Classic Poem

DAVID'S LAMENTATION

Both excellent they were, both equally alli'd
On Nature, and on Valour's side:
Great Saul , who scorn'd a Rival in Renown,
Yet envied not the Fame of's greater Son,
By him, endur'd to be surpass'd alone:
He gallant Prince, did his whole Father shew,
And fast, as he could set, the well-writ Copies drew,
And blush'd, that Duty bid him not out-go:
Together they did both the paths to Glory trace,
Together hunted in the noble Chace,
Together finish'd their united Race:
There only did they prove unfortunate,
Never till then unbless'd by Fate,
Yet there they ceas'd not to be great;
Fearless they met, and brav'd their threaten'd fall,
And fought when Heav'n revolted, Fortune durst rebel.
When publick safety, and their Countries care
Requir'd their Aid, and call'd them to the toils of War;
As Parent-Eagles, summon'd by their Infants cries
Whom some rude hands would make a Prize,
Hast to Relief, and with their wings out-fly their eyes;
So swift did they their speedy succour bear,
So swift the bold Aggressors seize,
So swift attack, so swift pursue the vanquish'd enemies:
The vanquish'd enemies with all the wings of Fear
Mov'd not so quick as they,
Scarce could their souls fly fast enough away.
Bolder than Lions, they thick Dangers met,
Thro Fields with armed Troops, and pointed Harvests set,
Nothing could tame their Rage, or quench their generous Heat:
Like those, they march'd undaunted, and like those,
Secure of Wounds, and all that durst oppose,
So to Resisters fierce, so gentle to their prostrate Foes.