Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John DrydenPordage, Samuel
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Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden
Pordage, Samuel
Dryden, John, 1631-1700. Absalom and Achitophel
Thus on a sure Foundation, as they thought,
They had their Structure to Perfection wrought
When God, 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 Hellish 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 God's Power they do on him bestow,
And call him their Almighty God below.
To whom they say three powerful Keys are given,
Of Hell, 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 Compassion, 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 Bloody _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 Hellish 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 Hellish, 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,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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