ose, }
'Twas fear'd they'd fall at last from Words to Blows. }
Each side most zealous for the King appears,
Each full of Jealousies and disturbing Fears,
Each pleads for _Amazia_ and the Laws,
God and Religion both do make their Cause:
Both Loyalty profess, both opposite, }
Both would persuade that each was in the right, }
Tho' both contrary shew as day and night. }
Sweet _Azaria_ with these Troubles mov'd,
On that side hated, and by this belov'd;
Fearing th' inveterate Malice of his Foes,
Which he sought to avoid, not to oppose,
And lest they should their sought Occasion find, }
To tax him of an ill ambitious mind, }
By seeing all the _Jews_ to him so kind; }
Lest he should grow i'th' King's Opinion worse,
He seeks for Council how to steer his Course,
That he might to the Court give no Offence,
But live wrapt up in his own fair Innocence,
The wise and thoughtful _Hushai_ he doth find,
And thus to him he breaks his troubled Mind,
Great Councellor, and Favorite of Heav'n,
To whom the Blessing of true Wisdom's giv'n,
Which by no Mortal can possessed be,
Whose Thoughts are not inform'd by Loyalty.
I know Reproaches upon you are thrown;
But judge your Innocency by my own.
I am accused Sir, as well as you,
And the same Foe doth both our Lives pursue.
He fears your Wisdom, may his Hindrance prove,
And me, because I have the People's Love:
His Creatures therefore throw on you and me,
The Scandal of a curs'd Conspiracy,
Against our King and Father to rebell:
Me _Absalom_, and you _Achitophel_
They name; bad Councellor, and worser Son,
Who Traytors, durst into Rebellion run.
My Father governs with so equal Sway,
That all both love him, and his Laws obey:
He seems Heav'n's Care, who set him in the Throne,
Preserved by his wondrous Power alone.
Oh may on him no Blemish fall or stain,
But all live happy in his peaceful Reign:
May he be happy still as he is good,
Like God in Mercy, not inclin'd to Blood.
This is the Prayer that I daily make; }
For Piety shall never me forsake, }
Tho' I his Royal Favor ne'er partake. }
And tho' my Foes have with their subtil Art
Banish'd me from my Royal Father's Heart,
Which is the Source of all my Grief and Woe,
My just Obedience I will ne'er forgoe.
Nor has Disgrace, nor my hot Passions wrought,
Within my Breast one bad disloyal Thought.
I ne'er believ'd my Father would betray
His People, or sought Arbitrary Sway:
Or th