Rizpah

(2 SAMUEL xxi. 10.)

It is growing dark. At such a sunset I have been with Saul— But saw it not. I only saw his eyes And the wild beauty of his roaming locks, And—Oh! there never was a man like Saul! Strong arm, and gentle heart and tender ways To win a woman’s very soul, were his. When he would take my hand and look on me, And whisper “Rizpah”—Ah! those days are gone! Why should I weep? was I not loved by Saul? And Saul was king of all the Land of God.

“God save the king!” But, hush! what noise was that? Oh heaven! to think a mother’s eyes should look On such a sight! Away! vile carrion-beast! Those are the sons of Saul,—poor Rizpah’s sons. O my dead darlings! O my only joy! O sweet twin treasure of my lonely life, Since that most mournful day upon Gilboa, Torn from me thus! I have no tears to shed. O God! my heart is broken! Let me die!

Gilboa! David wrote a song on it, And had it put in Jasher—“Weep for Saul.” Armoni used to sing it to his harp. Poor blackened lips!······ ······I wonder if they dream, My pretty children······ ······Come, Mephibosheth, Here is your father; say “God save the king!” The Gibeonites! Ah! that was long ago. Why should they die for what they never did? No; David never would consent to that!