TO THE

REA DE R.

I

N the year 1680 Mr. Dryden undertook the poem

of Abfalom and Achitophel, upon the defire of King Charles the Second. The performance was applauded by every one; and several perfons preffing him to write a fecond part, he, upon declining it himfelf, fpoke to Mr. Tate to write one, and gave him his advice in the direction of it; and that part beginning page 156. line 13.

"Next thefe, a troop of bufy fpirits prefs,"

and ending page 161. line the laft.

"To talk like Doeg, and to write like thee."

containing near two hundred verses, were intirely Mr. Dryden's compofitions, befides fome touches in other places.

ANTONIO

SHAFTESBVRY

ABSALOM

AND

A CHITO PH E L.

PART the SECOND.

-Si quis tamen bæc quoque, Si quis captus amore leget.

SIN

INCE men like beafts each other's prey were made, Since trade began, and priesthood grew a trade, Since realms were form'd, none fure so curft as those That madly their own happiness oppofe;

There heaven itself and god-like Kings, in vain
Show'r down the manna of a gentle reign;
While pamper'd crouds to mad fedition run,
And monarchs by indulgence are undone.

L 2

Thus

Thus David's clemency was fatal grown,

While wealthy faction aw'd the wanting throne.

For now their fov'reign's orders to contemn
Was held the charter of Jerufalém,
His rights t'invade, his tributes to refuse,
A privilege peculiar to the Jews;

As if from heav'nly call this licence fell,
And Jacob's feed were chofen to rebel!
Achitophel with triumph fees his crimes
Thus fuited to the madness of the times;
And Abfalom, to make his hopes fucceed,
Of flattering charms no longer ftands in need;
While fond of change, though ne'er fo dearly bought,
Our tribes outstrip the youths ambitious thought;
His fwifteft hopes with fwifter homage meet,
And croud their fervile necks beneath his feet.
'Thus to his aid while preffing tides repair,
He mounts and spreads his ftreamers in the air.
The charms of empire might his youth mislead,
But what can our befotted Ifrael plead ?
Sway'd by a monarch, whofe ferene command
Seems half the bleffing of our promis'd land.
Whofe only grievance is excefs 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 felf with flanders load:
That arts of foreign fway he did affect,
And guilty Jebufites from law protect,
Whofe very chiefs, convict, were never freed,
Nay we have feen their facrificers bleed !
Accufers infamy is urg'd in vain,

While in the bounds of fenfe they did contain,
But foon they launcht into th' unfathom'd tide,
And in the depths they knew disdain'd to ride.

For

For probable difcoveries to difpenfe,
Was thought below a penfion'd evidence ;
Mere truth was dull, nor fuited with the port
Of pamper'd Corah when advanc'd to court.
No lefs than wonders now they will impofe,
And project's void of grace or fense disclose.
Such was the change on pious Michal brought,,
Michal that ne'er was cruel even in thought,
The best of Queens, and most obedient wife,
Impeach'd of curft defigns on David's life!
His life, the theme of her eternal prayer,
'Tis fcarce fo much his guardian angel's care.
Not fummer morns fuch mildnefs can difclofe,
The Hermon lilly, 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 fometimes to bless the world below.
Where, cherisht by her bounties plenteous fpring,
Reviving widows fmile, and orphans fing.
Oh! when rebellious Ifrael's crimes at height,
Are threatned with her Lord's approaching fate,
The piety of Michal then remain

In heaven's remembrance, and prolong his reign.
Lefs defolation did the reft pursue,
That from Dan's limits to Beerfheba flew,
Lefs fatal the repeated wars of Tyre,
And lefs Jerufalem's avenging fire.

With gentler terrour these our ftate o'er-ran,
Than fince our evidencing days began!
On every cheek a pale confufion fat,
Continu'd fear beyond the worst of fate!
Truft was no more, art, fcience, ufelefs made,
All occupations loft but Corah's trade.

Mean while a guard on modest Corah wait,

If not for fafety, needful yet for state.

Well might he deem each peer and prince his slave,
And lord it o'er the tribes which he could fave:
Ev'n vice in him was virtue-what fad fate
But for his honefty had feiz'd our state?
And with what tyranny had we been curft,

Had Corah never prov'd a villain first ?

T'have told his knowledge of the intrigue in grofs,
Had been alas to our deponent's lofs:

The travell'd Levite had th' experience got,
To husband well, and make the beft of's plot;
And therefore like an evidence of skill,
With wife reserves fecur'd his penfion still;
Nor quite of future pow'r himself bereft,
But limbos large for unbelievers left.
And now his writ fuch reverence had got,
'Twas worse than plotting to fufpect his plot.
Some were fo well convinc'd, they made no doubt
Themselves to help the founder'd fwearers out.
Some had their fenfe impos'd on by their fear,
But more for intereft fake believe and fwear:
Ev'n to that height with fome the phrenzy grew,
They rag'd to find their danger not prove true.
Yet, than all thefe a viler crew remain,
Who with Achitophel the cry maintain;
Not urg'd by fear, nor thro' mifguided fenfe,
Blind zeal and starving need had fome pretence,
But for the good old caufe that did excite
Th' original rebels wiles, revenge and fpight.
These raise the plot to have the fcandal thrown
Upon the bright fucceffor of the crown,
Whofe virtue with fuch wrongs they had purfu'd,
As feem'd all hope of pardon to exclude.
Thus, while on private ends their zeal is built,
The cheated croud applaud and fhare their guilt.
Such practices as thefe, too grofs to lie
Long unobferv'd by each difcerning eye,

The