Absalom And Achitophel Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIJKK LLMMNOPPQQRRCCSSSSTT UUVVQQPPWWSSXXYYZZA2 A2VVVVVVB2C2D2D2VVE2 F2VVG2H2I2I2J2J2K2K2 JL2VM2M2SSVVVVVVTTSS VVPWN2N2O2O2VVVVWWP2 P2VVVVQ2Q2VVR2R2S2T2 LLZZU2V2VVSSVVWWU2U2 W2W2X2X2 VVVVU2U2LLLVX2VVVVVV U2U2IIX2VVVY2S2Y2TTU 2U2Z2Z2W2W2A3A3W2W2U 2U2W2W2VVB3M2VVU2U2V VU2U2U2U2U2U2U2U2VVG 2H2U2U2VVW2JVVVVVVU2 U2 VX2SSVVC3C3D3D3U2U2T TW2W2U2U2VVVVVVZ2Z2V VVVU2U2A2A2W2W2C3C3U 2U2VVVVVW2W2VVU2U2U2 U2A2A2VVE3F3U2U2X2VV VU2U2SSVVG3G3 U2U2VVSSTTU2U2Z2Z2X2 VVVU2U2W2W2U2U2VVVVL LW2W2U2U2VVVVU2U2VVS SU2U2VVVVVVVVVVTTVVV VVVVVVVH3H3W2W2 VVU2 U2W2W2W2W2W2L2I3J3TT E3F3SSK3L3SSX2X2U2U2 W2W2VVZZVVSSD3L2VVVV K3K3U2U2TTP2P2VVX2VV VA2A2G2H2W2W2SSVVU2U 2U2U2U2U2U2U2LLU2U2V VU2U2VVSSM3M3U2U2U2U 2U2U2N3N3W2W2VVW2W2U 2U2 VVVVVX2W2W2U2U2NOVVU 2U2W2W2O3O3U2U2VVVVW 2W2VVX2VM2B3A2A2VVVV W2W2SSX2VW2W2U2U2VVV VP3P3O3O3X2VVVVVSSVV VVM2M2W2W2A2A2P3P3U2 U2H2H2VVVVQ3Q3G2G2VV U2U2VVVVW2W2SSU2U2SS U2U2A2A2W2W2VVLLVVVV M3M3Q3Q3TJL2X2VU2U2U 2U2U2U2SSVVW2W2VVVVU 2U2SSG2G2VVVVU2U2VVU 2U2W2W2VVU2U2W2W2VVU 2U2VVU2U2S2Y2SSVVG2G 2U2U2G2G2VVU2U2VVU2U 2U2U2G2G2W2W2G2G2 VVW2W2U2U2ZZU2U2U2U2 S2Y2VV VVU2U2W2W2VVVTTVVU2U 2LLVVU2U2U2U2W2W2 G2G2W2W2U2U2W2W2U2U2 SSVVVVU2U2VVU2U2U2U2 U2U2Q3Q3VVG2G2U2U2U2 U2LLVVP3P3VVVVX2U2U2 U2G2G2VVVVVVSSX2U2VV U2U2U2U2U2U2G2G2E3E3 SSVVG2G2G3G3SSG2G2U2 U2 A2A2U2U2U2U2 U2U2VVVVVVVVU2U2VVVV M3M3W2W2W2W2W2W2W2VV VVTTVVG2G2A2A2VVSSU2 U2U2U2VVU2U2JL2U2U2V VVVU2U2VVVVW2W2VVVVS SU2U2R3R3W2W2ZZX2X2U 2U2VVVVU2U2G2G2VVLLU 2U2 VVVVVU2U2VVVVU2U2W2W 2VVU2U2 VVVVSS VVC3C3VVVVSSU2U2A2A2 VVG2G2Q3Q3W2W2SSW2W2 U2U2G2G2U2U2U2U2VVW2 W2VVU2U2U2U2LLU2U2Q3 Q3X2VLLG2G2Q3Q3U2U2V VVSSW2W2U2U2X2X2VVSS SSVVC3C3U2U2VVVV VVW2W2VV

In pious times ere priest craft did begin	A
Before polygamy was made a sin	A
When man on many multipli'd his kind	B
Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd	B
When Nature prompted and no Law deni'd	C
Promiscuous use of concubine and bride	C
Then Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart	D
His vigorous warmth did variously impart	D
To wives and slaves and wide as his command	E
Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land	E
Michal of royal blood the crown did wear	F
A soil ungrateful to the tiller's care	F
Not so the rest for several mothers bore	G
To god like David several sons before	G
But since like slaves his bed they did ascend	H
No true succession could their seed attend	H
Of all this numerous progeny was none	I
So beautiful so brave as Absalom	J
Whether inspir'd by some diviner lust	K
His father got him with a greater gust	K
Or that his conscious destiny made way	L
By manly beauty to imperial sway	L
Early in foreign fields he won renown	M
With kings and states alli'd to Israel's crown	M
In peace the thoughts of war he could remove	N
And seem'd as he were only born for love	O
Whate'er he did was done with so much ease	P
In him alone 'twas natural to please	P
His motions all accompani'd with grace	Q
And Paradise was open'd in his face	Q
With secret joy indulgent David view'd	R
His youthful image in his son renew'd	R
To all his wishes nothing he deni'd	C
And made the charming Annabel his bride	C
What faults he had for who from faults is free	S
His father could not or he would not see	S
Some warm excesses which the Law forbore	S
Were constru'd youth that purged by boiling o'er	S
And Amnon's murther by a specious name	T
Was call'd a just revenge for injur'd fame	T
Thus prais'd and lov'd the noble youth remain'd	U
While David undisturb'd in Sion reign'd	U
But life can never be sincerely blest	V
Heav'n punishes the bad and proves the best	V
The Jews a headstrong moody murm'ring race	Q
As ever tri'd th'extent and stretch of grace	Q
God's pamper'd people whom debauch'd with ease	P
No king could govern nor no God could please	P
Gods they had tri'd of every shape and size	W
That god smiths could produce or priests devise	W
These Adam wits too fortunately free	S
Began to dream they wanted liberty	S
And when no rule no precedent was found	X
Of men by laws less circumscrib'd and bound	X
They led their wild desires to woods and caves	Y
And thought that all but savages were slaves	Y
They who when Saul was dead without a blow	Z
Made foolish Ishbosheth the crown forego	Z
Who banisht David did from Hebron bring	A2
And with a general shout proclaim'd him king	A2
Those very Jews who at their very best	V
Their Humour more than loyalty exprest	V
Now wonder'd why so long they had obey'd	V
An idol monarch which their hands had made	V
Thought they might ruin him they could create	V
Or melt him to that golden calf a state	V
But these were random bolts no form'd design	B2
Nor interest made the factious crowd to join	C2
The sober part of Israel free from stain	D2
Well knew the value of a peaceful reign	D2
And looking backward with a wise afright	V
Saw seams of wounds dishonest to the sight	V
In contemplation of whose ugly scars	E2
They curst the memory of civil wars	F2
The moderate sort of men thus qualifi'd	V
Inclin'd the balance to the better side	V
And David's mildness manag'd it so well	G2
The bad found no occasion to rebel	H2
But when to sin our bias'd nature leans	I2
The careful Devil is still at hand with means	I2
And providently pimps for ill desires	J2
The good old cause reviv'd a plot requires	J2
Plots true or false are necessary things	K2
To raise up common wealths and ruin kings	K2
	-
Th' inhabitants of old Jerusalem	J
Were Jebusites the town so call'd from them	L2
And theirs the native right	V
But when the chosen people grew more strong	M2
The rightful cause at length became the wrong	M2
And every loss the men of Jebus bore	S
They still were thought God's enemies the more	S
Thus worn and weaken'd well or ill content	V
Submit they must to David's government	V
Impoverish'd and depriv'd of all command	V
Their taxes doubled as they lost their land	V
And what was harder yet to flesh and blood	V
Their gods disgrac'd and burnt like common wood	V
This set the heathen priesthood in a flame	T
For priests of all religions are the same	T
Of whatsoe'er descent their godhead be	S
Stock stone or other homely pedigree	S
In his defence his servants are as bold	V
As if he had been born of beaten gold	V
The Jewish Rabbins though their Enemies	P
In this conclude them honest men and wise	W
For 'twas their duty all the learned think	N2
T'espouse his cause by whom they eat and drink	N2
From hence began that plot the nation's curse	O2
Bad in itself but represented worse	O2
Rais'd in extremes and in extremes decri'd	V
With oaths affirm'd with dying vows deni'd	V
Not weigh'd or winnow'd by the multitude	V
But swallow'd in the mass unchew'd and crude	V
Some truth there was but dash'd and brew'd with lies	W
To please the fools and puzzle all the wise	W
Succeeding times did equal folly call	P2
Believing nothing or believing all	P2
Th' Egyptian rites the Jebusites embrac'd	V
Where gods were recommended by their taste	V
Such sav'ry deities must needs be good	V
As serv'd at once for worship and for food	V
By force they could not introduce these gods	Q2
For ten to one in former days was odds	Q2
So fraud was us'd the sacrificers' trade	V
Fools are more hard to conquer than persuade	V
Their busy teachers mingled with the Jews	R2
And rak'd for converts even the court and stews	R2
Which Hebrew priests the more unkindly took	S2
Because the fleece accompanies the flock	T2
Some thought they God's anointed meant to slay	L
By guns invented since full many a day	L
Our author swears it not but who can know	Z
How far the Devil and Jebusites may go	Z
This plot which fail'd for want of common sense	U2
Had yet a deep and dangerous consequence	V2
For as when raging fevers boil the blood	V
The standing lake soon floats into a flood	V
And ev'ry hostile humour which before	S
Slept quiet in its channels bubbles o'er	S
So several factions from this first ferment	V
Work up to foam and threat the government	V
Some by their friends more by themselves thought wise	W
Oppos'd the pow'r to which they could not rise	W
Some had in courts been great and thrown from thence	U2
Like fiends were harden'd in impenitence	U2
Some by their monarch's fatal mercy grown	W2
From pardon'd rebels kinsmen to the throne	W2
Were rais'd in pow'r and public office high	X2
Strong bands if bands ungrateful men could tie	X2
	-
Of these the false Achitophel was first	V
A name to all succeeding ages curst	V
For close designs and crooked counsels fit	V
Sagacious bold and turbulent of wit	V
Restless unfixt in principles and place	U2
In pow'r unpleas'd impatient of disgrace	U2
A fiery soul which working out its way	L
Fretted the pigmy body to decay	L
And o'er inform'd the tenement of clay	L
A daring pilot in extremity	V
Pleas'd with the danger when the waves went high	X2
He sought the storms but for a calm unfit	V
Would steer too nigh the sands to boast his wit	V
Great wits are sure to madness near alli'd	V
And thin partitions do their bounds divide	V
Else why should he with wealth and honour blest	V
Refuse his age the needful hours of rest	V
Punish a body which he could not please	U2
Bankrupt of life yet prodigal of ease	U2
And all to leave what with his toil he won	I
To that unfeather'd two legg'd thing a son	I
Got while his soul did huddled notions try	X2
And born a shapeless lump like anarchy	V
In friendship false implacable in hate	V
Resolv'd to ruin or to rule the state	V
To compass this the triple bond he broke	Y2
The pillars of the public safety shook	S2
And fitted Israel for a foreign yoke	Y2
Then seiz'd with fear yet still affecting fame	T
Usurp'd a patriot's all atoning name	T
So easy still it proves in factious times	U2
With public zeal to cancel private crimes	U2
How safe is treason and how sacred ill	Z2
Where none can sin against the people's will	Z2
Where crowds can wink and no offence be known	W2
Since in another's guilt they find their own	W2
Yet fame deserv'd no enemy can grudge	A3
The statesman we abhor but praise the judge	A3
In Jewish courts ne'er sat an Abbethdin	W2
With more discerning eyes or hands more clean	W2
Unbrib'd unsought the wretched to redress	U2
Swift of dispatch and easy of access	U2
Oh had he been content to serve the crown	W2
With virtues only proper to the gown	W2
Or had the rankness of the soil been freed	V
From cockle that opprest the noble seed	V
David for him his tuneful harp had strung	B3
And heav'n had wanted one immortal song	M2
But wild ambition loves to slide not stand	V
And fortune's ice prefers to virtue's land	V
Achitophel grown weary to possess	U2
A lawful fame and lazy happiness	U2
Disdain'd the golden fruit to gather free	V
And lent the crowd his arm to shake the tree	V
Now manifest of crimes contriv'd long since	U2
He stood at bold defiance with his prince	U2
Held up the buckler of the people's cause	U2
Against the crown and skulk'd behind the laws	U2
The wish'd occasion of the plot he takes	U2
Some circumstances finds but more he makes	U2
By buzzing emissaries fills the ears	U2
Of list'ning crowds with jealousies and fears	U2
Of arbitrary counsels brought to light	V
And proves the king himself a Jebusite	V
Weak arguments which yet he knew full well	G2
Were strong with people easy to rebel	H2
For govern'd by the moon the giddy Jews	U2
Tread the same track when she the prime renews	U2
And once in twenty years their scribes record	V
By natural instinct they change their lord	V
Achitophel still wants a chief and none	W2
Was found so fit as warlike Absalom	J
Not that he wish'd his greatness to create	V
For politicians neither love nor hate	V
But for he knew his title not allow'd	V
Would keep him still depending on the crowd	V
That kingly pow'r thus ebbing out might be	V
Drawn to the dregs of a democracy	V
Him he attempts with studied arts to please	U2
And sheds his venom in such words as these	U2
	-
Auspicious Prince at whose nativity	V
Some royal planet rul'd the southern sky	X2
Thy longing country's darling and desire	S
Their cloudy pillar and their guardian fire	S
Their second Moses whose extended wand	V
Divides the seas and shows the promis'd land	V
Whose dawning day in very distant age	C3
Has exercis'd the sacred prophet's rage	C3
The people's pray'r the glad diviner's theme	D3
The young men's vision and the old men's dream	D3
Thee Saviour thee the nation's vows confess	U2
And never satisfi'd with seeing bless	U2
Swift unbespoken pomps thy steps proclaim	T
And stammering babes are taught to lisp thy name	T
How long wilt thou the general joy detain	W2
Starve and defraud the people of thy reign	W2
Content ingloriously to pass thy days	U2
Like one of virtue's fools that feeds on praise	U2
Till thy fresh glories which now shine so bright	V
Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight	V
Believe me royal youth thy fruit must be	V
Or gather'd ripe or rot upon the tree	V
Heav'n has to all allotted soon or late	V
Some lucky revolution of their fate	V
Whose motions if we watch and guide with skill	Z2
For human good depends on human will	Z2
Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent	V
And from the first impression takes the bent	V
But if unseiz'd she glides away like wind	V
And leaves repenting folly far behind	V
Now now she meets you with a glorious prize	U2
And spreads her locks before her as she flies	U2
Had thus Old David from whose loins you spring	A2
Not dar'd when fortune call'd him to be king	A2
At Gath an exile he might still remain	W2
And Heaven's anointing oil had been in vain	W2
Let his successful youth your hopes engage	C3
But shun th'example of declining age	C3
Behold him setting in his western skies	U2
The shadows lengthening as the vapours rise	U2
He is not now as when on Jordan's sand	V
The joyful people throng'd to see him land	V
Cov'ring the beach and black'ning all the strand	V
But like the Prince of Angels from his height	V
Comes tumbling downward with diminish'd light	V
Betray'd by one poor plot to public scorn	W2
Our only blessing since his curst return	W2
Those heaps of people which one sheaf did bind	V
Blown off and scatter'd by a puff of wind	V
What strength can he to your designs oppose	U2
Naked of friends and round beset with foes	U2
If Pharaoh's doubtful succour he should use	U2
A foreign aid would more incense the Jews	U2
Proud Egypt would dissembled friendship bring	A2
Foment the war but not support the king	A2
Nor would the royal party e'er unite	V
With Pharaoh's arms t'assist the Jebusite	V
Or if they should their interest soon would break	E3
And with such odious aid make David weak	F3
All sorts of men by my successful arts	U2
Abhorring kings estrange their alter'd hearts	U2
From David's rule And 'tis the general Cry	X2
Religion Common wealth and Liberty	V
If you as champion of the public good	V
Add to their arms a chief of royal blood	V
What may not Israel hope and what applause	U2
Might such a general gain by such a cause	U2
Not barren praise alone that gaudy flow'r	S
Fair only to the sight but solid pow'r	S
And nobler is a limited command	V
Giv'n by the love of all your native land	V
Than a successive title long and dark	G3
Drawn from the mouldy rolls of Noah's Ark	G3
	-
What cannot praise effect in mighty minds	U2
When flattery soothes and when ambition blinds	U2
Desire of pow'r on earth a vicious weed	V
Yet sprung from high is of celestial seed	V
In God 'tis glory And when men aspire	S
'Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire	S
Th' ambitious youth too covetous of fame	T
Too full of angel's metal in his frame	T
Unwarily was led from virtue's ways	U2
Made drunk with honour and debauch'd with praise	U2
Half loath and half consenting to the ill	Z2
For loyal blood within him struggled still	Z2
He thus repli'd And what pretence have I	X2
To take up arms for public liberty	V
My Father governs with unquestion'd right	V
The Faith's defender and mankind's delight	V
Good gracious just observant of the laws	U2
And Heav'n by wonders has espous'd his cause	U2
Whom has he wrong'd in all his peaceful reign	W2
Who sues for justice to his throne in vain	W2
What millions has he pardon'd of his foes	U2
Whom just revenge did to his wrath expose	U2
Mild easy humble studious of our good	V
Inclin'd to mercy and averse from blood	V
If mildness ill with stubborn Israel suit	V
His crime is God's beloved attribute	V
What could he gain his people to betray	L
Or change his right for arbitrary sway	L
Let haughty Pharaoh curse with such a reign	W2
His fruitful Nile and yoke a servile train	W2
If David's rule Jerusalem displease	U2
The Dog star heats their brains to this disease	U2
Why then should I encouraging the bad	V
Turn rebel and run popularly mad	V
Were he a tyrant who by lawless might	V
Oppress'd the Jews and rais'd the Jebusite	V
Well might I mourn but nature's holy bands	U2
Would curb my spirits and restrain my hands	U2
The people might assert their liberty	V
But what was right in them were crime in me	V
His favour leaves me nothing to require	S
Prevents my wishes and out runs desire	S
What more can I expect while David lives	U2
All but his kingly diadem he gives	U2
And that but there he paus'd then sighing said	V
Is justly destin'd for a worthier head	V
For when my father from his toils shall rest	V
And late augment the number of the blest	V
His lawful issue shall the throne ascend	V
Or the collat'ral line where that shall end	V
His brother though oppress'd with vulgar spite	V
Yet dauntless and secure of native right	V
Of every royal virtue stands possess'd	V
Still dear to all the bravest and the best	V
His courage foes his friends his truth proclaim	T
His loyalty the king the world his fame	T
His mercy ev'n th'offending crowd will find	V
For sure he comes of a forgiving kind	V
Why should I then repine at Heaven's decree	V
Which gives me no pretence to royalty	V
Yet oh that Fate propitiously inclin'd	V
Had rais'd my birth or had debas'd my mind	V
To my large soul not all her treasure lent	V
And then betray'd it to a mean descent	V
I find I find my mounting spirits bold	V
And David's part disdains my mother's mold	V
Why am I scanted by a niggard birth	H3
My soul disclaims the kindred of her earth	H3
And made for empire whispers me within	W2
Desire of greatness is a god like sin	W2
	-
Him staggering so when Hell's dire agent found	V
While fainting virtue scarce maintain'd her ground	V
He pours fresh forces in and thus replies	U2
	-
Th'eternal God supremely good and wise	U2
Imparts not these prodigious gifts in vain	W2
What wonders are reserv'd to bless your reign	W2
Against your will your arguments have shown	W2
Such virtue's only giv'n to guide a throne	W2
Not that your father's mildness I contemn	W2
But manly force becomes the diadem	L2
'Tis true he grants the people all they crave	I3
And more perhaps than subjects ought to have	J3
For lavish grants suppose a monarch tame	T
And more his goodness than his wit proclaim	T
But when should people strive their bonds to break	E3
If not when kings are negligent or weak	F3
Let him give on till he can give no more	S
The thrifty Sanhedrin shall keep him poor	S
And every shekel which he can receive	K3
Shall cost a limb of his prerogative	L3
To ply him with new plots shall be my care	S
Or plunge him deep in some expensive war	S
Which when his treasure can no more supply	X2
He must with the remains of kingship buy	X2
His faithful friends our jealousies and fears	U2
Call Jebusites and Pharaoh's pensioners	U2
Whom when our fury from his aid has torn	W2
He shall be naked left to public scorn	W2
The next successor whom I fear and hate	V
My arts have made obnoxious to the state	V
Turn'd all his virtues to his overthrow	Z
And gain'd our elders to pronounce a foe	Z
His right for sums of necessary gold	V
Shall first be pawn'd and afterwards be sold	V
Till time shall ever wanting David draw	S
To pass your doubtful title into law	S
If not the people have a right supreme	D3
To make their kings for kings are made for them	L2
All empire is no more than pow'r in trust	V
Which when resum'd can be no longer just	V
Succession for the general good design'd	V
In its own wrong a nation cannot bind	V
If altering that the people can relieve	K3
Better one suffer than a nation grieve	K3
The Jews well know their pow'r ere Saul they chose	U2
God was their king and God they durst depose	U2
Urge now your piety your filial name	T
A father's right and fear of future fame	T
The public good the universal call	P2
To which even Heav'n submitted answers all	P2
Nor let his love enchant your generous mind	V
'Tis Nature's trick to propagate her kind	V
Our fond begetters who would never die	X2
Love but themselves in their posterity	V
Or let his kindness by th'effects be tri'd	V
Or let him lay his vain pretence aside	V
God said he lov'd your father could he bring	A2
A better proof than to anoint him king	A2
It surely show'd he lov'd the shepherd well	G2
Who gave so fair a flock as Israel	H2
Would David have you thought his darling son	W2
What means he then to alienate the crown	W2
The name of godly he may blush to bear	S
'Tis after God's own heart to cheat his heir	S
He to his brother gives supreme command	V
To you a legacy of barren land	V
Perhaps th'old harp on which he thrums his lays	U2
Or some dull Hebrew ballad in your praise	U2
Then the next heir a prince severe and wise	U2
Already looks on you with jealous eyes	U2
Sees through the thin disguises of your arts	U2
And marks your progress in the people's hearts	U2
Though now his mighty soul in grief contains	U2
He meditates revenge who least complains	U2
And like a lion slumb'ring in the way	L
Or sleep dissembling while he waits his prey	L
His fearless foes within his distance draws	U2
Constrains his roaring and contracts his paws	U2
Till at the last his time for fury found	V
He shoots with sudden vengeance from the ground	V
The prostrate vulgar passes o'er and spares	U2
But with a lordly rage his hunters tears	U2
Your case no tame expedients will afford	V
Resolve on death or conquest by the sword	V
Which for no less a stake than life you draw	S
And self defence is Nature's eldest law	S
Leave the warm people no considering time	M3
For then rebellion may be thought a crime	M3
Prevail yourself of what occasion gives	U2
But try your title while your father lives	U2
And that your arms may have a fair pretence	U2
Proclaim you take them in the king's defence	U2
Whose sacred life each minute would expose	U2
To plots from seeming friends and secret foes	U2
And who can sound the depth of David's soul	N3
Perhaps his fear his kindness may control	N3
He fears his brother though he loves his son	W2
For plighted vows too late to be undone	W2
If so by force he wishes to be gain'd	V
Like women's lechery to seem constrain'd	V
Doubt not but when he most affects the frown	W2
Commit a pleasing rape upon the crown	W2
Secure his person to secure your cause	U2
They who possess the prince possess the laws	U2
	-
He said and this advice above the rest	V
With Absalom's mild nature suited best	V
Unblam'd of life ambition set aside	V
Not stain'd with cruelty nor puff'd with pride	V
How happy had he been if destiny	V
Had higher plac'd his birth or not so high	X2
His kingly virtues might have claim'd a throne	W2
And blest all other countries but his own	W2
But charming greatness since so few refuse	U2
'Tis juster to lament him than accuse	U2
Strong were his hopes a rival to remove	N
With blandishments to gain the public love	O
To head the faction while their zeal was hot	V
And popularly prosecute the plot	V
To farther this Achitophel unites	U2
The malcontents of all the Israelites	U2
Whose differing parties he could wisely join	W2
For several ends to serve the same design	W2
The best and of the princes some were such	O3
Who thought the pow'r of monarchy too much	O3
Mistaken men and patriots in their hearts	U2
Not wicked but seduc'd by impious arts	U2
By these the springs of property were bent	V
And wound so high they crack'd the government	V
The next for interest sought t'embroil the state	V
To sell their duty at a dearer rate	V
And make their Jewish markets of the throne	W2
Pretending public good to serve their own	W2
Others thought kings an useless heavy load	V
Who cost too much and did too little good	V
These were for laying honest David by	X2
On principles of pure good husbandry	V
With them join'd all th'haranguers of the throng	M2
That thought to get preferment by the tongue	B3
Who follow next a double danger bring	A2
Not only hating David but the king	A2
The Solymaean rout well vers'd of old	V
In godly faction and in treason bold	V
Cow'ring and quaking at a conqu'ror's sword	V
But lofty to a lawful prince restor'd	V
Saw with disdain an Ethnic plot begun	W2
And scorn'd by Jebusites to be out done	W2
Hot Levites headed these who pull'd before	S
From th'Ark which in the Judges' days they bore	S
Resum'd their Cant and with a zealous cry	X2
Pursu'd their old belov'd Theocracy	V
Where Sanhedrin and Priest enslav'd the nation	W2
And justifi'd their spoils by inspiration	W2
For who so fit for reign as Aaron's race	U2
If once dominion they could found in Grace	U2
These led the pack though not of surest scent	V
Yet deepest mouth'd against the government	V
A numerous host of dreaming saints succeed	V
Of the true old enthusiastic breed	V
'Gainst form and order they their pow'r employ	P3
Nothing to build and all things to destroy	P3
But far more numerous was the herd of such	O3
Who think too little and who talk too much	O3
These out of mere instinct they knew not why	X2
Ador'd their father's God and property	V
And by the same blind benefit of fate	V
The Devil and the Jebusite did hate	V
Born to be saved even in their own despite	V
Because they could not help believing right	V
Such were the tools but a whole Hydra more	S
Remains of sprouting heads too long to score	S
Some of their chiefs were princes of the land	V
In the first rank of these did Zimri stand	V
A man so various that he seem'd to be	V
Not one but all Mankind's Epitome	V
Stiff in opinions always in the wrong	M2
Was everything by starts and nothing long	M2
But in the course of one revolving moon	W2
Was chemist fiddler statesman and buffoon	W2
Then all for women painting rhyming drinking	A2
Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking	A2
Blest madman who could every hour employ	P3
With something new to wish or to enjoy	P3
Railing and praising were his usual themes	U2
And both to show his judgment in extremes	U2
So over violent or over civil	H2
That every man with him was god or devil	H2
In squandering wealth was his peculiar art	V
Nothing went unrewarded but desert	V
Beggar'd by fools whom still he found too late	V
He had his jest and they had his estate	V
He laugh'd himself from court then sought relief	Q3
By forming parties but could ne'er be chief	Q3
For spite of him the weight of business fell	G2
On Absalom and wise Achitophel	G2
Thus wicked but in will of means bereft	V
He left not faction but of that was left	V
	-
Titles and names 'twere tedious to rehearse	U2
Of lords below the dignity of verse	U2
Wits warriors commonwealths men were the best	V
Kind husbands and mere nobles all the rest	V
And therefore in the name of dullness be	V
The well hung Balaam and cold Caleb free	V
And canting Nadab let oblivion damn	W2
Who made new porridge for the Paschal Lamb	W2
Let friendship's holy band some names assure	S
Some their own worth and some let scorn secure	S
Nor shall the rascal rabble here have place	U2
Whom kings no titles gave and God no grace	U2
Not bull faced Jonas who could statutes draw	S
To mean rebellion and make treason law	S
But he though bad is follow'd by a worse	U2
The wretch who Heav'n's Anointed dar'd to curse	U2
Shimei whose youth did early promise bring	A2
Of zeal to God and hatred to his king	A2
Did wisely from expensive sins refrain	W2
And never broke the Sabbath but for gain	W2
Nor ever was he known an oath to vent	V
Or curse unless against the government	V
Thus heaping wealth by the most ready way	L
Among the Jews which was to cheat and pray	L
The city to reward his pious hate	V
Against his master chose him magistrate	V
His hand a vare of justice did uphold	V
His neck was loaded with a chain of gold	V
During his office treason was no crime	M3
The sons of Belial had a glorious time	M3
For Shimei though not prodigal of pelf	Q3
Yet lov'd his wicked neighbour as himself	Q3
When two or three were gather'd to declaim	T
Against the monarch of Jerusalem	J
Shimei was always in the midst of them	L2
And if they curst the king when he was by	X2
Would rather curse than break good company	V
If any durst his factious friends accuse	U2
He pack'd a jury of dissenting Jews	U2
Whose fellow feeling in the godly cause	U2
Would free the suff'ring saint from human laws	U2
For laws are only made to punish those	U2
Who serve the king and to protect his foes	U2
If any leisure time he had from pow'r	S
Because 'tis sin to mis employ an hour	S
His bus'ness was by writing to persuade	V
That kings were useless and a clog to trade	V
And that his noble style he might refine	W2
No Rechabite more shunn'd the fumes of wine	W2
Chaste were his cellars and his shrieval board	V
The grossness of a city feast abhorr'd	V
His cooks with long disuse their trade forgot	V
Cool was his kitchen though his brains were hot	V
Such frugal virtue malice may accuse	U2
But sure 'twas necessary to the Jews	U2
For towns once burnt such magistrates require	S
As dare not tempt God's providence by fire	S
With spiritual food he fed his servants well	G2
But free from flesh that made the Jews rebel	G2
And Moses' laws he held in more account	V
For forty days of fasting in the mount	V
To speak the rest who better are forgot	V
Would tire a well breath'd witness of the plot	V
Yet Corah thou shalt from oblivion pass	U2
Erect thyself thou monumental brass	U2
High as the serpent of thy metal made	V
While nations stand secure beneath thy shade	V
What though his birth were base yet comets rise	U2
From earthy vapours e'er they shine in skies	U2
Prodigious actions may as well be done	W2
By weaver's issue as by prince's son	W2
This arch attestor for the public good	V
By that one deed ennobles all his blood	V
Who ever ask'd the witnesses' high race	U2
Whose oath with martyrdom did Stephen grace	U2
Ours was a Levite and as times went then	W2
His tribe were God almighty's gentlemen	W2
Sunk were his eyes his voice was harsh and loud	V
Sure signs he neither choleric was nor proud	V
His long chin prov'd his wit his saint like grace	U2
A church vermilion and a Moses' face	U2
His memory miraculously great	V
Could plots exceeding man's belief repeat	V
Which therefore cannot be accounted lies	U2
For human wit could never such devise	U2
Some future truths are mingled in his book	S2
But where the witness fail'd the Prophet spoke	Y2
Some things like visionary flights appear	S
The spirit caught him up the Lord knows where	S
And gave him his rabbinical degree	V
Unknown to foreign university	V
His judgment yet his mem'ry did excel	G2
Which piec'd his wondrous evidence so well	G2
And suited to the temper of the times	U2
Then groaning under Jebusitic crimes	U2
Let Israel's foes suspect his Heav'nly call	G2
And rashly judge his writ apocryphal	G2
Our laws for such affronts have forfeits made	V
He takes his life who takes away his trade	V
Were I myself in witness Corah's place	U2
The wretch who did me such a dire disgrace	U2
Should whet my memory though once forgot	V
To make him an appendix of my plot	V
His zeal to Heav'n made him his prince despise	U2
And load his person with indignities	U2
But Zeal peculiar privilege affords	U2
Indulging latitude to deeds and words	U2
And Corah might for Agag's murther call	G2
In terms as coarse as Samuel us'd to Saul	G2
What others in his evidence did join	W2
The best that could be had for love or coin	W2
In Corah's own predicament will fall	G2
For Witness is a common name to all	G2
	-
Surrounded thus with friends of every sort	V
Deluded Absalom forsakes the court	V
Impatient of high hopes urg'd with renown	W2
And fir'd with near possession of a crown	W2
Th' admiring crowd are dazzled with surprise	U2
And on his goodly person feed their eyes	U2
His joy conceal'd he sets himself to show	Z
On each side bowing popularly low	Z
His looks his gestures and his words he frames	U2
And with familiar ease repeats their names	U2
Thus form'd by Nature furnish'd out with arts	U2
He glides unfelt into their secret hearts	U2
Then with a kind compassionating look	S2
And sighs bespeaking pity e'er he spoke	Y2
Few words he said but easy those and fit	V
More slow than Hybla drops and far more sweet	V
	-
I mourn my country men your lost estate	V
Though far unable to prevent your fate	V
Behold a banish'd man for your dear cause	U2
Expos'd a prey to arbitrary laws	U2
Yet oh that I alone could be undone	W2
Cut off from empire and no more a son	W2
Now all your liberties a spoil are made	V
Egypt and Tyrus intercept your trade	V
And Jebusites your sacred rites invade	V
My father whom with reverence yet I name	T
Charm'd into ease is careless of his fame	T
And brib'd with petty sums of foreign gold	V
Is grown in Bathsheba's embraces old	V
Exalts his enemies his friends destroys	U2
And all his pow'r against himself employs	U2
He gives and let him give my right away	L
But why should he his own and yours betray	L
He only he can make the nation bleed	V
And he alone from my revenge is freed	V
Take then my tears with that he wip'd his eyes	U2
'Tis all the aid my present pow'r supplies	U2
No court informer can these arms accuse	U2
These arms may sons against their fathers use	U2
And 'tis my wish the next successor's reign	W2
May make no other Israelite complain	W2
	-
Youth beauty graceful action seldom fail	G2
But common interest always will prevail	G2
And pity never ceases to be shown	W2
To him who makes the people's wrongs his own	W2
The crowd that still believe their kings oppress	U2
With lifted hands their young Messiah bless	U2
Who now begins his progress to ordain	W2
With chariots horsemen and a num'rous train	W2
From East to West his glories he displays	U2
And like the sun the Promis'd Land surveys	U2
Fame runs before him as the Morning Star	S
And shouts of joy salute him from afar	S
Each house receives him as a guardian God	V
And consecrates the place of his abode	V
But hospitable treats did most commend	V
Wise Issachar his wealthy western friend	V
This moving court that caught the people's eyes	U2
And seem'd but pomp did other ends disguise	U2
Achitophel had form'd it with intent	V
To sound the depths and fathom where it went	V
The people's hearts distinguish friends from foes	U2
And try their strength before they came to blows	U2
Yet all was colour'd with a smooth pretence	U2
Of specious love and duty to their prince	U2
Religion and redress of grievances	U2
Two names that always cheat and always please	U2
Are often urg'd and good King David's life	Q3
Endanger'd by a brother and a wife	Q3
Thus in a pageant show a plot is made	V
And peace itself is war in masquerade	V
Oh foolish Israel never warn'd by ill	G2
Still the same bait and circumvented still	G2
Did ever men forsake their present ease	U2
In midst of health imagine a disease	U2
Take pains contingent mischiefs to foresee	U2
Make heirs for monarchs and for God decree	U2
What shall we think Can people give away	L
Both for themselves and sons their native sway	L
Then they are left defenceless to the sword	V
Of each unbounded arbitrary lord	V
And laws are vain by which we right enjoy	P3
If kings unquestion'd can those laws destroy	P3
Yet if the crowd be judge of fit and just	V
And kings are only officers in trust	V
Then this resuming cov'nant was declar'd	V
When Kings were made or is for ever bar'd	V
If those who gave the sceptre could not tie	X2
By their own deed their own posterity	U2
How then could Adam bind his future race	U2
How could his forfeit on mankind take place	U2
Or how could heavenly justice damn us all	G2
Who ne'er consented to our father's fall	G2
Then kings are slaves to those whom they command	V
And tenants to their people's pleasure stand	V
Add that the pow'r for property allow'd	V
Is mischievously seated in the crowd	V
For who can be secure of private right	V
If sovereign sway may be dissolv'd by might	V
Nor is the people's judgment always true	S
The most may err as grossly as the few	S
And faultless kings run down by common cry	X2
For vice oppression and for tyranny	U2
What standard is there in a fickle rout	V
Which flowing to the mark runs faster out	V
Nor only crowds but Sanhedrins may be	U2
Infected with this public lunacy	U2
And share the madness of rebellious times	U2
To murther monarchs for imagin'd crimes	U2
If they may give and take whene'er they please	U2
Not kings alone the godhead's images	U2
But government itself at length must fall	G2
To nature's state where all have right to all	G2
Yet grant our lords the people kings can make	E3
What prudent men a settled throne would shake	E3
For whatsoe'er their sufferings were before	S
That change they covet makes them suffer more	S
All other errors but disturb a state	V
But innovation is the blow of fate	V
If ancient fabrics nod and threat to fall	G2
To patch the flaws and buttress up the wall	G2
Thus far 'tis duty but here fix the mark	G3
For all beyond it is to touch our Ark	G3
To change foundations cast the frame anew	S
Is work for rebels who base ends pursue	S
At once divine and human laws control	G2
And mend the parts by ruin of the whole	G2
The tamp'ring world is subject to this curse	U2
To physic their disease into a worse	U2
	-
Now what relief can righteous David bring	A2
How fatal 'tis to be too good a king	A2
Friends he has few so high the madness grows	U2
Who dare be such must be the people's foes	U2
Yet some there were ev'n in the worst of days	U2
Some let me name and naming is to praise	U2
	-
In this short file Barzillai first appears	U2
Barzillai crown'd with honour and with years	U2
Long since the rising rebels he withstood	V
In regions waste beyond the Jordan's flood	V
Unfortunately brave to buoy the state	V
But sinking underneath his master's fate	V
In exile with his god like prince he mourn'd	V
For him he suffer'd and with him return'd	V
The court he practis'd not the courtier's art	V
Large was his wealth but larger was his heart	V
Which well the noblest objects knew to choose	U2
The fighting warrior and recording Muse	U2
His bed could once a fruitful issue boast	V
Now more than half a father's name is lost	V
His eldest hope with every grace adorn'd	V
By me so Heav'n will have it always mourn'd	V
And always honour'd snatch'd in manhood's prime	M3
B' unequal Fates and Providence's crime	M3
Yet not before the goal of honour won	W2
All parts fulfill'd of subject and of son	W2
Swift was the race but short the time to run	W2
Oh narrow circle but of pow'r divine	W2
Scanted in space but perfect in thy line	W2
By sea by land thy matchless worth was known	W2
Arms thy delight and war was all thy own	W2
Thy force infus'd the fainting Tyrians propp'd	V
And haughty Pharaoh found his fortune stopp'd	V
Oh ancient honour Oh unconquer'd Hand	V
Whom foes unpunish'd never could withstand	V
But Israel was unworthy of thy name	T
Short is the date of all immoderate fame	T
It looks as Heav'n our ruin had design'd	V
And durst not trust thy fortune and thy mind	V
Now free from earth thy disencumber'd Soul	G2
Mounts up and leaves behind the clouds and starry pole	G2
From thence thy kindred legions may'st thou bring	A2
To aid the Guardian Angel of thy king	A2
Here stop my Muse here cease thy painful flight	V
No pinions can pursue immortal height	V
Tell good Barzillai thou canst sing no more	S
And tell thy soul she should have fled before	S
Or fled she with his life and left this verse	U2
To hang on her departed patron's hearse	U2
Now take thy steepy flight from Heav'n and see	U2
If thou canst find on earth another he	U2
Another he would be too hard to find	V
See then whom thou canst see not far behind	V
Zadoc the priest whom shunning pow'r and place	U2
His lowly mind advanc'd to David's grace	U2
With him the Sagan of Jerusalem	J
Of hospitable soul and noble stem	L2
Him of the western dome whose weighty sense	U2
Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence	U2
The Prophet's sons by such example led	V
To learning and to loyalty were bred	V
For colleges on bounteous kings depend	V
And never rebel was to arts a friend	V
To these succeed the pillars of the laws	U2
Who best could plead and best can judge a cause	U2
Next them a train of loyal peers ascend	V
Sharp judging Adriel the Muse's friend	V
Himself a Muse in Sanhedrin's debate	V
True to his prince but not a slave of state	V
Whom David's love with honours did adorn	W2
That from his disobedient son were torn	W2
Jotham of piercing wit and pregnant thought	V
Endow'd by Nature and by learning taught	V
To move assemblies who but only tri'd	V
The worse awhile then chose the better side	V
Nor chose alone but turn'd the balance too	S
So much the weight of one brave man can do	S
Hushai the friend of David in distress	U2
In public storms of manly steadfastness	U2
By foreign treaties he inform'd his youth	R3
And join'd experience to his native truth	R3
His frugal care suppli'd the wanting throne	W2
Frugal for that but bounteous of his own	W2
'Tis easy conduct when exchequers flow	Z
But hard the task to manage well the low	Z
For sovereign power is too depress'd or high	X2
When kings are forc'd to sell or crowds to buy	X2
Indulge one labour more my weary Muse	U2
For Amiel who can Amiel's praise refuse	U2
Of ancient race by birth but nobler yet	V
In his own worth and without title great	V
The Sanhedrin long time as chief he rul'd	V
Their reason guided and their passion cool'd	V
So dext'rous was he in the crown's defence	U2
So form'd to speak a loyal nation's sense	U2
That as their band was Israel's tribes in small	G2
So fit was he to represent them all	G2
Now rasher charioteers the seat ascend	V
Whose loose careers his steady skill commend	V
They like th'unequal ruler of the day	L
Misguide the seasons and mistake the way	L
While he withdrawn at their mad labour smiles	U2
And safe enjoys the sabbath of his toils	U2
	-
These were the chief a small but faithful band	V
Of worthies in the breach who dar'd to stand	V
And tempt th'united fury of the land	V
With grief they view'd such powerful engines bent	V
To batter down the lawful government	V
A numerous faction with pretended frights	U2
In Sanhedrins to plume the regal rights	U2
The true successor from the court remov'd	V
The plot by hireling witnesses improv'd	V
These ills they saw and as their duty bound	V
They show'd the king the danger of the wound	V
That no concessions from the throne would please	U2
But lenitives fomented the disease	U2
That Absalom ambitious of the crown	W2
Was made the lure to draw the people down	W2
That false Achitophel's pernicious hate	V
Had turn'd the plot to ruin church and state	V
The Council violent the rabble worse	U2
That Shimei taught Jerusalem to curse	U2
	-
With all these loads of injuries opprest	V
And long revolving in his careful breast	V
Th'event of things at last his patience tir'd	V
Thus from his royal throne by Heav'n inspir'd	V
The god like David spoke and awful fear	S
His train their Maker in their Master hear	S
	-
Thus long have I by native mercy sway'd	V
My wrongs dissembl'd my revenge delay'd	V
So willing to forgive th'offending age	C3
So much the father did the king assuage	C3
But now so far my clemency they slight	V
Th' offenders question my forgiving right	V
That one was made for many they contend	V
But 'tis to rule for that's a monarch's end	V
They call my tenderness of blood my fear	S
Though manly tempers can the longest bear	S
Yet since they will divert my native course	U2
'Tis time to shew I am not good by force	U2
Those heap'd affronts that haughty subjects bring	A2
Are burdens for a camel not a king	A2
Kings are the public pillars of the state	V
Born to sustain and prop the nation's weight	V
If my young Sampson will pretend a call	G2
To shake the column let him share the fall	G2
But oh that yet he would repent and live	Q3
How easy 'tis for parents to forgive	Q3
With how few tears a pardon might be won	W2
From Nature pleading for a darling son	W2
Poor pitied youth by my paternal care	S
Rais'd up to all the heights his frame could bear	S
Had God ordain'd his fate for empire born	W2
He would have giv'n his soul another turn	W2
Gull'd with a patriot's name whose modern sense	U2
Is one that would by law supplant his prince	U2
The people's brave the politician's tool	G2
Never was patriot yet but was a fool	G2
Whence comes it that religion and the laws	U2
Should more be Absalom's than David's cause	U2
His old instructor e'er he lost his place	U2
Was never thought endued with so much grace	U2
Good heav'ns how faction can a patriot paint	V
My rebel ever proves my people's saint	V
Would they impose an heir upon the throne	W2
Let Sanhedrins be taught to give their own	W2
A king's at least a part of government	V
And mine as requisite as their consent	V
Without my leave a future king to choose	U2
Infers a right the present to depose	U2
True they petition me t'approve their choice	U2
But Esau's hands suit ill with Jacob's voice	U2
My pious subjects for my safety pray	L
Which to secure they take my pow'r away	L
From plots and treasons Heav'n preserve my years	U2
But save me most from my petitioners	U2
Unsatiate as the barren womb or grave	Q3
God cannot grant so much as they can crave	Q3
What then is left but with a jealous eye	X2
To guard the small remains of royalty	V
The law shall still direct my peaceful sway	L
And the same law teach rebels to obey	L
Votes shall no more establish'd pow'r control	G2
Such votes as make a part exceed the whole	G2
No groundless clamours shall my friends remove	Q3
Nor crowds have pow'r to punish ere they prove	Q3
For gods and god like kings their care express	U2
Still to defend their servants in distress	U2
Oh that my pow'r to saving were confin'd	V
Why am I forc'd like Heav'n against my mind	V
To make examples of another kind	V
Must I at length the sword of justice draw	S
Oh curst effects of necessary law	S
How ill my fear they by my mercy scan	W2
Beware the fury of a patient man	W2
Law they require let law then show her face	U2
They could not be content to look on grace	U2
Her hinder parts but with a daring eye	X2
To tempt the terror of her front and die	X2
By their own arts 'tis righteously decreed	V
Those dire artificers of death shall bleed	V
Against themselves their witnesses will swear	S
Till viper like their mother plot they tear	S
And suck for nutriment that bloody gore	S
Which was their principle of life before	S
Their Belial with the Belzebub will fight	V
Thus on my foes my foes shall do me right	V
Nor doubt th'event for factious crowds engage	C3
In their first onset all their brutal rage	C3
Then let 'em take an unresisted course	U2
Retire and traverse and delude their force	U2
But when they stand all breathless urge the fight	V
And rise upon 'em with redoubled might	V
For lawful pow'r is still superior found	V
When long driv'n back at length it stands the ground	V
	-
He said Th' Almighty nodding gave consent	V
And peals of thunder shook the firmament	V
Henceforth a series of new time began	W2
The mighty years in long procession ran	W2
Once more the god like David was restor'd	V
And willing nations knew their lawful lord	V

John Dryden

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