274

The wanting Orphans saw with watry Eyes Their Founders Charity in Dust laid low, And sent to God their ever-answer'd cries, (For he protects the Poor,who made them so.) 275

Nor could thy Fabrick, Paul's, defend thee long,

Though thou wert Sacred to thy Makers praise:

Though made Immortal by a Poet's Song, And Poets Songs the Theban walls could raise.

276

282

The vanquish'd Fires withdraw from every place,

Or, full with feeding, sink into a sleep: Each household Genius shows again his face, And, from the hearths, the little Lares creep. 283

Our King this more than natural change beholds;

With sober Joy his heart and eyes abound : To the All-good his lifted hands he folds, And thanks him low on his redeemed ground. 284

far

the earth,

As he will hatch their Ashes by King not to

his stay, And not their humble Ruins now forsake.

289

leave them.

They have not lost their Loyalty by Fire; Nor is their Courage or their Wealth so low, That from his Wars they poorly would retire, Or beg the Pity of a vanquish'd Foe.

284.2 mild] Editors till Christie give cold

246.2 die,] die: 1667 and 1688.

are near,

print.

And meets, instead of Milk, a falling Tear.

Though now his mighty Soul its Grief contains;

He meditates Revenge who least Complains.
And like a Lion, Slumb'ring 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'r 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 Natures Eldest Law. Leave the warm People no Considering time; For then Rebellion may be thought a Crime. Prevail your self of what Occasion gives, 461 But trie your Title while your Father lives; And, that your Arms may have a fair Pre

tence,

Proclaim, you take them in the King's Defence ;

Whose Sacred Life each minute woud 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 Controul. 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, Like Womens Leachery 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.

And blest 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 publick
Love,

To Head the Faction while their Zeal was hot,
And Popularly Prosecute the Plot. 490
To farther this, Achitophel Unites
The Malecontents 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 pow'r of Monarchy too much :

Mistaken Men, and Patriots in their Hearts; Not Wicked, but seduc'd 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 t' embroil the
State,

To sell their Duty at a dearer rate;
And make their Jewish Markets of the
Throne ;

Pretending Publick 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 th' Haranguers of the
Throng

That thought to get Preferment by the Tongue. 510

Who follow next, a double danger bring,
Not onely hating David, but the King;
The Solymaan Rout; well Vers'd of old
In Godly Faction, and in Treason bold;
Cowring and Quaking at a Conqu'ror's
Sword,

But Lofty to a Lawful Prince Restored;
Saw with Disdain an Ethnick Plot begun
And Scorned by Jebusiles to be Out-done.
Hot Levites Headed these; who pul'd before
From th' Ark, which in the Judges days they
bore,

520

Resum'd their Cant, and with a Zealous Črie

Pursu'd their old belov'd Theocracie.