Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets Part 61

A thousand sp'rits peeped from the affrighted sky, Amazed at this strange scene, and almost fear'd, For all those joyful prophecies they'd heard; Till one leaped nimbly forth, by G.o.d's command, Like lightning from a cloud, and stopped his hand.

The gentle sp'rit smiled kindly as he spoke; New beams of joy through Abram's wonder broke The angel points to a tuft of bushes near, Where an entangled ram does half appear, And struggles vainly with that fatal net, Which, though but slightly wrought, was firmly set: For, lo! anon, to this sad glory doomed, The useful beast on Isaac's pile consumed; Whilst on his horns the ransomed couple played, And the glad boy danced to the tunes he made.

Near this hall's end a s.h.i.ttim table stood, Yet well-wrought plate strove to conceal the wood; For from the foot a golden vine did sprout, And cast his fruitful riches all about.

Well might that beauteous ore the grape express, Which does weak man intoxicate no less.

Of the same wood the gilded beds were made, And on them large embroidered carpets laid, From Egypt, the rich shop of follies, brought; But arts of pride all nations soon are taught.

Behold seven comely blooming youths appear, And in their hands seven silver washpots bear, Curled, and gay clad, the choicest sons that be Of Gibeon's race, and slaves of high degree.

Seven beauteous maids marched softly in behind, Bright scarves their clothes, their hair fresh garlands bind, And whilst the princes wash, they on them shed Rich ointments, which their costly odours spread O'er the whole room; from their small prisons free, With such glad haste through the wide air they flee.

The King was placed alone, and o'er his head A well-wrought heaven of silk and gold was spread, Azure the ground, the sun in gold shone bright, But pierced the wandering clouds with silver light.

The right-hand bed the King's three sons did grace, The third was Abner's, Adriel's, David's place: And twelve large tables more were filled below, With the prime men Saul's court and camp could show.

The palace did with mirth and music sound, And the crowned goblets nimbly moved around: But though bright joy in every guest did shine, The plenty, state, music, and sprightful wine, Were lost on Saul: an angry care did dwell In his dark breast, and all gay forms expel.

David's unusual absence from the feast, To his sick sp'rit did jealous thoughts suggest: Long lay he still, nor drank, nor ate, nor spoke, And thus at last his troubled silence broke.

'Where can he be?' said he. 'It must be so.'

With that he paused awhile. 'Too well we know His boundless pride: he grieves, and hates to see The solemn triumphs of my court and me.

Believe me, friends! and trust what I can show From thousand proofs; the ambitious David now Does those vast things in his proud soul design, That too much business give for mirth or wine.

He's kindling now, perhaps, rebellious fire Among the tribes, and does even now conspire Against my crown, and all our lives, whilst we Are loth even to suspect what we might see.

By the Great Name 'tis true.'

With that he strook the board, and no man there, But Jonathan, durst undertake to clear The blameless prince: and scarce ten words he spoke, When thus his speech the enraged tyrant broke:

'Disloyal wretch! thy gentle mother's shame!

Whose cold, pale ghost even blushes at thy name!

Who fears lest her chaste bed should doubted be, And her white fame stained by black deeds of thee!

Canst thou be mine? A crown sometimes does hire Even sons against their parents to conspire; But ne'er did story yet, or fable, tell Of one so wild who, merely to rebel, Quitted the unquestioned birthright of a throne, And bought his father's ruin with his own.

Thou need'st not plead the ambitious youth's defence; Thy crime clears his, and makes that innocence: Nor can his foul ingrat.i.tude appear, Whilst thy unnatural guilt is placed so near.

Is this that n.o.ble friendship you pretend?

Mine, thine own foe, and thy worst enemy's friend?

If thy low spirit can thy great birthright quit, The thing's but just, so ill deserv'st thou it.

I, and thy brethren here, have no such mind, Nor such prodigious worth in David find, That we to him should our just rights resign, Or think G.o.d's choice not made so well as thine.

Shame of thy house and tribe! hence from mine eye; To thy false friend and servile master fly; He's ere this time in arms expecting thee; Haste, for those arms are raised to ruin me.

Thy sin that way will n.o.bler much appear, Than to remain his spy and agent here.

When I think this, Nature, by thee forsook, Forsakes me too.' With that his spear he took To strike at him: the mirth and music cease; The guests all rise this sudden storm t' appease.

The prince his danger and his duty knew, And low he bowed, and silently withdrew.

To David straight, who in a forest nigh Waits his advice, the royal friend does fly.

The sole advice, now, like the danger clear, Was in some foreign land this storm t' outwear.

All marks of comely grief in both are seen, And mournful kind discourses pa.s.sed between.

Now generous tears their hasty tongues restrain; Now they begin, and talk all o'er again: A reverent oath of constant love they take, And G.o.d's high name their dreaded witness make: Not that at all their faiths could doubtful prove, But 'twas the tedious zeal of endless love.

Thus, ere they part, they the short time bestow In all the pomp friendship and grief could show.

And David now, with doubtful cares oppressed, Beneath a shade borrows some little rest; When by command divine thick mists arise, And stop the sense, and close the conquered eyes.

There is a place which man most high doth rear, The small world's heaven, where reason moves the sphere; Here in a robe which does all colours show, (The envy of birds, and the clouds' gaudy bow,) Fancy, wild dame, with much lascivious pride, By twin-chameleons drawn, does gaily ride: Her coach there follows, and throngs round about Of shapes and airy forms an endless rout.

A sea rolls on with harmless fury here; Straight 'tis a field, and trees and herbs appear.

Here in a moment are vast armies made, And a quick scene of war and blood displayed.

Here sparkling wines, and brighter maids come in, The bawds for Sense, and lying baits of sin.

Some things arise of strange and quarrelling kind, The forepart lion, and a snake behind.

Here golden mountains swell the covetous place, And Centaurs ride themselves, a painted race.

Of these slight wonders Nature sees the store, And only then accounts herself but poor.

Hither an angel comes in David's trance, And finds them mingled in an antique dance; Of all the numerous forms fit choice he takes, And joins them wisely, and this vision makes.

First, David there appears in kingly state, Whilst the Twelve Tribes his dread commands await: Straight to the wars with his joined strength he goes, Settles new friends, and frights his ancient foes.

To Solima, Canaan's old head, they came, (Since high in note, then not unknown to Fame,) The blind and lame the undoubted wall defend, And no new wounds or dangers apprehend.

The busy image of great Joab there Disdains the mock, and teaches them to fear: He climbs the airy walls, leaps raging down, New-minted shapes of slaughter fill the town.

They curse the guards their mirth and bravery chose, All of them now are slain, or made like those.

Far through an inward scene an army lay, Which with full banners a fair Fish display.

From Sidon plains to happy Egypt's coast They seem all met, a vast and warlike host.

Thither hastes David to his destined prey, Honour and n.o.ble danger lead the way.

The conscious trees shook with a reverent fear Their unblown tops: G.o.d walked before him there.

Slaughter the wearied Rephaims' bosom fills, Dead corpse emboss the vale with little hills.

On the other side, Sophenes' mighty king Numberless troops of the bless'd East does bring: Twice are his men cut off, and chariots ta'en; Damascus and rich Adad help in vain; Here Nabathaean troops in battle stand, With all the l.u.s.ty youth of Syrian land; Undaunted Joab rushes on with speed, Gallantly mounted on his fiery steed; He hews down all, and deals his deaths around; The Syrians leave, or possess, dead, the ground.

On the other wing does brave Abishai ride, Reeking in blood and dust: on every side The perjured sons of Ammon quit the field; Some basely die, and some more basely yield.

Through a thick wood the wretched Hanun flies, And far more justly then fears Hebrew spies.

Moloch, their b.l.o.o.d.y G.o.d, thrusts out his head, Grinning through a black cloud: him they'd long fed In his seven chambers, and he still did eat New-roasted babes, his dear delicious meat.

Again they rise, more angered and dismayed; Euphrates and swift Tigris sends them aid: In vain they send it, for again they're slain, And feast the greedy birds on Healy plain.

Here Rabba with proud towers affronts the sky, And round about great Joab's trenches lie: They force the walls, and sack the helpless town; On David's head shines Ammon's ma.s.sy crown.

'Midst various torments the cursed race expires; David himself his severe wrath admires.

Next upon Israel's throne does bravely sit A comely youth, endowed with wondrous wit: Far, from the parched line, a royal dame, To hear his tongue and boundless wisdom, came: She carried back in her triumphant womb The glorious stock of thousand kings to come.

Here brightest forms his pomp and wealth display; Here they a temple's vast foundations lay; A mighty work; and with fit glories filled, For G.o.d to inhabit, and that King to build.

Some from the quarries hew out ma.s.sy stone, Some draw it up with cranes; some breathe and groan In order o'er the anvil; some cut down Tall cedars, the proud mountain's ancient crown; Some carve the trunks, and breathing shapes bestow, Giving the trees more life than when they grow.

But, oh! alas! what sudden cloud is spread About this glorious King's eclipsed head?

It all his fame benights, and all his store, Wrapping him round; and now he's seen no more.

When straight his son appears at Sichem crown'd, With young and heedless council circled round; Unseemly object! but a falling state Has always its own errors joined with Fate.

Ten tribes at once forsake the Jessian throne, And bold Adoram at his message stone; 'Brethren of Israel!'--More he fain would say, But a flint stopped his mouth, and speech in the way.

Here this fond king's disasters but begin; He's destined to more shame by his father's sin.

Susac comes up, and under his command A dreadful army from scorched Afric's sand, As numberless as that: all is his prey; The temple's sacred wealth they bear away; Adrazar's shields and golden loss they take; Even David in his dream does sweat and shake.

Thus fails this wretched prince; his loins appear Of less weight now than Solomon's fingers were.

Abijah next seeks Israel to regain, And wash in seas of blood his father's stain.

Ne'er saw the aged sun so cruel sight; Scarce saw he this, but hid his bashful light.

Nebat's cursed son fled with not half his men; Where were his G.o.ds of Dan and Bethel then?

Yet could not this the fatal strife decide; G.o.d punished one, but blessed not the other side.

Asan, a just and virtuous prince, succeeds, High raised by Fame for great and G.o.dly deeds: He cut the solemn groves where idols stood, And sacrificed the G.o.ds with their own wood.

He vanquished thus the proud weak powers of h.e.l.l; Before him next their doting servants fell: So huge an host of Zerah's men he slew, As made even that Arabia desert too.

Why feared he then the perjured Baasha's sight?

Or bought the dangerous aid of Syrian's might?

Conquest, Heaven's gift, cannot by man be sold; Alas! what weakness trusts he? man and gold.

Next Josaphat possessed the royal state; A happy prince, well worthy of his fate: His oft oblations on G.o.d's altar, made With thousand flocks, and thousand herds, are paid, Arabian tribute! What mad troops are those, Those mighty troops that dare to be his foes?

He prays them dead; with mutual wounds they fall; One fury brought, one fury slays them all.

Thus sits he still, and sees himself to win, Never o'ercome but by his friend Ahab's sin; On whose disguise Fates then did only look, And had almost their G.o.d's command mistook: Him from whose danger Heaven securely brings, And for his sake too ripely wicked kings.

Their armies languish, burnt with thirst, at Seere, Sighs all their cold, tears all their moisture there: They fix their greedy eyes on the empty sky, And fancy clouds, and so become more dry.

Elisha calls for waters from afar To come; Elisha calls, and here they are.

In helmets they quaff round the welcome flood, And the decrease repair with Moab's blood.

Jehoram next, and Ochoziah, throng For Judah's sceptre; both shortlived too long.

A woman, too, from murder t.i.tle claims; Both with her sins and s.e.x the crown she shames.

Proud, cursed woman! but her fall at last To doubting men clears Heaven for what was past.

Joas at first does bright and glorious show; In life's fresh morn his fame did early crow: Fair was the promise of his dawning ray, But prophet's angry blood o'ercast his day: From thence his clouds, from thence his storms, begin, It cries aloud, and twice lets Aram in.

So Amaziah lives, so ends his reign, Both by their traitorous servants justly slain.