The Poetical Works of John Dryden Volume I Part 17

containing near two hundred verses, mere entirely Mr Dryden's composition, besides some touches in other places.

DERRICK.

Since men like beasts each other's prey were made, Since trade began, and priesthood grew a trade, Since realms were form'd, none sure so cursed as those That madly their own happiness oppose; There Heaven itself and G.o.d-like kings, in vain Shower down the manna of a gentle reign; While pamper'd crowds to mad sedition run, And monarchs by indulgence are undone.

Thus David's clemency was fatal grown, While wealthy faction awed the wanting throne. 10 For now their sovereign's orders to contemn Was held the charter of Jerusalem; His rights to invade, his tributes to refuse, A privilege peculiar to the Jews; As if from heavenly call this licence fell, And Jacob's seed were chosen to rebel!

Achitophel with triumph sees his crimes Thus suited to the madness of the times; And Absalom, to make his hopes succeed, Of flattering charms no longer stands in need; 20 While fond of change, though ne'er so dearly bought, Our tribes outstrip the youth's ambitious thought; His swiftest hopes with swifter homage meet, And crowd their servile necks beneath his feet.

Thus to his aid while pressing tides repair, He mounts and spreads his streamers in the air.

The charms of empire might his youth mislead, But what can our besotted Israel plead?

Sway'd by a monarch, whose serene command Seems half the blessing of our promised land: 30 Whose only grievance is excess of ease; Freedom our pain, and plenty our disease!

Yet, as all folly would lay claim to sense, And wickedness ne'er wanted a pretence, With arguments they'd make their treason good, And righteous David's self with slanders load: That arts of foreign sway he did affect, And guilty Jebusites from law protect, Whose very chiefs, convict, were never freed, Nay, we have seen their sacrificers bleed! 40 Accusers' infamy is urged in vain, While in the bounds of sense they did contain; But soon they launch into the unfathom'd tide, And in the depths they knew disdain'd to ride.

For probable discoveries to dispense, Was thought below a pension'd evidence; Mere truth was dull, nor suited with the port Of pamper'd Corah when advanced to court.

No less than wonders now they will impose, And projects void of grace or sense disclose. 50 Such was the charge on pious Michal brought,-- Michal that ne'er was cruel, even in thought,-- The best of queens, and most obedient wife, Impeach'd of cursed designs on David's life!

His life, the theme of her eternal prayer, 'Tis scarce so much his guardian angel's care.

Not summer morns such mildness can disclose, The Hermon lily, nor the Sharon rose.

Neglecting each vain pomp of majesty, Transported Michal feeds her thoughts on high. 60 She lives with angels, and, as angels do, Quits heaven sometimes to bless the world below; Where, cherish'd by her bounties' plenteous spring, Reviving widows smile, and orphans sing.

Oh! when rebellious Israel's crimes at height, Are threaten'd with her Lord's approaching fate, The piety of Michal then remain In Heaven's remembrance, and prolong his reign!

Less desolation did the pest pursue, That from Dan's limits to Beersheba flew; 70 Less fatal the repeated wars of Tyre, And less Jerusalem's avenging fire.

With gentler terror these our state o'erran, Than since our evidencing days began!

On every cheek a pale confusion sate, Continued fear beyond the worst of fate!

Trust was no more; art, science useless made; All occupations lost but Corah's trade.

Meanwhile a guard on modest Corah wait, If not for safety, needful yet for state. 80 Well might he deem each peer and prince his slave, And lord it o'er the tribes which he could save: Even vice in him was virtue--what sad fate, But for his honesty had seized our state!

And with what tyranny had we been cursed, Had Corah never proved a villain first!

To have told his knowledge of the intrigue in gross, Had been, alas! to our deponent's loss: The travell'd Levite had the experience got, To husband well, and make the best of's Plot; 90 And therefore, like an evidence of skill, With wise reserves secured his pension still; Nor quite of future power himself bereft, But limbos large for unbelievers left.

And now his writ such reverence had got, 'Twas worse than plotting to suspect his Plot.

Some were so well convinced, they made no doubt Themselves to help the founder'd swearers out.

Some had their sense imposed on by their fear, But more for interest sake believe and swear: 100 Even to that height with some the frenzy grew, They raged to find their danger not prove true.

Yet, than all these a viler crew remain, Who with Achitophel the cry maintain; Not urged by fear, nor through misguided sense,-- Blind zeal and starving need had some pretence; But for the good old cause, that did excite The original rebels' wiles--revenge and spite.

These raise the plot, to have the scandal thrown Upon the bright successor of the crown, 110 Whose virtue with such wrongs they had pursued, As seem'd all hope of pardon to exclude.

Thus, while on private ends their zeal is built, The cheated crowd applaud, and share their guilt.

Such practices as these, too gross to lie Long un.o.bserved by each discerning eye, The more judicious Israelites unspell'd, Though still the charm the giddy rabble held.

Even Absalom, amidst the dazzling beams Of empire, and ambition's flattering dreams, 120 Perceives the plot, too foul to be excused, To aid designs, no less pernicious, used.

And, filial sense yet striving in his breast, Thus to Achitophel his doubts express'd:

Why are my thoughts upon a crown employ'd.

Which, once obtain'd, can be but half enjoy'd?

Not so when virtue did my arms require, And to my father's wars I flew entire.

My regal power how will my foes resent, When I myself have scarce my own consent! 130 Give me a son's unblemish'd truth again, Or quench the sparks of duty that remain.

How slight to force a throne that legions guard The task to me! to prove unjust, how hard!

And if the imagined guilt thus wound my thought, What will it when the tragic scene is wrought!

Dire war must first be conjured from below, The realm we rule we first must overthrow; And, when the civil furies are on wing, That blind and undistinguish'd slaughters fling, 140 Who knows what impious chance may reach the king?

Oh, rather let me perish in the strife, Than have my crown the price of David's life!

Or if the tempest of the war he stand, In peace, some vile officious villain's hand His soul's anointed temple may invade; Or, press'd by clamorous crowds, myself be made His murderer; rebellious crowds, whose guilt Shall dread his vengeance till his blood be spilt.

Which, if my filial tenderness oppose, 150 Since to the empire by their arms I rose, Those very arms on me shall be employ'd, A new usurper crown'd, and I destroy'd: The same pretence of public good will hold, And new Achitophels be found as bold To urge the needful change--perhaps the old.

He said. The statesman with a smile replies, A smile that did his rising spleen disguise: My thoughts presumed our labours at an end; And are we still with conscience to contend? 160 Whose want in kings as needful is allow'd, As 'tis for them to find it in the crowd.

Far in the doubtful pa.s.sage you are gone, And only can be safe by pressing on.

The crown's true heir, a prince severe and wise, Has view'd your motions long with jealous eyes, Your person's charms, your more prevailing arts, And mark'd your progress in the people's hearts, Whose patience is the effect of stinted power, But treasures vengeance for the fatal hour; 170 And if remote the peril he can bring, Your present danger's greater from the king.

Let not a parent's name deceive your sense, Nor trust the father in a jealous prince!

Your trivial faults if he could so resent, To doom you little less than banishment, What rage must your presumption since inspire!

Against his orders you return from Tyre.

Nor only so, but with a pomp more high, And open court of popularity, 180 The factious tribes.--And this reproof from thee!

The prince replies; Oh, statesman's winding skill, They first condemn that first advised the ill!

Ill.u.s.trious youth! returned Achitophel, Misconstrue not the words that mean you well; The course you steer I worthy blame conclude, But 'tis because you leave it unpursued.

A monarch's crown with fate surrounded lies, Who reach, lay hold on death that miss the prize.

Did you for this expose yourself to show, 190 And to the crowd bow popularly low?

For this your glorious progress next ordain, With chariots, hors.e.m.e.n, and a numerous train?

With fame before you, like the morning star, And shouts of joy saluting from afar?

Oh, from the heights you've reach'd but take a view, Scarce leading Lucifer could fall like you!

And must I here my shipwreck'd arts bemoan?

Have I for this so oft made Israel groan?

Your single interest with the nation weigh'd, 200 And turn'd the scale where your desires were laid; Even when at helm a course so dangerous moved To land your hopes, as my removal proved.--

I not dispute, the royal youth replies, The known perfection of your policies; Nor in Achitophel yet grudge or blame The privilege that statesmen ever claim; Who private interest never yet pursued, But still pretended 'twas for others good: What politician yet e'er 'scaped his fate, 210 Who, saving his own neck, not saved the state?

From hence, on every humorous wind that veer'd, With shifted sails a several course you steer'd.

What form of sway did David e'er pursue, That seem'd like absolute, but sprung from you?

Who at your instance quash'd each penal law, That kept dissenting factious Jews in awe; And who suspends fix'd laws, may abrogate, That done, form new, and so enslave the state.

Even property whose champion now you stand, 220 And seem for this the idol of the land, Did ne'er sustain such violence before, As when your counsel shut the royal store; Advice, that ruin to whole tribes procured, But secret kept till your own banks secured.

Recount with this the triple covenant broke, And Israel fitted for a foreign yoke; Nor here your counsel's fatal progress stay'd, But sent our levied powers to Pharaoh's aid.

Hence Tyre and Israel, low in ruins laid, 230 And Egypt, once their scorn, their common terror made.

Even yet of such a season can we dream, When royal rights you made your darling theme.

For power unlimited could reasons draw, And place prerogative above the law; Which, on your fall from office, grew unjust, The laws made king, the king a slave in trust: Whom with state-craft, to interest only true, You now accuse of ills contrived by you.

To this h.e.l.l's agent: Royal youth, fix here, 240 Let interest be the star by which you steer.

Hence to repose your trust in me was wise, Whose interest most in your advancement lies.

A tie so firm as always will avail, When friendship, nature, and religion fail; On ours the safety of the crowd depends; Secure the crowd, and we obtain our ends, Whom I will cause so far our guilt to share, Till they are made our champions by their fear.

What opposition can your rival bring, 250 While Sanhedrims are jealous of the king?

His strength as yet in David's friendship lies, And what can David's self without supplies?

Who with exclusive bills must now dispense, Debar the heir, or starve in his defence.

Conditions which our elders ne'er will quit, And David's justice never can admit.

Or forced by wants his brother to betray, To your ambition next he clears the way; For if succession once to nought they bring, 260 Their next advance removes the present king: Persisting else his senates to dissolve, In equal hazard shall his reign involve.

Our tribes, whom Pharaoh's power so much alarms, Shall rise without their prince to oppose his arms; Nor boots it on what cause at first they join, Their troops, once up, are tools for our design.

At least such subtle covenants shall be made, Till peace itself is war in masquerade.

a.s.sociations of mysterious sense, 270 Against, but seeming for, the king's defence: Even on their courts of justice fetters draw, And from our agents muzzle up their law.

By which a conquest if we fail to make, 'Tis a drawn game at worst, and we secure our stake.

He said, and for the dire success depends On various sects, by common guilt made friends.

Whose heads, though ne'er so differing in their creed, I' th' point of treason yet were well agreed.

'Mongst these, extorting Ishban first appears, 280 Pursued by a meagre troop of bankrupt heirs.

Blest times when Ishban, he whose occupation So long has been to cheat, reforms the nation!

Ishban of conscience suited to his trade, As good a saint as usurer ever made.

Yet Mammon has not so engross'd him quite, But Belial lays as large a claim of spite; Who, for those pardons from his prince he draws, Returns reproaches, and cries up the cause.