Thus, with forgiving tears, and reconcil'd,
The king of Judah mourn'd his rebel child!
Musing on days when yet the guiltless boy
Smil'd on his sire and fill'd his heart with joy!
My Absalom! the voice of Nature cried!
Oh! that for thee thy father could have died!
For bloody was the deed, and rashly done,
That slew my Absalom! — my son! — my son!