tealth:
But it would strange to common Justice seem,
For some few bad, the sound Flock to condemn.
Like Goats among the Sheep, well known these bleat,
And are like Darnel 'mong the purest Wheat.
These not as Friends, but Enemies to the Throne,
Good Patriots and good Subjects did disown.
And _Azaria_, tho they us'd his name,
Disdain'd their Friendship with a loyal shame.
But he beheld appearing on his side,
Princes, whose Faith and Loyalty were try'd;
Such as no base or sordid ends could move,
Who did his Father and their Country love.
In the first rank of these did _Nashon_ stand,
None nobler or more loyal in the Land.
Under the King he once did _Edom_ sway,
And taught that Land the _Jews_ good Laws t'obey.
True to his Word, and of unspotted Fame;
Great both in Parts, in Vertue, and in Name.
His Faith ne'r touch'd, his Loyalty well known,
A Friend both to his Country and the Throne.
Base ends his great and noble Soul did scorn,
Of loyal, high, and noble Parents born.
His Father with renown and great Applause,
For _Joash_ di'd, and suffer'd for his Cause.
Of great _Aminadab_ who would not sing,
Whose glory shin'd next to the martyr'd King?
From him his Son true Loyalty understood,
Imprest on's Soul, seal'd with his Father's Bloud.
The grave, religious, wife, rich _Helon_ too, }
Much honoured by every zealous _Jew_, }
Appear'd a Patriot, to his Country true. }
In the _Jews_ Laws, and strict Religion bred,
And _Baal_'s curst Rites did much abhor and dread.
His Son _Eliab_, in the _Sanhedrim_,
With courage had oppos'd _Eliakim_:
A man whose many Vertues, and his Parts,
Had won upon the sober Peoples Hearts.
From every Faction, and from Envy free; }
Lov'd well the King, but hated Flatterie; }
Kept _Moses_'s Laws, yet was no _Pharisee_. }
He went not to their _Synagogues_ to pray,
But to the Holy Temple every day.
With piercing Judgment saw the Lands Disease,
And labour'd onely for the Kingdoms Peace:
Loyal and honest was esteem'd by all,
Excepting those who strove to set up _Baal_.
For an ill Action he ne'r stood reprov'd;
But's King, his Country, and Religion lov'd.
No Taint ere fell upon _Eliab_'s name,
Nor Hell it self found cause to spot his Fame.
_Pagiel_ with honour loaded, and with years,
Among this Loyal Princely Train appears.
None _Pagiel_ tax'd, for no one ever knew
That he to _Amazia_ was untrue.
A Fame unspotted he might truly boast;
Yet he had Foes, and his gain'd Favou
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