rs lost.
_Zuar_, a sober and a vertuous Prince,
Who never gave least cause of an offence.
_Elishama_, at once both sage and young, }
From noble and from loyal Fathers sprung, }
Shone bright among this sober Princely throng. }
_Enan_, a Prince of very worthie Fame;
Great in deserved Title, Bloud, and Name.
_Elizur_ too, who number'd with the best
In Vertue, scorn'd to lag behind the rest.
_Abidon_ and _Gamaliel_ had some sway;
Both loyal, and both zealous in their way.
And now once more I will invoke my Muse,
To sing brave _Ashur_'s praise who can refuse?
Sprung from an ancient and a noble Race,
With Courage stampt upon his manly face;
Young, active, loyal; had through Dangers run,
And with his Sword abroad had Honours won:
Well-spoken, bold, free, generous, and kind,
And of a noble and discerning mind.
Great ones he scorn'd to court, nor fools would please,
But thought it better for to trust the Seas.
He thought himself far safer in a Storm,
And should receive from raging Seas less harm,
Than from those dangerous men, who could create
A Storm at Land, with Envie and with Hate.
And now got free from all their Trains and Wiles, }
He at their hateful Plots and Malice smiles, }
Plowing the Ocean for new Honour toils. }
These were the chief; a good and faithful Band }
Of Princes, who against those men durst stand }
Whose Counsel sought to ruine all the Land. }
With grief they saw the cursed _Baalites_ bent
To batter down the _Jewish_ Government;
To pull their Rights and true Religion down,
By setting up a _Baalite_ on the Throne.
These wisely did with the _Sanhedrim_ joyn;
Which Council by the _Jews_ was thought divine.
The next Successour would remove, 'tis true,
Onely because he was a _Baalite_ Jew.
Ills they foresaw, and the great danger found, }
Which to the King (as by their Dutie bound) }
They shew'd, and open laid the bleeding Wound. }
But such who had possest his Royal Ear,
Had made the King his Loyal Subjects fear;
Did their good Prince with causeless terrour fright,
As if these meant to rob him of his Right.
Said, They with other Rebels did combine,
And had against his Crown some ill designe:
That the wise _Hushai_ laid a wicked Train,
And _Azaria_ sought in's stead to reign:
That the old Plot to ruine Church and State,
Was born from _Hushai_'s and the _Levite_'s Pate:
That _Pharisees_ were bold and numerous grown,
And sought to place their Elders in his Throne.
No