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 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
But, though he do his duty; nor his Pow'r
Or Virtue will avail us, till of our
Known duties, our regard be somewhat more
Than it appears to have been heretofore.
No good success, though he continue true,
If we be false, can possibly ensue.
No Nation can from servitude be saved,
Which, when it may be free, will be enslaved.
They easily, and justly are betray'd,
Where Traitors are for treason better paid
Than faithful men, who freely did oppose,
With life and livelihood, their Countries Foes.
Who can be safe, where it is hardly known
Either what Laws, or Cause, or Pow'r to own,
Or to disown? VVhere, merited or not,
Knaves, Fools, and Wise men have the self-same Lot?
And honest men, deserving best, (and first)
A worse than they, who have deserved worst?
Yea, where some suffer, till they cannot fear
VVorse mischiefs, than they feel already there,
Although he should deceive their expectations,
Who, now, preserves the peace of these three Nations,
Expose us to the fury of the Dragon,
And with his horse, draw hither Charles his Wagon.
Or Virtue will avail us, till of our
Known duties, our regard be somewhat more
Than it appears to have been heretofore.
No good success, though he continue true,
If we be false, can possibly ensue.
No Nation can from servitude be saved,
Which, when it may be free, will be enslaved.
They easily, and justly are betray'd,
Where Traitors are for treason better paid
Than faithful men, who freely did oppose,
With life and livelihood, their Countries Foes.
Who can be safe, where it is hardly known
Either what Laws, or Cause, or Pow'r to own,
Or to disown? VVhere, merited or not,
Knaves, Fools, and Wise men have the self-same Lot?
And honest men, deserving best, (and first)
A worse than they, who have deserved worst?
Yea, where some suffer, till they cannot fear
VVorse mischiefs, than they feel already there,
Although he should deceive their expectations,
Who, now, preserves the peace of these three Nations,
Expose us to the fury of the Dragon,
And with his horse, draw hither Charles his Wagon.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |