Poetical Works of John Dryden, Volume 1 — Absalom and Achitophel Part 1

--Si propiùs stes Te capiet magis-- In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin, Before polygamy was made a sin;

When man on many multiplied his kind, Ere one to one was cursedly confined;

When nature prompted, and no law denied Promiscuous use of concubine and bride;

Then Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart, His vigorous warmth did variously impart To wives and slaves; and wide as his command, Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land.

10 Michal, of royal blood, the crown did wear;

A soil ungrateful to the tiller's care: Not so the rest; for several mothers bore To god-like David several sons before.

But since like slaves his bed they did ascend, No true succession could their seed attend.

Of all the numerous progeny was none So beautiful, so brave, as Absalom: Whether inspired by some diviner lust, His father got him with a greater gust; 20 Or that his conscious destiny made way, By manly beauty to imperial sway.

Early in foreign fields he won renown, With kings and states allied to Israel's crown: In peace the thoughts of war he could remove, And seem'd as he were only born for love.

Whate'er he did, was done with so much ease, In him alone 'twas natural to please: His motions all accompanied with grace;

And Paradise was open'd in his face.

30 With secret joy indulgent David view'd His youthful image in his son renew'd: To all his wishes nothing he denied;

And made the charming Annabell[67] his bride.

What faults he had (for who from faults is free?

) His father could not, or he would not see.

Some warm excesses which the law forbore, Were construed youth that purged by boiling o'er;

And Amnon's murder by a specious name, Was call'd a just revenge for injured fame.

40 Thus praised and loved, the noble youth remain'd, While David undisturb'd in Sion reign'd. But life can never be sincerely blest: Heaven punishes the bad, and proves the best.

The Jews, a headstrong, moody, murmuring race, As ever tried the extent and stretch of grace;

God's pamper'd people, whom, debauch'd with ease, No king could govern, nor no god could please;

(Gods they had tried of every shape and size, That god-smiths could produce, or priests devise): 50 These Adam-wits,[68] too fortunately free, Began to dream they wanted liberty;

And when no rule, no precedent was found, Of men by laws less circumscribed and bound;

They led their wild desires to woods and caves, And thought that all but savages were slaves.

They who, when Saul was dead, without a blow, Made foolish Ishbosheth the crown forego;

Who banish'd David did from Hebron bring, And with a general shout proclaim'd him king: 60 Those very Jews, who, at their very best, Their humour more than loyalty express'd, Now wonder'd why so long they had obey'd An idol monarch, which their hands had made;

Thought they might ruin him they could create, Or melt him to that golden calf--a state.

But these were random bolts: no form'd design, Nor interest made the factious crowd to join: The sober part of Israel, free from stain, Well knew the value of a peaceful reign; 70 And, looking backward with a wise affright, Saw seams of wounds dishonest to the sight: In contemplation of whose ugly scars, They cursed the memory of civil wars.

The moderate sort of men thus qualified, Inclined the balance to the better side;

And David's mildness managed it so well, The bad found no occasion to rebel.

But when to sin our biass'd nature leans, The careful devil is still at hand with means; 80 And providently pimps for ill desires: The good old cause revived a plot requires.

Plots, true or false, are necessary things, To raise up commonwealths, and ruin kings.

The inhabitants of old Jerusalem Were Jebusites; the town so call'd from them;

And theirs the native right-- But when the chosen people grew more strong, The rightful cause at length became the wrong;

And every loss the men of Jebus bore, 90 They still were thought God's enemies the more.

Thus worn or weaken'd, well or ill content, Submit they must to David's government: Impoverish'd and deprived of all command, Their taxes doubled as they lost their land;

And, what was harder yet to flesh and blood, Their gods disgraced, and burnt like common wood.

This set the heathen priesthood in a flame;

For priests of all religions are the same.

Of whatsoe'er descent their godhead be, 100 Stock, stone, or other homely pedigree, In his defence his servants are as bold, As if he had been born of beaten gold.

The Jewish rabbins, though their enemies, In this conclude them honest men and wise: For 'twas their duty, all the learned think, To espouse his cause by whom they eat and drink.

From hence began that Plot, the nation's curse, Bad in itself, but represented worse;

Raised in extremes, and in extremes decried: 110 With oaths affirm'd, with dying vows denied;

Not weigh'd nor winnow'd by the multitude;

But swallow'd in the mass, unchew'd and crude.

Some truth there was, but dash'd and brew'd with lies, To please the fools, and puzzle all the wise.

Succeeding times did equal folly call, Believing nothing, or believing all.

The Egyptian rites the Jebusites embraced, Where gods were recommended by their taste.

Such savoury deities must needs be good, 120 As served at once for worship and for food.

By force they could not introduce these gods;

For ten to one in former days was odds.

So fraud was used, the sacrificer's trade: Fools are more hard to conquer than persuade.

Their busy teachers mingled with the Jews, And raked for converts even the court and stews: Which Hebrew priests the more unkindly took, Because the fleece accompanies the flock, Some thought they God's anointed meant to slay 130 By guns, invented since full many a day: Our author swears it not; but who can know How far the devil and Jebusites may go?

This Plot, which fail'd for want of common sense, Had yet a deep and dangerous consequence: For as, when raging fevers boil the blood, The standing lake soon floats into a flood, And every hostile humour, which before Slept quiet in its channels, bubbles o'er;

So several factions from this first ferment, 140 Work up to foam, and threat the government.

Some by their friends, more by themselves thought wise, Opposed the power to which they could not rise.

Some had in courts been great, and, thrown from thence, Like fiends were harden'd in impenitence.

Some, by their monarch's fatal mercy, grown, From pardon'd rebels, kinsmen to the throne, Were raised in power and public office high;

Strong bands, if bands ungrateful men could tie.

Of these, the false Achitophel was first; 150 A name to all succeeding ages cursed: For close designs, and crooked counsels fit;

Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit;

Restless, unfix'd in principles and place;

In power unpleased, impatient of disgrace: A fiery soul, which, working out its way, Fretted the pigmy body to decay, And o'er-inform'd the tenement of clay.

A daring pilot in extremity;

Pleased with the danger, when the waves went high, 160 He sought the storms; but for a calm unfit, Would steer too nigh the sands, to boast his wit.

Great wits are sure to madness near allied, And thin partitions do their bounds divide;

Else why should he, with wealth and honour blest, Refuse his age the needful hours of rest?

Punish a body which he could not please;

Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of ease?

And all to leave what with his toil he won, To that unfeather'd two-legg'd thing, a son; 170 Got, while his soul did huddled notions try;

And born a shapeless lump, like anarchy.

In friendship false, implacable in hate;

Resolved to ruin, or to rule the state.

To compass this, the triple bond[69] he broke;

The pillars of the public safety shook;

And fitted Israel for a foreign yoke: Then seized with fear, yet still affecting fame, Usurp'd a patriot's all-atoning name.

So easy still it proves, in factious times, 180 With public zeal to cancel private crimes!

How safe is treason, and how sacred ill, Where none can sin against the people's will!

Where crowds can wink, and no offence be known, Since in another's guilt they find their own!

Yet fame deserved no enemy can grudge;

The statesman we abhor, but praise the judge.

In Israel's courts ne'er sat an Abethdin With more discerning eyes, or hands more clean, Unbribed, unsought, the wretched to redress; 190 Swift of despatch, and easy of access.

Oh!

had he been content to serve the crown, With virtues only proper to the gown;

Or had the rankness of the soil been freed From cockle, that oppress'd the noble seed;

David for him his tuneful harp had strung, And Heaven had wanted one immortal song.

But wild ambition loves to slide, not stand, And fortune's ice prefers to virtue's land.

Achitophel, grown weary to possess 200 A lawful fame, and lazy happiness, Disdain'd the golden fruit to gather free, And lent the crowd his arm to shake the tree.

Now, manifest of crimes contrived long since, He stood at bold defiance with his prince;

Held up the buckler of the people's cause Against the crown, and skulk'd behind the laws.

The wish'd occasion of the plot he takes;

Some circumstances finds, but more he makes;

By buzzing emissaries fills the ears 210 Of listening crowds with jealousies and fears Of arbitrary counsels brought to light, And proves the king himself a Jebusite.

Weak arguments!

which yet he knew full well Were strong with people easy to rebel.

For, govern'd by the moon, the giddy Jews Tread the same track, when she the prime renews;

And once in twenty years, their scribes record, By natural instinct they change their lord.

Achitophel still wants a chief, and none 220 Was found so fit as warlike Absalom.

Not that he wish'd his greatness to create, For politicians neither love nor hate: But, for he knew his title not allow'd, Would keep him still depending on the crowd: That kingly power, thus ebbing out, might be Drawn to the dregs of a democracy.

Him he attempts with studied arts to please, And sheds his venom in such words as these: Auspicious prince!

at whose nativity 230 Some royal planet ruled the southern sky;

Thy longing country's darling and desire;

Their cloudy pillar and their guardian fire: Their second Moses, whose extended wand Divides the seas, and shows the promised land: Whose dawning day, in every distant age, Has exercised the sacred prophet's rage: The people's prayer, the glad diviner's theme, The young men's vision, and the old men's dream!

Thee, Saviour, thee the nation's vows confess, 240 And, never satisfied with seeing, bless: Swift, unbespoken pomps thy steps proclaim, And stammering babes are taught to lisp thy name.

How long wilt thou the general joy detain, Starve and defraud the people of thy reign!

Content ingloriously to pass thy days, Like one of virtue's fools that feed on praise;

Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright, Grow stale, and tarnish with our daily sight?

Believe me, royal youth, thy fruit must be 250 Or gather'd ripe, or rot upon the tree.

Heaven has to all allotted, soon or late, Some lucky revolution of their fate: Whose motions, if we watch and guide with skill, (For human good depends on human will,) Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent, And from the first impression takes the bent: But if, unseized, she glides away like wind, And leaves repenting folly far behind.

Now, now she meets you with a glorious prize, 260 And spreads her locks before her as she flies.

Had thus old David, from whose loins you spring, Not dared when fortune called him to be king, At Gath an exile he might still remain, And Heaven's anointing oil had been in vain.

Let his successful youth your hopes engage;

But shun the example of declining age: Behold him setting in his western skies, The shadows lengthening as the vapours rise.

He is not now, as when on Jordan's sand 270 The joyful people throng'd to see him land, Covering the beach and blackening all the strand;

But, like the prince of angels, from his height Comes tumbling downward with diminish'd light: Betray'd by one poor Plot to public scorn: (Our only blessing since his cursed return:) Those heaps of people which one sheaf did bind, Blown off and scatter'd by a puff of wind.

What strength can he to your designs oppose, Naked of friends, and round beset with foes?

280 If Pharaoh's doubtful succour he should use, A foreign aid would more incense the Jews: Proud Egypt would dissembled friendship bring;

Foment the war, but not support the king: Nor would the royal party e'er unite With Pharaoh's arms to assist the Jebusite;

Or if they should, their interest soon would break, And with such odious aid make David weak.

All sorts of men, by my successful arts, Abhorring kings, estrange their alter'd hearts 290 From David's rule: and 'tis their general cry-- Religion, commonwealth, and liberty.

If you, as champion of the public good, Add to their arms a chief of royal blood, What may not Israel hope, and what applause Might such a general gain by such a cause?

Not barren praise alone--that gaudy flower, Fair only to the sight--but solid power: And nobler is a limited command, Given by the love of all your native land, 300 Than a successive title, long and dark, Drawn from the mouldy rolls of Noah's ark.

What cannot praise effect in mighty minds, When flattery soothes, and when ambition blinds?

Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet sprung from high, is of celestial seed: In God 'tis glory; and when men aspire, 'Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire.

The ambitious youth, too covetous of fame, Too full of angels' metal in his frame, 310 Unwarily was led from virtue's ways, Made drunk with honour, and debauch'd with praise.

Half loath, and half consenting to the ill, For royal blood within him struggled still, He thus replied:--And what pretence have I To take up arms for public liberty?

My father governs with unquestion'd right, The faith's defender, and mankind's delight;

Good, gracious, just, observant of the laws;

And Heaven by wonders has espoused his cause.

320 Whom has he wrong'd, in all his peaceful reign?

Who sues for justice to his throne in vain?

What millions has he pardon'd of his foes, Whom just revenge did to his wrath expose!

Mild, easy, humble, studious of our good;

Inclined to mercy, and averse from blood.

If mildness ill with stubborn Israel suit, His crime is God's beloved attribute.

What could he gain his people to betray, Or change his right for arbitrary sway?

330 Let haughty Pharaoh curse with such a reign His fruitful Nile, and yoke a servile train.

If David's rule Jerusalem displease, The dog-star heats their brains to this disease.

Why then should I, encouraging the bad, Turn rebel and run popularly mad?

Were he a tyrant, who by lawless might Oppress'd the Jews, and raised the Jebusite, Well might I mourn; but nature's holy bands Would curb my spirits, and restrain my hands: 340 The people might assert their liberty;

But what was right in them were crime in me.

His favour leaves me nothing to require, Prevents my wishes, and outruns desire.

What more can I expect while David lives?

All but his kingly diadem he gives: And that--But here he paused; then, sighing, said-- Is justly destined for a worthier head.

For when my father from his toils shall rest, And late augment the number of the blest, 350 His lawful issue shall the throne ascend, Or the collateral line, where that shall end.

His brother, though oppress'd with vulgar spite, Yet dauntless, and secure of native right, Of every royal virtue stands possess'd;

Still dear to all the bravest and the best.

His courage foes--his friends his truth proclaim;

His loyalty the king--the world his fame.

His mercy even the offending crowd will find;

For sure he comes of a forgiving kind.

360 Why should I then repine at Heaven's decree, Which gives me no pretence to royalty?

Yet, oh!

that fate, propitiously inclined, Had raised my birth, or had debased my mind;

To my large soul not all her treasure lent, And then betray'd it to a mean descent!

I find, I find my mounting spirits bold, And David's part disdains my mother's mould.

Why am I scanted by a niggard birth?

My soul disclaims the kindred of her earth; 370 And, made for empire, whispers me within, Desire of greatness is a god-like sin.

Him staggering so, when hell's dire agent found, While fainting virtue scarce maintain'd her ground, He pours fresh forces in, and thus replies: The eternal God, supremely good and wise, Imparts not these prodigious gifts in vain;

What wonders are reserved to bless your reign!

Against your will your arguments have shown, Such virtue's only given to guide a throne.

380 Not that your father's mildness I contemn;

But manly force becomes the diadem.

'Tis true he grants the people all they crave;

And more perhaps than subjects ought to have: For lavish grants suppose a monarch tame, And more his goodness than his wit proclaim.

But when should people strive their bonds to break, If not when kings are negligent or weak?

Let him give on till he can give no more, The thrifty Sanhedrim shall keep him poor; 390 And every shekel which he can receive, Shall cost a limb of his prerogative.

To ply him with new plots shall be my care;

Or plunge him deep in some expensive war;

Which, when his treasure can no more supply, He must with the remains of kingship buy His faithful friends, our jealousies and fears Call Jebusites, and Pharaoh's pensioners;

Whom when our fury from his aid has torn, He shall be naked left to public scorn.

400 The next successor, whom I fear and hate, My arts have made obnoxious to the state;

Turn'd all his virtues to his overthrow, And gain'd our elders to pronounce a foe.

His right, for sums of necessary gold, Shall first be pawn'd, and afterwards be sold;

Till time shall ever-wanting David draw, To pass your doubtful title into law;

If not, the people have a right supreme To make their kings, for kings are made for them.

410 All empire is no more than power in trust, Which, when resumed, can be no longer just.

Succession, for the general good design'd, In its own wrong a nation cannot bind: If altering that the people can relieve, Better one suffer than a nation grieve.

The Jews well know their power: ere Saul they chose, God was their king, and God they durst depose.

Urge now your piety, your filial name, A father's right, and fear of future fame; 420 The public good, that universal call, To which even Heaven submitted, answers all.

Nor let his love enchant your generous mind;

'Tis nature's trick to propagate her kind.

Our fond begetters, who would never die, Love but themselves in their posterity.

Or let his kindness by the effects be tried, Or let him lay his vain pretence aside.

God said, he loved your father; could he bring A better proof, than to anoint him king?

430 It surely show'd he loved the shepherd well, Who gave so fair a flock as Israel.

Would David have you thought his darling son?

What means he then to alienate the crown?

The name of godly he may blush to bear: Is't after God's own heart to cheat his heir?

He to his brother gives supreme command, To you a legacy of barren land;

Perhaps the old harp, on which he thrums his lays, Or some dull Hebrew ballad in your praise.

440 Then the next heir, a prince severe and wise, Already looks on you with jealous eyes;

Sees through the thin disguises of your arts, And marks your progress in the people's hearts;

Though now his mighty soul its grief contains: He meditates revenge who least complains;

And like a lion, slumbering in the way, Or sleep dissembling, while he waits his prey, His fearless foes within his distance draws, Constrains his roaring, and contracts his paws; 450 Till at the last his time for fury found, He shoots with sudden vengeance from the ground;

The prostrate vulgar passes o'er and spares, But with a lordly rage his hunters tears.

Your case no tame expedients will afford: Resolve on death, or conquest by the sword, Which for no less a stake than life you draw;

And self-defence is nature's eldest law.

Leave the warm people no considering time: For then rebellion may be thought a crime.

460 Avail yourself of what occasion gives, But try your title while your father lives: And that your arms may have a fair pretence, Proclaim you take them in the king's defence;

Whose sacred life each minute would expose To plots, from seeming friends, and secret foes.

And who can sound the depth of David's soul?

Perhaps his fear, his kindness may control.

He fears his brother, though he loves his son, For plighted vows too late to be undone.

470 If so, by force he wishes to be gain'd: By women's lechery to seem constrain'd. Doubt not; but, when he most affects the frown, Commit a pleasing rape upon the crown.

Secure his person to secure your cause: They who possess the prince possess the laws.

He said, and this advice above the rest, With Absalom's mild nature suited best;

Unblamed of life, ambition set aside, Not stain'd with cruelty, nor puff'd with pride, 480 How happy had he been, if destiny Had higher placed his birth, or not so high!

His kingly virtues might have claim'd a throne, And bless'd all other countries but his own.

But charming greatness since so few refuse, 'Tis juster to lament him than accuse.

Strong were his hopes a rival to remove, With blandishments to gain the public love: To head the faction while their zeal was hot, And popularly prosecute the Plot.

490 To further this, Achitophel unites The malcontents of all the Israelites: Whose differing parties he could wisely join, For several ends to serve the same design.

The best--and of the princes some were such-- Who thought the power of monarchy too much;

Mistaken men, and patriots in their hearts;

Not wicked, but seduced by impious arts.

By these the springs of property were bent, And wound so high, they crack'd the government.

500 The next for interest sought to embroil the state, To sell their duty at a dearer rate, And make their Jewish markets of the throne;

Pretending public good, to serve their own.

Others thought kings an useless heavy load, Who cost too much, and did too little good.

These were for laying honest David by, On principles of pure good husbandry.

With them join'd all the haranguers of the throng, That thought to get preferment by the tongue.

510 Who follow next a double danger bring, Not only hating David, but the king;

The Solyimaean rout; well versed of old In godly faction, and in treason bold;

Cowering and quaking at a conqueror's sword, But lofty to a lawful prince restored;

Saw with disdain an Ethnic plot begun, And scorn'd by Jebusites to be outdone.

Hot Levites headed these; who pull'd before From the ark, which in the Judges' days they bore, 520 Resumed their cant, and with a zealous cry, Pursued their old beloved theocracy: Where Sanhedrim and priest enslaved the nation, And justified their spoils by inspiration: For who so fit to reign as Aaron's race, If once dominion they could found in grace?

These led the pack; though not of surest scent, Yet deepest mouth'd against the government.

A numerous host of dreaming saints succeed, Of the true old enthusiastic breed: 530 'Gainst form and order they their power employ, Nothing to build, and all things to destroy.

But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little, and who talk too much.

These out of mere instinct, they knew not why, Adored their fathers' God and property;

And by the same blind benefit of fate, The Devil and the Jebusite did hate: Born to be saved, even in their own despite, Because they could not help believing right.

540 Such were the tools: but a whole Hydra more Remains of sprouting heads too long to score.

Some of their chiefs were princes of the land: In the first rank of these did Zimri stand;

A man so various, that he seem'd to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome: Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong;

Was everything by starts, and nothing long;

But, in the course of one revolving moon, Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon: 550 Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking, Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking.

Blest madman, who could every hour employ, With something new to wish, or to enjoy!

Railing and praising were his usual themes;

And both, to show his judgment, in extremes: So over violent, or over civil, That every man with him was God or Devil.

In squandering wealth was his peculiar art: Nothing went unrewarded but desert.

560 Beggar'd by fools, whom still he found too late;

He had his jest, and they had his estate.

He laugh'd himself from court; then sought relief By forming parties, but could ne'er be chief: For, spite of him the weight of business fell On Absalom and wise Achitophel: Thus, wicked but in will, of means bereft, He left not faction, but of that was left.

Titles and names 'twere tedious to rehearse Of lords, below the dignity of verse.

570 Wits, warriors, commonwealth's-men, were the best: Kind husbands, and mere nobles, all the rest.

And therefore, in the name of dulness, be The well-hung Balaam and cold Caleb free: And canting Nadab let oblivion damn, Who made new porridge for the paschal lamb.

Let friendship's holy band some names assure;

Some their own worth, and some let scorn secure.

Nor shall the rascal rabble here have place, Whom kings no titles gave, and God no grace: 580 Not bull-faced Jonas, who could statutes draw To mean rebellion, and make treason law.

But he, though bad, is follow'd by a worse, The wretch who Heaven's anointed dared to curse;

Shimei, whose youth did early promise bring Of zeal to God and hatred to his king, Did wisely from expensive sins refrain, And never broke the Sabbath but for gain;

Nor ever was he known an oath to vent, Or curse, unless against the government.

590 Thus heaping wealth by the most ready way Among the Jews, which was to cheat and pray;

The city, to reward his pious hate Against his master, chose him magistrate.

His hand a vare[70] of justice did uphold;

His neck was loaded with a chain of gold.

During his office treason was no crime;

The sons of Belial had a glorious time: For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf, Yet loved his wicked neighbour as himself.

600 When two or three were gather'd to declaim Against the monarch of Jerusalem, Shimei was always in the midst of them;

And if they cursed the king when he was by, Would rather curse than break good company.

If any durst his factious friends accuse, He pack'd a jury of dissenting Jews;

Whose fellow-feeling in the godly cause Would free the suffering saint from human laws.

For laws are only made to punish those 610 Who serve the king, and to protect his foes.

If any leisure time he had from power (Because 'tis sin to misemploy an hour), His business was, by writing to persuade, That kings were useless and a clog to trade;

And, that his noble style he might refine, No Rechabite more shunn'd the fumes of wind.

Chaste were his cellars, and his shrivel board The grossness of a city feast abhorr'd;

His cooks with long disuse their trade forgot; 620 Cool was his kitchen, though his brains were hot.

Such frugal virtue malice may accuse, But sure 'twas necessary to the Jews;

For towns, once burnt, such magistrates require As dare not tempt God's providence by fire.

With spiritual food he fed his servants well, But free from flesh that made the Jews rebel: And Moses' laws he held in more account, For forty days of fasting in the mount.

To speak the rest who better are forgot, 630 Would tire a well-breathed witness of the plot.

Yet Corah, thou shalt from oblivion pass;

Erect thyself, thou monumental brass, High as the serpent of thy metal made, While nations stand secure beneath thy shade.

What though his birth were base, yet comets rise From earthly vapours, ere they shine in skies.

Prodigious actions may as well be done By weaver's issue, as by prince's son.

This arch attestor for the public good 640 By that one deed ennobles all his blood.

Who ever ask'd the witness's high race, Whose oath with martyrdom did Stephen grace?

Ours was a Levite, and as times went then, His tribe were God Almighty's gentlemen.

Sunk were his eyes, his voice was harsh and loud, Sure signs he neither choleric was, nor proud.

His long chin proved his wit; his saint-like grace A church vermilion, and a Moses' face.

His memory miraculously great, 650 Could plots, exceeding man's belief, repeat;

Which therefore cannot be accounted lies, For human wit could never such devise.

Some future truths are mingled in his book;

But where the witness fail'd, the prophet spoke.

Some things like visionary flights appear;

The spirit caught him up the Lord knows where;

And gave him his rabbinical degree, Unknown to foreign university.

His judgment yet his memory did excel; 660 Which pieced his wondrous evidence so well, And suited to the temper of the times, Then groaning under Jebusitic crimes.

Let Israel's foes suspect his heavenly call, And rashly judge his wit apocryphal;

Our laws for such affronts have forfeits made;

He takes his life who takes away his trade.

Were I myself in witness Corah's place, The wretch who did me such a dire disgrace, Should whet my memory, though once forgot, 670 To make him an appendix of my plot.

His zeal to heaven made him his prince despise, And load his person with indignities.

But zeal peculiar privilege affords, Indulging latitude to deeds and words: And Corah might for Agag's murder call, In terms as coarse as Samuel used to Saul.

What others in his evidence did join, The best that could be had for love or coin, In Corah's own predicament will fall: 680 For witness is a common name to all.

Surrounded thus with friends of every sort, Deluded Absalom forsakes the court: Impatient of high hopes, urged with renown, And fired with near possession of a crown.

The admiring crowd are dazzled with surprise, And on his goodly person feed their eyes.

His joy conceal'd he sets himself to show;

On each side bowing popularly low: His looks, his gestures, and his words he frames, 690 And with familiar ease repeats their names.

Thus form'd by nature, furnish'd out with arts, He glides unfelt into their secret hearts.

Then, with a kind compassionating look, And sighs, bespeaking pity ere he spoke, Few words he said; but easy those and fit, More slow than Hybla-drops, and far more sweet.