Poems (Davidson)/David and Jonathan

by Lucretia Maria Davidson

DAVID AND JONATHAN.

On the brow of Gilboa is war's bloody stain,—
The pride and the beauty of Israel is slain!
O publish it not.in proud Askelon's street,
Nor tell it in Gath, lest in triumph they meet,
          For how are the mighty fallen!

O mount of Gilboa, no dew shalt thou see,
Save the blood of the Philistine fall upon thee;
For the strong-pinioned eagle of Israel is dead;
Thy brow is his pillow, thy bosom his bed!
          O how are the mighty fallen!

Weep, daughters of Israel, weep o'er his grave!
What breast will now pity, what arm will now save?
O my brother! my brother! this heart bleeds for thee,
For thou wert a friend and a brother to me!
          Ah, how are the mighty fallen!