University of Virginia Library

They, who did neither by their deeds or words,
By counsel, by their pens, or by their swords,
Begin those Innovations in the state,
VVhich have been prosecuted here of late;
No, nor so much as by a secret thought,
Contribute to those Changes which were brought
Upon these Islands, till they were effected
By other men: they, whom themselves subjected
Either but passively, to those in power,
To scape those mischiefs which might them devour;
Or, meerely actively, to help prevent
An Anarchy, and Evils imminent;
(Which is no more then God's law doth command,
VVhen he makes alterations in a Land;
And hath been also, practis'd by all Nations
In every Kingdom, through all Generations,
VVhen either by his grace, or his permission,
He brings a poople into our Condition.
Ev'n they who did no more, are made to share
VVith those, who wilfully transgressors were,
And Murtherers, and Traytors be reputed;
As if the Kingdom, which was constituted
Before these Changes had continued on,
And all which hath by God and men been done,
VVere but a Dream, of which, now they awake,
Men may at will, Interpretations make:
Or, as if Actings, in a time of War,
Were bounded, as in times of Peace they are:
VVhereas tis known, that, War doth silence all
Laws, either Civil or Municipal:
And, that, what then Necessity constrain'd,
May by the Law of Nations be maintain'd,
As justly, as those contracts which are made
In times of peace by Laws which then we had;
Though they, perhaps, who shall have pow'r to do
What they themselves please, will not have it so.