 | Poems on Affairs of State |  |
A new Ballad, call'd, The Brawny Bishop's Complaint.
1
When B---t perceiv'd the beautiful Dames,Who flock'd to the Chappel of hilly St. James,
On their Lovers the kindest Looks did bestow,
And smil'd not on him while he bellow'd below;
To the Princess he went
With pious intent,
This dangerous Ill in the Church to prevent:
O Madam! quoth he, our Religion is lost,
If the Ladies thus ogle the Knights of the Toast.
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2
Your Highness observes how I labour and sweat,Their Affections to raise, and new Flames to beget;
And sure when I preach, all the World will agree,
That their Ears and their Eyes should be pointed on me:
But now I can't find
One Beauty so kind,
As my Parts to regard, or my Presence to mind;
Nay, I scarce have a sight of any one Face,
But those of old Oxford, and ugly Arglass.
3
These sorrowful Matrons, with Hearts full of Truth,Repent for the manifold Sins of their Youth:
The rest with their Tattle my Harmony spoil;
And Bur***ton, An---sey, K---gston and B---le
Their Minds entertain
With Thoughts so profane,
'Tis a Mercy to find that at Church they contain:
Ev'n Hen---ham's Shapes their weak Fancies intice,
And rather than me they will ogle the Vice.
4
These Practices, Madam, my Preaching disgrace;Shall Laymen enjoy the just Rights of my Place?
Then all may lament my Condition for hard,
To thresh in the Pulpit without a Reward.
Then pray condescend
Such Disorders to end,
And from the ripe Vineyards such Labourers send;
Or build up the Seats that the Beauties may see
The Face of no brawny Pretender but me.
5
The Princess by rude Importunities press'd,Tho she laugh'd at his Reasons, allow'd his Request:
And now Britain's Nymphs in a Protestant Reign
Are lock'd up at Prayers like the Virgins in Spain;
336
As sure as a Gun.
Whenever a Woman is kept like a Nun,
If any kind Man from Bondage will save her,
The Lass in Gratitude grants him the Favour.
| Poems on Affairs of State | |