Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/160

The silent prince to kindling friendship true,
Unbound his girdle rich with Tyrian hue,
Cast o'er the shepherd youth his royal vest,
And wreath'd the glittering baldric round his breast,
With love's strong force his mild resistance quell'd,
And thus with gentle words the deed compell'd,—
—"Take too this sword in fatal combat true,
This bow well-polish'd of the stubborn yew,
And when this radiant robe thy bosom dear
Shall shield from tempests and from blasts severe,
When the keen arrow from this sounding bow,
Shall stay the footstep of thy deadly foe,—
Then think of him who gave these gifts to prove
The sacred seal of everlasting love."—
—But when the shepherd youth for deed of arms
Resign'd his harp and contemplation's charms,
When Gath's proud champion yielded to his shock
As to the bolt of heaven, the towering rock,
When hostile armies shuddering heard his name,
The envious monarch fear'd a rival's fame,
With cloudy brow he roam'd, and muttering low
Devised his death who saved the realm from wo.
Then to his throne an anxious suppliant prest
With filial reverence, and a warm request,
That moved his soul a pious awe to feel,
This wing'd his language with impatient zeal.—
—"Why should my royal father's anger rise,
To count his servant hateful in his eyes?—
What evil hath he done?—what folly wrought?—
Wise are his ways, and free from guile his thought.
Bold in thy battles, prompt at thy command
He dared the proudest of the hostile band,