ThenI，aswasmeet，KneltdowntotheGodofmyfathers，androseonmyfeet，Andrano’erthesandburnttopowder。Thetentwasunlooped；
Ipulledupthespearthatobstructed，andunderIstooped；
Handsandkneesontheslipperygrass-patch，allwitheredandgone，Thatextendstothesecondenclosure，Igropedmywayon[20]
TillIfeltwherethefoldskirtsflyopen。ThenoncemoreIprayed，Andopenedthefoldskirtsandentered，andwasnotafraidButspoke，”HereisDavid，thyservant！”Andnovoicereplied。
AtthefirstIsawnaughtbuttheblackness；butsoonIdescriedAsomethingmoreblackthantheblackness——thevast，theuprightMainpropwhichsustainsthepavilion：andslowintosightGrewafigureagainstit，giganticandblackestofall。
Thenasunbeam，thatburstthroughthetent-roof，showedSaul。
4。
Hestoodaserectasthattent-prop，botharmsstretchedoutwideOnthegreatcross-supportinthecentre，thatgoestoeachside；[30]
Herelaxednotamuscle，buthungthereas，caughtinhispangsAndwaitinghischange，thekingserpentallheavilyhangs，Farawayfromhiskind，inthepine，tilldeliverancecomeWiththespring-time，——soagonizedSaul，drearandstark，blindanddumb。
5。
ThenItunedmyharp，——tookoffthelilieswetwinerounditschordsLesttheysnap’neaththestressofthenoontide——thosesunbeamslikeswords！
AndIfirstplayedthetunealloursheepknow，as，oneafterone，Sodociletheycometothepen-doortillfoldingbedone。
Theyarewhite，anduntornbythebushes，forlo，theyhavefedWherethelonggrassesstiflethewaterwithinthestream’sbed；[40]
Andnowoneafteroneseeksitslodging，asstarfollowsstarIntoeveandthebluefaraboveus，——soblueandsofar！
6——
Thenthetune，forwhichquailsonthecornlandwilleachleavehismateToflyaftertheplayer；then，whatmakesthecricketselateTillforboldnesstheyfightoneanother：andthen，whathasweightTosetthequickjerboaa-musingoutsidehissandhouse——
Therearenonesuchasheforawonder，halfbirdandhalfmouse！
Godmadeallthecreaturesandgavethemourloveandourfear，Togivesign，weandtheyarehischildren，onefamilyhere。
7。
ThenIplayedthehelp-tuneofourreapers，theirwine-song，whenhand[50]
Graspsathand，eyelightseyeingoodfriendship，andgreatheartsexpandAndgrowoneinthesenseofthisworld’slife——Andthen，thelastsongWhenthedeadmanispraisedonhisjourney——”Bear，bearhimalongWithhisfewfaultsshutuplikedeadflowerets！ArebalmseedsnothereToconsoleus?Thelandhasnoneleftsuchasheonthebier。
Oh，wouldwemightkeepthee，mybrother！”——Andthen，thegladchantOfthemarriage，——firstgotheyoungmaidens，next，shewhomwevauntAsthebeauty，theprideofourdwelling——Andthen，thegreatmarchWhereinmanrunstomantoassisthimandbuttressanarchNaughtcanbreak；whoshallharmthem，ourfriends?——Then，thechorusintoned[60]
AstheLevitesgouptothealtaringloryenthroned。
ButIstoppedhere：forhereinthedarknessSaulgroaned。
8。
AndIpaused，heldmybreathinsuchsilence，andlistenedapart；
Andthetentshook，formightySaulshuddered：andsparkles’gandartFromthejewelsthatwokeinhisturbanatoncewithastartAllitslordlymale-sapphires，andrubiescourageousatheart。
Sothehead：butthebodystillmovednot，stillhungthereerect。
AndIbentonceagaintomyplaying，pursueditunchecked，AsIsang，——
9。”Oh，ourmanhood’sprimevigor！Nospiritfeelswaste，Notamuscleisstoppedinitsplayingnorsinewunbraced。[70]
Oh，thewildjoysofliving！theleapingfromrockuptorock，Thestrongrendingofboughsfromthefir-tree，thecoolsilvershockOftheplungeinapool’slivingwater，thehuntofthebear，Andthesultrinessshowingthelioniscouchedinhislair。
Andthemeal，therichdatesyellowedoverwithgolddustdivine，Andthelocust-fleshsteepedinthepitcher，thefulldraughtofwine，Andthesleepinthedriedriver-channelwherebulrushestellThatthewaterwaswonttogowarblingsosoftlyandwell。
Howgoodisman’slife，themereliving！howfittoemployAlltheheartandthesoulandthesensesforeverinjoy！[80]
Hastthoulovedthewhitelocksofthyfather，whoseswordthoudidstguardWhenhetrustedtheeforthwiththearmies，forgloriousreward?
Didstthouseethethinhandsofthymother，heldupasmensungThelowsongofthenearlydeparted，andhearherfainttongueJoininginwhileitcouldtothewitness，`Letonemoreattest，Ihavelived，seenGod’shandthroughalifetime，andallwasforbest！’
Thentheysungthroughtheirtearsinstrongtriumph，notmuch，buttherest。
Andthybrothers，thehelpandthecontest，theworkingwhencegrewSuchresultas，fromseethinggrape-bundles，thespiritstrainedtrue：
Andthefriendsofthyboyhood——thatboyhoodofwonderandhope，[90]
Presentpromiseandwealthofthefuturebeyondtheeye’sscope，——
Tilllo，thouartgrowntoamonarch；apeopleisthine；
Andallgifts，whichtheworldofferssingly，ononeheadcombine！
Ononehead，allthebeautyandstrength，loveandrage(likethethroeThat，a-workintherock，helpsitslaborandletsthegoldgo)
Highambitionanddeedswhichsurpassit，famecrowningthem，——allBroughttoblazeontheheadofonecreature——KingSaul！”
10。
Andlo，withthatleapofmyspirit，——heart，hand，harp，andvoice，EachliftingSaul’snameoutofsorrow，eachbiddingrejoiceSaul’sfameinthelightitwasmadefor——aswhen，dareIsay，[100]
TheLord’sarmy，inraptureofservice，strainsthroughitsarray，Andupsoareththecherubim-chariot——”Saul！”criedI，andstopped，Andwaitedthethingthatshouldfollow。ThenSaul，whohungproppedBythetent’scross-supportinthecentre，wasstruckbyhisname。
HaveyeseenwhenSpring’sarrowysummonsgoesrighttotheaim，Andsomemountain，thelasttowithstandher，thatheld(healone，Whilethevalelaughedinfreedomandflowers)onabroadbustofstoneAyear’ssnowboundaboutforabreastplate，——leavesgraspofthesheet?
Foldonfoldallatonceitcrowdsthunderouslydowntohisfeet，Andtherefrontsyou，stark，black，butaliveyet，yourmountainofold，[110]
Withhisrents，thesuccessivebequeathingsofagesuntold——
Yea，eachharmgotinfightingyourbattles，eachfurrowandscarOfhisheadthrust’twixtyouandthetempest——allhail，theretheyare！——
Nowagaintobesoftenedwithverdure，againholdthenestOfthedove，temptthegoatanditsyoungtothegreenonhiscrestFortheirfoodintheardorsofsummer。OnelongshudderthrilledAllthetenttilltheveryairtingled，thensankandwasstilledAttheKing’sselfleftstandingbeforeme，releasedandaware。
Whatwasgone，whatremained?Alltotraverse’twixthopeanddespair。
Deathwaspast，lifenotcome：sohewaited。Awhilehisrighthand[120]
Heldthebrow，helpedtheeyes，lefttoovacant，forthwithtoremandTotheirplacewhatnewobjectsshouldenter：’twasSaulasbefore。
Ilookedupanddaredgazeatthoseeyes，norwashurtanymoreThanbyslowpallidsunsetsinautumn，yewatchfromtheshore，Attheirsadlevelgazeo’ertheocean——asun’sslowdeclineOverhillswhich，resolvedinsternsilence，o’erlapandintwineBasewithbasetoknitstrengthmoreintensely：so，armfoldedarmO’erthechestwhoseslowheavingssubsided。
11。
Whatspellorwhatcharm(For，awhiletherewastroublewithinme)，whatnextshouldIurgeTosustainhimwheresonghadrestoredhim?——Songfilledtotheverge[130]
Hiscupwiththewineofthislife，pressingallthatityieldsOfmerefruitage，thestrengthandthebeauty：beyond，onwhatfields，GleanavintagemorepotentandperfecttobrightentheeyeAndbringbloodtothelip，andcommendthemthecuptheyputby?
Hesaith，”Itisgood”；stillhedrinksnot：heletsmepraiselife，Givesassent，yetwoulddieforhisownpart。
12。
ThenfanciesgrewrifeWhichhadcomelongagoonthepasture，whenroundmethesheepFedinsilence——above，theoneeaglewheeledslowasinsleep；
AndIlayinmyhollowandmusedontheworldthatmightlie’Neathhisken，thoughIsawbutthestrip’twixtthehillandthesky。[140]
AndIlaughed——”Sincemydaysareordainedtobepassedwithmyflocks，Letmepeopleatleast，withmyfancies，theplainsandtherocks，DreamthelifeIamnevertomixwith，andimagetheshowOfmankindastheyliveinthosefashionsIhardlyshallknow！
Schemesoflife，itsbestrulesandrightuses，thecouragethatgains，Andtheprudencethatkeepswhatmenstrivefor。”AndnowtheseoldtrainsOfvaguethoughtcameagain；Igrewsurer；so，oncemorethestringOfmyharpmaderesponsetomyspirit，asthus——
13。”Yea，myKing，”
Ibegan——”thoudostwellinrejectingmerecomfortsthatspringFromthemeremortallifeheldincommonbymanandbybrute：[150]
Inourfleshgrowsthebranchofthislife，inoursoulitbearsfruit。
Thouhastmarkedtheslowriseofthetree，——howitsstemtrembledfirstTillitpassedthekid’slip，thestag’santler；thensafelyoutburstThefan-branchesallround；andthoumindestwhenthesetoo，inturnBrokea-bloomandthepalm-treeseemedperfect：yetmorewastolearn，E’enthegoodthatcomesinwiththepalm-fruit。Ourdatesshallweslight，Whentheirjuicebringsacureforallsorrow?orcarefortheplightOfthepalm’sselfwhoseslowgrowthproducedthem?Notso！stemandbranchShalldecay，norbeknownintheirplace，whilethepalm-wineshallstanchEverywoundofman’sspiritinwinter。Ipourtheesuchwine。[160]
Leavethefleshtothefateitwasfitfor！thespiritbethine！
Bythespirit，whenageshallo’ercomethee，thoustillshaltenjoyMoreindeed，thanatfirstwhen，inconscious，thelifeofaboy。
Crushthatlife，andbeholditswinerunning！EachdeedthouhastdoneDies，revives，goestoworkintheworld；untile’enasthesunLookingdownontheearth，thoughcloudsspoilhim，thoughtempestsefface，Canfindnothinghisowndeedproducednot，musteverywheretraceTheresultsofhispastsummer-prime，——so，eachrayofthywill，Everyflashofthypassionandprowess，longover，shallthrillThywholepeople，thecountless，withardor，tilltheytoogiveforth[170]
Alikecheertotheirsons：whointurn，filltheSouthandtheNorthWiththeradiancethydeedwasthegermof。Carouseinthepast！
Butthelicenseofagehasitslimit；thoudiestatlast。
Asthelionwhenagedimshiseyeball，theroseatherheight，Sowithman——sohispowerandhisbeautyforevertakeflight。
No！Againalongdraughtofmysoul-wine！Lookfortho’ertheyears！
Thouhastdonenowwitheyesfortheactual；beginwiththeseer’s！
IsSauldead?Inthedepthofthevalemakehistomb——bidariseAgraymountainofmarbleheapedfour-square，till，builttotheskies，LetitmarkwherethegreatFirstKingslumbers：whosefamewouldyeknow?
Upaboveseetherock’snakedface，wheretherecordshallgo[181]
Ingreatcharacterscutbythescribe，——SuchwasSaul，sohedid；
Withthesagesdirectingthework，bythepopulacechid，——
Fornothalf，they’llaffirm，iscomprisedthere！Whichfaulttoamend，Inthegrovewithhiskindgrowsthecedar，whereontheyshallspend(See，intablets’tislevelbeforethem)theirpraise，andrecordWiththegoldofthegraver，Saul’sstory，——thestatesman’sgreatwordSidebysidewiththepoet’ssweetcomment。Theriver’sa-waveWithsmoothpaper-reedsgrazingeachotherwhenprophet-windsrave：
Sothepengivesunborngenerationstheirdueandtheirpart[190]
Inthybeing！Then，firstofthemighty，thankGodthatthouart！”
14。
AndbeholdwhileIsang……butOThouwhodidstgrantme，thatday，And，beforeit，notseldomhastgrantedthyhelptoessay，Carryonandcompleteanadventure，——myshieldandmyswordInthatactwheremysoulwasthyservant，thywordwasmyword，——
Stillbewithme，whothenatthesummitofhumanendeavorAndscalingthehighest，man’sthoughtcould，gazedhopelessaseverOnthenewstretchofheavenaboveme——till，mightytosave，Justoneliftofthyhandclearedthatdistance——God’sthronefromman’sgrave！
Letmetelloutmytaletoitsending——myvoicetomyheart[200]
WhichcanscarcedarebelieveinwhatmarvelslastnightItookpart，AsthismorningIgatherthefragments，alonewithmysheep！
Andstillfearlesttheterriblegloryevanishlikesleep，ForIwakeinthegraydewycovert，whileHebronupheavesThedawnstrugglingwithnightonhisshoulder，andKidronretrievesSlowthedamageofyesterday’ssunshine。
15。
Isaythen，——mysongWhileIsangthus，assuringthemonarch，and，evermorestrong，Madeaprofferofgoodtoconsolehim——heslowlyresumedHisoldmotionsandhabitudeskingly。TherighthandreplumedHisblacklockstotheirwontedcomposure，adjustedtheswathes[210]
Ofhisturban，andsee——thehugesweatthathiscountenancebathes，Hewipesoffwiththerobe；andhegirdsnowhisloinsasofyore，Andfeelsslowforthearmletsofprice，withtheclaspsetbefore。
HeisSaul，yerememberinglory，——ereerrorhadbentThebroadbrowfromthedailycommunion；andstill，thoughmuchspentBethelifeandthebearingthatfrontyou，thesame，Goddidchoose，Toreceivewhatamanmaywaste，desecrate，neverquitelose。
Sosankhealongbythetent-prop，till，stayedbythepileOfhisarmorandwar-cloakandgarments，heleanedthereawhile，Andsatoutmysinging，——onearmroundthetent-prop，toraise[220]
Hisbenthead，andtheotherhungslack——tillItouchedonthepraiseIforesawfromallmeninalltime，tothemanpatientthere；
Andthusended，theharpfallingforward。ThenfirstIwas’wareThathesat，asIsay，withmyheadjustabovehisvastkneesWhichwerethrustoutoneachsidearoundme，likeoak-rootswhichpleaseToencirclealambwhenitslumbers。IlookeduptoknowIfthebestIcoulddohadbroughtsolace：hespokenot，butslowLiftedupthehandslackathisside，tillhelaiditwithcareSoftandgrave，butinmildsettledwill，onmybrow：throughmyhairThelargefingerswerepushed，andhebentbackmyhead，withkindpower——
Allmyfaceback，intenttoperuseit，asmendoaflower。[231]
Thusheldhemetherewithhisgreateyesthatscrutinizedmine——
Andoh，allmyhearthowitlovedhim！butwherewasthesign?
Iyearned——”CouldIhelpthee，myfather，inventingabliss，Iwouldadd，tothatlifeofthepast，boththefutureandthis；
Iwouldgivetheenewlifealtogether，asgood，ageshence，Asthismoment，——hadlovebutthewarrant，love’shearttodispense！”
