What passions rent the righteous David's breast!

Who knows not how to oppose or to comply,

Unjust to grant, and dangerous to deny!

How near in this dark juncture Israel's fate,

Whose peace one sole expedient could create,

Which yet the extremest virtue did require,

Even of that prince whose downfal they conspire!

His absence David does with tears advise,

To appease their rage; undaunted he complies.[388]

Thus he, who, prodigal of blood and ease,