B. I.]
DAVIDEIS.
205
Of these he call'd-out one; all heaven did shake,
And silence kept whilst its Creator spake.
"Are we forgotten then so soon? can he
"Look on his crown, and not remember me 390
"That gave it? can he think we did not hear
"(Fond man!) his threats? and have we made the ear,
“To be accounted deaf? No, Saul! we heard;
"And it will cost thee dear: the ills thou 'st fear'd,
"Practis'd, or thought on, I'll all double send; 395
"Have we not spoke it, and dares man contend?
"Alas, poor dust! didst thou but know the day
"When thou must lie in blood at Gilboa,
"Thou, and thy sons, thou wouldst not threaten still;
"Thy trembling tongue would stop against thy will.
"Then shall thine head fix'd in curst temples be,
"And all their foolish gods shall laugh at thee.
"That hand which now on David's life would prey,
“Shall then turn just, and its own master slay;
"He whom thou hat'st, on thy lov'd throne shall sit,
"And expiate the disgrace thou dost to it. 406
"Haste then; tell David what his king has sworn,
"Tell him whose blood must paint this rising morn;
"Yet bid him go securely, when he sends;
"’Tis Saul that is his foe, and We his friends: 410
"The man who has his God, no aid can lack,
"And We, who bid him go, will bring him back."
He spoke; the heavens seem'd decently to bow,
With all their bright inhabitants; and now
And silence kept whilst its Creator spake.
"Are we forgotten then so soon? can he
"Look on his crown, and not remember me 390
"That gave it? can he think we did not hear
"(Fond man!) his threats? and have we made the ear,
“To be accounted deaf? No, Saul! we heard;
"And it will cost thee dear: the ills thou 'st fear'd,
"Practis'd, or thought on, I'll all double send; 395
"Have we not spoke it, and dares man contend?
"Alas, poor dust! didst thou but know the day
"When thou must lie in blood at Gilboa,
"Thou, and thy sons, thou wouldst not threaten still;
"Thy trembling tongue would stop against thy will.
"Then shall thine head fix'd in curst temples be,
"And all their foolish gods shall laugh at thee.
"That hand which now on David's life would prey,
“Shall then turn just, and its own master slay;
"He whom thou hat'st, on thy lov'd throne shall sit,
"And expiate the disgrace thou dost to it. 406
"Haste then; tell David what his king has sworn,
"Tell him whose blood must paint this rising morn;
"Yet bid him go securely, when he sends;
"’Tis Saul that is his foe, and We his friends: 410
"The man who has his God, no aid can lack,
"And We, who bid him go, will bring him back."
He spoke; the heavens seem'd decently to bow,
With all their bright inhabitants; and now
