DAVID AND GOLIATH. PART II. SCENE- The Camp. ELIAB, ABINADAB, ABNER, ISRAELITES. El. STILL is th' event of this long war uncertain; Still do the adverse hosts on either side Protract, with ling'ring caution, an encounter, Abin. This descent, Thus to the very confines of our land, Th' uncircumcis'd Philistines pitch their tents El. Full forty days Abin. 'Tis near the time When in th' adjacent valley which divides Th' opposing armies, he is wont to make His daily challenge. El. Abin. How, David here! whence this unlook'd-for guest? El. A spy upon our actions; sent, no doubt, Enter DAVID. Dav. All hail, my dearest brothers! El. True love, or arrogant scorn? Means thy greeting Oh, most true love! Dav. As my touch'd bosom feels at your approach. El. Still that fine glozing speech, those holy saws, And all that trick of studied sanctity, Of smooth-turn'd periods and trim eloquence, Which charms thy doating father! But confess, What dost thou here? Is it to soothe thy pride, And gratify thy vain desire to roam In quest of pleasures unallow'd? or com'st thou, A willing spy, to note thy brother's deeds? Where hast thou left those few poor straggling sheep? More suited to thy ignorance and years The care of those, than here to wander idly: Why cam'st thou hither? Dav. Is there not a cause? Why that displeasure kindling in thine eye, Or fondly to indulge a curious ear Behold him there: great Abner fam'd in arms. Dav. I bring thee, mighty Abner, from my father (A simple shepherd swain in yonder vale), Such humble gifts as shepherd swains bestow. Ab. Thanks, gentle youth! with pleasure I receive The grateful off'ring. Why does thy quick eye Thus wander with unsatisfied delight? Dav. New as I am to all the trade of war, Each sound has novelty; each thing I see Attracts attention; every noise I hear Awakes confus'd emotions; indistinct, Yet full of charming tumult, sweet distraction. [Sound of trumpet. Ab. "Tis the Philistine, Proclaiming by his herald, through the ranks, His near approach. Each morning he repeats His challenge to our bands. Ha! what Philistine? Dav. Who is he? El. Wherefore ask? for thy raw youth And rustic ignorance, 'twere fitter learn Some rural art! some secret to prevent That shout myterious! Pray you, (to Abner) tell me who This proud Philistine is, who sends defiance To Israel's hardy chieftains? Ab. Stranger youth! So lovely and so mild is thy demeanour, Thy blooming features, thou hast won my love: Dav. Mighty Abner, thanks! Ab. Thrice, and no more, he sounds, his daily rule! Than twice three cubits. On his tow'ring head Save by his own. An armour-bearer walks Dav. Say, mighty Abner, What are the haughty terms of his defiance? Ab. Proudly he stalks around th' extremest bounds. |