Heavenly pastime, or, Pleasant observations on all the most remarkable passages throughout the Holy Bible of the Old and New Testament newly allegoriz'd in several delightful dialogues, poems, similitudes, and divine fancies / by John Dunton, author of The sickmans passing-bell.

A Dialogue between Saul and his Armour-Bearer on Gilboa.

The Argument.

Saul routed flies, but finding flight was vain, He and his Armour-Bearer both are slain.

S.

NOw, now, 'tis almost come to pass as the grim Ghost related; Israel is ov••••thrown, My Sons are slain in Battel, and the bloody Foe makes havock of the flying people.

A. B.

Great King, 'tis true, the smiling Plains that looked so gay, when first saluted by the Morning Sun put on a crimson Robe, and wear instead of Flora's ma∣ny coloured mantle, the sad Livery of Death.

S.

Yet Saul still lives, — he lives to see the mighty ruine—to see his Children slain, and all his mighty men of War fall by the Sword.

A. B.

And still may live to be revenged of his now Tyrannizing Foes, live to return as many deaths as now his Eyes behold the Philistins to triumph in.—

S.

O! Name not Life, for that is the only thing that now is grievous to me—Wretch that I am, why did I fly? why fell I not amid'st the file•• of War? Why, why did not I break through the pointed Squadrons, and there bravely fighting, ru∣shed upon a thousand Swords, and from a thousand enraged hands received a Death that well beseemed •• Monarch.

A. B.

O! Let not Israels King dispair; although the Fortune of the War now turns against him, ••et fresh Armies may be raised, and the Foe repelled; live, live? If but to be revenged.

S.

No —Heaven decrees my fall, and cutting short my Glories, dates them with this day, draw

then your Sword, and e're the Philistins overtake us, sheath it in my Breast, f••r now my Life is grown burthensome.

A. B.

What means the King by this c••mmand, can be imagine that his Servant dares stret•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his ••and against the Lords anointed.

S.

O let me beg you would not dispu••e what I request, Renown and Glory will attend you for so brave a Deed, nor can you do me better service than to let out my afflicted Soul.

A. B.

Command me to kill my self, and I will obey, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bid me meet the following Foe, and charge A Squa∣d••on with my single Arm, I'le gladly do it, but dare not ••tretch my hand against my Sovereign.

S.

The Enemy is now at our heels, and time ••dmits no longer argument; see—see without your ••elp, your King can find a way to the dread Pallace 〈◊〉〈◊〉 magnificent Death: Whilst falling thus —upon ••is Sword, his loathed Life takes flight.

A. B.

Hold, hold my Lord for Heavens—▪ ••is past recall, the desperate Deed is done, the cru•••• word has pierced his Heart, and I'le not long survive; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 imitating his Example, fall thus by his side, 'tis 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 'tis done, my blood flows fast, now, now I swim 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dazy mists, and now a gloomy darkness seales my 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

dies·

Conclusion.

Saul slain with his three Sons, the haughty Fo•• Cuts off his Head, and his guilt Armour show In all their Coasts, possessing Iacobs Towns▪ And much inlarging their own scanty bounds: Nor so contented, but the Corps of Saul They fasten to subdued Bethshan's wall: But thence the Iabish Gileadites it rest, And for the burying of their Lord are blest.