The School of Politicks or, the humours of a coffee-house: a poem. The Second Edition Corrected and much Enlarged by the Author [i.e. Edward Ward] |
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| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. | XVII.
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| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
 | The School of Politicks |  |
XVII.
[Hearing loud Talk and warm Dispute]
Hearing loud Talk and warm Dispute,
I sate me down to listen to't:
A Cluster were ingag'd, but chiefly Two
Unsheath'd their Arguments, and drew
In Controversie's open Field;
He who did the defensive Weapon yield
Was both to Wit and Sense allied,
Nay, more, the Truth was on his side;
His Habit rich, but modest,—t'other,
Yea plainly, a dissenting Brother,
Who confidently would maintain,
The Papists first the War began,
In those sad Times when Jealousies and Fears
Set Folks together by the Ears;
Nay, more, that they the Persons were
Who brought the King into the Snare,
And when they had him safely there,
Did, in the sight of all Beholders,
Take off his Head from off his Shoulders.
(A Lye so very gross like this,
What Hearer would not take amiss?)
This caus'd the Gentleman to storm,
Already with his Canting warm;
How, Sir, (says he,) can you with any Face
Transfer the Guilt, most justly yours,
(I mean your Party's,) on the Papists? They,
'Tis own'd, are bad enough; but can you, 'pray,
Inform us who amongst those ruling Powers
That sate at Westminster that fatal Day,
When Charles (the Good, the Pious, and the Just,
Being from Kingdoms three most basely thrust,)
Was tried, which of them all went to Mass?
What Roman Catholick to sign was known
The Warrant for his Execution?
Hold, Sir, (replies the other,) not too fast:
Upon the Stage they did not much appear,
'Tis own'd, but they behind the Curtain stood, and what,
Was ordered to be done was then effected.
Good Counsel ought not, Sir, to be rejected,
(Replies the other,) but 'tis plain and clear,
The Guilt should only at your Doors be cast.—
At mine, Sir? Pray excuse me, I comply
With ev'ry Government.—That's uppermost you mean.
But, Sir, since you and I have been
Disputing thus, let me one Secret tell.—
A Secret, (said I;) no, 'tis known too well,
No Government your Party ever pleas'd;
And if that Miracles had not been ceas'd,
Should Heaven to humour you create
A Kingdom, Commonwealth, or State,
Together with such wise and wholesome Laws,
Wherein sharp Criticks could discern no flaws,
Yet you'd be still uneasie.—
I sate me down to listen to't:
A Cluster were ingag'd, but chiefly Two
Unsheath'd their Arguments, and drew
In Controversie's open Field;
He who did the defensive Weapon yield
Was both to Wit and Sense allied,
Nay, more, the Truth was on his side;
His Habit rich, but modest,—t'other,
Yea plainly, a dissenting Brother,
Who confidently would maintain,
The Papists first the War began,
In those sad Times when Jealousies and Fears
Set Folks together by the Ears;
Nay, more, that they the Persons were
Who brought the King into the Snare,
And when they had him safely there,
Did, in the sight of all Beholders,
Take off his Head from off his Shoulders.
(A Lye so very gross like this,
What Hearer would not take amiss?)
21
Already with his Canting warm;
How, Sir, (says he,) can you with any Face
Transfer the Guilt, most justly yours,
(I mean your Party's,) on the Papists? They,
'Tis own'd, are bad enough; but can you, 'pray,
Inform us who amongst those ruling Powers
That sate at Westminster that fatal Day,
When Charles (the Good, the Pious, and the Just,
Being from Kingdoms three most basely thrust,)
Was tried, which of them all went to Mass?
What Roman Catholick to sign was known
The Warrant for his Execution?
Hold, Sir, (replies the other,) not too fast:
Upon the Stage they did not much appear,
'Tis own'd, but they behind the Curtain stood, and what,
Was ordered to be done was then effected.
Good Counsel ought not, Sir, to be rejected,
(Replies the other,) but 'tis plain and clear,
The Guilt should only at your Doors be cast.—
At mine, Sir? Pray excuse me, I comply
With ev'ry Government.—That's uppermost you mean.
But, Sir, since you and I have been
Disputing thus, let me one Secret tell.—
A Secret, (said I;) no, 'tis known too well,
No Government your Party ever pleas'd;
And if that Miracles had not been ceas'd,
Should Heaven to humour you create
A Kingdom, Commonwealth, or State,
22
Wherein sharp Criticks could discern no flaws,
Yet you'd be still uneasie.—
—Sir, too far
You stretch your Argument; for are
We not as quiet in the present Reign,
As those who stiffly Monarchy maintain?
Yes, doubtless, you (replies the other) can
Conform to all the Modes which e'er
The Government are ready to prepare;
But your Compliance is but Masquerade,
Your Loyalty is forc'd, your Faith a Trade;
T'enjoy your Liberty the State thinks fit,
Pray Heav'n you make good use of it;
Forbear your Canting, VVhining, idle Style,
VVith no amusements see you do beguile
You Hearers; strive but to be true;
Against the Laws do you forget to rail,
And let but Sense 'gainst Bigotry prevail;
And then—
You stretch your Argument; for are
We not as quiet in the present Reign,
As those who stiffly Monarchy maintain?
Yes, doubtless, you (replies the other) can
Conform to all the Modes which e'er
The Government are ready to prepare;
But your Compliance is but Masquerade,
Your Loyalty is forc'd, your Faith a Trade;
T'enjoy your Liberty the State thinks fit,
Pray Heav'n you make good use of it;
Forbear your Canting, VVhining, idle Style,
VVith no amusements see you do beguile
You Hearers; strive but to be true;
Against the Laws do you forget to rail,
And let but Sense 'gainst Bigotry prevail;
And then—
—Oh! Sir, we know what best to do,
VVe come not here to be inform'd by you.—
But Counsel's cheap, Sir, I demand no Fees.—
But you may counsel others if you please.—
Nay, if you're angry, Sir, I'm gone;
This 'tis when good advice is thrown
Away on Men; but e'er your Company I leave,
Remember this, while vainly you believe
Others to cheat, you don't your selves deceive.
VVe come not here to be inform'd by you.—
But Counsel's cheap, Sir, I demand no Fees.—
But you may counsel others if you please.—
Nay, if you're angry, Sir, I'm gone;
This 'tis when good advice is thrown
Away on Men; but e'er your Company I leave,
Remember this, while vainly you believe
Others to cheat, you don't your selves deceive.
| The School of Politicks | |