Davids troubles remembred in 1. Absolons sheep-shearing. 2. Ioab projecting. 3. Bathsheba bathing. 4. Israel rebelling. 5. Ahitophel hanging. 6. David returning.

DAVIDS TROUBLES .

The first Booke . Absolons Sheep-shearing . I Tell the divers tryalls of the King , Who hevenly hymns did to his Maker sing : Blest Spirit that infus'd on him such skill , Dispose aright thine humble servants quill Now liv'd the King at home in happy peace Free from all Wars and dangerous disease Of civill broiles : For all Sauls house was slaine , None but the lame Mephibosheth , remaine : The Philistins are all brought downe so low , They dare no other Lord than David know : The Syrians in two battailes overthrowne , Now make their peace and serve him as his own : The Heral● violating Ammonite , Is strong enough to serve , but not to fight . Two yeare are past since Thamars ravishment , The Peeres and people free from discontent : When thus becalm'd with peace , and newly rose From meat , newes comes ( thus fame by going growes ) That all his sonnes by Absolon were slaine , Not one amongst the living did remaine ; This made him from his Cloth of state descend , And teare his clothes , and dolefull cryes out send , Lye on the earth whilst all his servants cry , And with their clothes all rent , stand mourning by : Till Ionadab begins thus to the King ; Take not , my Lord , so grievously this thing , As if that all thy sonnes at once were dead , Thine Amnon's onely slaine who ravished His sister Thamar ; Absolon this thing E're since hath vow'd , and now to passe doth bring ; By faire pretence of making him a feast , Thus hath hee slaine his Brothe● and his Guest . By this the Watchman , looking up , descride Much people comming on the Mountaines side , When Ionadab ; Lo , as thy servant said , The Kings sonnes come , my Lord , be not dismaid ; They all are safe , scarce had hee made an end , When downe the hill they saw them all descend , Who as they neerer came still more lamented , The King and all his servants hearts relented , As when from Egypt with full sacks of graine , Old Iacobs sonnes came to him home againe , Because with Ioseph , Simeon was left bound , The Sonnes and Father make the valleys sound With plaints & groans ; and cause at home more mourning For Simeons misse , than joy at their returning : So was it here , King David and his Sonnes Make all the Court to sound with plaints and groanes : Meane while the guiltie murtherer Absolon , Not daring stay to answer what was done , In hast t' avoid the Lawes revenging hand , To Geshur posts , his Mothers native land . Geshur a Citie is in Syrias Fields On Iudahs borders , where old Talmaie wields The Scepter , who for some respects of state , When David yet o're Hebron onely sate , To him had given his Daughter , from whose bed Came Absolon and Thamar ravished . It was no little pleasure to the King , To see his goodly Nephew : but this thing Amaz'd him much , great Davids Sonne to see Attended with so small a companie : But his sweet Beautie and brave personage , Commended by the flower of his age , So takes the good old King , his salutation Was all compos'd of joy and admiration ; The hidden vigour of his lightning eye , His rosie cheeks , his fronts sweet Majestie , His Nose like Gnomon of a Diall faire , His Lippes pure scarlet Ribbands , whereon haire Arose like finest Downe , his Mouth not wide , But open'd , did discover on each side , An Ivorie range of Teeth , as even and sound As twinned Lambs which on the Mountaines bound ; His Locks were like to twist of burnish● Gold , Which did out-weigh , so oft as hee was pol'd , The Ramm's faire Fleece , and to the Sun-beames turn'd , Did seeme a flaming Bush that never burn'd : In all the Kingdomes of the East not one Was found , for Beauty like to Absolon ; From his foots sole up to his curled crowne , No blemish could in Absolon be showne : This made th' idolatrous vaine Syrian Thinke him a God in likenesse of a man , Beleeving Sol had left his Chariot bright In Geshurs Court , one night to take delight ; Or warlike Mars resign'd his Sphere above , To solace there in pleasing armes of Love : The Priests themselves that were , or should be , wise , Were ready even to offer Sacrifice : When Talmai thus : my fairest Absolon , Art thou my Nephew royall Davids Sonne ? Or dost thou from amongst the Gods descend , Mee to admonish of my latter end ? Worship there s due unto a power divine , And not Embracements ; If that thou art mine , Declare the cause that doth thee hither bring . Then Absolon : My Parent and my King , I duely here doe give upon my knee The worship , which thou offerest to mee : I am thy sonne and servant : But the King Lets him not kneel , but whilst from 's eyes doe spring Teares mixt with joy , to 's chaire of State doth guide , Who thus begins , downe sitting by his side . It hath , too oft , been prov'd to be deny'd , That all things which on earth to men betide , By heavenly Powers are guided to their end , What ever Mortalls vainly may intend : So as Church Policies , and Rules of State , Are alwayes subject to eternall Fate . When thou thy Daughter borne of Royall Seed To David gav'st , hee of thine aide had need , Against Sauls house , his Hebron to maintaine , And other parts of Israels Land to gaine : Who thought then that thy Daughters Progeny , Should be subjected to strange soveraignty ? This baser Israelite to beare a Sonne To disinherit Maachas Absolon . But when I found my Fathers mind and fate In this agree , contented with my state , My life I in a Countrie Village led , And like a Farmer Sheep and Bullocks fed . In Court I saw no safety to remaine , Where Envie and Ambition ever reigne , With divers jealousies and strains of state , To thrust downe vertue , not to emulate : Yet feeling Royall Blood boile in a veine , Which mee assur'd that I was borne to reigne , And that to bee commanded was too base For one descended of so Royall Race , I rather chose to be the first in place , Than second in the highest Monarchs grace ; My Sheep-hooke therefore I a Scepter feigne , My Garland greene , a Crowne , and that small traine Of Gallants that did on my person tend , I call'd my Peeres . The Iudges I did send , To judge my subjects , which were flocks of sheep , Were shepheards , who them did protect and keep , And not as now wee see some Iudges doe , Their Fleeces pull , and take their Bodies too . The Law I rul'd by , was my will and word , A frowning looke my executing sword , Nor did I lesse esteeme my fragrant Bowers , Then Kings their high guilt , princely costly Towers : My fields and flocks did yeeld as wholsome meat , I ay a better stomacke had to eate ; And when I pleas'd to hunt , the little Hare More pleasure yeelded than Roe Bucke or Beare . I often , walking in my shady Groves , Heard more sweet dainty Lays of heavenly Loves , Than could be tun'd by Davids choisest Quire , What more than I enjoy'd could one desire ? A Country life is too too full of blesse , If country men knew their owne happinesse , But ah ! poore wretches , all admire gay showes Of Court and Citie , but alas who knowes Their base dissemblings , jealousies and cares ? Forswearing , lying , flattering and feares : Whereas their clothes , they seeke to change the bed , And to account the stolne for sweetest bread , That dying , few doe know for whom they toild , If for their owne or for anothers child : The while the Country-man , at home alone , Enjoyes his wife his own deare flesh and bone , And sees even in his sons and Nephewes faces , Their parents native features , looks and graces . And though such shows they make not on their table , Yet is their chear as good and acceptable ; Yea even their Offerings and Sacrifice , Assoone to Heaven may from these Cells arise , As those that Kings on statelie ● Altars lay , And send their Hecatombs up night and day . Thus as a King I liv'd amongst my Peeres , And wanted nothing but their cares and f●ares , Free from the envie of the Prince and Court , Who never did regard my meaner port , Untill the Heavens or some malicious fate , Who better knew , than they , my happy state , Even in the swimming fulnesse of my gladnesse , Me interrupted with this cause of sadnesse . Besides her sonne , thy servant Absolon , Maacha had a daughter , and but one By David , of such comely modest grace , She was the light and glory of our race , Surmounting common beauties of the Court , As Suns bright beames the Starrs of meaner sort ; With which some Courtiers playing , as the Flyes With flaming Lamps , burnt both their wings and eyes : Of which was Amnon , whom experience try'd , That he indeed was not true Eagle-ey'd , For dazled with her beames , most pure and bright , Against Gods Lawes and Natures common light , He lusted after his owne Sisters bed , A wickednesse not to be uttered . But as the more conceal'd , the more the fire Consumes , so this unnaturall desire Most fearing it should be to mor●alls showne , ( Nere dreading God , to whom it all was knowne ) Consumes his marrow , and his body dryes , So as on bed all languishing he lyes , No meanes he saw his lawlesse lust to gain , For she a Virgin liv'd , pure , free from stain . When Ionadab my fathers brothers son , ( As subtile ones who fairest rising Sun Ay worship , and think nothing vil'e or base , That may possesse them of a Princes grace ) Observing Amnons pulse , doth plainly finde His sicknesse not of body , but of minde : And saith , my Lord , Art thou not Davids son , The kingdoms heire ? thou knowst their breaths , not one From Sihors Floud to great Euphrates sands , That cheerfully observes not thy commands . Thou art the life and comfort of our State , Why dost thy self and us then macerate ? Let but thy servants know what thou desir'st , And they will more effect than thou requir'st . Ah! Cosin Ionadab saith Amnon , I Think better my desires with me should dye : To make them known it is as bootlesse vain , As wicked to affect : I will not feign , Nor hide the secrets of my heart from thee , I love my Sister Thamar : but what hee Advis'd the lustfull Prince was never known , Till thus the cause was by the issue shown . One Summers evening walking , when Sols light was giving way unto the Queen of night : I , on a Mule by Moon-light , did descry A Lady , with small train , who comming nigh , Falls to the ground , and with a piteous groan , With sighs and sobs doth testifie her moan : Her hand , alas , she laid upon her head , Which was with ashes all besprinkeled , Her partie-colour'd garments all were rent , That I her piteous case did even lament , Before I her discover'd by the face , To be our Thamar : Ah! saith she , alas ! Most miserable wight , yet why should I Make known my grief , and see no remedy ? Had any soe done me this foule despight , I could have over-past my grief more light , But my neere friend hath me dishonoured , My elder Brother Amnon ravished . You can but wonder , noble Absolon , How he a Virgin Maid could finde alone : Ah! dearest Brother , by a subtill wile , Me and my Father both he did beguile ; Himself he feigning sick upon his bed , Soon as he by the King was visited , Most humbly of him doth intreat the grace , That I ( ah me ) might come before his face , And in his Chamber make some dainty meat , Which of my hand it might be he could eat : The King commanded , I forthwith was sent , Without the least suspecting his intent , Me to dishonour , and my family , And violate my chaste virginity . But he , alas ! when I had bak'd him meat , Two dainty cakes , which he desir'd to eat , Commanded all his men out of the roome , And bade me into his bed-chamber come ; Where he would be refreshed at my hand , I that did simply all things understand , Brought in the Cakes , and offer'd him to eat , But found my honour was his long'd-for meat . For holding fast my hand , he doth begin , With these faire words me to his lust to win . Pure heavenly Star of my Nativity ! By whose benign aspect , I live or dye , Sweet Soveraign leech ! of my souls long diseasc , No Physick but thy self my grief can ease : Thy onely heat can quench my hot desire , As Sunnes bright shining beames extinguish fire . I care not for these Cakes , thy candid hand Hath more enrich'd , than Pearles calcin'd to sand , Were it my pleasure onely to obtain , And that thou shouldst more honour loose , than gain , Thou mightst deny : But Amnon seeks thy grace , And humbly supplicates thy sweet embrace ; Aske half my birth-right , onely with me lye , My dearest Sister , else for love I dye . When I , deare Brother ! let not Gods choise nation , Be guilty of so foule abhomination ; By strength a Sister to base lust compell , Such sin was never known in Israel : Lo ! all thy people thee for this will blame , And where shall I ah hide my head for shame ? If thou dost love me , as thou dost pretend , ( Such foule beginnings never well can end ) Before thou force me , aske me of the King , Not that I foule incestuous guilt would bring Upon my Land , or had the lest intent To move the King to give us his consent , ( For what can be a lowder crying sin Than blood to joyne to blood and kin to kin ) I onely sought to win him to forbeare , But I my charmes tun'd to deaf Adders eare . As when a Wolf hath seized for his prey A little Lamb , that went aside to play , The Lamb doth bleat and struggle all in vaine , So I as little by my striving gaine , For by his strength and power he me opprest . Oh shame forbids me to reveale the rest . But as if malice more than raging lust , Had him invited to this fact unjust , Soon as his pleasure thus was satisfide He could not in his presence me abide , But as a Strumpet vile or common Whore , Commands me straight to get me out of doore , And when I , lo●h to publish this disgrace , By my foule usage , and my blubber'd face ; Him on my knees besought he would forbeare To doe this second wrong , he would not heare : But with a furious hatred , farre above The raging passion of his lustfull love , Calls he his servant in , and storming more , Commands him put me out and shut the doore . Talmai at this amaz'd streight up doth stand , And cryes , are these your fruits of holy Land ? What other King yet ever gave consent To such a base incestuous Ravishment ? Where he the King his father did defraud , And made him to incestuous lust a Bawd : Oh had it been mine onely Sonne and heire , I would have hangd the wretch up by the haire , Or with wild horses torn his joynts in sunder , Had God forborn to strike him down with Thunder . But what said David when he heard this thing ? Did he th' offender punish ? No , O King , Saith Absolon , he onely seem'd displeas'd At first with Amnon , but was soon appeas'd ; For neither good nor bad to him was said , As if he to displease him were afraid . Th' offence he hated , and th' offender lov'd , But love it seemes for more than anger mov'd . The Sun hath finish't twice his annuall course , Since Thamar thus was ravished by force , Whil'st in my house she liv'd disconsolate , Forlorn of all , for feare of Amnons hate , But never any word thereof durst mutter , For feare we should but our disgraces utter , We knew the King unwilling to repaire His daughters losse , with hazarding his heire ; Nor did I shew at all my discontent , Lest his distrust should my revenge prevent , But covertly my hate dissembeled , Till opportune Revenge were offered . And now approach'd the season of the yeere , That I my Sheep on Hazors plaines did sheare , Where I prepar'd a sumptuous Royall Feast , And did invite the King to be my Guest ; But he unwilling me to over-charge , Said , Nay my Son , we will not so much charge Thee , at thy house , us all to entertaine , Nor would he goe , although I urg'd againe . Then said I , yet let Amnon go with me , Ah , saith the King , why should he go with thee ? More than thy presence nothing mighty King , Would to thy servant grace and honour bring ; But since thou art not pleas'd with me to go , That honour thou deny'st , let Amnon do . So I him urg'd , he promis'd in the end , That he with Amnon all his Sonnes would send . Was never Wood-man gladder , when at hand He spyes the Stag come faire upon his stand , Than I , at comming of my wis●ed guest , For whom indeed I did provide the Feast : In coolest vault , whose sweeter Northern light , Was freed from hotter gleams of Sun-shine bright , My servants had the Table covered , For Davids sonnes , whilst Thamar ravished , In covert close for shame her head did hide , Whom Amnon could not in his sight abide . When all were come , and at the Table set , And , as their stomacks lik'd , fell to their meat , Two of my servants , as I did command , Who closely waiting did by Amnon stand , So soon as I gave them a secret signe , And that his heart was merry grown with wine , Down smote him dead , which service bravely done , Shall never be forgot by Absolon : The Kings sonnes all with sudden horrour scar'd , As if like cheare had been for them prepar'd , Haste to their Mules ; to thee forthwith I fled On swiftest coursers ready sadeled , I nothing of the truth from thee conceale , And now my King and Father I appeale Unto thy Iustice , where if guilty I Be judg'd of Amnons blood , then let me dye . I would not put my life upon the rude And violence of furious multitude , Nor on the Iustice of an angry King , Time may again me into favour bring : I then shall plainly prove that Absolon Hath done no more than David should have done : And when Kings suffer such sinnes in their Land , God will revenge them by anothers hand . Lo thus he ends : When Talmai ; valiant son I do commend this act so bravely done , In answering this foule base indignity , Thou hast reveng'd thy Sister , self and me : No generous brave spirit could have born So great dishonour , and so foule a scorn : Be confident in this , my son , that I Will in this quarrell , live with thee and dye . The rather for that thou thy self hast shew'd , As just in punishing a crime so lewd ; So also politick in cutting down That Tree , which stopt thy way unto the Crown . O grand exploit ! which fairly both wayes tends To publike Justice , and to private ends . Some reach at Crowns by shedding guiltlesse blood But thou by being great , and seeming good . Thus shall my Absolon get thanks and praise , As popular in that which must him raise . Then Talmai rose , and looking round about , Perceiv'd that all his servants were gone out , For well-bred Courtiers thought it no fit thing , Uncall'd , to heare the secrets of a King : But soon as they their Master walking heare , All in his presence readily appeare , Where he commands them all , they do their best , To entertain his sonne , so goes to rest .

THE SECOND BOOKE . Ioab projecting . OLd Israel did never so lament For Iosephs colour'd coat , all bloody rent , As David for his murdred first born Son , And absence of his loved Absolon . As when great Ioab trecherosly had slain Brave Abner by a false and subtil train , So to revenge the blood of Asahel , The King and all the Lords of Israel , With garments torn , and ashes on their head , Lament and mourne for Abner lying dead : So lowd did David weep , that all might heare , And followed unto the Grave the Beer . So now the King , and all his servants mourn For Amnons losse , who never will return : Yea Passions Davids reason so confound , He all the day lyes sorrowing on the ground , And though the Elders of his house and Peeres , Perswade him to represse his grief and tears , By all their prayers they cannot him intreat , To rise up or refresh himself with meat : Till Bathsheba out-leading Solomon Upon her hand , bespeakes him thus alone . Let thy great wisdome , Gracious Soveraign Lord , Descend to heare thy handmaid in a word ; Nor think , O King , as his Stepmother , I Too lightly think of thy calamity , Be sure I could a full proportion hold With thee in sorrow , if that mourning could , Thy first-borne Sonne to thee bring back again , But ah , alas ! such teares are spent in vain ; We may to him , he cannot to us come : Remember , when thy first-born of my wombe , Was with the sicknesse struck , whereof it dyed , How you besought the Lord , and to him cryed , If for our sin he would be reconcil'd , And by thee be intreated for the child : Thou all the night on earth laist without meat , Nor could the Elders of thy house intreat Thee to sit up , but when thou heardst 't was gone , Thou didst arise and wash thy selfe , and soon As thou with thine Gods house hadst visited , Didst cheerfully refresh thy self with bread . This was our patern then , let it be now The same to thee : thou mourned hast enough , Then cease more to bewaile thy first-born Son , And cheer thy self with little Solomon , To whom , yet in my womb , God gave a name , To shew that he should be a man of fame . Then said the King ; My dearest Queen , the light Sent from my God , to guide me in the right , Which seeing I allow , yet go astray , So Passion doth my Reason oversway , Yet with good reason I may this lament , Not as a losse , but as a punishment Of Rape and Incest suffer'd in my Land , For God is just , and hath no partiall hand . Affections divert Administration Of Iustice , which is free from acceptation Of persons , and doth at the head begin , Greatnesse is no protection for sin . To Amnon now as he deserv'd is done , To save one , I have lost another Son , God us both justly to his Barre doth bring , Him for the rape , me for not punishing . Not as if I the Murtherer excus'd , Whose malice as an instrument God us'd , Us unto judgement for our sinnes to call , For God is just , and we offenders all . The Sunnes pure beames draw up from filthy soile The lees , yet doth it self no whit defile , So of our sinnes pure God oft makes good use , Yet 's without sinne , as we without excuse . Oh God , how wondrous are thy works throughout The world , thy judgements all past finding out . Shame unto us , all praise to God is due , For he is righteous , and his judgements true . Thus lauds he God , whilst little Solomon , Who newly able was to run alone , And like a Pye or Parrat 'gan to chatter , All sounds he heard , though nothing to the matter , More chear'd the King with pratling non-sense , Then all his Courtiers studied eloquence , And as young Davids Harp oft dispossest Saul of his evill spirit , and him refresht ; So did this Parrats pretty melody , Dispell the clouds of his melancholy , And passions of grief to joy convert , Nought more than children chear an old mans heart . Oh blessed Child , saith David ! in thy face I see a modell of all heavenly grace , Thou shalt in wisdome , wealth , and power increase , And be a King of happinesse and peace . A Type of that great Prince of peace and rest , In whom all Nations of the world are blest . The God that alwayes dwelt with us in Tents , Since Sinai thundred his Commandements , Will be content t' abide within the frame , Thou shalt erect to praise his holy Name . Type of the Heav'n of Heav'ns , which we live under , The Nations glory and the earths great wonder : To thee shall all the Nations Presents bring , As to the highest and the wisest King . As stones shall Silver in thy streets remaine , And Cedars as wilde Fig-trees on the Plaine : All Kings to heare and see thee shall desire , But they that neerest come , shall most admire , To heare thy heav'nly Wisdome plaine expound , The hardest Questions that they can propound . Oh happy , couldst thou keep upright thy heart , But ah ! strange women do the best pervert . ●o ! thus is Davids sad melancholy ●urn'd , like Sauls hatred , into prophesie , ●s torrent swift which long his course hath held , ●n sudden by immoderate showers fill'd , ●reaks down the Banke , and beares the ground away , And finding new his former course doth stay . But all these goodly hopes of Solomon , Could not divert his love from Absolon , Wherefore since Amnon could no more return , He now takes comfort and begins to burn With such affection to Absolon , That even to fetch him home he could have gone , Which Ioab by some signes discovering , A woman wise from Tekoa did bring In mourning-clothes , with ashes on her head , As if she had long mourned for the dead : Who being well instructed in her part By Ioab , thus begins to shew her Art . She meeting David at set time and place , Low to the ground falls down upon her face , And cryes out , help O King ! thy servant save , Ah woman , said the King , what wouldst thou have ? I am , saith she , a woman widowed , And live alone , thy hand-maids husband's dead , Who leaving me two sonnes , whilst in the field Each strove with other , both too stout to yeeld , And there not being any nigh to part , He that struck first was stricken to the heart : So now he only doth to me remain , Who in his fury hath his brother slain : Happy yet were thy servant , if I might Enjoy this onely Son , my soules delight , But all the kindred of my family , In just revenge for brothers blood , do cry , Give us the heire to slay : So they my light , In Israel would , ah me ! extinguish quite , Not suffering this one man on earth alive , Thine hand-maids husbands name here to revive . The King , by nature most affectionate , With her in sorrow doth participate , And saith , go home , good woman , be content , Concerning thee , I le give commandement . But she repli'd againe , my Lord and King ! The guilt of this iniquitie , God bring Upon my Fathers family and me . Thou and thy Throne of justice shall be free . Good woman feare thou nothing , said the King , The man that speaks against thee , hither bring , And I will give him an expresse command , Against thee never more to lift his hand . Oh King , saith she , remember God thy Lord , Nor suffer more the sharp revenging sword , To forrage as it formerly hath done , Lest as my first , it slay my second son . Now as the Lord doth live , by whom we all Doe live , from 's head this day no haire shall fall . Yet , said the woman , I thine hand-maid pray , Let me speake one word more , the King said , say : Then said the woman : Oh why should the King , On us , Gods chosen people , evill bring , For by the words the King hath uttered , Thou plainly hast to us discovered , That thou indeed art faulty , oh my King , That home thy banished thou dost not bring . ●y Liege and Lord ! consider this thing well , What danger 't is for Davids heire to dwell , ●ut of the Kingdome , and live banished , ●ea with an Heathen King his life to lead ; ●or as pure water spilt upon the ground , 〈◊〉 soon dryed up , and can no more be found , ●or is the scent and purity retain'd , ●ut whilst in some pure glasse it is contain'd : ●o people perish all without a head , Or like so many Sheep are scattered , But God who till this time hath him preserv'd Unto this people , hath for good reserv'd , And mov'd their hearts to wish at home againe , Thy sonne , that yet doth banished remaine . And now I to the King these things have said , Because I of the people was afraid ; Thus thought I , let me speake unto my Lord , 〈◊〉 may be he will heare his hand-maids word , And be as gentle unto Absolon ●s to thine hand-maid and mine onely Sonne , Whom thou hast saved from revenging hand , That me and him would pluck out of the Land . I thought , if to preserve a family , Thou wouldst not let the sword my sonne destroy , Thou mightst do much more for the Kingdomes peace , And for Religions wealth and strength's increase . For as an Angel , God hath given thee skill To heare and judge aright of good and ill : And therefore , since the Act of this my Son , Is one with thine , God make thy judgement one . The King repli'd , good woman , I desire , Hide not from me the thing which I require , Tell , Is not Ioabs band with thee in this ? Ah , good my Lord the King , said she , it is : I will not leave the truth on either hand , For thou , O King , wilt soon it understand . Thy servant Ioab to my mouth convei'd , Even all the words which I thine hand-maid said ; That by their circumstance my Soveraigne might , Without affection see and judge aright , And not the peoples and our wishes crosse , For Absolons offence or Amnons losse . Therefore , oh King , as now thou hast been wise For to discover all we could devise , And as Gods Angel here dost all things know , So , by that wisdome , all things wisely do . Thus ends the woman , when to Ioab so The King begins , as thou wilt all must go ; This thou projected hast , it shall be done , Go haste , and fetch the young-man , Absolon : Then Ioab falling down upon his face , Gave humble thanks for this so high a grace , Oh King , saith he , what grace hast thou exprest , In yeelding to thy servants bold request ? And now thought Ioab , with this simulation , To make at once an utter supplantation , Of Bathshebes projecting for her Son , By bringing back from Geshur , Absolon . Such is mans nature ay with envious eye , To view our equals , rais'd to dignity , And would more willingly , though with more danger , Than to their own , be subject to a stranger : But Bathshebe perceiving his designe , As prudently did worke her counter mine , And to the Prophet straight her self applyes , They best direct that first with God advise , And thus begins : Good Prophet ! seest thou not How cruell Ioab cunningly doth plot , To bring in grace again proud Absolon , And ruine utterly my Solomon ? What then shall all those prophesies betide , Which have by thee of him been propheside , If Ioabs craft against us may prevail , Ah help ! Gods promises do never fail . Madame , saith Nathan , they shall ay endure , And like the Mountaines , stable stand and sure ; The Goat shall easelier dive into the deep , And Dolphin up to top of Mountains creep , Than earthly powers Gods promises with-stand , What 's arme of flesh against his mighty hand ? Mens subtill windings , close dissimulations , Are even as vain as their imaginations , Turn'd by his power and wisdome to those ends And purposes , his goodnesse here intends : God works not here by likely meanes , as man , What he is pleas'd to will , he alwayes can : By causes he sometimes , oft times without , Against all causes brings he things about ; All things are wrought according to his will , They happy who it cheerfully fulfill , And voluntary Agents do their best , Upon his goodnesse faithfully to rest : Experience forbids us to distrust Th' Almighty , as unable or unjust . All Sauls projectings , David to keep down , Were but as steps to raise him to the Crown , The more deliverances , the more his praise , No keeping down whom God intends to raise . Good Nathan , saith the Queen , no eloquence Instructs us like our owne experience ; ( I now delight not to recount my story , Mine be the shame , I give to God the glory : ) From bed of sinne , which did me wel-nigh smother , He rais'd me up to be the happie mother Of such a child , whose wise and potent hand , Should sway the Scepter of this holy Land , And be to all succeeding generations , Our glory , and the astonishment of Nations . Lo ! Nathan I have bred him in my wombe , And suckel'd at my brests , till hee 's become Of Learning capable : Now I him bring , To thee to be instructed like a King . Madame , saith Nathan , 't is the best of Arts , To give right rules to children , for their parts : For as of other things , so of man-kind , In youth the time is to instruct the mind . What liquor they be season'd with , they hold , To middle age , yea even when they are old : Then as the yeelding tender twigs in field , Contented are to husbands hand to yeeld , And , as it gently them directs , do grow Up towards Heaven , or to the ground below , So Tutors may their minds depresse or raise To base desires , or thoughts deserving praise : Sweet Manna only did with morning last , Soon as the Sun grew hot , the time was past : This is the time true vertues seeds to sow , That they with them in strength may thrive and grow , And not discern , grown up to middle stature , ●f they be thus by precept , or by nature . First be they taught their Parents to revere , Distemper , lying and deceit to feare , To have Gods dreadfull Name in reverence , For hope of good , and feare of punishments . On them yet this inforce not , but instill It gently , with good liking to their will , For what is so enforced on us then , We fall into dislike of , growing men , And being free and at full liberty , More pleasing wayes unto our natures try . Acquaint their growing minds with pleasing Stories , Of vertues sweet rewards , and highest glories , But never vices in their presence name , Without eternall infamy and blame : Nor let them know how commonly they reigne , Lest they to them a liking entertaine : This will their minds to vertue elevate , And make them vices loath detest and hate , And if you finde their Natures do intend To any errours , them to th' adverse bend , As oft we bow young twigs clean opposite , Of purpose onely , for to set them right . When you have sweetend thus their inclination , Nothing improves it more than emulation , Be it at Schoole , or play , they exercise , Allure them with the glory of the prize : Best minds have all this inbred quality , To set their chief delight on victory . Thus Prophets should good rules and precepts give , By which they after do intend to live ; For so did Nathan with his blessed charge , Who now conceiving he was set at large , Removed from his awfull parents eye , And freely left to his owne liberty , Begins like Colt to run his full careare , But Nathan him restraines with modest feare , Yet not abridging him those sweet delights , To which his tender pupillage invites : He by the gentlest meanes him first inclin'd , To sports that better Body might and mind , And told and taught him all brave martiall Story , To fill his limbs with strength , and heart with glory . An errour 't is in those that youth up train , Them from sweet lively pleasures to restrain , Licentious loosenesse is a foule extreme , Between these two doth lye the golden mean . They that our best and noblest horses breed , Do let them run at liberty and feed , Till they unto their height of strength be grown , Then gently tam'd for services and shown . Who to their Books too hardly youths constraine , The heat draw from their stomack to the brain , Them making heavie , lumpish , dull , and slow , And dry that moysture up should make them grow . As Colts which at the first be over-toil'd , Turn jades , and are in every journey foil'd . As fruit ripe in the morning rots ere noon , Such is the fate of all that ripe too soon . But such is not the fate of Solomon , Though all his equalls are by him out-gone : In learning , riding , any recreation , He all transcends beyond all emulation . These soon are past , and now he sets his mind , The highest wisdome only out to find , Which Nathan finding shewes his utmost Art , To season with Gods holy feare his heart , The holiest heavenly precepts to instill , Both to his understanding and his will , Wherein this child not only doth outgo His equals , but ev'n his great Master too , " So do we often see great God imparts " To his Vice-gerents , large and ample hearts , " By which they may more able be to lead , " And guide the people in their Makers stead . You great ones that do subtilely project , By meanes unjust , and cruell , to effect The things you aime at , and oft-times in blood Of friends and allyes , make your actions good ; That make no conscience , by dissimulations , To ruine Cities , Families and Nations . Though oft you passe unseen by mortall eyes , He sits in heav'n that all your works descryes , Conducing all your projects to those ends , His goodnesse , not your malice , here intends . Yea those pure spirits , which are waiting still On earth , his heav'nly pleasure to fulfill ; See all your windings , and with grief behold Proud mortalls here , so desperately bold , Upon these fraile and brittle habitations , To perpetrate so foule abhominations In sight of God , of Angels , and the Devill , Who takes delight to see them work all evill : Oh doe but make a true just estimation , Of them that use such close dissimulation : Survey their lives , and you shall plainly see , The best men have been open faire and free . Deep Politicks faire vertues formes commend , As most conducing to their aimes and end , But hold the practice is an hinderance , To all that great affayers would advance , They Grace and Holinesse it self would seem , Not to be so in deed , but in esteem , By false pretence of Goodnesse to do evill , A Principle for Lucifer the Devill .

THE THIRD BOOKE . Bathsheba bathing . OH what a happy thing 't is to be bred Of godly Parents , and well tutored ; Especially for Kings , whose education Brings happinesse or ruine to a Nation ; Yea Subjects children , bred too tenderly , Infect a City , Town or Family , With lewd examples , quickly followed . By Pr●cepts wee are dragg'd , by Patter●s led . Now David by too good experience , Had prov'd what mischief comes by indulgence , In breeding children ; Amnon grown so bold , He might not by his Father be control'd For foulest incest , Maachas Absolon , Hath kill'd the Prince his brother and is gone . Faire Thamar now remains more desolate By Amnons murther , than his rape or hate ; Revenge that 's private , lawlesse shedding bloud Without the Magistrate , doth no man good ; The Murtherer in exile must remain , Till Ioab comes to bring him home againe , Who taking for 's Companion Abishai , Lo thus begins discoursing on the way . Many that are indeed , or would seem wise , And by the past , of things to come , surmise , Do hold that in all bodies politick , Diseases are , as men , are well or sick , That rising Kingdomes periods have , which past , They like our bodies here , decline and waste , Till their last ruine ; and , as bodies , states Beginnings , risings , fallings have and dutes : And sure 't is no hard matter to observe , How states are healthfull , thrive , decline and sterve . But he 's the Statist profitably wise , That knows their sicknesses and remedies , Be their disease in body , feet , or head , By Prudence they may be recovered , But he indeed is Master of his Art , That keeps th' infection from the head and heart , The King and Army , for by these , lo all Monarchs and Kingdomes flourish , rise and fall ; And sure we seldome see a remedy Of such infection , but Phlebotomy . Nought more ( saith Abishai ) foments the rude Seditions of the giddy multitude , Than those our wandring Levites , discontent At Churches , or the Kingdomes government ; Their reason why they are so disaffected , Is , that they think their gifts too much neglected , That they are not assum'd , yet able are The weight of government alone to beare ; And therefore new Church Orders will devise , To make the people all the old despise , And thus would bring into the peoples hate , All ancient governours of Church and State . Lo ! this disease , now good experience finds , Like plague of Leprosie , infects the minds Of people , and instilling close dislike Of Governours , at Church and State does strike . These seeme , at first , low on the ground to creep , But soon they into Counsell Chambers peep ; Where , though they dare not reach up at the Crown , They all that are above them would pull down ; And if our Rulers negligence give way , Whereby they may but seem to beare the sway , They such strange Church-disorders will propound , As quickly would both Church and State confound , Agreeing all to crosse what Law commands , Yet differing in their severall demands . Some Statists think that this distemper growes The more , that Rulers strive it to oppose : But our too late experience hath found , How dangerous 't is , to give these humours ground , Though scarce a great man meddles in these actions , Except some few to strengthen more their factions ; I wish such to some new-found Land would go , That we the sound might from the th' infected know . Alas ! saith Ioab , these vain idle rude Distempers of the brainlesse multitude , Are by a purge or vomit quickly spent , Or turn'd into the bodies nourishment : They most , in times of wanton peace , do breed , Begot at first of Humour , and do feed On Ayre , popular applause , I mean , No Policy can them extirpate cleane , So long as there is moisture to supply Iuice to the root , if that once faile , they dye . Many divine of changes in our state , Because our King hath been unhappy late , Since his last marriage , his Child is dead , His first-born slaine , his daughter ravished , And Chileab is lost , his second Sonne , So now his heire is M●●ch as Absolon . Few but my selfe , our States disease do know , Whereby so many troubles on us grow , Our sicknesse is of sinne even in the head , Which ( as diseases most by ease are bred ) Grew in the King , when he too much did yeeld To pleasure , whilst his Armie lay in field . For whereas in all Battailes he was wont To be most valiant , and the first in front ; When we last went against the Ammonit● , He in his Palace had another fight , Till plainly I discover'd , past all doubt , The Citie Rabbab could not long hold out , I sent for him to th' taking of the same , Lest it were called after by my name . Not to delay thee long , although the King Did sin in secret , God would have the thing To all be known : vain hope 't is to conceale Our sinnes from men , which we to God reveale . ●weet Bathsheba , Iude as fairest Maid , By divers Princes courted , woo'd and prai'd , At last was carryed by the bravest Lord , That ere in Monarchs quarrell drew a Sword ; A Hittite , but the noblest of his house , Wise , modest , valiant and religious , Who 'mongst King Davids Worthies had a name , And second was to none in worth and fame . Nor was she faire without , and inly base , But like Gold Picture in a Silver case , Was by this Lord belov'd , and lik'd agen , Thus fairest Dames make choise of bravest men . A happy union and a blessed paire , As truly vertuous as seeming faire , In true affection tide , and link'd in love , As Spheares which by one mutuall motion move ; So she him honours , and he is so kind , They seem'd two bodies govern'd by one mind : Yet were not their affections more combind , Than Love and Honour in them both conjoind . Was ever Virgin to the Temple led , More chaste than she into Vriahs bed ? To revelling she seldome would resort , But was most part a stranger at the Court , Whose strange and new attyres , she did not know , Where Ladies naked brests , and shoulders show , Like Chapmen , who their wares shew to the eye , And bid you like for love , for monie buy : Love never friends more closely fastened , No Turtles truer to each others bed . There Love and Honour arme in arme did stand , But ever Honour had the upper hand : Whereof a proof to thee I le briefly tell . When Hanun had reproached Israel , In violating with imprudent hands , Our Kings Ambassadours , the sacred bands Of mutuall Amity 'twixt State and State , By David sent , him to congratulate , Their beards and garments shaving to the thighes , In foulest scorn , as if they had been spies ; And that he saw , he stank in Davids sight , He hir'd the Syrian and the Aramite Against our King , which when he understands , He me commands to muster all his bands , And men of might : of which not one did I Wish more , than brave Vriahs company . And therefore where my Officers I sent To others , at his house , to him I went , Where I them found inchain'd in Lovers charms , Delighting sweetly each in others arms ; When I made known to them the Kings command , Amaz'd they gazing each on other stand : A while with deare affection , honour strove , But Honour got the victory of Love . And she begins ; my Lords , I must confesse , I like my husband , know no earthly blesse . But not for beauty , wealth , or wanton love , Did I desire to make him mine , above All other Princes , that to me did sue , But for his valour , worth , and honour true : But since he cannot serve to my content , Without his worths and honours detriment , Go chearly forth , let it be never said , With thee thy courage in mine armes is laid . ●hould you want men , these womans armes should fight , To be revenged on the Ammonite , Who on Gods people put so foule a scorn , ●s never any Nation could have born . These Sweet expressions of her loyall love , 〈◊〉 heart of flint , or sullen brasse might move To pitty her : I must confesse my heart , Till then did never act a yeelding part . Thou knowst in what fierce battails I have been , What cruelties in Conquests I have seen , When we the hated City Rabbah sackt , How diversly the common souldier rackt , All of both sexes , were they young or old , To make them shew where they had hid their gold . The streets on all sides eccho'd plaints and grones , And childrens braines were dasht against the stones , ●ere babes hang sprawling on a Souldiers speare , 〈◊〉 Lady faire , one drags out by the haire , Whilst other from her teare her rich attire , ●hen throw her naked body in the mire : Lo here a child and mother , loth to part , Are nailed fast together with a Dart : Here little babes not knowing ill from good , Do play and paddle in their parents blood : All Captives which we took , thou sawst put under , The Tile-kils , or with Sawes cut quite asunder : ●ome we with iron Axes hew and pare , And some we under iron Harrowes tare . All these fierce Hostile furies did not move Mine heart , so much as these effects of Love . So as indeed I was content to yield , ●athshebas brests should be Vriahs field . But she repli'd , Lord Ioab , I do hate To purchase pleasure at so high a rate , And therefore wisht her husband to prepare Himselfe for Armes , the rest should be her care . A tender Mother that hath only one , Most carefull is in breeding up that Sonne , Soon as he for some place in Schoole is fit , Where are best helps for to enrich his wit , When time 's at hand , that he should thither ride , And be disjoyned from his Mothers side , Although his absence grieves her at the heart , Yet for his good , she 's willing he should part , She trusts some friend a Chamber to prepare At Schoole , whilst she for needfull things takes care ; So Bathsheba commends her onely one To me , to care for , as my dearest Sonne : Nor ever would omit , what might advance Her husbands honour , worth and valiance : Thus were we by our King sent out to fight 'Gainst Ammon , Ishtob and the Aramite . Where , as we neere approach'd the City Gate , We Arams host behind us spide , though late , When as before us , lo ! the Ammonite , In Battaile ready set , came out to fight . When I the Battaile thus in front did finde , Ammon before , the Aramite behind , I put the choise of Israel in array 'Gainst Aram , and the rest , my Abishai , I did commit to thee , that thou shouldst fight Most valiantly , against the Ammonite . Whom , if thou wert unable to resist , I promis'd thee mine aid , and if I mist Thy help 'gainst Aram , thou shouldst help agen , ●ever , said I , play the valiant men . We for our Cities , and Gods people fight , ●et him do what it seems good in his sight . ●gainst proud Aram soon I got the day , Which Ammon seeing , turn'd and run away ●nto their Town , we to Ierusalem , ●eturn'd with honour , having beaten them . ●ut hauty Sirians , scorning one should tell , That they were vanquish'd thus by Israel , ●reat Hadadezar , that same potent King , To whom the petty Kings did presents bring , ●ends for the Aramites beyond the Floud , ●nd came againe to make their quarrell good . Which David hearing , them at Helam met . ●here both in battaile each 'gainst other set , ●e all his Chariots and Foot-men lost , With Shoha that great Captaine of his Host. ●ut when the Kings saw Hadadezer fell , Their greatest King , 'fore th' host of Israel , They made their peace , and being weak and poore , ●esolv'd to helpe the Ammonite no more . Thou me about hast with long stories led , But what 's this to the sicknesse of the head ; All this , saith Abishai , I saw and know , ● will forthwith , saith Ioab , briefly show , But we old men , ( 't is held a fault in all ) Are in our Tales too circumstantiall . But this that to my purpose was so fit , ● could not without prejudice omit . These were the speciall reasons mov'd the King To root out Ammon , for the following Spring , About the time that Kings go forth to warre , His Souldiers David muster'd neer and farre , And me against strong Rabbah with them sent , Whilst he at home in ease liv'd , and content ; Where as one evening from his Couch he rose , Which he did often use for his repose , And walking on his houses Battlement , To view the glorious Starres in Firmament , ( Which now the Sun had new withdrawn his sight , Began to shimmer with their borrowed light ) Lo he from thence a glorious object spyes , Which makes his heart do homage to his eyes , Out of the water he discerns a light Arise , more glorious than the Queen of night , And yet he thought it could not be the Moon , Her beauty borrowed is , this was her owne . Yet 't was a woman , but of such a feature , As in her frame , all Arts conjoyn'd with Nature , Who sate all naked in a velvet chaire , Broad-spreading with white Comb her golden hai● ▪ Which as thin clouds do , oft in Summers night , Obscure the beames of fairest Cynthias light , So shadowed her haire from Davids eyes , Her singular admired rarities . But soon she leaps into the water light , Where lo , she shines like to a Lilly white , In purest glasse , or as we see a Grace Idea'd sweetly in a Christall Case . To make the way seem short , I to the life Describe the beautie of this Worthyes wife . One while with armes as if with oares she drives Her swimming body , and anon she dives ; One while upright , she in the water stands , Above her head it pa●hing with her hands , Whose drops upon her haire like pearls did leap , Which falling down do seem to mourn and weep . But best might the particulars appeare Of her sweet counten●nce and beauty rare , When like faire Roach ( which on a Summers day , Bove water leaps , as Fishes use to play . ) She leaves the Bath , and on a chaire set higher , Her Maidens haste with warmed clothes to dry her . Then lo , her soft silk hayre with curled folds , Out-braves the brightnesse of sweet Marygolds , Her Ovall from , her nimble vigorous eye , Where 's sweetnesse , humblenesse and mijesty , Her browes thin haire , as silver fri●ge adorns , Like Cynthias beames , when first she shewes her horns : Her cheeks sweet beds of Lillies and of Roses , Betwixt which , like a rising hill , her nose is , Beneath that lo her lippes like Rubies show , Or Red-rose bud that new begins to blow : Below which , lo a valley dimpled in , Us leads to flowry hillock of her chin , Her Ivory necke , which doth her head uphold , Like silver handle to a cup of Gold , On her faire shoulders is by joints so plac'd , It turns like golden fane , yet stands as fast . Beneath which rise her either si●ken brest , Like paire of milk-white Pigeons in a nest ; Or like the first forbidden fruits of sinne , Whereof first Eve to Adam did begin , Or like two bunches of a fruitfull Vine . And when she blushes like to sops in wine ; Her either hand as richest Cabinet , Had on each finger Pearles and Diamonds set , Each lim of her beseem'd even Beauties Queen , I only now describe what may be seen . But when her warmed clothes had sucked in The water , loth to leave so faire a skin , She from her chaire leaps nimbly to her bed , And from his sight with clothes was covered : Which more amaz'd the King , than all the sight Before could yeeld him comfort and delight : So have I seen in clearest Summer night , Dart from the skies a Lamp of shining light , Whereat rude people stand amazed all , And sweare they saw a Star from Heav'n to fall , Which doth portend , say they , great alterations Of State , Sword , Famine , Plague or Inundations . But how , saith Abishai , at even-tide Were these sweet Beauties by the King descri'd ? Quoth Ioab , brother 't was not so late night , Where Sun was set , but by the Heavens pure light , The King might easely look down from his Tower , And see a Lady bathing in her Bower : Yea Abishai thou knowst in darkest night , Where such a Sun doth shine , there needs no light . Thus he that late ascends the Battlement , To view the glorious Starres , and Firmament , And in them to admire Gods grace and glory , With too much gazing , sings another story : Lo he whose soule was like a weaned Child , Pure , simple , abstinent , and undefil'd , Becomes impure , thus is base slime and dust From heavenly thoughts proclive to fleshly lust . He first looks to inquire , then with delight , Next with consent , last with sharp appetite . Thus Achan looked , lik'd and coveted The cursed Gold , and thing prohibited . Base lust of th' eye , that sets our mind on fire , And burnes us with inordinate desire : Vncircumoised boasting Philistin , Who , if in single fight , he gets within , Doth conquer all , and therefore David chose To fight with him at distance , never close . But now that he is call'd to single fight With spirituall Philistin , of greater might , Contrary clean to that he did before , Than closing , he desireth nothing more ; And therefore soon as he could well inquire , And find 't was Bathsheba , he did desire , He sends one of his Chamber , to invite Her to the Court , sometimes to take delight , Till her belov'd Vriah did return , And not to sit all day at home and mourn : Glad was the woman , that her Lord and King , Did so much for her Husbands honouring , And sayes , though for Vriahs safe retire , To pray and mourn I onely do desire , I will my self and him this thing denay , Ere I my gracious King will disobey . Soon as the King her in the Court doth see , Amongst the Ladies , like faire Cypresse Tree , Amongst the Shrubs , or Cynthia shining bright , Amid the twinkling Starres in frosty night , He first begins her beauty to commend , And blushing kist her cheek , and calls her friend , And said that if he might a servant be To such a beautious Mistris : his degree Of State should bow , her humbly to observe , And do his best her favour to deserve . Thus though her Husbands Honour first did bring , This Dame to Court , yet proud now , that a King Should there confesse , he did such service owe , ( For few faire Ladies but their beauty know ) As ready was to take as he to offer , All Complements of Court , the King would proffer , Not once suspecting such a godly King Would offer her the least dishonouring : Nor could all Satans cunning him have brought . At first , to entertaine so foule a thought , But as a simple Lambe on flowrie banks Of Iordan bounds , and leaps , and pla●es his pranks , Till his faire shadow in the watry glasse , He spies , which seemes the substance to surpasse , Whereon he nigher comes , and comes to look , Till unawares he falls into the brook , Whence he may strive to get out , but in vain , The streames by force him carry to the Main : Even so the King at first begins to play With her pure hand , as on his Couch he lay , Then gazing on her eyes and modest face , Reflecting beauties , like a Looking-glasse , He unawares in Beauties snare is took , Ev'n as the Lamb was drowned in the Brook . Oh lothsomnesse , deceitfulnesse of sinne ? The sweetnesse , bitternesse we finde therein , Beginnings , fawnings , growing , terrour , smart , Our weaknesse , Satans envie , mans false heart ! Thus Mortals ( which to Heaven should seek the way ) As Fishes , which in fresher water play , Swim in delights , and lustfull pleasures all , Till unawares they in the dead-sea fall : But as you evermore shall see one sinne Beget another , to lye hidden in , So David , his Adultery to hide , Commits first drunkennesse , then homicide , For she perceiving that she had conceiv'd , And fearing lest ( for being so deceiv'd ) The Lords and all the people would her blame , Because her Lord could not beget the same , Who had been three full months to battail gone , Before her bathing , and the act was done , She hereof closely certifies the King , Who seeks thus to provide a covering , He sends to me a Letter , which requir'd Vriah home , as if he had desir'd , To know by him , how all things did succeed , But 't was to father what his wife did breed . In brief Vriah comes , and doth relate To David mine , and all the peoples state , And how the warres went on , and prospered , Then David wisht him get him home to bed , Refresh thy self , thy journey hath been great , And after him he sends a messe of meat . But brave Vriah , hating all delight , Or pleasure , which disabled him to fight ; Among the Guard did all that night attend , Nor would to his own house , and wife descend . Which when the King , next morrow , understands , He of Vriah thus the cause demands . Brave Hittite , may thy King the reason know ? Why this last night , when thou didst from me go , You went not home , but tarryed with my Gard , As of thy journey thou hadst no regard ? Who said , the Arke with Iudah , Israel , And my Lord Ioab in their Tents do dwell , Abroad i' th' field : What then , shall I alone Lye with my wife , and eat and drink at home ? As thy soule lives , and as thou liv'st , O King , I am resolved not to do this thing . The King yet caus'd him in the City stay All that , and afterwards another day , In hope at last he to his wife would go , But when he found that this way would not do , He makes him in his presence sup that night , And drink down healths , untill his head was light , Yet he his wife regarded nere the more , But with the Gard all night lay as before . Oh such brave Spirits , saith Abishai , would raise Unto themselves and us immortall praise , Were they but , as they due deserve , regarded , But see , saith Ioab , how this was rewarded ? He brings a Letter sign'd with Davids hand To me , which did to this effect command : " Of thee , and of thy host I did inquire " By this , and finde all things as I desire , " This onely now to thee , I do not find " This Hittite answerable to my mind , " And therefore set him formost in the fight , " Where thou discern'st the men of greatest might , " And when he is in danger , soon retire , " And let him dye : No other cause inquire , " Of thy King David . Having this command , My part was to obey , and not to stand In disputation , were it wrong or right , And therefore where I saw most men of might Defend the walls , I brave Vriah sent , Where all succeeded just to mine intent , Of Davids servants many likewise fell , Both of Iudea , and of Israel . Whereof , when first I certifi'd the King , He seemed much displeased with the thing , But when he heard Vriah also di'd , His wrath appeas'd , he thus again repli'd . Salute thou Ioab , tell him after-care Or grief avails not 'gainst the chance of Warre , For thus the sword doth usually devoure , All that do come within his reach or power : Be not discourag'd , make thine Armie strong , To be reveng'd of this and all our wrong . What said his wife , saith Abishai hereto ? Ev'n mourn'd for fashion , as ●ich widdowes do , Saith Ioab , but as soon as that was done , The King her makes his wife , and takes her home . The joy to be a Queen soon dryes her eyes , And with her husbands murtherer she lyes . Wondrous iniquity , saith Abishai , I never heard the like , untill this day , A head distemper'd thus cannot but ake , And make the heart and all the members shake . He were a man of wondrous wisdome sure , That could to this disease apply a cure : Is not one Prophet left in Israel , That dares the King of these offences tell ? Yes sure , saith Ioab , there 's a skilfull one , Hath searcht this sore unto the very bone , Good Nathan , yet with such a gentle hand , He made the King his faults to understand , By telling others , so the sore did presse , With prudent , gentle , pious tendernesse . For Prophets that reprove such faults in Kings , Must strike at one , to sound out other strings , And not reproach their errours to their faces , Nor publish to the people their disgraces . Since Bathsheb as conception did begin , The King slept in this Lethargy of sinne , They both had like beginning , life and growth , And have like bringing forth , and birth of both . As skilfull Leech to cure his Patients ills , With gold oft covers bi●ter wholsome pills : So Nathan doth this Parable apply , A seeming-sweet but bitter remedy . Pardon my Liege , saith he , if Iustice I Desire , when sinnes to Heaven for vengeance cry , Lo in a City were , nay which is more , Still are two men , one rich , the other poore , The rich had mighty Heards and Flocks , the poore A little Lambe had onely for his store , Deare bought , which he at home with him did cherish , And even amongst his sonnes and daughters nourish , Drank of his cup , eate of his bread , and ay As his own daughter in his bosome lay . But lo , a stranger to the rich man came , Who secretly purloins the poore mans Lamb , Whereof he for the stranger doth prepare , And his own Heard and all his Lambs did spare . Now as the Lord lives , David doth reply , The man that did the thing deserves to dye ; Besides he foure-fold shall the Lamb restore , Because he was so cruell to the poore . As he that doth besiege a mighty Tower , Doth use at first more policy than power : But when the breach is made , and he got in , To shew his strength and courage doth begin : And as we see Ambassadours of Kings , In formes are curteous , but advance the things , Which unto them their master doth command With resolution , so doth Nathan stand , The breach with as much courage to maintain , As he the same by subtile meanes did gaine : Thou art the man , saith Nathan , thou alone This vile abhominable thing hast done ; Thou art the rich , Vriah was the poore , Thou hast thy choise of wives , he one , no more , Which thou hast ravisht , and her husband slain , The wicked stranger , lust to entertain . This is the thing I must make plainly known , The words I speak are Gods , and not mine own . I have annointed thee the King of all My people , and thee freed from hand of Saul , I gave to thee thy Masters house and wives , And to thy hand committed all the lives Of Israel and Iudah , and would more To thee have given , if thou hadst wanted store : Oh! why shouldst thou my Precepts thus despise ! And do this wicked evill in mine eyes ? The stout Vriah by thy sword is dead , And thou his wife hast taken to thy bed . This Worthy oft escap'd more dangerous fights , Thy sword hath kil'd him , not the Ammonites . The sword shall never from thine house depart , Because thou hast despised me , and art Defil'd with ravishing Vriahs wife , And for thy pleasure took'st away his life . Thus , saith the Lord , against thee I will raise Up evill in thine house , even in thy dayes , Thy fruit begotten in Adultery , Shall onely breed thee sorrow , and so dye , Thy Sonne with incest shall defile the bed , Of thine own daughter , by him ravished : Thy Sonnes shall rise up one against another , And Brothers hands imbrew with bloud of Brother : Thy Wives shall be defil'd in open light , The Sun shall blush to see so foule a sight : Thou sin'dst in secret , but this shall be done In sight of all the people and the Sunne . As tender Oakes shak'd with fierce blasts of wind , B● yeelding do the faster rooting find , When stouter Oakes , which give no way at all , Are thrown quite down , and ruine in their fall , So it with David fares , whose heart relents , And shakes and trembles at Gods menacements , His sinne confessing , but his Faith holds fast , And sings this Peni●entiall Psalme at last .

PSAL. 51. OF thy great goodnesse , Lord , some pitty take On me whom sinne Doth now awake , If thou in loving kindnesse wilt begin , All mine offences easely may , Be by thy mercies done away . ●hen wash me throughly from this staine Of sinfull guilt , Till none remaine . ●ow I confesse , O Lord , thou canst and wilt , Cause sin , which now me lyes before , Never to rise against me more . ●gainst thee I , O Lord , have sinn'd alone , And in thy sight This evill done , ●hat judg'd , thou mightst be found most pure and right , I full of sinne , of good bereav'd , Iust as my mother me conceiv'd . Thou truth dost in the inward parts require , Which to discern Lord , me inspire , So I of thee may secret wisdome learn : With Hyssope purge me , I shall grow More clean and pure than whitest snow . Of joy and gladnesse make thou me to heare , My broken bones Thus shalt thou cheare , And into joyfull Ditties change my grones , Thy face turn from my sins foul hew , My heart make clean , my spirit renew . Cast me not out from thee for my demerit , Nor take from me Thy holy Spirit ; Recomfort , Lord ! my will conform to thee , So shall I sinners teach thy way , And them convert that go astray . From guilt of blood , O Lord , deliver me , Oh help or never Shall I be free , So of thy goodnesse I shall sing for ever , Ope thou my lips , mine Organs raise , Then shall my mouth set forth thy praise . Thou sacrifice desir'st not , else would I With all my might Thereto comply , Nor dost thou in bur●t-offerings delight , A troubled spirit's best sacrifice , Broak contrite hearts thou l't not despise . Let thy protecting arms like walls embrace Hierusalem , And Sion grace ; Then our burnt offerings thee shall please agen , We will upon thine Altar lay , Gifts and oblations every day . Here Ioab ends , when noble Abishai ; ●o thy discourse hath shortned much the way , Beyond the River I discern the plain , That Iair , Manasses son , by sword did gain , Upon which bordereth the Geshurite , Ride on , we may see Talmai's Court to night , And bring most welcome newes to Absolon . I know saith Ioab well , what I have done : This is a project of mine own devising , To please the setting Sun , as well as rising ; Nothing more pleasing is to Davids mind , No service more the Princes heart can bind , Nor to King Talmai be more acceptable , Who will us gratifie as he is able . What 's he ? saith Abishai , a petty King , Saith Ioab , here on Gilead bordering : Great Hadadezar was Lord Paramount , And here did but as Tributaries count These lesser Kings , till we at Helam slew His Captain , and his Army overthrew . Since that they all are servants to our King , ( Except old Talmai ) and him Presens bring . But night encroacheth now so on the day , They leave their talk and look unto their way , By which that night to Geshurs Court they come , Most welcome to the King and Absalom : For this was their Ambassage from the King , The young-man to Hierusalem to bring .

THE FOURTH BOOKE . Israel rebelling . SOL had no sooner ha●nessed his horse , Rejoycing , Giant-like , to run his course , His longest journey from the East to West , When Talmai , who that nig●t took little rest , ( So were his thoughts ●a'ne up , and fil'd with care , For 's Grand-child Israels apparant heire , And plotting both their powers to combine , To subject to one head all Palestine ) To his Bed-side did send for Absolon , And as a Father counsels thus his sonne . Besides thy royall birth , and riper age , Thy strength of wit and goodly personage , With vertues all , which fit a man to raigne , And with the people love and favour gaine , Thou hast in highest Courts of Kings been bred , And learn'd how subjects should be governed : And howsoe're thou now liv'st banisht from Thy Fathers presence , and thy royall home , Yet lo , the peoples votes thee all designe , Great Iudahs King and Lord of Palestine : The chiefest Arts we have in Courts to rise , Is silence and dissembling injuries , Acknowledging for savours all disgraces , And giving for them thanks with smiling faces , Yea , Kings must oft . ( I know to whom I speak thus ) Give way and smile at wrongs , or they will break us . They that will curb their Peers and peoples factions , Must look especially to their first actions , For nought so sure establisheth a Crowne , As then to merit honour and ●enown : For such is ay the peoples waywardnesse , They measure Princes vertues by successe . Of all we most obnoxious are to hate , Such multitudes for us insidiate , Our neerest kindred , servants , wives and friends Pretending service but to have their ends , Amongst all none so base pernicious are , As th' impudent dissembling flatterer , A close infection in a royall house , And to the King and State most dangerous , Beginning soon as they begin their dayes , For all are taken with immoderate praise , Yea in their crad●e they are rock'd together , No King but on this Lime-bush leaves a feather . Oh! 't is at Court a gainfull occupation , To pry into their Princes inclination , And what they find them cover and desire , That alwayes to commend most and admire ; To have their words and actions ever lin'd , ●ust by the square they finde their King inclin'd , Be it to lust , excesse , or cove i se , These Brokers will new tricks for them devise : Most infamous foul greedinesse of gain They stile good thrift , and earing for the main : The infectious presidents of filthy lust Sweet gentle Courtship , and the tolls unjust Kings raise for fewell to their prodigality , Are gloriously inti●led Liberality . They take all lets out of the wayes that lead , To base desires , by shame prohibited . Thus they all seeds of vertue seek to choke , And cover over vice with vertues cloke ; So as should heavens to Kings no larger heart Than to the common people here impart , How should they quite themselves of these diseases , Which now by custome common grown , so pleases : For deep wise prudent Counsellors of state , That find reproofs procure them only hate , Distinguish private vices of a King , From publike errours in administring , And looking to the Kingdomes government , Avoid all private means of discontent . He that will m●n in due subjection bind , Must , as the body , so command the mind . The King and Priest here acts his severall part , One guides the hand , the other rules the heart , Do never such sharp penall Lawes compose , If you their consciences leave free and loose , The people will them desperately pervert , Religion is the onely ruling Art , And holds upon the mind for better ●ye , Than feare of any pain or penalty : See it but in our meates of flesh and fish , No Law makes them one day forbeare a dish , But let devotion bid a yearly Fast , All will abstain , though forty dayes it last ; No humane Edict but a Law divine , Could make your Iewes abstain from flesh of Swine : You see how here I my disccur'e apply To yours , not to my own Church policy . Wisely advis'd , saith Absolon , to raigne , But how , my Lord , shall I the Kingdome gain , For Israels Crown not as thy Geshur goes To th' eldest son , but 's at the Kings dispose , And I have many causes just to feare , This last born son is to the King so deare , I of my birth-right shall be dispossest , Except I in the peoples favour rest . The peoples grace , saith Talmai's but a blast , A vapour that doth like a bubble last , Up suddenly of wind and water blown , And with another blast as quickly flown , Thou by such breath maist rise up , but canst stand No longer than thou serve to their command ; They follow head-long after novelty , By pride seduced or simplicity , The proud are heads and authors of the faction , The simpler but the hands and feet of action : They both alike ambitiously dissent , From Rules of Church and civill Government : And alwayes will applaud a new deviser , To seem than all their Pred●cessors , wiser : And thus by innovation of things , They would enforce new Lawes on Gods and Kings , Admitting unto them no other measure Of worship and obedience , than their pleasure : Serve but their turn , thou shalt their minion be , Crosse them , their s●vour as their censur's free , Adventure not to fly upon these wings , These are not made to raise but pull down Kings . Oh but , my Lord , saith Absolon , a Crown Cannot be taken up , till it be down , And therefore I affect , to learn the Art Of drawing factious spirits to my part , Of whom , against the King , I may have need , If he design another to succeed . The way , saith Talmai , civill wars to breed , Let Heavens , not I , appoint one to succeed , But if they so on thy high fortunes frown , The people must be courted for a Crown , Thou art to strive with all dexterity , To act thy part as in a Comedy , For few of them the truth from errour knows , And nothing takes them more than glittering showes , Congies , embracements , visits , salutations , Large promises , faire speeches , commendations ; If you with reall blessings them would please , Provide free trafficke , plenty , peace , and ease , They war abroad than peace will rather chuse , May they sit free at home and heare good newes : But most of all the people to content , Be alwayes blaming present government , To gaine a Crown , thou early must and late , Observe all suters standing at the gate , And where thou seest a discontented brow , Embrace him , ask the causes , why and how ? Approve his cause , however good or bad , A factious spirit nothing more will glad . Oh say , thy matter 's good , thou needst not feare , If that the King would take the paines to heare : But he doth solace with the Queen at home , And ne're thinks to depute one in his roome : I must confesse , my friend , it is not well , Were I but made a Iudge in Israel , Your causes should be heard without delay , And not as now put off from day to day , That thou wert better suffer injury , Than take such paines to buy a remedy . Since I with David first joyn'd in Affinity , I often have observ'd how your Divinity , Prepares the people first to reverence , And next them seasons with obedience ; Yea nothing more them right or wrong inclines , Than as their Guides are sound or rash Divines : Kings may command mens bodies as their head , But peoples hearts are by their Prophets led . And therefore as to civill Government , So 'gainst Church-orders shew thy discontent ; No Musick is so sweet to peoples eare , As evill of Church-governours to heare : And if thou findst a Levite hot and young , Of which but few , thou knowst , can hold their tongue Of custome give him countenance and grace , And mention thy dislikes when he 's in place : What then he heares thee and thy servants mutter , He in th' assemblies openly will utter : For which if he be silenc'd as his due , At Court soon for his restitution sue , Where want of years , and indiscretion blame , Thou of a zealous Prince shalt get the name : It skils not if his cause be good or bad , His sufferings will to his credit adde . For all the people after him will run , Commending highly all that thou hast done , And say , O had our Prince the Iudges place , None but such zealous men should be in grace . As when a Company desire to bring Renown and credit to some new-found Spring , They give it our the water is most sure And medecineable for every cure , Then women , children , men , and all that heare , To drink that water travell far and neere , In some it such a strong conceit doth breed , They of Diseases cured are indeed : And as when we erect an Image new Of any Deity , lo all the crew We speak of , with their offerings thither flock , And do their homage to a stone or stock , Till daily use satiety doth bring To men , both of the Image and the Spring So when the parents and neer kinsfolk bring A Levite that at th' Altar scarce can sing , With wondrous wit and gravity to preach , Oh then , they all admire to heare him teach , Yea giddy people run from far and nigh , Whilst other neighbour Temples empty lye , And by their violence and strong conceit , Sublime his spirits to the very height , Where he no longer can retain that grace , Than till a new one , like him comes in place , Then doth their famous Prophets honour fall , And like the spring and Idol is in all . Let a great man , run riot , swagger , sweare , And for his lust and pleasure nothing spare , If he familiarly himself acquaint With such , they 'l publish him to be a Saint . These are good meanes , but I advise that thou Invent unto thy self some new-found vow , Be it the vainest thing thou canst devise , They 'l follow thee by droves to sacrifice : As now you see them run most greedily , To fasts maintain'd without authority , Or t' heare a ratling shallow L●vite prate , Whose tongue is interdicted by the State : Do but disgrace old rules , and fashion new , Thou shalt their hearts●o thee for ever glew , For nothing doth the people so possesse , As humouring , their spirituall wantonnesse ; Nor can a Prince a project better cloke , Than underneath a Sacrifice of smoke . But now one tells the King , that Ioab staid For Absolon , and therefore humbly prai'd Him haste to horse : So Talmai with a kisse , And many blessings , doth his son dismisse To David , who consin'd him to his place , Nor might he come at Court to see his face : And now that private life which wont him bring Delight and solace , fitting for a King , Is ev'n of discontent become the nest , His head can onely on Court pillowes rest : His three years sojourning in Geshurs Courts , Have made him loath all wonted Country sports , He therefore sends for Ioab him to bring , Unto the Court , and presence of the King : But David knowing well , that men in place Encourage vice , if they offenders grace , For twice twelve months would not endure to heare , That Absolon should in his sight appeare , 'T is well the mutherer may save his head , And not be countenanc'd , though pardoned . In this so strict was David to his son , That Ioab dares not visit Absolon , Untill he set on fire his field of graine , So what love could not , anger did constraine , And now was Ioab more for feare than love Compel'd , thus for his son the King to move : Thou knowst two years are past since I , O King ! Thy son unto Hierusalem did bring , When thou consind'st him to his wonted place , Nor ever since wouldst let him see thy face , I well perceiving 't was against thy mind , He should be grac'd and honour'd in this kind , All visits have forborn , though oft required , Till now lo ! he my Barly field hath fired , Lo , thus your Grac● may see , I am compel'd By fire unto his just requests to yeeld : And yet indeed I finde thy sons desire , To see his Father , hotter than the fire . When I approacht his solitary gate , I found him walking all disconsolate , But soon as unto him my face appears , His heart powres from his eyes a floud of tears , And he begins , when thou me home didst bring , I surely thought it would have pleas'd the King , To have accepted me to former grace , And that I should have serv'd before his face , Else why should I from Geshurs Court have gone , To live here solitary all alone ? Alas , what do I by my comming gaine , If in this prison I confin'd remaine ? The Sun hath full five times fulfil'd his race , Since I beheld my fathers cheerfull face : O bring me once again into his sight , And let him heare my cause and judge upright , Then if I seem unrighteous in his eye , I willing am for my offence to dye : Lo banishment and death is much more light , Than live disgrac'd out of my Fathers sight . Thus Ioab ●ubtly warms the melting heart Of lon●ing David , whilst he doth impart This fi●all affection of his son , And finds this parly hath the fortresse won . As when an enemy besiegeth round A Castle , which the Captain knows unsound , Though at the first he valiantly pretend , To hold the Fort out to the sieges end , Yet if his foe him good conditions tenders , He them accep's , and soon the Fort up renders : So here the King , although for president , He would not shew his heart once to relent For Absolon , yet thinking he did find , By Ioab , how the young-man was inclin'd , Lo his affections yeeld , and grow more strong , Because he them dissembled had so long , And therefore for him sends , and with a kisse His pardon seales , for all that was amisse . And now is Absolon as great as faire , In hope now Israels apparent heire , But as we evermore proud mortalls see , In greater danger , in prosperity ; Then when adversity their sailes do scant , And prudence more appears in store than want : So is 't with Absolon more surfetting Of Grace , than with displeasure of a King , Or of his former forraign banishment , Great spirits loath all moderate content : For though in humane judgement none indeed , So likely was his Father to succeed , If his ambition could it self contain , Till age a period gave to Davids raign , And that the Crown had fall'n to him by course , Which now he sought to seize upon by force , Yet his aspiring mind , impatient , That time should thrust 'twixt him and his content , Begins ev'n now to travell with ambition , That never finds lest stay or intermission Of pains and throws , till like the vipers seed , In comming forth it leaves the mother dead . And now the rules of State old Talmai read , By him in Iudahs Court are practised , And ( like lusts stinking flame that all perverts ) He first takes peoples eyes and next their hearts . Unwonted pompe and shews of splendour bright , That us'd to take the peoples favour light , Are with all State-magnificence prepar'd , Lo , fifty foot attend him for his Guard , His Charrets thunder , and his horses feet , Most proudly trample up and down the street , And all Ierusalem and Iudah ring , With daily triumphs of their hopefull King , Their eyes and tongues intangled thus in snares , He likewise fetters for their hearts prepares . He rising early standeth by the gate , And for each suter is an Advocate , His eare all causes heares , his tongue doth flatter , Couldst thou be heard my friend good is thy matter , His hand even like his tongue still courting is , His lips salute the meanest with a kisse , And nothing gives him cause of discontent , But this the present state and government , That is by him as deeply censured , As all his Clients causes flattered . Thus as a Theef that breaketh in by night , ( For these heart-s●ealers alwayes shun the light ) Layes hold on every thing that he can get , ( And all is fish to them that comes to net ) Ne'r pondering the weighty from the light , No more had he respect to wrong or right , For being crept at that by-window in , Their hearts he seeks to steal away , not win . Alas how little silly people knows , Right to distinguish truth from glossing shows , All is not gold , good friends , that glisters bright , No naturall colour shows like painted white ; And now nought wants but some religious Cloke , To keep the fier cover'd , lest it smoke , The trechery of an ungracious son , Must have his warrant from Religion : The vow he made in Syria must be paid , And 〈◊〉 shall , for there the plot was laid , How he the peoples hearts should steal away , And , by pretended vow , the King betray . Thus Hypocrites mock God to have their ends , And foulest fact the fairest meanes pretends . But nothing more could please the Fathers mind , Than so devout a ●oly son to find Return'd from Geshur , that idolatrous Court , Where they of true Religion make a sport : Yet whilst he bowes his knees , and humbly prayes God to accept that sacrifice of praise At Hebron , where he first began to raign , When Saul and 's sons on Gilboa were slain , His son is there projecting to cast down ●rom's Fathers royall head , th' imperiall Crown : His doub●e guilt of feigned piety , Such grace and favour wan in ev'ry eye , That lo , two hundred honest meaning men , Go with the Traytor from Hierusalem . True hearted Israelites , whose just intents Are sound and good , as is your conscience , ●oore silly Sheep , you right go , crastray , ●ust as your Guides direct you in the way . Beware of them that holy vowes pretend , But have , like Absolon , a wicked end , That under promise of reforming things , Do reach at Crowns and dethronizing Kings , Nought better than their fruits to you will show them , Yet take these speciall marks whereby to know them ; They alwayes with the times are discontent , Still blaming States and Churches government , Kings , Nobles , Judges , Priests and Rulers all , Without respect within their censure fall ; Whose faults are greater in perspective shown , But all must cover'd be that are their own . They have an open greedy itching eare , No time nor hands to practise what they heare : Oh! prophesying is the onely thing , No duty else they know to God or King . Well-minded people , heed well what you do ! Beware how you with such to Hebron go , To offer sacrifice , which they oft season With high contempts , rebellion and treason . And now the Prophet's tuning sweetest Layes , Unto his God and Saviours endlesse praise ; When lo ! a Messenger comes trembeling , And thus begins , God save my Lord the King , The hearts of all the men of Iudah are Turn'd after Absolon , these eares did heare The Trumpets sound , the people cry amain , In Hebron , Absolon as King doth raign : And further he hath sent out spies to tell The same to all the Tribes of Israel . In fine , the Polititian subtly wise , Whilst he in Giloh offer'd sacrifice , A wicked sacrifice as did thy son , Is sent to , for to come to Absolon . Oh my L●ege Lord ! this hath been plotting long , Achitophels conspiracies are strong : For still the people more and more increase , With Absolon , the enemy of peace . Ah , saith the King , then all of us must flye , ●f we within the City stay , we dye : For lo , the people ignorant and rude , ●he violent unbridled multitude , ●ike waves of raging seas do ebbe and flow , When neither we nor they the causes know : ●esist their fury , it will hotter burn , Give way , it like the tide will back return , They that cry loudest , Absolon doth raign , May be the first will bring us home again : ●ire popular ay like a shadow flyes , ●rom them that follow her , and as fast hy's To them that shun her , who speed best of all , ●atch but an empty shadow with a fall . Thus was the King out of the City sent , ●nd all the Country mourned as he went , ●he Ark and Priests and all accompani'd ●he King with teares unto the Rivers side : ●hen thus the King to Ittai ; Ancient friend , ●he son of mine own bowells seeks mine end , ●hy shouldst thou me from Ga●h accompany , ●nd so partake of my calamity ? ●ow must wander out , and God doth know , ●ere I shall return again or no. ●he greatest gift I to my friends can give , 〈◊〉 license to depart from me and live : ●hen Ittai thus : My dearest Lord and King , 〈◊〉 force not on me such dishonouring ; ●o leave a King in danger merits blame , 〈◊〉 to forsake a friend , eternall shame , ●ith thee I am resolv'd to live and dye , ●o suffer thus is no calamity . Thus Ittai past the ford , when to the King The Priests and Levites th' Ark of God did bring , To whom he thus . Reduce into his place This holy Arke , if after I find grace With God A mighty , he again will bring Me hither to behold this holy thing , But if in me he cannot take delight , Do he with me as seemeth in his sight : This he to all : To Zadock then alone , He thus begins with tears to make his moan , Most reverend Priest , grave , wise , religious , The Mediator 'twixt our God and us , Yet art thou but a Type , though Arons son , The true high Priest and Substance is to come : I know th' Arks presence , and thy gracious sight , Would better us encourage to the fight , And all our wars have been most prosperous , Where Levites carried the Ark with us . But I resolve now not to trouble them , You shall return all to Ierusalem , These holy things to thee committed are , That thou of Gods true worship shouldst have care , Serve him , yee shew thy duty to the King , Which thou maist best do , by discovering The plots of wicked-wise Achitophel , Which knowing , I the better may refell . Thou seest these Polititians devise , To cloke their treasons under sacrifice . Lo , both their vowes religiously must pay , At Hebron and at Giloh on a day . For both the things , which they have vow'd , are one , To put down Gods anoynted from his Throne . Thou that the secrets of mans heart dost sound , Their hypocriticall device confound , And as they do thy holy Rites prophane , So make their worldly wisdome foolish , vain , ●he holy Bishop whose pure chrystall teares , ●hine in his eyes like Diamonds on his eares , Makes no reply , but to the City tends , Whilst David , weeping up the Mount ascends Bare footed , with his head all covered , ●ea all the people wept , and hid their head : Where soon as David had done worshipping , Hushai the Archite comes unto the King , With garments torn , and earth upon his head : To whom the King , should I thee with me lead , Thou wilt be but a burthen on the way , But if thou go to Absolon , and say , ●s to thy Father I have been , O King ! 〈◊〉 faithfull Senator in counselling , ●o will I be a servant to his son , ●hou thus maist me advertise how to shun ●he cunning projects of Achitophel , Who , noble Hushai , thou remembrest well , Hath by his tongue and practises unjust , Rais'd up himself to honour from the dust . ●hou knowst I made him for his eloquence , Or rather his unskilfull impudence , The Steward of my private state and Crown , Where he so close all under his long gown Convey'd , and 's fingers lickt by tricks unknown , He purchaseth a City for his own , 〈◊〉 rais'd him to my highest judgment Seat , Where finding him for me too potent-great , And his proceedings hollow and unsound , Projeeting crosse to all I did propound , I thought it fit to ease him of his place , Which taking for an undeserv'd disgrace , He ever since to crosse my best intents , My people humours in their discontents ; And as he at the first had learn'd the Arts , To take their purses , now he catcheth hearts : And winds their suffrages as in a string , ●hey please the people best , that crosse the King . None e're was more for my prerogative , So long as by it he eould rise or thrive ; But soon as he to his high pitch was flown , None ever labor'd more to beat it down : Not that I would for gain , by flatteries , Trench on my meanest subjects liberties , Who never duly will our Lawes observe , Except Kings by example them preserve , In making them our subjects rule and measure , And not our own , or Iudges will and pleasure , For Lawes come all from purest Iustice streame , And peoples safety is the Law supreme , But this must shadowed be from peoples eyes , Who if they feare not Kings them soon despise . My dearest , honest Counsellor of State , Thou seest they make Religion but a hait To catch my people , and betray their King , Oh! therefore help me in discovering Their most flagitious tr●asons , and confound Achitophels devises most profound . With thee is Zadock and Abiathar , To whom discover all that thou canst heare , They by their sons to me the truth will send , That I may shun the evill they intend . Thus by thy Counsell wise thou shalt defend All these my people , and thy faithfull friend . When Hushai thus , the Lawes of every Nation , ●o chiefly tend to common preservation Of peoples health and safety , which depend All on the King their head , whom to defend We are oblig'd in this politicall , As members in the body naturall , And to their counsell wise submit as they , 〈◊〉 therefore shall thy just commands obey . Now up was Israel in Armes and Lawes , Became as tame as sleeping Lyons pawes , For where warres rage , Lawes execution cease , Especially when Princes break the peace . And as the Plague that 's in a City bred , Doth over all the Country soon dispread , So spreads th' infectious Leprosie of sinne , ●f it amongst the Princes first begin , The people fuell to the fire bring Of any vice , ensampled by the King . Thus Absolons profound conspiracy , Hath turn'd plain-dealing all to policy , Now faith and loyalty are out of fashion , And treason 's grown the only occupation : When Ziba with two Asses sadeled , Laden with Raisons , Wine , ripe fruits , and bread , Which he for David and his men did bring , Blames lame Mephibosheth thus to the King . Let me find grace and favour in thy sight , My gracious Lord , whilst thou prepares to fight For Soveraignty with trai●rous Absalom , Mephibosheth as neuter sits at home , In hope when both have spent your strength and store , The people will his right to him restore . Then Ziba , said the King , thine be his lands , God me deliver from these Traytors hands : This like a cunning curre could closely bite Yet never barke , and like a Theef by night Purloin his Masters living and good name , But Shimei dares thus openly defame The King himself : Thou man of Belial , Thou bloudy murtherer of the house of Saul , God justly now shall bring upon thy head , Ev'n all the guiltlesse blood which thou hast shed , And give thy Kingdome to thy rebell son , Which thou by wicked meanes from Saul hast won : And more than words , he throweth stones , ev'n then When David had about him all his men : Yet would he not let Abishai go take From him his head , though he did offer make , But 〈…〉 humble sinner , free from passion , Deserving rather pitty and compassion , Than now to be insulted over so , When God for sin had humbled him so low , Replyes thus gently , it to us belongs Not to revenge , but meekly suffer wrongs , Let us not punish him , but humbled be , With mo●rning , anger cannot well agree : Alas who knows , but that the Lord hath sent Him here , to curse us for our chastisement ? Not that I Shemei's malice will excuse , For that 's his own , and though God doth it use To punish past , or sinnes to come prevent , It frees him not from guilt or punishment ; But I acknowledge all these stroaks from God , And therefore now will kisse , not burn the Rod : The son of mine own bowels seeks my right , And life ; Then much more may this Benjamite , With false reproaching scandals me defame , It may be God will blisse me for this shame . I that the Speare took from Sauls sleeping head , And would not suffer thee to smite him dead , And cut his garments lap off in the cave , Am now reproach'd for bloud , where life I gave ; Did not I cause th' Amalakite to fall , Who brought me word that he had killed Saul , And Banaahs and R●●habs bloud he shed , When unto me they brought their Masters head ? Yea lame Mephibosheth , to rule unable , Sits like a Prince , and eats at mine own Table . I do confesse my guiltinesse of blood , But for Sauls house , I ever did them good , But Davids gentlenesse and patience , Emboldneth Shimei in his insolence , So as he rails on , and for more disgrace , Takes stones and dust to throw in Davids face . Oh most incomparable patience ! A King to beare this Subjects insolence , But wrongs are ne're so easily overcome , As when we notice take from whence they come . But now Ahimaaz and Ionathan , To David and the host all posting ran , And wisht them all to passe the floud that night , Before they were constrained to the fight , So all are past o're Iordane ere the day , When Ionathan begins thus on the way , No sooner did the Priests our Fathers bring , The holy Arke , by the command , O King , From Kedrons Book up to Ierusalem , When thy son Absolon and all his men , The men of Iudah and of Israel , The City entred with A●hi ophel . Oh how did knees then bow and voyces ring , God save King Ahsolon , God save the King , So fond of new , so made their old to leave , As if all fail'd , they would themselves deceive . But oh ! I cannot but with horror tell , The bellish counsell of Achitophel , Who strongly to secure his part and faction , Before he ran too farre into the action , And lest upon a filiall submission , Thou shouldst be reconcil'd , and grant remission : Besides the usurpation of thy State , He counsels him thy bed to violate , That if high Treason could not make all sure , Most horrid incest should his part secure ; For when they thy ten Concubines did find , Which thou to keep thy house hadst left behind , He counsell gave to spread an open Tent , Upon thy houses highest B●ttlem●nt : Where Absolon with ev'ry of them lyes , Before the Sun and all the peoples eyes : Which damned counsell , and most beastly spectac●e , They all approve ev'n as an heavenly Oracle . Most divellish plot , saith David , now I see The danger of Hells deepest policy , Where wickednesse and wisdome both combine , None can defend us , but a power divine . In this deepe plot see how Achitophel , Doth imitate the Counsellor of Hell , Who gives like counsell unto every son Of God , as here he puts on Absolon , To bring 's past hope of reconciliation , He thus in●idiates each mans inclination : Can he but make us Traitors to Heavens King , What sin 's so foul but he on us will bring ? From ease to sloth , from sloth to foul excesse , From thence to lust , from lust to wantonnesse , Incest , Adultery , and Homicide , Which at the first we seek to cloke and hide , But grown in time , by custome , past all shame , Upon our houses tops the same proclaime . O subtile Polititian , wicked fool Achitophel ! taught in an Atheists School : Can one that thinks of God , that judgeth right , Hope by such crimes to prosper in his sight ? Thou either thinkst there is no God of might , Or else resolv'st with Satan his despight ; But he that in the heaven above doth raign , Thee scornes , and thine imaginations vain : Thy hellish counsell , and this filthy lust , Serve but to execute his judgements just : I closely did by lust my God offend , He payes me openly what I did lend . I privily my Subject did betray , My son acts treason in the open day : Profoundest depth ; the Almighties sapience , Thus turns our sins into just punishments , Yet leaves th' offenders without all excuse , Their malice is their own , his but the use . Oh that my Absolon , my son would yet Return , I all offences would forget , For I have many more than these committed Against my God , yet hath he all remitted , And though the Divill like Achitophel , Had almost plung'd me in the jawes of Hell , And so provok'd my Fathers indignation , There was small hope of reconciliation , Yet I no sooner did repent and pray , But God repli'd , thy sinnes are done away . Oh high exceeding riches of his Grace , Which all his works in heaven and earth surpasse ! As Absolon this wickednesse hath done , In sight of men , of Angels , and the Sun , So adde we sin to sin , till past all shame , On houses highest tops we them proclaim : Should each mans secret sinnes be seen to other , Alas ! who would indure to see his Brother . But all of them are open in his eye , Yet he , to save us , is content to dye , And at the time appointed will be slain , Mean while th' innocent Lamb endures the pain . Oh who can mind that Lambs sweet patience , And not remit all wrongs without offence . Then David pour'd out such a floud of teares , His servants all lament , not one forbeares , For as a stone in midst of water thrown , Makes circle after circle till 't is grown So large , it opens ev'n from side to side : Ev'n so did Davids lamentations slide Through all the Camp , that Ionathan forbeares His farther speech , and joynes with Davids teares .

THE FIFTH BOOKE . Ahithophel hanging . OH that so impious an Achitophel , Should counsell in the Court of Israel ! So wise a Senator to such a King , Should end his dayes so fondly in a string . See what becomes of wisdom without grace , And compassing bad ends by vices base , They through the wayes of blindest error tend , And like to their beginning have an end . And now the King repressed had his teares , When Ionathan begins thus to his eares : Soon as the villain had by this devise , Made Absolon thus odious in thine eyes , Lo he invents a second policy , Thus to secure a sudden victory . Chuse me , saith he , twelve thousand men to fight , And I will set upon the King this night , All wearied now , he with so weak a hand , Cannot our unexpected force withstand : I will amaze his host , and smite the King , And home in peace to thee thy people bring . Pernicious counsell ! who did this prevent ? Saith David , had my son twelve thousand sent Against us , when we lay on th' other side Of Iordan , I and all my host had di'd : We then were unprepar'd , faint , wearied , Our courage danted , and our spirits dead . Thy Son and Elders all of Israel , Saith Ionathan , did like t●is Counsell well , But Hushai thy old favorite and friend , Came unto Absolon , and did pretend To do him service , and thus bowing prayes , God grant the King long life and happy dayes . Is this thy kindnesse , saith he , thou dost show Unto thy friend , why didst not with him go ? My Lord , saith Hushai , thou this day shalt prove , That I the King did more than David love , For with the man , God and the people give , By voyce this Kingdome , I resolve to live , And be his servant , if thou please to grace Me so , that I may stand before thy face , The service I with David have begun , Shall be continued to the King his son . Thus to such trust he with the King is grown , He makes his secret counsell to him known , Amongst the rest this of Achitophel , Which he as politiquely did refell . My gracious Lord , saith Hushai , 't is a thing Of highest wisdome to advise a King , But now so deep a Counsellor of State Hath gone before , it doth me more amate . Achitophels advise is alwayes prime , Yet not to be allowed at this time . Thou knowst thy Father and his men be strong , And have in warres been exercised long , Who neither weary nor weak-handed are , But chaufed like a fierce and angry Beare Rob'd of her whelps : Besides thy Father's wise , Most expert in all warlike exercise , And will not with his men lodge in the plain , Lo , many caves and holes do yet remain , Which were his haunts , when in the wildernesse Saul sought him and his Army to oppresse . From whence he on a sudden will affright Thy men , some killing , putting some to flight : So shall a rumour streight abroad be blown , That thou and all thy host be overthrown . The King hath oft been prov'd too strong to yeeld , Thou never trid'st thy fortune in the field , Be well prepar'd in thy first enterprise , For thereby doth thy credit fall or rise ; The people ebbe and flow ev'n like the tide , And ever fall unto the stronger side , Like drunken men they to and fro do reel , And change as oft as Fortune turns her wheel . I therefore do advise , whilst thou dost stand In Grace , with all the people of the Land ; ( For who is he , that if thou dost but say , Come to mine aid , but will thy word obey ) Thou muster all the people in the Land , From Dan even to Bersheba , like the sand , And that thou forth in person go to fight , Thus will we come against him , with such might , And multitudes : wee 'l set upon him all , Thick as the dew upon the grasse doth fall : And if he get within a walled Town , We will with ropes pull all the City down , Not ●uffering a stone upon a stone , Of all his men we will not leave him one : By these devices Hushai did refell The dangerous counsell of Achi●ophel : Which though for best the Elders do approve , Yet Hushai's more the King and people move . Oh sure , saith David , God would th●s confound , By weake , the Counsels politicke , profound , He will me re-establish in my Throne , And overthrow the plots of Absolon . Lo Hushai shew'd himself a faithfull friend , And brought to passe the thing we did intend ; But how did you these counsels understand ? Hushai , saith Ionathan , them out of hand , Unto the Priests our fathers close convai'd , Who gave us notice of them by a Maid . I and Ahimaaz lay in a Well , Neere to the City , called En-Rogell , To which a Maid ( as if she went for water ) Comes and enformeth us of all the matter : Into the City durst we not adventure , For no man might come out , that in did enter : Yet could we not this thing so closely hide , But we were by a young-man both descri'd , Who telling it to Absolon the King , He servants sent us back again to bring : But as we had before at En-Rogell , So at Bahurim lay we in a Well , Upon whose mouth a good old woman spred Ground Corn , that so we might be covered : And when the servants of King Absalom , Inquir'd of her , what was of us become , Like that good Rahab , which did hide the spies , To save us , she excuses did devise , When therefore they had search'd and nothing found , They back return'd , we came out safe and sound , And hasted hither thee this newes to bring , That thou mightst know the danger of the King : For who doth know but wise Achitophel , May win thy son and men of Israel , To take his counsell , and thee follow fast , Before that thou hadst over Iordan past ? Whilst Ionathan yet speakes , one comes to tell Another project of Achitophel , Who seeing Hushai's counsell highly priz'd , And that his own , though better , was despis'd , Rides hom on 's sadled Asse , and in despight , The King such Oracles profound should slight , His house and family first ordered , His dayes ev'n with a halter finished , And was interred in his fathers grave ; Such end , saith David , wicked Traytors have , Their worldly wisdom is to folly brought , And , with their breath , their thoughts all com to nought : This man that able was to rule a State , His furious passions cannot moderate , And he that for the publike was so wise , Now like a wicked fool turns mad and dyes . Thus whilst he strives for wisdomes highest roome , He falls into extreamest follies doome : This is the life of all , and this their end , That here on worldly wisdome do depend : Wisdome and folly ay their life attend , And them accompany even in their end , They Cities can in peace and wealth maintain , But let ther hearts be irreligious vain ; Their worldly states , they like Achitophel Can order , but their soules let hang in hell . Vain wisdome ! that doth so our thoughts molest Abroad , not caring what is in our brest , Fond fool , in order thus his house to set , And both his soul and body to forget . But Hushai's counsell now is followed , And all the men of Israel mustered By Absolon , in number like Sea-sands , The foulest Treasons want no helping hands : For as at first a little ball of snow , By turning oft ; doth great and greater grow , Till it unto so huge a heap doth rise , There many dayes it after melting lies : Ev'n so this Traitor , who at first began With those two hundred men , who with him ran To Hebrons sacrifice , in time is grown To mighty heaps , and multitudes unknown , Who over Iordan now do passe with him , Ev'n as the King comes to Mehanaim : And now lo , both these mighty armies lye In Gileads Plaines , resolv'd the day to try , Where Amasa by Absolon is made The Captain of the host , in Ioabs stead ; But he that was expel'd from house and home By his own people , and son Absolon , Now findes abroad all duty and respect , God never his doth finally neglect : For as Gods Angels at Mehanaim met , Good Iacob with his enemies beset , Esau before his face , Laban behind , And ministred sweet comforts to his mind , So there an host of men come to the King , And earthen vessels , Beds , and Basins bring , Beanes , Barly , Lentiles , Flowre , parcht Corn & Wheat , Cheese , Hony , Butter , Sheep , and Beeves to eat : The son of that discourteous Ammonite , That Davids Legates did so foule despight , And Machir of Lodebar , who was all , Till lately , to advance the house of Saul , ( For there was lame Mephibosheth maintain'd , Who sole of Ionathan alive remain'd ) With old Barzillai that rich Gileadite , Where Ishbosheth so long maintain'd his right , Did all these things abundantly supply , To Princely David and his company . For they were weary in the wildernesse , Faint , hungry , thirsty , and in great distresse . Oh who doth know the happinesse of Rest And Peace , but they whom civill warres infest ! Where beating of the Drums , and Trumpets sounds , Are like the dreadfull callings of the hounds , When in the morning they the fearefull heare , In open field , do summon to appeare : Who thinks each bush she sees , stands to belay her , And every one she meets , comes to betray her . Most direfull are th' effects of civill warres , Where son of his own loynes no father spares , Brother embrewes his hands in bloud of Brother , And dearest friends do butcher one another . One by an Engine bullets casts and stones , Wherewith he breaks his wives and childrens bones : Whilst they cast stones down from the City wall , Which on their husbands head or parents fall : Here servants for the duty , which they owe Their masters , pay them with a mortall blow ; And they are paid for wages , from their master , With broken pates , which never need a plaster . Here Kings whom duty bindeth to defend Their subjects , seek their ruine and their end : And subjects count it honour , law , and right , Against their Soveraigns dreaded face to fight , All is with horrible confusion fill'd , Farmes uninhabited , their Lands untill'd , Their Kine , whose Milk doth yeeld abundant food , Suckle the hungry Souldiers with their bloud : And Shepheards that the plaines all over stock , Are glad to save their lives , and lose their flock . All Lawes are silent , Armes do all in all , And strongest put the weakest to the wall : Like savage beasts their fellowes each assaile , Where strength and fury 'gainst all right prevaile : Like Pikes in pond the most of might and power , Do all the other underlings devoure . Here heapes of bodies lye unburied , Here Infants slain , and Virgins ravished , Nor is the perill of the enemy More dangerous than privie treachery : Where great ones seem to take their Soveraigns parts , Yet cleave unto the Rebels with their hearts : And therefore him unfaithfully advise , Disclosing's secrets to his Enemies , Amongst such Traytors good and loyall held , More perill is at home , than in the field . These and a thousand more calamities Of civill warres , now th' Hebrewes miseries , And bred at first on this side Iordanes floud , Are forded over now to Ephraims wood : Which though ambition them at first begins , God sends for scourges of the peoples sins . But Absolon that might no longer raign , Than he the peoples madnesse could maintain , ( Besides he many of their hearts did find From him unto the better part inclin'd ) March'd on , till both the Armies were in sight , On purpose to provoke the King to fight : And David , who was stronger now become , By many friends , that to his aid were come , ( It thinking foule dishonour for a Crown , To be besieged in a walled Town , Caus'd Ioab draw his men out of the gate , That he might view them all , there as he sate : Where he appoints some Captaines over ten , Someover hundreds , some a thousand men : For all , or most part , of his old Commanders , To follow Absolon had left his standards . When Ittai , Davids prudent faithfull friend Begins , my Lord , stay here , thy servants send Against these Rebels , for our King to fight , Why should we hazard putting out our light ? What though ten thousand of thy people fall ? Thy life is of more value than us all , True-hearted Subjects more will every day , Turn after thee , and fall from him away , With which we 'l battail after battail try , Till God and our good cause give victory . When thus the King : Ioab and Abishai , And Ittai you are men , on whom this day , My life , my Kingdom , and my State relies , And therefore I will do as you advise : The Army order as you shall think fit , To each of you a third part I commit , Let Ioabs might for our main ●attail stand , I●tai and Abishai , the wings command . But good my friends , remember Absolon , Forget not that he is your Soveraigns son , Intreat the young-man gently for my sake , On 's youth and my gray haires some pitty take ; This charge he in the gate , with many teares , Gave all the Captaines in the peoples eares . But Absolon , who found the people totter , And waver like the Seas unstable water , And that the Tribeson this side Iordans floud , ( Who for the King more than the Rebels stood ) Resolv'd to dye , all in the Kings defence , Against his sons rebellious insolence , Rais'd on his Mule , and arm'd in war-like fashion , To all his Army utters this Oration : My friends and fellow-souldiers , not mine own Content , or private coveting the Crown , Me caus'd these Armes and Weapons up to take , But for the publike profit and your sake : Alas ! you know , how bra●e and plenteously , I might have liv'd , in all prosperity , Grace , honour , credit , glory , and renown , Nought wanting , but the dangers of a Crown ; Of which , succession made me not so sure , As all your votes and wishes did secure . But this your favour to the rising Sun , Which by my love and care of you I won , Was made high treason by these , to the King , Who of the State have all the managing , Whose tirannous oppressions should I name , I should la● ope mine own , and Fathers shame . For such do rule the King , that are not able To rule themselves , a thing intollerable . This must be righted : I you hither bring To fight against these Tyrants , not the King ; 'T is yours , and not my cause , for which we fight , I only lend my counsell , strength , and might . My friends and kinsmen , I you all leave free , Go on which side you most desire to be , Some tyranny account a benefit , So they at home in peace may quiet sit , And rather had the heaviest burthens beare , Than noise of Drums and Trumpets sounding heare : Such wish I to their Cities soon return : But you brave friends , whose hearts do inly burn With zeal and hate , 'gainst publike tyrannies , And seek to vindicate these injuries , Whom by your faces brave alacrity , I easely from base Cowards can descry : As with brave courage you with me remain , With me as victors you shall ever raign : Whilst they whose harts them fail for cowardise , Shall lye and groan still under tyrannies . As Moses led you by a mighty hand , From bondage of a cruell Lord and Land , So come I up , resolv'd to set you free , From all oppressions , wrongs and tyranny . The justnesse of our cause shall us acquite , But you that are so miserably light , Again for Aegypts flesh-pots to return , Though you their Brick and Lime for ever burn , Return , I say , and live in your own City , Your lightnesse merits not such blame as pitty . Since I return'd from Geshur to this C●urt , I view'd your grievances of every sort ; Tell me to which of all your causes here , I have not lent an understanding eare , Your suits were good , but either none there were Deputed of the King your plaints to heare , Or else the Iudges wanted time and leasure , All must attend from Term to Term their pleasure . Oh! there is no more gainfull occupation Than Law , in practise with the Iewish Nation : Clerks , Patrons , Proctors , Lictors , more abound , Than Merchants , Farmours , Souldiers , can be found , And whence live these , but on the injuries Of you , my people , and your miseries ? As Winds by Conjurers are oft up blown , That Conjurers again may get them down : So do these Lawyers , suits and questions raise , Not for their Clyents profit , but their praise . Nor will they them dismisse with little gain , For many suits eternally remain , With so great costs , as they that overcome , Had better been condemn'd when they begun , And ev'n as Souldiers , by continuall jarres , Grow senselesse of the cruelty of warres : So Lawyers us'd to wrongs and injuries , Compassionate no Clyents miseries . I cannot finde that all the civill broiles , So much oppresse the subject , as the toiles Men take , when they for justice sue and right , More safe in field , than at the bar to fight . Have not some Courts yet in your memories , Doubled against all equitie their fees , As if they had no table , law , nor taske , But you were bound to pay what they will aske : Which th' unlearn'd deskmen to such states doth raise , And leaves Professors onely place and praise . These and more grievances I will redresse , And make the number of your Lawyers lesse , Which , when they have no place to act their parts , Will study other profitable Arts : I will appoint for pleadings certain dayes , And Iudges to do right without delayes . Yea many other wrongs I will reform , The Levites , which your consciences inform , Shall take the tenths of all the soules they teach , Where now dumb Priests have all , that never preach : Your great ones now do only stand for show , And them that beare the burthens keep full low . ( Thus peoples itching eares the Rebell feasts , By rayling on their Governors and Priests ) A trite and common way to palliate Rebellion , to traduce the present State , That makes the people 'gainst their Rulers rise , The rude and ignorant against the wise , This makes the commons side against the Peeres , The worst of ills , the utmost of our feares . But now the more t' encourage you to fight , We war against the broken Ammonite , Whom late you did with Sawes and Harrows teare , And now aids David not for love , but feare . Barzillai that rich ancient Gileadite . Who comes with wealth , not power to the ●ight , And Machir of Manasses , who do bring Great store of wealth and victualls to the King , Will adde but little honour to the day , But they will wondrously increase the prey . For since the Tribes on Iordans other side , Stand for our right , and these from us divide , Well may we all their goods and Cattels take , And preys of all their Towns and Cities make . This oily speech of his did frame the heart , Of most of all his Souldiers , to his part : ●ut most those that by warres hop'd for increase , And more than death did feare a needy peace . But th' Armies now on both sides draw so neere , They each to other terrible appeare . Neere to Mehanaim there is a Wood Ignobled , for much losse of Hebrewes blood , Where when as Ammon war proclaimed had , Against th' Inhabitants of Gilead , And nothing his ambition would suffice , But all the Land that over Iordan lyes . Lo , valiant Ieptha commeth to their aid , And all their foes in open field dismaid , Which Ephraim bold ( taking in foule despight , That Ieptha without them should go to fight ) Him challeng'd openly upon the plain , Where all are put to flight , that were not slain , And taking Iordans passages beneath , Slew all , that could not utter Shiboleth : In this Wood , Ioab rather chose to train , And ranke his men , than on the open plain , For seeing's foes did two to one abound , He took th' advantage of a narrow ground . But Absolon most eager of the fight , Presuming on his number , force , and might , Calls out , My friends , brave courage on our side , The Cowards in the Woods themselves do hide , Should they our numbers see in open field , Their courages and hearts would fail and yield : You fight not now with men , but chase the Hind , Which we in bushes , woods , and thickets find . This said , the Trumpets sound , they give the sign , The Armies meet , and both in battail joyn , The Rebels Host o're all the plain are spread , The Kings was close , compact , well ordered , Both meet so close , they leave no little space , Mens bodies against bodies fill the place , Swords against swords , a Speare against a Speare , Some kill , and some are kill'd , no sparing there . In such close ranks there is no choise at all , They victors are that stand , they dye that fall . The ecchoing woods rebound with shouts and cryes , Of wounded men , and shriekes of such as dyes . Yet clashing of mens Armes yeeld such a sound , That it doth all the other noise confound . No man his help lends to his neerest friend , To save his life , or haste his wished end , In heat of Battails ay the gentlest brest Is as remorslesse , as the cruellest . But now the Kings two wings give back to train Their foes , in compasse of the Battail main , And other close ambushments in the Wood , By Ioab laid to make his party good . Where stakes , pits , thickets , trees , wild beasts conspire , To pay rebellious Traytors duest hire : Lo here a company unwares do fall , Into some cover'd pit , are drowned all ; Here one doth seek the enemies sword to shun , And to the pawes of cruell Beasts doth run ; Here one puts on his ●ourser fresh and free , And his own brains knocks out against a Tree : One seeking to avoid the cruell push Of sharper Pike , is hanged in a bush : All had ill footing , but who ere did fall , Was certain to be trodden down of all : Here is a quagmire , where some sticking fast , Their fellowes following tread them in for hast ; One leanes against a Tree to take his breath , And lo a Serpent stin●s him to the death : Here is a Ditch , in which so many fall , It now is fill'd , the rest passe over all . Thus by the Wood more perish than the Sword , Such help the Heavens to Traytors ay afford ! But whilst before his Host the Rebells fall , The King falls to his Armes spirituall : ( For like to Children then we come to God , When we lye underneath our Masters Rod. ) " Oh God , judge thou my cause , saith he , do right " Against my foes , with whom I now do fight , " I never them offended to this houre , " And yet they all my soul seek to devoure , " Shall they escape thus with their wickednesse ? " Nay , thou , O Lord , shalt bring them to distresse : " But now I pray 'gainst him , whom most I love , " Oh therefore had I wings ev'n like a Dove , " Then would I flye away , and be at rest , Untill these stormy winds and tempests ceast . When lo , the watch-man lifting up his eyes , One running to the City-ward espies , Which he as suddenly tells to the King , Oh sure , saith David , he doth tidings bring , Ah , saith the watchman , I a second see Come running , but know not who it should be . But lo , the first , oh King , doth seem to run Like to Ahimaaz , old Zadocks son . Ah! sai●h the King , he ay good newes doth bring , Who lo , then comes and saith : All 's well , O King , God blessed be , who now hath set thee free , And giv'n unto thy hands , thine enemy . But oh ! saith David , is the young-man well ? My Lord , saith he , Ioab and Israel , Prevailed in the field against ●hy son , Before I came away , the field was won ; But when he me and Cushai to thee sent , I tumults saw , but knew not what they meant : Then turn aside , saith David , stand by here , Till Cushai with his tidings doth appeare ; Then Cushai comes , and tidings cryes , O King , God on thy foes doth all their mischief bring , He hath aveng'd thee on thine enemies , And all that up against my Lord do rise . But ah , saith David , how is 't with my son ? So be 't , saith Cushai , unto every one , That up against my Lord the King doth rise , As Absolon , be all thine enemies . When as the Rebels first before us fled , And Ioab and thy servants followed , The young-man post upon a Mule did ride , Under an Oake whose armes dispreaded wide . When lo , his haire , which he weares somewhat long , Was so intangled in the boughs among , The Mule not staying , but still putting forth , There left him hanging 'twixt the heaven and earth ; Which when a Souldier saw , he Ioab told : Who thus repli'd , couldst thou him there behold , And yet forbeare to smite him to the ground ? For which thou shouldst no small reward have found . Ah , saith the man , though thou to me shouldst give A thousand silver sh●ckles , as I live , I would not for this great reward be won , To lift my hand against my Soveraigns son : I heard the charge the King gave in the gate , To us and all his Captaines as he sate : I sure against my life had done this thing , Thou wouldst have first accus'd me to the King . But Ioab hasts to him , and with a Dart , The young-man smites ev'n thorow to the heart : And his ten Squires round compassing about , Him smote quite through to put all out of doubt . Then Ioab sounds the Trumpet to repeal , The people from pursuing Israel . Cushai would have gone on , the King to tell , How they did with the young-mans body deal , Who cast into a pit his flesh and bones , And laid on him a mighty heape of stones , Which heape , saith Ioab , shall for ay defame A sons rebellion , and this traitors name , More than the stately pillar he did frame In Kings fair Dale and call'd it by his name , In this for ever his reproach shall sleep , And live , when 's Monument becomes a heape . But even as Ioab with his cruell Dart , Smote Absolon into the very heart ; So Cushai's speech so strikes the King , he cry'd , Oh Absolon my son , would I had di'd For thee my Absolon , my son , my son . Ah David , why mak'st thou such grievous mone ? Thy words would move a Tygers heart and eares , What then to see thy piteous face and teares ? What shall thy life , at thousands valued , Be now exchanged for a Traitors head ? Wouldst thou thy life , for such a son , lay down , That sought his Fathers death to get his Crown ? Canst thou not live without that Absolon , That could not live in peace , till thou art gone ? Never was known a King more passionate , Nor any Father more affectionate : Herein me thinks , oh Singer sweet ! thou art A man affected after Gods own heart : A heart of melting wax , not like a stone , Thy Hony , butter'd words , and heart be one . As thou wouldst for thy traytrous son have di'd , So will he be for Traytors crucifi'd : Thou seekst to save him who would thee betray , He doth for 's persecuting murtherers pray , And cryes , whilst they scourge , scorn , and kill him too , Father forgive , they know not what they do . Though we be sons , rebellious and ungrate , Our heavenly Father is compassionate : And Angels sends to beare in their Arms , Whilst we 'gainst him breath warres and sound Alarms : Oh love incomprehensible , infinite ! Angels amazement , holy Saints delight , My soul is ravish'd with thy brighter beames , As eyes are dazeled with Suns purer gleames : This love was never livelier set forth , Than by this Type , thy Deputy on Earth .

THE SIXTH BOOKE . David returning . ALas ! what vertue , goodnesse , or deserts , Can to a King assure the peoples hearts ? When such a Prince , so gentle , gracious , kind , Doth more revolters , than good subjects find . Thus some few great men waxing strong in factions , Begin the people in rebellious actions , Till led on by opinion without reason , They fall to flat Rebellion and Treason , Whom God repayes in justice for such deed , Achitophels or Absolons due meed , But God of hosts , to whom it is all one , To save with many , or with few or none , Takes part with Iustice , and lets Israel feel , What 't is against Gods Kings to life their heel , Sure this Re●ellion must be generall , When twenty thousand in a battail fall , Yet of this numberlesse rebellious power , The Wood doth more than all the swords devoure : And yet the King doth more lament and plain For Absolon , than all his subjects slain ; Thus pious Fathers by their indulgence , And gentlenesse to children , give offence , Thus did old Eli , thus good Samuel , Isaac loves Esau more than Israel , And this bewails the death of Absolon , As Amnons his incestuous wicked son ; Whereof when tidings came to Ioabs eare , ( For all the people of the Town might heare , The King cry Absolon , oh Absolon , Would I had dy'd for thee , my son , my son ! ) That day which should have bin for mirth and gladnesse Was turned to a night of dole and sadnesse ; The people which should triumph in that day , All blusht for shame , as they had ran away , And as they had deserv'd lesse praise than blame , Into the City at the Posterns came . For lo , the King had covered his head , And cry'd , Ah Absolon ! my son is dead . When Ioab comming in unto the King , Begins , Thou shame dost and confusion bring , This day on all thy faithfull servants faces , Which sav'd thy life and thee from all disgraces , And have preserv'd thy sons and daughters lives , The Honors of thy Concubines and wives . For which thou makest them this faire amends , Thou lov'st thine enemies , and hat'st thy friends . This day thou piainly hast thy selfe declar'd , Thou neither Prince nor servant dost regard : Lo ! had thy son liv'd , though all Israel , And we had dy'd , it would have pleas'd thee well . Ah but , saith David , ●hou mightst well have take The youth alive , and sav'd him for my sake ; Alas , O King ! saith Ioab , for whose sake Did all we Armes against the Rebell take ? For whose sake should thy servants with him fight ? But to defend our Kings , his Fathers right . To all thy servants he was courteous , To suitors aff●ble and gracious , And to all Israel plausible and free , The Young-man onely cruell was to thee . Most wretched Traytor , vile unnaturall son , Of sonnes and Traytors none like Absolon : Base gracelesse Darling of a holy Sire , Whose blood he hunts for , seeking to aspire By all base meanes , unto thy State and Crown , Who , if he could , would God from Heav'n pull down . What other Prince of Israel hath done Such services as I for Absolon ? I by the Tekoite got thy consent , To call him from his three years banishment , Who was so glad as I thy grace to gain , To bring him home from Geshurs Court again ? I brought him to thy presence , and in grace , After two yeeres confinement to his place , All this I did as to my Lieges son , But now he is unnaturall become , The heavens , to keep thy servants free from blame , Bring him , even as Achitophel , to shame . His Mule resignes her load unto the Tree Of Iustice , thus should Traytors hanged be . His bush of haire , which never might be shorn , Till it were grown too heavie to be born , There bare his burthen : Lo thus God doth smite Him in the part , he sinning took delight ; Thus Heaven , the Mule , his haire , and Oake conspire , To give this Rebell his deserved hire . I onely lent the Oake a Dart or twain , To put the Traytor sooner out of pain ; Yet we must use him gently for thy sake , Such gentlenesse will many Traytors make : So long as gentlenesse in Governing , Is held to be a vertue in a King , No Treason nor Rebellion shall be said To prosper by their faults , all will be laid Upon the Heavens , or mans maliciousnesse , That thus abuse a Princes gentlenesse : A most pernicious Pest's such lenity , In Governors of State or family . Didst thou thou not seem by mildnesse to consent , Unto thy daughter Thamars ravishment ? Of which ne're Amnon heard least good or ill , Till Absolon it punisht , 'gainst thy will : And now thy gentlenesse and indulgence , By yeelding to the vain profuse expense , And costly bravery of Absolon , More ●itting for a Monarch than thy son , Who could not up and down the City ride , With lesse than fifty footmen by his side , Hath rais'd his high ambition to thy Crown , And thus , lo , thou art vexed by thine own . The ●reasures of thy Kingdom must supply Him meanes , for managing this treachery . Sure had he liv'd this day to see thy face , Thou hadst receiv'd him to thy former grace , But we that have adventur'd goods and lives , To save the King , his daughters , sons , and wives , Secluded from thy face and presence be , As if wee all were Traytors , and not he : Now therefore , here I sweare before the Lord , Except thou hearken to thy servants word , And come and stand in some faire open place , To shew thy servants comfort in thy face , Of all the men , that thus for thee did fight , There will not one remain with thee by night , Which will be worser far , oh King , than all The evils , that ever did thee befall . Alas , saith David , I could not allow In other men , the things which I do now , But Parents love is strong and naturall , And violently down the hill doth fall : Flouds falling from precipite hills you may , As well as Parents loves to children stay . But if mine errors onely you relate , You do not me advise , but exprobrate : 'T is easie others faults to reprehend , True wisdome others , and his own to mend . But Ioab seeing speeches-liberty , Did only rub , not heal the malady , Begins with modesty to blame the time , And some of those offenders that were prime : When David thus , what must we here abide , Or shall we go on Iordans other side ? What thinkst thou ▪ must we try another field ? Or will the people and the Cities yield ? No doubt , saith Ioab , all the Townes will yield , None of the faction can maintain the field ; Nor do I know a man , now he is gone , They will accept to be their minion . Now that the streame is turn'd , behold the tide Will flow as fast unto the other side ; Mens fancies like an optique glasse make all The eye is fixed on , seem faire , great and fall : Where people love , they showes for truth will take , And where they hate , of vertues vices make , What made them else so vain fantasticall , To follow Traytors , and from thee to fall ? For as we in Prospective glasses see , Things farthest off , far fairer than they be ; So people by their fancy do approve Kings vice or vertues , as they hate or love . Be but at first of these thy friends secur'd , Who now much danger have for thee endur'd , And thou , as of one man , shalt draw the hearts , Ev'n of all Palestina to thy parts . The Tribes which now beyond the floud remain , Will strive , which first shall bring thee back again : Yea Iudah , who was first to put thee down , Will come first to restore thee to thy Crown . Thus came the King into the City gate , Which when the people heard , they that of late , For griefe and sorrow fled unto their Tent , Do thither come , for joy incontinent , Who them with comfortable words so pleaseth , He all their former griefs and sorrowes easeth . The King was scarse descended from his Throne , When Rumors over all the Camp are blown , That all the Tribes do strive about the King , Which first of them him back again should bring : Oh , say the people , he is just and wise , And sa●ed us from all our enemies , And from the Philistines delivered , Yet now out of the Land from us is fled , For Absolon , late in the Battail slain , Whom we annoynted over us to raign . Ah , saith the King , then will it be a shame , For Iudah of my kindred , tribe and name , If when as all the Tribes of Israel haste , To bring me home againe , they be the last . And therefore sends he to the Priests , that they Should in this manner to the Elders say . Why should you be the last that seek to bring Again unto his house with you the King ? Now seeing all the other Tribes conspire To that , the King of you doth most desire , You are my brethren , mine own flesh and bone , Then be not last , but rather come alone To fetch me home to you , and I will grace Your Captain Amasa with Ioabs place . Is he not also of my flesh and bone ? What though he fought against me for my son ? This was and is a politick wise fashion , To sway the people by the Priests Oration ; For they have at command the peoples eare , And what they teach , we all are bound to heare . In Iebus City is a spacious Court , Where Elders and the people ay resort , To heare the Prophets and the Law expounded , And Rules of good and holy life propounded ; Where God , whom heav'n of heav'ns cannot contain , Doth with his Ark in Tents of skins remain . Here reverend Zadock , to the Congregation , Out of his Pulpit , utters this Oration , By which he wisely did the hearts command Of Elders all , and people of the Land . Men , Brethren , Fathers , whom I see this day Assembled here , in great concourse , to pray , For th' health and safety of our holy King , Whom God in peace and honour to us bring . I will not exprobrate your least omission Of any duty , in his last dismission : I onely of his merits make narration , And leave all to your loyall application . Will you be pleas'd to heare me first begin , Where first he your and Israels hearts did win , Th' uncircumcised Giant he did quell , Defying all the host of Israel . ( To count his strength and vallour I forbeare , In killing of the Lion and the Beare ) For this was his first signall act of fame , Whereby he honour wan to Ishai's name , By which he was made known to Saul , and wan Such grace and favour , with sweet Ionathan , Who as his soul most dearly David lov'd , From which he would by no meanes be remov'd . And though Saul would perswade his son to hate Him , as the assured ruine of his State ; Against his violence he firmly stood , And never ceast to do King David good . After Goliah slain , he for his hire , Became to be Sauls servant and Esquire ; And on his Harp so cunningly did play , He often drave Sauls evill spirit away . From whence he was advanc'd , to have command Amongst the men of warre , when with his hand , The jealous Tyrant sought to strike him dead , As on his Harp he plaid and solaced . To ●ide his hate , yet to betray his li●e , Saul proffers him his daughter unto wife , So with twice fifty fore skins he endow her , In hope his foes and him thus to devower : But this hope failing , Davids victories , Began in Saul such feares and ielousies , That divers wayes his death he practised , But God by Michol him delivered . Whence he to Samuel in Ramoth fled , Saul thither him pursuing , prophesi'd . Then sav'd he Keilah by the Philistine Besieg'd , and took great store of Sheep and Kine : Thence flies he to Ahimelech the Priest , Who paid too deare for such a Royall Guest ; For spitefull Doeg did to Saul complain , And neere a hundred Priests by him were slain . From thence to Achish Prince of Gath , where he , Pretendeth madnesse and simplicity : From thence he hunted to Adullams Cave , Like to a Partridge flies , his life to save , To Ziph , Eugaddy , Maons Desarts , where He cut off Sauls coat-lap but 's life did spare ; And after took his Sreare from 's sleeping head ; Then he the second time to Achish fled , Of whom he was most kindly entertain'd . For hate of Saul , and Ziglags Town obtain'd . Whence he to warre on Iudahs Coasts pretended , But so 'gainst Amalek his forces bended , And other foes of ours , that to complain , He never let one man alive remain . By which he , faln now into th' indignation , As Achish thought , of his own King and Nation , Was brought to field 'gainst Saul his King to fight , But these Philistine Lords that knew his might , And fearing he to th' other side should turn , Made him again to Ziglag back return . Which burnt he found , their women captive led , With all their children that him followed ; For which all were so grieved and offended , His Souldiers there to stone him had intended . Amid all troubles God did him sustain , And helpt to win his own , and more again : For he so close pursu'd th' Amalekite , And them unwares so furiously did smite , He all the Host left dead upon the plain , And losses all recovered again : Inriching them with spoiles that with him went , And many presents to our Elders sent , In all his troubles , which of you can say , He did me wrong , or made of mine a prey ? Was he not rather unto you , for all Your Goods , against your enemies a wall ? Aske foolish Nabals servants , they will say , He was a wall to us by night and day , No sheep were lost , no Lambs of ours were slain , Whilst David neer to Carmel did rema●n . And though the churle did evill him requite , Yet God , who is the Iudge of wrong and right , Reveng'd his churlishnesse with losse of life , Rewarding Davids goodnesse with his wife . By this Saul and his sons were overthrown At Gilboa , which soon as it was known To David , how did he compassionate Their deaths , and those afflictions of the State , Which were so great , they over Iordan fled , And many of their Townes abandoned . So as by this so great an overthrow , Were Israel and Iudah brought so low , They to the son of Ishai presents bring , And him acknowledge their annointed King . For what was closely done by Samuel , Was known to all the Tribes of Israel . Had he not been a valiant man of warre , The Philistins prevailed had so farre , We surely had long since their servants been , And not these dayes of liberty have seen . Abner long at Mehanaim maintain'd The son of Saul , whilst he at Hebron raign'd , Till Traytors did his head to David bring , Then all the Tribes acknowledge him their King . Oh with what wondrous joy and acclamation , Was he accepted then of all this Nation ! He went before us in and out , in all The warres , in times of Samuel and Saul : He saved us from all our enemies , And honour'd us with glorious victories . Oh! then he was of our own flesh and bone , And fit to govern all the Tribes alone . Sure his deserts were infinite before , But hath he not to these still added more ? Witnesse this place , where now Gods Arke is pight In th' heart of Iudah , which the Iebusite 'Gainst Iosuab , Iudges , Samuel , Saul , maintain'd , By Davids might and prowesse now obtain'd , This holy place , where now you meet to pray , And offer sacrifices night and day , For Sions Mount , your Kings brave habitation , Worlds wonder , and the Glory of this Nation , Whilome of theeves , and murtherers a den , Whence they did steal your goods and spoil your men , And sacrifice to Rimnon , morn and even , And worship'd daily all the host of Heaven , Yea often to appease th' infernall Ire , Did drive your sons and daughters through the fire , This fort , defended by the blind and lame , He builded , and Hierusalem did name . Did not all Palestine their forces bring , 'Gainst David soon as he was crowned King ? Whom all to weak his valour to withstand , God twice delivered into Davids hand : Yea ev'n the God of Hosts , to shew his right , Led him forth from the Mulberry trees to fight : Soon as his enemies subdued are , He wholly on Religion sets his care , Gods Ark into your City home to bring , That God might dwell with you , as did the King . Why should I here sad Vzzahs breach recite ? Whom God , for his presumption , dead did smite . For staying but the Arke up with his hand , Medling with sacred thing , 'gainst Gods command . For which it was to Obe● Edoms led , Where whilst it staid , all things well prospered . But ah , how did our Prophet dance and sing , More like a holy Levite than a King , When th' Ark was brought up hither to be rear'd , And set up in the place for it prepar'd , Who though he then was scorn'd in Mich●ls sight , God never did in him take more delight . What hath he not for this your City done ? Besides his many Royall workes begun , And finished , whereby he chang'd this hold Of earth and stone , to streets of brasse and gold . 'T was in his mind a Temple here to raise , To Gods eternall Worship laud and praise . Till God by Nathan otherwise declared ; Yet he for it materialls hath prepared , The which his son that Prince of peace shall raise , And blesse with peace and honour all his dayes . For all such as have had their hands in bloud , As David , though their warres are just and good , From medling with Gods Altar ought abstain , The stones whereof should all in peace be lain . For what are all our Rites and offerings , Arke , Incense , and all other holy things , But figures of eternall peace and rest : No bloudied hands may minister this feast . ( Irregularity for second wives Is vain , as you shall see by both their lives . ) And therefore David leavs it to his son , He after all his former battails won , Hath taken Gath , the key of all your Land , The Bridle thus wringing out of the hand Of Philistins , who now 〈◊〉 brought so low , They all their knees to Iudahs Monarch bow . Ittai one of their Lords of greatest might , Serv'd under David in this civill fight : Moab you know with lines was measured , Two lines to save alive , another dead . And Hadadezar , Syrians King of Kings , With all his Vice-Roys , presents to us brings : Now Aram and Damascus ours remain , Twenty two thousand of them being slain . He hither all the Shields of gold did bring , Which he had taken from the Syrian King . We quite through Edom all our Armies led , And of them eighteen thousand slaughtered . So as in all these Cities and wall'd Townes , The King hath put strong men in Garrisons : Yea ev'n Damascus , though as Queen she reigns , Above the rest , a Garrison maintains . What Presents did the son of Tohu bring , Of Gold and Silver Vessels to the King ? Which all together , with a mighty masse Of Gold and Silver Vessells , and of brasse ; The spoiles of all these Nations related , Are to our Temples structure dedicated . And as he did abroad a victor raign , At home he right and judgement did maintain . Israel was never better kept in order , Seraiah Scribe , and Iosaphat Recorder , The Kings own sons , your chiefest Rulers are , The chiefest Priests , I and Abiathar . God and the King unto this place did chuse us , Which of you for wrong dealing can accuse us ? But seeing you are not of Iudah all , But some of Benjamin and house of Saul , Which Tribes are so neer neighbors , and allide , We hardly one from th' other can divide , Give me but leave to render an account , How he in benefits doth you surmount . When Saul and 's sons on Gilboas Mount were slain , How did he for their deaths lament and plain ? Especially for Ionathan his brother , Was ever any friend more kind to other ? How were the men of Iabesh honoured , Who Saul and his sons bones had buried ? Did ever any of Sauls kindred dye By David , for revenge or jealousie ? How did he Abners losse lament and plain ? The Traytors that slew Ishbosheth were slain . And lame Mephibosheth , who here now stands , Hath he not given thee all thy Fathers Lands ? Wert thou not , like a Prince , serv'd with his meat , Drank of his cup , and at his Table eate ? Though Ziba did thee trecherously disgrace , The King will sure restore thee to thy place . Could ever any Prince do more to win , His Subjects hearts ? yet should I now begin , His merits all not mention'd to recite , I could not reckon up them all by night : But these are all but favours temporall : Ah! what are his sweet Hymnes spirituall , Whose every letter , tittle , point , and line , Have each their sense , sweet , mysticall , divine , Ev'n as our souls desire , like to the past Of heavenly Manna to the spirituall tast ; By which the soul●s with ●at and marrow fed , As bodies were by Manna cherished , They over all your Tents like Quailes dispread , That weakest stomacks might be comforted . But ah ! no tongue but his can rightly sing , The heavenly praises of this holy King , Shew me his like in all Antiquity , For valour , wisdome , justice , piety , Yet won by shews and grosse dissembling , You , for a Traytor , have dismiss'd this King . What Nation is so barbarous and rude , But will condemne such base ingratitude ? If in these errours you shall still remain , And do not haste to bring him back again . Thus doth this grave high Priest to them divine , Like winged , heavenly , holy Seraphine , And bows the hearts ( this elocution can ) Of all the men of Iudah as one man , When suddenly arose a murmuring , And all cry out aloud , the King , the King . All inly mov'd , each looks upon his brother , And ready are to follow one another : When one breakes forth , and him they follow all , And leave good Zadock preaching to the wall . So have I seen a goodly heard of Steeres , Deep stung in Autumns heat by flyes and breers , With tailes erect , all follow after one , None knowing whither , nor for what they run ; Scarse from Mahanaim passed was the King , When Legates this Ambassage to him bring ; The men of Iudah comming are amain , Their King home to his house to bring again : Lo , they are all , say they , upon the way , And therefore he makes haste , that very day , To Gilgall , where they all in order stood , All prest to ford him over Iordans flood . Shimei , that curst the King , going out mourning , A thousand helps now brings to his returning ; And Ziba servant of Sauls family , With twenty servants him accompany . All these with readinesse attend the King , And all things needfull to his passage bring , When Shimei thus , let not my Lord begin , Now to impute or call to mind the sin , I did commit against my Lord the King , When thou wentst forth , I now abhorre the thing ; Thy servant doth acknowledge his offence , And to redeem his former insolence , Doth hither first of Iosephs house descend . Thee homeward to thy City to attend . Faine Abish●i would have his neck disjoynted , Because that he had cursed Gods annoynted , But David , much offended , doth reply ; Shall any man this day in Israel dye ? This day I Israels King am made again , And therefore sweare , no Shimei shall be slain . And now Mephibosheth the King doth meet , That never cut his beard , nor washt his feet , Nor chang'd his rayment , from the day the King Went out , till they him home in peace did bring . To whom the King , Mephibosheth , ah ! why I● exile had I not thy company ? Who thus replyes : Ziba , oh King , deceav'd Thy servant , and me of mine Asse bereav'd . For soon as he did understand , that I Resolved was thee to accompany , And therefore him commanded to provide Mine Asse in readinesse , whereon to ride : He led the Beast away that should me beare , And me accus'd of treason in thine eare . But thou , my Lord , well knowst thy servant's lame , And never merited so foule a blame . Lo , as Gods Angell thou art just and wise , Do therefore what good seemeth in thine eyes : For I and all my Fathers family , Were but as dead , when thy benignity , Thy servant did at thine own Table place . I ask no more , but still to see thy face . No more , saith David , I all understand , With Ziba , as before , divide the land : Let him , his sons , and servants , till the ground , The profits to Mephibosheth redound . Let him , saith he , both land take and increase , Now I do see my Lord return'd in peace . Barzillai had the King accompani'd , From Rogelim to Iordans other side , And sent the Ki●g provision every day , Whilst with his Host he at Mahanaim lay : For he was wondrous rich , and very old , But comely and most gracious to behold . Faine would the King this good old man have led To his own house , and at his Table fed . But he replyes , Alas ! how long have I , My Lord , to live ? let me go home and dye . Thy servant now full foure score years hath past , And in his meat and drink discernes no taste ; I cannot heare the voyce of 〈…〉 Why should I be a burthen to th● 〈…〉 Now thou art over Iordan , God 〈◊〉 guard , Why shouldst thou me requite with such reward ? Let me return to mine own quiet bed , And in my parents grave be buried . My son thy servant Chimham , he shall go With thee , to whom , even what thou please● , do . Well , said the King , I do accept thy son , What thou desirest for him shall be done , And for thy self , what ever thou require , I shall be glad to answer thy desire . Thus did the King with many thanks dismisse The good old man , and parted with a kisse . Barzillai home returns , to take his ease , The King comes to Hierusalem in peace . FINIS .