Since men, like beasts, each other's prey were made, Since trade began, and priesthood grew a trade, Since realms were formed, none, sure, so curst as those, That madly their own happiness oppose; There heaven itself, and god-like kings, in vain Shower down the manna of a gentle reign; While pampered crowds to mad sedition run, And monarchs by indulgence are undone. Thus David's clemency was[351] fatal grown, While wealthy faction awed the wanting throne: For now their sovereign's orders to contemn, Was held the charter of Jerusalem; His rights to invade, his tributes to refuse, A privilege peculiar to the Jews; As if from heavenly call this licence fell, And Jacob's seed were chosen to rebel! Achitophel, with triumph, sees his crimes Thus suited to the madness of the times; And Absalom, to make his hopes succeed, Of flattering[352] charms no longer stands in need; While fond of change, though ne'er so dearly bought, Our tribes outstrip the youth's ambitious thought; His swiftest hopes with swifter homage meet, And crowd their servile necks beneath his feet. Thus to his aid while pressing tides repair, He mounts, and spreads his streamers in the air. The charms of empire might his youth mislead, But what can our besotted Israel plead? Swayed by a monarch, whose serene command Seems half the blessing of our promised land; Whose only grievance is excess of ease, Freedom our pain, and plenty our disease! Yet as all folly would lay claim to sense, And wickedness ne'er wanted a pretence, With arguments they'd make their treason good, And righteous David's self with slanders load: That arts of foreign sway he did affect, And guilty Jebusites[353] from law protect, Whose very chiefs, convict, were never freed, Nay we have seen their sacrifices bleed! Accuser's infamy is urged in vain, While in the bounds of sense they did contain; But soon they launcht into the unfathomed tide, And in the depths they knew disdained to ride; For probable discoveries to dispense, Was thought below a pensioned evidence; Mere truth was dull, nor suited with the port Of pampered Corah,[354] when advanced to court. No less than wonders now they will impose, And projects void of grace or sense disclose. Such was the charge on pious Michal[355] brought; Michal, that ne'er was cruel even in thought; The best of queens, and most obedient wife, Impeached of curst designs on David's life! His life, the theme of her eternal prayer, 'Tis scarce so much his guardian angel's care. Not summer morns such mildness can disclose, The Hermon lily, nor the Sharon rose. Neglecting each vain pomp of majesty, Transported Michal feeds her thoughts on high. She lives with angels, and, as angels do, Quits heaven sometimes to bless the world below;