DAVIDE IS.

BOOK IV.

THE ARGUMENT.

Moab carries his guests to hunt at Nebo; in the way falls into discourse with David, and desires to know of him the reasons of the change of government in Israel; how Saul came to the crown, and the story of him and Jonathan-David's speech, containing the state of the commonwealth under the Judges; the motives for which the people desired a king; their Deputies' speech to Samuel upon that subject, and his reply-The assembling of the people at the tabernacle, to enquire God's pleasure-God's speech-The character of Saul; his anointing by Samuel, and election by lot; the defection of his people-The war of Nahash king of Ammon against Jabesh-Gilead; Saul and Jonathan's relieving of the town-Jonathan's character; his single fight with Nahash, whom he slays, and defeats his army-The confirmation of Saul's kingdom at Gilgal, and the manner of Samuel's quitting his office of Judge-The war with the Philistines at Macmas: their strength, and the weakness of Saul's forces; his exercising of the priestly function, and the judgment denounced by Samuel against him-Jonathan's discourse with his Esquire; their falling alone upon the enemy's out-guards at Senes, and after upon the whole army; the wonderful defeat of it-Saul's rash vow, by which Jonathan is to be put to death, but is saved by the people.

THOUGH state and kind discourse thus robb'd the night

Of half her natural and more just delight,
Moab (whom temperance did still vigorous keep,
And regal cares had us❜d to moderate sleep)

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Up with the sun arose; and, having thrice
With lifted hands bow'd towards his shining rise,
And thrice tow'rds Phegor, his Baal's holiest hill
(With good and pious prayers, directed ill),
Call'd to the chace his friends, who for him stay'd;
The glad dogs bark'd, the cheerful horses neigh'd. 10
Moab his chariot mounts, drawn by four steeds,
The best and noblest that fresh Zerith breeds,
All white as snow, and spriteful as the light,
With scarlet trapt, and foaming gold they bite.
He into it young David with him took,
Did with respect and wonder on him look
Since last night's story, and with greedier ear
The man, of whom so much he heard, did hear.
The well-born youth of all his flourishing court
March gay behind, and joyful, to the sport;
Some arm'd with bows, some with straight javelins,

ride;

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Rich swords and gilded quivers grace their side. 'Midst the fair troop David's tall brethren rode, And Joab, comely as a fancied god; They entertain'd th' attentive Moab lords With loose and various talk that chance affords, Whilst they pac'd slowly on; but the wise king Did David's tongue to weightier subjects bring. "Much," said the king, " much I to Joab owe, "For the fair picture drawn by him of you; “'T was drawn in little, but did acts express "So great, that largest histories are less. "I see, methinks, the Gathian monster still; "His shape-last night my mindful dreams did fill.

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Strange tyrant Saul, with envy to pursue "The praise of deeds whence his own safety grew! "I've heard (but who can think it?) that his son "Has his life's hazard for your friendship run; "His matchless son, whose worth (if fame be true) Lifts him 'bove all his countrymen but you, 40 "With whom it makes him one." Low David bows, But no reply Moab's swift tongue allows. "And pray, kind guest! whilst we ride thus," says he` "(To gameful Nebo still three leagues there be), "The story of your royal friend relate, "And his ungovern'd sire's imperious fate; "Why your great State that nameless family chose, "And by what steps to Israel's throne they rose."

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He said: and David thus: "From Egypt's land "You've heard, Sir, by what strong unarmed hand "Our fathers came, Moses their sacred guide; 51 "But he in sight of the given country dy'd: "His fatal promis'd Canaan was on high, "And Joshua's sword must th' active rod supply: "It did so, and did wonders.

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"From sacred Jordan to the Western main, "From well-clad Libanus to the Southern plain "Of naked sands, his winged conquests went; "And thirty kings to hell uncrown'd he sent. "Almost four hundred years, from him to Saul, 60 "In too much freedom pass'd, or foreign thrall. "Oft strangers' iron sceptres bruis'd the land

(Such still are those borne by a conquering hand); "Oft pitying God did well-form'd spirits raise, "Fit for the toilsome business of their days,

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