I fear, my friends, with heavenly manna fed
(Our old forefathers' crime), we lust for bread.
Long since by God from bondage drawn, I fear,
We build anew the' Egyptian brick-kiln here.
Cheat not yourselves with words; for, though a
Be the mild name, a Tyrant is the thing. [King
Let his power loose, and you shall quickly see
How mild a thing unbounded man will be. [spill,
He'll lead you forth your hearts' cheap blood to
Where'er his guideless passion leads his will :
Ambition, lust, or spleen, his wars will raise;
Your lives' best price his thirst of wealth or praise:
Your ablest sons for his proud guards he'll take,
And by such hands your yoke more grievous make:
Your daughters and dear wives he'll force away;
His luxury some, and some his lust, to' obey:
His idle friends your hungry toils shall eat,
Drink your rich wines, mix'd with your blood and
Then you'll all sigh: but sighs will treasons be;
And not your griefs themselves, or looks, be free:
Robbed even of hopes, when you these ills sustain,
Your watery eyes you'll then turn back in vain
On your old Judges, and perhaps on me,
Nay, even my sons, however they' unhappy be
In your displeasure now; not that I'd clear
Their guilt, or mine own innocence endear:
Witness the' unutterable Name, there's nought
Of private ends into this question brought.
But why this yoke on your own necks to draw?
Why man your God, and passion made your Law?"
"Methinks (thus Moab interrupts him here) The good old seer 'gainst Kings was too severe. "Tis jest to tell a people that they're free; Who, or How many, shall their masters be
Is the sole doubt; laws guide, but cannot reign ;
And, though they bind not kings, yet they restrain.
I dare affirm (so much I trust their love)
That no one Moabite would his speech approve.
But, pray go on."-" "Tis true, Sir, (he replies ;)
Yet men whom age and action render wise
So much great changes fear, that they believe.
All evils will, which may, from them arrive.
On men resolved these threats were spent in vain;
All that his power or eloquence could obtain
Was, to inquire God's will ere they proceed
To' a work that would so much his blessing need.
A solemn day for this great work is set,
And at the' anointed tent all Israel met
Expect the' event; below, fair bullocks fry
In hallowed flames; above, there mount on high
The precious clouds of incense; and, at last,
The sprinkling prayers, and all due honours, pass'd,
Lo! we the sacred bells o' the' sudden hear,
And in mild pomp grave Samuel does appear.
His ephod, mitre, well-cut diadem, on;
The' oraculous stones on his rich breast-plate shone.
Towards the blue curtains of God's holiest place
(The temple's bright third heaven) he turn'd his face;
Thrice bow'd he, thrice the solemn music play'd,
And at third rest thus the great prophet pray'd:-
Almighty God, to whom all men that be
Owe all they have, yet none, so much as we;
Who, though thou fill'st the spacious world alone,
Thy too-small court,hast made this place thy throne;
With humble knees, and humbler hearts, lo! here,
Bless'd Abraham's seed implores thy gracious ear;
Hear them, great God! and thy just will inspire;
From Thee, their long-known King, they' a King
desire.
Some gracious signs of thy good pleasure send ; Which, lo! with souls resign'd, we humbly here attend.'
“He spoke, and thrice he bow'd, and all about Silence and reverend horror seized the rout; The whole tent shakes, the flames on the' altar by In thick dull rolls mount slow and heavily; The seven lamps wink; and, what does most dismay,
The' oraculous gems shut-in their natural day :
The ruby's cheek grew pale; the emerald by
Faded; a cloud o'ercast the sapphir's sky;
The diamond's eye look'd sleepy; and swift night
Of all those little suns eclipsed the light:
Sad signs of God's dread anger for our sin ;-
But straight a wondrous brightness from within
Strook through the curtains; for no earthly cloud
Could those strong beams of heavenly glory shroud;
The altar's fire burn'd pure, and every stone
Their radiant parent the gay sun outshone;
Beauty the' illustrious vision did impart
To every face, and joy to every
heart;
In glad effects God's presence thus appear'd,
And thus in wondrous sounds his voice was
"This stubborn land sins still, nor is it Thee, (Who 'ave been so long their King) they seek to cast off thus;
Five hundred rolling years hath this stiff nation
To' exhaust the boundless stores of our unfathom'd Be't so then; yet once more are we resolved to try To' outweary them through all their sins' variety:
Assemble, ten days hence, the numerous people
[bear. To draw the royal lot which our hid mark shall Dismiss them now in peace; but their next crime shall bring
Ruin without redress on them, and on their king.' "The' Almighty spoke: the' astonish'd people
With various stamps impress'd on every heart: Some their demand repented, others praised; Some had no thoughts at all, but stared and gazed.
"There dwelt a man, named Cis, in Gibeah town, For wisdom much, and much for courage, known; More for his son; his mighty son was Saul, Whom nature, ere the lots, to' a throne did call. He was much prince, and when, or wheresoe'er, His birth had been, then had he reign'd, and there. Such beauty, as great strength thinks no disgrace, Smiled in the manly features of his face;
His large black eyes, fill'd with a spriteful light,
Shot forth such lively and illustrious night,
As the sun-beams, on jet reflecting, show;
His hair, as black, in long curl'd waves did flow;
His tall straight body amidst thousands stood,
Like some fair pine o'erlooking all the' ignobler
wood.
Of all our rural sports he was the pride;
So swift, so strong, so dexterous, none beside.
Rest was his toil, labours his lust and game;
No natural wants could his fierce diligence tame,
Not thirst nor hunger; he would journeys go
Through raging heats, and take repose in snow.
His soul was ne'er unbent from weighty care;
But active as some mind that turns a sphere.
His way once chose, he forward thrust outright,
Nor stepp'd aside for dangers or delight.
Yet was he wise all dangers to foresee;
But born to' affright, and not to fear, was he.
His wit was strong, not fine; and on his tongue
An artless grace, above all eloquence, hung.}
These virtues too the rich unusual dress
Of modesty adorn'd, and humbleness;
Like a rich varnish o'er fair pictures laid,
More fresh and lasting they the colours made.
Till power and violent fortune, which did find
No stop or bound, o'erwhelm'd no less his mind,
Did, deluge-like, the natural forms deface,
And brought forth unknown monsters in their place.
Forbid it, God! my master's spots should be,
Were they not seen by all, disclosed by me!
But such he was; and now to Ramah went
(So God disposed) with a strange, low intent.
Great God! he went lost asses to inquire,
And a small present, his small question's hire,
Brought simply with him, to that man to give,
From whom high Heaven's chief gifts he must
receive :
Strange play of Fate! when mightiest human things
Hang on such small, imperceptible strings!
'Twas Samuel's birth-day; a glad annual feast
All Rama kept; Samuel his wondering guest
With such respect leads to it, and does grace
With the choice meats o' the' feast, and highest
place;
Which done, him forth alone the prophet brings, And feasts his ravish'd ears with nobler things: He tells the mighty fate to him assign'd,
And with great rules fill'd his capacious mind;
|