[1]
ABSALOM
AND
ACHITOPHEL.
A POEM.
IN pious times, e're priest-craft did begin,
Before Polygamy was made a Sin;
When Man, on many, multipli'd his kind,
E're one to one was, cursedly, confin'd:
When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd
Promiscuous Use of Concubine and Bride;
Then, Israel's monarch, after Heavens own heart,
His vigorous warmth did, variously, impart
To Wives and Slaves: And, wide as his Command,
Scatter'd his Maker's Image through the Land.
Michal, of Royal Blood, the Crown did wear;
A Soil ungrateful to the Tiller's care:
Not so the rest; for several Mothers bore
To God-like David, several Sons before.
But since like Slaves his Bed they did ascend,
No true Succession could their Seed attend.
Of all this Numerous Progeny was none
So Beautiful, so Brave as Absalon:
Whether, inspir'd by some diviner Lust,
His Father got him with a greater Gust;
Before Polygamy was made a Sin;
When Man, on many, multipli'd his kind,
E're one to one was, cursedly, confin'd:
When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd
Promiscuous Use of Concubine and Bride;
Then, Israel's monarch, after Heavens own heart,
His vigorous warmth did, variously, impart
To Wives and Slaves: And, wide as his Command,
Scatter'd his Maker's Image through the Land.
Michal, of Royal Blood, the Crown did wear;
A Soil ungrateful to the Tiller's care:
Not so the rest; for several Mothers bore
To God-like David, several Sons before.
But since like Slaves his Bed they did ascend,
No true Succession could their Seed attend.
Of all this Numerous Progeny was none
So Beautiful, so Brave as Absalon:
Whether, inspir'd by some diviner Lust,
His Father got him with a greater Gust;
