On the Lord Lovelace's coming to Oxford
from Glocester Gaol in Decem. 1688.
1
A late Expedition to Oxford was made
By a Protestant Peer and his Brother o'th blade,
Who in Triumph his Lordship from Glocester convey'd,
Which no body can deny.
2
Had you seen all his Mirmidons when they came to us,
Equipt in their thred-bare grey Coats and high Shoos,
You'd have sworn not the Goal, but Hell was broke loose,
Which, &c.
3
In rank and in file there rode many a Man,
Some march'd in the Rear and some in the Van,
And for want of their Hats they had Head-pieces on,
Which, &c.
4
Tho Arms were not plenty, yet armed they come
With stout oaken Plants and Crabtree Sticks some,
To cudgel the Pope and the bald Pate of Rome,
Which, &c.
5
Some had two able Legs, but never a Boot,
And on their Tits mounted they stood stoutly to't,
But for the Name of a Horse they'd as good went on foot,
Which, &c.
6
In all these gay Troops, 'mongst twenty scarce one
Had Halbert or Pistol, Sword, Carabine or Gun;
A Sign they did mean no great harm should be done,
Which, &c.
7
One Horse wore a Halter among the rest,
Nor had the dull Wight half the Sense of his Beast,
And he of the two did deserve the Rope best,
Which, &c.
8
Here were many Gallants I warrant you that
Had Ribbons of Orange and Seamans Cravat,
The Defect of their Arms was made up in State,
VVhich, &c.
9
Here Mordant and G--- on their pamper'd Steeds prance,
D--- Brab---, G--- next, and J. Willis advance,
Who phyz'd at the Switzer that can'd him in France,
VVhich, &c.
10
In this Cavalcade, for the Grace of the matter,
Lord Lovelace rode first, and the next follow'd after,
They gallopt up Town first, and then down to Water,
VVhich, &c.
11
The Mayor and his Brethren in courteous Fashion,
Bid him welcome to Town in a fine pen'd Oration,
And thank'd him for taking such Care of the Nation,
VVhich, &c.
12
His Honour the next day in Courtship exceeding,
Return'd a smart Speech to shew them his Breeding,
Which when 'tis in print will be well worth the reading,
VVhich, &c.
13
Having thus far proceeded to secure the Town,
The Guards were strait set, and the Bridges beat down,
And tho no great Courage, yet his Conduct was shown,
VVhich, &c.
14
Next Night's Alarum our Warriours surprize,
Drums beat, Trumpets sound, and at Midnight all rise
To fight the King's Army that came in disguise,
Which, &c.
15
The Cits were strait armed, expert Men and able,
With Prongs and with Coal-staffs march'd next whooping Rabble,
In as great a Confusion as ever was Babel,
Which, &c.
16
In the midst of the Mob two fat Draymen appear,
To guard Mr. Ensign a huge nasty Tar,
Who flourish'd a Blanket for Colours of War,
Which, &c.
17
Since England was England, no People e'er scarce
So pleasantly burlesq'd the angry God Mars,
Or of Affairs warlike e'er made such a Farce,
Which, &c.
18
At the foot of the Colours blith Craudon did go,
Who play'd a new Tune you very well know,
His Bagpipes squeak'd nothing but Lero, Lero,
Which, &c.
19
And had the Dear Joys now but come in the nick,
I fancy they had shown them a slippery Trick,
And march'd more nimbly without their Musick,
Which no Body can deny.
