Not tamely, and unconquering, thus expired: 
  But destiny is now their only foe,
  And dying, even o’er that they triumph too;
  With loud last breaths their master’s ’scape applaud,
  Of whom kind force could scarce the fates defraud;
  Who for such followers lost, O matchless mind! 
  At his own safety now almost repined! 
  Say, royal Sir! by all your fame in arms,
  Your praise in peace, and by Urania’s charms, 1100
  If all your sufferings past so nearly press’d,
  Or pierced with half so painful grief your breast?

   Thus some diviner muse her hero forms,
  Not soothed with soft delights, but toss’d in storms;
  Nor stretch’d on roses in the myrtle grove,
  Nor crowns his days with mirth, his nights with love,
  But far removed in thundering camps is found,
  His slumbers short, his bed the herbless ground. 
  In tasks of danger always seen the first,
  Feeds from the hedge, and slakes with ice his thirst, 1110
  Long must his patience strive with fortune’s rage,
  And long-opposing gods themselves engage;
  Must see his country flame, his friends destroy’d,
  Before the promised empire be enjoy’d. 
  Such toil of fate must build a man of fame,
  And such, to Israel’s crown, the godlike David came.

   What sudden beams dispel the clouds so fast,
  Whose drenching rains laid all our vineyards waste? 
  The spring, so far behind her course delay’d,
  On the instant is in all her bloom array’d; 1120
  The winds breathe low, the element serene;
  Yet mark what motion in the waves is seen! 
  Thronging and busy as Hyblaean swarms,
  Or straggled soldiers summon’d to their arms,
  See where the princely bark in loosest pride,
  With all her guardian fleet, adorns the tide! 
  High on her deck the royal lovers stand,
  Our crimes to pardon, e’er they touch’d our land. 
  Welcome to Israel and to David’s breast! 
  Here all your toils, here all your sufferings rest. 1130

   This year did Ziloah rule Jerusalem,
  And boldly all sedition’s surges stem,
  Howe’er encumber’d with a viler pair
  Than Ziph or Shimei to assist the chair;
  Yet Ziloah’s loyal labours so prevail’d,
  That faction at the next election fail’d,
  When even the common cry did justice found,
  And merit by the multitude was crown’d: 
  With David then was Israel’s peace restored,
  Crowds mourn’d their error, and obey’d their lord. 1140

* * * * *

A KEY TO BOTH PARTS OF ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL.

  Aldael—­General Monk, Duke of Albemarle.

  Abethdin—­The name given, through
  this poem, to a Lord-Chancellor
  in general.

  Absalom—­Duke of Monmouth, natural
  son of King Charles II.