Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/68

58 A dance of beauteous virgins led the solemn train, And sung, and praised the man that had his thousands slain. Seir, Moab, Zobah felt him, and where'er He did his glorious standards bear. Officious victory followed in the rear: Success attended still his brandished sword, And, like the grave, the gluttonous blade devoured: Slaughter upon its point in triumph sate, And scattered death, as quick and wide as fate. Nor less in high repute and worth was his great son, Sole heir of all his valour and renown, Heir too (if cruel fate had suffered) of his throne: The matchless Jonathan 'twas, whom loud tongued fame Amongst her chiefest heroes joys to name, E'er since the wondrous deeds at Seneh done, Where he, himself a host, o'ercame a war alone: The trembling enemies fled, they tried to fly, But fixed amazement stopped, and made them die. Great archer he! to whom our dreaded skill we owe, Dreaded by all who Israel's warlike prowess know; As many shafts, as his full quiver held, So many fates he drew, so many killed: Quick and unerring they as darted eye-beams flew, As if he gave 'em sight, and swiftness too. Death took her aim from his, and by 't her arrows threw. Both excellent they were, both equally allied On nature's and on valour's side: Great Saul, who scorned a rival in renown, Yet envied not the fame of 's greater son, By him endured to be surpassed alone: He, gallant prince, did his whole father show, And fast as he could set the well-writ copies drew, And blushed that duty bid him not out-go: