Piety, and poesy. Contracted. By T. J.

The Introduction.

WHen as the proud Philistines did prepare Their Bands in frightfull order to make War Against the Israelites, Saul (their wish'd King) March'd forth, and unto Gilboa did bring All Israel, where (till the sad Events The threatning War had brought) they pitch'd their Tents: But when the Host of the proud Foe appear'd To Saul so infinite, he greatly fear'd; The rather'cause he did no more inherit The Divine Power of a Prophetick Spirit:

For now the Power of God had left him so, That he by Prophecy nor Dream could know His future fate, from him all power went That doth support Kings just, and innocent: And now a fearfull rage usurpeth all His nobler thoughts, he doth begin to call For Wizards, Witches, and his Fate refers No more to Prophets but to Sorcerers: A Woman must be found, whose breast inherits The damn'd Delusions of predictive Spirits: So in my younger observation Of this vile World, I have cast my Eyes upon A fawning Parasite who for some Boon His Patron had to graunt, would beg, fall down Before him for it; which being deny'd, His Humblenesse converts to its old Pride, He grows Malicious, what he did desire Before with Meeknesse, now he'll win with Ire: If Cruelty and Murther can prefer His long-wish'd Ends, he'll be a Murtherer, Or any thing of horror, yet will pray And beg, at first, to ha't the safest way; Though 'tis not Love, or Service, he extends, But Flattery to purchase his own Ends: So Saul's resolv'd, since Heaven denies to tell What he would know, makes his next means to Hell: To Endor goes accompanied by No man; And, with these words, invokes th' Inferual Woman.