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Thomas Ellwood's
DAVIDEIS
The Life of King David in Poetry
(These writings have been updated in language where possible)
or
BOOK I
Chapter I
I sing the life of David, Israel's king!
Assist, you sacred Power who did him bring
From the sheepfold, and set him on the throne,
You I invoke, on you I rely alone;
Breathe on my muse, and fill her slender quill,
With your refreshing dews from Hermon hill,
That what she sings, may turn unto your praise,
And to your Name may lasting trophies raise.
After King Saul had, by the sin he wrought
In Amalek, divine displeasure brought
Upon himself, and so the Lord provoked,
Though his offence he with religion cloaked,
That God of his promotion did repent,
And, in decree, the kingdom from him rent.
While the good Prophet on his mournful string,
Bewailed the destined downfall of the king,
God to him did his sacred herald call,
Samuel, by whom he had anointed Saul,
And said, How long for Saul does mean to mourn?
Up, quickly fill with sacred oil your horn;
To Bethlemish Jesse I intend,
Thee, on a special errand strait to send,
For I among his sons provided have
A king who shall my people rule and save.
Though to the Prophet it was fully known,
That God had Saul determined to dethrone,
And raise another; for himself did bring
From God the unwelcome sentence to the king;)
Yet did this dangerous errand him surprise;
And smite with fear, How can I go! he cries;
If jealous Saul should of the business hear,
My head must pay for mine offence I fear.
The Lord, a gracious Master, fully knew
The Prophet's heart was firm, upright and true;
And that his fear from frailty did arise,
A fair expedient for him did devise.
Go, go, said he, an heifer with you take,
And say, I come a sacrifice to make
Unto the Lord: Call Jesse thereunto,
And I will then direct you what to do;
Go, entertain no fear but fear of me,
And him anoint whom I shall show to you .
Away went Samuel. And, to Bethlehem come,
Convened the elders of the place, on whom
A trembling fell, a dreadful panic fear,
Lest some great ill had drawn the Prophet there;
Wherefore they asked him, If he came in peace?
He answering, Yes; their fears did quickly cease.
He told them then, he came to hold a feast
Unto the Lord, that love might be increased
Among them. Bid them haste, and sanctify
Themselves, that to the feast they might draw nigh.
Then unto Jesse's house the Prophet went,
Upon his special errand most intent.
Among his sons when Eliab he spied,
This must be he, within himself he cried;
For Eliab was the eldest, stout and tall,
A fit successor he might think for Saul;
He therefore said, surely, ‘the Lord's anointed
‘Is now before him;’ this has he appointed.
But God thus checked him. Look not at the face
Nor outward stature; but the inward grace:
I view not man like man; the external part
He looks upon, but I regard the heart.
The Prophet thus instructed, now no more
Consults weak reason as he did before;
But when Old Jesse had before him set
Seven of his sons, all proper persons, yet
The prophet to his guide now keeping close,
Told him the Lord had chosen none of those.
Sure these are not your all, the Prophet cried;
No, one there still remains, old Jess' replied,
My youngest son, my shepherd's place he fills,
And tends his fleecy charge on distant hills.
Send, fetch him, said the Prophet, quickly home,
For we will not sit down until he come.
A speedy messenger for David flies,
And brings the sprightly youth before their eyes,
A rosy bloom adorned his comely face,
Sweet to behold, and manly with a grace;
Before the Prophet, Jesse makes him stand,
The Prophet soon received the Lord's command,
‘Arise, anoint the youth, for this is he;’
And Samuel strait approached with bended knee,
Assumed his horn, and on young David's head,
The consecrating oil did freely shed.
From that day forward upon David came,
The Spirit of the Lord; which might proclaim,
To well discerning eyes his unction, as
Of Saul's rejection a sure token it was,
That the good spirit did from him depart,
And to an evil spirit left his heart.
This evil spirit from the Lord is said,
On Saul to come, and it such trouble made
To Saul and all his servants, that they thought
The best expedient was, there should be sought
Some skilful man, who on his harp might play,
And drive that spirit, for the time away.
This they propose. He shows a ready mind
To try it, bids them such an harper find.
One mentioned David, whom he thus set forth,
A cunning player, and a man of worth;
Valiant and wise; a comely person; one
To whom the Lord had special favour shown.
This pleased Saul; to Jesse strait he sent
To fetch young David; David quickly went,
A tender kid the cheerful youth did bring,
With bread and wine, a present for the king.
His office is assigned him to stand
Before the King, and with a skilful hand,
When Saul was troubled, on his harp to play,
And when he played, the spirit was drove away.
This made him dear to Saul; Saul quickly found,
The benefit which did to him redound
From the sweet harper's music; for the sake
Whereof he did him armour-bearer make:
A martial office it was, to bear the shield
Of Saul, when he should march into the field;
Which shows, he found the youth as well could wield
His arms (a lance or spear, and massy shield)
And thereby, if occasion were, defend
His person, and in need, due succor lend;
As softly strike upon the tuneful string,
And by harmonious lays relieve the king.
Unwilling therefore David should return,
Lest he his absence might have cause to mourn,
He sent again to Jesse to request,
That with his leave, he might be longer blest
With David's service, that he might be freed
From his affliction: Jesse soon agreed.
Chapter II
While Saul yet reigned (although by God rejected,
Because he had the Lord's command neglected)
The bold Philistines with a mighty host,
Made an invasion upon Judah's coast;
Whom to repel, when Saul the danger knew,
The men of Israel he together drew.
Upon two hills the war-like camps were seen,
A valley lying in the midst between;
Each army standing in battalion arranged,
Before a blow on either side was changed,
From the Philistine camp, a champion bold
Came proudly daring, dreadful to behold;
Upon his scowling brow sate fuming wrath,
His name Goliath, and his city Gath;
In height he was six cubits and a span,
In truth, a monster rather than a man;
He on his head a brazen helmet ware,
Too great for any head but his to bear,
And in a coat of mail he was arrayed,
That of fine brass five thousand shekels weighed;
His shoulders did a brazen target bear,
And on his legs he greaves of brass did wear,
The staff too of his spear full well might seem,
For bigness to have been a weaver's beam,
The head whereof alone (it is strange to say)
Six hundred shekels did of iron weigh;
Before him went his squire who bore his shield,
Too huge for any but himself to wield.
Advancing forward towards the camp of Saul,
To Israel's armies he aloud did call,
And to this purpose spoke, ‘What need ye try
‘The fortune of a battle? Am not I,
‘A Philistine? You, servants unto Saul?
‘Choose you a man, the stoutest of you all;
‘If he be able me in fight to slay,
‘Then we henceforth will your commands obey;
‘But if in single combat I prevail,
‘And kill him, you to serve us shall not fail:
‘Come, show your courage, let it now appear,
‘Ye have at least one man that's void of fear:
‘All Israel's armies, I this day defy,
‘Give me a man that may my prowess try.’
Thus forty days together did he brave
The Israelites, yet none an answer gave,
For Saul himself was dreadfully afraid,
And the whole host of Israel sore dismayed.
While thus this son of earth did proudly vaunt,
And with his looks, an host of Hebrews daunt,
It so fell out, or rather God so wrought,
That little David to the camp was brought;
David, old Jesse's son, the Ephrathite,
Fitter in show to follow sheep than fight.
Seven other son's had Jesse, eight in all,
The eldest three were serving under Saul;
To see how well they fared, and how things went,
The good old man, his youngest, David sent,
Not empty handed. David early rose,
And to the camp with victuals laded goes,
Yet not without providing one to keep,
Until he returned, his father's flock of sheep.
Just as the host to fight was going out,
And for the signal, did to battle shout,
Came David to the trench; with haste he ran,
To find his brethren before the fight began,
And as with them he talking stood, soon
Came forth the Philistine's bold champion,
Enclosed in brass, and with an hideous cry,
Denounced his challenge then as formerly;
At sight of whom, a sight that carried dread,
The men of Israel to their trenches fled.
No sooner heard young David the defy,
But brave disdain did sparkle in his eye,
His mettle rose, his breast with courage swelled,
He scarce himself from falling on withheld;
That Spirit which, from God upon him came,
At his anointing, now does more inflame
His heart with holy zeal, and does him bear,
Above the sense of danger and of fear;
He could not brook, that one uncircumcised,
Defying Israel, should go unchastised;
He talked with one, he turned him to another,
Not daunted with the chidings of his brother;
He let them both by word and gesture know,
He dared against the great Goliath go.
The rumor of him reached the royal tent,
And from the king a messenger was sent,
To bring him to him. In he nimbly stepped,
And said, O king, the challenge I accept;
Let no man's courage fail, for in the might
Of God, I with this Philistine will fight.
Alas! said Saul, when he observed the lad,
A shepherd-swain, all in sheep's russet clad,
To fight with him you are too weak by far,
You but a youth, and he a man of war.
Cast fear away, O king, the youth replied,
He's strong who has the Almighty on his side;
I fear the God of Israel, and have found,
Young though I am, his strength in need abound;
Thy servant slew a lion, and a bear,
That from my father's flock a lamb did tear,
And since this Philistine, has in his pride,
The armies of the living God defied,
The uncircumcised wretch no more shall be,
Than was the lion or the bear to me;
The Lord, who from the bear's and lion's paw,
Did me preserve because I loved his law,
Will, I believe, as in his fear I stand,
Preserve me safe from this great giant's hand.
The king amazed, yet glad withal to find,
In such a straight so well resolved a mind,
Gives his consent, and prays the Lord to bless,
His little combatant with great success:
Himself, with his own armour David arms,
To render him the more secure from harms,
Upon his head an helmet he does put
Of massy brass, through which no sword could cut,
Then loads him also with a coat of mail,
Which, having oft been tried, did never fail;
On this array, his sword did David gird,
And then assayed to go; but when he stirred,
He too unwieldy was, he found to move.
Nor dared he fight in arms he did not prove;
Saul's armour therefore David did refuse,
‘Who fight for God, must not man's weapons use:’
Saul's armour therefore leaving in his tent,
He took his trusty staff, and out he went,
His sling in the other hand; and as he goes,
He five smooth stones out of the valley chose,
Opens his scrip, and puts the stones therein,
And then draws near unto the Philistine.
The giant rolling round his staring eyes,
At length the little Hebrew coming spies,
At whom his haughty breast with scorn did swell,
And with such words as these he on him fell:
‘Am I a dog, you despicable boy,
‘That you attempt me thus with staves to annoy?
‘Come hither, sirrah, and your flesh for meat,
‘I'll give unto the fowls and beasts to eat.’
Then by his gods (what could he mention worse?)
He belches out an execrable curse,
So loud as if he meant the vale to shake,
And cause the savage beasts themselves to quake.
When he had ended, David did begin,
And answered thus the haughty Philistine.:—
‘You come to me with sword, and shield, and spear,
‘But I to you , come in the name and fear
‘Of God the Lord of hosts, by you defied,
‘The God of Israel, to chastise your pride;
‘This day, I trust, into my hand he'll give
‘Thy severed head, no longer shall you live;
‘Of all your host, the carcases this day,
‘Shall to the fowls and beasts be made a prey,
‘That all who on the spacious earth do dwell,
‘May know there is a God in Israel;
‘And to this whole assembly 't shall appear,
‘That not by sword the Lord does save, nor spear;
‘The Lord our God, the battle does command,
‘And he will give you up into our hand.’
So spoke the undaunted youth. And at that word,
The enraged giant was so thoroughly stirred,
That forth he stepped, and lifting up his spear,
With direful threats to David he drew near.
To meet him David still advanced as fast,
And from his sling a stone he swiftly cast,
So rightly aimed, and with a force so strong,
It pierced his brain, and felled him all along:
Prostrate he sprawling lay, the bruised earth,
Received with trembling her gigantic birth.
No sooner David this advantage spies,
But o'er the vale, he like the lightning flies:
While stretched upon the ground the monster lay,
Like some great mole of earth, or bank of clay,
The nimble victor laying by his sling,
Did on his massy shoulders lightly spring,
Where standing, forth the giant's sword he drew,
And therewith did his neck asunder hew.
Thus with a sling and stone did David smite,
And slay Goliath in a single fight.
O dextrous slinger, who the prize might win,
From the
left-handed sons of Benjamin! (Jud 20)
Nay, rather let the praise to him alone
Ascribed be, who guided hand and stone!
The challenge answered thus, the conquest won,
In sight of both the armies looking on,
The monster's head still reeking in its gore,
In triumph then victorious David bore.
Him thus returning, captain Abner meets,
Embraces and affectionately greets;
Extols his fearless valor to the sky,
And congratulates his happy victory.
By him conducted to the royal tent,
To Saul he does Goliath's head present.
Mean while the Philistines, their champion dead,
With terror struck, in great disorder fled;
The Hebrews shouting, eagerly pursue,
And of them killed and wounded not a few.
Thus the proud Philistines the Lord did quell,
And wrought deliverance for his Israel.
Chapter III
A SON had Saul, whose name was Jonathan,
A brave young Prince, and a courageous man,
He present was, when David to the King,
The trophy of his victory did bring,
And well observing David's speech and mein,
The like to which before he had scarcely seen,
Such love to David touched his princely heart,
It soon produced in him an equal part;
A noble friendship hence between them grew,
And which was most affected neither knew.
A solemn covenant between them passed,
A friendship that beyond the grave should last.
The noble prince did of his robe divest
Himself, and David to accept it pressed,
His garments he on David did bestow,
Even to his sword, his girdle, and his bow.
Which presents David did with thanks accept,
Pledges of friendship to be firmly kept.
In high esteem and favour with the King,
This glorious victory did David bring;
A courtier now the shepherd is become,
The King him not permitting to go home;
Advanced he is unto an high degree
Of honor, none so great with Saul as he;
Over the men of war the King him set
Wherein his wise behaviour did him get
The love of all the people, and of all
The courtiers too: a thing does rarely fall.
Now honors on him wait, and for a while,
Indulgent fortune does upon him smile;
In him both court and country take delight,
At once the King's and people's favorite.
But oh! how slippery are princes courts,
Where fickle fortune with poor mortals sports!
And by alluring baits does them entice,
To trust themselves upon the glazed ice,
Then on a sudden, before they are aware,
Trips up their heels, and leaves them groveling there;
The wheel whereon she does her creatures raise
Is in continual motion, never stays,
But always whirls about: who sit a-top
Today, tomorrow to the bottom drop.
How ticklish is a favorite's estate,
Who must upon another's humor wait,
And when he apprehends he stands most fast,
Is puffed down with an inconstant blast!
If he the prince's creature seems to be,
He hardly escapes the people's oblique,
All their mishaps to his account they score,
And lay their disappointments at his door.
If in the peoples favour he appears,
The prince then is, or seems to be in fears,
And that too popular he may not grow,
Seeks all occasions how to lay him low.
So David found. The people sing his praise;
And that, in worthless Saul does envy raise.
It so fell out, that now the coasts were clear
From Philistines, and peoples minds from fear,
The Hebrew dames, from all the cities round,
With instruments of most melodious sound,
Came tripping out, and all along the way,
Upon the well tuned strings did sweetly play;
Their fingers played, their nimble feet did dance,
For joy of their much-wished deliverance.
Together thus they come to meet the King,
And in his ears this Epinicion sing,
[Saul has (of enemies) his thousands slain,
And David his ten thousands] with disdain
The King this heard; it made his color rise,
And his displeasure sparkled in his eyes.
While thus the women in their tuneful chore,
Him faintly praise, and David ten times more,
The evil spirit, an envenomed dart
Let fly, and lodged it in his thoughtful heart;
The poison wrought, and in a trice possessed,
With soul-tormenting jealousies his breast;
Suspicion and distrust in him it bred,
And with surmisings filled his troubled head,
He swelled and champed; at length his discontent,
Did thus itself in angry accents vent.
To David they ascribed have, said he,
Ten thousands; and but thousands unto me,
Thus they prefer my vassal me before,
And, but the kingdom, what can he have more?
Hence Saul on David kept an evil eye,
And to have slain him divers times did try,
Even while good David on his harp did play,
The affliction of his spirit to allay;
But David's God (who had King Saul rejected,
And chosen David) David still protected.
When Saul perceived (for even wicked men,
Have sights of God's outgoings now and then)
That God did prosper David, and did move
The hearts of all the people him to love,
He daily grew of David more afraid,
And studied how he might be best betrayed.
Two daughters had king Saul. A stately dame
The elder was, and Merab was her name;
A topping lady she, whose lofty look,
Showed that she nothing that was low could brook;
Commanding power reigned in her sparkling eye,
And on her brow sate awful majesty;
A sprightly vigor filled her manly face,
Which yet was not without a pleasing grace;
And had her breast been hid, she might have gone
Among the warriors for an Amazon.
So looked Penth'silea, when she came
To Priam's succor Such another dame
Was she, who dared engage in single fight
With Theseus, the warlike Hippolite.
Unlike herself, a sister Merab had,
The joy and grief of many a noble lad,
Fair Michal she was called, whose lovely face,
No feature wanted that could add a grace;
Her body delicate, wherein enshrined,
As in its temple, dwelt a virtuous mind;
Engaging sweetness beamed from her eye,
And on her cheek sate maiden modesty;
Her courteous mien gave proof to all that she
From pride and haughtiness of mind was free,
For of the meanest she would notice take,
Her whole converse, humility bespake;
So graceful was her gesture, it did move
At once beholders to admire and love.
These were Saul's daughters; and by these the King
Ruin on David did design to bring,
By one of these he hoped to prevail,
If all his other stratagems should fail.
One of these princesses had promised been,
To whoever should kill the Philistine.,
Which David having done, might justly claim
One; but the King had power which to name,
He therefore Merab first assigned to be,
The guerdon of young David's victory;
But when the time approached, he changed his mind,
And her unto another's bed consigned.
But Michal's lovely, Michal's virgin love,
In strong desires did unto David move;
This so rejoiced her envious Father's ear,
He said, I'll give her to him for a snare.
His servants he instructed how to draw,
David to yield to be his son-in-law;
They tell him what delight in him the King
Did take; what honor it to him would bring,
To be unto his sovereign allied,
Besides the enjoyment of so fair a bride.
When he himself excused upon the score,
His family was low, himself too poor,
Out of his slender fortunes to advance,
So large a dowry as the King perchance,
Might look to have (for women then were thought,
It seems of worth sufficient to be bought.)
The instructed courtiers presently replied,
The King no dowry does desire beside
An hundred fore-skins of his enemies
The Philistines; that dowry will suffice.
This was the snare the treacherous King did lay,
His well-deserving David to betray.
Ungrateful Prince! though David him had freed
From danger, when he made Goliath bleed;
Yet on set-purpose he this dowry chose,
That he to danger David might expose;
He knew the valiant youth's adventurous mind,
The greatest hazards never had declined,
And by proposing this, he did intend,
David to bring to an untimely end.
It was not ambition to be son-in-law
Unto a king, did humble David draw,
Michal's fresh beauty and affection move,
In youthful David like returns of love;
And when he heard what dowry Saul proposed,
He gladly with the proposition closed,
The maid he liked (as who indeed could choose)
The terms he liked; what was there to refuse?
For though he should not Michal thereby gain,
He gladly would the Philistines have slain.
Up with his men he in the morning gets,
And on the Philistines so briskly sets,
That though with all the speed they could they fled,
He laid at least two hundred of them dead,
Whose fore-skins he unto the court did bring,
And gave a double dowry to the King.
Ill pleased was Saul, that what he did project
For David's ruin, wrought not that effect;
Had David's head been lifeless brought, that sight
Would to his eyes have yielded more delight;
Yet, since it would not further his design,
To manifest displeasure and repine,
He held it best his promise good to make,
And David for his son-in-law to take;
Concealing therefore for a little while,
His hatred under a dissembled smile,
He of true gladness made a feigned show,
And Michal upon David did bestow.
The marriage-rites performed, the shepherd's led,
With nuptial songs to princess Michal's bed;
Where leaving them in amorous embraces,
My muse their father's machinations traces.
Chapter IV
NOT fully were the princely nuptials over,
Not fully bride and bridegroom joyed, before
Invidious fame by a confirmed report,
Disturbed the pleasures of the peaceful court.
The Philistines again had took the field;
The viol now must to the clarion yield,
David to field must go; the trumpet sounds,
To bid the Philistines prepare for wounds.
Saul's hope revives, that some Philistine spear,
Will rid him both of David and his fear;
To lose a battle would not trouble Saul,
So he might lose his son-in-law withal;
But, to his trouble, David from the war
Returned with conquest, and without a scar,
And, to torment him more, each enterprise
Raised David higher in the peoples eyes.
Until now a secret hope restrained Saul,
That David by the Philistines would fall,
But having by repeated trials found,
That David still returned without a wound;
Grown desperate and impatient of delay,
He bid his son and servants David slay.
Surprised, the courtiers on each other gaze,
As men whom sudden horror does amaze;
None undertakes the work, all silent stand,
Filled with abhorrence of the King's command.
They could not without much reluctance hear,
His death decreed, who was to them so dear;
Nor could the King a man among them gain,
That would with David's blood a finger stain.
But Jonathan, whose deeper rooted love,
Did with a stronger spring to David move,
Was not content barely to hold his hand,
From executing that unjust command,
Unless his utmost power he also bent,
His brother David's ruin to prevent.
Leaving his father therefore, out he goes,
His father's wicked counsels to disclose
To David; but, when unto him he came
Ah! how confused he was between grief and shame;
He grieved to find his friend so near death's jaws,
And blushed to think his father was the cause;
Shame made him loath his father's fault to speak,
But friendship prompted the design to break:
Friendship prevailed, and with a downcast eye,
He made him understand the danger nigh.
Not more was David troubled when he heard,
What he before suspected not nor feared,
Than overjoyed in Jonathan to find,
So true a friendship and so brave a mind;
And in the most endearing terms he showed,
His hearty sense thereof and gratitude.
Then sitting down together, they concert,
How they may best the impending storm avert;
It was agreed, that David should abide
In secret, until Jonathan had tried
His father's temper, that he so might find,
How deep the offence was rooted in his mind.
They part, and David does himself withdraw,
To court goes Jonathan; with filial awe,
And humble stile he David's cause did plead,
And with his father thus does intercede.
‘Let not the King against his servant sin,
‘Whose works to you, ever good have been,
‘His life, you know, he in his hand did put,
‘And great Goliath's head he off did cut,
‘The monstrous Philistine, by David fell,
‘A great salvation to all Israel,
‘The Lord by him did work; you did it see,
‘And did therein rejoice as well as we.
‘Why will you David slay without a cause,
‘Who is in all things subject to your laws?
‘O draw not on thyself the heavy guilt,
‘That waits on guiltless blood unjustly spilt!
‘Pardon, most honored father, I beseech,
‘My boldness and the freedom of my speech;
‘It is for David that I humbly sue,
‘David who does your enemies subdue;
‘Let me prevail, your anger pray withdraw,
‘From both my brother and your son-in-law.’
So well did Jonathan discharge his part,
So well he used the oratorical art,
That he prevailed; the King reversed his doom,
The father by the son was overcome:
And that there might no ground for fear remain,
He gave his oath, David should not be slain.
On which assurance, Jonathan did bring
David to wait again upon the king;
His place in court he takes, and for a space,
He stands as formerly in seeming grace.
But it was not long, before the cursed root
Of envy did again begin to shoot,
And jealous Saul a fresh occasion took,
On David with an evil eye to look.
The restless Philistines, the land again
Invaded had; whom David to restrain,
His men led forth, and with such fury flew
Upon them, that he their main body slew;
Great was the slaughter his revengeful blade,
Upon the Philistines at that time made,
That had not some secured themselves by flight,
The host of Philistines had perished quite.
So great a victory, it was thought by all,
Would have endeared David unto Saul,
And it was but reasonable to expect,
So good a cause should yield a good effect;
But on the other hand, he David more
Maligned now than ever he did before;
He saw that David, daily more became
The peoples darling, and he thought his aim
Was at the crown; he let in a surmise,
That David one day would against him rise;
He recollected what the prophet said
Of his rejection; and he was afraid,
David would prove that neighbor, unto whom
The kingdom, rent from him, in time should come; (Sam 15)
He saw that God did eminently bless,
All David's undertakings with success;
That David was unto the people dear,
He also saw, and that increased his fear;
He thought withal, that David did improve,
By all the arts he could, the peoples love,
That having gained a powerful interest,
He might by force the scepter from him wrest;
These restless workings of his troubled head,
Perplexing thoughts and terrors in him bred;
At length he was with apprehensions filled,
That he himself by David should be killed
How miserable is the state of those,
Whom blind suspicion does to fear expose!
Death has less terror in it. Who can find
A torment equal to a jealous mind?
When Saul this apprehension in had let,
His passions all were in a ferment set;
Fear, anger, envy, madness, vengeful hate,
Did boil together and incorporate
In his foul breast; yet so, that bloodless fear,
Did in his face predominant appear.
Those other passions ready were to invent,
New kinds of tortures David to torment;
Bur fear overruled, insinuating he
By David's death, himself from death might free,
And that it must be by a sudden stroke,
Lest David should the peoples help invoke,
And they by force him rescue. Thus again,
Is guiltless David destined to be slain,
By secret sentence in the king's own heart,
Which he resolved he would to none impart,
For he no more would trust to friend or foe,
But his own hand should give the fatal blow.
Chapter V
When thus the king had David's death designed,
The faithful chief, whose uncorrupted mind,
Was never tainted with disloyal stain,
Returned from battle to the court again,
And, as a proof of victory, did bring
Of-spoils, a chosen present to the king.
How easily is innocence betrayed,
When under shows of kindness snares are laid!
No apprehension had the guiltless youth
Of danger, armed with probity and truth,
He such an inoffensive mind did bear,
As kept him free from all suspicious fear;
With confidence unto the king he goes,
(For confidence from innocence flows)
And does in order unto him relate,
The battle and his army's present state.
The crafty king too, at the first congress,
No token of displeasure did express,
But under outside kindness, inward hate
Concealing, did a fitter season wait
To execute his purpose, that the blow
Might be secure, which should his anger show.
Nor did he long for an occasion wait,
But in a while, as in his house he sate,
The evil spirit from the Lord (for God
Makes use of evil spirits as a rod)
Upon him came, his javelin in his hand,
And David playing on his harp did stand
Before him, with refreshing tunes to allay
His grief, and the evil spirit drive away.
So kind an office, sure one might have thought,
Upon the worst of natures would have wrought,
And hindered even the most savage mind,
From perpetrating what he had designed;
But Saul, now hardened to a brutish rage,
Beyond the force of harmony to assuage,
Thinking he now had sure advantage got,
To strike the stroke when David eyed him not,
His javelin at him with such fury cast,
That had it hit, that hour had been his last;
But who the kingdom unto David gave,
Did David now from threatened danger save.
The rustling of Saul's garment, when on high
He raised his arm to let the javelin fly,
Made David look, and nimbly slip aside,
While the sharp-pointed shaft did by him glide,
Which, whirling by, with such a force did fall,
That fast it stuck upon the adverse wall.
It was time for David warning now to take,
And for his safety due provision make;
His person now he could no longer trust,
With one that neither grateful was nor just;
One whom no services could render kind,
Nor the most solemn promises could bind;
One who to gratify his groundless hate,
Stuck not his sacred oath to violate;
With such an one it was not safe to stay,
While therefore safe he was, he went away,
The treacherous court he speedily forsook,
And to his private house himself betook,
His faithful wife acquainting with the case,
Her father's falsehood, and his own disgrace.
Meanwhile the wrathful king, whose hot desire,
Of David's death, had set him all on fire,
Vexed that his rustling robe that warning gave
To David, from the stroke himself to save,
And fearing lest, if now he got away,
He might the wrong revenge another day;
All in a rage, he certain of his guard,
Whose surly looks bespoke their natures hard,
Unto him called, and charged them to repair,
Forthwith to David's house and slay him there.
With downcast looks the troubled guards receive,
The unexpected charge, the court they leave,
And lest they should for backwardness be checked,
To David's house their heavy steps direct;
There make a stand, and set a private watch,
That David stepping out they might dispatch.
But loyal Michal, whose mistrustful eye,
Had all the ways surveyed, did them descry,
And told her husband, if he should remain
In's house till morning, he would then be slain,
Then through a lattice did direct his eye,
To the place where the insidious guards did lie.
The sight of these, and sense for what they came,
Did his adventurous courage so inflame,
That had not Michal weeping on him hung,
He boldly had himself among them flung
With sword in hand; but Michal's moving tears,
Wrought him to listen to her pressing fears.
Together thereupon they counsel take,
What means are best his safe escape to make;
Love shows the way; fair Michal does propose,
And David won by her, does therewith close.
When darkness had the place of light possessed,
And drowsy sleep had mortals laid to rest;
When through the sable clouds no star appeared,
No warlike sound, no busy noise was heard,
Then Michal, who had all things ready got,
Needful to carry on the harmless plot,
Having her dearest David oft embraced,
While he encircled with his arms her waist
Did through a window gently let him down,
And softly said, live David for the Crown;
May God you keep, and bring you safe again
Unto your Michal; he replied, Amen.
Then with a sigh she did the window close,
Her sigh he echoed, and away he goes.
Chapter VI
Now travels David in a mournful plight,
Beneath the covert of a darksome night,
And Gibeah left, himself he recommends
To God's protection, and to Ramah bends
His wandering course; at Ramah then did dwell,
His cordial friend, the prophet Samuel.
Arrived, he to the Prophet opens all
The wrongs which he sustained had from Saul,
How he his life had sought, he does relate,
And much laments his own unhappy state.
The good old man does David's case bewail,
And that his spirit might not sink or fail,
Doth him encourage in the Lord to trust,
Whom he had found both merciful and just.
He wished him call to mind the oil was shed,
At Bethlehem upon his youthful head,
By God's command; that being so anointed,
He to the kingdom was by God appointed,
Who through his troubles would him still preserve
From hurt, if he from God did never swerve.
Advised him therefore not to let in fear,
However great his perils might appear;
But trust in God, who never will forsake
The wronged, who him for their Protector take.
David thus strengthened; he and Samuel
To Najoth go, and there together dwell.
Mean-while, with eager eyes the impatient king,
Looked every moment when his guards would bring
The head of David; in at length they come;
And tell him, David's sick a bed at home;
For with that shift, when they the door drew nigh,
And asked for David, Michal put them by,
Having an image placed in his bed,
With goat's hair pillow laid, as it were his head.
With furrowed brows, and countenance severe,
The disappointed King his guards did hear,
With sharp reproaches blamed their negligence,
And sent them back, with speed to bring him there.
Go, fetch him bed and all, without delay,
Said he, that I myself the wretch may slay.
They go. But oh! the rage that in him burned,
And at his nostrils fumed when they returned,
And brought him word, that David being fled,
They found an image only in his bed;
How did he rage and storm! incensed the more
At this escape than ever he was before;
Inflamed to think, that by a woman's wile,
His daughter Michal should him thus beguile;
His passion heightened, that his troops should let
His hated son have time away to get;
But that which most of all disturbed his mind,
Was that he David knew not where to find;
And foul he would have fell, it might be feared,
Upon his guards, had he not timely heard,
That David, in the dark, to Najoth slid,
And there himself among the prophets hid.
Forthwith to Najoth messengers he sent,
To fetch him there; away with speed they went:
But here the Lord himself does interpose
To save his David from approaching foes;
For when they to the prophets school were come,
And saw the company of prophets; some
Then prophesying, all the rest attent,
And Samuel standing over as president,
They could not David touch; but on them all,
Who were to apprehend him sent by Saul,
A spirit came from God, and they began
To prophesy in order man for man.
Thrice did this stubborn king this course repeat,
And thrice did God his base intent defeat;
No sooner came his messengers among
The prophets, but prophetic notes they sung.
Galled with these disappointments, the angry king,
Whom envy, fear, and jealousy did sting,
Resolves in person he'll to Najoth go,
And once more try what he himself can do;
Forward he sets, and subtly as he went,
Contrived how he might David circumvent;
But before he got to Najoth, on him fell
A spirit from the Lord; and he, as well
As they whom he before had sent, began
To prophesy, and prophesying ran
To Najoth, where, at sight of Samuel,
First stripping off his clothes, he prostrate fell
Upon the ground, and in that rueful plight
Lay naked all that day, and all that night.
Whence a proverbial speech it grew to be,
When in religious company we see
An impious man affect a saintly shew,
“Is Saul among the pious prophets too.”
How admirable are the ways of God,
Whether his staff he uses, or his rod!
The first of these his fainting ones does stay,
The last does them correct that run astray;
Who would not that resistless being fear,
Who easily thus, can in a moment veer
Our fixed intent? Who would not to that hand
His will submit, that can all wills command?
How resolutely, in an headstrong will,
Did Saul determine he would David kill!
How eagerly did he his will pursue,
His trembling hands in David's blood to imbrue!
What direful threatnings did he vent, what he
Would do, could he again but David see!
Yet, when he came where David was, we find
That awful power his spirit strait did bind,
He could not David touch; no power he had,
However bad his will was, to be bad;
But, over-powered, though evil was his heart,
He was constrained to act the prophet's part,
He spoke, and did as prophets used to do,
Who were inspired by the Lord thereto.
Small odds, perhaps, or none to outward sight,
Distinguished this wrong prophet from the right;
Each probably, alike might act and speak,
And be alike regarded by the weak,
The undiscerning crowd, who seldom try,
Beyond the outward ear, and outward eye;
Yet plain it is, that Saul was now no more
By God regarded than he was before
He prophesied when he was among
The prophets, but his spirit still was wrong.
One long before, who Balak taught to lay,
A dangerous stumbling-block in Israel's way,
A grand exemplar is, that wicked men,
Against their wills, may utter now and then,
Those sacred mysteries which God alone,
Doth by his spirit unto man make known.
What glorious things did Beor's son declare, (Num 23-24)
Concerning Jacob's seed! how precious are
The prophesies, wherein he did foretell
The beauty, strength, and state of Israel!
What soul refreshing comforts do arise
In pious minds from those sweet prophesies!
And well they may, for God himself had put
Into the prophet's mouth a word, and shut
His divinations out; whereby we know
His speech did from the holy Spirit flow.
Yet this perhaps, of prophets was the worst,
Who for advantage would have Israel cursed,
For which, how well soever he spoke, he stands
Condemned upon record with public brands;
Yet God, to show his sovereignty, does chose
Sometimes the tongues of such as these to use,
Who, though the truths they tell may be believed,
Yet are not they themselves to be received.
Though Balaam did of Jacob's star declare,
“The sword of Israel did not Balaam spare;” (Num 24)
Nor is it long before prophesying Saul, (Num 31)
Will be obliged upon his sword to fall. (Sam 31)
May these examples lead us to beware
How we receive such (preach they never so fair)
For gospel ministers; but let us rather
Observe (as he of old). But who's their Father. (Sam 10)
For men may glorious truths declare we see,
Yet they the children of the devil be.
Chapter VII
While Saul among the seers enraptured lay,
Deprived of power to move a foot away,
Good David, who with reverence much admired
This gracious act of Providence, retired,
Lest when the fit was over, angry Saul
Should in displeasure on the prophets fall.
From Najoth therefore, having first advised
With reverend Samuel, whom he highly prized,
He, undiscerned, withdrew, and strait did bend
His course to Jonathan, his faithful friend,
Into whose bosom he could freely vent
His sorrows, and his hapless state lament.
What sin of mine has raised this cruel strife,
That I, said he, am hunted for my life?
The gentle prince, whose truly noble breast,
Was with a generous compassion blest,
His friend's complaint, his dangers and his fears,
With close but sorrowful attention hears,
And quick returns this short, but kind reply,
Almighty God forbid! “You shall not die:”
And straight endeavors, whatever he may,
His fears with strong assurance to allay;
He thought his Father nothing would essay,
Without consulting him about the way,
And thereby hoped it in his power would be,
In case of an attack, his friend to free.
But David, whom experience now had taught,
That both by force and fraud his life was sought,
Judged it not safe his person to expose
On such uncertain ticklish grounds as those:
He told his Jonathan, it was not unknown,
How firm a friendship was between them grown,
It was therefore reasonable to believe
His father hid from him what would him grieve,
Or might perhaps, designedly conceal
His mind from him, lest he should it reveal;
Yet know, said he, as sure as you have breath,
There's but a single step between me and death.
That word, with such an accent David spoke,
Impressions deep it could not fail to make
Upon his tender friend; his quickened sense,
Like a strong spring new vigor took from there;
Starting, he said, “From evil may you be,
“My dearest David, and from danger free!
“Which that you may, I'm ready here to do
“Whatever you judge may conduce thereto.”
Then sitting down, they mutual counsel take,
And this conclusion prudently they make,
That Jonathan, his father's mind once more,
At his return from Najoth should explore,
And should accordingly let David know,
If Saul his death designed yet or no.
David, mean-while, did by agreement stay
At Ezel-stone, (a mark that showed the way)
Near which, in bushy covert, he might lie
Safe from the view of any passing by.
And now, before their parting leave they took,
A sacred covenant afresh they strook,
A during tie, confirmed by solemn oath,
A bond inviolable on them both,
Which to their latest offspring should extend,
On either side, and never have an end:
By which a stipulation they did bind
Themselves to be unto each other kind;
That Jonathan should faithfully report
To David how he found affairs at court,
And should his utmost power employ to free
His friend from danger, if he any see.
On the other hand, That David, when the throne
Of Israel should come to be his own,
Should Jonathan, and all that from him spring,
Secure from danger while himself is king;
For Jonathan, whose deeply piercing eye,
On David's brow did marks of empire spy,
Was wont, with confidence, his friend to tell,
That he should be the king of Israel.
By this time Saul from Najoth was returned,
With smoother brow; but in his breast still burned
Malignant hate, nor did he yet despair
To compass David's death at unaware.
The new-moon now approached, and therewithal
Revived the wicked hopes of cruel Saul,
He made no doubt, but at the sacred feast,
He should have zealous David for his guest;
For then it pleased him always to admit
David at table with himself to sit,
And then might hope, with more success, to cast
His fatal spear than when he threw it last.
The new-moon being come, and David's seat
Left empty, when the king sate down to meat,
Two days together; Saul began to doubt
It was designed; and with an angry pout,
“Why cometh not,” said he, “old Jesse's son
“To meat, as he in former times has done?”
Thus Saul to Jonathan: who, having eyed
His father's angry countenance, replied,
“Since you are pleased the reason to demand
“Of David's absence, please to understand,
“That David unto Bethlehem is gone,
“On urgent business (to return soon)
“A yearly sacrifice his brethren hold
“At this time there, as he himself me told,
“To which the family do all repair,
“And David too was summoned to be there;
“He therefore earnestly of me did crave
“My leave to go, which readily I gave.”
As from the prince's lips these words did fall
A fire of rage enkindled was in Saul
Against his son, which forth in choler brake,
And with a furious accent thus he spake:
“You son of the perverse rebellious woman,
“Whose headstrong folly will be ruled by no man,
“Too well I know that Jesse's son and you ,
“To your confusion but too well agree;
“Yet you, until he's securely in his grave,
“No kingdom, no establishment can have;
“Send therefore, fetch him, before he further fly,
“Make no delay, for he shall surely die.”
These words in such a thundering tone he spake,
As seemed to make the hall he sate in shake.
Grieved was the princely Jonathan to hear
A sentence so unjust and so severe;
Small hopes he had, yet could not choose but try
His father's stormy mind to pacify,
And to that purpose, in an humble tone,
Asked “Why shall David die?—What has he done?”
As supplying oil, on flaming fire cast,
Instead of quenching, does augment the blast;
So Jonathan's soft words enkindled more
His wrathful father than he was before;
He nothing said, too full he was to speak,
His stifling choler could not silence break;
But snatching up, with furious haste, his spear,
Which at his hand designedly stood near,
With such a force at Jonathan he threw,
As more than words, his bloody mind did show.
Although the prince the stroke did nimbly shun,
Yet was he greatly moved at what was done;
Such gross indignity would stir a man
Of meaner spirits than was Jonathan;
Considering that it was a public shame,
And more, because it from a father came;
The harder too it was for him to bear,
Who was his father's and the kingdom's heir,
Himself long since adult; and which was more,
Had been his father's viceroy just before;
All which together working in his breast,
Made this abuse uneasy to digest.
From table, therefore, he in heat arose,
And breathing forth displeasure, out he goes,
Then to his own apartment does retire,
To give free vent to this new kindled fire,
Where falling on his couch, he does bemoan
Much more his friend's condition than his own.
Respecting what concerned his late disgrace,
He doubted not, considering men would place
All to his father's passion; and that he
Himself, his passion over, would troubled be:
But, ah! his friend, his friend! poor David's case
Did more affect him than his own disgrace.
No longer now does any thought remain
In Jonathan, that David's fears were vain;
No clearer evidence he now does need,
That David's death was by the king decreed;
This act of violence, for David's sake,
Both cleared his doubt, and made his heart to ache.
The tedious night in restless tossings spent,
Between uneasy grief and discontent,
As soon as before Aurora did disclose
The springing day, the faithful prince arose;
Both honor and affection did him spur,
And, before the lark was stirring, made him stir.
Honour reminds him, that his word he gave
To David; Love said, “You must David save;”
Which that he might, he to the field does go,
(His quiver bearing and his bow,
Not knowing why) no otherwise he went,
Than if to recreate himself he meant.
When near the place, where Jesse's son did wait,
The doubtful issue of his doleful fate,
His curved bow with sinewed arm he drew,
And over David's head the arrows flew;
One flying shaft a private token bore,
Agreed upon between themselves before,
By which poor David understood too well,
What Jonathan unwilling was to tell.
The thoughtless page, who nothing did suspect,
With nimble speed the arrows did collect,
And to his master bring, who did deliver
Unto the lad his unstrung bow and quiver
To carry home; himself remained behind,
As if to walk alone he were inclined.
The youth now gone, and Jonathan alone,
Strait David issued forth by Ezel-stone,
And, falling to the ground, with triple bend
Of body did salute his noble friend;
Then casting arms about each other's neck,
Their pearly tears each other's breast bedeck,
They wept and kissed, they kissed and wept again;
Nor could they soon those crystal floods restrain,
Each kiss a fresh supply of tears did breed
In both their eyes, till David did exceed;
At length, their covenant renewed, they part,
Each kindly bearing back the other's heart;
They part, and each does his own path pursue,
With eyes reflex, while either was in view.
End of the First Book.
BOOK II
CHAPTER I
Now travels David with a thoughtful mind,
Uncertain where a safe retreat to find;
For though while prosperous his affairs did stand,
He friends and servants many could command;
Yet now that frowns had wrinkled fortune's face,
He knew not where to find a resting place.
In this perplexed state, his pious mind
Was to consult the oracle inclined;
The unambiguous oracle, from where
Jehovah secret counsels did dispense,
And undeceiving answers always gave
To such as with an honest mind did crave.
To Nob his weary steps he therefore bends;
Nob was a city of the priests, his friends;
And to Ahimelech he does repair,
Who then possessed the pontifical chair.
The reverend pontiff, who was unadvised
Of David's troubles, now was much surprised
To see him come alone, who, not long since,
Was royally attended like a prince:
He startled at the sight, nor could forbear
To ask why unattended he came there.
It happened that a certain Edomite,
Who to the Hebrews was a proselyte,
One who had charge and oversight of all
The herds, and herd-men that belonged to Saul,
Was with the priest; but what his business there
Doth not to us by sacred writ appear;
'Tis only left in brief upon record,
That he was there detained before the Lord.
Him, standing in a corner, David spied,
Before he to Ahimelech replied;
And knowing well the man, he was afraid
His friend the priest would be by him betrayed,
If after he the king's displeasure knew,
He any kindness unto him should shew;
Lest therefore into danger he should bring
His friend, or out of favour with the king,
He held it best his troubles to conceal,
And not his adverse fortune to reveal,
That if this pick-thank should relate to Saul,
Ought that against the priest should stir his gaul,
The priest the accusation might surmount,
And place his kindness to the king's account.
He therefore gave the priest to understand,
His coming thus was by the king's command;
Who he pretended had dispatched him so,
That none his secret enterprise might know;
And that his servants he before did send
To such a place, his coming to attend;
Adding, that in such haste he came away,
The king's command admitting no delay;
That of provision he had never thought,
Nor had his sword or weapons with him brought.
The guiltless priest, with unsuspecting ear,
This feigned story for a truth did hear,
And not with victuals only him supplied,
But armed him with Goliath's sword beside,
Which, offered to the Lord, when he was slain,
Did with the priest unto that time remain;
Nay, wanting other, he the showbread gave,
Appointed for the priests alone to have;
In doing which, he errs that thinks he erred,
Since mercy is to sacrifice preferred.
Yet before he gave the consecrated bread,
He asked if they, who should therewith be fed,
Were clean. Who will of holy things partake,
Must whatsoever makes unclean forsake.
Thus furnished, David did from Nob depart,
And turned his face to Gath with heavy heart;
Not knowing else where he his head might hide,
Nor could he long in safety there abide;
The servants of king Achish quickly knew,
That he was David who Goliath's slew,
And strait recounted, to incense their king,
Whatever the Hebrew Dames of him did sing,
When in their dancing and triumphant strain,
They chanted he had his ten thousands slain.
This David heard; but would not seem to hear,
Concealing, with his utmost care, his fear,
Until by a stratagem, he found a way
Himself from Gath in safety to convey.
When past the bounds of the Philistine's land,
On Israel's coast again, he's at a stand
Which way to take, or whither to direct
His wandering feet, where he might unsuspect
Absconded lie, until those clouds were past,
With which his hemisphere was overcast;
In all his tract, unknowing of a friend
Whom he could trust, and who could him defend,
And Saul, if once discovered, would, he knew,
Through all the tribes of Israel him pursue.
But little time could he deliberate,
What course to take, so pressing was his fate;
Yet in those moments, many a place was brought,
Under the judgment of his winged thought.
Of all the refuges, his wary mind
Could in such haste, and on a sudden find,
None pleased him better than a certain cave,
To which its name the town Adullum gave;
A spacious cave it was, yet known to few,
Remote from Gibeah, and from public view;
And, which did recommend it to his state,
'Twas in the tribe of Judah situate,
Judah, the tribe from which he sprang, and where
He had most reason to expect defense.
This solitary cave he thought was best,
Where, for a while, he hoped to find some rest;
The towns and cities therefore he forsook,
And to Adullum's cave himself betook,
Where long he had not been before he spied
A friend pass by, whose faith he oft had tried,
By whom, unto his brethren and his friends,
He notice of his safe arrival sends.
With joy, like that which Jacob did revive,
When news was brought that Joseph was alive,
Did good old Jesse the good tidings hear,
That David was in safety, and so near;
And quickly he, his wife, and every son,
With all their families, to David run,
Him to embrace, and cheer him in his straight,
Henceforth resolved to share a common fate.
This fame expanded with a loud report,
And strangers too in multitudes resort;
Whoever was in distress, or discontent,
And all that were in debt unto him went;
A numerous company to him repair,
With minds as desperate as their fortunes had weared;
And these, with one consent, implored that he
A captain over them would vouchsafe to be.
He to their importunity does yield,
And taking muster of them in the field,
Who the day before no living soul could he find,
With whom to trust his person or his mind,
Now finds himself environed with a throng
Of metaled blades, about four hundred strong.
When first that lonely cave was in his eye,
He purposed only there obscured to lie,
Until Providence should his affairs dispose,
And reconcile him to his causeless foes;
But this access of forces did him force
To alter now his counsels and his course.
He well considered that it was in vain
To hope that he could long concealed remain;
That of his confluence of men report
Would soon be made to Saul's enquiring court,
And that with windy trumpet, flying fame,
The case would quickly through the tribes proclaim;
That Saul apprized would not a moment stay,
But fly upon him like a bird of prey.
He therefore all things needful does with care
In readiness for his defense, prepare;
His soldiers he does discipline, and show
Both how to use the sword, and draw the bow.
His aged parents unto Moab's king,
Safe conduct first obtained, he does bring,
On promise that they there should safe abide
Until God should please the quarrel to decide;
For Moab's king and Saul were then at war,
Which made him David countenance so far.
Things thus disposed, he from the hold did go,
God, by his prophet Gad, directing so,
And marched to Hareth forest, where he might,
If forced thereto, with more advantage fight.
Chapter II
NOW wrap thyself, my muse, in sable weed,
While you relate a most inhuman deed
As ever was done; lay by your laurels now,
And wreath your temples with a cypress bough.
You, who of all the nine, never known to smile,
Are held inventress of the tragic stile,
Speak through my quill, and on a doleful string,
In mournful notes, a tragic story sing.
It was not long before Saul's attentive ear
Of David and his new-raised men did hear,
And calling to remembrance that his son,
Whose courage was inferior to none,
On the affront was put upon him last,
When he at meat, his javelin at him cast,
Was in displeasure from the court retired,
His fear suggested that they both conspired
Against him, and confederated were
His crown and scepter between themselves to share;
Which well he knew could not be done, but he
Must, if not slain, at least dethroned be.
The thought of which, as it did horror breed
In him, whose fear did from his guilt proceed,
So did it blow his anger to a rage,
Beyond the force of reason to assuage.
In this turmoil he chanced abroad to be,
Beneath the umbrage of a spreading tree,
Under whose shady boughs, in chair of state,
He sat himself to cool and recreate;
About him stood his servants in a ring,
Waiting the pleasure of their angry king.
As chafing thus he sate, between wrath and fear.
Vibrating, in his palsied hands, his spear,
His terror-striking eye he rolled about,
And in a while his choler thus brake out:
‘Hear now, ye Benjamites, will Jesse's son,
‘When he the crown of Israel has won,
‘To every one of you, who sucor yields
‘Unto him now, rich vineyards give and fields?
‘Will he you all, of thousands, captains make,
‘That ye so ready are his part to take?
‘That all of you against me have conspired,
‘And not a man, since Jonathan retired,
‘Has shown me that my son a league has made
‘With Jesse's son, and that I am betrayed?
‘Are ye so well assured of David's grace,
‘That he will each of you promote to place
‘Of trust and honor, that among you none
‘In pity has informed me that my son
‘Has stirred up my servant war to make,
‘And both my crown and life away to take?’
This unexpected speech the courtiers strook,
Amazed they stand, and on each other look;
Each man among them knew himself to be
From treasonable combination free;
For though their love to David did remain,
Yet did they still their loyalty retain:
But when the king's stern visage they beheld,
His pouting lips, his cheeks with anger swelled,
His stormy brow, his fiery sparkling eye,
His foaming mouth with fury drawn awry,
His fuming breath puffed like a smoking brand,
A trembling motion in his restless hand;
Though free from guilt, they were not free from fear,
Knowing how apt he was to cast the spear.
While thus the courtiers in a silent maze,
Upon the king and one another gaze,
Forth Doeg steped, sprung from the Edomites,
Of herdsmen chief, and chief of parasites,
The same who the other day with leering eye,
Did David in the tabernacle spy;
He now, to curry favour with his lord,
Told how the priest and David did accord,
How he himself at Nob had lately been,
And David with Ahimelech had seen,
How kind the priest, how ready to inquire
Of God, in David's case, at his desire;
Adding, the priest with food had David stored,
And armed him also with Goliath's sword;
In short, he told whatever Ahitub's son,
Had unto David said, or for him done,
And in such terms the matter did relate,
As were most apt the king to irritate,
Hiding what would have freed the priest from blame,
That David went as in the royal name.
The king in pain, through rage too closely pent,
Within his swollen breast, for want of vent,
Was glad this charge against the priests to hear,
Resolving to discharge his fury there.
Forthwith a pursuivant was sent to bring
The priests from Nob before the wrathful king.
The priests, the royal summons to obey,
Immediately advanced upon the way,
And, in a body, with a good intent,
Themselves at Gib'ah to the king present.
No sooner did the king the priest spy,
But with a frowning brow and flaming eye,
Upon them fixed; he to the pontiff brake,
His mind in accents which his fury spake.
‘Hear now,’ said he, Ahitub's son (whose word
To him again was, “Here am I, my lord,”)
‘Why have you with a treasonable mind,
‘Against your lord, with Jesse's son combined?
‘Thy treason's plain: for first ye did conspire
‘Against my life, then of the Lord inquire;
‘That thereby he to rise against me might,
‘Emboldened be his sovereign Lord to smite;
‘You with provisions too did him supply,
‘That he, as now he does, in wait might lie,
‘Nay, you into his hand a sword did put,
‘That he my head might from my shoulders cut.’
So spoke the king, and more perhaps had spoke,
But that this choler did him almost choke.
To whom Ahimelech, with due respect,
Returned an answer much to this effect:
‘May't please the king, what service I have done
‘For David was, as David was your son,
‘Thy son-in-law, who always freely went,
‘On whatsoever service by you sent,
‘One whom the king admitted to his table,
‘And in your house was always honourable;
‘Nor thought I any one more true to you ,
‘Among your great retinue, than was he;
‘So may he prove: if otherwise he be,
‘His being so was never known to me;
‘'Twas in your business that he said he came,
‘Nor had I him received, but in your name.
‘Did I then first to seek the Lord begin
‘For him, that this should now be made my sin?
‘Have I not oft before for him inquired?
‘Yet never before was charged to have conspired;
‘From me far be it, ever to entertain
‘A thought that may my loyalty distain;
‘And from the king, far be it too I pray,
‘Unto his servant's charge this thing to lay,
‘Or to my father's house, for we are clear,
‘And can our innocence make appear;
‘God is my witness, what I speak is true,
‘Thy servant of this matter nothing knew.”
So spake the reverend Ahimelech,
And, with his last words, bowed his aged neck:
The other priests, to show they did agree
To what he said, bowed every man his knee.
So just the priest's defence was, and so clear,
Unto the standers-by did he appear,
That all the courtiers ready were to shout
For joy: when, on a sudden Saul broke out,
And, with a vehemence of voice, did cry,
‘You, you Ahimelech, shall surely die,
‘And all your father's house.’ O cruel word!
More cruel mind! to be by all abhorred:
Abhorred it was; each courtier hung his head,
And every face grew pale which had been red.
The dismal sentence did with horror strike
The hearers, deep fetched sighs shewed their dislike;
A trembling murmur at one side began,
And spreading, through the whole assembly ran,
Which ended in an universal groan,
Enough to melt all hearts, but those of stone.
Chapter III
HOW miserable is the state of those,
Whose frame of government does them expose
To arbitrary power! where law's unknown!
Nor any man can call his life his own!
Where innocence is of little force!
Because impartial justice has no course!
Where one man's rage keeps all the rest in awe,
Whose will and pleasure are his only law!
O! how much better is their case who live
Under a constitution which does give
To every man in government a share,
And binds the whole to have of each a care;
Where even-handed justice freely flows,
And each the law, he must be tried by, knows;
Where none by power can be oppressed, because
Both prince and people subject are to laws:
None there an arbitrary sentence fears,
Since none can be condemned but by his peers,
Whose common interest does them wary make,
How they their fellow's life away do take,
For the same sentence wherewith they condemn
Another may be shortly turned on them;
These too the accused party may reject,
If their indifferency he does suspect;
And, never so mean, may for his birthright stand
Fair trial, and full hearing may demand.
Prize your good fortune, ye, whose lot is fell,
Under so good a government to dwell,
Where no dispensing pow'r can make a breach,
Upon your freedoms, nor your persons reach;
But all ye have, life, liberty, estate,
Is safe by law, which none can abrogate,
Without your own consents; be therefore wise,
And learn so great a benefit to prize;
Look to't; be watchful, none by any wile,
You of so rich a jewel ever beguile.
Ah! had the government of Saul been such,
He had not dared the priests of Nob to touch,
Who never were, by legal proof convicted,
Of that for which he on them death inflicted;
Who had themselves from all suspicion cleared,
And blameless unto all, but him appeared.
But he, whose lawless will for law was put,
Resolving off those innocents to cut,
Commands his guards to turn without delay,
Upon the priests of God, and them to slay;
Alleging (to encourage them thereto)
That they with traitorous David had to do;
And that they David's flight, although they knew it,
Concealed had from him, and did not shew it.
If on the court so great a terror came,
When he before, the sentence did but name,
How great a consternation may't be thought,
This warrant for their execution brought.
The guards, who never dared till now dispute
Their lord's command, now stand amazed and mute;
The thought of such an impious act them struck
With trembling, and their palsied fingers shook,
And let their weapons fall; nor was there one
Among them all, though threat'ned from the throne
With stormy frowns, that would extend an arm,
Against the priests of God to do them harm.
None all this while, so unconcerned did stand,
As did the priests themselves: the king's command,
To have them slain, which made the rest to quake,
No alteration in their looks did make;
Which shewed their guiltless souls were free from fear;
A steady resolution had possest,
With brave contempt of death, their peaceful breast;
They, in themselves, did feel the best defence
Against a tyrant's threatenings, innocence;
This kept their spirits in an even mean,
With countenance composed, and minds serene.
Thus standing, they the Lord their God invoke,
Prepared to receive the fatal stroke.
The more unterrifyed the King beheld
The priests, the more his breast with anger swelled;
He thought that they his power did contemn,
And, in himself, he vowed revenge on them;
He chaffed extremely too, to think that he
Should by his guards no more regarded be:
Then, fury boiling in him to its height,
He singles out the brutish Edomite,
The informer Doeg, bidding him to fall
Upon the sacred priests, and slay them all.
Not backwarder the yeomen of the guard,
Themselves had shewed (men mostly rough and hard)
Than forward he, Saul's pleasure to fulfil,
And strait a sea of righteous blood to spill;
Forthwith himself he to the work addrest,
And in Ahimelech's unspotted breast,
His thirsty sword did sheath. The aged sire,
Did not resist, did not a foot retire;
But, with undaunted resolution, stood
The stroke, 'till in a stream of purple blood,
His life expiring, to the ground he pressed,
A glorious pattern leaving to the rest.
They, without terror, did his death behold,
And by his brave example, grew more bold.
Ah! had not cursed Doeg, the disgrace
Of all mankind, as well as Edom's race,
Been in his nature, savager than were
The fiercest beasts committed to his care,
The awful aspect of Ahimelech,
Had been enough the ruffian's mind to check,
Whose goodly personage, and manly face,
An unaffected gravity did grace;
His milk-white beard, unto his spotless breast,
Itself extending, thereupon did rest,
And in his sacerdotal robes attired,
Was worthily both loved and admired.
But graceless Doeg, of a graceless kind,
Bred among beasts, to brutishness inclined,
By shedding blood, more bloody-minded grew,
And on the other priests with fury flew.
They, undismayed, themselves prepare to die,
Not one resists, not one attempts to fly;
But having God, whose priests they were, implored,
They yield their spotless breasts to Doeg's sword:
He in their blood did bathe his reeking blade,
And on the soiled earth, them breathless laid;
The bloody wretch their bodies hewed and tore,
And warm he left them weltering in their gore,
All man by man; nor did he leave alive,
One ephod-wearer, out of eighty-five.
Thus fell the priests of God; thus bleeding lay
The tribe of Levi, slaughtered in a day;
Butchered by barb'rous hands, without all cause,
Against religion, reason, right, and laws:
This Doeg acted; but 'twas Saul that bid;
This Saul commanded, and this Doeg did.
The hard'ned king, thus having fed his eyes,
With this, to him delightful sacrifice,
To carry on his vengeance to the height,
The city Nob too with the sword did smite;
No living soul therein his fury left,
But, whatsoever breathed, of life bereft,
Men, women, children, oxen, asses, sheep,
His slaught'ring sword at once away did sweep.
O horrid act! on his part most unjust,
As done to answer a revengeful lust;
But just from God, who, his denounced
will,
Against old Eli's house did thus fulfil. (Sam 2)
Chapter IV
WHILE thus king Saul his forces did employ,
His well-deserving subjects to destroy,
David, still uninformed thereof, was bent
The sacking of rich Keilah to prevent.
To his retreat the unwelcome news was brought,
That the Philistines against Keilah fought,
And robbed the threshing-floors; his gen'rous mind,
To raise the siege, and save the town inclined;
He therefore quickly of the Lord inquires,
The sacred answer quick'ned his desires;
Most clear the answer was, yet he was willing,
His men disdoubting, to inquire again;
For they who were in daily fear that Saul,
With all his forces would upon them fall,
Were loth for others' sakes, their strength to break,
And make themselves, for their defence more weak;
But when, the second time inquired, the Lord
A more confirming answer did afford,
With promise that, observing his command,
He would give the Philistines into their hand;
Fear overcome, they drew up man by man,
Their valiant leader marching in the van.
To Keilah come, unlooked for by all,
He on the Philistines did briskly fall,
And, with a dreadful slaughter, all did smite,
Who sought not safety in a timely flight.
The siege thus raised, and Keilah's coasts now cleared
From those assailants she so justly feared,
Into the town victorious David entered,
For whose deliv'rance he his life had ventured,
Leading a booty which his sword did win,
From the defeated host of Philistine;
The gladded Keilites all their wits employ,
To manifest their gratitude and joy;
And well they might, with civick garland crown
His temples, who from spoil had saved their town.
Encouraged greatly with this good success
Was David, and his followers no less;
They joy together: but how meer a toy,
How momentary is all human joy!
This glimm'ring glance of sun-shine soon was past,
And their horizon blacker clouds o'ercast.
The triumph yet was hardly well begun,
When young Abiathar, Ahimelech's son,
Who from the sword, by Providence was freed,
To propagate a sacerdotal seed,
Came panting in; with sweat besmeared and dust,
And almost breathless, through the concourse thrust.
To David come, with many a sigh and sob,
He tells the horrid tragedy of Nob;
How the high-priest, with all his priestly train,
And every living soul at Nob was slain.
Could you have seen, with what a mournful look,
Poor David these amazing tidings took,
Ye would have doubted, whether in his face,
Astonishment or grief had greater place.
So Jeptha looked, when to his great surprize,
His daughter met him for a sacrifice.
The suddenness and strangeness of the deed,
Horror in David, and amazement breed;
His grief was equal; for he knew full well,
This evil, for his sake, the priests befell:
The thought, with anguish pierced his gen'rous breast,
More deeply than can be by words exprest.
The infants with their mothers, he laments,
And that he e'er saw Nob, too late repents;
The priests unrighteous murder does bemoan,
No less than if their case had been his own:
He all their deaths bewails; but most his grief,
Abounds for his Ahimelech their chief,
Unto whose memory how much he owed,
Could not, he thought, more signally be showed,
Than by accumulating favors on
Abiathar, his sole-surviving son.
With kind embraces, therefore, he does cheer
The down-cast youth, and bids him cast off fear;
Assuring him, that since their common fate,
Made them joint objects of Saul's causeless hate,
He special care would of his safety take,
Both for his own, and for his father's sake,
Whose well-deservings of him, he should find,
Were deeply graven in a grateful mind.
To David now intelligence was sent
By some well-wisher, that king Saul was bent
To shut him up in Keilah, and to take
Him pris'ner, or destroy it for his sake.
This made him lay all other thoughts aside,
And for his own security provide.
Could David on the Keilites have relied,
That they would have stood faithful to his side,
He dared have held the town against the king,
And all the forces in his power to bring;
For Keilah was a place of strength; and more,
Had all provisions for a siege in store;
But doubting how the citizens might hold,
Against the force of steel, or power of gold,
He to the sacred oracle did go,
Saul's purpose and the Keilites' faith to know.
The answer was, ‘Saul will come down; and they,
To save themselves, will you to him betray.’
This answer, from the oracle received,
Made David, of the Keilites help bereaved,
Resolve to lead his slender band from there,
And seek a place of more secure defence.
He dared himself and men no longer trust,
With them who were too fearful to be just;
For well he knew, where pressing fears prevail,
Fidelity and friendship quickly fail.
Ungrateful Keilah, therefore, he forsook,
And to the wilderness himself betook;
The wilderness of Zip, where he might be,
In all appearance, from betrayers free.
Here noble Jonathan, whose virtuous love,
In greatest dangers did itself approve,
By secret ways to David did repair,
Whose heart was almost overwhelmed with care.
As pensive lovers feel a sudden cheer,
On seeing the object of their love appear,
So David, at the unexpected sight
Of Jonathan, his very soul's delight,
Forgetting all his fears, and sorrows past,
With gladsome smiles his faithful friend embraced;
Who such returns of hearty love did make,
As well the firmness of his friendship spake;
Then to a shady pine they jointly walk,
And between themselves of David's troubles talk.
No need had David now himself to moan,
His friend knew how to make his case his own;
He kindly to him spake, and had a word,
Of comfort to confirm him in the Lord;
Bid him not fear, but in the Lord confide,
Who was, he could assure him, on his side;
Told him, the Lord would cover him, that Saul
Should be unable to effect his fall;
And, prophet-like, foretold him that the throne,
Of Israel should one day be his own,
And he himself the next in dignity:
(Unhappy man! who others fate could see,
But not his own.) Thus having cheered his friend,
And time requiring, they their conf'rence end,
And then before the Lord, they both renew
Their covenant, and kissing, bid adieu.
Chapter V
AS in the winter, showers and storms succeed
To sun-shine, which to travellers do breed
More toil and hardship, than the transient smile
Of sol gave comfort, which they had ever while;
So after David's heart had been made glad,
By the kind visit which he lately had,
Fresh storms arose, his troubles now grew more,
And dangers greater than they were before;
Saul furiously approached, and well he knew,
With num'rous forces, and his own but few;
Saul only wanted knowledge where he lay,
And some, he knew, would guide him to his prey.
The pick-thank Zephites, in whose trackless wood,
The afflicted prince, with his retinue stood,
To curry favour, hasten to the king,
And where poor David was, glad tidings bring,
Engaging, if he came without delay,
They David would into his hands betray.
Attentive ears to all the Zephites told,
The king did lend, and smoothly them cajoled,
Bestowed a graceless blessing on the band,
Begged them to go again, and understand
More fully all his haunts, and closely spy
The lurking places where he used to lie,
And bring him word: away the Zephites post,
But David had, meanwhile, forsook their coast,
And to the wilderness of Maon gone,
The plain that's on the south of Jeshimon.
This when Saul heard, he there bent his course,
Resolving to prevail by fraud or force;
So swiftly he pursued, he David found,
And him and all his men environed round.
Great was the strait poor David now was in,
So great, he never had in greater been;
No hope to conquer, nor no way to fly,
Nothing remained but to fight or die;
When lo! a messenger came panting in,
And told the king, the bloody Philistine
Invaded had the land, and all was lost,
At least, that lay upon the bordering coast,
Unless he came with speed: therefore, O king,
He cried, make no delay, thy forces bring
To save your land, and let the king make haste,
Before the country be laid wholly waste.
This startling message made the king with speed
Return, and David from his danger freed.
Thus God sometimes, by unexpected ways,
Relief to his distressed ones conveys,
Exciting others upon them to fall,
Who would the righteous without cause enthrall.
This great deliverance, with a thankful heart
To God ascribed, there David does depart,
And with his little band of men did hide,
Unto the fortresses of En-gedi,
A place of greater strength, and where he might,
If over-pressed, secure himself by flight;
Concluding right, it would not be long before Saul,
With greater forces would upon him fall.
His expectation failed not; for the king,
The Philistins repelled, does with him bring
Three thousand chosen men, men he had tried,
In whose fidelity he could confide;
And now himself, with pleasing hopes he fed,
That he should David take, alive or dead.
But God, who often on wicked men does bring,
The hurts they plot against others, did the king
Cast single into David's hands: now he,
Might with one stroke himself for ever free,
From Saul's pursuits; for Saul had, from his men,
At nature's call, retired into a den,
His royal robe he laid aside the while,
Lest any tinct the garment should defile,
Not thinking David in the cave had been,
Or that he had by human eye been seen.
Who but a David, would have let his foe,
At such advantage found, in safety go!
No small temptation to him it must be,
To set himself from all his troubles free;
His firm attendants too their lord provoke,
To strike himself, or let them give the stroke.
But he, whose noble breast was thoroughly filled
With loyal principles, from heaven instilled,
(Not liking too, in case he should succeed
Unto the crown, his subjects such a deed
For precedent should have) with brave disdain
Of such a fact, his followers did restrain.
Yet, that the king might sensible be made,
How causelessly he was of him afraid,
He gently stepped to where the garment lay,
And, undiscerned, cut the skirt away;
Then drawing back, he waited 'till the king,
His robe resumed, went forth; and following,
He at a distance, well secured did stand,
Having the lappet of the robe in's hand,
And with extended voice, but humble speech,
Obeisance made, he did the king beseech,
To view the skirt; an evidence, quoth he,
Of innocence and loyalty in me;
For well you may conclude, when I so near
Unto you was unseen, I could my spear
As easily into your side have put,
As from your garment I the skirt did cut;
But that your life, O king, to me was dear,
In that I did not hurt you, does appear.
So well his righteous cause did David plead,
Having none else for him to intercede,
So did he manifest his innocence,
So cleared himself from all surmised offence,
So earnestly upon the Lord did call,
Judgment to give between himself and Saul,
That Saul observing, did confounded stand,
Amazed to see his skirt in David's hand;
The sight of which, convinced him David could,
At the same time have slain him, if he would,
This satisfyed him, that his life he owed
To David's mercy, which from virtue flowed;
The sense whereof made him first weep, then cry,
‘You, my son David, are more just than I,
‘For you, for all the evil I have done
‘To you, has me rewarded well my son;
‘What man his foe, at such advantage found,
‘Would spare! Your goodness does to me abound;
‘Wherefore the Lord reward you well, I pray,
‘For your great kindness shown to me this day.’
Then adding, ‘Now, behold by this I know,
‘The Israelitish crown to you shall go,
‘And that the kingdom shall established be,
‘On you and yours, by heaven's just decree:
‘Swear, therefore, said he, to me by the Lord,
‘That you will mercy to my seed afford,
‘And not, for my offence, cut off the same,
‘But leave me in my father's house a name.’
His title to the kingdom David knew,
Better than Saul, and where that title grew;
Even from the sacred oil, which on his head,
The prophet had by God's appointment shed;
Wherefore, to humor Saul, he to him swear;
Which done, Saul straitway homeward did repair;
But David, who too well the king did know
To trust him, up unto the hold did go.
Chapter VI
THE prophet Sam'el now resigned his breath
To God who gave it; to lament whose death,
And with a due regard to solemnize,
In public manner, his sad obsequies,
The Israelites with one consent did hie
To Ramah, where he lived and was to lie;
And that the king, who loved to seem devout,
Would give attendance there, we need not doubt.
This gave poor David some few days of ease,
And from his fears did him a while release.
To Paran now, new quarters seeking, he
Removed his little camp from En-gedi;
From wilderness to wilderness, where still
To get provisions would require his skill.
Here, wants increasing, he to mind did call,
That long before he fled the face of Saul,
There lived a wealthy miser on that coast,
Who of his great possessions used to boast.
Besides a thousand goats, three thousand sheep,
His hinds in Carmel constantly did keep;
So great a flock must many hands employ,
Many a lusty man and sturdy boy,
To keep, and shear the sheep, and wind the wool,
Nor would a little keep their bellies full;
Great store of victuals therefore must be dressed,
In such an house, although there were no guest;
And custom had prevailed to that degree,
To every friend the shearing feast was free.
This David well considering, and hearing
That this rich neighbour had begun sheep-shearing,
Thought it a proper time for him to try,
Whether his wealth was mixt with charity;
He therefore chose out ten young men, who were
Of his retinue, them he bid repair
To go to Nabal (for that was the name
Of this rich man) and when to him they came,
They, in their master's name, should him salute,
In such terms as his humour best might suit;
Wish peace, said he, to him, his house, and all
Whate'er he does possess, both great and small.
When thus ye have addressed him, tell him I,
Who might command, entreat his courtesy;
Which to excite, put him in mind that we,
From doing hurt to him, or his, are free;
For proof of which, we boldly dare appeal
To his own servants: may but he so deal
With us, as we by them have dealt, while they
Among us fed his flocks from day to day:
Then close your message thus; since we are come
In a good day, give us, we pray you , some
Of your provisions, that your servants may,
To David your beneficence convey.
Thus David's servants, unto Carmel come,
To Nabal spake. But he, with aspect glum,
And scornful tone, said, Who is David! who,
The son of Jesse! Many servants do
Break now-a-days, each from his lord, that he
Himself may from his due obedience free;
And would you have me take my bread and meat,
Provisions for my guests and men to eat,
And squander 'em to such, I neither know,
From where they come nor whither they may go.
This surly answer did the men so scare,
That they, like modest beggars as they were,
Not pressing further, to their lord return,
And, with the story, make his spirits burn;
For he no sooner heard with what despight,
The brutish clown his just request did slight,
But, in a high resentment of the affront,
And resolution to take vengeance on't,
He to his soldiers forthwith gave the word,
‘Arm, arm with speed:’ and girding on his sword,
Drew forth four hundred, which he thought enough,
Leaving the rest to guard the camp and stuff,
And, with a stormy mind and martial heat,
Marched on, bestowing many a direful threat
On Nabal now, who single must not fall,
But he, and his own family withal.
In vain, said David, have I safely kept
This fellow's flocks, while he securely slept;
He might a civil answer sure have sent,
If he to part with nothing was so bent;
I'll take such veng'ance on the ungrateful wretch,
That others may from him example fetch.
While thus enraged, David made such haste,
Nabal to slay, and his whole house lay waste,
Propitious Providence, whose piercing eye
Sees all men's deeds, and thoughts too, from on high,
And with a secret, over-ruling arm,
As well from doing, as receiving, harm,
Doth his preserve; did now contrive a way,
David from shedding guiltless blood to stay.
Such means too oft, through stupid ignorance,
Are weakly placed to accident or chance,
By thoughtless men; though others clearly see,
They are the effects of a divine decree,
Which oft through instruments are brought to pass;
As this, whereof we now are speaking, was.
For Nabal, though himself a fool or mad,
(As e'en his very name imports) yet had
A well-accomplished wife, discreet and wise,
Fair-spoken, full of virtuous qualities,
Who often her husband's rudeness did bewail,
And seek to hide; her name was Abigail.
To her a servant (who had seen and heard
His master's foul behavior, justly feared
The dire effects often) hastened to the intent,
That she forewarned, the mischief might prevent.
Mistress, said he, David, to whom we know,
The safety of ourselves and flocks we owe,
Who has so kind a neighbour been, that since
He came to live among u
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