The Year of Wonders Being a literal and poetical translation of an old Latin prophecy, found near Merlin's cave, By S---n D---k [i.e. Stephen Duck] |
 |
|
 | The Year of Wonders |  |
Our State Empiricks we should all abjure,
Who give deep Wounds, but can't the slightest cure;
Perfect Buffoons, in shallow Cunning snug,
Wise in unmeaning Nod, unconscious Shrug:
To Credit lost, their Truth is all a Lye,
Detected, blush not, scorn Apology:
Poor, aukward Mimicks of the French Caprice,
Quite Bunglers in politick Artifice.
From foreign Realms we copy all that's bad,
And part with those few Virtues that we had.
All Frauds the North, South, East and West produce,
In our kind Climate ripen into Use.
I--- appears a Man of tip-top Worth,
I--- th'Election-Jobber of the North:
A--- on Rev'rend Sine-cures severe,
Has in Lay-Posts Twelve Thousand Pounds a Year.
Such are our fav'rite Confidents of Kings!
From what hid Causes Royal Bounty springs?
Such to Kings Favours must have vast Pretence,
Their Merit Treason by Inheritance.
These are profess'd Corruption's Halcyon Days,
When thus supported in all Shapes and Ways.
We shall in Speculation quickly see
The charming Beauties of fair Liberty.
Fair Liberty enriches ev'ry Soil,
Makes Barrenness rejoice, and High-lands smile!
Fair Liberty shews all Mankind serene,
The Landlord happy, and the Peasant clean;
The Merchant chearful, and the Soldier brave,
And Man a free-born Subject, not a Slave.
Who give deep Wounds, but can't the slightest cure;
Perfect Buffoons, in shallow Cunning snug,
Wise in unmeaning Nod, unconscious Shrug:
8
Detected, blush not, scorn Apology:
Poor, aukward Mimicks of the French Caprice,
Quite Bunglers in politick Artifice.
From foreign Realms we copy all that's bad,
And part with those few Virtues that we had.
All Frauds the North, South, East and West produce,
In our kind Climate ripen into Use.
I--- appears a Man of tip-top Worth,
I--- th'Election-Jobber of the North:
A--- on Rev'rend Sine-cures severe,
Has in Lay-Posts Twelve Thousand Pounds a Year.
Such are our fav'rite Confidents of Kings!
From what hid Causes Royal Bounty springs?
Such to Kings Favours must have vast Pretence,
Their Merit Treason by Inheritance.
These are profess'd Corruption's Halcyon Days,
When thus supported in all Shapes and Ways.
We shall in Speculation quickly see
The charming Beauties of fair Liberty.
Fair Liberty enriches ev'ry Soil,
Makes Barrenness rejoice, and High-lands smile!
Fair Liberty shews all Mankind serene,
The Landlord happy, and the Peasant clean;
The Merchant chearful, and the Soldier brave,
And Man a free-born Subject, not a Slave.
| The Year of Wonders | |