Where is David? -- O God's people, Saul has passed, the good and great. Mourn for Saul the first-anointed -- Head and shoulders o'er the state. He was found among the Prophets: Judge and monarch, merged in one. But the wars of Saul are ended And the works of Saul are done. Where is David, ruddy shepherd, God's boy-king for Israel? Mystic, ardent, dowered with beauty, Singing where still waters dwell? Prophet, find that destined minstrel Wandering on the range to-day, Driving sheep and crooning softly Psalms that cannot pass away. "David waits," the prophet answers, "In a black notorious den, In a cave upon the border With four hundred outlaw men. "He is fair, and loved of women, Mighty-hearted, born to sing: Thieving, weeping, erring, praying, Radiant royal rebel-king. "He will come with harp and psaltry, Quell his troop of convict swine, Quell his mad-dog roaring rascals, Witching them with words divine -- "They will ram the walls of Zion! They will win us Salem hill, All for David, Shepherd David -- Singing like a mountain rill!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OLNEY HYMNS: 18. LOVEST THOU ME? by WILLIAM COWPER TO A CAPTIOUS CRITIC by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR FABLE: THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL by RALPH WALDO EMERSON SHERIDAN AT CEDAR CREEK by HERMAN MELVILLE SONNET: 17. TO SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER by JOHN MILTON SPRING QUIET by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |