Identifying the Poem: Absalom and Achitophel Analysis

The question asks us to identify the poem from which the given lines are taken:

"When nature prompted and no law denied
Promiscuous use of concubine and bride;
Then Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart,
His vigorous warmth did variously impart
To wives and slaves."

To figure out the correct poem, let's look for clues within the lines themselves and consider the possible options provided.

Analyzing the Key Phrases

• "Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart": This is a very strong clue. In the Bible, King David is described as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) and was the king of Israel.
• "Promiscuous use of concubine and bride" and "impart To wives and slaves": These phrases refer to the marital and sexual practices of this monarch, specifically mentioning multiple wives and concubines/slaves, which is historically associated with biblical kings like David and Solomon.

These clues point towards a poem that deals with biblical themes, specifically relating to King David or using him as a figure.

Evaluating the Options

1. Absalom and Achitophel : A Poem: This is a famous satirical poem by John Dryden. It uses the biblical story of King David (representing King Charles II), his rebellious son Absalom (representing the Duke of Monmouth), and the treacherous advisor Achitophel (representing the Earl of Shaftesbury) as an allegory for the political situation in England during the Exclusion Crisis (late 17th century). Given the explicit reference to "Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart," this poem is a very strong candidate. The lines likely refer to King David's historical practices, used in the poem's allegorical framework.
2. MacFlecknoe: This is another satirical poem by Dryden, but it is a mock-heroic satire ridiculing Thomas Shadwell, portraying him as the successor to Richard Flecknoe as the king of Dullness. It has no connection to biblical kings or the themes in the quoted lines.
3. A Song for St. Cecilia's Day: This is an ode by Dryden celebrating the power of music and St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music. It is unrelated to the themes or imagery in the quoted lines.
4. Alexander's Feast: Also an ode by Dryden, this poem celebrates the power of music by recounting how Timotheus influences the emotions of Alexander the Great during a feast. It is also unrelated to the biblical themes or the figure of an Israelite monarch.

Conclusion

Based on the clear reference to "Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart" and the description of his lifestyle, the lines are undoubtedly taken from a work that engages with the biblical narrative of King David. Among the given options, only Absalom and Achitophel : A Poem fits this description, being a direct allegory using the story of King David and his son Absalom.

Revision Table: Key Dryden Poems

Additional Information: Absalom and Achitophel Context

Absalom and Achitophel is considered one of the greatest political satires in English literature. Written in heroic couplets, it was first published anonymously in 1681. The poem was written in response to the Exclusion Crisis, a political struggle over who would succeed King Charles II. The Whig party sought to exclude Charles's Catholic brother, James, Duke of York, from the throne. The Duke of Monmouth, an illegitimate but popular Protestant son of Charles II, was proposed as an alternative candidate by figures like the Earl of Shaftesbury.

Dryden, a supporter of the King, used the biblical story from 2 Samuel chapters 15-18, where Absalom rebels against his father King David with the help of his counselor Ahithophel, to comment on the contemporary English political situation. King David represents Charles II, Absalom represents the Duke of Monmouth, and Achitophel represents the Earl of Shaftesbury. The poem critiques the political maneuvering and figures involved in the plot against the King, using biblical parallels to add weight and perhaps imply divine disapproval of the rebellion.