URIAH

First mighty captains, Joab and Abisay, Let us assault and scale this kingly Tower, Where all their conduits and their fountains are, Then we may easily take the city too. My soul repines at this disparagement. As sure as Joab breathes a victor here, Uria's will hast him, and his own return. Exeunt. Thanks be to Israel's God, and David's grace, Uria's finds such greeting with the king. Thy servant Joab fights the chosen wars With truth, with honour, and with high success, And gainst the wicked King of Ammon's sons, Hath by the finger of our sovereigns God, Besieged the city Rabath, and achieved The court of waters, where the conduits run, And all the delight springs: Therefore he wishes David's mightiness Should number out the host of Israel, And come in person to the city Rabath, That so her conquest may be made the kings, And Joab fight as his inferior. Thy servants bones are yet not half so cra de, Nor constitute on such a sickly mould, That for so little service he should feign, And seek (as cowards) refuge of his home: Not are his thoughts so sensually stirred, To stay the arms with which the lord would smite And fill circle with his conquered foes, For wanton bosom of a flattering wife. The King is much too tender of my ease, The ark, and Israel, and Juda dwell In palaces, and rich pavilions, But Joab and his brother in the fields, Suffering the wrath of Winter and the Sun: And shall Uria's (of more shame then they) Banquet and loiter, in the work of heaven? As sure as thy soul does live my lord, Mine ears shall never lean to such delight, When holy labour calls me forth to fight. Thus shall Uria's heart be best content, Till thou dismiss me back to Joab's hands, This ground before the king my Master's doors, He lies down. Shall be my couch, and this unwearied arm, The proper pillow of a soldiers head, For never will I lodge within my house, Till Joab triumph in my secret vows. If David think me worthy such a grace, I will be bold, and pledge my lord the king. What seems pleasant in my sovereigns eyes, That shall Uria's do till he be dead I pledge lord Absolon and Abisais health. He drinks. Cusay I pledge thee all, with all my heart, Give me some drink you servants of the king, Give me my drink. He drinks. I will my lord. No sir, I'll drink to the King, Your father is a better man then you. I will indeed my lord and sovereign, I once in my days be so bold. Fill me my glass. He gives him the glass. Quickly I say. Here my lord, by your favour now I drink to you. David's children? Pledge me man. What do you talk, do you talk? I'll no more, I'll lie down here. Oh ho sir, would you make me break my sentence. Home sir, no indeed sir? I'll sleep upon mine arm, Like a soldier, sleep Like a man as long as I live in Israel. I will not go home sir, thats flat. On afore my lords, on afore. Exeunt. Oh proud revolt of a presumptuous man, Laying his bridle in the neck of sin, Ready to bear him passed his graven to hell, Like as the fatal Raven, that in his voice Carries the dreadful summons of our death's, Flies by the fair Arabian spiceries, Her pleasant gardens, and delightsome parks, Seeming to curse them with his hoarse exclaims, And yet does stoop with hungry violence Upon a piece of hateful carrion: So wretched man, displeased with those delights, Would yield a quickening savour to his Soul, Pursues with eager and unstaunched thirst, The greedy longings of his loathsome flesh, If holy David so shook hands with sin, What shall our baser spirits glory in. This kingly giving lust her reign, Pursues the sequel with a greater ill. Uria's in the forefront of the wars, Is murdered by the hateful Heathens sword, And David joys his too deer Bethsheeba, Suppose this passed, and that the child is born, Whose death the Prophet solemnly does mourn. 'Tis for no choler hath surprised the King, (I hope lord Cusay) gainst his servants truth.