He Friendship betwixt Jonathan and David; and upon that
occasion a digression concerning the nature of Love. A dis-
course between Jonathan and David, upon which the latter absents
himself from Court, and the former goes thither, to inform himself
of Sauls resolution. The Feast of the New-Moon, the manner of
the Celebration of it; and therein a Digression of the History of
Abraham. Sauls Speech upon Davids absence from the Feast, and
his anger against Jonathan. Davids resolution to fly away; he
parts with Jonathan, and falls asleep under a Tree. A Description
of Phansie; an Angel makes up a Vision in Davids head; the
Vision it self, which is, A Prophesie of all the succession of his
Race till Christs time, with their most remarkable actions. At his-
awaking, Gabriel assumes an humane shape, and confirms to him
the truth of his Vision.
Ut now the early birds began to call
The morning forth; up rose the Sun and Saul; Both, as men thought, rose fresh from sweet repose; But both, alas, from restless labours rose.
For in Sauls breast, Envy, the toilsome Sin,
Had all that night active and ty'rannous bin,
She'expell'd all forms of Kindness, Vertue, Grace;
Of the past day no footstep left or trace.
The new-blown sparks of his old rage appear,
Nor could his Love dwell longer with his fear.
So near a storm wise David would not stay,
Nor trust the glittering of a faithless Day.
He saw the Sun call in his beams apace,
And angry Clouds march up into their place.
The Sea it self smooths his rough brow awhile,
Flattering the greedy Merchant with a smile;
But he, whose ship-wrackt Barque it drank before,
Sees the deceit, and knows it would have more.
Such is the Sea, and such was Saul.
But Jonathan, his Son, and Only Good,
Was gentle as fair Jordans useful Flood.
Whose innocent stream as it in silence goes,
1 Fresh Honours, and a sudden spring bestows
On both his banks to every flower and tree;
The manner How lies hid, th'effect we see.
But more than all, more than Himself he lov'ed
The man whose worth his Fathers Hatred mov'ed.
For when the noble youth at Dammin stood
Adorn'd with sweat, and painted gay with Blood,
Jonathan pierce'd him through with greedy Eye
And understood the future Majestie
Then destin'ed in the glories of his look;
He saw, and strait was with amazement strook,
To see the strength, the feature, and the grace
Of his young limbs; he saw his comely face
Where Love and Rev'erence so well mingled were;
2 And Head, already crown'd with golden haire.
He saw what Mildness his bold Sp'irit did tame,
Gentler then Light, yet powerful as a Flame.
He saw his Valour by their Safety prov'ed;
He saw all this, and as he saw, he Lov'ed.
What art thou, Love, thou great mysterious thing?
From what hid stock does thy strange Nature spring?
"Tis thou that mov'est the world through every part
And holdst the vast frame close, that nothing start
From the due Place and Office first ordain'd.
3 By Thee were all things Made, and are sustain'd.
Sometimes we see thee fully, and can say
From hence thou took'est thy Rise, and went'st that way;
But oftner the short beams of Reasons Eye,
See onely, There thou art, nor How, nor Why.
How is the Loadstone, Natures subtle pride,
By the rude Iron woo'd, and made a Bride?
How was the Weapon wounded? what hid Flame
The strong and conqu'ering Metal overcame ?
4 Love (this Worlds Grace) exalts his Natural state;
He feels thee, Love, and feels no more his Weight.,
5 Ye learned Heads, whom Ivy garlands grace,
Why does that twining plant the Oak embrace?
The Oak for courtship most of all unfit,
And rough as are the Winds that fight with it?
How does the absent Pole the Needle move?
How does his Cold and Ice beget hot Love?
Which are the Wings of Lightness to ascend?
Or why does Weight to th' Centre downwards bend?
Thus Creatures void of Life obey thy Laws,
And seldom We, they never know the Cause.
In thy large state, Life gives the next degree,
6 Where Sense, and Good Apparent places thee;
But thy chief Palace is Mans Heart alone,
Here are thy Triumphs, and full glories shown,
7 Handsome Desires, and Rest about thee flee,
Union, Inhærence, Zeal, and Extasie.
Thousand with Joys cluster around thine head,
O're which a gall-less Dove her wings does spread,
A gentle Lamb, purer and whiter farre
Then Consciences of thine own Martyrs are,
Lies at thy feet; and thy right hand does hold
The mystick Scepter of a Cross of Gold.
Thus do'est thou sit (like Men e're sin had fram'ed
A guilty blush) Naked, but not Asham'ed.
What cause then did the fab'ulous Ancients find,
When first their superstition made thee blind?
'Twas They, alas, 'twas They who could not see,
When they mistook that Monster, Lust, for Thee.
Thou art a bright, but not consuming Flame;
Such in th'amazed Bush to Moses came;
When that secure its new-crown'd head did rear,
And chid the trembling Branches needless fear.
Thy Darts of healthful Gold, and downwards fall
Soft as the Feathers that they're fletcht withal.
Such, and no other, were those secret Darts,
Which sweetly toucht this noblest pair of Hearts.
Still to one end they both so justly drew,
As courteous Doves together yok'd would do.
No weight of Birth did on one side prevaile,
Two Twins less even lie in Natures Scale.
They mingled Fates, and both in each did share,
They both were Servants, they both Princes were.
any Joy to one of them was sent,
It was most his, to whom it least was meant,
And fortunes malice betwixt both was crost,
For striking one, it wounded th'other most.
Never did Marriage such true Union find,
Or mens desires with so glad violence bind;
For there is still some tincture_left_of_Sin,
And still the Sex will needs be stealing in.
Those joys are full of dross, and thicker farre,
These, without matter, clear and liquid are.
Such sacred Love does he'avens bright Spirits fill,
Where Love is but to Understand and Will,
With swift and unseen Motions; such as We
Somewhat express in heightned Charitie.
O ye blest One! whose Love on earth became
So pure that still in Heav'en 'tis but the same!
There now ye sit, and with mixt souls embrace,
Gazing upon great Loves mysterious Face,
And pity this base world where Friendship's made
A bait for sin, or else at best a Trade.
Ah wondrous Prince! who a true Friend could'st be,
When a Crown Flatter'ed, and Saul threatned Thee!
Who held'st him dear, whose Stars thy birth did cross!
And bought'st him nobly at a Kingdoms loss!
Isra'els bright Scepter far less glory brings;
There have been fewer Friends on earth then Kings.
To this strange pitch their high affections flew
Till Natures self scarce look'd on them as Two.
Hither flies David for advice and ayde,
As swift as Love and Danger could perswade,
As safe in Jonathans trust his thoughts remain
As when Himself but dreams them o're again.
My dearest Lord, farewel (said he) farewel;
He'aven bless the King; may no misfortune tell
Th'injustice of his hate, when I am dead;
They are coming now, perhaps; my guiltless head
Here in your sight, perhaps, must bleeding ly,
And scarce your own stand safe for being nigh.
Think me not scar'ed with death, howere't appear,
I know thou can'st not think so: tis a fear
From which thy Love, and Dammin speaks me free;
I'have met him face to face, and ne're could see
One terrour in his looks to make me fly
When Vertue bids me stand; but I would dy
So as becomes my Life, so as may prove
Sauls Malice, and at least excuse your Love.
He stopt, and spoke some passion with his eyes;
Excellent Friend (the gallant Prince replyes)
Thou hast so prov'd thy Virtues, that they're known
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