The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse :: :: University of Virginia Library

If earthly Kings and Princes wish to prove
How they deriv'd their Office from above,
The Deeds and Documents let Subjects see,
That They no more may wish their Wills to free,
But clearly both their Claims, and Titles, know,
And how, and when, brought down to Them below.
One only Writing, now, can well declare
What those Distinctions—Claims—and Titles are—
One Chronicle, alone, the truth disclose,
Whence each high Office—each proud Pow'r arose;
Which can alone to that blest Lord belong,

Who fashion'd Kings so like the common Throng,
That none but His omniscient Eye can trace
Such nice Distinctions in each Royal Race—
More Virtue—Merit—Piety—behold,
Beneath more gorgeous Cloaths, or Crowns of gold!

Has He superior Loans to Princes lent
Of intellectual clearness—strength—extent?
Or, can they, thro' His bounty, boldly claim
More Beauty—force—activity—of Frame?
If not, where is the prompt decisive proof
That They ought hold their haughty heads aloof—
That They should execute supreme Commands,
Before all others, o'er illumin'd Lands;
Or dare to stretch rude, magisterial Sway
O'er Men with Gifts, and Graces, more than They?
Innumerous Men, by Heav'n, made far more meet,
To hold, with Honour, such superior Seat—
Not to perform a Despot's paltry Parts
But rule all Wills by reigning in all Hearts.

Why should acknowledg'd Knave, or frantic Fool,
Be thron'd by Custom, or by Birthright rule?
Why Blockhead climb before a Fellow-Clown,
To seize a Sceptre, and to claim a Crown?
Or Frantic, in his fits, direct the Course,
Before some Sage, a Realm's Finance, and Force?

Could such a Creature Deity depute,
Whom He ne'er bless'd with one bright Attribute;
Without one spark of Wisdom, Wit, or Worth,
To be His Representative on Earth?
Can any Soul perceive one feature strike,
In Made and Maker, as at all alike?

Let dullest Rustics diligently read,
With simple Sense, in Heav'n's recorded Deed;
Or let the better-taught, attentive, look
Thro' the prime Chapters of that blessed Book,
With only natural Reason for their guide,
Unprejudic'd by Passions, Lusts, or Pride,
Then will they not need read, or reason, long,
To learn whence all such Pow'r, and Honour sprung.
Which spread their deleterious banes below;
O'er-flowing Fountains of dire Want, and Woe!
Of Envy—Hatred—Discontent—and Strife
And, choice of other chastening Ills of Life.

God never meant to mar His perfect Plan
By making Kings; He only made a Man.
But Man, seduc'd from innocence, at first;
By Satan's cunning soon became accurst;
Severely suffering now Heav'n's vengeful Rod
By aiming to become, Himself, a God!

Man never can create the smallest thing,
But can, of one created, make a King;
And, as he cannot any Thing create,
So can he not decree one Creature's fate—
Nor can his Will e'er generate, or devour,
One particle of Matter—Mind—or Pow'r—
He may a Novice, or a Knave, invest
With all the Freedom he from Heav'n possest—
That Pow'r transfer, he once could call his own,
To any Thing that occupies a Throne,
By making independent Will submit
To That in all Things, whether fair, or fit.
Or whether wise or honest, Knave or Fool,
Becoming, simply Its obedient Tool.

	CHAPTER 16th. The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse