The Poetical Works of John Dryden Volume I Part 14

Early in foreign fields he won renown, With kings and states allied to Israel's crown: In peace the thoughts of war he could remove, And seem'd as he were only born for love.

Whate'er he did, was done with so much ease, In him alone 'twas natural to please: His motions all accompanied with grace; And Paradise was open'd in his face. 30 With secret joy indulgent David view'd His youthful image in his son renew'd: To all his wishes nothing he denied; And made the charming Annabell[67] his bride.

What faults he had (for who from faults is free?) His father could not, or he would not see.

Some warm excesses which the law forbore, Were construed youth that purged by boiling o'er; And Amnon's murder by a specious name, Was call'd a just revenge for injured fame. 40 Thus praised and loved, the n.o.ble youth remain'd, While David undisturb'd in Sion reign'd.

But life can never be sincerely blest: Heaven punishes the bad, and proves the best.

The Jews, a headstrong, moody, murmuring race, As ever tried the extent and stretch of grace; G.o.d's pamper'd people, whom, debauch'd with ease, No king could govern, nor no G.o.d could please; (G.o.ds they had tried of every shape and size, That G.o.d-smiths could produce, or priests devise): 50 These Adam-wits,[68] too fortunately free, Began to dream they wanted liberty; And when no rule, no precedent was found, Of men by laws less circ.u.mscribed and bound; They led their wild desires to woods and caves, And thought that all but savages were slaves.

They who, when Saul was dead, without a blow, Made foolish Ishbosheth the crown forego; Who banish'd David did from Hebron bring, And with a general shout proclaim'd him king: 60 Those very Jews, who, at their very best, Their humour more than loyalty express'd, Now wonder'd why so long they had obey'd An idol monarch, which their hands had made; Thought they might ruin him they could create, Or melt him to that golden calf--a state.

But these were random bolts: no form'd 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 And, looking backward with a wise affright, Saw seams of wounds dishonest to the sight: In contemplation of whose ugly scars, They cursed the memory of civil wars.

The moderate sort of men thus qualified, Inclined the balance to the better side; And David's mildness managed it so well, The bad found no occasion to rebel.

But when to sin our bia.s.s'd nature leans, The careful devil is still at hand with means; 80 And providently pimps for ill desires: The good old cause revived a plot requires.

Plots, true or false, are necessary things, To raise up commonwealths, and ruin kings.

The inhabitants of old Jerusalem Were Jebusites; the town so call'd from them; And theirs the native right-- But when the chosen people grew more strong, The rightful cause at length became the wrong; And every loss the men of Jebus bore, 90 They still were thought G.o.d's enemies the more.

Thus worn or weaken'd, well or ill content, Submit they must to David's government: Impoverish'd and deprived of all command, Their taxes doubled as they lost their land; And, what was harder yet to flesh and blood, Their G.o.ds 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 G.o.dhead be, 100 Stock, stone, or other homely pedigree, In his defence 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: 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; Raised in extremes, and in extremes decried: 110 With oaths affirm'd, with dying vows denied; Not weigh'd nor winnow'd by the mult.i.tude; But swallow'd in the ma.s.s, unchew'd and crude.

Some truth there was, but dash'd and brew'd with lies, To please the fools, and puzzle all the wise.

Succeeding times did equal folly call, Believing nothing, or believing all.

The Egyptian rites the Jebusites embraced, Where G.o.ds were recommended by their taste.

Such savoury deities must needs be good, 120 As served at once for wors.h.i.+p and for food.

By force they could not introduce these G.o.ds; For ten to one in former days was odds.

So fraud was used, the sacrificer's trade: Fools are more hard to conquer than persuade.

Their busy teachers mingled with the Jews, And raked for converts even the court and stews: Which Hebrew priests the more unkindly took, Because the fleece accompanies the flock, Some thought they G.o.d's anointed meant to slay 130 By guns, invented since full many a day: Our author swears it not; but who can know How far the devil and Jebusites may go?

This Plot, which fail'd for want of common sense, Had yet a deep and dangerous consequence: For as, when raging fevers boil the blood, The standing lake soon floats into a flood, And every hostile humour, which before Slept quiet in its channels, bubbles o'er; So several factions from this first ferment, 140 Work up to foam, and threat the government.

Some by their friends, more by themselves thought wise, Opposed the power to which they could not rise.

Some had in courts been great, and, thrown from thence, Like fiends were harden'd in impenitence.

Some, by their monarch's fatal mercy, grown, From pardon'd 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 cursed: For close designs, and crooked counsels fit; Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit; Restless, unfix'd in principles and place; In power unpleased, impatient of disgrace: A fiery soul, which, working out its way, Fretted the pigmy body to decay, And o'er-inform'd 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 part.i.tions do their bounds divide; Else why should he, with wealth and honour blest, Refuse his age the needful hours of rest?

Punish a body which he could not please; Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of ease?

And all to leave what with his toil he won, To that unfeather'd two-legg'd thing, a son; 170 Got, while his soul did huddled notions try; And born a shapeless lump, like anarchy.

In friends.h.i.+p false, implacable in hate; Resolved to ruin, or to rule the state.

To compa.s.s this, the triple bond[69] he broke; The pillars of the public safety shook; And fitted Israel for a foreign yoke: Then seized with fear, yet still affecting fame, Usurp'd 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!

Where crowds can wink, and no offence be known, Since in another's guilt they find their own!

Yet fame deserved no enemy can grudge; The statesman we abhor, but praise the judge.

In Israel's courts ne'er sat an Abethdin With more discerning eyes, or hands more clean, Unbribed, unsought, the wretched to redress; 190 Swift of despatch, and easy of access.

Oh! had he been content to serve the crown, With virtues only proper to the gown; Or had the rankness of the soil been freed From c.o.c.kle, that oppress'd the n.o.ble seed; David for him his tuneful harp had strung, And Heaven had wanted one immortal song.

But wild ambition loves to slide, not stand, And fortune's ice prefers to virtue's land.

Achitophel, grown weary to possess 200 A lawful fame, and lazy happiness, Disdain'd the golden fruit to gather free, And lent the crowd his arm to shake the tree.

Now, manifest of crimes contrived long since, He stood at bold defiance with his prince; Held up the buckler of the people's cause Against the crown, and skulk'd behind the laws.

The wish'd occasion of the plot he takes; Some circ.u.mstances 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.

For, govern'd by the moon, the giddy Jews Tread the same track, when she the prime renews; And once in twenty years, their scribes record, By natural instinct they change their lord.

Achitophel still wants a chief, and none 220 Was found so fit as warlike Absalom.

Not that he wish'd his greatness to create, For politicians neither love nor hate: But, for he knew his t.i.tle not allow'd, Would keep him still depending on the crowd: That kingly power, thus ebbing out, might be Drawn to the dregs of a democracy.

Him he attempts with studied arts to please, And sheds his venom in such words as these:

Auspicious prince! at whose nativity 230 Some royal planet ruled the southern sky; Thy longing country's darling and desire; Their cloudy pillar and their guardian fire: Their second Moses, whose extended wand Divides the seas, and shows the promised land: Whose dawning day, in every distant age, Has exercised the sacred prophet's rage: The people's prayer, the glad diviner's theme, The young men's vision, and the old men's dream!

Thee, Saviour, thee the nation's vows confess, 240 And, never satisfied with seeing, bless: Swift, unbespoken pomps thy steps proclaim, And stammering babes are taught to lisp thy name.

How long wilt thou the general joy detain, Starve and defraud the people of thy reign!

Content ingloriously to pa.s.s thy days, Like one of virtue's fools that feed on praise; Till thy fresh glories, which now s.h.i.+ne so bright, Grow stale, and tarnish with our daily sight?

Believe me, royal youth, thy fruit must be 250 Or gather'd ripe, or rot upon the tree.

Heaven has to all allotted, soon or late, Some lucky revolution of their fate: Whose motions, if we watch and guide with skill, (For human good depends on human will,) Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent, And from the first impression takes the bent: But if, unseized, she glides away like wind, And leaves repenting folly far behind.

Now, now she meets you with a glorious prize, 260 And spreads her locks before her as she flies.

Had thus old David, from whose loins you spring, Not dared when fortune called him to be king, At Gath an exile he might still remain, And Heaven's anointing oil had been in vain.

Let his successful youth your hopes engage; But shun the example of declining age: Behold him setting in his western skies, The shadows lengthening as the vapours rise.

He is not now, as when on Jordan's sand 270 The joyful people throng'd to see him land, Covering the beach and blackening all the strand; But, like the prince of angels, from his height Comes tumbling downward with diminish'd light: Betray'd by one poor Plot to public scorn: (Our only blessing since his cursed return:) Those heaps of people which one sheaf did bind, Blown off and scatter'd by a puff of wind.

What strength can he to your designs oppose, Naked of friends, and round beset with foes? 280 If Pharaoh's doubtful succour he should use, A foreign aid would more incense the Jews: Proud Egypt would dissembled friends.h.i.+p bring; Foment the war, but not support the king: Nor would the royal party e'er unite With Pharaoh's arms to a.s.sist the Jebusite; Or if they should, their interest soon would break, And with such odious aid make David weak.

All sorts of men, by my successful arts, Abhorring kings, estrange their alter'd hearts 290 From David's rule: and 'tis their general cry-- Religion, commonwealth, and liberty.

If you, as champion of the public good, Add to their arms a chief of royal blood, What may not Israel hope, and what applause Might such a general gain by such a cause?

Not barren praise alone--that gaudy flower, Fair only to the sight--but solid power: And n.o.bler is a limited command, Given by the love of all your native land, 300 Than a successive t.i.tle, long and dark, Drawn from the mouldy rolls of Noah's ark.

What cannot praise effect in mighty minds, When flattery soothes, and when ambition blinds?

Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet sprung from high, is of celestial seed: In G.o.d '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 honour, and debauch'd with praise.

Half loath, and half consenting to the ill, For royal blood within him struggled still, He thus replied:--And what pretence have I To take up arms for public liberty?

My father governs with unquestion'd right, The faith's defender, and mankind's delight; Good, gracious, just, observant of the laws; And Heaven by wonders has espoused his cause. 320 Whom has he wrong'd, in all his peaceful reign?

Who sues for justice to his throne in vain?

What millions has he pardon'd of his foes, Whom just revenge did to his wrath expose!

Mild, easy, humble, studious of our good; Inclined to mercy, and averse from blood.

If mildness ill with stubborn Israel suit, His crime is G.o.d's beloved attribute.

What could he gain his people to betray, Or change his right for arbitrary sway? 330 Let haughty Pharaoh curse with such a reign His fruitful Nile, and yoke a servile train.

If David's rule Jerusalem displease, The dog-star heats their brains to this disease.

Why then should I, encouraging the bad, Turn rebel and run popularly mad?

Were he a tyrant, who by lawless might Oppress'd the Jews, and raised the Jebusite, Well might I mourn; but nature's holy bands Would curb my spirits, and restrain my hands: 340 The people might a.s.sert their liberty; But what was right in them were crime in me.

His favour leaves me nothing to require, Prevents my wishes, and outruns desire.

What more can I expect while David lives?

All but his kingly diadem he gives: And that--But here he paused; then, sighing, said-- Is justly destined for a worthier head.

For when my father from his toils shall rest, And late augment the number of the blest, 350 His lawful issue shall the throne ascend, Or the collateral line, where that shall end.

His brother, though oppress'd with vulgar spite, Yet dauntless, and secure of native right, Of every royal virtue stands possess'd; Still dear to all the bravest and the best.

His courage foes--his friends his truth proclaim; His loyalty the king--the world his fame.

His mercy even the offending crowd will find; For sure he comes of a forgiving kind. 360 Why should I then repine at Heaven's decree, Which gives me no pretence to royalty?

Yet, oh! that fate, propitiously inclined, Had raised my birth, or had debased my mind; To my large soul not all her treasure lent, And then betray'd it to a mean descent!

I find, I find my mounting spirits bold, And David's part disdains my mother's mould.

Why am I scanted by a n.i.g.g.ard birth?

My soul disclaims the kindred of her earth; 370 And, made for empire, whispers me within, Desire of greatness is a G.o.d-like sin.

Him staggering so, when h.e.l.l's dire agent found, While fainting virtue scarce maintain'd her ground, He pours fresh forces in, and thus replies:

The eternal G.o.d, supremely good and wise, Imparts not these prodigious gifts in vain; What wonders are reserved to bless your reign!

Against your will your arguments have shown, Such virtue's only given to guide a throne. 380 Not that your father's mildness I contemn; But manly force becomes the diadem.

'Tis true he grants the people all they crave; And more perhaps than subjects ought to have: For lavish grants suppose a monarch tame, And more his goodness than his wit proclaim.

But when should people strive their bonds to break, If not when kings are negligent or weak?

Let him give on till he can give no more, The thrifty Sanhedrim shall keep him poor; 390 And every shekel which he can receive, Shall cost a limb of his prerogative.