University of Virginia Library

I.

For Monarchy; it is by all confess'd
Our antient Government, that sutes us best;
Our Legal Form, to which our Statutes bind,
By Laws supported, and by Laws defin'd.
And more what can be ask'd? But when this Name
Shall sore an Heav'nly Pitch, and Kindred claim
With Jove himself: when boundless Rule and free,
Contemning Laws, shall fetch its Pedigree
From sacred Writ, and be impos'd upon
The World, on pain of dire Damnation;
The Filmer's Tribe, with their Paternal Farce,
Into one House shall cramp the Universe;
That Noah's Heirs despoticly might rule,
Altho a Cobler, Mad-man, Knave or Fool:
When Hodge and Parker's Doctrines do revive,
Which God Almighty's Pow'r to Monarchs give,
To rule the World with such a perfect Sway,
That they the Potters are, and we the Clay:
We rub our Eyes, and quickly are aware
What the Result of such wild Maxims are.
For then our Laws are Mockery and Sport,
Our Judges are but Heraulds to the Court.
Our Antient Rolls, grown useless to preserve
Our Rights, may then for Taylors Measures serve,
Or Childrens Drums; our Property and Claims
Are all but blustering Sounds and empty Names:
Our Charters too are void, tho sworn and sign'd,
For no Concessions Right Divine can bind.
Who strives to limit such a Sov'reign Head,
Fetters Levi'than with a single Thread:
Heav'ns darling, he was only made to sport,
And take his pastime in the Watry Court,
Where all th'inferiour Mutes, and lesser Fry,
Are but his Chattels, Goods and Property.
Then talk of nat'ral Liberty no more,
Equality of Souls is out of door,
All, but of Kings, were stamp'd for Slaves and Poor.
And were they visible, you might descry
The native Badges of Servility:
As Camels shew they were design'd for Packs,
By nat'ral Pack-saddles upon their Backs.
Such Notions well might sute the former Reigns,
When French and Turkish Models fill'd our Brains,
But under one who Champion comes to be
Of England's, and of Europe's Liberty,
Such Language needs must grate upon our Ears,
And 'midst our Joys and Hopes, must whisper Fears.
When such for Patriots pass, who t'other Day
Were the known Tools of Arbitrary Sway;
And those that English Laws and Freedoms plead,
Republicans are presently decreed,
Altho the Men that Crown'd our Prince's Head.
When such Discourses fill the Town, what less,
Can be design'd than James's Re-access?
By blackning those who have so plainly shown
Themselves the best Supporters of the Throne.
Or else they fain would tempt the Royal Breast
To more desire of Rule, than will consist
With English Laws, or with his Oath and Word,
That of his Subjects he might be abhorr'd;
And so might pave the absent Prince's Way,
And fall the Gallick Tyrant's easy Prey.
But Heav'n, that at the Boyne its Power did shew,
We hope will save him from these Flatt'rers too,
More dangerous than grazing Ball that flew.