Enter SADOC, ABIATHAR, AHIMAAS, and SA. God save lord Cusay, and direct his zeal ABI. What secrets hast thou glean'd from Absalon? Cu. These, sacred priests, that bear the ark of God: Achitophel advis'd him in the night To let him choose twelve thousand fighting men, To signify these secrets to the king, And will him not to stay this night abroad; Lest he and all his people kiss the sword. The man of Israel, that hath rul'd as king, that my bosom could by nature bear A sea of poison, to be pour'd upon His cursed head that sacred balm hath grac'd, And consecrated king of Israel ! Or, would my breath were made the smoke of hell, Or with the reeking of that serpent's gorge, DAVID, JOAB, ABISAI, ITHAY, with others. Come forth, thou murderer, and wicked man : The lord hath brought upon thy cursed head The guiltless blood of Saul and all his sons, Whose royal throne thy baseness hath usurp'd; And, to revenge it deeply on thy soul, The Lord hath given the kingdom to thy son, As thou deserv'st, with blood, with death, and hell. Hence, murderer, hence. [throws at him.* ABIS. Why doth this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me alone to take away his head. DAV. Why meddleth thus the son of Zeruia To interrupt the action of our God? Semei useth me with this reproach, The sins of David, printed in his brows With blood, that blusheth for his conscience' guilt; Who dares then ask him, why he curseth me? SEM. If then thy conscience tell thee thou hast sinn'd, And that thy life is odious to the world, DAV. I am not desperate, Semei, like thyself, SEM. A murderer, and hope for mercy in thy end! Hate and destruction sit upon thy brows, To watch the issue of thy damned ghost, Which with thy latest gasp they'll take and tear, * throws at him] In the old copy, this stage end of the speech are confounded, thus; direction and the "Hence, murtherer, hence, he threw at him." Hence, murderer, thou shame to Israel, Foul lecher, drunkard, plague to heaven and earth. [He throws at him. JOAB. What, is it piety in David's thoughts, So to abhor from laws of policy In this extremity of his distress, To give his subjects cause of carelessness ! Send hence the dog with sorrow to his grave. DAV. Why should the sons of Zeruia seek to check His spirit, which the Lord hath thus inspir'd? Behold, my son which issued from my flesh, How much more then the son of Jemini, Chiefly, since he doth nought but God's command? With gracious eyes, and for his cursing bless SEM. What, dost thou fret my soul with sufferance? O, that the souls of Isboseth and Abner, Which thou sent'st swimming to their graves in blood, But I will hunt thy foot with curses still; [He throws dust again. Enter AHIMAAS and JONATHAN. АнI. Long life to David, to his enemies death! DAV. Welcome, Ahimaas, and Jonathan : What news sends Cusay to thy lord the king? Ан. Cusay would wish my lord the king, And so assault you in their pride of strength. DAV. Thanks to Abiathar, and to you both, JOAB. Then tell us how thou wilt divide thy men, And who shall have the special charge herein. DAV. Joab, thyself shall for thy charge conduct The first third part of all my valiant men ; The second shall Abisai's valour lead; The third fair Ithay, which I most should grace, |