First write Bezaliel, whose illustrious name Forestalls our praise, and gives his poet fame. The Kenites' rocky province his command, A barren limb of fertile Canaan's land; Which for its generous natives yet could be Held worthy such a president as he. Bezaliel, with each grace and virtue fraught, Serene his looks, serene his life and thought; On whom so largely nature heap'd her store, There scarce remain'd for arts to give him more! 950 To aid the crown and state his greatest zeal, His second care that service to conceal; Of dues observant, firm to every trust, And to the needy always more than just; Who truth from specious falsehood can divide, Has all the gownsmen's skill without their pride. Thus crown'd with worth, from heights of honour won, Sees all his glories copied in his son, Whose forward fame should every muse engage-- Whose youth boasts skill denied to others' age. 960 Men, manners, language, books of noblest kind, Already are the conquest of his mind; Whose loyalty before its date was prime, Nor waited the dull course of rolling time: The monster faction early he dismay'd, And David's cause long since confess'd his aid. Brave Abdael o'er the prophet's school was placed-- Abdael with all his father's virtue graced; A hero who, while stars look'd wondering down, Without one Hebrew's blood restored the crown. 970 That praise was his; what therefore did remain For following chiefs, but boldly to maintain That crown restored? and in this rank of fame, Brave Abdael with the first a place must claim. Proceed, illustrious, happy chief! proceed, Foreseize the garlands for thy brow decreed, While the inspired tribe attend with noblest strain To register the glories thou shalt gain: For sure the dew shall Gilboa's hills forsake, And Jordan mix his stream with Sodom's lake; 980 Or seas retired, their secret stores disclose, And to the sun their scaly brood expose, Or swell'd above the cliffs their billows raise, Before the muses leave their patron's praise.