The forest minstrel and other poems Author:William Howitt Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE SONG OF THE BETHLEHEMITE. " And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Sau... more »l was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him " 1st Samue/,'Chap. xvi. ver. 23. Deserted is the festal hall; Nor page awaits the master's call; Nor guest is there, nor warrior proud, Nor servile flattery's fawning crowd: The dancing girls' elastic bound; The tabor's and the timbrel's sound; The chiming harp's melodious tone, From Salem's silent courts are gone. Nor woman, with her soothing wiles, With wreathed lips' voluptuous smiles, With bright black eye, or braided tress, Is seen in that desertedness. And chill the golden sunbeams fall Upon the carved cedar wall; And lie, where none are pacing o'er, Unbroken on the gilded floor. Without, beside the palace gate, Unnoticed now the camels wait. What, though they bring of spice and gold The costly freight of worth untold; And what, though gems and pearls they bear, And slaves of skill and beauty rare; What boots spice, pearls, or bright ingot, Or slaves ?—the monarch heeds them not. Silent and sad, in inmost hall, Wrathful and stern, sits royal Saul, Repining in his soul, with look Austere that might not question brook; With restless eye and changeful cheek, And lip that moves, yet shuns to speak: What, though his hand the sceptre bore That never king had sway'd before; What, though he sate the anointed one On chosen Israel's conquering throne; And love, and wine, and wealth, and power, Are his to speed the lagging hour; And might, and victory, and fame, Have long been coupled with his name ? The sceptre from his hand is cast; The throne possess'd, its pride is pas...« less