Achitophel, each rank, degree, and age, 510 For various ends neglects not to engage; The wise and rich, for purse and counsel brought, The fools and beggars, for their number sought: Who yet not only on the town depends, For even in court the faction had its friends; These thought the places they possess'd too small, And in their hearts wish'd court and king to fall: Whose names the muse disdaining, holds i' the dark, Thrust in the villain herd without a mark; With parasites and libel-spawning imps, 520 Intriguing fops, dull jesters, and worse pimps. Disdain the rascal rabble to pursue, Their set cabals are yet a viler crew: See where, involved in common smoke, they sit; Some for our mirth, some for our satire fit: These, gloomy, thoughtful, and on mischief bent, While those, for mere good-fellowship, frequent The appointed club, can let sedition pass, Sense, nonsense, anything to employ the glass; And who believe, in their dull honest hearts, 530 The rest talk reason but to show their parts; Who ne'er had wit or will for mischief yet, But pleased to be reputed of a set. But in the sacred annals of our plot, Industrious Arod never be forgot: The labours of this midnight-magistrate, May vie with Corah's to preserve the state. In search of arms, he fail'd not to lay hold On war's most powerful, dangerous weapon--gold. And last, to take from Jebusites all odds, 540 Their altars pillaged, stole their very gods; Oft would he cry, when treasure he surprised, 'Tis Baalish gold in David's coin disguised; Which to his house with richer relics came, While lumber idols only fed the flame: For our wise rabble ne'er took pains to inquire, What 'twas he burnt, so 't made a rousing fire. With which our elder was enrich'd no more Than false Gehazi with the Syrian's store; So poor, that when our choosing-tribes were met, 550 Even for his stinking votes he ran in debt; For meat the wicked, and, as authors think, The saints he choused for his electing drink; Thus every shift and subtle method past, And all to be no Zaken at the last.