ngry if the like be returned to himself: _Lex
talionis_ is a general and natural Law. I call not this an Answer to
_Absalom_, I have nothing to do with him, he was a Rebel to his Father;
my _Azaria_ a good Son, influenced by a worthy and Loyal Counsellor, and
_Achitophel_ and _Hushai_ were men of contrary Opinions, and different
Principles: And if Poets (as it is often brought for their excuse, when
they vary from known History) ought to represent Persons as they ought
to be, I have not transcurred the Precepts of Poetry, and _Absalom_ is
not so good a Poem, because his Character is not so agreeable to the
virtue of an Heroe, as this of _Azaria_ is: But certainly when Poetry
and Truth are joyned together, and that the persons are truly what they
are represented, and liv'd their Character, the glory is double, both to
the Heroe and the Poet: And I could wish, that the same Hand, that drew
the Rebellious Son, with so much Ingenuity and Skill, would out do mine,
in shewing the virtues of an obedient Son and loyal Counsellor, since
he may have as much Truth for a Foundation to build upon, the Artful
Structure of the Heroes Glory, with his own Fame and Immortality.

AZARIA AND HUSHAI,

A POEM.

In Impious Times, when Priest-craft was at height,
And all the Deadly Sins esteemed light;
When that Religion only was a Stale,
And some bow'd down to God, and some to _Baal_;
When Perjury was scarce esteem'd a Sin,
And Vice, like flowing Tides, came rowling in;
When Luxury, Debauch, and Concubine,
The sad Effects of Women and of Wine,
Rag'd in _Judea_ and _Jerusalem_,
Good _Amazia_ of great _David_'s Stem,
God-like and great in Peace did rule that Land,
And all the _Jews_ stoop'd to his just Command.
Long now in _Sion_ had he Peace enjoy'd,
After that Civil Broils the Land destroy'd:
Plenty and Peace attended on his Reign,
And _Solomon_'s Golden days return'd again;
When the Old _Canaanites_, who there did lurk,
Began to find both God and King new Work:
For _Amazia_, tho' he God did love,
Had not cast out _Baal_'s Priests, and cut down every Grove.
Too oft Religion's made pretence for Sin,
About it in all Ages Strife has been;
But Int'rest, which at bottom doth remain,
Which still converts all Godliness to Gain,
What e'er Pretence is made, is the true Cause,
That moves the Priest, and like the Load-stone draws.
The _Canaanites_ of Old that Land possess'd,
And long therein Idolatr