Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed,
Yet sprung from high is of celestial seed;
In God 'tis glory, and when men aspire,
'Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire.
The ambitious youth, too covetous of fame,
Too full of angels' metal in his frame, 310
Unwarily was led from virtue's ways,
Made drunk with honor, and debauched
with praise.

Half loth, and half consenting to the ill,
(For loyal blood within him struggled still,)
He thus replied: "And what pretence
have I

315

To my large soul not all her treasure lent,
And then betrayed it to a mean descent!
I find, I find my mounting spirits bold,
And David's part disdains my mother's
mould.

Why am I scanted by a niggard birth? 369
My soul disdains the kindred of her earth,
And, made for empire, whispers me within,
'Desire of greatness is a god-like sin.""

Him staggering so when Hell's dire agent found,

While fainting virtue scarce maintained her ground,

He pours fresh forces in, and thus replies:

375

Doubt not; but, when he most affects the frown,

Commit a pleasing rape upon the crown.

Yet dauntless and secure of native right, Of every royal virtue stands possessed, 355 Still dear to all the bravest and the best. His courage goes, his friends his truth proclaim,

His loyalty the King, the world his fame. His mercy even the offending crowd will find,

For sure he comes of a forgiving kind. 360 Why should I then repine at Heaven's decree,

Which gives me no pretence to royalty? Yet oh that Fate, propitiously inclined, Had raised my birth, or had debased my mind;

They who possess the Prince possess the laws."

He said, and this advice above the rest With Absalom's mild nature suited best; Unblamed of life (ambition set aside,) Not stained with cruelty nor puffed with pride,

480

How happy had he been if Destiny
Had higher placed his birth or not so high!
His kingly virtues might have claimed a
throne

And blessed all other countries but his own;

364

But charming greatness since so few refuse, 485 'Tis juster to lament him than accuse.

So over violent, or over civil,
That every man with him was God or
Devil.

In squandering wealth was his peculiar art:
Nothing went unrewarded but desert. 560
Beggared by fools whom still he found too
late,

He had his jest, and they had his estate. He laughed himself from Court; then sought relief

By forming parties, but could ne'er be chief:

For spite of him, the weight of business fell On Absalom and wise Achitophel: 566 Thus wicked but in will, of means bereft, He left not faction, but of that was left.

Shimei, whose youth did early promise bring Of zeal to God, and hatred to his King, 586 Did wisely from expensive sins refrain, And never broke the Sabbath but for gain; Nor ever was he known an oath to vent, Or curse, unless against the government.