"But God ill grains did in this incense smell; 150 Wrapp'd in fair leaves he saw the canker dwell; "A mutinous itch of change; a dull despair

"Of helps divine, oft prov'd; a faithless care "Of common means; the pride of heart and scorn› "Of th' humble yoke under low Judges borne. 155. "They saw the state and glittering pomp which bless'd "In vulgar sense the sceptres of the East; "They saw not power's true source, and scorn'd "t' obey

"Persons that look'd no dreadfuller than they ;

"They miss'd courts, guards, a gay and numerous

"train

160

"Our Judges, like their laws, were rude and plain:"On an old bench of wood, her seat of state "Beneath the well-known palm, wise Deborah sate; "Her maids with comely diligence round her spun, "And she too, when the pleadings there were done: "With the same goad Shamgar his oxen drives "Which took, the sun before, six hundred lives "From his sham'd foes: he midst his work dealt

"laws;

170

"And oft was his plough stopp'd to hear a cause: " Nor did great Gideon his old flail disdain, "After won fields, sack'd towns, and princes slain; "His sceptre that, and Ophra's threshing-floor "The seat and emblem of his justice bore. "What should I Jair, the happiest father, name? "Or mournful Jephtha, known no less to fame 175 "For the most wretched? Both at once did keep

"Oft from the field in haste they summon'd were "Some weighty foreign embassy to hear;

They call'd their slaves, their sons, and friends, 180

" around,

"Who all at several cares were scatter'd found; "They wash'd their feet, their only gown put on, "And this chief work of ceremony was done. "These reasons, and all else that could be said, "In a ripe hour by factious eloquence spread 185 "Through all the tribes, make all desire a king; "And to their Judge selected deputies bring "This harsh demand; which Nacol for the rest "(A bold and artful mouth) thus with much grace 66 express'd :

195

"We're come, most sacred Judge, to pay th'arrears "Of much-ow'd thanks, for the bright thirty years "Of your just reign; and at your feet to lay "All that our grateful hearts can weakly pay "In unproportion'd words; for you alone "The not unfit reward, who seek for none. "But, when our forepast ills we call to mind, "And sadly think how little 's left behind "Of your important life, whose sudden date "Would disinherit th' unprovided state; "When we consider how unjust 't is, you, 200 "Who ne'er of power more than the burthen knew, "At once the weight of that and age should have "Your stooping days press'd doubly towards the "grave);

"When we behold by Ammon's youthful rage, "Proud in th' advantage of your peaceful age, 205

"And all th' united East, our fall conspir'd;

"And that your sons, whom chiefly we desir'd "As stamps of you, in your lov'd room to place, "By unlike acts that noble stamp deface; "Midst these new fears and ills we're forc'd to fly "T" a new, and yet unpractis'd, remedy; "A new one, but long promis'd, and foretold

By Moses, and to Abraham shown of old ;

"A prophecy long forming in the womb

211

"Of teeming years, and now to ripeness come. 215 "This remedy's a King; for this we all

"With an inspir'd and zealous union call:

And, in one sound when all men's voices join, "The musick 's tun'd, no doubt, by hand divine:

""Tis God alone speaks a whole nation's voice; 220 "That is his publick language; but the choice "Of what Peculiar head that crown must bear, "From you, who his Peculiar organ are, "We' expect to hear: the people shall to you "Their king, the king his crown and people, owe. 225 "To your great name what lustre will it bring "T' have been our Judge, and to have made our "King!

"He bow'd, and ended here; and Samuel straight, "Pausing awhile at this great question's weight, "With a grave sigh, and with a thoughtful eye, 230 "That more of care than passion did descry, "Calmly replies-You're sure the first, said he, "Of freeborn men that begg'd for slavery. "I fear, my friends, with heavenly manna fed

(Our old forefathers' crime), we lust for bread. 235

"Long since by God from bondage drawn, I fear, "We build anew th' Egyptian brick-kiln here. "Cheat not yourselves with words; for, though a "King

"Be the mild name, a Tyrant is the thing.

"Let his power loose, and you shall quickly see 240 "How mild a thing unbounded man will be. "He'll lead you forth your hearts' cheap blood to

"Where'er his guideless passion leads his will:

"Ambition, lust, or spleen, his wars will raise; "Your lives' best price his thirst of wealth or praise: "Your ablest sons for his proud guards he'll take, "And by such hands your yoke more grievous make: "Your daughters and dear wives he 'll force away; "His luxury some, and some his lust, t' obey:

"His idle friends your hungry toils shall eat, 250 "Drink your rich wines, mix'd with your blood and "sweat.

"Then you'll all sigh: but sighs will treasons be; "And not your griefs themselves, or looks, be free: "Robb'd ev'n of hopes, when you these ills sustain, "Your watery eyes you'll then turn back in vain 255 "On your old Judges, and perhaps on me,

Nay, ev'n my sons, howe'er they' unhappy be "In your displeasure now; not that I'd clear "Their guilt, or mine own innocence indear: "Witness th' unutterable Name, there's nought 260 "Of private ends into this question brought. "But why this yoke on your own necks to draw? "Why man your God, and passion made your Law?

265

"Methinks (thus Moab interrupts him here) "The good old seer 'gainst Kings was too severe. ""Tis jest to tell a people that they're free; "Who, or How many, shall their masters be "Is the sole doubt; laws guide, but cannot reign; "And, though they bind not kings, yet they restrain. "I dare affirm (so much I trust their love) 270 "That no one Moabite would his speech approve. "But, pray go on.-'T is true, Sir, he replies; "Yet men whom age and action render wise "So much great changes fear, that they believe "All evils will, which may, from them arrive. 275 "On men resolv'd these threats were spent in vain; "All that his power or eloquence could obtain "Was, to enquire God's will ere they proceed "T' a work that would so much his blessing need. "A solemn day for this great work is set,

"And at th' anointed tent all Israel met

280

286

"Expect th' event; below, fair bullocks fry "In hallow'd flames; above, there mount on high "The precious clouds of incense; and, at last, "The sprinkling, prayers, and all due honours, past, "Lo! we the sacred bells o' th' sudden hear, "And in mild pomp grave Samuel does appear. "His ephod, mitre, well-cut diadem, on; "Th' oraculous stones on his rich breast-plate shone. "Tow'rds the blue curtains of God's holiest place "(The temple's bright third heaven) he turn'd his face; "Thrice bow'd he, thrice the solemn musick play'd, "And at third rest thus the great prophet pray'd: