Absalom and Achitophel

When first young Abraham in his flow'ry prime Was call'd to travel, and to leave his home, The sire of nations and the friend of time He left the tents of Nahor, and to roam Through th' unknown world, to fix his kindred's name; Nor look'd behind, nor thought it any shame To change his country for fair Canaan's clime.

So Shimei left the mortal life he led, And left his turf, and left his cattle's care; And swung his bow, and hung the shell on's head, And went with Abram to a larger share. Yet not so forward as the youth was then, Nor yet so generous as so brave a man: Who, when he first came to the little town, Did to the publick all he meant to do; He made a feast in order'd, open view To every stranger that came in his way, And gave all welcome with a friendly ray.

I shall not need to tell you where to look For Absalom; for all the town hath known him: From that first moment when his cheek did brook The spreading sun-beams, and the youth was grown him, His mother's eyes more than his father's fame Spread his renown, and set a name to flame; The beauty of his forehead, and the grace That in his growing limbs appear'd so much, And the light airs that play'd upon his face, Gave him an upstart admiration such As that which shines in newly-crown'd delight, And what he did was taken for a right.

Men judge by outward show; the world is blind, And all their senses chiefly look at face; When once the beauty strikes, it rules the mind, And gives the liberty of their embrace. This charm Empires, and crowns in battle won, For beauty can the noblest actions crown:

He grew in favour, and his actions too Took a new grace from his advent'rous youth; The people gaz'd, he doated, and the crew Paid to his parts with liberty and truth: His father felt his power, and saw the crown Set on his head by the applauding town; But age, that had forgot the cause of pride, Worse than a toothless chaf'd the public tide; And though he would the government sustain, Yet found his fainting powers begin to wane.