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Got, while his soul did huddled notions try,

And born a shapeless lump, like anarchy.
In friendship false, implacable in hate,
Resolved to ruin or to rule the state;
To compass this the triple bond he broke,
The pillars of the public safety shook, 176
And fitted Israel for a foreign yoke;
Then, seized with fear, yet still affecting
fame,

Usurped a patriot's all-atoning name.
So easy still it proves in factious times 180
With public zeal to cancel private crimes.
How safe is treason, and how sacred ill,
Where none can sin against the people's
will!

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Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed,
Yet sprung from high is of celestial seed;
In God 'tis glory, and when men aspire,
'Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire.
The ambitious youth, too covetous of fame,
Too full of angels' metal in his frame, 310
Unwarily was led from virtue's ways,
Made drunk with honor, and debauched
with praise.

Half loth, and half consenting to the ill,
(For loyal blood within him struggled still,)
He thus replied: "And what pretence
have I

315

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And late augment the number of the blest, His lawful issue shall the throne ascend, Or the collateral line, where that shall end.

His brother, though oppressed with vulgar spite,

Yet dauntless and secure of native right, Of every royal virtue stands possessed, 355 Still dear to all the bravest and the best. His courage goes, his friends his truth proclaim,

His loyalty the King, the world his fame. His mercy even the offending crowd will find,

For sure he comes of a forgiving kind. 360 Why should I then repine at Heaven's decree,

Which gives me no pretence to royalty? Yet oh that Fate, propitiously inclined, Had raised my birth, or had debased my

mind;

To my large soul not all her treasure lent,
And then betrayed it to a mean descent!
I find, I find my mounting spirits bold,
And David's part disdains my mother's
mould.

Why am I scanted by a niggard birth? 369
My soul disdains the kindred of her earth,
And, made for empire, whispers me within,
'Desire of greatness is a god-like sin.""

Him staggering so when Hell's dire agent found,

While fainting virtue scarce maintained her ground,

He pours fresh forces in, and thus replies:

375

"The eternal God, supremely good and wise,

Imparts not these prodigious gifts in vain. What wonders are reserved to bless your reign!

Against your will your arguments have shown

379

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364

But charming greatness since so few refuse, 485 'Tis juster to lament him than accuse.

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And that his noble style he might refine, No Rechabite more shunned the fumes of wine.

Chaste were his cellars, and his shrieval board

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The grossness of a city feast abhorred: His cooks with long disuse their trade Oh foolish Israel! never warned by ill! forgot; Still the same bait, and circumvented still! Cool was his kitchen, though his brains Did ever men forsake their present ease, were hot.

620

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756

In midst of health imagine a disease,
Take pains contingent mischiefs to foresee,
Make heirs for monarchs, and for God
decree?

What shall we think? Can people give away

Both for themselves and sons their native sway? 760 Then they are left defenceless to the sword Of each unbounded, arbitrary lord; And laws are vain by which we right enjoy, If kings unquestioned can those laws destroy.

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