Son.
Once in Religion a strict _Pharisee_,
To _Baal_'s then turn'd, or else of none was he.
He long before seem'd to approve their Rites,
Marrying his issue to the _Baalites_.
A constant hunter after sordid Pelf;
Was never just to any but himself:
A very _Proteus_ in all shapes had been,
And constant onely, and grown old in sin.
To speak the best of _Amalack_ we can,
A cunning Devil in the shape of Man.
_Muppim_, a man of an huge working Pate,
Not how to heal, but to embroil the State;
Knew how to take the wrong, and leave the right;
Was once himself a Rebel _Benjamite_.
To that stiff Tribe he did a while give Law,
And with his iron Yokes kept them in aw.
The Tyrant _Zabed_ less did them provoke,
And laid upon their necks a gentler Yoke.
Amongst that Tribe he left an hated Name,
And to _Jerusalem_ from thence he came,
Where he tyrannick Arts sought to intrude, }
To learn which, _Amazia_ was too good, }
And better the _Jews_ temper understood. }
Refus'd, the Serpent did with Woman joyn,
And Counsels gave th'_Egyptian_ Concubine.
_Adam_, first Monarch, fell between these two;
What can't the Serpent and a Woman do?
These with some more of the like size and sort,
In _Sion_ made up _Amazia_'s Court:
Whilst his best friends became these Rulers scorn,
Saw how they drove, and did in silence mourn.
_Sion_ did then no Sacrifice afford;
_Gibbar_ had taught the frugal King to board.
Void were its Cellars, Kitchins never hot,
And all the Feasts of _Solomon_ forgot.
Others there were, whose Names I shan't repeat;
_Eliakim_ had friends both small and great:
And many, who then for his Favour strove,
With their hot heads, like furious _Jehu_, drove.
Some Wits, some Witless, Warriors, Rich and Poor,
Some who rich Clothes and empty Titles wore;
Some who knew how to rail, some to accuse,
And some who haunted Taverns and the Stews.
Some roaring Bullies, who ran th'row the Town
Crying, God damn 'um, they'd support the Crown:
Whose wicked Oaths, and whose blasphemous Rant,
Had quite put down the holy zealous Cant.
Some were for War, and some on Mischief bent;
And some who could, for gain, new Plots invent.
Some Priests and Levites too among the rest,
Such as knew how to blow the Trumpet best:
Who with loud noise and cackling, cri'd like Geese,
For Rites, for Temple, and for dearer Fleece.
'Twixt God and _Baal_, these Priests divided were; }
Which did prevail, these greatly did not care; }
But headlong drove, witho