David and his three captains bold br Kept ambush once within a hold. br It was in Adullam's cave, br Nigh which no water they could have. br Nor spring nor running brook was near br To quench the thirst that parched them there. br Then David king of Israel br Straight bethought him of a well br Which stood beside the city gate br At Bethlem: where, before his state br Of kingly dignity, he had br Oft drunk his fill, a shepherd lad. br But now his fierce Philistian foe br Encamped before it he does know. br Yet ne'er the less with heat opprest, br Those three bold captains he addrest, br And wished that one to him would bring br Some water from his native spring. br His valiant captains instantly br To execute his will did fly. br Those three brave men the ranks broke through br Of armëd foes, and water drew br For David, their belovëd king, br At his own sweet native spring. br Back through their enemies they haste, br With the hard-earned treasure graced. br What with such danger they had sought, br With joy unto their king they brought. br But when the good king David found br What they had done, he on the ground br The water poured, 'Because,' said he, br 'That it was at the jeopardy br Of your three lives this thing ye did, br That I should drink it God forbid.