Nay, and there was a Time, had Hell prevail’d,
Nor Perjury and Subornation fail’d,
When a long List of Names, for Treason doom’d,
Had Israels Patriots in one Grave entomb’d:
A List, with such fair Loyal Colours laid,
Even to no less than Royal Hands convey’d.
And the great Mover in this pious Fraud,
A Dungeon Slave redeem’d by’a Midnight Bawd:
Then made by Art a Swearer of Renown,
Nurst and embrac’d by th’Heir of Judahs Crown:
Encourag’d too by Pension for Reward,
With his forg’d Scrowls for Guiltless Blood prepared.
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Poor Engine for a greatness so sublime: But oh, a Cause by which their Baal must climb, Ennobles both the Actor and the Crime. | } |
Yet This, and all Things else now quite blown o’re,
And Absolom, his Israels Fear no more:
Luster and Pride shall hem his radiant Brow;
All Knees shall fall, and prostrate Nations bow.
By Heav’ns, he is, he will, he must, he shall
Be Israels Heroe, Friend, Saint, Idol, all.
What though provok’d with all the crying sins
Of Murmuring Slaves, excluding Sanedrins:
By profane Crowds in dirt his Prophets spurn’d,
And ev’n his Gods in mock Processions burn’d:
Himself from Israel into Hebron sent,
And doom’d to little less than Banishment.
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In spight of all his Scrowls to Babylon; And all the promis’d Wonders to be done, When Egypts Frogs should croak on Judahs Throne. | } |
Though of a Faith that propagates in Blood;
Of Passions unforgiving, less withstood
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Then Seas and Tempests, and as Deaf as they. Yet all Divine shall be his Godlike Sway, And his calm Reign but one long Halcyon Day. | } |
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And this Great Truth he’s damn’d that dares deny; ’Gainst Absolom even Oracles would lye, Though Sense and Reason Preach ’tis Blasphemy. | } |
Then let out dull Mistaken Terrour cease,
When even our Comets speak all Health and Peace.