The people's brave, the politician's tool;
Never was patriot yet but was a fooi.
Whence comes it that religion and the laws
Should more be Absalom's than David's cause?
His old instructor, ere he lost his place,
Was never thought endued with so much grace.
Good heavens, how faction can a patriot paint!
My rebel ever proves my people's saint.
Would they impose an heir upon the throne?
Let Sanhedrins be taught to give their own.
A king's at least a part of government,
And mine as requisite as their consent:
Without my leave a future king to choose
Infers a right the present to depose.

970

975

980

True, they petition me to approve their choice:

But Esau's hands suit ill with Jacob's voice.

My pious subjects for my safety pray,

Which to secure, they take my power away.

From plots and treasons Heaven preserve my years,

985

But save me most from my petitioners.
Unsatiate as the barren womb or grave,

God cannot grant so much as they can crave.
What then is left but with a jealous eye
To guard the small remains of royalty?
The law shall still direct my peaceful sway,
And the same law teach rebels to obey:
Votes shall no more established power control,
Such votes as make a part exceed the whole.
No groundless clamours shall my friends remove
Nor crowds have power to punish ere they prove;
For gods and godlike kings their care express
Still to defend their servants in distress.
Oh that my power to saving were confined!
Why am I forced, like Heaven, against my mind
To make examples of another kind?

Must I at length the sword of justice draw?
Oh curst effects of necessary law!

How ill my fear they by my mercy scan!

990

995

1000

Beware the fury of a patient man.

Law they require, let Law then show her face;
They could not be content to look on Grace,
Her hinder parts, but with a daring eye
To tempt the terror of her front and die.
By their own arts, 'tis righteously decreed,
Those dire artificers of death shall bleed.
Against themselves their witnesses will swear
Till, viper-like, their mother-plot they tear,
And suck for nutriment that bloody gore
Which was their principle of life before.
Their Belial with their Beelzebub will fight;
Thus on my foes my foes shall do me right.

1005

ΠΟΙΟ

1015

Nor doubt the event; for factious crowds engage
In their first onset all their brutal rage.

Then let them take an unresisted course;

Retire and traverse, and delude their force :

But when they stand all breathless, urge the fight

And rise upon them with redoubled might':

For lawful power is still superior found,

1020

1024

When long driven back at length it stands the ground.'

He said. The Almighty, nodding, gave consent;
And peals of thunder shook the firmament.
Henceforth a series of new time began,
The mighty years in long procession ran;
Once more the godlike David was restored,
And willing nations knew their lawful lord.

1030

RELIGIO LAICI;

OR

A LAYMAN'S FAITH.

А РОЕМ.

'Ornari res ipsa negat, contenta doceri.'

[MANILIUS, Astronom. ili. 39.)