Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/417

Rh And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed, The clouded ark of God, till then in tents Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. Such follow him as shall be registered Part good, part bad; of bad the longer scroll, Whose foul idolatries and other faults, Heaped to the popular sum, will so incense God, as to leave them, and expose their land, Their city, his temple, and his holy ark, With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey To that proud city, whose high walls thou sawest Left in confusion, Babylon thence called. There in captivity he lets them dwell, The space of seventy years, then brings them back, Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn To David, stablished as the days of Heaven. Returned from Babylon, by leave of kings, Their lords, whom God disposed, the house of God They first re-edify, and for a while In mean estate live moderate, till, grown In wealth and multitude, factious they grow. But first among the priests dissension springs, Men who attend the altar, and should most Endeavor peace! Their strife pollution brings Upon the temple itself: at last they seize The sceptre, and regard not David's sons,