1110
Long must his patience strive with fortune's rage,
And long-opposing gods themselves engage;
Must see his country flame, his friends destroy'd,
Before the promised empire be enjoy'd.
Such toil of fate must build a man of fame,
And such, to Israel's crown, the godlike David came.

What sudden beams dispel the clouds so fast,
Whose drenching rains laid all our vineyards waste?
The spring, so far behind her course delay'd,
On the instant is in all her bloom array'd; 1120
The winds breathe low, the element serene;
Yet mark what motion in the waves is seen!
Thronging and busy as Hyblaean swarms,
Or straggled soldiers summon'd to their arms,
See where the princely bark in loosest pride,
With all her guardian fleet, adorns the tide!
High on her deck the royal lovers stand,
Our crimes to pardon, e'er they touch'd our land.
Welcome to Israel and to David's breast!
Here all your toils, here all your sufferings rest. 1130

This year did Ziloah rule Jerusalem,
And boldly all sedition's surges stem,
Howe'er encumber'd with a viler pair
Than Ziph or Shimei to assist the chair;
Yet Ziloah's loyal labours so prevail'd,
That faction at the next election fail'd,
When even the common cry did justice found,
And merit by the multitude was crown'd:
With David then was Israel's peace restored,
Crowds mourn'd their error, and obey'd their lord. 1140

* * * * *

A KEY TO BOTH PARTS OF ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL.

_Aldael_--General Monk, Duke of Albemarle.

_Abethdin_--The name given, through
this poem, to a Lord-Chancellor
in general.

_Absalom_--Duke of Monmouth, natural
son of King Charles II.

_Achitophel_--Anthony Ashley Cooper,
Earl of Shaftesbury.

_Adriel_--John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave.

_Agag_--Sir Edmundbury Godfrey.

_Amiel_--Mr Seymour, Speaker of the
House of Commons.

_Amri_--Sir Heneage Finch, Earl of
Winchelsea, and Lord Chancellor.

_Annabel_--Duchess of Monmouth.

_Arod_--Sir William Waller.

_Asaph_--A character drawn by Tate
for Dryden, in the second part
of this poem.

_Balaam_--Earl of Huntingdon.

_Balak_--Barnet.

_Barzillai_--Duke of Ormond.

_Bathsheba_--Duchess of Portsmouth.

_Benaiah_--General Sackville.

_Ben Jochanan_--Rev. Samuel Johnson.

_Bezaliel_--Duke of Beaufort.