From plots and treasons heaven preserve my years, But fave me moft from my petitioners.

Unfatiate as the barren womb or grave;

God cannot grant fo much as they can crave.
What then is left, but with a jealous eye
To guard the small remains of royalty?
The law shall still direct my peaceful sway,
And the fame law teach rebels to obey:
Votes fhall no more establish'd power controul,
Such votes as make a part exceed the whole.
No groundless clamors shall my friends remove,
Nor crowds have power to punish ere they prove;
For Gods and god-like kings their care express,
Still to defend their fervants in distress.
Oh, that my power to faving were confin'd!
Why am I forc'd, like heaven, against my mind,
To make examples of another kind?
Must I at length the sword of justice draw?
Oh curft effects of neceffary law!

How ill my fear they by my mercy scan!
Beware the fury of a patient man.

Law they require, let law then shew her face

They could not be content to look on grace,

Her hinder parts, but with a daring eye
To tempt the terror of her front and die.
By their own arts 'tis righteously decreed,
Those dire artificers of death shall bleed.
Against themselves their witneffes will fwear,
"Till viper-like their mother plot they tear;
And fuck for nutriment that bloody gore,
Which was their principle of life before.
Their Belial with their Beelzebub will fight:
Thus on my foes, my foes fhall do me right.
Nor doubt th' event for factious crowds engage,
In their firft onfet, all their brutal rage.

Then let 'em take an unrefifted course:

Retire, and traverse, and delude their force :
But when they stand all breathless, urge
the fight,
And rife upon them with redoubled might:
For lawful power is ftill fuperior found;
When long driv'n back at length it stands the
ground.

He faid: Th'Almighty nodding gave confent;
And peals of thunder shook the firmament.
Henceforth a series of new time began,
The mighty years in long proceffion ran:
Once more the god-like David was reftor'd,
And willing nations knew their lawful lord.
*

IN

TO THE

REA DE R.

N the year 1680 Mr. Dryden undertook the poem of Abfalom and Achitophel, upon the defire of king Charles the fecond. The performance was applauded by every one; and feveral perfons preffing him to write a second part, he, upon declining it himself, spoke to Mr. Tate to write one, and gave him his advice in the direction of it; and that part beginning with

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

and ending with

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

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

INCE men like beafts each other's prey were made,

SINCE

Since trade began, and priesthood grew a trade, Since realms were form'd, none fure fo curft 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;