360 THE HOLY LAND. 
CHAP, had his head covered ; and he went bare-foot : 
VIII. ' 
and all the people that was with him covered 
every man his head ; and they went up weeping." 
Abstracted from every religious view, and 
considered solely as a subject for the most 
gifted genius in poetry or in painting, it is 
perhaps impossible to select a sublimer theme. 
Every thing that is great and affecting seems 
to be represented in the description ^ of the 
procession or march of David, in his passage 
across the Kedron; and particularly in the 
moment when the Ark of the Covenant is sent 
back, and the king, having in vain entreated 
Ittai - to leave him, begins to ascend the moun- 
tain, preceded by the various people said to 
form the van of the procession. Every won- 
derful association of natural and of artificial 
features, of landscape and of architecture, of 
splendid and diversified costume, of sacred 
pomp, and of unequalled pathos, dignify the 
scene : here a solemn train of mourners ; there 
(1) See the whole of the Fifteenth Chapter of the Second Book of 
Samuel. 
(2) " Then said the king to Ittui the G'Utitc, Wlierefore goest thou 
also with us ? Return to thy place, and abide with the king ; for thou, 
art a stranger, and also an exile. Whereas thou earnest but yester- 
day, should I this day make thee wander in going up and down with 
us? Seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy 
brethren : mercy and truth be with thee !" Ibid. vv. 19,20. 
