David. And what is death? Is it so terrible to die, my brother? Or grant it terrible, is it for that The less inevitable? If, indeed We could by stratagem elude the blow, When some high duty calls us forth to die, And thus for ever shun it, and escape The universal lot,-then fond self-love, Then cautious Prudence, boldly might produce Their fine-spun arguments, their learn'd harangues, Their cobweb arts, their phrase sophistical, Their subtle doubts, and all the specious trick 'Tis the giant! I see him not, but hear his measur'd pace. Eliab. Look, where his pond'rous shield is borne before him! David. Like a broad moon its ample disk portends. But soft!-what unknown prodigy appears? A moving mountain cas'd in polish'd brass! Eliab (getting behind David.) How's this? Thou dost not tremble. Thy firm joints Betray no fear; thy accents are not broken; Thy cheek retains its red; thine eye its lustre, He comes more near! Dost thou not fear him how? David. No The vast colossal statue nor inspires Respect nor fear. Mere magnitude of form, VOL. I. 13 Without proportion'd intellect and valour, Strikes not my soul with rev'rence or with awe. Eliab. Near, and more near he comes! I hold it rash To stay so near him, and expose a life Farewell. [Exit. [GOLIATH advances, clad in complete armour. One bearing his shield precedes him. The opposing armies are seen at a distance, drawn up on each side of the valley. GOLIATH begins to speak before he comes on. DAVID stands in the same place, with an air of indifference.] Goliath. Where is this mighty man of war, who dares Accept the challenge of Philistia's chief? What victor king, what gen'ral drench'd in Claims this high privilege? What are his blood, rights. What proud credentials does the boaster bring To prove his claim? What cities laid in ashes? What ruin'd provinces? What slaughter'd What heads of heroes, and what hearts of realms ? In battle kill'd, or at his altars slain, kings, Thick set with spears, and swords, and Has he to boast? Is his bright armory coats of mail Subdu'd? Where is the mortal man so bold, Philistia's gods to Israel's. Sound, my herald Sound for the battle strait. Whom Israel sends to meet my bold defi- | And yet not tamely, since by me 'twas won. on me. When with this good right arm 1 thinn'd your ranks, And bravely crush'd, beneath a single blow Goliath. On thee! On thee! By Dagon, 'tis too much! Thou curled minion! thou a nation's cham- I bore to Ashdod. pion! "Twould move my mirth at any other time; But trifling's out of tune, begone, light boy! And tempt me not too far. David. I do defy thee, Thou foul idolator! Hast thou not scorn'd Unshrinking, I dare meet the stoutest foe rage. I will not stain the honour of my spear With thy inglorious blood. Shall that fair cheek Be scar'd with wounds unseemly? Rather go And hold fond dalliance with the Syrian maids; To wanton measures dance, and let them The bright luxuriance of thy golden hair; Peace, thou unhallow'd railer! By mighty Samson* found one common grave: When his broad shoulder the firm pillars heav'd, And to its base the tott'ring fabric shook. The infamy of that glorious day, Your talisman, your charm, your boasted Of safety and success, was tamely lost! Judges, c. xvi. † Samuel, e. v. David. Since thou provok'st th' unwelcome truth, how all Your blushing priests beheld their idol's shame; When prostrate Dagon fell before the ark, Idolatrous Philistia, flew for succour Gladiy, with reverential awe restor❜d. Goliath. By Ashdod's fane thou ly'st. Thou insect warrior, since thou dar'st me Already I behold thy mangled limbs, me well. Around my spear I'll twist thy shining locks, And toss in air thy head all gash'd with wounds, Thy lip yet quiv'ring with the dire convul While rash bravery of boiling blood, The gen'rous child of Fortitude and Faith, Goliath. The curses of Philistia's gods be This fine-drawn speech is meant to lengthen out That little life thy words pretend to scorn. David. Ha! say'st thou so? Come on then, Mark us well. Thou com'st to me with sword, and spear, and shield; In the dread name of Israel's God I come; The living Lord of Hosts, whom thou defy'st! Yet though no shield I bring, no arms except These five smooth stones I gather'd from the brook, ⚫ Commentators say, that Challee paraphrase makes Goliath boast that be bad kiled Hophui and Phineas, and taken the ark prisoner. Jacob, [Saul If yet thou hast not quite withdrawn from Thy light and favour, prosper me this once! But Abner comes! I dread to hear his tale! Fair hope, with smiling face but ling ring foot, With such a simple sling as shepherd's use-Those shouts proclaim it! Now, O God of Scene-The tent of Saul. Saul (rising from his couch. ) OH! that Or, like Chaldean sages, could foreknow Why did my wounded pride with scorn re- Raise my sunk soul, and my benighted mind Each ray of op'ning merit I discern In friend or foe, distracts my troubled soul, Lest he should prove my rival. But this Has long deceiv'd me. King of Israel, hail! Saul. Oh speak thy tale again, Lest my fond ears deceive me! Abner. Has slain the giant. Saul. Thy young champion Then God is gracious still, In spite of my offences! But good Abner! How was it? Tell me all. Where is my champion? Quick let me press him to my grateful heart, And pay him a king's thanks. And yet, who knows, [foe! This forward friend may prove an active No more of that. Tell me the whole, brave Abner! [hero! And paint the glorious acts of my young Abner. Full in the centre of the camp he stood! Th' opposing armies rang'd on either side In proud array. The haughty giant stalk'd Stately across the valley. Next the youth With modest confidence advanc'd. Nor pomp, Nor gay parade, nor martial ornament, And from his well-directed sling quick hurl'd, With dext'rous aim, a stone, which sunk, deep lodg'd, In the capacious forehead of the foe. And fell: the mighty mass of man fell prone. With its own weight his shatter'd bulk was bruis'd. His clattering arms rung dreadfully through the field, And the firm basis of the solid earth [youth curs'd his gods, And died blaspheming! Strait the victor Drew from his sheath the giant's pond'rous sword, And from th' enormous trunk the goary head Furious in death he sever'd. The grim visage Look'd threat'ning still, and still frown'd Expell'd the melancholy fiend, whose pow'r horribly. [queror! Enslav'd thy spirit. Saul. O glorious deed! O valiant con- Saul. This the modest youth, Abner. The youth so calm appear'd, so Whom for his skill and virtues I préferr'd nobly firm, To bear my armour ? David. I am he, O king! Saul. Why this concealment? tell me, valiant David, So cool, yet so intrepid, that these eyes Ne'er saw such temp'rate valour so chastis'd By modesty. Thou dwell'st upon his praise With needless circumstance. 'Twas nobly done; But others too have fought! shame [me: Harsh obloquy, and foul disgrace, befallen [now? Why didst thou hide thy birth and name till David. O king! I would not aught from favour claim, Or on remember'd services presume; Abner. Well he merits The honours which await him. Why, O king, Dost thou delay to bless his doubting heart With his well-earn'd rewards! Thy lovely daughter, By right of conquest his! Saul. (to David.) True: thou hast won her. [past. She shall be thine. Yes, a king's word is David. O boundless blessing! What shall A rival's praise discord to my ear! They might have spar'd This idle pageantry; it wounds my soul! But prosp'rous fortune gains the praise of [Martial symphony: after which, chorus of valour. [perior! Saul. I like not this. In every thing suHe soars above me (aside. )-Modest youth thou'rt right. [praise And fortune, as thou say'st, deserves the David. Rather say The God of Hosts deserves it. women sing. PREPARE! your festal rites prepare! Let your triumphs rend the air! Let heathen hosts on human helps repose, Let remotest nations know Who fears the Lord of Glory, need not fear See, the routed squadron fly! How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, who didst weaken the nations!--Isaiah. The subject is taken from the fifth chapter of the Prophet Daniel. PART J. Scene-Near the palace of Babylon. DANIEL AND CAPTIVE JEWS. Dan. PARENT of Life and Light! Sole Source of Good! [time, Whose tender mercies through the tide of In long successive order, have sustain'd, And sav'd the sons of Israel! Thou, whose power Deliver'd righteous Noah from the flood, The whelming flood, the grave of human kind! Oh Thou, whose guardian care and out- Rescued young Isaac from the lifted arm, What all-controlling hand had force But His whose fiat gave them first to shine? Tir'd of Jehovah's rule, desir'd a king, In anger gav'st them Saul; and then again Did'st wrest the regal sceptre from his hand By wonder-working love, though they re-To give it David-David, best belov'd! them bell'd And murmur'd at the miracles that sav'd them! O hear thy servant Daniel! hear and help! raise Successive leaders to defend our race; Where the revolving planet of the night, Thou who did'st suffer Solomon the wise now: Altar or sanctuary, none is left. CHORUS OF JEWS. O JUDAH let thy captive sons deplore Thy far-fam'd temple 's now no more! Fall'n is thy sacred fane, thy glory gone! Fall'n is thy temple, Solomon! |
