In Imitation of Hudibras The Dissenting Hypocrite, or Occasional Conformist; with reflections On Two of the Ring-Leaders, &c. Viz. I. Their Works and Writings. II. Their Professions and Principles. III. Their Qualifications and Parts. IV. Their Persons and Practices [by Edward Ward] |
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 | In Imitation of Hudibras |  |
In Liberty of Conscience granted,
They fairly have what they so wanted;
But then they ought the Juster be,
Make Conscience of that Liberty:
Not use it as a Stalking Horse
To treat their Benefactors worse;
Not exceed slily their own Bounds,
And trespass upon other's Grounds.
Thus Partridges in Fields are driven,
By License to a Sportsman given,
Into a laid entangling Snare,
Before Poor Creatures are aware:
So by Experience we are taught,
That easy Princes may be caught.
If they've false Calls and baser Tricks,
And play the Devil on two Sticks;
Or, Potchers-like, destroy the Game
Thro' Liberty to do the same:
If things are so indeed; in my Sense,
They never should have any License
For Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, Fowling;
But be condemn'd to Night's Scriech-Owling,
And not confront the brightest Day
Of ANN's Illustrious dazzling Sway,
With their blind Flights and their licentious Prey:
They fairly have what they so wanted;
But then they ought the Juster be,
Make Conscience of that Liberty:
Not use it as a Stalking Horse
To treat their Benefactors worse;
Not exceed slily their own Bounds,
And trespass upon other's Grounds.
Thus Partridges in Fields are driven,
By License to a Sportsman given,
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Before Poor Creatures are aware:
So by Experience we are taught,
That easy Princes may be caught.
If they've false Calls and baser Tricks,
And play the Devil on two Sticks;
Or, Potchers-like, destroy the Game
Thro' Liberty to do the same:
If things are so indeed; in my Sense,
They never should have any License
For Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, Fowling;
But be condemn'd to Night's Scriech-Owling,
And not confront the brightest Day
Of ANN's Illustrious dazzling Sway,
With their blind Flights and their licentious Prey:
| In Imitation of Hudibras | |