Anti-Achitophel (1682) Part 8

Of all their Hopes and Plots, here lay the Store: For what Encouragement could they have more, When they beheld the King's own Brother fall, From his Religion, and to wors.h.i.+p _Baal_?

The Priest well knew what Pow'r, and what Controul He had usurp'd o're ev'ry _Baalite_'s Soul, That such a Prince must their G.o.d's Cause pursue, And do whatever they would have him do; Else from his Throne he should be curs'd and d.a.m.n'd: For _Baal_'s High-Priest, a Right t' all Crowns had claim'd.

An Article 'tis of a _Baalite_'s Faith, That o're Crown'd Heads a Sovereignty he hath.

Thus on a sure Foundation, as they thought, They had their Structure to Perfection wrought When G.o.d, who shews regard to Sacred Kings, } The Plot and Plotters to Confusion brings, } And in a moment down their _Babel_ flings. } A _Levite_, who had _Baalite_ turn'd, and bin One of the Order of the _Chemarim_, Who in the Plot had deeply been concern'd, And all their horrid Practices had learn'd; Smote in his Conscience with a true Remorse, From King and Land diverts the threat'ning Curse.

_Libni_, I think they call'd the _Levite_'s Name, Which in _Judea_ still will be of Fame; Since following Heaven's Impulse and high Command, He prov'd a Glorious Saviour of the Land.

By him the deep Conspiracy's o'rethrown, The Treason, and the Traytors all made known: For which from _Baalites_ he had Curses store; But by the _Jews_ loaded with Blessings more.

The h.e.l.lish Plotters were then seiz'd upon, And into Goals and Iron Fetters thrown; From whence to Lawful Tryals they were born, Condemn'd for Traytors, and hang'd up with Scorn: Yet _Chemarims_ with matchless Impudence, With dying Breath avow'd their Innocence: So careful of their Order they still were, Lest Treason in them Scandal should appear, That Treason they with Perjury pursue, Having their Arch-priest's Licence so to do.

They fear'd not to go perjur'd to the Grave, Believing their Arch-priest their Souls could save: For all G.o.d's Power they do on him bestow, And call him their Almighty G.o.d below.

To whom they say three powerful Keys are given, Of h.e.l.l, of Purgatory, and of Heav'n.

No wonder then if _Baalites_ this believe, They should, with their false Oaths try to deceive, And gull the People with their Dying Breath, Denying all their Treason at their Death.

This made Impression on some easie Minds, Whom or good Nature, or false Pity blinds; Mov'd their Compa.s.sion, and stirr'd up their Grief, And of their dying Oaths caus'd a Belief.

This did effect what the curs'd Traytors sought, The Plots Belief into Discredit brought, Of it at first, some Doubts they only rais'd, And with their Impudence the World amaz'd: Tho' _Azyad_'s Murder did the _Jews_ convince, Who was a man most Loyal to his Prince, And by the b.l.o.o.d.y _Chemarims_ did fall, Because he seiz'd the Trayt'rous Priests of _Baal_: Tho' _Gedaliah_'s Letters made all plain, Who was their Scribe, and of a ready Brain: A _Levite's_ Son, but turn'd a _Baalite_, Who for the King's own Brother then did write, And Correspondence kept i'th' _Egyptian_ Court, To whom the Traytors for Advice resort; Who like a zealous, trayt'rous _Baalite_ dy'd, And at the Fatal Tree the Plot deny'd.

Tho' _Amazia_ did at first believe, And to the h.e.l.lish Plot did Credit give; Tho' the Great Council of the _Sanhedrim_, Among the _Jews_ always of great Esteem, Declar'd to all the World this Plot to be, An h.e.l.lish, and a curs'd Conspiracy, To kill the King, Religion to o'rethrow, And cause the _Jews_ their Righteous Laws forgoe; To make the People to dumb Idols fall, And in the place of G.o.d, to set up _Baal_: Tho' all the People saw it, and believ'd; Tho' Courts of Justice, hard to be deceiv'd, Had added to the rest their Evidence, Yet with a strange unheard of Impudence, The _Baalites_ all so stoutly had deny'd } Their h.e.l.lish Plot, with Vows and Oaths beside, } And with such Diligence themselves apply'd. } They at the last, their sought for point had got, And artfully in doubt had brought their Plot.

A thousand cunning Shams and Tricks they us'd, Whereby the simple Vulgar were abus'd; And some o'th' _Edomitish_ Evidence, Who _Mammon_ wors.h.i.+p'd, were brought off with pence.

_Libni_, for whom, before their Harps they strung, } Who was the Subject of each _Hebrew_'s Song, } Was villify'd by every Rascall's Tongue. } In Secret, and inglorious did remain, And the Plot thought the Project of his Brain.

The _Baalites_ thus encourag'd by Success, Increase their Hopes, and their black Projects bless: Like the bold _t.i.tans_, Plot on Plot they lay, And Heav'n it self with impious Arms essay.

A new Invention wrought in h.e.l.l below, The _Jews_, and their Religion to o'erthrow; They bring to light, with this their Hopes they raise, And for dire Plots, think they deserve the Bays.

This Engine stronger than th' old _Roman_ Ram For Battery, by a new name call'd Sham, With well learn'd, and successful Arts they use To overthrow the _Syn'gogues_ of the _Jews_, Their Wors.h.i.+p and Religion to confound.

And lay their Glorious Temple on the Ground.

With this new Engine, they a Breach had made, By which they hop'd the Loyal _Jews_ t' invade.

With Troops of Treasons, and Rebellious Plots, Led on by Villains, perjur'd Rogues and Sots; And with such Arms, in h.e.l.ls black Work-house form'd, The peaceful _Jews_ they violently storm'd; Who 'gainst the _Ba'lites_ Plots had no defence, But G.o.d, their Laws, and their own Innocence.

Among the Princes of the _Jewish_ Race, For Wisdom, _Hushai_ had the Chiefest Place, Prudent in Speech, and in his Actions close, Admir'd by all, and feared by his Foes; Well skill'd, and knowing in the _Jewish_ Laws, Able to plead, and to defend a Cause, Of piercing Judgment, and of pregnant Wit, Did once Chief Judge of all _Judea_ sit; Was then esteem'd the Honor of the Gown, } And with his Vertues sought to serve the Crown, } Till Foes procur'd him _Amazia_'s Frown. } Then he descended from the hight of Place, Without a Blemish, and without Disgrace; Yet inly griev'd; for he could well divine The Issue of the _Baalites_ curs'd Design, To see Religion, and G.o.d's Righteous Cause, The Ancient Government, the Nation's Laws, Unpropping, and all ready strait to fall, And the whole Race of _Jews_ made Slaves to _Baal_: With Zeal inspired, boldly up he 'rose, To wrestle with the King's, and Nation's Foes; And tho' he was with Wealth and Honor blest, He scorn'd to give his Age its needful Rest: He learn'd, that man was not born for himself, To get great t.i.tles, Names, or sordid Pelf, To wear a lazy Life, himself to please, With Idleness, and with luxurious Ease: When he beheld his Country in distress, And none the Danger able to redress, He did resolve, tho' not affecting Fame, Or to obtain a Patriot's Glorious Name, His Rest, his Life, his Fortune to expose, Rather than see his Countrey's dangerous Foes Run on uncheck'd, till they had brought the Land, To their, and to a _Baalite_ King's Command.

He could not therefore so himself forget, To see the Barques of Government o'erset; But with his Skill he help'd the Boat to trim, And boldly did oppose _Eliakim_.

_Eliakim_ was Brother to the King, From the same Loins, and Royal _Seed_ did spring; Of Courage bold, and of a daring mind, } To whom the King, ev'n to Excess was kind; } And tho' he had a Son, for him the Crown design'd. } Sweet _Azaria_, like the beauteous Morn, Whence all Sweets flow, did once that Court adorn, A budding Rose, whose Beauty's newly blown, Or like a Cedar on Mount _Lebanon_: He in his Father's Grace, and Favor grew, And towards him the People's Eyes he drew.

He was by most belov'd, admir'd by all, For's Zeal to G.o.d, and's Hatred unto _Baal_: But ah! this mov'd the cursed _Baalite_'s Hate, Disturb'd his Peace, and Troubles did create.

What can't Design and h.e.l.lish Malice do?

With Lyes they close this n.o.ble Prince pursue.

They think his Father too indulgent grown, Whose Love had many Blessings on him thrown, But what exceeded all the rest beside, He chose the sweet _Jerusha_ for his Bride: A Blessing he esteemed far above The Crown, and all things but his Father's Love: For that he still above his Life did prize, Dear as his Fame, and dearer than his Eyes.

Below his Feet, for that he all things trod, Adoreing nothing more except his G.o.d.

Young as he was, he had acquired Fame, His Breast infired with a Warlike Flame, In Foreign Wars, his Courage he had shown, Had Lawrels won, and brought home fair Renown: Happy, most happy, till with wondrous Art, His Foes had wrought him from his Father's Heart; And so much Power on _Amazia_ won, He by Degrees, grew jealous of his Son.

And who for this can _Amazia_ blame, If that the King the Father overcame?

For Crowns by Kings esteemed are more near, Than Children, or than Sons, belov'd more dear.

His Foes, _Baal_'s Friends, had laid their artful Snairs, Hight'ned his Father's Jealousies and Fears, And made each innocent Action of the Prince, To give his Jealous Father an Offence.

If with wise _Hushai_ they the Prince did see, They call'd their Meeting a Conspiracy, And cry, that he was going to rebell: Him _Absalom_ they name, _Hushai_ _Achitophel_.

With Slander thus the Prince they did pursue, Aiming at's Life, and the wise _Hushai_'s too.

When they much pleased, and triumphing saw, The King his Royal Favors to withdraw, Which like a Spring on him before did flow, And from him, all on others to bestow: Defenceless left, naked, almost forlorn, Subject to every trifling Rhimers Scorn, And beyond _Jordan_ by their malice drove, No Succor left him but the People's Love; (For he was still their Darling and Delight, Because they saw he was no _Baalite_,) Their Hopes now almost at their Height did seem, To place the Crown upon _Eliakim_.

The _Jews_, G.o.d's People and peculiar Care, For their true Wors.h.i.+p still most zealous were; That Jewel seem'd most pretious in their Eyes, And it above all Humane things they prize.

No Torments could make them their Faith deny, They willingly for their Religion die: Their Liberties were also dear to them, Sprung from a free, and not a slavish Stem, Th' _Egyptian_ Bondage for their Souls unfit, They never in _Judea_ would permit; Their own known Laws, they willingly obey, Hate Tyranny and Arbitrary Sway: Nor did they many Priviledges want, Kept from the Time they first the Land did plant; For which to Death they lawfully would strive, If injur'd by their King's Prerogative: For some of them have try'd to break the Bound, And did like _Ethnick_ Kings, their People's Freedom wound, So _Rehoboam_ caus'd them to rebell, And lost at once ten Tribes of _Israel_.

No people were more ready to obey Their Kings, who rul'd them by a gentle Sway, Who never sought their Consciences to curb, Their Freedom or Religion to disturb.

To such they always open-hearted were, For them, they neither Coin, nor Blood would spare.

Such Kings might their Prerogatives improve, And rule the _Jews_, ev'n as they pleas'd with Love; But stiff indeed they were, and moody grew, } When Tyrants did with cruel Stripes pursue } Them sore oppress'd, and sometimes murmur'd too. } Kings they had try'd of ev'ry sort and size.

Best govern'd by the Warlike and the wise.

Tho' Kings they lov'd, and for them Reverence had, They never would adore them as a G.o.d.

G.o.d's Wors.h.i.+p, and their Laws they did prefer, They knew, them men might by bad Councils Err.

Tho' Loyal, yet oppress'd, they did not fear To make their heavy Grievances appear.

This was indeed the Humor of the _Jew_, The People by Complaints their Griefs would shew; And never would, in truth, contented seem, Untill redress'd by their wise _Sanhedrim_.

Thus now the _Jews_, tho' free from ill Design, In their Religious Cause together joyn: They cast their Eyes on _Amazia_'s Son, Who, without Arts the People's Love had won: Full of tormenting Jealousies and Fears, _Eliakim_ a dangerous man appears: The sober part of the whole _Sanhedrim_, Desire to keep _Judea's_ Crown from him: For they foresaw if he should wear the Crown, _Baal_'s Wors.h.i.+p he'd set up, and G.o.d's cast down: That all the Nations must be Slaves to _Baal_, Suffer in Flames, fly, or 'fore Idolls fall.

Great were their Fears, but yet they did abhor The very Thought of a dishonest War: For they had seen the Kingdom's many Scarrs, Th' unseemly Marks of former Civil Wars.

They _Amazia_ lov'd and wish'd him well, Resolve to suffer rather than rebell; Yet openly declare free from all Stain, How much they hate a _Baalite_ should Reign; And for this Cause, and for this Cause alone, _Eliakim_ they'd put by from the Throne.

_Eliakim_ at Court had many Friends, By whom in Secret he could work his Ends; So that no Accusation could remove Him, deeply rooted in his Brother's Love.

But since the _Jews_ to him shew'd open Hate, Lest that his presence should embroil the State; And that the _Jews_ might have no cause to sin, He's sent to rule the Tribe of _Benjamin_.

Thus two great Factions in _Judea_ rose, } So hotly each the other did oppose, } 'Twas fear'd they'd fall at last from Words to Blows. } Each side most zealous for the King appears, Each full of Jealousies and disturbing Fears, Each pleads for _Amazia_ and the Laws, G.o.d and Religion both do make their Cause: Both Loyalty profess, both opposite, } Both would persuade that each was in the right, } Tho' both contrary shew as day and night. } Sweet _Azaria_ with these Troubles mov'd, On that side hated, and by this belov'd; Fearing th' inveterate Malice of his Foes, Which he sought to avoid, not to oppose, And lest they should their sought Occasion find, } To tax him of an ill ambitious mind, } By seeing all the _Jews_ to him so kind; } Lest he should grow i'th' King's Opinion worse, He seeks for Council how to steer his Course, That he might to the Court give no Offence, But live wrapt up in his own fair Innocence, The wise and thoughtful _Hushai_ he doth find, And thus to him he breaks his troubled Mind, Great Councellor, and Favorite of Heav'n, To whom the Blessing of true Wisdom's giv'n, Which by no Mortal can possessed be, Whose Thoughts are not inform'd by Loyalty.

I know Reproaches upon you are thrown; But judge your Innocency by my own.

I am accused Sir, as well as you, And the same Foe doth both our Lives pursue.

He fears your Wisdom, may his Hindrance prove, And me, because I have the People's Love: His Creatures therefore throw on you and me, The Scandal of a curs'd Conspiracy, Against our King and Father to rebell: Me _Absalom_, and you _Achitophel_ They name; bad Councellor, and worser Son, Who Traytors, durst into Rebellion run.

My Father governs with so equal Sway, That all both love him, and his Laws obey: He seems Heav'n's Care, who set him in the Throne, Preserved by his wondrous Power alone.

Oh may on him no Blemish fall or stain, But all live happy in his peaceful Reign: May he be happy still as he is good, Like G.o.d in Mercy, not inclin'd to Blood.

This is the Prayer that I daily make; } For Piety shall never me forsake, } Tho' I his Royal Favor ne'er partake. } And tho' my Foes have with their subtil Art Banish'd me from my Royal Father's Heart, Which is the Source of all my Grief and Woe, My just Obedience I will ne'er forgoe.

Nor has Disgrace, nor my hot Pa.s.sions wrought, Within my Breast one bad disloyal Thought.

I ne'er believ'd my Father would betray His People, or sought Arbitrary Sway: Or tho' his People did his Wrath provoke, He meant to curb them with an Iron Yoak.

Yet do I think, nay more than think, the Cause (But here his pa.s.sion made some little pause, Till sighing, at the last he thus went on) Why my Great Father does disown his Son; They say I am but of a spurious Brood, My Mother being of Ign.o.ble Blood: For _Jocoliah_ was but mean by Birth, Tho' with the King she mix'd her baser Earth.

I was begotten in my Father's Flight, E'er to the Crown he had obtain'd his Right: And since I from his Favor did decline, He has declar'd her but his Concubine.

This has the Hopes rais'd of _Eliakim_, And _Amaziah_'s Crown design'd for him; My Hopes are lost, and I do think it fit, I should to G.o.d, Right, and the King submit; But yet, wise _Hushai_ know, I still do find, My Birth has not so much debas'd my mind, To make me stoop to low or mean desires; I feel my Father's Royal Blood inspires My depress'd Soul, wipes off th' ign.o.ble Stain, Renders me apt, or not unfit to reign.

Of _David_'s Royal Blood, my self I own, And with it never can disgrace the Throne.

Tho' my bold Spirits, mounting thus, do fly Towards the n.o.ble hight of Sovereignty, And that I feel my Father's Blood to rowl Through every Vein and animate my Soul; Yet so much Loyalty is sown within My Breast, I would not Empire gain with Sin: For when my ambitious Thoughts begin to roam, Their Forces, I with that soon overcome.

Tho' to G.o.d's Laws, and to the King's I yield, To my known Foes I would not leave the Field.

I'd not be trampl'd on by sordid Feet, Nor take Affronts from ev'ry one I meet: I'd give no Cause they should my Courage doubt, Nor to Rebellion push the vulgar Rout, I to my Father would give no Offence, Nor while he lives, lay to the Crown Pretence; But since Life's sweet, by Wisdom I'd keep mine, From _Baalites_ Hate, and _Eliakim_'s Design: This my wise Friend, is my chief Business now, To take some Sage and good Advice from you.

_Hushai_ in Silence heard the Prince, and weigh'd Each word he spake, then to him thus reply'd; Great Prince, th' Almighty has to you been kind, } Stamp'd Graces on your Body and your mind, } As if he for your Head a Crown design'd. } We shall not search into Fates Secret Womb, G.o.d alone knows the things that are to come; But should you never sit on _David_'s Throne, 'Tis better to deserve than wear a Crown.

Of Royal Blood, and of great Birth you are, Born under some benign auspicious Star, Lov'd by the best, and prais'd by every Tongue, The glorious Subject of each worthy Song: The young man's Wish, Joy of each Warlike Wight, The People's Darling, and the World's Delight.

A Crowd of Vertues fill your Princely Breast, } And what appears more glorious than the rest, } You are of Truth and Loyalty possest. } That I would cherish in you, that would raise To an admired height, that I would chiefly praise.

Let Fools and subtil Politicians scorn Fair Vertue, which doth best a Prince adorn: Whilst you her bright and s.h.i.+ning Robes put on, You will appear more great than _Solomon_.

Let not Great Prince, the Fumes of Vulgar Praise, Your bolder Spirits to Ambition raise.

We cannot see into the Mist of Fate, Till time brings forth, you must expecting wait; But Fortune, rather Providence, not Chance, The constant, stout, and wise doth still advance.

Let your quick Eye be to her Motions ty'd; But still let n.o.ble Vertue be your Guide: For when that G.o.d and Vertue points the way, There can be then no danger to obey.

But here in Wisdom's School we ought to learn, How we 'twixt Good and Evil may discern, For, n.o.ble Prince, you must true difference make, Lest for the one the other you mistake.

You must not think you may your self advance, By laying hold on every proffer'd chance.

Tho Fortune seems to smile, and egg you on, Let Vertue be your Rule and Guide alone.

Thus _David_ for his Guide his Vertue took; Nor was by Fortune's proffer'd Kindness shook.

His Vertue and his Loyalty did save King _Saul_, when Fortune brought him to his Cave, And if that I may to you Counsel give, You should without a Crown for ever live, Rather than get it by the Peoples l.u.s.t, Or purchase it by ways that are unjust.

_David_ your Ancestor, from whom you spring, Would never by Rebellion be made King; But long in _Gath_ a Warring Exile stay'd, Till for him G.o.d a lawful way had made.

In _Hebron_, full of Glory and Renown, He gain'd, at last, and not usurpt the Crown.

By full Consent he did the same obtain, And Heav'n's anointing Oyl was not in vain.

I once did seem to _Amazia_ dear, Who me above m'ambitious hopes did rear; I serv'd him then according to my skill, And bow'd my Mind unto my Soveraign's Will.

Too neer the Soveraign Image then I stood, To think that every Line and Stroke was good.

Some Daubers I endeavour'd to remove, And to amend their artless Errours strove.

My Skill in secret these with slander wound; With every Line I drew still faults were found; Till wearied, I at last my Work gave o're. } And _Amazia_ (I shall say no more) } Did me to my lov'd Privacy restore. } For this they think I must my Vertue change, For Envy, Malice, and for sweet Revenge.

Me by themselves they judge, who would do so, And cause the King suspect me for his Foe.

But by th'advice I give, you best will find Th'Integrity and Plainness of my Mind; And that I harbour not that vile intent Their Poets and their Malice do invent.

Far be't from me, to be like Cursed _Cham_; A good Son strives to hide his Father's shame.

A King, the Father of his Country is; His shame is every Act he doth amiss.

Good and just Kings G.o.d's Image bear; but when Their Frailties let us see they are but Men, We cannot every Action so applaud, As if it came from an unerring G.o.d.

Kings have their Pa.s.sions, and deceiv'd may be, When b'others Ears and Eyes they hear and see: For Sycophants, of Courts the Bane and Curse, Make all things better than they are, or worse.

To Evil p.r.o.ne, to Mischief ever bent, } Th'all Objects with false colours represent; } The Guilty clear, condemn the Innocent. } Thus, n.o.ble Prince, they you and me accuse With all the Venome Malice can infuse.

_Baal_'s Priests, h.e.l.l, and our Foes, new Arts have got, The filthy Reliques of their former Plot; Whereby they would our Lives in danger bring, And make us cursed Traytors to the King.