Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/161

Plunged in the thickest ranks devoid of fear,
And bought thy kingdom's safety with his spear.
—That moving mountain clad in polish'd mail,
Whose thundering step struck all our legions pale,
Unarm'd he met!—the threat'ning champion fell,
God by this stripling rescued Israel.
Loud shouts of joy through ransom'd millions spread
Relieved from shuddering fear and sleepless dread,
It seem'd the very woods and valleys spake,
And thou, thyself, did'st in that joy partake;—
And when by virtues pure, and service hard,
He won thy daughter's heart, and God's regard,
Without a cause shall thy resentment run,
Impeach thy sceptre, and destroy thy son?"—
—Breathless he paused,— but ere his voice was hush'd,
Before the son the conscious father blush'd,
Shame struggled in his breast, and half amazed
At his own guilt, his hand to heaven he raised.
"Now by His life who rends the scroll of time,
Who prospers virtue and denounces crime,
Even by His truth who rules the wrathful main,
David shall live, thou hast not sued in vain."—
—On joy's quick wing the prince impatient fled,
And toward the throne his friend exulting led,
Scarce could the sick'ning king with patience brook
His gentle bearing, and reproachless look,—
And half he wish'd that unoffending smile
Had been the mask of perfidy or guile,—
Wish'd that but once he had betray 'd his trust,
Had been less upright, and he less unjust.
But soon remorse her scorpion-scourge resign'd,
And virtue's greeting calm'd his troubled mind,