In John Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel," these lines are part of a satirical portrayal of Achitophel, a character based on the historical figure of the Earl of Shaftesbury. Dryden uses this poem to comment on the political situation in England during the reign of King Charles II, particularly the tension surrounding the Exclusion Crisis, which sought to exclude Charles's brother, James, Duke of York, from the line of succession due to his Catholic faith.

Let's break down the passage:

• Lines 604-605: Achitophel is described as someone who would join in cursing the king just to maintain harmony with his company, highlighting his hypocrisy and willingness to compromise his principles for social acceptance.

• Lines 606-609: When someone dared to accuse his faction, Achitophel would manipulate the judicial process by selecting a biased jury ("dissenting Jews"). This jury's shared interests in the "godly cause" would ensure that the accused would be freed, exposing the corruption and partiality in his administration.

• Lines 610-611: The laws, according to Dryden's satire, were manipulated to punish those loyal to the king and protect his enemies, indicating the perversion of justice under Achitophel's influence.

• Lines 612-615: In his spare time, Achitophel wrote to persuade others that kings were unnecessary and hindered trade, showing his intellectual efforts to undermine the monarchy.

• Lines 616-617: Achitophel is depicted as abstaining from alcohol, similar to the Rechabites, a biblical group known for their abstinence, suggesting a superficial display of virtue.

• Lines 618-621: His frugality, especially in his household and dining, is exaggerated to an extent that even his cooks forgot their trade due to lack of use. This portrays him as someone who shuns excess, but possibly to a fault or as a facade.

• Lines 622-625: This "frugal virtue" might be criticized as malice, but Dryden suggests it was necessary for the Jews, who needed leaders that would not provoke divine wrath by extravagance, hinting at a religious justification.

• Lines 626-629: Achitophel fed his servants with "spiritual food," avoiding flesh, which he claims led to rebellion, and adhered strictly to Moses' laws, particularly fasting, to demonstrate his piety.

• Lines 630-631: The final lines suggest that recounting all of Achitophel's characteristics would exhaust even a well-prepared witness, emphasizing the extent of his schemes and the widespread nature of his influence.

Overall, Dryden uses these lines to satirize Achitophel's manipulation, hypocrisy, and the corruption he represents. Through this character, Dryden critiques the political machinations of his time, employing wit and irony to expose the flaws and dangers of those who seek power through deceit and manipulation.