And who for this can _Amazia_ blame,
If that the King the Father overcame?
For Crowns by Kings esteemed are more near,
Than Children, or than Sons, belov'd more dear.
His Foes, _Baal_'s Friends, had laid their artful Snairs,
Hight'ned his Father's Jealousies and Fears,
And made each innocent Action of the Prince,
To give his Jealous Father an Offence.
If with wise _Hushai_ they the Prince did see,
They call'd their Meeting a Conspiracy,
And cry, that he was going to rebell:
Him _Absalom_ they name, _Hushai_ _Achitophel_.
With Slander thus the Prince they did pursue,
Aiming at's Life, and the wise _Hushai_'s too.
When they much pleased, and triumphing saw,
The King his Royal Favors to withdraw,
Which like a Spring on him before did flow,
And from him, all on others to bestow:
Defenceless left, naked, almost forlorn,
Subject to every trifling Rhimers Scorn,
And beyond _Jordan_ by their malice drove,
No Succor left him but the People's Love;
(For he was still their Darling and Delight,
Because they saw he was no _Baalite_,)
Their Hopes now almost at their Height did seem,
To place the Crown upon _Eliakim_.

The _Jews_, God's People and peculiar Care,
For their true Worship still most zealous were;
That Jewel seem'd most pretious in their Eyes,