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!”