Had won forthwith——

Joab.

In gaining audience.

It was now night, and the first notion forced

Upon my mind was that I had been summoned

To lengthen out his gibing soldiers’ jest.

For, as I entered, there before my eyes

A ring of cushion-sprawling drinkers lay;

But he with his own hand filled me with a goblet

And called out to me—“Drain this to my health!”