B. I.]
DAVIDEIS.
209
As young affrighted lambs, 500
When they aught dreadful spy,
Run trembling to their helpless dams:
The mighty sea and river, by,
Were glad, for their excuse, to see the hills too fly.
When they aught dreadful spy,
Run trembling to their helpless dams:
The mighty sea and river, by,
Were glad, for their excuse, to see the hills too fly.
What ail'd the mighty sea to flee? 505
Or why did Jordan's tide
Back to his fountain glide?
Jordan's tide, what ailed thee?
Why leap'd the hills? why did the mountains shake?
What ail'd them, their fix'd natures to forsake? 510
Fly where thou wilt, O sea!
And Jordan's current cease!
Jordan, there is no need of thee;
For at God's word, whene'er he please,
The rocks shall weep new waters forth instead of these. 515
Or why did Jordan's tide
Back to his fountain glide?
Jordan's tide, what ailed thee?
Why leap'd the hills? why did the mountains shake?
What ail'd them, their fix'd natures to forsake? 510
Fly where thou wilt, O sea!
And Jordan's current cease!
Jordan, there is no need of thee;
For at God's word, whene'er he please,
The rocks shall weep new waters forth instead of these. 515
Thus sung the great Musician to his lyre;
And Saul's black rage grew softly to retire;
But Envy's serpent still with him remain'd,
And the wise charmer's healthful voice disdain'd.
Th' unthankful king, cur'd truly of his fit, 520
Seems to lie drown'd and buried still in it;
From his past madness draws this wicked use,
To sin disguis'd, and murder with excuse:
For, whilst the fearless youth his cure pursues,
And the soft medicine with kind art renews, 525
And Saul's black rage grew softly to retire;
But Envy's serpent still with him remain'd,
And the wise charmer's healthful voice disdain'd.
Th' unthankful king, cur'd truly of his fit, 520
Seems to lie drown'd and buried still in it;
From his past madness draws this wicked use,
To sin disguis'd, and murder with excuse:
For, whilst the fearless youth his cure pursues,
And the soft medicine with kind art renews, 525
