Anti-Achitophel (1682) - Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Elkanah Settle;Samuel Pordage
page 32 of 140 (22%)
page 32 of 140 (22%)
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Falling from _Israels_ Faith; from _Israels_ Cause,
Peace, Honour, Int'rest, all at once withdraws: Nor is he deaf t'a Kingdoms Groans alone, But could behold ev'n _Davids_ shaking Throne; _David_, whose Bounty rais'd his glittering Pride, The Basis of his Glories Pyramide. But Duty, Gratitude, all ruin'd fall: Zeal blazes, and Oblivion swallows all. So _Sodom_ did both burnt and drown'd expire; A poyson'd Lake succeeds a Pile of Fire. On this Foundation _Baals_ last Hope was built, The sure Retreat for all their Sallying Guilt: A Royal Harbour, where the rowling Pride Of _Israels_ Foes might safe at Anchor ride; Defie all Dangers, and even Tempests scorn, Though _Judahs_ God should Thunder in the Storm. Here _Israels_ Laws, the dull Levitick Rolls, At once a clog to Empire, and to Souls, Are the first Martyrs to the Fire they doom, To make great _Baals_ Triumphant Legends room. But ere their hands this glorious work can Crown, Their long-known Foe the Sanedrin must down; Sanedrins the Free-born _Israels_ Sacred Right, That God-like Ballance of Imperial Might; Where Subjects are from Tyrant-Lords set free, _From that wild Thing unbounded man would be_; Where Pow'r and Clemency are poys'd so even, A Constitution that resembles Heav'n. |
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