65

But these were random bolts; no formed 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

Thus worn and weakened, well or ill content,

Submit they must to David's government: Impoverished and deprived of all command,

Their taxes doubled as they lost their land; And, what was harder yet to flesh and blood, 96

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,
Stock, stone, or other homely pedigree, 101
In his defense 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.

105

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,

quence; For as, when raging fevers boil the blood, The standing lake soon floats into a flood, And every hostile humor which before Slept quiet in its channels bubbles o'er; So several factions from this first ferment Work up to foam and threat the govern

Some had in courts been great and, thrown from thence,

Like fiends were hardened in impenitence. Some, by their Monarch's fatal mercy grown 146 From pardoned 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 curst: For close designs and crooked counsels fit; Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit; Restless, unfixed in principles and place; In power unpleased, impatient of disgrace:

155

A fiery soul, which, working out its way,
Fretted the pigmy body to decay,
And o'er-informed 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 honor blest,

165

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 he broke,
The pillars of the public safety shook, 176
And fitted Israel for a foreign yoke;
Then, seized with fear, yet still affecting
fame,

Usurped 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!

since,

He stood at bold defiance with his prince, Held up the buckler of the people's

Against the crown, and skulked behind the laws.

The wished 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. 215 For, governed by the moon, the giddy Jews

Tread the same track when she the prime

renews;

1 evidently guilty.

Had thus old David, from whose loins you spring,

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 honor, and debauched
with praise.

Half loth, and half consenting to the ill,
(For loyal blood within him struggled still,)
He thus replied: "And what pretence
have I

315

King,

At Gath an exile he might still remain, And Heaven's anointing oil had been in

The faith's defender, and mankind's delight;

Good, gracious, just, observant of the