HUSHAI

What service does my lord the King command? Is it not Bethsheeba the Hethites wife Uria's, now at Rabath siege with Joab? Then come and do thy duty to his grace, And do what seems favour in his sighed. Where is lord Joab leader of the host? We will Lord Joab, and great Israel's God Bless in thy hands the battles of our King. Here now Uria's, to the health of Joab, And to the pleasant journey we shall have, When we return to mighty Rabath siege. Oh let my gracious sovereign cease these griefs, Unless he wish his seruaut Cusayes death, Whose life depends upon my lords relief, Then let my presence with my sighs, presume The pleasant closet of my sovereigns soul. Long may the beauteous King of Israel live, To whom the people do by thousands swarm. Because the Lord and Israel chooseth thee, And as before I served thy father's turn, With counsel acceptable in his sighed, So likewise will I now obey his son. Though wise Achitophel be much more meet To purchase hearing with my lord the King, For all his former counsels, then my self, Yet not offending Absolon or him, This time it is not good, nor worth pursuit: For well thou knowest thy father's men are strong, Chafing as she bears robbed of their whelps. Beside the King himself a valiant man, Trained up in feats and stratagems of war, And will not for prevention of the worst Lodge with the common soldiers in the field: But now I know his wonted policies Have taught him lurk within some secret cave, Guarded with all his stoutest soldiers, Which if the forefront of his battle faint, Will yet give out that Absalon does fly, And so thy soldiers be discouraged. David himself withal, whose angry heart Is as a Lyons, letted of his walk, Will fight himself, and all his men to one, Before a few shall vanquish him by fear. My counsel therefore, is with Trumpets found To gather men from Dan to Bersabe, That they may march in number Like sea sands, That nestle close in another's neck: So shall we come upon him in our strength, Like to the Due that falls in showers from heaven, And leave him not a man to march withal. Beside if any city succour him, The nnmbers of our men shall fetch us ropes, And we will pull it down the rivers stream, That not a stone be left to keep us out. I will my lord, and thank thee for thy grace. The stubborn enemies to David's peace, And all that cast their darts against his crown, Fare ever Like the young man Absalon, For as he rid the woods of Ephraim (Which fought for thee as much as all thy men) His hair was tangled in a shady oak, And hanging there (by Joab and his men) Sustained the stroke of well deserved death. I will my lord. Exit Cusay to Bethsheeba. Fair Bethsheeba, the King of Israel From forth his Princely tower hath seen thee both, And thy sweet graces have found grace with him, Come then and kneel unto him where he stands, The King is gracious, and hath liberal hands. David (thou knowest fair dame) is wise and joust, Elected to the heart of Israel's God, Then do not thou expostulate with him For any Actium that contents his soul. Woman thou wrongest the King & doubtest his ho nou_r_, Whose truth maintains the crown of Israel, Making him stay, that bade me bring thee strait. Cusay will fly about the Kings desire. Exeunt. In happy hour then is Cusay come. His majesty commands thee out of hand To send him home Uria's from the wars, For matter of some service he should do. No rather to prefer Uria's truth. Pleases my lord the king, his servant Joab Hath sent Uria's from the Syrian wars. Come rise Uria's, get thee in and sleep. Then come and rest thee upon David's bed. To thee the servant of King David's court, This brings Cusay, as the Prophet spoke, The Lord hath surely stricken to the death, The child new born by that Uria's wife, That by the sons of Ammon erst was slain. The child is dead, that of Uria's wife, David begat. Happiness and honour to my lord the King. Thus hath the power of Jacob's jealous God Fulfilled his servant David's drifts by me, And brought Achitophel's advise to scorn. These sacred priests that bear the ark of God, Achitophel advised him in the night To let him choose twelve thousand fighting men, And he would come on David at unwares, While he was weary with his violent toil: But I advised to get a greater host, And gather men from Dan to Bersabe, To come upon him strongly in the fields, Then send Ahimaas and Jonathan To signify these secrets to the King, And will him not to stay this night abroad, But get him over Jordan presently, Least he and all his people kiss the sword. Happiness and honour live with David's soul, Whom God hath blessed with conquest of his foes.