t,
Did once Chief Judge of all _Judea_ sit;
Was then esteem'd the Honor of the Gown, }
And with his Vertues sought to serve the Crown, }
Till Foes procur'd him _Amazia_'s Frown. }
Then he descended from the hight of Place,
Without a Blemish, and without Disgrace;
Yet inly griev'd; for he could well divine
The Issue of the _Baalites_ curs'd Design,
To see Religion, and God's Righteous Cause,
The Ancient Government, the Nation's Laws,
Unpropping, and all ready strait to fall,
And the whole Race of _Jews_ made Slaves to _Baal_:
With Zeal inspired, boldly up he 'rose,
To wrestle with the King's, and Nation's Foes;
And tho' he was with Wealth and Honor blest,
He scorn'd to give his Age its needful Rest:
He learn'd, that man was not born for himself,
To get great Titles, Names, or sordid Pelf,
To wear a lazy Life, himself to please,
With Idleness, and with luxurious Ease:
When he beheld his Country in distress,
And none the Danger able to redress,
He did resolve, tho' not affecting Fame,
Or to obtain a Patriot's Glorious Name,
His Rest, his Life, his Fortune to expose,
Rather than see his Countrey's dangerous Foes
Run on uncheck'd, till they had brought the Land,
To their, and to a _Baalite_ King's Command.
He could not therefore so himself forget,
To see the Barques of Government o'erset;
But with his Skill he help'd the Boat to trim,
And boldly did oppose _Eliakim_.
_Eliakim_ was Brother to the King,
From the same Loins, and Royal _Seed_ did spring;
Of Courage bold, and of a daring mind, }
To whom the King, ev'n to Excess was kind; }
And tho' he had a Son, for him the Crown design'd. }
Sweet _Azaria_, like the beauteous Morn,
Whence all Sweets flow, did once that Court adorn,
A budding Rose, whose Beauty's newly blown,
Or like a Cedar on Mount _Lebanon_:
He in his Father's Grace, and Favor grew,
And towards him the People's Eyes he drew.
He was by most belov'd, admir'd by all,
For's Zeal to God, and's Hatred unto _Baal_:
But ah! this mov'd the cursed _Baalite_'s Hate,
Disturb'd his Peace, and Troubles did create.
What can't Design and Hellish Malice do?
With Lyes they close this Noble Prince pursue.
They think his Father too indulgent grown,
Whose Love had many Blessings on him thrown,
But what exceeded all the rest beside,
He chose the sweet _Jerusha_ for his Bride:
A Blessing he esteemed far above
The Crown, and all things but his Father's Love:
For that he still above