Note 347 — NOTES ON ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. (continued 2)

Next Jonas stands, bull faced but chicken-souled, Who once the silver Sanhedrim controuled, Their gold tipped tongue; gold his great council's bawd, Till by succeeding Sanhedrims outlawed. He was preferred to guard the sacred* store, There lordly rolling in whole mines of ore; To dicing lords a cully favourite, He prostitutes whole cargoes in a night. Then to the top of his ambition come, Fills all his sayls for hopeful Absalom; For his religion's as the reason calls, God's in possession, in reversion Baal's; He bears himself a dove to mortal race, And though not man, he can look heaven i' th' face. Never was compound of more different stuff, A heart in lambskin, and a conscience buff.