B. I.]
DAVIDEIS.
199
"By me———but I lose time, methinks, and should
"Perform new acts whilst I relate the old.
"David's the next our fury must enjoy:
"'Tis not thy God himself shall save thee, boy!
"No, if he do, may the whole world have peace; 215
"May all ill actions, all ill fortune, cease,
"And, banish'd from this potent court below,
"May I a ragged, contemn'd Virtue grow!"
She spoke; all star'd at first, and made a pause;
But straight the general murmur of applause 220
Ran through Death's courts; she frown'd still, and begun
To envy at the praise herself had won.
Great Beelzebub starts from his burning throne
To 'embrace the Fiend, but she, now furious grown
To act her part, thrice bow'd, and thence she fled;
The snakes all hiss'd, the fiends all murmured.
It was the time when silent night began
T' enchain with sleep the busy spirits of man;
And Saul himself, though in his troubled breast
The weight of empire lay, took gentle rest: 230
So did not Envy; but with haste arose;
And, as through Israel's stately towns she goes,
She frowns, and shakes her head; "Shine on," says she,
"Ruins ere long shall your sole monuments be."
The silver moon with terror paler grew, 235
And neighbouring Hermon sweated flowery dew;
Swift Jordan started, and straight backward fled,
Hiding among thick reeds his aged head:
"Perform new acts whilst I relate the old.
"David's the next our fury must enjoy:
"'Tis not thy God himself shall save thee, boy!
"No, if he do, may the whole world have peace; 215
"May all ill actions, all ill fortune, cease,
"And, banish'd from this potent court below,
"May I a ragged, contemn'd Virtue grow!"
She spoke; all star'd at first, and made a pause;
But straight the general murmur of applause 220
Ran through Death's courts; she frown'd still, and begun
To envy at the praise herself had won.
Great Beelzebub starts from his burning throne
To 'embrace the Fiend, but she, now furious grown
To act her part, thrice bow'd, and thence she fled;
The snakes all hiss'd, the fiends all murmured.
It was the time when silent night began
T' enchain with sleep the busy spirits of man;
And Saul himself, though in his troubled breast
The weight of empire lay, took gentle rest: 230
So did not Envy; but with haste arose;
And, as through Israel's stately towns she goes,
She frowns, and shakes her head; "Shine on," says she,
"Ruins ere long shall your sole monuments be."
The silver moon with terror paler grew, 235
And neighbouring Hermon sweated flowery dew;
Swift Jordan started, and straight backward fled,
Hiding among thick reeds his aged head:
