Where is David, the Next King of Israel?

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!”