When we consider how unjust 'tis, you, Who ne'er of power more than the burthen knew, At once the weight of that and age should have, (Your stooping days press'd doubly towards the grave);
When we behold by Ammon's youthful rage, Proud in th' advantage of your peaceful age, And all th' united East, our fali conspir'd; And that your sons, whom chiefly we desir'd As stamps of you, in your lov'd room to place, By unlike acts that noble stamp deface;
But why this yoke on your own necks to draw? Why man your God, and passion made your law?” "Methinks" (thus Moab interrupts him here) "The good old seer 'gainst kings was too severe. "Tis jest to tell a people that they're free: Who, or how many, shall their masters be Is the sole doubt; laws guide, but cannot reign; And, though they bind not kings, yet they re- strain.
I dare affirm (so much I trust their love) That no one Moabite would his speech approve.
Midst these new fears and ills we're forc'd to fly But, pray go on."-"Tis true, sir," he replies,
T'a new, and yet unpractis'd, remedy: A new one, but long promis'd, and foretold By Moses, and to Abraham shown of old; A prophecy long forming in the womb Of teeming tears, and now to ripeness come, This remedy's a king; for this we all With an inspir'd and zealous union call: And, in one sound when all men's voices join, The music's tun'd, no doubt, by hand divine: 'Tis God alone speaks a whole nation's voice; That is his public language; but the choice Of what peculiar head that crown must bear, From you, who his peculiar organ are, We expect to hear: the people shall to you Their king, the king his crown and people, owe. To your great name what lustre will it bring T have been our judge, and to have made our king!
"He bow'd and ended here; and Samuel straight, Pausing awhile at this great question's weight, With a grave sigh, and with a thoughtful eye, That more of care than passion did descry. Calmly replies- You 're sure the first,' said he, "Of freeborn men that begg'd for slavery, I fear, my friends, with heavenly manna fed, (Our old forefathers' crime) we lust for bread. Long since by God from bondage drawn, I fear, We build anew th' Egypt an brick-kiln here. Cheat not yourselves with words; for, though a king
Be the mild name, a tyrant is the thing.
Let his power loose, and you shall quickly see How mild a thing unbounded man will be. He'll lead you forth your hearts' cheap blood to spill,
Where'er his guideless passion leads his will: Ambition, lust, or spleen, his wars will raise; Your lives' best price his thirst of wealth or praise: Your ablest sons for his proud guards he 'll take, And by such hands your yoke more grievous
Your daughters and dear wives he'll force away; His luxury some, and some his lust, t' obey, His idle friends your hungry toils shall cat, Drink
your rich wines, mix'd with your blood and sweat,
Then you'll all sigh, but sighs will treasons be; And not your griefs themselves, or looks, be free: Robb'd ev'n of hopes, when you these ills sus- tain,
Your watery eyes you 'll then turn back in vain On your old judges, and perhaps on me, Nay, ev'n my sons, howe'er they unhappy be In your displeasure now; not that I'd clear Their guilt, or mine own innocence endear: Witness th' unutterable Name, there's nought Of private ends into this question brought.
"Yet men whom age and action render wise So much great changes fear, that they believe All evils will, which may, from them arrive. On men resolv'd these threats were spent in vain; All that his power or eloquence could obtain Was, to inquire God's will ere they proceed T' a work that would so much his blessing need. A solemn day for this great work is set, And at th' anointed tent all Israel met Expect th' event; below, fair bullocks fry In hallow'd flames; above, there mount on high The precious clouds of incense; and, at last, The sprinkling, prayers, and all due honours,
Lo we the sacred bells o' th' sudden hear, And in mild pomp grave Samuel does appear. His ephod, mitre, well-cut diadem, on; Th' oraculous stones on his rich breast-plate shone.
Tow'rds the blue curtains of God's holiest place (The temple's bright third Heaven) he turned his face;
Thrice bow'd he, thrice the solemn music play'd, And at third rest thus the great prophet pray'd:-
'Almighty God, to whom all men that be Owe all they have, yet none so much as we; Who, though thou fill'st the spacious world alone, Thy too-small court, hast made this place thy throne;
With humble knees, and humbler hearts, lo! here, Blest Abraham's seed implores thy gracious ear; Hear them, great God! and thy just will inspire; From thee, their long-known King, they a king desire.
Some gracious signs of thy good pleasure send; Which lo! with souls resign'd, we humbly here attend."
"He spoke, and thrice he bow'd, and all about Silence and reverend horrour sciz'd the rout; The whole tent shakes, the flames on th' altar by In thick dull rolls mount slow and heavily; The seven lamps wink; and, what does most dis-
In glad effects God's presence thus appear'd, And thus in wondrous sounds his voice was heard :
This stubbornland sins still, nor is it thee, but
(Who 'ave been so long their king) they seek to cast off thus; [strove Five hundred rolling years hath this stiff nation T exhaust the boundless stores of our unfathom'd love.
Be't so then; yet once more are we resolv'd to try Toutweary them through all their sins' variety: Assemble, ten days hence, the numerous people here,
To draw the royal lot which our hid mark shall bear.
Dismiss them now in peace; but their next crime shall bring
Ruin without redress on them, and on their king.' "Th' Almighty spoke; th' astonish'd people part
With various stamps impress'd on every heart: Some their demand repented, others prais'd; Some had no thoughts at all, but star'd and gaz'd. "There dwelt a man,nam'd Cis,in Gibeah town, For wisdom much, and much for courage, known; More for his son; his mighty son was Saul, Whom nature, ere the lots, t' a throne did call. He was much prince, and when, or wheresoe'er, His birth had been, then had he reign'd, and there.
Such beauty, as great strength thinks no dis
Smil'd in the manly features of his face; His large, black eyes, fill'd with a spriteful light, Shot forth such lively and illustrious night, As the Sun-beams, on jet reflecting, show; His hair, as black, in long curl'd waves did flow; His tall straight body amidst thousands stood, Like some fair pine o'erlooking all th' ignobler wood.
Of all our rural sports he was the pride; So swift, so strong, so dextrous, none beside. Rest was his toil, labours his lust and game; No natural wants could his fierce diligence tame, Not thirst nor hunger; he would journeys go Through raging heats, and take repose in snow. His soul was ne'er unbent from weighty care; But active as some mind that turns a sphere. His way once chose, he forward thrust outright, Nor step'd aside for dangers or delight. Yet was he wise all dangers to foresee; But born t'affright, and not to fear was he. His wit was strong, not fine; and on his tongue An artless grace, above all eloquence, hung. These virtues too the rich unusual dress Of modesty adorn'd, and humbleness; Like a rich varnish o'er fair pictures laid, More fresh and lasting they the colours made. Till power and violent fortune, which did find No stop or bound, o'erwhelm'd no less his mind, Did, deluge-like, the natural forms deface, And brought forth unknown monsters in their place.
Forbid it, God! my master's spots should be, Were they not seen by all, disclos'd by me! But such he was; and now to Ramah went (So God dispos'd) with a strange, low intent. Great God! he went lost asses to inquire, And a small present, his small question's hire,
Brought simply with him to that man to give, From whom high Heaven's chief gifts he must receive : [things Strange play of Fate! when mightiest human Hang on such small, imperceptible strings! Twas Samuel's birth-day; a glad annual feast All Rama kept; Samuel his wondering guest With such respect leads to it, and does grace With the choice meats o' th' feast, and highest place;
Which done, him forth alone the prophet brings, And feasts his ravish'd ears with nobler things: He tells the mighty fate to him assign'd, And with great rules fill'd his capacious mind; Then takes the sacred vial, and does shed A crown of mystic drops around his head; Drops of that royal moisture which does know No mixture, and disdains the place below. Soon comes the kingly day, and with it brings A new account of time upon his wings. The people met, the rites and prayers all past, Behold! the heaven-instructed lot is cast; "Tis taught by Heaven its way, and cannot miss; Forth Benjamin, forth leaps the house of Cis: As glimmering stars, just at th' approach of day Cashier'd by troops, at last drop all away; By such degrees all men's bright hopes are gone, And, like the Sun, Saul's lot shines all alone. Ev'n here perhaps the people's shout was heard, The loud long shout, when God's fair choice ap pear'd:
Above the whole vast throng he appeared so tall, As if by Nature made for th' head of all ; So full of grace and state, that one might know 'Twas some wise eye the blind lot guided so : But blind unguided lots have more of choice And constancy than the slight vulgar's voice. Ere yet the crown of sacred oil is dry, Whilst echoes yet preserve the joyful cry, Some grow enrag'd their own vain hopes to miss, Some envy Saul, some scorn the house of Cis: Some their first mutinous wish, a king!' re- pent,
As if, since that, quite spoil'd by God's consent Few to this prince their first just duties pay : All leave the old, but few the new obey. Thus changes man, but God is constant still To those eternal grounds that mov'd his will; And, though he yielded first to them, 'tis fit That stubborn men at last to him submit.
As midst the main a low small island lies, Assaulted round with stormy seas and skies, Whilst the poor heartless natives, every hour, Darkness and noise seem ready to devour; Such Israel's state appear'd, whilst o'er the west Philistian clouds hung threatening, and from th
All nations' wrath into one tempest joins, Through which proud Nahash like fierce light ning shines; Tygris and Nile to his assistance send, And waters to swoln Jaboc's torrent lend; Seir, Edom, Soba, Amalek, add their force; Up with them march the three Arabias' horse; And, 'mongst all these, none more their hope or pride,
Than those few troops your warlike land sup
Around weak Japesh this vast host does lie, Disdains a dry and bloodless victory.
The hopeless town for slavery does entreat; But barbarous Nahash thinks that grace too great; He (his first tribute) their right eyes demands, And with their faces' shame disarms their hands. If unreliev'd seven days by Israel's aid, This bargain for o'er-rated life is made. Ah, mighty God! let thine own Israel be Quite blind itself, ere this reproach it see! "By his wanton people the new king forsook, To homely, rural cares himself betook; In private plenty liv'd, without the state, Lustre, and noise, due to a public fate. Whilst he his slaves and cattle follows home, Lo! the sad messengers, from Jabesh come, Implore his help, and weep, as if they meant That way at least proud Nahash to prevent. Mov'd with a kingly wrath, his strict command He issues forth t' assemble all the land; He threatens high, and disobedient they, Wak'd by such princely terrours, learnt t' obey. A mighty host is rais'd; th' important cause Age from their rest, youth from their pleasure, draws;
Arm'd as unfurnish'd haste could them provide; But conduct, courage, auger, that supply'd. All night they march, and are at th' early dawn On Jabesh' heath in three fair bodies drawn: Saul did himself the first and strongest band, His son the next, Abuer the third, command.- But pardon, sir, if, naming Saul's great son, I stop with him awhile ere I go on.-
"This is that Jonathan, the joy and grace, The beautifull'st and best, of human race; That Jonathan, in whom does mix'd remain All that kind mothers' wishes can contain ! His courage such as it no stop can know, And victory gains by astonishing the foe; With lightning's force his enemies it confounds, And melts their hearts ere it the bosom wounds; Yet he the conquer'd with such sweetness gains, As captive lovers find in beauty's chains: In war, the adverse troops he does assail Like an impetuous storm of wind and hail; In peace, like gentlest dew that does assuage The burning months, and temper Syrius' rage; Kind as the Sun's blest influence; and, where'er He comes, plenty and joy attend him there: To help seems all his power; his wealth, to give; To do much good, his sole prerogative: And yet this general bounty of his mind, That with wide arms embraces all mankind, Such artful prudence does to each divide, With different measures all are satisfy'd; Just as wise God his plenteous manna dealt; Some gather'd more, but want by none was felt. To all relations their just rights he pays, And worth's reward above its claim does raise; The tenderest husband, master, father, son, And all those parts by his friendship far outdone; His love to friends no bound or rule does know, What he to Heaven, all that to him they owe. Keen as his sword, and pointed, is his wit; His judgment, like best armour, strong and fit; And such an eloquence to both these does join, As makes in both beauty and use combine; Through which a noble tincture does appear, By learning and choice books imprinted there: As well he knows all times and persons gone, As he himself to th' future shall be known:
But his chief study is God's sacred law, And all his life does comments on it draw ;- As never more by Heaven to man was given, So never more was paid by man to Heaven.-- And all these virtues were to ripeness grown, Ere yet his flower or youth was fully blown; All autuinn's store did his rich spring adorn; Like trees in Paradise, he with fruit was born. Such is his soul; and if, as some men tell, Souls form and build those mansions where they dwell,
Whoe'er but sees his body must confess, The architect, no doubt, could be no less. From Saul his growth and manly strength hetook, Chastis'd by bright Ahinoam's gentler look; Not bright Ahinoam, Beauty's loudest name, (Till she t' her children lost with joy her fame) Had sweeter strokes, colours more fresh and fair, More darting eyes, or lovelier auburn hair. Forgive me, that I thus your patience wrong, And on this boundless subject stay so long, Where too much haste ever to end 'twould be, Did not his acts speak what's untold by me. Though, from the time his hands a sword could wield,
He ne'er miss'd fame and danger in the field, Yet this was the first day that call'd him forth, Since Saul's bright crown gave lustre to his worth; 'Twas the last morning whose uncheerful rise Sad Jabesh was to view with both their eyes. Secure proud Nahash slept, as in his court, And dreamt, vain man! of that day's barbarous Till noise and dreadful tumults him awoke ;[sport, Till into his camp our violent army broke. The careless guards with small resistance kill'd, Slaughter the camp, and wild confusion, fill'd; Nahash his fatal duty does perform,
And marches boldly up t' outface the storm; Fierce Jonathan he meets, as he pursues Th' Arabian horse, and a hot fight renews: 'Twas here your troops behav'd themselves so well,
Till Uz and Jathan, their stout colonels, fell. 'Twas here our victory stopp'd, and gave us cause Much to suspect th' intention of her pause; But, when our thundering prince Nahash espy'd, (Who, with a courage equal to his pride, Broke through our troops, and tow'rds him boldly press'd)
A generous joy leap'd in his youthful breast: As when a wrathful dragon's dismal light Strikes suddenly some warlike eagle's sight, The mighty foe pleases his fearless eyes, He claps his joyful wings, and at him flies. With vain though violent force their darts they In Ammon's plated belt Jonathan's hung, [fung; And stopp'd there; Ammon did his helmet hit, And, gliding off, bore the proud crest from it; Straight with their swords to the fierce shock they
Their swords, their armour, and their eyes, shot flame;
Blows strong as thunder, thick as rain, they dealt,
Which more than they th' engag'd spectators felt; In Ammon force, in Jonathan address (Though both were great in both to an excess) To the well-judging eye did most appear Honour and anger in both equal were,
Two wounds our prince receiv'd and Ammon three, Which he, enrag'd to feel, and sham'd to see, Did his whole strength into one blow collect; And as a spaniel, when we our aim direct To shoot some bird, impatiently stands by Shaking his tail, ready with joy to fly, Just as it drops, upon the wounded prey : So waited Death itself to bear away The threaten'd life; did glad and greedy stand At sight of mighty Ammon's lifted hand. Our watchful prince by bending sav'd the wound : But Death in other coin his reckoning found; For whilst th' immoderate stroke's miscarrying force
Had almost borne the striker from his horse, A nimble thrust his active enemy made; [blade, 'Twixt his right ribs deep pierc'd the furious And opened wide those secret vessels, where Life's light goes out, when first they let in air. He falls! his armour clanks against the ground, From his faint tongue imperfect curses sound. His amaz'd troops straight cast their arms away; Scarce fled his soul from thence more swift than they.
As when two kings of neighbour hives, (whom rage And thirst of empire in fierce wars engage, Whilst each lays claim to th' garden as his own, And seeks t'usurp the bordering flowers alone) Their well armed troops drawn boldly forth to fight,
In th' air's wide plain dispute their doubtful If by sad chance of battle either king [right; Fall wounded down, strook with some fatal sting, His army's hopes and courage with him die; They sheathe up their faint swords, and routed fly.
On th' other sides at once, with like success,. Into the camp great Saul and Abner press; From Jonathan's part a wild mix'd noise they hear, And, whatsoe'er it mean, long to be there; At the samne instant from glad Jabesh' town The hasty troops march loud and cheerful down; Some few at first with vain resistance fall, The rest is slaughter and vast conquest all. The fate by which our host thus far had gone, . Our host with noble heat drove farther on; Victorious arms through Ammon's land it bore ; Ruin behind, and Terrour march'd before: [sight, Where'er from Rabba's towers they cast their Smoke clouds the day, and flames make clear the night.
This bright success did Saul's first action bring; The oil, the lot, and crown, less crown'd, him The happy, all men judge for empire fit, [king: And none withstands where Fortune does submit. Those who before did God's fair choice withstand, Th' excessive vulgar now to death demand; But wiser Saul repeal'd their hasty doom; Conquest abroad, with mercy crown'd at home; Nor stain'd with civil slaughter that day's pride, Which foreign blood in nobler purple dy'd. Again the crown th' assembled people give, With greater joy than Saul could it receive; Again th' old judge resigns his sacred place (God glorify'd with wonders his disgrace); With decent pride, such as did well befit The name he kept, and that which he did quit : The long past row of happy years he show'd Which to bis heavenly government they ow'd;
How the torn state his just and prudent reign Restor❜d to order, plenty, power, again; In war what conquering miracles he wrought ;- God, then their King, was General when they fought; [he, Whom they depos'd with him-' And that,' said 'You may see God concern'd in t' more than me, Behold how storms his angry presence shroud! Hark how his wrath in thunder threats aloud!' "Twas now the ripen'd summer's highest rage; Which no faint cloud durst meditate to assuage; Th' Earth hot with thirst, and hot with lust for rain,
Gap'd and breath'd feeble vapours up in vain, Which straight were scatter'd or devour'd by th' Sun;
When, lo! here scarce the active speech was done, A violent wind rose from his secret cave, And troops of frighted clouds before it drave: Whilst with rude haste the confus'd tempest crouds,
Swift, dreadful flames shot through th' encoun- tring clouds, [broke, From whose torn womb th' imprison'd thunder And in dire sounds the prophet's sense it spoke; Such an impetuous shower it downwards sent, As if the waters 'bove the firmament Were all let loose; horrour and fearful noise Fill'd the black scene; till the great prophet's voice,
Swift as the wings of Morn, reduc'd the day; Wind, thunder, rain, and clouds, fled all at once away. [moves, 'Fear not,' said he; God his fierce wrath re- And, though this state my service disapproves, My prayers shall serve it constantly. No more, I hope a pardon for past sins t' implore; But just rewards from gracious Heaven to bring On the good deeds of you, and of our king. Behold him there! and as you see, rejoice In the kind care of God's impartial choice. Behold his beauty, courage, strength, and wit! The honour Heaven has cloathed him with, sits And comely on him ; since you needs must be [fit Rul'd by a king, you're happy that 'tis he. Obey him gladly; and let him to know You were not made for him, but he for you, And both for God;
Whose gentlest yoke if once you cast away, In vain shall he command, and you obey; To foreign tyrants both shall slaves become, Instead of king and subjects here at home.'
"The crown thus several ways confirm'd to Saul, One way was wanting yet to crown them all; And that was force, which only can maintain The power that Fortune gives, orWorth does gain. Three thousand guards of big bold men he took; Tall, terrible, and guards ev'n with their look : His sacred person two, and throne, defend; The third, on matchless Jonathan attend; O'er whose full thoughts honour, and youthful
Sate brooding, to hatch actions good and great. On Geba first, where a Philistian band Lies, and around torments the fetter'd land. He falls, and slaughters all; his noble rage Mix'd with design his nation to engage In that just war, which from them long in vain, Honour and Freedom's voice had strove t' obtain.
Th' accurs'd Philistian, rous'd with this bold [ To kingly power, in all that plenteous land,
All the proud marks of enrag'd power does show ; Raises a vast, well-arm'd, and glittering host: If human strength might authorize a boast, Their threats had reason here; for ne'er did we Ourselves so weak, or foe so potent, see. Here we vast bodies of their foot espy, The rear out-reaches far th' extended eye; Like fields of corn their armed squadrons stand; As thick and numberless they hide the land. Here with sharp neighs the warlike horses sound, And with proud prancings beat the putrid ground; Here with worse noise three thousand chariots pass,
With plates of iron bound, or louder brass; About it forks, axes, and scythes, and spears, Whole magazines of death each chariot bears; Where it breaks in, there a whole troop it mows, And with lopp'd panting limbs the field be-
Alike, the valiant and the cowards die; Neither can they resist, nor can these fly. In this proud equipage, at Macmas they, Saul in much different state at Gilgal, lay; His forces seem'd no army, but a crowd, Heartless, unarm'd, disorderly, and loud.
Where all things else submit to his command. And, as fair Eden's violated tree T'immortal man brought in mortality:
So shail that crown, which God eternal meant, From thee,'said he, 'and thy great house be rent; Thy crime shall death to all thine honours send, And give thy immortal royalty an end.
Thus spoke the prophet; but kind Heaven, we hope,
(Whose threats and anger know no other scope, But man's amendment) does long since relent, And, with repentant Saul, itself repent. Howe'er (though none more pray for this than we, Whose wrongs and sufferings might some colour be To do it less) this speech we sadly find Still extant, and still active in his mind; But then a worse effect of it appear'd― Our army, which before modestly fear'd, Which did by stealth and by degrees decay, Disbanded now, and fled in troops away: Base fear so bold and impudent does grow, When an excuse and colour it can show! Six hundred only (scarce a princely train) Of all his host with distress'd Saul remain; Of his whole host six hundred; and ev'n those (So did wise Heaven for mighty ends dispose!
In that great gift it did for one prepare) Arm'd not like soldiers marching in a war, But country-hinds alarmed from afar
By wolves' loud hunger, when the well-known sound
Raises th' affrighted villages around. Some goads, flails, plow-shares, forks, or axes, bore,
The quick contagion, Fear, ran swift through all, Nor would that useless multitudes should share And into trembling fits the infected fall, Saul and his son (for no such faint disease Could on their strong complexion'd valour seize) In vain all parts of virtuous conduct show'd, And on deaf Terrour generous words bestow'd : Thousands from thence fly scatter'd every day, Thick as the leaves that shake and drop away, When they th' approach of stormy winter find, The noble tree all bare expos'd to th' wind. Some to sad Jordan fly, and swim 't for haste, And from his farther bank look back at last : Some into woods and caves their cattle drive; There with their beasts on equal terms they live, Nor deserve better: some in rocks on high, The old retreats of storks and ravens, lie; And, were they wing'd like them, scarce would they dare
To stay, or trust their frighted safety there. As th' host with fear, so Saul disturb'd with care, Tavert these ills by sacrifice and prayer, And God's blest will t' inquire, for Samuel sends; Whom he six days with troubled haste attends; But, ere the seventh unlucky day (the last By Samnel set for this great work) was past, Saul (alarm'd hourly from the neighbouring foe; Impatient, ere God's time, God's mind to know; Sham'd and enrag'd to see his troops decay; Jealous of an affront in Samuel's stay; Scoring that any's presence should appear Needful besides, when he himself was there; And, with a pride too natural, thinking Heaven Had given him all, because much power 't had given)
Himself the sacrifice and offerings made;
Himself did the high selected charge invade : Himself inquir'd of God; who then spake nought; But Samuel straight his dreadful answer brought: For straight he came, and, with a virtue bold As was Saul's sin, the fatal message told; His foul ingratitude to Heaven he chid, To pluck that fruit, which was alone forbid
Made for life's use and better ends before; Some knotted clubs, and darts, or arrows dry'd I' th' fire, the first rude arts that Malice try'd Ere man the sins of too much knowledge knew, And Death by long experience witty grew. Such were the numbers, such the arms, which we Had by Fate left us for a victory O'er well-arm'd millions; nor will this appear Useful itself when Jonathan was there.
""Twas just the time when the new ebb of night Did the moist world unvail to human sight; The prince, who all that night the field had beat With a small party and no enemy met, (So proud and so secure the enemy lay, And drench'd in sleep th' excesses of the day !) With joy this good occasion did embrace, With better leisure, and at nearer space, The strength and order of their camp to view: Abdon alone his generous purpose knew ; Abdon, a bold, a brave, and comely youth, Well-born, well-bred, with honour fill'd and truth;
Abdon, his faithful squire, whom much he lov'd, And oft with grief his worth in dangers prov'd; Abdon, whose love t' his master did exceed What Nature's law, or Passion's power, could Abdon alone did on him now attend, [breed; His humblest servant, and his dearest friend. "They went, but sacred fury, as they went, Chang'd swiftly, and exalted his intent. 'What may this be!' (the Prince breaks forth) I find
God, or some powerful spirit, invades my mind.
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