The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse (1735-1820): Edited by the Rev. R. I. Woodhouse |
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CHAPTER 16th.
The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse |  |
Here let me state what Paul and Peter urge,
And see what light from darkness may emerge—
But first let's lay some full position down,
To suit the sight of Courtier, King, and Clown;
That Kings themselves, tho', commonly, so dull,
Must feel the inference strike them, fair, and full;
They ne'er can be so ignorant, gross and blind,
But they must mark its force, like all Mankind!
And see what light from darkness may emerge—
But first let's lay some full position down,
To suit the sight of Courtier, King, and Clown;
That Kings themselves, tho', commonly, so dull,
Must feel the inference strike them, fair, and full;
They ne'er can be so ignorant, gross and blind,
But they must mark its force, like all Mankind!
None, sure, will aim to shine in Reason's list,
And say no Truth, or Justice, now exist—
Or with a proud effrontery try to show,
Such Beings, now, are never known below;
But can alone exist with hosts above,
Angels and Saints, in Holiness and Love!
That Heav'n's bright Image, now, is full effac'd
And all its right Inscriptions clean eras'd;
No! those bright Essences, tho' faint, are found,
In gracious Christians' hearts on earthly ground;
And well 'tis prov'd that every perfect Thing,
Reflects the Deity, from whence they spring—
But that whose Nature has no heavenly trace
Could ne'er arise from such celestial Race;
Thus Kings display so much of hellish leav'n,
Fools only fancy such can come from Heav'n.
The British Muse dare this bold Truth advance,
Who marks the Fiend which governs Fools in France.
Besides this stands indisputable Truth,
Well-known to learn'd and unlearn'd Age—and Youth—
The Pow'r, whate'er it be, which can create
May justly close, at Will, its Creature's date.
And, tho' it be not part of Nature's Plan,
That Man, created, can create a Man—
Nor, in Man's pow'r, by Sciences, and Arts,
To give his Fellow Grace, or Sense, or Parts;
Yet, when the mighty God hath made such Things,
Man, then hath Pow'r to make such Creatures Kings.
And say no Truth, or Justice, now exist—
Or with a proud effrontery try to show,
Such Beings, now, are never known below;
But can alone exist with hosts above,
Angels and Saints, in Holiness and Love!
69
And all its right Inscriptions clean eras'd;
No! those bright Essences, tho' faint, are found,
In gracious Christians' hearts on earthly ground;
And well 'tis prov'd that every perfect Thing,
Reflects the Deity, from whence they spring—
But that whose Nature has no heavenly trace
Could ne'er arise from such celestial Race;
Thus Kings display so much of hellish leav'n,
Fools only fancy such can come from Heav'n.
The British Muse dare this bold Truth advance,
Who marks the Fiend which governs Fools in France.
Besides this stands indisputable Truth,
Well-known to learn'd and unlearn'd Age—and Youth—
The Pow'r, whate'er it be, which can create
May justly close, at Will, its Creature's date.
And, tho' it be not part of Nature's Plan,
That Man, created, can create a Man—
Nor, in Man's pow'r, by Sciences, and Arts,
To give his Fellow Grace, or Sense, or Parts;
Yet, when the mighty God hath made such Things,
Man, then hath Pow'r to make such Creatures Kings.
In this the Author of the Fable-Book;
Thro' ignorance, trick, or knavery—much mistook—
Tho' Jupiter may make both Cranes and Logs,
Yet Monarchs must be made for Frogs, by Frogs.
Thus, if a Number, of fool-Frogs, propose
To make their Sovereigns of such Things as Those,
And mutual Compact is both sign'd, and seal'd,
It cannot, then, in Justice, be repeal'd,
While those acknowledg'd Monarchs Lives endure,
And Ifs, on both Sides all are kept secure—
But Log, or Crane, that holds deputed Pow'rs,
If ignorant Log neglects, or Crane devours,
And thus the binding Articles be broke
Then Frogs not only have a Right to croak,
But Kings cashier, for Perjury—Pride—or Spite—
And set aside each delegated Right.
Thro' ignorance, trick, or knavery—much mistook—
Tho' Jupiter may make both Cranes and Logs,
Yet Monarchs must be made for Frogs, by Frogs.
Thus, if a Number, of fool-Frogs, propose
To make their Sovereigns of such Things as Those,
And mutual Compact is both sign'd, and seal'd,
It cannot, then, in Justice, be repeal'd,
While those acknowledg'd Monarchs Lives endure,
And Ifs, on both Sides all are kept secure—
But Log, or Crane, that holds deputed Pow'rs,
If ignorant Log neglects, or Crane devours,
And thus the binding Articles be broke
Then Frogs not only have a Right to croak,
But Kings cashier, for Perjury—Pride—or Spite—
And set aside each delegated Right.
Should Log, or Crane, by no intemperate act
Infringe a portion of that mutual pact;
But without painful burden, fraud, or strife,
Conclude their terms of dull, or dangerous, Life;
Yet if the cunning scheme was so contriv'd,
Young Block or Bird, which regal Sire surviv'd,
With wooden hand, or claw, should hold the Helm,
And Logs or Cranes, for ever, rule the Realm,
Tho' Providence should so far change their Nature
In bulk, and burden—fierceness, strength, and stature—
That One should kill all comfort with its weight,
Or t'other greedy, gulp ev'n Imps of State;
It seems unjust—unsufferably hard—
Those Frogs might not such scoundrel Kings discard.
Infringe a portion of that mutual pact;
But without painful burden, fraud, or strife,
Conclude their terms of dull, or dangerous, Life;
Yet if the cunning scheme was so contriv'd,
Young Block or Bird, which regal Sire surviv'd,
With wooden hand, or claw, should hold the Helm,
And Logs or Cranes, for ever, rule the Realm,
Tho' Providence should so far change their Nature
In bulk, and burden—fierceness, strength, and stature—
That One should kill all comfort with its weight,
Or t'other greedy, gulp ev'n Imps of State;
It seems unjust—unsufferably hard—
Those Frogs might not such scoundrel Kings discard.
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CHAPTER 16th.
The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse | |