The worse a-while, then chose the better side:

Nor chose alone, but turned the balance too;

So much the weight of one brave man can do.

Hushai, the friend of David in distress;

In public storms, of manly stedfastness;[287]

By foreign treaties he informed his youth,

And joined experience to his native truth.

His frugal care supplied the wanting throne;

Frugal for that, but bounteous of his own:

'Tis easy conduct when exchequers flow,