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 Bâ— 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 Peniâ—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 â—hen wash me throughly from this staine Of sinfull guilt Till none remaine â—ow I confesse O Lord thou canst and wilt Cause sin which now me lyes before Never to rise against me more â—gainst thee I O Lord have sinn'd alone And in thy sight This evill done â—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 burâ—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 â—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 haâ—nessed his horse Rejoycing Giant-like to run his course His longest journey froÌ„ the East to West When Talmai who that nigâ—t took little rest So were his thoughts â—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
DAVID'S TROUBLES REMEMBRED IN 1. Absolons Sheep-shearing 2. Ioab projecting 3. Bathsheba bathing 4. Israel rebelling 5. Ahithophel hanging 6. David returning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 PSAL. 119. 71. It is good for mee that I have been in trouble that I may learne thy Statutes LONDON Printed by Richard Hodgkinsonne and are to be sold by Daniel Frere at the signe of the Bull in Little-Britan 1638. To the Author THe Poem which shall live and oft be read With foure faire Ornaments is garnished It must describe to life fitly compare Abound with Sentences and Fictions rare All these are met in thine and doe conspire To dresse thy Lines in durable attire Thy chosen Subject of a sacred straine Is Index of thy sanctified Braine Prophaner Muses vent your idle dreames While thine discourseth of diviner Theames It shall bee written on thy mournfull Herse Hee turn'd all sacred Story into Verse RO. WILLAN Ad Authorem Quiddam ex Virgilii Eclogâ sextâ inflexum huic penso pretextum per G. H. HAs oh Laete fides tibi dant en accipe Musae Psalmicini quas ante duci quibus ille solebat Cantando sacros deducere coelitus hymnos His tibi suavifluo currit scaturigine vena Ne quis sit vates quo se plus jactet Apollo Omnis te pia Musa canit nec gratior ulla est Quam quae Davidis praescribit pagina nomen Quae canit aerumnas regis curasque sequaces Saepius obsessi latrantibus undique monstris To the worthy Author of this Divine Poem ORder and Number set the World in frame Tun'd the harmonious Spheres made memory A Cabinet to eternize Mans fame And to Record th' eternall Deity All Verses rellish not of Levitie Who saith true Poesie is not Divine Knows not the Hebrew Hymn nor hath read thine Should I beleeve a Metempsychosis Isha's sonnes soule silenc'd by his last fate I 'de sweare inform'd thy body and made this Vse of thy Peace to draw his trouble's State That others might take heed ere 't is too late Church and State Hypocrites in their owne trap To catch though maskt lul'd in fortunes lap Follow thy Prophet Poets follow thee Till they have learn'd to leave Venerian Rimes And thou hast taught religious Historie Affords the proper Sonnets of our times Best Organs Canzons true coelestiall Chimes So having penned Odes for Davids Lyre Goe helpe to chaunt them in the Angels Quire ROB. SYBTHORP Idem ad Lectorem INcestûs poenae fraterni sanguinis ultor Principis aerumnae Proditionis opus Contemptus Cleri rabies temeraria vulgi Peccantis planctus contritionis amor Si tibi sint curae pandit mysteria mira Aâ—-laetus vates alite digna Jovis R. S. 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 Heralâ— 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 Brotheâ— 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 burnishâ— 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 â— 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 fâ—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 morâ—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
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 â—o thus is Davids sad melancholy â—urn'd like Sauls hatred into prophesie â—s torrent swift which long his course hath held â—n sudden by immoderate showers fill'd â—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 â—y Liege and Lord consider this thing well What danger 't is for Davids heire to dwell â—ut of the Kingdome and live banished â—ea with an Heathen King his life to lead â—or as pure water spilt upon the ground 〈◊〉 soon dryed up and can no more be found â—or is the scent and purity retain'd â—ut whilst in some pure glasse it is contain'd â—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 â—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 â—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
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 Mâ—â—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 Ammonitâ— 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 â—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 â—hould you want men these womans armes should fight To be revenged on the Ammonite Who on Gods people put so foule a scorn â—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 â—ere babes hang sprawling on a Souldiers speare 〈◊〉 Lady faire one drags out by the haire Whilst other from her teare her rich attire â—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 â—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 â—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
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 â—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 cradâ—e they are rock'd together No King but on this Lime-bush leaves a feather Oh! ' tls 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 â—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 intiâ—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 mâ—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 â—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 Predâ—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 sâ—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
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 â—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 â—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 â—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 stinâ—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! saiâ—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 â—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
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 â—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 â—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 saâ—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 â—ide his hate yet to betray his liâ—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