinguifti’d dead.

Their friends, and foes, the gather’d earth was fpread.

A hill of Clones, fad wound to human pride !

Juft mark’d the place, where countlefs warriors died.

As there, in future years, the lonely fwain	343

Drove his fmall flOck, to feed the grafs-grown plain,BOOK IX.



Near the rough mafs, in folemn thought, reclin’d,

Thus fad refle&ions fill’d his pondering mind.

Ah proud inglorious man ! whole infed life

Is loftin pain, in vanity, and ftrife.	350

What mighty toils, to gain immortal fame !

What waftes, what {laughters, build the darling name !
Vet this rude tomb, this (hapelefs pile, contains,

Of chiefs, of kings, the poor, the foie remains.

This prize to win, muft nations then expire ?	355

And feats of peace, and joy, be whelm’d in fire?

Oh Heaven, in pity, loofe the ties, that bind
To man’s black race, a juft and honeft mind !

Low funk the fun. As now the chief return’d
From midft the camp, and haplefs Ifrael mourn’d, 3160
Harefhah fad, befide his tent, he found ;

Proll rate he fell, and reverent kifs’d the ground.

Uprais’d by Jofhua’s hand, again he flood,

And thus his fear in plaintive accents flow’d.

Hail mighty prince ! to thee alone tis given,	365

To talle the favour ofindulgent Heaven ;

To guide, with profperous hand, the race he chofe.

And hurl deftruftion on refilling foes.

Thou know’ll, with thee how Gibeon’s fbns are join’d5
What views unite us, and what covenants liind;	379

This, through the circling realms by fame was fung,

And round each realm, th’ alarm of vengeance rung :

To wade her domes the general voice decreed,

And millions hafte t’ atchieve the barbarous deed.
Salem’s imperious fons, in proud array,	375

And haughtier Hebron, thither bend their way ;

In martial pomp unnumber’d Lachilh fhines,

And Jarmuth brave with favage Eglon joins;

With thefe, fierce nations fpeed from realms unknown*
Near the firft glimmerings of the dawning fun. 38*
There too, O Prince ! tremendous Jabin Hands,

Brings all his chiefs, and leads his veteran bands,*2*	$ O O K IX,

Wings the dread lightenings of the war around,

And rolls his thunders o’er th’ embattled ground. 284
From theie dread (towers, fo numerous, and fo brave,
Nought lefs than Heaven, and thy own hand, can fave.
Worne with long years, Aradon’s trembling arm
111 wards the vengeance of fo fierce a florin.

And,-—O exalted Prince 1 prepare to hear
A tale more fad than ever pierc’d thine ear—*	39®

In the dark grave is generous Elam laid,

And near him fleeps the Heaven-indru&ed maid*

How fell the lovely pair ? the Leader cried ;

And, with fad voice, the dranger chief replied.

When cheerful morn walk’d forth in golden air, 395
Rode the young herd, and his blooming fair,

With nimble hounds, that bade the fored roar ;

To chace the buck, to wound the briflly boar;

On two white deeds they bounded o’er the plain,

And gayly round them pranc’d a youthful train. 400
No coats of deely mail their limbs inveft ;

No buckler fparkles o’er the fearlefs bread j
Thro’ fylvan fhades they trac’d an eafy way :

Each mind was funfhine, and each face was gay,

At once, with dreadful din before them rofe	4°5

The trump of death, and fhout of favage foes.

£rom the thick covert burd a barbarous throng,

Rang clafhing arms, and fcream’d a hideous fong ;

His gallant friends, a young, but chofen few,

The prince, ferenely brave, around him drew ;	410

With firm, bold bread, they fought, and at his fide,

Ift death they triumph’d, for with him they died.

As thro* his bofom fung the fatal Reel,

He rais’d his hand, and wav’d a long farewell:

On the fweet maid his eytf all-wifhful hung,	41 £

And half-form’d accents ceas’d upon his tongue.

Quick round the youth a tender arm fhe threw,

Fell as he fell, aad wifh’d to perilh too.BOOK IX.

TJie quIvering Form fhe prefs’d, in icy death,

Kifs’d his pale lips, and fuck’d his parting breath. 420
No more her carelefs thoughts attempt to fly ;

No more her ear attends the horrid cry :

Clofe to the wound her fnowy hand applied
Withdrew the lance, and {lopp’d fhe purple tide.

A grim barbarian to the fair-one came,	4*5

Pierc’d her white fide, and forc’d the vital {beam ;

With one weak gafp, on Elam’s bofom laid.

Her bloom all vanifk’d, and her fpirit fled.

’ In diftaht fields, we heard the trumpet's found.

And flrode impatientto the fatal ground.	43O

On the fad fcene, by favouring (hrubs conceal’d,

A youth, unarm’d, the dire event beheld :

He, drown’d in tears, difclos’d the fierce affray,

And ihew’d where Mina, and her Elam, lay.

On the cold earth, the wither’d leaves he prcfs’d;	4^5

The fair yet panting at his lifelefs breaft.

Her hand was feebly laid againfl the fpeat.

Still in her Ade, and in her eye a tear.

So blooms a flower befide th’ autumnal {treat!).

And waves, and wantons, in the folar beam,	44^

Nor knows the frofl, that in the midnight iky
Lurks for its charms, and bids its beauty die.

The haplefs pair in fnow-white robes arrayed,

To the fame grave our friendly hands convey’d.

Kind youths, and virgins, there at dawn appear,	44$

$trew fragrant flowers, and drop the tender tear ;

There the fad wild rofe yields its withering bloom.

And melancholy mulic mourns their doom.

Pierc’d thro’ his thigh, and weltering on the ground,

A favage wretch, beneath an oak, we found,	459

By favours won, he fhew'd th* impending doom,

What bands are gather’d, and what heroes come.

To fpy thefe realms, he cried, from Hebron’s land,

Thro’ many a forelt rov’d our warlike band-.-

GgBOOK IK.

Led by bold Hoham, from far.difiant Ihores,	459

Thence countlefc hofis invadeyon fhining towers $

There giant Zedeck’s lofty car is roll'd ;

There beams young Plrarn in refulgent gold;

High rais’d in air, ten thouland ftandardaplay,

And chiefs unnumbered hail the deathful day.	46^

Thus fpoke the wretch. As o’er yon mountain’s brow
I fleer’d njy path> and eyed the world below,

From diftant fields, the trump’s approaching found
Wav’d o’er the plains, and fill’d, the groves around;

Swift tow’rd the walls long, dully yolgpie*. came, 4$$
And dreadful gleams of interrupted flame g
OiT high the banners danc’d ; a migbty .train,

With lines immeafurable, hid the plain.

Oh, by theoovenant, which thy voice hath giyen,

By the bleft'favour of all-bounteous Heaven,	4yd

That Heaven, which makes thee bis peculiar care,

Afrtf our weak race, and grant our righteous prayer !

Thus mourn’d the chief, while Caleb flow' drew nigh,
His anguilh’d bofom heaving many a figh
His foul, in filence, mourn’d the Haplefs pair,	475

All-lovely Trad and his beauteous fair ;
tCben Jolhua fad the hoary fage adclrels’d—

Great prince, this night Harelhah is thy guelf,

His voice a mournful tale from Gibeon brings.

How ’gainll her walls Canaan arms her kings.	48®

Qur aid he claims; an aid by covenant due ;

But ah, what griefs our haplefs race purfue f
Again th’ Eternal arm our couffe-witfiftands,

Cuts off our chiefs, and (lays, our haplefs bands*

Pirlt Hezron flept; then virtuous Uzal fell,	4#£

And brave S'heTumiel bade, the world farewel,
fZ&tt lovely I rad found a haplefs doom ;

And new fweet Mina leeks an eriply tomb.

Should Hill, new courfes’ uradvis’d be tried,

Frefh wTafh may kindle, and frefh ills betide. 490TT O O K IX.

*57

Let then this chief in peace with thee retire,

’Till Heaven his couhfels, and our.courfe, infpire.

He fpoke. Hare (hah with the fage withdrew,

*$Hile the fun lingering (lowly left the view;

The mourning Hero fought ailight repofe,	493

And broken (lumbers o’er his eye-lids rofe.

Now Night, in veftments rob'd, of cloudy die,

With fable gra'rfdeur cloth’d the orient iky,,
ihipell’d the fun, obfequious to her reign,

Down the far mountains .to the uyeftern drain ;	5-op

With magic hand, becalm’d the folemn even,

And drew day’s curtain from thefpangled heaven.

At Once the planets fail’d around, (betHrone ;

At once tenthoufand worlds lnfp/endor (hone :

Behind her car, the moon’s expanded eye	503

Rofe from a cloud, and look'd around the (ky ;

Far up th* immdHfe her train fi#ttmeiy roB,

And dance, and triumph’, round ttye lucid pole.,

Fafnt (hine the fields, beueath thtf fhadowy ray i
Slow fades the glimmering of the weft-away	5x0

To deep the,tribes retire ; and not a found
Flows through the air, or murmurs on the ground.

The Chief, arlfingi «”er the darkfomc green
Turn’d his (low fteps, and view’d the (plendid fcene
With wondering gase, furvey’d tfi$ vaulted evep, 5
The half-feen world, aiid all the ponrip of Heaven.

Wide afchM the palade of th* Almighty hhnd,

Its walls far-bending b’er theieaf, and Jqnd;

Round the vafi roof, fibm arrtient^arlcnjefs (prong.

In living pride, immortal tapers hung :	53©

The la,mp on high an endleft luftfe lhed,

And earth’s broa'd pavement all beneath was fgread.

From dtftant bills,.red flames began to rife,

Topped the tail's towers, and Climb’d (he kiridling (kies
Thick ftriilh’d the (rinfient liars ; and all arouiivd 52^

A (till, mild‘glory rol>’d the tw ilight ground.& O O K V IX.

Now toward the north he bent his wandering way*

Each fcene revolving of the bufy day,

When Io! foft founds his ftartled ear a (Tail,

Soft as the whifper of the flowing gale «■	5$f

Now mournful rautmurs flowly-penflve rife ;

Now languid harmony in filenc.e dies:

Now nobler ftrains, with animating fire,

Warm the bold raptures of the living lyre.

Whither, O whither is thy beauty gone ?	5,35

To what far region ? to what world unknown ?

No lone, drear ihades of everlailing gloom*

Verg’d on the confines of the icy tomb,

No frozen climes, extend impervious bounds,

Confine thy walks, and bar thy aftive rounds,	540

Forbid thy upward flight at large to rqve,

And climb the mountains of eternal love.

Far other fcenea thy lovely fpirit dainty
Far other mansions own thy lafting fame*

Borne on light wings, I fee thy guardian come, 545
Unchain thy mind, and point the Harry home :

With joy, he dafps thee in immortal arms,

Waves his young plumes, and frniles etherial charms;
Through fields of air, he wins his purple way,

And rofy choirs, delighted, round him play.	550

There, o’er bright realms, and pure, unchanging flcies»
Suns gayly walk, and lucid morns.arife ;

Crown’d with new flowers, the ftreajms perpetual roll*
And living beauty blooms around the pole,.

Will there, alas! the foft enchantment end ?	5^5

Andean no love to thofe fair climes afeend ?

It can ; it will; for there the blefs’d improve
Their minds in joy, andwhere’s the joy, but love ?

, Canft thou forget, when, call’d from fou;hern bowers,
Love tun’d the groves, and fpring awak’d the flowers,
How, loos’d from fluirtbers by the morning ray, 569
O’ci balmy plains we bent our frequent way iB O p K \X.

On thy fond arm,. with pUafing gaze1, I huflg^

And heard fweet muiic mprmuy o'er ehy tongue ;

Hand lock'd in band^-witb gentle ardour prefs’d, 565
Pour’d foft emotions though the heaving .breaft,

In magic tramfport^ heart with heart entwin’d,

And in Tweet languors loft the; melting toind..

*TwaS then, thy voice, attun’d towifdom’s layr
Shew’d fairer worlds, and trac’d th’ immortal way; 57#
Invirtuel*pleafmgpaths mV fbotfteps tried,

My Tweet,’Companion, and my ft^llful guide ;

Through varied knowledge taught, my mind to foar,
Search hiddsn truths, and new-found walks explore :
Mobile ftill the tafo# by nature-learp’d to rove,.	57$;

Slid, unperceiv'd, to. fcenes of happy love.

‘Till weak, and loft, the faltering converge fell,

And eyes diijclos’d what eyes alone could-fell ;

In rapturous tumult bade the paffipna roll.

And (poke the living language of the foul.	j|o

With what fond hope, through many a blifsful hour,

We gave the foul to,fancy’s plaafing power;

Loft in the magic of that fweet employ

To build gay fcenes, and fafhion. future joy 1

'We faw mild Peace o’er fair Canaan rife,	< 58^

And (hower her pleafutes from benignant ikies.

On airy hills our, happy manfipn rofe, ;

Built but for joy, nor' room refe^v'd for woes.

Round the calmiblitude, with ceafclefclong.

Soft roll'd.domeftioeeftafy .along :	tjgo

Sweet as the fleep of Innocence,,.the day.

By raptures number’d, lightly danc’d away:

To Ioye,,ta blifs* ihe union’d foul w*s gtvfia>

And each, too happy ! aik’d noibrigbter heaven.

Yet then, even then, my trembling thoughts would rove,,
And iteal on hour from Irad, and from, love,	556

Through dread futurity all-anxious roam,

And tali a mournful glance on ills to come*3-0 © K IX.

*30

Hope not, fond maid, fome voice prophetic cried—
life, thus Wafted down th* unruffled tide :	600

Troll no gay, golden doom, from anguilh free,

Nor wiflr the laws-of Heaven revers'd for thee.

Survey the peopled world ; thy foul (hall find
Woes, ceafelefs Woes, ordain'd for poor mankind.

Life's a long-folitude/an unknown gloom,	603

, Ck>s'dr by the filence ofthe dreary‘tomb.

For foon, ah foon lhalt fleet thy pleiflug dreams;

Soon dofe the eye, that,- bright as angels, beams
©race lfreflitible. To- mouldering clay
Shall change the fate, that fmiles thy griefs away : 610
Soon the fweet miific of that voice be o'er*

Hope ceafe to charm, and beauty bloom no more :
Strange, darkfome wilds, and devious waVs be tted,

Nor love, nor tyad, ftehl thy heart frpm God.

And muft the hours in ceacelefs anguilh roll ?	615

lii^dl no foft funlhiOe cheer iny clouded foul ?
Sprhig'charui around me brighteft feenes, in vain £ ‘

And Youth’s angelick vifidns wake to fain ?

Oh come once more, with fond endearments come
Burft the cold prifoti dfthe fullen tomb;	620

Thro' favourite walks’, thy chofen maid attend ;

Where well-known (hades for thee their branches bend :
Shed the fweet poifonfrbm thy fpeaking eye ;

And look thofe raptures, lifelefs words deny 1

Still be the tale rehears'd, that ne’er could tire;	625

But, told each eve, freftt pleafore could infpire :

Still hop’<Fthofe (Setfes, which love and fancy drew ;

But, drawn a thoufand times, were ever1 new!

Yet ceafe, fond maid ; *tis thine alone to mourn:

Yield the bright feenes, that never cam return. 63O
Th/joys are Aid, thy fmiling morn is o'er ;

Totiblefs’d in youth, thou muft be bleft’dno more.

The hope, that brighten’d, with all pleafmg fay,

Shone, but to charm, and flatter'd, tb betray.B 0*0 K IX,

No more.feia Irad heeds my . tender (train ;	63 j

Bull is the,voice, that never call'd in vain ;

Vain the cold^anguilh of thefe once lov’d eyes ;

And vain the fond defire, that buds him tile.,

Indi/e’s gay fcenes, their higheftgrace before.

Thy mind, O Youth divine ! mull (hare no more; 6|.»
Alike unnotic'd, joys, and tumuLts roll.

Nor thefe difturb, nor tho(e delight>.thy foul.

Again'<aJl bright ihall glow the, morning beam.;

Again foft funs difloLve the frozen ftream-jt

Spring call young breezes from the fouthern (kies, 64S

And, cloath’d in fplendor, flowery millions rife.

In vain to thee~*No morn’s indulgent ray f
Warms the cold manfion pf.the (lumbering clay.

No mild etherial gale, with tepid tying,

Shall fan thy locks, or waft approaching fpring:

Unfelt, unknown, (hall breathe the rich perfume,

And unhear’d muhc wave .around thy tomb<

A cold, dumb, dead repofe in veils thee round;

Stilt as the void, ere nature form’d a found.

Jn thy dark region, pierc’d by no kind ray,	65-5

To roll the long,, oblivious hours away,

In thefe wild walks, this folitary round,

Where the pale moon-beam lights the glimmeringgroand
At fad turn, I view’d thy fpirit come.

And glide, half-feen, behind a neighbouring tombk; 660
With yifionary hand, forbid my (lay,

Look o’er the grave, and beckon me away v
- But vain the wifh ; for dill, around ,thy tomb,

This faithful hand (hall bid the wild rofe bloom»

Each lonely eyeySelima hither rove,	(6$

And pay the tribute.of unalter’d love ;

Till, O fond, lQvply youth ! thefe eyes (hall clofe,

Seal’d in the (ilence of a long repofe ^

Beneath one turf our kindred dodiesdie,

And lofe, unpain’d, this melancholy iky.	679B ■€> O K IX.

2*2

Wirt1 thee, well-plbas’d, the final pang I'D bfhve;

With thee Dearthfmile, and lightfome be Ate grave ;•

O’.jr earth’ii broad fields, tiH'heaven fbfget foreign,

And funs benighted vinHhin thomahr j

This dark rfecdfs the cherub then (ha'll find,	675

A^d wake a form, angelic as thy mind.

Ipiftrffs’d, kind Jofhua heard her moving (train,

Bu't Aill walk’d Onwardo’er the filady plain ;

Wily (hould his face her mournful thoughts moled,

Th o’ foft companion watln’d his feeling bread; 680
No Comfort could he lend, nor joy impart,

While numbering Irhd own’d her tender heart.

/Ind now hi# footfteps (low and fbftly rove,

Thi»* the black filence of th’ extended grove;

Altrrnate moon-beams feebly pierce the (hade; 68^
Amf o’er his path a glimmering horror fprtad;

Strange, awful obje'fts dimly rife around,

And forms vinflhilh’d tldath the gloomy groo-nd.

'With mournful thoughts the proipe# well combin’d,

And foeth’d the wanderings of a drooping mind. 696
Arc ond he call his melancholy eyes,

And pleas’d, beheld the foltmh feenes arife ;

Scenes tun’d in concert with his fadden’d foul,

To }|rief refign’d, and pity’s foft cdntroul

The gloom, the fifotree, gave a kind relief;	$9$

peaeje fpning from trouble, and delight from grief?

His heart impalfion’d mourn’d his daughter’s doom.

Her charms, her virtues, banifil’d to the tomb.

Them haplefs lrad all his woes renew’d,

Ami copious tears afrcfii his cheeks bedued :	700

At length, the tumults of his ftruggling bread
Un wifti’d, unbidden accents thus exprefs’d.

Oh, when fhalt I fr act's count left (arrow’s ceafe ?

And war once more refign to lading peace ?

Eachi riling morn, more dreadful woes appear. 705
And' each fad evening prompts a latter tCarvBOOK IX.

*8

Why did pile terror jadah's race appal I
Why princes', chiefs* and generous choufahds fall F
All! why did Hedven to me commit the (Way*

And bid his fons this feeble arm obey t	71®

Oh had the Power divine for ltie ordain’d
Some humble manfibh; in a lonely land;

Where the trump’s voice was never never heard t
Nor falchion drawn* nor favage daughter fear’d i
In quiet then my life had pafs’d away,	ji§

Blefs’d without pride, and without fplendbr gay )

In death, my foul fefenely met her doom,

And my own children built nty humble tomb.

At once a wild, and vifiortary found,

With fudden murmurs, fill’d the grov’e around }, JtO
The It range alarm nbw loud and louder grew,

And through the forelt buriling fplendor fleW \

A Form, the brighteftof the morning choir,

Drew heaf, in all the pomp of heavenly fire ;

Twelve (tars of gloty croWn’d His awful head ;

His fun-brjght eyes the forky lightening filed |

Serene, biit dreadfhlly ferdne, he Hood,

And a dire trembling feiz’d the confcious wood.

Asvt’hen aftorm the dark horizon fills,

Long, folenth thund&rs roll o’pr diftant hills ;	73Q

So, from the Virion’s voice, a fearful found
Appall’d his ear, and filoolc the itartled ground.

Chief of thy race ! from Heaven’s eternal King,

At his Command, this facred charge I bring*

I am the Loan. 1 form’d the earth, and fky, 735
Illum’d the fun, and hung his flames on high ;

Bade worlds, in millions, flar th’ etherial plain,

And built the fecret chambers of the main*

My voice, the heaven, and heaven of heavens obey;

And Ocean, Earth, and Hell, confefs nriy fway. 740
Through worlds, on worlds, in Being’s mighty bounds,
That roll throogh fpaefe* illimitable founds;B O P K IX*

*34

Where (kies, o’er ikies, unmeafur’d arches bendy
And ft^rs; o’er liars, in endlefs pride afcend ;

Where the fun’s fearching beam hath never ray’d, 74.3
Plot fcarce an angel’s pinion’d fancy llray’d ;
h/ly power, my wifdom, with divine controul,

Surveys, preferves, dire&s and moves, the whole.

All thefe, with all their fcenes, th’ eternal Mind,

Ere angels fung, or heaven began, defign’d.	756

Whate’er my voice ordain’d to being came,

Totlch’d by th’ immortal, all-infpiring flame.

In all, ttioiigh man, with vain, benighted eye.

Of infett ken, unnumber’d blots defcry,

From hell’s deep caves, to heaven’s fublimeft bound, 75$
Noflain, no fault, no error, can be found.

Whofe thoughts fhall then my boundlefa wifdom blame?
Whofe wilhes rife againlt my holy Name ?

My fpirit form’d thee in the filent womb,

And wrote, with Mercy’s hand, thy favourite dooni; 76#
Thy foul awak’d, thy infant limbs infpir’d,

With truth illum'd thee, apd with virtue fir’d;

Bade all my Tons thy fceptred' rule obey,

And flretch’d thy glory with the folar ray.

And fhall thy heart my bounteous hand diflrufl, 765
And mourn that warriors mingle with the dull ?

Whit though brave Irad froln the world retir’d,

Tho’ numerous bands aroiirid his fleps expir’d j
Without a fear, without a pang, refign >

That virtuous Youth, and all thofe bands, were mine.77®
With fongs the grace adore, that rais’d thy mind,

From the low confines of the beftial kind,

Where countlefs throngs plod on their bafe purfuits.
Above, and juft above, their kindred brutes.

To that fublimeft honour, man can know,	77 J

To bleft my fons, and fliew my praife, below.

Forgive, O Heaven ! forgive-—the Hero cried y
And milder thus the Vifioa’s voice replied.J O O K IX.

m

O Chief oFIfrael! let no rebel thought	' 779

Accafe the wonders, God’s right hand hath wroaght.
While his almighty arm thy conrfe fnftains,

Afk not what numbers crowd embattled plains.

From the broad circuit Of her various lands,

Recall'd to fight" Canaan’s cotintlefs bands ;

He bids thee fearlefs tempt the martial field/	78 j

And truft the covert of his guardian fhield.

For there/4n virtue’s caufe, thy God lhall arm,

And pour the vengeance of the baleful florin ;

*£he fun Hand Hill; the moon thy voice obey -;

And the bright angel fweep thy foes away;	<796

But now £tr nobler feenes thy views extend!

See long futurity jn pomp-afcedAl

The varying doom of Ifrael’s wayward race ;

How truth exalts them, and how crimes debafe ;

Their arts, their arms, their towns, and towers, behold,
Fields of fair flocks, and domes inchaf’d with gold 1	796

High Heaven around them fpreads his bleflings far
Or proves, and fcourge6, with vindiflive war 1
There too, fucceffive, fee the wonders rife.

That guard, and blels, the Children of the fkies;	800

Thy own bright Ifrael; Heaven’s immortal race,

Sav’d by his Son, and fainted by his grace ;

To Jacob’s chofen feed at firft confin’d,

Then wide, and wider, fpread to all mankind 1

With more than mortal ken, thy raptur’d foul	805

Shall fee far dillant times in vifion roll ;

When Abraham’s fons, from earth’s remotefl end,

To Salem’s heaven-topp’d mountains fhall afeend ;

When round the poles, where frozen fplendors play,

In noontide realms, that balk in brighter day,	8to

On fpicy fhores, where beauteous morning reign*,

Or Evening lingers o’er her favourite plains,

From guilt, from death, reviving nations rife,

And one vaft hymn of tranfport fills the fkies.tsf » O f) x IX*

Second thefe fcenes, fhali nobler wonders lhine,	fi j

Climes of fweet peace, and years of joy. divine*

Where truth’s fair Cons extend the golden wing .

Thro* morn e'er-riling, ever changing fpriog ;

Where unborn Beauty, round whofe awful throne,

AH Vendors fade, and funs are dark at noon,

Smiles o’er broad regions eve*rbrightening day,

Pair nature quickening in th’ eeftatif ray:

The foul, pure effluence of th’ alb-beaming Min<|>

With virtu? diadem’d, with truth refin’d,

With blifs fupreme, with radiance yet unknown* 8if
Begins, a liar, and brightens to a fun ;

Life, Love, and Rapture, bloljbm in her fighfj,

And Glory, triumphs o’er the world of light*THE

eONQJJEST of CANAAN:

8 O O K X;Argument.

Pi fen of futurity. ProfpeEt of tht land of Canaan.1 Prof
f trout events after the war is ftnijhed. Apoftaey after
the death of Jefhua, and confequent judgements. TroubLet
by Cujban-rijbathairrt, Hazor, Midian, Ammon, and the
Pbiliftines. Samfeu. CiydlWaf. P hi lift ine s' Kings.
David's combat with Goliath. TKar with Ammon, and
Syria. Joah. David's glory, ferujalem. Temple-
Dedication. Solomon. Divifton of the kingdom. De-
fruition of lfrael by Sbalmanefer, and of Judah by No-
lwckadnexxjir.> Refor Of ion. MeJJtaK bis Rirtk Bqp-
ff/m, Miracles, Trial, Death, Refurreflion, and Afctnji-
on* Defirutition of Jerufalem by the Romans. Preach-
ing of the Gofpel by the Apoftles, and fuccteding Minif-
ters. Profpoit of America. Slavery of the taftern Con-
tinent- Gbry of the Weftesen Millennium. Calling of
the Jews. Signs which forebode the end of the W arid.
JtefurreAicn, Conflagration, General Judgement, and
eenfummation of all things. Profpeil of heaven, and a
happy immortality. Angel departs, and Jojhua returns
to the camp.The CONQUEST or CANAAN*

BOOK X.

A psHE Vifion Ceas'd. At once the fbreft fled,

JL At once an unknown region round them /pread,.
Like the (till fabbath’s dawning light ferene.

And fair as blifsful Eden’s living green.

High on a hill they flood* whofe cloudy brow	j

Look’d o’er th’ illiny table world below.

In Ihining verdure eaftem realms withdrew.

And hills and plains, immingling, fill’d the view :

From fouthern forefls rofe melodious founds ;

Tall northern mountains flretch’d cerulean bounds ; lOt
Weft, all was fea; blue Ikies, with peaceful reign,

Serene roll’d round th’. interminable plain.

Then thus the Power. To thee, blefs’d man, ’tis given.
To know the thoughts of all-confidering Heaven :

Scenes form’d eternal in th' unmeafur’d Mind,	1$

In yon bright realms, for Abraham’s race delign’d.

While the great premife ftands in heaven fecure,

Or earth, or fcas* or ikies or (tars endure,BOOK X.

*4*

He fpoke* At once a fpacions land is fee*,

Bright with young cornfields, and with pafturet green; a*
Fair ihine the rivers; fair the plains extend ;

The tall woods waVe, and towering hills afcend ;

Ten thoufand thoufand Hooks around them fpread,

Sport o’er the lawns, and crop the verdant blade ;

Blefs’d fwains with mufic charm their ufeful toil, zg
The cheerful plowmen turn the fable foil ;

The vine, glad offspring at the fun, afpires.

And fmiles, and purples, in th’ indulgent fires;

The vales, with humble pride, gay coats adorn,

And pleafure dances in the beams of morn;	30

Spring, hand in hand with golden Autumn join'd
Lives in the flowers, and wantons in the wind.

Then fpacious toWiij exalt their ftately fpires,

Bend their long walls, and light unnumber’d fires ;

Here all the pomp of haughty Aru&ures fhines,	gg

Youth crowds the dance, and Age in council joins
There, built by virtue, fmdkiitg altars rife,

And clouds of incenfe fill the morning fktei.

When thus the Herb—Sdy, O Fewer divine !

What bright and happy feenes before die fhirie, 4a
Tell, if thofe regions Ifrael'S blifs difplay.

And flocks, and fields, and cities own their fway.

Juft are thy thoughts—the Seraph’s Voice return'd.
While rbfy beauty round his afpeft blirn'd,

In thefe fair dimes (hall Ifrael fix her feat,	43

fend her long toils, and find a calm retreat.

Then alt the bleflings, mortals here can know.

From God's good hand, in plenteous ftreams, (hall flow.
In pureft beams (halt genial fuds defeertef;

And rnobns, and ftars, their fofteft radiance lend :	50

The gales waft health; kind flowers the plains renew ;
Morn yield her fragrance ; eVe her balmy dew ;

With autumn’s prime the widtery froff eonfpire ;

With fprings mild influence fummer’s fcorchicg fire jBOOK X*

A4*

To ntirfe the land of virtue's lov’d recefi,	55

And blefs the Oati&n, Heaven delights to blef$.

Thefe fcenes of blifsful peace lhalt thou enjpy.

Nor grief difturbs, nor circling foes annoy*

But when death calls thee to divine abodes,

They fly from HeaVen, andfeek Can&an’s go4s *	69

To flocks, to flones, with ftupid reverence, bow,

Burft every tie, and perjure every vow.

Then war (hall thunder from the realms around j
Then funs malignant parch the fterile ground;

The fields ihaU wafle; the flocks to dull decay, $5
And fieftie difeafes fweep their tribes away.

Vet (hall his bounty fainted guardians rai.fe,

And (hed rich blefflngs on their peaceful days;

Wak’d to new life, the land forget to mourn,

And fruitful feafons to the plains return.	J59

Behold thefe fcenes expanding to thy foul 1
Brom orient realms what blackening armies roll!

See their proud Monarch, in yon glimmering car.

Leads his firong had, and points the wafle of war.

Till, rais’d by Heaven, the youth, whofe early bloom,
Gives a fair promife of his worth to come.

That fecond Irad, Othniel, lifts his hand,

And fweeps the heathens from his wafted land*

In awful pomp, /ee Hazor’s bands arife,

Shade the far plains, and lower along the Ikies 1	99

An unborn Jabinfways thofe fpacious Ihores,

And on thefe climes that raging deluge pours.

The little band, thou feeft thy nation fends;

Lo, how the hoft innumerable bends 1

Before Jehovah’s wrath the millions fly,	85

Prop their weak arms, and lift a leflening cry.

Behold, in fouthern Ikies, what clouds appear !

There Midian’s fons the bloody flandard rear:

line71) See judg. 3, C)i* L. 79) Jud. 4, L. 87) Jud. 7.

1 iBOOK X.

Ifefore them, Ruin marks her ravag’d way;

Fire fweeps the plains, and fmoke involves the’ day!

Behold yon Angel, rapt on wings of light,

Flames, like a meteor, down the face of night 1
His fearful hand accelerates their doom,

And their own weapons’plunge them to the tohilv
' Beyond- fair Jordan, that broad, afcure ftream, 9$
What moony fhields, what throngs'of lances, gleani’ 1
In long, dark lines, fee Jephtliah’s fpreading hoft
Benight the heavens, and dulk the Ihady coaft !

wing’d with fear, the ranks of Ammon yield,

Mount their bright cars, and fly the fanguine field ! io®-
From thofe dread fceries , now fouthward turn1 thine eyes';1
Behold, what clouds Of Philiflines arife 1
Ordain’d the terror of Canaan’s climes,'

The fling of guilt, the fcourge of daring Cnm'es;

Illum’d with fpears, the glooihy fq'uadrorts roll,	105

Hull Ihades their path, and darknefs hides the pole.

See Gaza’s thoUfands, rang’d in black array,

Spread their wide volumes on the fetting day 1
Behold brave Samfon fweep the dreadful {flam !

Their falchions flame, their fpears are hurl’d, in vain;
Swift from his fateful arm their fquadrotis fly,	111

And Ihields behind them glimmer on the (ky.

Now, where yon haughty pile in pbiAp afcehds,

His flrong-wrought nerves the eyelefs hero bends ;

The columns (hake, the cloudy temple falls,	11'$

And dufty rtlin veils the frrioking walls,

See, where'proud Gibcah’s turrets flrike the fldes,-
On every fide embattled armies rife !
rThere Civil Difcbrd calls her fons tb war,	^

And waves Her banner through the troubled air ;	J2§

Againft ohe tribe the fwords of all uhite,

Beftrudion hovering o’er the crimfon fight.

Line 95) Jud. u. L;-101) J,ud. 13. &c.' L. 107) Jud. rf,-i6s
L. 117) Jud. 2cwB , O <> K X.



'See, like a florin, the Philiflines again
jRoll o’er yonhiJlB, and crowd the darkening plain !
Lo Ifrael flees i the haughty heathens dare,

Soljute the ark ; nor know th’ Almighty’s there.
The facred Prophet lifts his Supplian t hands,

And calls down vengeance on the impious bands $
Aghaft they hear tremendous thunders rife,,

And from the lightening* turn their trqmbhng eyes;
jfltae fields are redden’d with a fanguine die.

The vaqquifli’d •triumph, and the vi&or.s fly.

Thus feenes of varied life thy nation prove,
Reftrain their crimes, and fix their wandering love.
At length, impatient o.f their Maker’s hand,

T^ir tribes, with unioned voice ; ,a Icing demand.
Firfl chofen to the; throne*, of truth forlocn,

Blafting the pramif^jaf his opening morn,

Saul, impious tyrant,.holds the facred fwayv,

And Ifrael’s haplds tons his rod obey,

$uc now the^feenes a longer view demand ;
Beholdwha^ wonders to thine eyes expand !

The hero gaz’d -; at once-two mountains rofe,
O’erfpread by fquadrons of embattled foes.

Proud, from the fouthern hill a giant flrode^

©ar’d his pale fbe9, and Grav’d the arm ofGo D,
Vaft were his limbs, for war and -ruin made ;

His towering flature caft a long, dark fhade ;

His eye glar’d fury, and his buckler’s gleam,
Flam’d, like a cloud before the fettling beam.

A' youth, in nature’s prime, oppos’d his arm,

To the dire threatening* of the lowering ftorm;

Soft round his afpedl rofy beauty fmil’d,

Bold but not rafh, and without terror mild.

By his flrong hand, like rapid lightening, flung,

Bull on the giant’s front a pebble-fung ;

125

130

*3j



14'5

>5$



Xipei23) i San\. 7. L, 143) x Sam. 1-7,*44

BOOK X.

Like fome tall oak, the mighty warrior fell,

And with fhrill thunders rang his clalhing flee!*

At once the heathens fled ; their foes purfued.

And boundlefs death the crimfon fields beftrew’d. 16*
Then thus the Guide—Here David’s fkilful hand,
Sinks vaft Goliath in the bloody fand.

Call’d, from the peace,of fylvan fhadesunknown.

To rule an empire, and to mount a throne,

This beauteous youth (ball ftretch a profperouf fway, 165
And bid rude realms, and conquer’d kings, obey j
Where fertile lhores the proud Euphrates laves,

Where yon broad ocean rolls its lucid waves.

Beyond the limits of the Syrian reign.

Or where far fouthward fpreads the crimfon maim’ 170
Behold, in dreadful pomp, from northern Ikies,

What gloomy clouds, what thronging fquadron* fife I
Kings in the flaming van exalt their forms.

Borne in fwift cars, and wrapp’d in dazzling arms ;

Here Ammon’s fons unnumber’d crowd the field*;	17£

There Syria’s millions wave their glimmering fhields.

See Ifrael moves in glory to the fight!

See Joab, circled with a blaze of light 1
His lofty port, his firm, undaunted eye,

Shoot terror round, and bid the millions fly.	1Q4

Again what crowds the diftant plains invade!

How the world darkens in the fable fhade !

Aloft in air the dancing banners fly,

And throngs of lances tremble in the flty.

High in the front majefiic David Hands,	|8j

Leads on the conqueft, and the fight commands*

Bids death before him fweep the dreadful plain,

And rolls his chariot o’er th unnumbtf’a flair,

Nor lefs fhall peace adorn his righteous fway ;

The proud fhall tremble, and the rich obey ;	|£Q

With equal hand, great Juftice hold the fcale j
In every council Wiidom’s voice prevail;

Line 171,) z Sam. 10.BOOK X.

*4f

The fields grow fat, beneath the culturing hand,

And failing plenty wanton round the land.

Then fpacious towns, with wealth and pomp fupplied,
Shall bend long walls and lift their fpiry pride ;

O’-er all imperial Salem’s fplendors rile,
Theboaftofeairth, and emblem of the fkies.

Hefpoke : tall mountains rear their fummits high,
Crown’d with fair fpires, that Vanlfh in the flcy ;	400

OpheaVe huge walls: imperial arches bend,

And golden turrets to the clouds afcend.

So, when dun night begins in heaven to rife,

A long, dark 'cloud furfounds the northern Ikies j
Forth from its fpacious womb effiilgent ftream 405
Tall fpires of glory, columns bright of flame ;

There (hine gay walls illumin’d towefs afcend,

"Wave round th* immenfe, and o’er the concave betid;
Expanding, reddening, the proud pomp afpires,

And ftars fainutremble through the wonderous fires. 21#.
Thus wide, thus bright, the fplendid fcene expands,

Fich with the treafures of furrounding lands;

The long ftreets wind ; the lofty domes afcend ;

Fair gardens bloom, and cryftal fountains bend ;

From flowery millions rich perfumes arife,	2r$

Load thefweet gales, and breathe upon the ficies.

There, Crown’d with towers, and wrapp’d in golden
A burning dome the wondering Chief defcried, [pride,
On eaftern hills its front aerial flood,

•Look’d o’er the walls, and diftant regions viewed ; iiO
There glotv’d the beauty of the artifts* minds;

There gates, there fpires, there columns, he defign’d ;
There, with flrong light, etherial wifdom (hone.

There blended glories mock’d the noonday fun,

A bright, celeftial grandeur towers difplay’d;	225

And verdant courts, expanfive, round them fprcad,

l>ine 217) See z Chron. 7*BOOK X,

»4

There call’d from circling realms, a gladfojne train,

In gayeft robes, unnumber’d, hid the plair\.

Soft rofe their fongs; the harp’s bewiideriijg found,
Breath’d mild inchantment through the domes around.

On fhining altars gifts of virtue lay,	%

Rich incenfe fuqj’d, and (moke embrown’d the day.

High <o’er the reft, a prince majeflic flood,

And robes of fplendor loofcly round him flpw’d ;

Spread were his hands ; his face, to earth declin’d, . f3£j
Spoke the calm raptures of a pious mind ;

His voice, on balmy winds, like incenfe, driven,

Rofe, fweetly' fragrant, to approving heaven ;

At once, 4s earthquakes, rumbling, rock the ground,

Slow roll’d a long, deep roar the doijie around ;	24^

O’er the tall towers a cloud convolving fpread,

Bedimm’d the ikies, and wrapp’d the world in fhade ;
Fierce fronj its womb terrific lightening? came,

The giftsexhaling in the rapid flame ;

The train fell proftrate.; ftiook the bright abpdp,

And trembling earth confefs’d jhe'prefent God.

Then thus the Guide—-This princp, to David born,
With folemn pomp fhall Salem’s towers adorn ;

To God’s great name, this glorious pile fhall raife,

Fair type of Heaven, and feat oflafting praife.	253

In hisblefs’d reign, /hall peace extend herfway ;

The pqor d]*vell fa/ejy., and the proud obey ;

Jfrael, Secure, in happy fields recline,

Pluck their own figs, and taftp their plenteous wine;

The fwain foie monarch of his lands fhall reign, 25 J
And own-the products of the grateful plain,

On fame’s light wings, his glory fhall be borne.

Where fmiles fair eve, or blooms etherial morn;

From diflantregions kings enraptur’d throng,

Drink facred truth, ail catch the heavenly fong :	2<?q

To him/her boundlefs wealth fhall Egypt yield;

To him, Sabea ope the fpicy field ;B -© O K X.

*4f

In mofn's fair illands, fweets celbffial Stow ;

^ide ocean’s realms with pearly fplendors glow ;

The loom- itspuiple, earth its gems, unfold,	265

And teeming fulphur kindle into gold.

Long lhall'brighf wifdom gild his profperous day,

Till magic beauty charm his heart affray ;

Wifdom,' beyond the harrow thoughts of man,

In clbiids involv’d, and bounded by afpan ;	*7®

Wifdom, that nature’s miyfterles ffi'alf controul,

And rule the nobler kingdom of the font.

At length', when death his fpirit (hall demind*'

^Wo guilty kings (Hall (wav Canaan’s land,

Both to the fdtal love of idols given,	27$

And both rejeffed by an angry Heaven:

While their mad kingdoms oft in fight contend,

And flames lay wafte their fields, and wars their cities''rend.

Then (hall th’ internal's awful vengeance rife,

His wheels defcend, his chariot ihake the fkiei	2818

Before His breath the fon’s of Ifrael fly,

Like chaff when whirlwinds fweep th’ autumnal flcy,

.To realms, whofe beauty endlefs frofts deform,

^o heavens that thunder with eternal (form

Where o'er'yon fiery cliffs, that bound the Ikies, 285

Dejerted funs with feeble influence rife.

At diifance hovering round the unblels’d Ihore,

Where glimmering ice forbids the wives to roaf.

Yet dill, while Judah owns his awful fway,

And pious kingd their facred homage pay,	29*

Safe in the covert of his guardian hand,

Shall happy fubjeds fhare a peaceful land ;

Till rous’d to wrath by infolence of crimed,
lie rolls deep horrbr o’er Canaan’s dimes.

On that dread morn, (hall Salem hear frOm far 29.^
The trbrtip’i Ihrill clamour, and the-founding car }

Hoils train’d to blood her Alining feats furroundy
And all her glories totter to the ground.BOOK X.

#4

Adieu! adieu ! thou darling of the (kies f
Thy towers begin to (hake ; thy flames begin to rife, ^O#
Where once the palace raptur’d eyes defcried.

And the tall temple rear’d its fplendid pride,

Round mouldering walls the nightly wolf fliall howl 5
Sad ruins murmur to the wailihg Owl}

In domes, once golden, creeping iriofs be &und ;	30J

The long, rank weed o’erfpread the garden’s bound j
The wild ldiimean caft a mournful eye
On the brown towers* and pafs in filence By.

Nor let deep forrow pain thy pitying eyes ;

Lb fairer fcenes in quick fucceflion rife !	£|6

Sbon (hall the temple crown the facred hill,

Bright domes afcend, and fields around them fmile }

Thy nation gather ; great Mefliah (hihe.

And earth be honour’d with a King divine.

From Edom’s realms, what mighty form afcends f 31^
How the vale blofloms! how the mountain bends !

How fhine his limbs, in heaven’s immortal pride!

How beams his vefture, in rhe rainbow died!

*Tis he ! ’tis he ! who faves a world undone;

The Prince ofglory ! God’s eternal Son !	33,6

O’er confcious hills he wins his beauteous way ;

The plains are tranfport, and all nature gay.

O ions of men 1—-th’ indulgent Saviour cries—

My raptur’d voice invites you to the ikies.

No more to Jacob’s narrow race confin’d,	325

A blifs unmeafur’d flows for all mankind ;

The life, the youth, of climes forever blefs’d j
Increafing glory, and feraphic reft.

Say, what the gain in pleafure’s paths to ftray,

Where poifon blofToms, and where ferpents play. 330
Ambition’s lofty fteep with pain to climb.

Where guilt, and anguiih, lwell with every crime ;

Line 313) Iiaiah 63.BOOK X*

*49

to wade, in weary toils, man’s little doom,

For treafures, ravilh’d by the neighbouring tomb*

Should earth’s broad realms beneath your fceptre roll,
Can worlds exchang’d redeem the deathlefs foul i 336
Rife then, oh rife, from fin’s obliyious deep !

Lo, wide beneath you gapes th* unfathom’d deep!
Explore, with me, the undeceiving road,

'f'hat blooms with virtue, and that leads to God .	349

What though dire pain, and grief, and fad difmay,
Arid all earth’s fury hedge the arduous way ;

Thofe griefs, thofe pains, my feet before you brave,

The world’s fell hatred, and the gloomy grave |

I fed fuperidr wifdom’s peace refin’d,

And the fair morning of a guiltlefs mind ;

The toils of faith, rewarding as they rife ;

Befriending feraphs, and complacent Skies.

And O the end ! the bright, immortal end !

Heaven’s gates unbar, and angel holts attend*

Each hour more fweet, for you her rivers roll $

A fky, Hill brightening, arches round her pole 3
Fair, and more fair, her funny marifions glow s
Pure, and more pure, her airs etherial blow ;

Her holt, in growing youth, ferenely Ihines 5
Her glory quickens, and her world refines.

In that fair world, to e’er-beginning joy,

Each hour increafing, ting'd with no alloy,

Reft from each toil, relief from every care,

Conquelt of death, and triumph o’er defpaif,

To your own peers, your lading ho the, afcend,

To blifs’ fair fountain, virtue’s faithful friend,

Thofe peers heaven’s fons, that home the bright abode,
That fount an ocean, and that friend a God.

To rhefe fair realms to lift the contrite mind,	36

To give blefs’d faith, and purchafe peace refin’d,

To man’s loll foul the damp of heaven recall,

Andbaild again the ruins of the fall,

Kk

349

35°

355

$69BOO K X

256

From God’s high throne he comes to every woe,

The world his dungeon, and mankind his foe,	3 J(B-

Heaven’s wrath for thanklefs wretches dares afFume,-
Afcends the Crofs, and tries the darhfome tomb.

Lo thefe dread fcenes expanding to thine eye !

Behold yon cloudy pomp inveft the Iky !

What hofts of angels wave their flamy wings!	375

The world is filent—hark, what mulic rings !-■*-
All hail, ye happy fwains 1 this facred morn,

Of David’s race, the promis'd Saviour’s born ;

In Bethlehem’s inn, behold the parent maid,

Her heavenlyoffspring in a manger laid 1	38*

See, fee, in yon blue, track, his ftar afcend !

Adore ye angels'! heaven in homage bend !

From earth one'cloqd of mingling jncehfe rife t
Peace to thp world, and glofy to the Ikies !

Before the harbinger behold him Hand,	385.

And take the facred fprinkling from his hand ;

On wings of flame the etheriaj dove defcerid,

And the glad train with reverent' homage bend !

Far round rh' irrimenfe approving thunders roll, 389
And God’s own fo.n belov’d refounds from pole to pole.

* S&e, at his touch, the fainting form refpires;

The pale-eyed leper glows with purple fires ;

Fight as the hart, th’ exalting cripple fprings,

And thedamb fappliant nevV-born praifes fmgs;

Unufual founds.the cleaving ear furprife,	39-

And light, arid profpeft, charm expanding eyes ;

The dungeon burfls ; the prifoner leaps to day,

And life recall’d reanimates the clay !

At his commands, what throngs of demons flee,

To yon hr gulf, that blackens o’er the fea!	4*0

Ho,in the lkirt of yonder fading ftorm,

Obfcurely failing,, many a dreadful form !

Line 373) Luke 2. L. 3S5) Mat. 3.BOOK' IX. L



From its deep womb, what fullen ifHirmursrife !

And what pale lightenings feebly fweep the Ikies !

But O ! what love the harden’d foul can gain1	405

Fair truth compels, Mefliah charms, in vain*

Untaught, unmov’d^.by hate and fury drived,

His nation rife againft the heir of heaven.

Before a heathen’s bar tumultuous hale ;

Nor worth can more, nor innocence avail.	44-0

Behold the milder glories round him' fhine !

What peace fereae ! what conftancy divine !

How filently fublime ! how meekly, great!

How virtue’s fplendor fliades the glare of ftate 1

By. friends denied, by poor vile worms contemn’d, 415
Judg’d without law, and without guilt condemn’d,

While men, while demons, in fond triumph rife,

The Prince of life, the Lotdof angels, dies. -
Atvonce dire earthquakes heave the Juddering ground,
Bend the hard rocks the mountains quake around ; 420
Far o’er the world blank midnight calls her lhade.

And trembling rife the nations of the dead :

Pain’d, from the fce'ne the confcious fun retires,

And nature’s voice proclaims—-A God e'xpires.

But not'the earth his facred form confines;	425

The bands dilfolve ; the grave its truft refigns;

His fair, transforming limbs new life infpires;

Heaven’s youth informs, and Godlike beauty fires;

Fronr the dark tomb he wings his I-ucid way,

Afcends the Iky , and glads theclimes of day,	43®

As thy bold arm, to Ifrael’s chofen band,

Thy foes extinguilh’d, gives the promis’d land ;

Call’d by thy name, lhall he to realms of gloom
Drive vanquiih’d Death, and triumph o’er the tomb,

To that blefs’d land, the true.Canaan, rHe,	43S'

And guide his chofen children to the (kies;

- Then o’er his foes lhall fearful vengeance break ?/.

Heaven ihine in arms; earth’s lilteniag regions quake ;B 0 0 K X,

*5*

The fond, vain triumph unknown woes deftroy,

And clouds of ruin blaft the tranfient joy.	444

Behold, in weftern fkiep, the ftorm afcend,

Its terrors blacken, and its flames extend I
There hide the whirlwinds, (oon ordain’d to roll;

There fleep fierce thunders, foon to rock the pole.

But firft dread figns the guilty world alarm ;	44.5

A fanguine horror (hades the fun’s bright form ;

In fields of air, unreal,hods contend ;

Shrill arms refound, and cars the concave rend:
from hell’s black (hores the Peftilence afpires,

Roams the wide earth, and breathes her baleful fires (450
Whole regions wither in her fickening flight,

Andhofts, and nations, perifh in anight:

Far rpund the fhuddering fky pale meteors glare,

And raging Dilcord founds the trump of war.

Then countlefs millions feize the bloody (hield, 45$
And Death’s black enfign glooms the fading field.

Lo, ZionH domes what grimly hofts inclofe !

See fun-bright eagles lead her gathering foes!

High o’er her walls, what threatening engines rife !

And hark, what clamours murmuring mount the Ikies j
With clouds, purfuing clouds, the terrors grow ;	461

More fierce the blaze, more dark th’ invading woe. *
But why fhould difmal fcenes diftrefs thy fight.

Or grief unnerve thee for th’ impending fight ?

Meantime, from land to land with fpeed convey’d, 465
Melftah’s fons his truth and bleflings fpread.

On countlefs realms, to guilt and darknefs given,

Aliens from life, and reprobate of Heaven,

The facred Spirit fheds his healing power,

And fkies indulgent heavenly bounty (bower.	470

L.o\y at his name the raptur’d pations bend ;

By him perfum’d, unnumber’d prayers afcend ;

Line 441) Mat. 14. L. 455) Taking of Jerufalem by the Romans,
L. 463) Preaching of the Ccfpel by tbe Apoftles. &«.ROOK X.

tSi

To heaven his name from earth's great houfhold files.

And one vaft cloud of incenfe cheers the fkies.

From Salem's favour’d hills, the blifs (hall (tray, 47$
Glad every land, and ft retch to every fea ;

But chief far onward fpeed its weftern flight.

And blefs the regions of defending light.

Far o'er yon azure main thy view extend,

Where feas, and fkies, in blue confufion blend,	48®

J,o, there a mighty realm, by heaven defign'd
The lad- retreat for poor, opprefs'd mankind !
form’d with that pomp, which marks the hand divine.

And clothes yon vault, where worlds unnumber’d (hine.
Here fpacious plains in folemn grandeur fpread ;	485

Here cloudy forefts caft eternal (hade :

Rich vallies wind j the fky tall mountains brave.

And inland feas foF commerce fpread the wave }

With nobler floods, the fea-like rivers roll.

And fairer luftre purples round the pole.	490

Here, warm'd by happy funs, gay minesunfold
The ufeful iron, and the lafting gold}
f ure, changing gems rn filence learn to glow,

And mock the fplendors of the covenant bow t
On countlefs hills, by favage footfteps trod,	495

That fmile to fee the future harveft nod,

In glad fucceilion, plants unnumber'd bloom,

And flowers unnumber’d breathe a rich perfume ;

Hence life once more a length of days (hall claim.

And health, reviving, light her purple flame.	5Q0

Far from all realms this world imperial lies ;

Seas roll between, and threatening ftorms artfe ;

Alike unmov’d beyond Ambition’s pale,

And the bold pinions of the venturous fail:

Till circling years the deftin’d period bring,	$0$

And a new Mofes lifts the daring wing,

Lipe 479) Vifion Qf America,*54	B .0,0 K X'.’

Through tfackleft feas, ail unknown flight explore*.

And hails a new: Canaan 's promis'd fhores.

■ <pn y4o>a far ftrand, behold chat little train
Afcending, venturous, o’er th' unmeafur’d main. 5
No dangers fright; no ills the courfe delay ;

*Tis virtue prompts, and God diredls the way. .

Speed, fpeed, ye Tons of truth ! let ,Heaven befriend,

JL,et angels waft you, and let peace attend !

O fmile thop' fky ferene 1 ye-dorms retire !	ji 5

And airs of Eden every fail- infpire !

Swift o’er the main, behold the canvas fly,

And fade, and fade, beneath the fartheft fky;

See verdant fields the changing walle unfold ;

See fudden harvefts drefs the,-plains in gold :	520

Jn lofty walls the moving rocks afcend,

And dancing woods to fpires-and temples bend !

Meantime, expanding o’er earth’s defiant ends,

XjQ, Slavery’s gloom in fable, pomp defcends ;

Far round each eaflern clime her volumes roll,	525

And pour, deep-fhading, to the fadden’d pole.

How the world droops beneath the fearful blafi ;

The plains all wither’d, and the Ikies o’ercaft !

From realm to realm extends the general groan ;

The fainting body fiupifies to ftone ;	539

Benumb'd, and fix’d, the palfied foul expires,

Blank’d all its views, and-quench’d its living fires;

In clouds of boundlefs (hade, the feents decay ;'

Lftnd after land departs, and nature fades away.

In that dread hour, beneath aufpicious fkies,	535

To nobler blifs yon weftern world fhalfrife.

Unlike all former realms, by war that flood,

And faw the guilty throne afeend in blood,

Here union’d Choice fhall form a rule divine;

Here countlefs lands in one greatfyfiem join ;	540

Line. 509] Settlement of North America, by theJsnglilh^/or the
enjoyment of Religion. L. 525) Slavery oftheeaftern Continent.
L. 535) Freedom and glory of the North American States.BOOK X,



The (way of Law unbroke, unrivall’d grOw,

And bid her bleflings every land o’erflow.

In fertile plains, behold the tree afcend,

Fair leaves unfold, and fpreading branches bend !

The fierce, invading {form fecure they brave,	545

And the Itrong influence of the creeping wave,

In heavenly gales with endlefs verdure rife,

Wave o’er broad fields, and fade in friendly fkies.’

There fafe from driving rains, and battering hail,

And the keen fury of the wintry gale,	5

Frefh fpring the plants ; the flowery millions bloom,

All ether gladdening with a choice perfume $

Their haftening pinions birdsr unnumber’d fpread,

And dance, and wantbn, in th* aerial fhade.	55^

Here Empire’s laft, and hrighteft thronb (hall rife ;

And Peace, and Right, and Freedom, greet the fkies :

To morh’s far realms her (hips commercing fail,

Or lift their canvas to the evening gale ;

In wifdom’s*vVallks, herfons ambitious foar,

Tread ftarry fields, and untried fcenes explore.	56#

And hark what ftrange, what fofomn-breathing ffrain
Swells, wildly murmuring, 6’er the'far. far main !

Down time’s Tong, leflening vale, the notes declay,

And, loft in dift'ant ages, roll away.

When earth commenc’d, fix mdrns of labOur rofo,1 56$
fere the Cfflrti Sabbath fhed her foft repofe.

Thus fhall the World’s great week direft its way,

And thoufand circling funs complete the day.

Paft were two days, ere beam’d the law divine ;

Two days mult roll, ere great Mefliah fhinc ;

Two changeful days, the Gofpel’s light fhall rife;

Then facred quiet hiifh the ftormy fkies.

O’er orient* regions funs of toil fhall roll,

Fainf luftre dawn, and clouds obfodre the pole :

Line 565) The Jews have an ancient tradition of this nature.BOOK X.

Bat o’er yon favourite world, the Sabbath's mom, 57^
Shall pour unbounded day, and with clear fplendor burn.

Hence, o’er all lands lhall facred influence fpread,
Warm frozen climes, and cheer the death-like fhade ;

To nature’s bounds, reviving Freedom reign,

Add Truth, and Virtue, light the world again. 58O
No more in arms lhall battling nations rife ;

Nor war’s hoarie thunders heave the earth and Ikies j
No hungry vulture, from the rock’s tall brow,

Eye, the red field, and flaughtering hoft, below j
No famine wafte ; no tender infant fear;	58$

The nieek-eyed virgin drop no painful tear ;

Soft to the lyre the trumpet fink refin’d.

And peace' mild mufic ftill the floriiiy mind:

The favage, nurs’d in blood, with wondering e^e.

Sees all the horrors of the defert fly t	59O

Dread war, once rapturous, now his foul affrights }

Sweet peace allures, and angel love delights;

His melting thoughts with fofter paffion glow;

I^is tears Heal gently o’er the plaint of Woe ;

To virtuous toils his feet inftindtive turn ;	5^

Or feek the temple in the fmiles of morn ;

Each fiormy purpofe truth’s mild rays ferene.

And fpring celeftial clothes the wafie within.

See, round the lonely wild, with glad furprife,

Strange verdure blooms, and flowery wonders rife ! 6<JO
Hark bow the founds of gufhing waters roll!

What new Arabias breathe upon the foul!

On ruffet plains returning Sharon blows;

Ffer fragrance charms; her living beauty glows }

Each mount a Lebanon in pomp afcends,	6o$

And, topp'd with cloudy pride, the cedar bends;

To meads, to fports, with lambs the wolf retires.

Sooth’d his wild rage, and quench’d his gloomy fires*

L!n® 577) Eeginoinsof the millennium. Tee Ifaiah and the ptbp
prophets. ’	'	'BOOK	*57

The viper fierce, the hiding afp, gEOw mild*

kefufe their prey, and wanton with the child:	6>io

JJei* hymns the plumy* tribes Jnraptur’d raife,

And howling fore (Is harmonize to praife;

Shine foft, O fun.! ye (kies, around them fmile t
Vour fhowers propitious balmy heavens diilil!

In evetfy. wafte what cheerful domes arife !	615

What golden temples meet the bending Ikies ;

To yort bright world what clouds of incenfe roll r
How Virtue’s fdngs breathe fweet .from pole to pole I
Through earth’s wide realms let folemn lilence flow !
ke hufh’d thou main ! ye winds forget to blow l 626
J^rtovAH fpeaks—-Beneath the fartheft Ikies^

My trump (hall found, my facred ftandard rife ;

From mbriltoeve the lucid banner Ihine,

And faints, ecftatic, hail th’ illuftrious flgn.

Wak’d from the ilumbers of the world unknowh* 6z§
8dt raptur’d Sion mount the ftarry throne,

Round her fair gates, her thronging Tons behold*

Drefs’d in &hite garments, and adorn’d with gold!

Arife, O child of foftering heaven* arife ;

'Queen of the world, and favourite of the ikies;	630

In fiinny robe', with living fplendor* ihine j
Be all thy veftments as thyfelf divine !

Seize the loud harp* aroufe the breathing firing;

Exalt thine eyes, and hymns of tranfport iirig ;

Behold thy ruin’d walls again afcend ;	63$

Thy towers ihoOt up ; thy fpacious arches bend ;

Thy gardens brighten ; ftreams reviving roll,

And gales Of paradife intrance the foul.

Where long, long howl’d the folitary blaii,

O’er the brown mountain, and the dreary wafte ;	640

Where fami/h’d wolves proclaim’d their nightly roam^
And raging lions found a bloody home ;

Line 619 j Calling of the Tews.

L 12 5®

BOOK X.

*ts

Again glad funs command thy towers to burn;

And o’er thy fplenddri burfts the raptur'd morn 5
In vales of fragrance hymns of angels ring ;

The mountains leap ; the confdous forefts ling ;

To thy fair realms the bloom of Eden given
Tranffcends the morn, and rivals opening heaven.

Lb, from the well, and eaft, and fouth, and north,
fit countlefs millions, Gentile throngs break forth (	65O

Their garlands bloom; their golden offerings blaze j
Their harps inftin&lve tremble to thy praife.
for thee, what prayers from gathering lands afcend l
What fuppliant nations at thine altars bend l
With what foft mufic ibunds th’ etherial fong l	65 £

What love, what ecllacy, attunes the tongue i
How gay the heavens t how fair the earth ferendf
How joy illumes, how incenfe charms the fcene 1
Lo, in each face primeval beauty glows!

In every vein primeval vigour flows;

In every bofom brightens peace refin’d,

And endlefs funfhine lights th’ unclouded mind 7
Without ohe terror, fhuts the willing eye
And the fotil wafts in fkcmber to the iky.

See mighty Juftice lifts his awful reign f
Behold new Jolhuas fway thy realms again f
Again the Prophet lights the earthly gloom;

Heaven’s gates difdofe, and climes beyond thd tbmb ;

To earth glad angels fpeed their beauteous flight.

And call their fellows to the domes of light!

In eallern climes, where funs begin to roll,

Or where clear fplendors gild the fparkling pble.

Or ^vhere, illum’d by nature’s faireft ray,

Smile the biefs’d regions of defcending day,
tTnnumber’d Ihips, like mill the morn exhales.

Stretch their dim canvas to the rufhing gales.

Behold, aifcending, cloud-like, in the Ikies,

How their fails whiten ! how their mails arife!

66*

66*

67^*59

ROOK X;

The world all mover! the far-extended main
I s loft b eneath th’ immeasurable train!	&

Here earth impatient all her treasures yields#
fruits of gay mines, and Sweets of fpicy fields;

Pair robes of lilken fplendor mock the morn,

And fun-brig)it gem* with changing luftre burn#

Exult# O earth ! ye heavens with joy Survey	£8$

Her charms, her glories, hold the lingering day 1
JLo, wrapp’d in Sparkling gold, thy wide walls burn;

Thy (tones to pearls, thy gates to diamonds, turn#

Thy domes to palaces, thy Seats to thrones#

To queens thy daughters, and to kings thy Son®.	f po

Awake# awake, ye tenants of the tomb’!

Hurft your cold chains, and hail your deftin'd home J
i<o, the night fades # the fky begins to burn*

And ruddy Splendor opes the Hying morn 1

See tombs, inftindive, break theSleepy charm* ^95

And gales divine the dull imprifon’d warm;

Prom finifti’d (lumbers changing patriarchs rife ;

Life irowns their beads, and transport (ires their eyes;
Hrefs’d in the youth of heaven, again are join’d
The form angelic and the Sainted mind.	70a

From blifs to blifs the circling hours (hall flow;

.With my own Smiles the pure expansion glow i
Bright as the moon, the liars inveft the pole j
Bright as the Sun, the mopn Sublimely roll;

Unmeafur’d glories round the fun arife,	705

And evfry mprn light nations to the (kies.	’ ’

Long, long Shall thefe fair Scenes the bofom charm,

And light, and love, refining nature warm;

Till earth flow-mouldering hear the great decree.

And time’s Jaft waves approach th* unfathom’d fern. 7x0
There o'er wild regions, round the diftant pole,

Shall war’s tremendous voice -begin to roll,

Lins 707] Signs which forbode the end of the world. See Mat*
-14, and Rev, 19.B' O O VK

From hell’s dark caverns Difcofd fierce afcend,

Refound her trump, and flartled nature rend
All heaven re-echo to the deep alarms,	*ld

And maddening nations fwiftly rufh to arms.	*

See, high in air, her banner, wide unfurl’d,

Streams in black terror o’er the trembling world j
From pole to pole the rage of combat flies,

And realms ’gainft realms with ardent vengeance rife ! 723
To fcenes of flaughtering Fight the millions pour ;

Loud thunders roll, and flafhing fwords devour;

On delug’d plains unnumber’d corfes lie,

And fhouts, and groans, immingled, cleave the flyr.

To Cities then fhe fleers her dufky way ;	72^

The turrets fhake, the walls in fmoke decay :

O’er the tall domes, and fpires in gold array’d,

Where Pomp fate thron’d, and Joy and Friendfhip play’d,,
Fierce drives the nimble flame ; the whirlwinds throng,
Howl throughThte walls, and drive the florin along. 73^
Now to the Fields fhe wings her rapid force.

The world involving in her wafting courfe ;

Before her car, a fiery tempeft flies;-
Behind, long hofls interminably rife ;

From her pale face th’ etherial^orbs retire ;	73*

Deep heaves the ground ; the blackening groves expire j
Horror, and wild difmay, the earth appall,

And one unbounded ruin buries all.

Mid thefe dire fcenes, more awful fcenes fhall rife ;

Sad nations quake, and trembling feize the fkies. * 74Q
From thfe dark tomb fhall fearful lights afcend ;

And fullen founds the fleeping manfion rend ;

Pale ghofts With terror break the dreamer’s charm,

And death-likVcries the liftenihg world alarm.

Then midnight pangs fhall tofs' the cleaving plains'; 74^
Fell Famine wanton o’er uriburied trains ;

From crumbling mountains baleful flames afpirp ;
Realms link in floods, and towns diftblve in.fire jBOOK X.

?6j

In every blaft, the fpotted plague be driven,

An angry meteors blaze athwart the heaven. 75$
Cl ' ds of dark blood lhall blot the fun’s t>road light,
Spread round th’ immenfe,and Ihroud the world in night.
With pale, and dreadful ray, the cold moon gleam ;

The dim, lone liars diffufe an anguilh’d beam ;

Storms rock the Ikies ; afflidled ocean roar,	755

And fanguine billows die the fhuddering (hore ;

And round earth thunder, from the almighty throne,

The voice irrevocable— It is done.

Rous’d on the fearful morn, fhall nature hear
The trump’s deep terrors rend the troubled air ;	760

From realm to realm the found tremendous roll.

Cleave the broad main, and lhake th’ allonilh’d pole ;
The (lumbering bones th’ Archangel’s call infpire ;

Rocks fink in dull, and earth be wrapp’d in fire ;

From realms far-dillant orbs unnumber’d come, 76JI
Sail thro’ immenfitv, and team their doom :

And all yon changelefs liars, that, thron’d on high,

Reign in immortal lullre round the Iky,

In folemn filenqe Ihroud their living light,

And leave the world to undiflinguilh’d night.	770

Hark, what dread founds, defending from the pole.
Wave following wave, in fwelling thunders roll !

How the tombs cleave ! What awful forms arife !

What crowding nations pain the failing eyes!

From lantl to land behold the mountains rend ;	775

From fhore to fhore the final flames afcend,

Round the dadc poles with boundlefs terror reign,

With bend immeafurable fweepthe main,

From morn’s far kingdom? llretch to realms ofeven,

And climb, and climb, with folemn roar to heaven. 780
Whatfmoky ruins wrap the leflening ground 1
What firey (heets fail through the vaulted round !

759) Refurredtym and Conflagration. 7S7] La ft Judgement**6?

BOOK X.

Pour'd in one mafs, the land?, and leas, decay;

Inroll’d, the heavens, diflolvipg, fleet away;

The (noon departs; the fun’s laftbeams expire, 78$
And nature's buried in the boundlefs fire.

Lp, from the radiance of the blefs’d abode,

Mefliah comes, in all the pomp of God I
Borne on fwifc winds, a ftorm before him flies ;

Stars crown his head, and rainbpws round him rile; 79^
Beneath his feet , a fun’s broad terrors burn,

Anfl cleaving darknefs opes a dreadful morn :

Through boundlefs fpace careering flames are driven ;
Truth's facred hoftsdefcend, and all the thrones of heaven.
See crowding millions, call’d from earth's far ends, 79 j
See hell’s dark world, with fearful gloom, afcends,

In throngs incomprehenfible! Around
Worlds after worlds, from nature's fartheft bound.

Call’d by th’ Archangel’s voice, from either pole,
Self-mov'd, with all created nations, roll.	S09

From this great train, his eyes the juft divide.

Price of his life, and being’s faireft pride;

Rob’d by his mighty hand, the ftarry throngs
From harps of tranfport call exftaric fongs,

IJail, heirs of endlefs peace ! ordain’d to rove 8o$
Round the pure climes pf everlafting love.

For you the fun firft led the lucid morn ;

The world was falhion’d, and Melliah born j
For you high heaven with fond impatiep.ee waits.

Pours her fair ft reams, and opes hey golden gates;	ft if

Each hour, with purer glory, gayly Urines,

Her courts enlarges, and her air refines.

But Q unhappy race 1 tp woes confign’d,

JLur’d by fond pleafure, and to wifdbm blind.

What new Meftiah ftiall thefpirit lave,

Stay the peot flame®, and {hut th’ eternal grave ?

Where fleeps the mufic of his voice divine ?

Where hides the face, that could fo fweeyly ftiinc ?BOOK X,

20|

Now hear that flighted voice to thunder turn !

Sec that mild face with flames of vengeance burn !	329

High o'er your heads the ftorm of ruin roars,

And, round tk* immenfe no friend your fate deplores*
Lo, there tb endlefs woe in throngs are driven,

What once were angels, arid bright ftars of heaven !

The world’s gay pride ! the king with fplendor crown'd?
The chief refiftlefs, and the fage rehown'd!	8 26

l^pwri, down; the millions fink ; where yon broad main
Heaves her dark waves, and fpreads the teats of pain :
Where long, black clouds, emblaz’d With awful Are, 82$
Pour fulleri round their heads, and in dread gloom retire*
Theri> tumult’s hideous din forevCr o’er,

All foes fubdued, and doom’d to rife no ihore.

Sin forc'd from each fair clime to final flight,

And hell's dark prifon lock’d in endlefs night;

To heaven's extremes diviner peace (hall roll, 833
And fpread through countlefs worlds, beyond each diftant
Crown'd with glad triumph^, from the toils of war, [pole»
t>n angel's wings, mall fail Mefliah’s car ;

To the great Sire Eii conquering hand re (lore

Th* etherial eniigns of unmeafur’d power ;	846

Preferrt his fons, beforie the palace bright,

And feek the bofbrit bf unbbrrOw’cf light.

Then fceries, in heaven before unknown, (hall rife,
And a new sera btefs th' angelic Ikies;

Through boundlefs trafiil, a nobler kingdom fhine> 845
Nor Seraph I* minds conceive the pomp divine.

All realms, all worlds above, combin’d in one;

The heaven bf heavens the bright, eternal throne;

The fubjefts faints ; the period endlefs fpririg;

The realm immenfity, and God the king.	850

As fix'd, unchanged, yon central world of fine
Leads on fublime the planetary choir,

Line 8 j 15 Cenfummetien ofall things.BOOK X.

lights all the living lamps, and rodnd the (ky,

In midnight fplendor calls the moon to fly ;

Creates their fmiles, inftrudts their orbs to roll* S5J'
Fair eye of nature, and the world’s great fonl t
So, in the beams of clear perfections (hrin’d,

Shall his great Source, the Uncreated Mind,

Through all the Morning Stars that round hitii glow,
Rove in his fmiles, and at his altar bow,	86<j

Through countlefs tfains, where worlds unnumber’d rilgt
And eloth’d in ftarry pomp fuperior Ikies,

Pure rays of endlefs peace indulgent (hine*

And warm immenfity with love divine.

Love’s mighty chain (hall boundlefs beings bind* 865
Join world .to world, and mind unite with mind.;

O’er the great houlhold heaven’s eternal pride;

From age to age, th’ Almighty Sire prefide
Around his awful throne, with fearching eyes*

See fairer Tons, and priefts, and kings, arife j *	87®

Bid his own eflence in their hearts revive,

His beauty brighten, and his glory live :

From harps etherial living raptures fall*

Heaven fill th’ immenfe, and God be all in alt,.

In glory wafted down the lucid pole,	875

See Salem’s walls;their folemn fcenes unroll !

Lefs beauteous charms the lovely fpoufe array,

V/hen beams of rapture light the bridal day.'

Behold, new (kies ferenely round her glow ;

Bure fragrance breathes, and purple fplendors flow: 880
In pomp afcends the ever-rifing morn,

And ll irry rainbows round her chariot burn !

There, from the diltant wave, nofunsarife;

No moon’s pale radiance gleams in evening ikies;

Round the broad region, with unfading ray,	885

Jehovah (miles immealurableday :

Line S75) Frofpeft o( heaven, and a happy iiiiincBtality.fc O O K X*

With living luftre, fruits celellial glow*

And dreams of life in endlefs beauty

In robes of angelfc, fee the chofen ihine i
Waft on the floods* hr Walk in light divine;	^9^

Ortafte the changing tree, whofe fruit fupplies
The youth of heaven, and beauty of the flcies 1

There, drefs’d in bloom, and young in rofy years*

Th’ immortal Father of mankind appears:

In clear effulgence, Ifrael’s Prophet fhines*	89S

And no dark veil his eager wifh confines:

Wjjth fmiles of joy ferehe, the Frifend of God
Counts his glad Tons, and opes the blefs’d abode.

To thefe fair realms thy footfteps fhall afcend ;

Here crowns await thee, and bright robes attend j 909
At'nature’s-call, thy guardian feraph come,

And guide his chofen to th’ eternal home ;

Before the facred throne, thy thoughts appear*

Thy virtuous toils* thy truth, and loVe, fincerel

His witnefs’d favourite* God with fmiles approve, 905

And join to nations of immortal love.

O blifsful hour 1 when, freed from bonds of day*

Thy path commences to the climes of day ;

When from the fun thy wing begins to rife

Through the broad regions of unmeafur’d ikies* $>lt»

When time’s dark years behind thy flight fhall roll,

And all eternity invade thy foul.

In that blefs’d hour, the fons of light fhall come.

And fhout thee welcome to thy deftin’d home 5

With heightening beauty bloom each angel mind, $1$

Glow with pure joy, and yearn with love refined ;

In firains divine, lmpaffion’d feraphs tell
HOw with dire treafon heavenly nations fell;

What deeds renown’d have grac’d the fair abode j
Truth that endur’d, and zeal that rais’d to God ;	929

How round th’ expanlion worlds untiumber’d fprung*

And hofts etherial fky-born praifes fung ;

The peace, the charms, to vernal Eden given*
Converting angels, and approving Heaven.

I a that blefs’d hour, fhall faints of antient days,	925

Lights of mankind, and heirs of deathlefc praife,

M mMO O K m

i6S

Difclofe how Adames Tons the world o’erfpread,

Borne ro far ifles, and o’er Wide feas convey’d ;

How the lone ark ihe feeds of nations bore,

And boundlefs ocean tofs’d without a (hore;

Embattled hofts the patriarch’s faith o’ercatrie,

Nor votive tfaac quench’d the' living flame ;

Through the long devious defert Ifrael rov’d ;

Th$ angel'wreftled, and the brother lov’d,
ilfcapt in thy bleft’d arrival, there (hall glow
The faithful partners of thine every woe ;

Their hopes, their fears, their toils, with thee run tfet*
Pains far retir’d, and griefs that haunt no more;

His long-lov’d friend unfpotted Hezrori join,

Atlci fong to fong, and ihingle blifs with thine ;	54#

Irad, divinef! flower f to meet thee rile,

And caft rich fragrance round delighted Urie9.

With this'great coneourfe loft in joys ferene^

No tongufe can utter, and no fancy feign,-

©iflblv?d in friendlhip, chain’d to friends, diving, 94^

Whofe thoughts, whofe converfe, every power refine,

Thy unknown ages' fwift fhall glide away,

Xoft in th’ imntenfe of never-ending day.

Thro’ heaven’s expanded field thy feet fhall rove*

Th’ all-beauteous region of ecftatic love ;	9.^

Her gates of pearl, her towers of gems, behold.

Her ftreets, her manfions, of peHucid gold.

Where e'ach fair gate cherubic watchmen guard.

And God, approving, (bowers the vaft reward.

Them (halt thou feel, when, freed from fin’s alloy,
Souls lift their pinions to the climes of joy,

Around all heaven what fpecehlels transports roll,.

Blend (mile with fmile, and mingle ibul with foul ';

There hail, ecftatic^ to the bright abode,

The crowns, the trophies, of Meffiah’s blood,	9^

There God’s own hand (ball lift the curtain high.
And all earth’s Wonders open to thine eye :

In time’s m.y ierious reigni thy foul purfue
Power ever glorious, wifdom ever new’;

Sfee.boundlefs good, Creation’s Angle end,	96^

And GOD<his own, a’nd being’s, faithful friend;IS 0 © K X,



In all, the prefent God refulgent Ihirte,

And buundlefs glory fill the work divine.

Fed with perennial fprings of blifs refin’d,,
fljHvine effulions of th* All-lovely Mind,	9%P

With endlefs ardour <hall thy fpirit glow,

And love immenfe from heaven’s great fountain flow ;
^Unbounded grace fill unconfin’d defire,

Warm thy rapt bofom, and thy fongs infpire.

Each-hour, thy fpreading thoughts lhall fwiftimproveij
Fach hour increafe the tranfports of thy love ;	975

With morning beauty, Youth around thee Ihine,

Implant nfcw fenfes, and the old refine ;

From height toheight thy riling wilhes grow,

And, at their birth, the full enjoyment flow.;

.No care, no want, th’ expanding blifs deftroy,

ISut every thought, and fenfe, and wilh; be joy.

Froin thefe blefs’d fcehes thy, flight lhall oftdefcend,
And, with thy kindred angels, man attend.

What fweet complacence lhall thy bofom warm,

To fpread -fair truths and every woe to charm:;

Guard the lone cot, where faith delights to dwell-jj
Gr wake pure fervors in^he fecret cell;

Or watch thathoufe, where flrong devqtipns^rife ^

Ana. prayers as incepfe cheer the morning Ikies.; .99$
Where fons to faints, to angels daughters, grow.

And peace, and yirtue, builds, heaven below j
When fear alarms, .fhak thou that fear allay ;

When grief diftrefles, finile the. pangs away.;

When.pam torments, the pious eyelids clofcy	995

Make foft the bed, and breathe ferene repofe:;

Guide the departing- foiil to^ronder Ikies,

And teach the young im.mortal how to id&l
Through fcorching lands ihalt thou,the wanderer bring
Waft balmy.gales, and point the cooling fpring ;	io©a

Of lure declining feet from flowery way
■Seal the charm’d ear, and:turn the fatal.gaae;

Or with rude whirlwind': Ap rough maip deform ;

Or roll the thunder* cA the mountain florm ;

r on the fanguine plain fublimely Hand,	VQQg

•ireift .the triumph, and the flight command.;a«*	BOOK X,

Or o’er fome realm in gloriou9 pomp prefide,

To faints a guardian, and to kings a guide.

Nor fhall one wprld thy bounded view confine ;

But round all being ftretch thy flight divine,	1Q1Q

To worlds difpers’d o’er worlds, ambitious rife,

The golden planets of fublimer Ikies.

Far o’er thy little earth, to man’s weak eye,

Encircling roll the glories of the fky.

Yet know, blefs'd prince though thus apparent all, 1015
The moon moves fingly round this darkfome ball,

The earth, with thofe fair fires of wandering light,

That fhed foft luftre o’er the darkfome night,

AH worlds alike, with countlefs nations crown’d,

In circling courfe, the fun’s bright orb furround. 102©
Still their glad faces to his fplendpr turn,

Imbibe his beams, and meet the grateful morn.

. This mighty fcene thy mind with awe infpire?,

With beauty raptures, and with wonder fires.

ButO thou man belov’d ! yon vault furvey,	I02|

Where liars in millions blind the midnight ray;

In fpace’broad fields fo far the pomp retires,

Yon fapphirc concave fcarpe their, twinkling fires:

Hence vainly deem’d the gems of inborn light,

Ordain’d to tremble through the gloom of night s 103©
In near approach, thofe ftars> with conflant rays,
Shoot^round t'h* expanfion, noon’s exceffive blaze.

Confine the empire of furrounding night,

And reign, and glory, in immortal light.	1034

for know, blefs’d favourite, funs are thofe fair flames $
Worlds round them rpll, and^ay perpetual beams:

Thofe worlds unnfimber’d circling moons adorn,

And with long fplendors comets mid them burn.

As^in the world of minds, with golden chain,

A3fra&ive Love extends her blifsful reign,	104$

In one pure realm fainted beings join$>

God with his fonsi his Tons with God combings :

The bond to all of pure.perfection given,

The life, the beauty, peace, and joy of heaven :

55 this flupendous frame, by him alone '	104^

Who calls their names, Supported,-number’d, knowittBOOK X.

269

1055

Thefe countlefs fyftems in one fyftem join’d,

Their fize, their diftance, with nice art deiign’d,

A great, attracting power, on all imprefs’d,

Connects, moves, governs, and forbids to reft.. IO5O
By this great power, impelling and inipell’d,

All worlds move on through fpace’ unmeafur’d fifeld.
Around their planets moons refulgent ftray; *

Around their funs thole planets trace their way;

Around your central heaven all fyftems roll ';

And one great circling ipotion rules the"whole.

O fcene divine, on thofe bright towers to Hand,

And mark the wonders of th* Eternal hand ;

To fee thro’ fpace unnumber’d fyftems driven,

Worlds round their funs,and fqns around the heaven; 1O80
To fee one ordinance worlds and fqns obey ;

Their order, peace, and fair, harmonious way i
Their folemn lilence: varying pomp divine ;

Their fair proportions, and their endlefs fhine!

Some nearer rolling in celeftial light;	(	1065

Some diftant gliipmering tow’rd the bordering night ;
’Till fa,r remov’d from thought the regions lie,

Where, angels never wing’d the lonely, verging iky,

On the clear glafs as fmiles the beauteous form,

And youth’s fair light, and eyes of glory, charm ;	107o

As lucid ftregms, with face ferene, unfold

Spring’s gayfeft prime, and flowers that bloom in gold ;

As boundlefs ocean’s fmooth, refplendent plain
febeams the Ikies, and all their wonderous train,

No part, no wave, but feels the fun’s broad ray.

And glows, refledlive, witlwforrounding day :

So round th* immenfe, on fair creation’s breaft,

In endlefs pomp the Godhead (hines imprefs’d;

His love, bis beauty, o’er all nature burns
Each fun unfolds it, and each world returns;

Each day, each hour, the glory bright improves,

And God, with ceafelefs fmile, th’ immortal image loves.

Wing’d with pure flame thro’ fpace’ unmeafur’d rounds,
Thy foul fhall viflt being’s fartheft bounds ;

When orbs begin, inftrudt their mafs to roil;	icflj

for changing foafons fix a Heady pole;

1075

1080BOOK X;

*79

Teach eve to purple, golden morn to rife*

And light new fans in folitary Ikies.

Upborne, from world to world, lhalt thou behold

Scenes unimagin’d, nations ever new ;

See fome through highborn virtues fwiftly foar.

Some humbler duties, humbler thoughts explore ;

TP every race, new thoughts new fenfes bring ;	I0££

On every plain, new vegetations fpring ;

O’er virtue’s Tons eternal morning bloom ; ,

O’er guilt’s wle throngs afcend eternal gloom ;

O’er mingled nations mingling feafons roll,

And peace, and tumult, wrap the changing pole. I109
To endlefs years, thy mind, infpir’d, lhall rife
Thro’ knowledge, love, and beauty, of the (kies;

To heights angelic, archangelic, foar,

’Till man’s faint language paint the heights no more :
When borne to glory, wing’d to flights fupreme, l ipf
Thjr foul ftiall reach creation’s firft extreme,

Beyond all thought aflfume her laft abode,

And feek the bofom of th' involving God.

The Vi lion ceas’d. At once the fcenes decay'd,

His bright form vanilh’d and his glories, fled :	II1$

Swift to the campth’ exulting Chief return’d.

While the^lad day-ilar in {tfie orient b(irn’d«

How ever-varying wonders God unfold ;

In each new realm, with growing blifs purfueTHE

CONQUEST of CANAAN;

BOOK XLArgument,

Morning. Harejhab returns to Giheon. Army djfenttleu
Speech of Caleb. Hanniel. JoJhua's advice to him j
his reply. Jofhua'sprayer. Cloud rolls before the ar-
my toward Gibeon. Profpeil oftfe Heathen hofi beyond
the city. Speech of JoJhua on nhat occafion. Jjraelites
defend from the mountain. Jabin prefares for battle %
and arranges the heathen army on the bank of a fmall ri±
*ver. Gibeonites afcend the walls to view the battle,
Aradon marches his troops out to meet JoJhua t who gives
the command of them to Almiran. Arrangement of the
combatants. JoJhua by a fratagem draws tbf Heathens
from their advantageous fof. General engagement. Jd-
Jhua's exploits. He kills Medan and falmon. Zedeck ral-
lies the heathens ; but is forced downthe bank,and killed.
Egon.	JoJhua, Jeeing *Haxorftrongly pojled on the bank,

moves down thf river, end rejcues Almiran, kills Piram,
and routs Jarmuth. Japhia. Exploits of Zimri. He
kills Hoham, and puts Hebron into confufion. Jabin
rallies them, and kills Hanniel. AJher retires. Jojbua
leaves his divifion to engage Hazor ; and rallies Alber,
Combat between/ him and Jabin. Heathens routed.
Storm of Hail. Jfraelites return to their camp and are
met by their wives and children Jinging praife to the
Creator. Conclufion.The CONQUEST of CANAAN,

BOOK XI.

KTbW rofe in heaven the gieat, the final day,

Where fates qf chiefs, and kings, and kingdoms Iky
Morn drefs’d in golden pride the tliffs on high,

Stream’d o’er the grqves, and brighten’d round the iky:
No cloud, no mift, obfcur’d the blue ferene ;	$

And peace, and iilence, hulh’d the folemn fcene.

To Caleb’s tent alert the Hero Arade,

And rous’d HareiKah to the field of blood.—

^Vith adtivfc hafte to Gibeon’s prince repair j

To range his thoufands be his inASnt care :	19

Ere the glad fun climb half th’ etherial main,

Shall Heaven’s broad^Aandard^tremble on the plain.—
Far o’er the vveftern field, with keen delight,
jie wing’d his tourfe, and vanilh’d from the fight.

And now once more the clarion’s dreadful found 15
Infpires to arms, and ihakes the banner’d ground :

To arms the martial thoufands, raptur’d fpring j
Their fongs refound; their dalhing bucklers ring :

Roll’d on thfc winds, imperial enfigns play,

And wav’d thbir fplendors to the burAing day.	20

Now join’d in marfliall’d ranks the gfetierous traini
And gloomy columns darken’d o’er the plain ;

When, rob’d in white, their hoary fathers came,

Great in paA fields, arid heirs of deathlefs fame.

N n274

BOOK XI.

One was their voice, and from their reverend eyes#

The bold heroic flame began to rife ;

The foul flood ftruggling in the heaving bread,

And every limb their vigorous thoughts expreft.

When- Caleb thus—The great concluding day
Now calls tparms, and Heaven diredis the way :

What tho’ unnumber’d hofts againfl us rife,

Arad with proud'madnefs brave infulted Skies ;

Shall cumbrous throngs the meaneft arm difmay ?

Or one bafe thought diftain the glorious day f
Think how bold Abraham fwepf the midnight plain, 35
While realms oppos’d, and millions fought, in vain ;

Kow two brave patriarchs, in one friendly gloom,

Sunn’d Shechem’s towers and Op’d a nation’s tomb ;
Think’ how thefe fires for you unbroken toil’d,

E)ar’d the tough main, and prdv’d the hideous wild ; 40*
Made fpiry towns, and haughty kings a prey,

And forc’d o'er countlefs lands tofiftlefs Way.

See your fond partners in fad grief array’d',

Behold your children claim parental aid:!’

Your hands their freedom and their fate fufpend ;	45

Ytiur fwords mull Conquer, or your race muft end.

Nor let thefe narrow fcenes'your thoughts confine ;

Claim nobler views and p the felfifhline.

Ages unborn from you fhall trace their doom,

Heaven’s future Seers, and heroes yet to come j ' 5#
If flaves, or men, this day your hands decide,

The fcorn of nations, or the world’s great pride:

Empire and bondage in your hofbmslie ;

*Tis yours to tffomph, or tis ours to die.

He fpoke, and filent to th’ all-bounteous Skies $$
Stretch’d wide his hands, and rais’d his kindling eyes :
Eacbglowing vifage flafh’d difdain around
And hoarfe applaufes fhcok the neighbouring ground.

Bright from the lucid main, the fun’s broad eye
Look’d in imperial fplendor from the flty ;	69BOOK XL

*75

With war’s gay pomp then fhone th’ embattled plains ;
In proud battalions rofe the martial trains;

A broken radiance burft from trembling fhlelds,

And haughty heroes, ftalk’d along the Helds.

Bold Hanniel there in ftiining armour flood,	^5

And hop’d a deathlefs name in fcenes of blood.

He faw the hoft to final pombat rife,

The champions nations, and a realm the prize*

Now wealth allur’d; the rival now alarm’d;

Strong pride impell’d, and fplendid conqueA charip’d-; 70
His wounds, his pains, in quick oblivion gone,

The wifli of glory prompts the warrior on
Pleas’d, his fond fancy flies from filent fhaixte
To plains of triumph, and to wreaths of fame.

Him Jolhua view’d with pity in his breaft*	*•$

And kindly thus the haughty chief addrefs’d—
if, when dread war refounds her hoarfe alarm,

Health flufli the cheek, and vigor brace the arm,

To fight, the warrior virtue fame command,

And ktiaves alone refufe the needed hand.	$0

But thoju, brave Hanniel, feek’fl the field in vain,

Pale with loft blood, and weak with ceafelefs pain,
'Unflrung to fight, and impotent to$y,

Ufelefs, alive ; nor glorious, ftiould’ft thon die.

Jn fields of frequent ftrife thy garlands bloom	#5

Let not their verdure wither on thy tomb ;

No feeble aid fuch numerous honours claim*

Nor cajn.bafe envy crop the growing fame.

He fpoke, impatient Hanniel quick return'd,

And keen refentment in his vifage burn’d—	90

While yon bright orb rolls on the mighty doom
Of millions born, and millions yet to.conle,

What chief, what man, who boafts a reafoping mind,

Will hide in Ihame, or fleep in tents .confin’d
Let thefe, if Jacob’s race fuch culprits knows,

Shirnk from great fcenes, and die in vile repofe,BOOK XI.

a71

Not fuch is Hanniel : when my country calls.

X fmile at fields of blood, and blazing walls;

lop

e

The coward’s languor, and the warrior’s fire ;

This fhield, or thefe frail limbs, well pleas’d, arrelt
The lance, that flies to wound a worthier breaft.

But Hanniel’s glory why fhould Joftuia fear i	105

Do rival names alarm thy tender ear i
On yon broad plain unnumber’d liars arife,

Move in gay ranks, and triumph round the fkies;

Each lends his beam to fwell the pomp divine,

Nor grieves that neighbouring fpangles brighter fhine.
How beauteous thus in Honour's Angel-race,	111

When fome blefl sera numerous heroes grace,

Mean felf difdain’d, if virtuous all engage
To fill with light the conftellated age.

Some fhining deed fhould this right hand atchievi, 115
tJnftain’d, unrivall’d, jofhua’s name would live $

Then wifh no more my days eonfum’d in fhame ;

Nor grudge the glory, generous aftions claim.

The Leader heard, and wifh'd that Heaven had join*d
A heart more honefl with fo bright a mind :	120

Through his great bofom thrill’d a fudden pain,

Where fweet companion mix’d with brave difdain.
Sighing he faid—How blind is reafon’seye,

When Heaven ordains o’er-weening man to die 1

Now through the holt he caft a piercing view, 125
And every rank, and every ftation, knew ;

Then, while mute filence hufh’d th’ adoring bands.

From a tail rock, he rear’d his fuppliant hands—

O thou, whofe throne, uprais’d beyond all height,

Glows in th’ effulgence unutter’d light,	130

£)’er earth, o’er hell, o’er heaven, extends thy fway ;
Angels, Archangels, Thrones, and Powers obey;

Where clarions roar my ready footfteps hie.
Glue to the fight, and afk no ftrength to fly.
tlnbroke by founds, my voice fhaM now infpirBOOK XF.

vn

All fcenes, all worlds, confefs thy hand divine*

And Teas, and {kies, and ftars, and funs, are thine#

At thy command, to glory nations rife ;	135

At thy comnfend, each jjuihy kingdom dies;

At thy command, awakes the trumpet’s roar :

Death walks the plain, and earth is drench’d in gore :
Hufh’d by thy fovereign nod, the tempefts ceafe;

Peace is thy choice, and all the world is peace.	140

This day, O Power fupreme ! againft the ikies.
Sheath’d in dreacLarms, unnumber’d thoufands rife.'

As raging flames the fhaggy mountains burn.

The groves to duft, and fields to deferts turn ;

So let thy vengeance fweep th’ embattled plain, 145
And teach proud monarchs God’s eternal reign.

From endtefs years thy all-encircling mind
To Abraham’s race this beauteous land affign’d :

The land, where Truth fhall fix her lalting feat;

Where fky-born Virtue feeks a calm retreat;	150

Where bleft Redemption opes her living morn ;

Where heaven commences, and where God is born.

For this thy voice the facred promife gave ;

For this thy thunders cleft th* Egyptian wave ;

Rich manna fhower’d ; with ftr^ams the defart fmil’d, 155
And the whole heaven descended on the wild.

Still, O unchanging Mind ! thy bounty fhower ;

Draw thy red fword, and ftretch thine arm of power.

To gain thefe realms, the"crown of long defire,

Let Heaven protefl us, and let Heaven infpire !	16$

He fpoke : -a rufeing voice began to roar,

Like caverns, echoing on the Tea-beat ihore ;

Deep rang the hollow found : and o’er the train,.

The cloud ftupendous fail’d along the plain ;

Broad flames, in fierce effufion, round it play’d, 165
Scorch’d the green fields, and brighten’d all the fhade ;
Tow’rd weftern hills the fearful gloom retir’d.

And all the fplendor in one flafh expir’d.BOOK xr.

*7*

Loud rofc the tramp ; and rang’d in dread array,
Behind the cloud the fquadrons trac’d their way ;	170

The burnifh’d helm, blue mail, and upright fpear,
Gleam’d o'er the plain, and fiarr’d the kindled air:

High ftrode the Leader in the glorious vanf
And round his arms an awful glory ran :

For Gon enrob’d him with a pomp divine,	175

And bade an angel in his countenance (hine.

Thus, when no cloud obfcures'th’ autumnal even,

And night’s dark hand unyeils the vault of heaven,
Crown’d with pure beams, het fons in beauty rife,

^nd glow, andfparkle, o’er unmeafur’d Ikies;	i8p

The moon, bright regent, leads th’ immortal train,

And walksin pride imperial round the plain*

Now climb’d the bands the mountain’s towering height,
And o’er the fabje<9: region cad their fight;

There glider’d Gibeon’s domes in trembling fires, ig|
And all the grandeur of a thoufand fpires,

Beyond her walls, a far-extended plain .

Spread, like the furface of the fleeping mail}:

A mighty holl there left the bounded eye.

And loft its diftant terrors in the fky.	199

Full in th4 effulgence of the morn’s broad beam,

Stretch’d the tremendous front, a ridge of flame,

Of length immeafurable. Ether wide
Wav’d with a thoufand nations’ banner’d pride;

Tofs’d in gay triumph, lucid enfigns fhone,	19.5

And call their various fplendor on the fun :

Swift round the region dimrfeen chariots roll’d ;

The far fteeds bounded wrapp’d in twinkling gold ,

With fpears and helms adorn’d Ofcountlefs trains,

Rofe the full pompofconllellated plains;	.	200

And proud with wanton beams, the fun-bright fhields
Join’d like unnumber’d moons, and dazzled aH the fields.
Unmov’d, great Joihua round him (all his eyes.

And faw th’ interminable legions rife ;BOOK XI,

m

Then thus, while llrael hufh’d in (Hence flood, 205
Rang’d' in juft ranks, and fac'd the field of blood.

Behold, oii yon bright plain, embodied Hands.

The gather'd force of all Canaan’s land? i
father’d byHeaven’s right hand, and fad defpair.

To crown our arms, and fink in one dread war!

Hail my brave fons, with me, th' immortal day>

That opes tovblifsfulpeace the glorious way,.

The hour, long number'd in impatient (kies,

The morii, ordain’d with every poirfp to rife,

By angels watch’d, by Heaven’s dread figns led on,.

Sinai’s fierce flames, and Jordan’s walls of Hone.

Each bmindlefs hope let yon fair field infpire ;

Each warrior kindle with a leader’s fire:

The fpoils of kingdoms each rapt eye behold;

Enfigns of fame, and ihields of moony gold;	Itt

The herds, that wanton round a thoofand rills;

The flocks, that whiten on a thoufand hills ;

The corn, all verdant o’er unmeafur’d plains ;

The tvorld, where fpTing with fmiling plenty reigns;
Where olives fwell; where beauteous figs refine ; ZSQ-
And warm, and purpling, glows the clufter>’d vine.

This day ordains them ours: this mighty day
Through realms unknown (hall ftretch our potent fway j
Far as the hills, where funs begin to rife ;

Far as the leas, that limit evening (kies ;	23*

Till fading years unloofe the (leeping grave,

And time’s lafl current joins th’ eternal wave.

There too, my fons, (hall boundlefs glory , rife,

And yon bright field ofconqueft fill the iffeies.

Through Ifrael’s future tribes the tale (hall ring ;	2

The fage record it, and the prophet ling j

Our deeds, our honours, wake the (lumbering lyre ;

Warm the faint’s praife, and wake the hero’s fire;

Rous’d by the theme, new arts of virtue grow ;

New chiefs break forth, and rival wonders- flow j *4*.285

BOOK XI.

Truth's happy Tons rehearfe in raptur'd {trains,

Far through all climes, and ages, Gibeon's plains;

To mprn’s etherial holt new bli/s be given;

And human triumphs time the harps of heaven.

For know, when darknefs lalt involv'd the Ikies, 245
I faw the promis'd land in vilion rife.

I faw fweet peace exalted joys unfold

Fair towers afcend, and temples beam in gold ;

Kings, fprung from Jacob’s lineage, mount the throne,
And Hretch theif fway to years and realms unknown 5256
Art raife her fceptre ; wifdom’s light revive,

And angel Virtue bid our glory live.

I faw Mefliah bright from heaven defcend,

And fpread his fway to earth's rempteft end ;

Deep Gentile darknefs yield to light refin’d ;	25^

Arid truth, and virtue, How to all mankind.

I faw the world, where Powers and Seraphs bright
Shine in pure robes, and rove in endlefs light ;

Where, in new youth, the patriarchs, from their thrones
Hail a long Harry train of heavenly Ions ;	26b

Where Abraham's Heps his native Ikies fuftain,

And Mofes raptur’d meets his God again.

On you, my fons, thefe mighty fcenes fufpend ;

From you (hall [frael’s fame and blifs defcend ;

From you (hall princes, heroes, prophets fpring ;	26j

Froip you be born the heaven-appointed king ;

On this great day his earthly kingdom Hand,

Reach thro’ all times, and flow to every land ;

To blifs, ih. diftant ages, nations rife,

The world ennoble, ahd expand the Ikies:	270

Rqlh then to glory ; God's tremendous arm

Moves in the flaming front, and guides us to the Aornr.

He fpoke : a (hout convuls'd the mountain’s brow.

And burft fbnorous o’er the world below :

$ach warrior on the plain in fancy flood,	275

Drove Jsack whole bpfti, and rul’d the fcehcs of blood;BOOK XI.

m

Each on his falchion cafta frequeRt eye,

And thought it blifs, in IfraeFs caufe to die.

As fullen clouds, when blafts in iilence reft,

Hang black and heavy on the mountain’s breaft;	286

Slow fink the volitiHsfc down its hoary fide,

Shroud all the cliffs, and roll in gloomy pride :

At once the winds arife ; and founding rain
Fours with impetuous fury o’er the plain :

So the dark- hofts defeend in deep array,	285

And o’er the champaign drive their dreadful way.

From the far plains, great Jabin’s eye beheld
^Fhe fquadrons, .thickening on the diftant field.

For when froni Jofhua’s arm his hoil retir’d.

Stung by difgrace, with fierce refentment fir’d; 296
Some future fight his angry thoughts defign*d,

To glut the vferigeance of his haughty mind.

To Gibeon’s fields he fteers his fullen courfe,

Where circling kingscombin’d their gather’d force ;
Chiefs rufti’d to conqueft froni a thoufand lands, 295
"VVhirl’d all their Cars, and led their countlefs bands.

To guide their ftrength againft their dreaded foes
All with, one voice the mighty hero chofe.

He, pleased Once more to rule the dreadful plain,
Survey’d the terrors of th’ unnumber’d train;	5c©

Survey’d ahoft> beyond his wifhes great,

And alk’d the gods to give no happier fati.

In fplendid arms cojifefs’d to dreadful view,

To final fight, to final fame, he drew ;

Full on his.ftiield, with various forms inroll'd,	365

Or death, or conquest—blaz’d in words of gcldi'
In fields far weft, a- torrent, with rough Waves,

The rocky ftiore with endjefs fury laves.

Here, o’er the ftream high banks majcitic hung,

And with fad murmurs hollow caverns rung ;	31$

There, for the fquadrons, ruftiing to th’ affray,

Smooth, Hoping fhores prepar’d an eafy way:

O oB O O K Xh

High on the weftern margin of the flood/

A waU of Are, Canaan’s millions flood.

Here Jabin’s will ordain’d his hoft to-ftay,	319

Shields join’d with fhields, and wedg’d in firm array.

For well he knew, when Ifrael’s rufhing force
Up the rough bank fhould urge their toilfome courfe,

Their broken ranks would fall an eafy prey,

And fame, and triumph, dofeth’ important day. 32®
Now Ifrael’s hoft, flow-moving o’er the plain*

Succeflive roll’d, as waves diflurb^lhe main {

In every face a fix’d, calm bravery fhin’d;

And not a-hero caft a look behind.

High on her ramparts Gibeon’s children rofe,	* 3 25

Survey’d the fields, and eyed th’ impending foes*

Here in fond arms, the tender Mother bare
The babe, fweet offspring of her anxious care,

Hung o’er its infhnt charms, and joy’d to trace

The fire’s lov’d image in its blooming face :	330

Then on the combat turn'd a boding view.

Wrung her white hands, and fhed the glifteningdew.
Here the gay. Child, with pleas’d, and wondering eye/
C'atch’d the broad ftandard, ftreaming in the fky ;

_ On the red armour caft a raptur’d gaze,	33 £

•And rais’d hisartlefshands, and mark’d thefplendidblaze.
Here, bath’d in tears, and whelm’d with timorous care*
In woe more lovely, mourn’d the melting Fair ;

O’er Gibeon’s hoft their eyes inceflant rov’d,

And each, mid thoufands, trac’d the youth lhe lov’d: 34®
Fond hope, ere eve gave champions to his fteel,

And at her feet his fhining garlands fell.

Then fear prefents him weltering on the plain.

Soft, healing, female aid implor’d in vain ;

Clos’d were thofe eyes, that-beam’d etherial fire, 345
Glow’d with young joy, or languifli’d fweet defire,
f)umb was the voice, that every wifh could move, j*
And cold the form, that-wak’d unutter’d love.BOOK XT.

283

Here hoary Age in new-born pleafure flood,

And war’s dread glories fir’d his languid blood ;	35©

Long*baried years rofh’d forward to the view;

Whathofts they battled, and what chiefs they flew:

Each on his brethren gaz’d with glad furprize,

And the great foul flood kindling in their eyes.'

From northern gates her dark battalions podr’tf, 353
And many a hero fierce to combat tower’d ;

His warlike thoufands wife Aradon led,

The white locks trembling o’er his ancient head.
HaiUmighty Chief !-*■—the hoary prince began—
Favourite of Go d*, and virtuous friend of min l	360

Bleft be thy fteps, that bring this kind relief
To feeble age, and folitary grief.

In fields of conflict once rejoic’d I flood,

With death familiar, and with fcenes of blood.

But now fad age my head has whiten’d o’er;	369

This pallied arm mull wield thefword no more.

To mourn, to weep is all my future doom,

Drawn near to death, and bending o’er the tomb,

Thefe bands thy voice obey ; in danger’s field.

Their manly bofoms neyer knew to yield :	37,0

Nor will their feet, long tried in honour’s race,

Now-learn to flee* andfirft commence difgrace.

But, fix’d to death, their king, their land to fave.

All force will hazard, and ell terrors brave.

When round the hoft I turn my weeping eyes, 373
And gaze, and gaze, my foql, with anguifh, cries
Where, where is Elaip ? Oh, may no fad doom
Compel thee to a foa’s untimely tomb 1
A happier life, a brighter lot be thine;

Tafte all the rapturing joys-that once were mine. 38b
From childlefs age may Heaven his chofeh fave.

Nor bring thy hoary hairs in forrow to the grave !

Great prince! the Chief, with cheering voice, replied—
Thy nation’s father, and thy country’s pride !B o Q K xr.

2% 4

Not fingly thou the pangs of grief haft known ;	3B5

I mourn a daughter, as thou weep’ll a fon.

From hearts too fond, Heaven call’d the pair away
To fields of blifs, and climes of lading day.

May every virtue in thy breaft refine,

'Fill thofe fair climes, and all that blifs be thine. 390
But now retire, where yon bright chariot Hands 5
Let yWth and -vigour lead thy warlike bands,

For fee, to light Canaan’s millions rife !

And hark, what plamors rend the boundlefs flues 1

The king obey ’d.' jn arms, the ardent throng* 395
Behind Almiran, darkly rulh’d along ;

Alm’fran, Gibeon’s nobleft, braveft fon,

Led the bold heroes, and like lightning Ihone.

In three vaft fquadrons flood the.heathens ftrength,
Andtofe a mighty front of dreadful length.	40O

P’fr northern banks, where chariots hoarfely rung.

Like clouds of thunder, haughty Hebron hung :

There too fierce Eglon rulh’d with dreadful rpar,.

Like the long murmurs of the founding Ihore.

Nor feebler legions fill the fouthern plain ;	41 :j

'FhereXachifti, Jarmuth there, the fight fuftain j
To the dire centre numerous nations throng,

And Jabin guides the.florin, and fwiftly dames along.

With piercing eyes the Ghief his foes deferied,

And.bade his hofl in three vaft fquares divide.	41$

’Gainft Lachilh Gibeon rolls in proud array ;

’Gainft Hebron Afher bends a dreadful way t
As fires purfue a comet’s languine form,

Behind great Jofhua drives the central ftorm.

Now o’er the plain, as ocean £ours his tide,	4^

Their ftreaming enfigns rear’d in purple pride,

Far north, and fouthward flretch’d the chofen train,

And crofs’d in gloomy pomp the dreadful plain.

Near, and more near, th’ undaunted warriors drew ;

For well the Chief, by fure experience knew	42?BOOK XX.	c*B$

That nations, taught in fuddendight to rife.

To war by dealth, and triumph by furprife,

To wiles, vain-glorious, fall an eafy prey,

And, throng’d ip tumult wild, axefwept away.

Thence, near the foe he bade the fquddrons move, 4*5
Tempt with keen taunts, and with proud threatniogs prove*
That chiefs, and men, with childifo rage o’erceme,
Might quit the Ihore, and bade to certain doom.

Now near the dream the facred thoufands Hood,

Their breads all panting for the fqen.es of blood.	439

At once, as fome black dorm begins to rife,

A cloud -of arrows fill’ll the Wedern Ikies;

The long, afqending gloom aU heaven o’erfpread,

And the Helds darken’d with a tranfient fliade.

Then dones on donee tempedtious ether pour’d;	435

And darts on dar# in quick fucceflion (hower’d :

Now here, now there* expiring warriolfiffell,

And fhrill beneath them rung the clafoing deel.

At once, as mov’d by fear, the Chief withdrew,

And bade his hod the didant walls purfue.	444

With joy, the heathens eyed their backward way*

Rais’d a long (hout, and fprang to feifce the prey.

Swift rulh’d th’ exulting thoufands down thelhore;

Tor ranks behind, urg’d on the ranks before ;

Loud ring the chariots, fwift the courffers hound, 44^
And a deep thunder waves along the ground.

Around, great Jabin cad a mournful view,

And faw his foes retreat, his friends purfue,
liis laws contemn’d, that bade the thoufands day,

Till o’er the torrent Ifrael urg’d their way ;	4501

Kenn’d the deepfnare, by Joihua wifely laid,

And to himfelf with fighs thus fiercely faid.-—

I fee, proud chief, X fee thy profperous wiles ;	#

pn me fate frowns ; on thee propitious (miles;

But not alone I prove the general doom ;	45£

Ten thoufand ghods (hall meet me at the tomb :

BOOK XI,

Aveng’d, and happy to the (hades I’ll go,

To bid thy princes quake in realms below.

Thus (poke the king, and deem’d his ruin nigh*

A fearful vengeance reddening in his eye ;	469

Strong, fell defpair inflam’d his eager look ;

His bands gaz’d trembling, and his princes (hook.

Meantime with fmiles the facred Chief beheld
His foes rufh headlong o'er th* embattled field :

At once his* piercing voice reftrain’d the flight,	46§

Wheel’d his long ranks, and marfhaU’d to the fight.

At once the trump’s tremendous blaft afcends
The plains all (hudder, and the concave rends ;

Loud as the florin’s ten thoufind thunders rife,

A fhout unmeafnr’d rocks the lands and Ikies ;	470

Again high heaven is gloom’d with flony (howers;

Again all ether darts unnumber’d-pours j
With deep convuWbn roars the doling war ;
Fierce’bounds the deed ; fonorous rolls the car;

With oqe broad ruin heaves the earth amain,	475

And Night, and Death, and Horror, fhroud the plain.

So pours <a dorm on Greenland’s frozen (here ;

The hoarfe winds rage ; the maddening billows roar;
When boundlefs darknefs wraps the realms on high,

And flaming meteors dream acrofs the fley :	483

Huge idea of raging ice, together driven,

With burding thunder rend air, fea, and heaven:

Rocks rife o’er rocks; o’er mountains mountains roU,
And the world trembles to the didant pole.

Thus o’er the field the dreadful tumult grows;	485

Alike impetuous, foes encounter foes ;

Where Afher’s fons proud Hebron’s hod engage ;

Or where bold Giheon pours her torrent rage j
pr where, around the Chief, immingled rife
Triumphant clamours, and expiring cries.	49O

• ^.ong roar’d the tumult of the dubious fight,

And nobafe coward wifh’d inglorious flight:BOOK xn

it?

ATI fierce to combat rufh'd th’ undaunted train-;

Jfor thefe the palm would lofe, nor thofe could gain;

Till dotfi’d in terror, Jofhua’s dreadful arm	495

Began the triumph, and led on the ftorm.

Two chiefs, whole filver arms confefs’d their
Rais'd their broad buklers in his fateful way.

By their fair wives a common fire they claim’d ;

And Medan this, and Talmon that, was nam’d;	50©

Of royal race> from Salem's wall they came,

Their deeds juft budding in the field of fame.

Cleft through the fide brave Medan gafpitrg fell;

And Talmon trembling fled the lifted fteel.

By his own friends a javelin fwiftly hurl’d
Plunged his freed fpirit to the nether world ;

-for round the field a fhout of joy afcends,

And groans re-murmur from his fadden'd friends.

Then fwift the Hero wheel’d his flaming fword ;

Like mountain ftrearas his hoft behind him pour’d ; 510
Loud roar’d the thunders of the dreadful plain,

Rock’d the tall groves, and fill’d th’ etherial main :
Increafing horror rent the world around,

And fteeds, and ears, and warriors mingled on the ground,.

Now near the flream approach’d the founding war, 515
When fierce to combat roll’d a fplendid car ;

There giant Zedeck rofein dreadful view;

Two furious fteeds the.mighty monarch drew ;

With wild impetuous rage, they foam’d along,

And, pale before them, fled the parting throng. 52#
From Jofliua’s courfe he faw his bands retire y
His reddening afpett flafh’d a gloomy fire ;

With huge, hoarfe voice the furious heto cried,

While the plains murmur’d, and the groves replied.
Whatever wretch from this bright combat flies,

By the juft gods, the impious daft^rd dies.

Nor hope to ’fcape the keen,‘avenging blade
In the ftill cot, or in the lonely fhade.BOOK XI;

in

Soon (hall this fword, with victory crown’d, rettim }

And wrath, and vengeance, all your dwellings butt*; 53d
Your bodies, limb from limb, this arm (hall tear,

Nor forts, nor wives, nor fires, rtor infants, fpare J
But bid die hungry hawks yoUr race devobf,

And call grim wolves to feaft in floods of gore.

He fpoke ; aflonifh’d, foftie more nimbly flew;	533

And fome to conflict with freih ardour dreW ;
Defpaironce more the growing flight repell’d,

And gave newjiorrors to the gloomy field:

Meantime on Jofliua drove the founding car>

And buril impetuous through the thickeft wati	546

Rough, heavy, dreadful, By the giant thrown
Flew the vaft fragment of a craggy ftone ;

Scarce Ycap’d the wary Chief, with fudden bbund,

While the broad ruin plow’d the crumbling ground.

A javelin then the monarch’s hand impell’d,	$45

That fang, arid trembled, ’gainfl the Hero’s fhield ;

Swift o’er his head a fecond hifflng flies,

And a pierc’d warrior gi’dans, rind faljs, and dies.

At once great Jofliua rais’d his reeking fword,

And with deep wounds the maddening couriers gor’d; *
through cleaving ranks the couriers backward flew, 551
And fwift from fight the helplefs monarch dr§w.

To the high ftiore, impendent o’er the flood,

They rufti’d, as whirlwinds fweep^he reriding wood;

To turn they tried, with fhort and fudden wheel ;	55 3

But tried in vain; the founding chariot fell.

Prone down the lofty bank the fteeds purfiied,

Where fharp, and ragged rocks beneath were ftrew’d ;
All fhrill the giant’s ftriking mail reformds:

With clattering crafh, the cracking car rebounds;	560

White o’er his lifelefs Head the waters roar—

Loll in the ftream, and doom’d to rife no more.-j-
As, when the fouth’s fierce blasts the main deform*

Andr oil the pealful onfet of chd ftoriri ;BO OK xr.



flung ark the heavens with night; the world around, .
Deep*ufttinftttfingi, trembles to the folemn found ;	5.66

full on dread Tonga’s wild-refoundihg fliore
Hills, wav^ b?e*;hiHs> afcend, and burft> and rOar :

Safie in his co$, fche.hdary failor hears,

Or drops, for-fancied wrecks, unbidden tears.	57®

A bouiidlefe-rtlqut, frdiri Ifrael’s raptur’d train,

Rent the broad ikies, and (hook.the dreadful plain.

For now, their Champion, truft, arid glory loft*

Frdm ;}bihu»’s vengeance flew,* fad Sal'eih’s hoft ;

Before hint bought avail’d the ihields, and fpeprs, 575
But chiefs, arid Sapling fieed$, and rattling cars,

Ranks urging-rank*, Squadrons^o’dr fquadrons borne,
Down the barikplung’^;7 the bank behind them tome*
Sunk with a ruihing found i great Joihua’s arm
Uplifted, imminent impel!’d the llbrm.	58Q

Alert, he bounded ori theyielding fand,

And fcattefM ruin:foom;hia red fight hand.

The white waves ibam’d around his midway fide,

As. fierce he thundferd thro’ die ruihing tide.

Two blopnrmg youths, be dafb’d agalnftthe rock, 585
Where Z.edeckr's chariot felt the fatal fhock ;

Their guihing bdood fan purple thro* the Wave;

And thoufands with: them found a watery grave.

There, mid Vile throngs* t* ontimely fate aprey,
Young, genervmsKgon breath’d his foul away.	59°

Him Salem’s nymphs refounded thro’ the vales;

Or fung melodious, to refponftve gales.

He, from the mountain, wilds, and cliffs fublime,

Untrod, urifculJtur’di frorii the firft of time,

Drove the fierce beafts, by arms and arts compell’d,. 595
To feek their fafety in the lowland field*

By flames unclos’d; by hounds and fwains purfued,

They fled each faftnefs of th’ impervious wood ;
Ambuih’d, in Valea beneath thefayage prey.

RuflFd on the fpear* and yell’d their lives away, 6®0

r?B O O K XT.

Then howling wilds the traveller ceas'd t' appall f
Then night fpread harrtilefs round th' unguardedftall
His flocks, the riling Twain with joy furvey’d;

And ilaughter’d lambs defil'd no-more the glado.

Egon, each pipe, each voice of mufic Tung j
And Egon’s glory courts and caverns rung :

But pafs’d was all his fame ; by Joih'hai’s hand
Blung’d in the ftreant, and choak’d with {urging fand,
While from the -bank the warriors Ieap’d aniaift,

Crufh’d, drown’d, he mingled with the numerous flain.61®
On the deep; weftern bank all Hazor flood f
A cloud of fire, high-towering 6'er the flood :

Their darts unmmvber’d Ifrael’s hoft invade,

And many an eye'is dos’d in death’s dark lhade.

Swift down the Ihore a rock with fury felt,	615

And crulh’d two warriors; wrapp’d rn firiniirg fteel :

Near Jolhua’s fteps the craggy rain pour’d;

The Hero fprahg; the foaming torrent roar’d.

Then ftones on Hones, with founding temped driven/
Fill’d the wide ConcaVe of the troubled'heaven:	62©

Beneath' their fhields the prudent warriors flood ;

AH ether rang and foam’d the reddening flood ;

'Till mighty Jolhtfa, breathing wide difmay;

Swift down the raging torrent drove his way.

Where fouthward waves, expanding ceas’d to roar; 625
The ftream was bounded by a Hoping fhore.'

Hither the hero bent his awful courfe ;

His hoft behind him pout’d their mighty force ;

Fierce up the Afore he rulh’d ;= a dreadful band
Throng’d round their chief, and darken'd all th£ Brand,;

Here brave Alftir&n, like a fwe^ping fire,	6ji,

Urg’d his dread path, and bade his foes expire.

Tall in the gloomy Van, the hero fped,

And Lachilh pale before him fell or fled:

Such fiery terrors tound his vifage glow’d ;	635

Stteh ttreas^ of daughter from his fafchion flow’d.B Q © K Xi.

V1

*TiIl, generous youth, an arrow found thy fide,

And ddwn thy armonr gulh’d the living tide.

Thy fire had gtafp’d hisHong-negletted ftriqld,

And follow'd, tnei^bling, t<? the deathful field :	640

There on thy deeds he caft an anxious view ;

There touch’d-with ej-anfport, felt his youth renew ;
Then- law thee falling, .pale, depriv’d of breath.

Blung’d on the foe, and funk in whelming death.

The youth; great Jofiiua caught in friendly arms, 645
His (hield averting war’s impendent harms 4
Chaf’d by his hand, again he op’d his- eyes
His lips refpir’d; his bloom began to rife.

^■-hen Gibeon’s ions the mighty Leader fir'd,

And forrpw prompted, and revenge infpir’d.	6,50

Now dreis’d in golden pride, to crimfon war.

Tall] beauteous P.iram drove his lhining car.

Born in the ftillnefs of a court ferene,

Where peace, and pleasure led the jocund fcene,

He loath’d dire £ght, to gentler thoughts inclin’d; 6^5
And love, and mufic, charm’d his feeling mind.

Soft pify tquch’d his heart; and oit a tear
He dropp’d, and mourn’d the human doom fevcre j
TV unnumber’d ills qf wafting pride would rue,

And wiih that kings thefweets of friendihip knew, 660
Yet, mot offer vile kind, his thoughts had foar’d,

Jrn brighter days, and Art’s fair realms explor’d.

Such was his foul, as grace from heaven refin’d
Can warm; and ripen, to an angel’s mindt

To combat now the prince relu<3tant rode,	f 65

When full ijefore him Xfrael’s Leader flood. t
Pleas’d, he beheld-the graceful form afcend,

And wiftt’d the gods had made the Chief his fri$n<it
But vain his wifhes-; by-the Hero thrown,

FjjU on his forehead barfts a founding ftone,	f>j®

He fell; his couriers backward ruih’d amain
And hatch’d the monarch o’er the cloudy plain,BOOK XI.

292

His.haplefs fall pale Jarmuth’s fons beheld;

Grief froze their hearts, and fear their nerves congeal’d
The Chief purfues ; their trembling bands retire ;	675

peep groans afcend, and troops on troops expire:

Wide rolls the dull; the Ikies are; fnatch’d from light*
And death hangs dreadful o’er the growing light*

There, thron’d in Hate, and drefs’d in barnilh’d' (leeL
Lachilh’ fair prince, Japhia, haplefs fell.	68oi

He bade foft fongs awake the trembling lyre,

With notes of magic, and with word^ of fire ;

Such fongs, as Mofes, uninfpir’d, might ling ;

Like him, a bard, a hero, and a king.

But far beyond the pomp of pride, and power,	68$

He lov’d the realms bf nature to explore.;

With lingering gaze, Edenian fpfing futvey’d;

Morn’s fairy fplendors, night’s gay curtain’d lhade;

The high hoar clHF; the grove’s benigbtcdgloom ;

The wild rofe, widow’d, o’er the mouldering-tbntb ; 69a
The heaven-embofom’d fun ; the rainbow’s die,

Where lucid forms difport to fancy’s eye.

When rous’d to war, and deeds of deathlefs name,

Faint (hone to him the charms of martial fame :

But fir’d to ecflacy, his foul beheld	695

The ftbrmy grandeur of the troubled field :

The morn, that trembles o’er the Heel-bright plains ;
The whirlwind car, wing’d Heed, and ckfhihg' trains.
Such fcenes the warrior fung. The (wains around
Hung on th’ enchantment of the wildering found:	70#

Soft o’er the lyre the voice of mufic pafs’d,

Wild as the woodland warblings of the wafte$

Each favagefoften’d, as the ndibbers rofe,

Eorfook htS' falchion, and forgot his1 foes.

As dread before him glow’d the Heftfs face,	705

His angel pomp; and heaven-dcfcended grace ;

He (lopp’d; he gaz’d; and with fond fancy warm*
Glued to the folemn glories of his forin tB. O O K X*.

*91

$W& thrdugh his bafomdrove thje- deadly fpear,

A ad all hi» beauteous dreams diffeilv-’d in air.	510

Meantime far north the loos of After pour’d,

A”c fierce to combat chiefs and heroes tower’d:

There, like a whirlwind, rapid Zimri flew,

And, like a temped, countlefs bands purfiie :

Clouds after clouds behind him -darkly roll,	7*5

And Ihouts of glory heave the murmuring pole.

As when two feae, by winds- together hurl’d^

With-burdirig fury fhakethe foKd world ;

Wa^es pil’do?er waves, the-watry mountains-* ife*

And loam, and roar, and rage, ag-aind the flsiee i 7®°
So join’d the combat; ranks, o’er ranks impeU’d,

Swell’d the hoarfe-tumult of the hideous field ;

Black drifts of dhft becloud the gkjomy grflufld •;

Hoairfe groans afcend, and dafting-arms refoand.

And now, where Zimri broke th’ embodied waiy 7x5
Imperious Hoham drdve his founding cap ;

Like flames, his rapid ceurfes rufh’d along,

Forc’d a red-path, and crufh'd the thickening throng:
£|rs hiding lances Ihower’d deftrudlion round,

And dreaming-bodies ftriew’d the crimfo'n ground*	77k

’With joy, bold'Zimri kenn’d the prince afar
And wing’d his javelin thrcr’ theflaffring air ;

Deep in his tfafoat was lodg’d th’ avenging deal;

^iSt groan's, the monarch panting, ftmggling, fell:

The fword indignant galh’d his deavfng fidi, 755
-freed the pale ghoft, and pour’d the-vital tide.

With Ihouts of triumph fweH’d'th’’ etherlal main; -
And new convulfians ffiook the dormy plain.

Tftecars' rdfli’d backward ; foaming couriers bound;

The Ihrill fwords daft, and hollow-groans refound. 74a
^Twixt the kmgbatdw-rewurmuring clamors roar;

And eyes unnuwber^hwift-tfteHfkrthefl fhore.

As, fwelt’d with rains, thnautnmfnal ftream afcends,
3ft>ams o’er the rocks-, and all the mountain rends,BOOK XI.

m

Heav’d deep, with groans th’ uprooted foreft yields, 745
And huge, unwieldy oaks, plunge cumbrous to the fields ^
So furious Afher, with refiftlefs fway,

Qn Hebron burning broke a dreadful way;

Swift o’er the floods the warriors eager fly,

And fteeds, and men, pn earth imminghdlie. 750
On thefe dire fcenes great Jabin call his view,

And faw his friends retire, his foes purfue,

Then, while the ftorm of war brave Zedeck bore,

He whirl’d hi$ chariot down the weftprn fhore.

As, ftaiuM with blood, a meteor’s midnight beam 755
Cleaves the dun clouds, and trails a length of flame»

At once, with dreadful burft, its terrors fly,

And a deep thunder rocks the fhuddering fky :

So, thron’d tremendous in his fun-bright car,

Rufh’d the impetuous Hero to the war ;	y&fy

Loud to,their ears his voice terrific came,

And his fierce eyeballs flafh’d a withering flame—

Roufe, roufe to fight, to triumph bend your way ;

Nor yield thefe flaves the wifh’d immortal day.

Shall Hebron’s fons, that never knew to fly,	7$^

Now turn inglorious, and like daftards die £

Let all your antient deeds each foul infpire,

And each bold warrior emulate his fire..

This hour propitious brings the glbrlpus doom,

And fweeps thefe wretches to the coward’s tomb, 770
Hefpoke, and furious, with refiftlefs force
Burft on his foes and flopp’d their eager courfe.t
All Hebron round him fwift to conflift turn’d,

New life inform’d them, and new bravery burn’d *
Squadrons on fquadrons wedg’d their deep array,	77p

And darker horrors gloom’d the dreadful day*

Him Hanniel faw ; for here in fierceft fight
With joy he.mingled, and difdain’d bafe flight.

No griding anguifh now his limb diftrefs’d;

No thought, but glory, triumph’d in his br.eaft;	78*B O O K XL

Chiefs to his arm had given the parting breath*

.And vulgar warriors ftain’d his fword with death. *
AJive, impetuous, burned the martial flame*

And every hope beat high for endlefs fame.

. On Jabin’s: ear th’ undaunted warrior flew r 785
The car, like whirlwinds near him fwiftly drew.’

This the blefs’.d hour the hero deem’d to gain
The garland, wilh’d folong, but wifh’d in vain.

The Chief oi foes his raptur’d eye furvey’d,-

The deftin’d victim of his conquering blade.-	79#

No fear difturb’d, left combat’s fickle doom

Should change the lot, and ope another’s tomb1

He fmilNdy from Joftiua fure the palm to win,-

And felt frelh honours round his temple#twine.

At once, by Jabin’s hand liktf lightening driven, 795
Afpear flew nimbly through the dully heaven;

Deep in his forehead funk th’ unerring fteel j
Without a groan the haughty warrior fell :

■No foul more reftlefs e’er front earth retir’d,

Nor pride more boiindlefs e’er in duft expir’d.	8eb

As, when bold youths, the mount’s dim fummit gain’d.
Upheave the huge, hoar crag, with toilfome hand ;

From point to point th’ unwieldy ruin tofs’d,

Smokes down the fteep, and grinds the cliffs to duft;

High bounding, finking headloBg, feeks the plain, 805
Cleaves the torne ground, and plows the foaming main ?
Far plunge the craftving pines ; the Wild rocks roar,
Hurl’d with tumultlfous fury to the Ihore ;

Wide-rolling dull the neighbouring concave fills,

And a long, fwelling roar runs murmuring round the tuns,
So down the bank, tremendous Jabin’s car	8i|

Urg’d the pale throng, and drove the founding war:

Hjs foes plung’d headlong in the crimfon wave.

Arid chiefs, and warriors, found a liquid grave.

While thus in dreadful fight the hofts engag’d,

The tumults thicken’d, and the clamours rag’d;HOOK Xf,

*3*

From Jofhaa’s tdrfors Hazor’s fans withdrew.

And diftdneibom the fhore their, front renew.

With hideous, ftrength, their ridgy lines afeend j
Red flame the fhields; fwords tremble ; fpears protend •
leas’d, the \Ghief views.; too generous not tokuowj 82I
And own, withpraife, the merit of a foe.

From a tall rock he call his ftafhmg eyes,

And faw the varied feenes of combat rife.

When every fpe boldi Gibeon ;fierce)y drove;	$

tribes of Zimri backward flowly move ;

Tow’rd the high walls-afeendihg volumes'foil',

And clouds on clouds facceffive wrap the pole.

Greatly ferene, he view’d the threatening doomf,

Nor veil’d his vifegewith a tranfient gloom ;	83W

Rot bade his chiefs, their bands for fight array’d,*

Lead on the war, and Hazor’s haft invade.

Then, where the fields difplay-d an. eafy courfe,

Along the fhore he wing’d his rapid force j
Swift as a tempeft down the bank he flies,	8$£

^Gots the red ftream; and lifts tremendous cries-—
Heavens! what difhonoor pains this bleeding eye ?

See, loftto lhame, my friends, my heroes fly l
Turn, turn to triumph ; fwift to glory turn ;

With generous fhame let every bofom burnd	846

Shall your bfavfe fires, that never kniew to flee,

With pangs your flight, and tarhiftr’d honour, fee ;

And wilh high Heaven had lent a milder doom,

And fwept them childlefs to an earlier tomb?

Shall Dan.fh'ail Aftier, harries of long renown,	£4$

Now lofe the fplendors of a deathlel's crown !

Forbid it Heaven ! now wipe the hateful ftain ;

One bold exertion wins fh* immortal plain.

Hefpoke: at once-, unfurl’d in glorious pride,

The facred ftandard call the view afide ;	85®

'I’here Dan’s bright eagle, high in pomp difplay’d,
Stretch’d his long wings; and rear’d his golden heed ;BOOK XT.

Of gold his form in lucid triumph turn'd,

Andftreamy lightnings round him fiercely burn’d.

At once all Afher furious rufh’d to light,	85 J

Each ardent warrior fpurn'd inglorious flight.

With wider ruin heave the trembling fields;

Cars burft; cries roar ; groans murmur ; found the fhields*
As in fome foreft two red flames afpire,

And whelm hage pines in floods of furging fire,

Then fwift through falling groves together driven
Roll o'er the mountain tpps, and kindle heaven :

So, fierce and dreadful, front to front oppos’d,

M*d clouds Of dull, the thundering fquadrons clos’d : 864
Earth ihakes ; air rends; the trembling ikies refound,
And night, and fad difmay, invade th’ embattled ground*
For war undaunted Hebron fiercely burn’d,
fror even in Jofhua’s path to flight were turn’d.

Full on his fword they rufh’d, and bravely fell;

I'Jew bands with transport facM the fiaughtering Heel.
Inceilant cries o’er all the combat rung ;

Inceflant fpears through darken’d ether furig j

Swift flew the courfer ; fwift the raging car s

Hoarfe rofe the tumult of the maddening war i

Lefs loud through forefts winds impetuous roll,	875

The huge pines fink, and iempeft rends the pole ;

Lefs loud ’gainft Zembla mountain billows roar>

When the ftorm thunders on the frozen fhore.

For Hebron’s thoufands Jabin’s voice infpir’d*

And Jofhua’s deeds the ions of lfrael fir’d*	8

Now where the Chief terrific fwept the field,

And, cloth’d'in terror, ranks on ranks repell’d ;

Whilft a red deluge o’er his footfteps fpread,

And countlefs torrents fpouted from the dead j
Swift to his path a chief of Aiher ran,

Wild with difmay, and quivering thus began—

Wing, wing, thou beflof men, thy friendly path--*

Oh fave the hero, or avenge his death!---

QjiBOOK xu

*98

Now Zimri dies; from yon afcending ground,

J faw fierce J'abin point the fatal wound—	8^3

He fpoke; at once, from all the Heathen train,

A voice of thunder heav’d th’ affrighted plain;

Loud as hoaffe whirlwinds torrent flames infpire,

When up the mountains rolls tempelluous fire ;

Loud as th’ Almighty’s voice, through ether driven, 895,
Pales the wide world, and iliakes the walls of heaven ;
Long fhouts tremendous from the fields arife,

BurII o’er the holts, and rend the clouded Ikies.

Through Ifrael’s thoufands thrills a dire alarm',

When thus great Jolhtia nerves each fainting arm— 96®
Urge, my brave warriors, urge the glorious ftrife ;

Wheel your red fwords, and faVe the leader’s life—

Shall Zimri die, whilft each aftonilh’d ltatids,

Nor fees thefe falchions ufelefs in our hands ?’

Alive the fainting hero meets my fight,	cjO£

And yet maintains the folitary fight—

He fpoke, and furious wheel’d his dreadful fWord
Back roll’d the heathens; flreams of fiaughter pour’d
Behind him Afiier’s holVin deep array
Throng’d darkening ; clouds and deatlrirt volvM thfeir way ;
The bounding Heeds bedew’d their hoofs in blbbd, 911
And chiefs and monarch's fwell’dthfe purple flbod.

Now, where bold Zimri brav’d the deathful ground,
O’erhung with foes, and pierc’d with many a Wound,
Whilft labouring, panting, heav’d his frequent breath,
Add o’er his helmet flafh’d defcen'ding death ;	9fS

Great Jofhua, flaming, drove th’ embattled train ;

Their lances flew, their falchions rag’d in Vain.

Dire as a peal of thunder fweeps the Ikies,

He rulh’d, and Death fate frowning in his eyes:	j'iia

For now brave Zimri fcarce-fuftain’d the ftrife;

Sunk on one knee, and wifh’d to fell his life.

Thro’ the thick tumults of.the broken war
fmpetuous Jabin wing’d his rapid car;With ruddy beams his lance uplifted fhono.;	935

His waving buckler mock’d the fanguine fun;

’Twixt the bold chiefs, undaunted at the dorm,

Sublime great Joflma rear’d his mighty form.

Now front to front the frowning,heroes flood ;

Their eyes red flames ; their faces dropp’d with blopd 5930
Their fwords the lightning; ttyo broad moons,their Ihields
aShot a fierce glory through the dreadful fields.

Then Ja'oin’s heart, though form’d of ftubborn Heel,

Firft (hook with terror, and firft learn’d to feel.

But rous’d by keen difdain, and vengeful ire,	935

Quick from his eye-balls blaz’d infernal fire ;

To earth, impatient, from the car he fprang ;

His breaft beat high ; his rattling armour rang,;

To die refolv’d, but as a king to die,

Like fudden thunder rofe his burfting cry—	g^e

-From this right hand receive, thou bafe-bornflave,

A death too noble, but a daftard’s grave;

Torne by the dogs, thy carcafe here lhall lie,

Or glut the fowls, that fweepth’ avenging Iky.

The Chief difdain’d return. The ifeathen’s fleel 94.J
Tull on his helm with rapid fury fell,

Glanc’d by his fword, it clave the bloody ground ;

Life had.the Hero known no future wound.

Tfien with fvyift wheel, through Jabin’s yieldingfide
RulVd his keen blade, apd pour’d the fable tide; 95*5
Aghaft, their monarch’s fall his hofl beheld,

And fullen groans rqng murmuring round the field.

Like Heaven’s dread thunder Jolh.ua rais’d his voice ;
Hods backward roll’d; earth trembled at the noife—

On Gibean’s turrets Hand thou Hill, © Sun !	9^

Look down, thou Moon, on dreary Ajalon 1
Fix’d in high heaven the awful fplendors flood,

And flam’d tremendous on the field of blood ;

From each dread orb enfanguin’d ftreams afpire,

The fkies all man tjing in fierce-waving ,fire ;	gSa.BOOK XI.



Amaz’d, Canaan’s realms the pomp deferred ;

The world grew pale; the hearts of nations died:

The bounding Hero feiz’d the (hining car,

Snatch’d the long reins, and Ihouted to the war:

Behind, fierce Alher fwift to vengeance flew;	96^

All dropp’d their fpears, and all their falchions drew $

A fudden blaze gleaned round the dally gloom,

And plung’d ten thoufand warriors to the tomb,
for now, o’er all the fight, the heathens yield,

And Ifrael triumphs round the dreadful field.	97a

High in the vah, fublime great Jolhua rode,

Wing’d the dire flight, and fwell’d the tide of blood ;
Aghalt, they fee the lightning of his eyes,

And hear the thunders of his voice arife.

The plains are tumult all, convulsed affright,	97$

Fierce ruin, wild amaze, and raging flight;

The Chariots ftre'am ; the. Heeds all eager bound,

Stretch o’er the plains, and fweep the riling ground ;

O’er rocks, o’er floods the thoufands headlong fly,

And ftyords, and fpears, and Ihields, behind them lie ;

No flop, nor backward look, nor liftening ear,	9S1

From plains to forefts pants the full career j
Behind, the Hero wings his rapid way,

And dull and darknefs Ihroud the beams of day.

So, borne in clouds of fire, an Angel's form	98$

On impious Sodom drove the dreadful ftorm*

From heaven, in dreadful pomp, the Villon came ;

Far, far behind him, ftream’d the angry flame;

The dark-red thunder, from his right hand hurl’d,
Upheav’d the Iky, and fir’d the rocking worldj 99Q
High o’er the ftorm, on wings of light, he rode,

And fail’d, in lucid triumph, to th’ approving God.

Long rulh’d the viftors o’er the fanguine field,

And fcarce were Gibeon’s loftieft fpires beheld;

When up the weft dark clouds began to rife,	99

Sail’d o’er the hills, and lengthen’4 round theB 0 0 K XfV

ill*

Autidge of folding fire their fummitsfhone $

But fearful Klacknefs all beneath was thrown.

Swift round the fan the fpreading gloom was hurl’d,

And night, and folitude, amaz’d the world*	100*

At once the voice of deep-refounding gales
Rungflow, and folemn, in the diftant Vales;

Then through the groves, and o’er th’ extended plain,
With ftormy rage the rapid whirlwinds ran :

Red o’er the glimmering hills, with pomp divine, IOO£
The lightning’s flaming path began to fliine';

Far round th’ immenfe unufual thunders driven,
Proclaim’d the onfet of approaching Heaven ;

4ftoni(h’d Nature own’d the ftrange alarm,

And the world trembled at th’ impendent ftorm. toio
O’er the dark fields aghaft Canaan ftream’d ;

Thick in their courfe the fcattar’d bucklers gleam’d:
Behind them, Jofhua urg’d the furious car,

And tenfold horrors hover’d round the war.

But when the Chief the fyretding ftorm furvey’d, 1015
And trac’d almighty arms in heaven difplay’d ;

With piercing voice, he gave the great command-—
Stand ftill, ye chqfen Tons, admiring ftand !

Behold, what awjul fcqnesin heaven arife !

Adore the power that brightens in the fkies!	|02f

Now God’s tremendous arm afierts his laws ;

Now bids bis thunder aid the righteous caufe
Unfolds how Virtue faves her choien bands,

And points the vengeance doom’d for guilty lands. 1024
Behold, what flames (hoot forth ! what gloom afcends 1
How nature treipbtes! how the concave rends !

How the clouds darken ! fee, in yonder fky,

Their opening ikirts proclaim th’ Almighty nigh !

He fpoke, and from the north a ruihing found 1029
Roll’d through the heavens, and (hook th’ embattled
At once a rapid path of dreadful flame	[ground;

Burft from the-ikies, and pour’d a fanguine ftreamJBOOK XL

1**

Thron’d on a dark- red cloud, an Angel's for®

Sail'd awfully lublime, above the ftorm.

Half veil’d in mift, his countenance, like a fun, 105 j
Inflam’d the clouds, and through all ether Ihone ;

Long robes of crimfon light behind him flow’d ;

His wings were flames; his locks were died in blood ;
Ten thbufand fiery lhapes were round him driven,

And all the dazzling pomp of opening heaven. 1043
Now, fave Canaan’s cries, that feebly rung,

Round the dark plain a horrid filence hung.

Stretch’d in dire terror o’er her quivering band,

Th’ etheriai Vifion wav’d his fun-bright hand ;

At once from opening Ikies red flames were hurl’d, 104J
And thunders, roll’d on thunders, rock’d the world.

In one broad deluge funk th’ avenging hail,

And, fill'd with tempeft, roar’d the hoary vale $

The headlong whirlwinds boundlefs nature blend ;

The ftreams rulh backward ; tottering mountains bend ;
Hown the tall fteep their burfting fummits roll, *051
And cliffs on clijffs, hoarfe-craftiing, rend the pole ;

Far round the earth a wild drear horror reigns ;

The high heavens heave, and fink the gloomy plains:
One fea of lightnings all the region fills :	105^

Long waves of fi-re ride forging o’er the hills;

The nodding forefts plunge in flame around, ’

And with huge caverns gapes the ihuddering ground.
Swifter than rapid winds Canaan driven,

Refafethe eonflidlof embattled Heaven.	1069.

But the dire hail in vain the victims fly,

And death unbounded Ibook from all the floy ;

The thunder’s dark career ; the Seraph’s arm,

Fierce vengeance blazing down th’ immenfe of ftorm.
From falling groves to burning plains they flew ;	106£

Hail roars around, and angry blafts purfue ;

From lhaking heavens almighty arms are hurl’d,

And all (he gloomy concave burfls upon the world.B. O O K XI .

No diy like this the •guilty earth'had krtowfo ;

Not Egypt’s florin with equal terror fhone ;	I07O

No day like this o’er eaftern hills ihall rife,

Till Gabriel’s trump inrolls the finking fkies.

For Heaven’s dread ilores, referv’d for death, andwar,
Fierce hail, and lightning, fill’d tAe rending air.

In vain the hoft attempted flill to fly;	1675

They fell, they rofe again ; but rofe to die.

Mid thoiifand eorfes, there, beneath his ftvield*

Stalk’d a Iohe trembler through the founding field :

Here, fcatter’d wretches roam’d along the plain,

And fheltering bucklers hid their heads in vain.	I08O

On every fide refiftlefs foes engag’d ;

The lightning’s livid Mart around them rag’d;

While the ftirill torrents of th’ avenging haft
Hufo’d on the pinions of the fvVeeping gale.

Rare, and more rare, were feen the finking holt, 108^
'Till, whehri’d beneath the deluge, all were loft.

Thus, when black midnight’s terrors earth deform.
From the tall Andes burfts a blazing florin;

F]rom[ fteep to fteep the ridgy flames afpire,

Bend o’er wide realms, and wrap the heavens in fire
All nature trembles; tottering mountains rend 5
Down the cliffs thunder ; fhowers of fire defcend ;

Huge hills of fee, diflolv’d, and waftes of fnotfr
Plunge in one deluge erf the world below;

O'er half Peru the floods tempeftuous fweep,	1099

And rocks, and groves, and towais, roll mingled to the deep.
The form began to move; the clouds gave way,

Their fjcirts all brightening with the crimfon ray ;

Par fouth, on wing9 of fixe, the Angel flew,

And his clear fplendors lelfening left the view, I (M
Down the broad regions of the mid-day Ikies,

Where glittering domes were feen, and fcarcely feen to rife*
Through the long day, Canaan's widows flood,

And look’d, a'll-an^ious, toward the plain of blood;B 0 O K XI;

Look'd for the hoft, with viftory’s garlands crown'd,! ibj
Enrich’d with fpoils, and with fair fame renown'd.

Their hands, to glad their friends with choice repaft,
Gull’d every fweet, and wines of daintieft taile ;

Oft as a dully cloud the whirlwinds rear'd,

Indiflant fields they thought their lords appear’d ; lilt
Then, with new terrors, gaz’dj and gaz’d again,

'Till night, and forrow darken’d every plain;

The florm retir’d ; the enfigtis gave cdnvmand*

And round their Leader throng'd the conquering band.
Here fpirkling eyes with joy and triumph burn’d ; 111
Here pity filent from the daughter turned ;

Here for fallen friends the teat was feen to flow,

And fighs oft (poke unutterable woe:

While Jolhua’s thoughts mount upward to the Ikiesi
And fear, and wonder, in his bofom rife.	1126

The ft ream, the walls they pafs’d ferenely flow,

Climb’d the tall hills, and fought the plain below;

There crown’d with flowers, their wives and children came
And fongs rofe grateful to th’ Eternal Name---
Blefs’d be the Power divine-, rejoic’d they fung,— UZJ
The green vales echoed; and the fiyeft rung—

Blefs’d be the hand, that clave the confcious fea,

And, rob’d in thunder, fwept Our foes away!

Let endlefs bleflings round our nation rife,

Cheer all our lives, and waft us to the Ikies!	113*

Thus ftrains of rapture charm’d the liftening gales,

While the low fun-beam glimmer’d on the vales:

To reft the camp retir'd : ten-thoufand fires
Thro’ the calm, filence rais’d their bending fpires:

The bright moon rofe; winds cool’d the chearful even.
And wide magnificence enkindled heaven.	11 $6

The End.A

ERR

T A;

D. I> 1. 33a read vejlure glow		276 read	And bade
337	to lhame	306	Dajh
433	•where pity	312	vanijh
45i	airy	539	Before his
644	wwf explore	„ -	679	deep concuflion
725	bonds combined	B. 8, l.si50	whofe field
*45	flood	262	furrounding nigh
Ei 1* 24^	<*<5? adorn’d	648	Blaze o'er
286	Mock'd &c	764	dully fky
290.	.ZVbr fair	945	rejoic'd
<	3*7  B. 3,1. 1T4,	• knowledge flood	946	a mild
	Smil’d on	962 B.9,1. 48	the lovely
116	joys as		revive
”9	glad fkies	67	tboje frowns
130	Where	79	For
23*	■ Where	197	her hand
347.	Fix'd	364	fears
’75	Ztfts	4”	breajls
203	fink a prey	5°3	her throne
337	were tboje	524	tall lowers
357	lonely wild-roft	»55.	O'er thy ,
540	Creak	656	Slow roll
5*5	Thrice	659	view thy
771	criers proclaim	669.	bcdies
805	Oran’s bojl	671	heavens
826	rent the	7°3.	Jorrows
906	beauty's endlefs	B. io,l. 23	focks
B. 4,1. 45	and flow	29	gay cots .
209	For round he cajl	41	thefe regions
B. 5,1. 39	inborn light	51,	if.\rA Jhouuers
70	profpeft chain'd	5*	difturb
i34	Where	\fit	wide realms
	each half-form’d	221	mind
180	happy home	28t	font
434	In /ports	399	command
54+	Down gujh'd	5°3	Alike remov'd
673	virtue’s courje	711	Then o’er
678	inglorious days	*57	clear perfeHion
73*	cautious	1026	blend the
B. 6, K 27	impervious	1086 B. 11,1. 20	fix the
186	clothe the		wave their
675	fierce winds	238	and light
■	743	wondrous	239	alls of
B. 7,1. 135	gleam enrob'd	248	towns afcend
176	wide difrnay	293	Jlecr'd
2<1	jwept th’	501	walls
*57	darkening	697	trembled
273  PAGE	rujh  30, Note at the bottom, religious		—



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