During his office treason was no crime;
The sons of Belial had a glorious time:
For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf,
Yet loved his wicked neighbour as himself.
}
{ When two or three were gathered to declaim
{ Against the monarch of Jerusalem,
{ Shimei was always in the midst of them:
And, if they cursed the king when he was by,
Would rather curse than break good company.