Hudibras Redivivus or, a Burlesque poem on the times. The Second Edition. To which is added, An Apology, and some other Improvements throughout the Whole [by Edward Ward] |
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| 9. | Part the Ninth. |
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 | Hudibras Redivivus |  |
1
9. Part the Ninth.
3
Did
not these Tres'nable Petitions
Contain most humble Propositions,
For pious Saints of Reformation
To offer tow'rds Accommodation
Of all those Mischiefs, and Confusions,
Occasion'd by such vile Enthusions,
Who had already robb'd the Throne,
And made the Sov'reign Pow'r their own?
Yet, were not easy, or content
With their rebellious Government,
Without the King (too wise to do it)
Would grant 'em better Title to it,
And by an Art, beneath his Nature,
Make them the supream Legislator?
So the rich Knave, that once has gain'd
Possession of another's Land,
If th' injur'd Person wants a Purse
To guard him against Fraud and Force,
The wealthy Rogue, to be more sure
Of what's already in his Pow'r,
Takes (as the Rebels did, we see)
Th' Advantage of Necessity,
And tempts the other for a Trifle,
To give up all his Right and Title.
Contain most humble Propositions,
For pious Saints of Reformation
To offer tow'rds Accommodation
Of all those Mischiefs, and Confusions,
Occasion'd by such vile Enthusions,
Who had already robb'd the Throne,
And made the Sov'reign Pow'r their own?
Yet, were not easy, or content
With their rebellious Government,
Without the King (too wise to do it)
Would grant 'em better Title to it,
4
Make them the supream Legislator?
So the rich Knave, that once has gain'd
Possession of another's Land,
If th' injur'd Person wants a Purse
To guard him against Fraud and Force,
The wealthy Rogue, to be more sure
Of what's already in his Pow'r,
Takes (as the Rebels did, we see)
Th' Advantage of Necessity,
And tempts the other for a Trifle,
To give up all his Right and Title.
When the good injur'd King, like one
Divinely worthy of a Throne,
Had giv'n the sawcy Saints an Answer
Becoming Anna's Royal Grandsir,
And with just Indignation fir'd,
Refus'd the Kindness they desir'd;
Did they not teaze him o'er and o'er,
With nineteen Propositions more,
Stil'd with a counterfeit Submission,
Their humble (tho' their proud) Petition?
Not with Design to show Allegiance,
Or the least Glim'rings of Obedience,
But that all Rebels might discern
Their damn'd Hypocrisy, and learn
From them the Rulers of the Nation,
The Art of vile Dissimulation;
A Talent by the Saints allow'd of,
And is a Gift their Priests are proud of,
Especially when not abus'd,
But to some base Advantage us'd:
For all Deceits of Holy Friends,
Are lawful to obtain their Ends
Against those People, which the picked
Beard shall mark out to be the Wicked:
For if, say they, it is no Evil
To be too cunning for the Devil,
It is no Sin to cozen, sure,
His Subjects, that support his Pow'r:
For how should Holy Zion flourish,
Unless the Sons of Darkness perish?
From hence the Saints have Right to plunder,
And turn old Satan's Kingdom under;
Which Place, the Righteous take for granted,
To be where e'er themselves are planted;
For none e'er knew 'em rest, (God love 'em)
Until they'd pull'd down all above 'em,
And rais'd their Holy Tribe aloft
By Treason, Cruelty, and Craft;
As we may prove by a Review,
Both of Old England, and of New.
Divinely worthy of a Throne,
Had giv'n the sawcy Saints an Answer
Becoming Anna's Royal Grandsir,
And with just Indignation fir'd,
Refus'd the Kindness they desir'd;
Did they not teaze him o'er and o'er,
With nineteen Propositions more,
5
Their humble (tho' their proud) Petition?
Not with Design to show Allegiance,
Or the least Glim'rings of Obedience,
But that all Rebels might discern
Their damn'd Hypocrisy, and learn
From them the Rulers of the Nation,
The Art of vile Dissimulation;
A Talent by the Saints allow'd of,
And is a Gift their Priests are proud of,
Especially when not abus'd,
But to some base Advantage us'd:
For all Deceits of Holy Friends,
Are lawful to obtain their Ends
Against those People, which the picked
Beard shall mark out to be the Wicked:
For if, say they, it is no Evil
To be too cunning for the Devil,
It is no Sin to cozen, sure,
His Subjects, that support his Pow'r:
6
Unless the Sons of Darkness perish?
From hence the Saints have Right to plunder,
And turn old Satan's Kingdom under;
Which Place, the Righteous take for granted,
To be where e'er themselves are planted;
For none e'er knew 'em rest, (God love 'em)
Until they'd pull'd down all above 'em,
And rais'd their Holy Tribe aloft
By Treason, Cruelty, and Craft;
As we may prove by a Review,
Both of Old England, and of New.
When thus the craving modest Saints
Had to the King declar'd their Wants,
Which were much more, you may believe,
Than he had Will or Pow'r to give;
For pious Rogues ne'er mince their Matters,
Or ask by halves, like fearful Traytors,
But when they durst their Sov'reign teaz
With craving Importunities,
'Tis their good Conscience to insist,
If not on more, on all at least:
For thrifty Rebels must be greedy,
Because all Pow'r usurp'd, is needy
Of more, to guard what's got already.
But that which does extend, and make
Their Impudence appear more black,
They're angry, if the Throne denies
To give, or do as they advise;
Tho' what they ask's so out of Reason,
That 'tis no less than downright Treason.
So Ruffains, who, with Crows and Betties,
Break Houses, when it dark and late is,
After they've gagg'd and bound in Bed
The Servants from their Master's Aid;
At last they gently to him creep,
Surprize him from his harmless Sleep,
And threat'n him, if he don't resign
His hidden Plate, and hoarded Coin;
Nay, beat, torment him, and abuse him,
And with their utmost Malice use him,
Because, perhaps, he don't relieve 'em
With more than he has Pow'r to give 'em.
Had to the King declar'd their Wants,
Which were much more, you may believe,
Than he had Will or Pow'r to give;
For pious Rogues ne'er mince their Matters,
Or ask by halves, like fearful Traytors,
But when they durst their Sov'reign teaz
With craving Importunities,
7
If not on more, on all at least:
For thrifty Rebels must be greedy,
Because all Pow'r usurp'd, is needy
Of more, to guard what's got already.
But that which does extend, and make
Their Impudence appear more black,
They're angry, if the Throne denies
To give, or do as they advise;
Tho' what they ask's so out of Reason,
That 'tis no less than downright Treason.
So Ruffains, who, with Crows and Betties,
Break Houses, when it dark and late is,
After they've gagg'd and bound in Bed
The Servants from their Master's Aid;
At last they gently to him creep,
Surprize him from his harmless Sleep,
And threat'n him, if he don't resign
His hidden Plate, and hoarded Coin;
8
And with their utmost Malice use him,
Because, perhaps, he don't relieve 'em
With more than he has Pow'r to give 'em.
By this Time having warm'd the Crew
Of Zealots I was talking to,
A meagre Saint, as full of Spite
As glowing Phœbus is of Light,
Fix'd on my Face his glaring Eyes,
Like Cat of Mountain in Surprize,
And having study'd what to say,
He made these Queries by the way.
Of Zealots I was talking to,
A meagre Saint, as full of Spite
As glowing Phœbus is of Light,
Fix'd on my Face his glaring Eyes,
Like Cat of Mountain in Surprize,
And having study'd what to say,
He made these Queries by the way.
Says he, Did not that Popish Prince
God humbl'd for his Sins long since,
Begin the War that brought the Nation
Within Aumes Ace of Desolation,
In order, by his Army's Brav'ry,
And his Advisers hidden Knav'ry,
To bring in Popery and Slav'ry.
God humbl'd for his Sins long since,
Begin the War that brought the Nation
Within Aumes Ace of Desolation,
In order, by his Army's Brav'ry,
And his Advisers hidden Knav'ry,
To bring in Popery and Slav'ry.
Said I, a Man may eas'ly see
From whence you draw your History;
Not from the Chronicle, but Pulpit,
Where some Euthusiastick Dull-pate
Has labour'd, by the Dint of Lying,
Set off with Groans, and painful Sighing,
To make the Malice of his Heart,
(Disguis'd with all his Holy Art)
And the base Venom of his Mouth,
Pass current for authentick Truth.
Therefore, could you but lay aside
Rebellious Prejudice, and Pride,
Your Questions I could answer soon,
And make the Point as clear as Noon:
So, if you'll give my Tale a Hearing,
You may, or kiss it, that's no Swearing.
From whence you draw your History;
9
Where some Euthusiastick Dull-pate
Has labour'd, by the Dint of Lying,
Set off with Groans, and painful Sighing,
To make the Malice of his Heart,
(Disguis'd with all his Holy Art)
And the base Venom of his Mouth,
Pass current for authentick Truth.
Therefore, could you but lay aside
Rebellious Prejudice, and Pride,
Your Questions I could answer soon,
And make the Point as clear as Noon:
So, if you'll give my Tale a Hearing,
You may, or kiss it, that's no Swearing.
When the mild King had been for Years
Teaz'd with Rebellious Scoffs and Jears.
(For each Petition, or Address,
The Godly offer'd, seem'd no less)
At last, he having granted more
Than any Faction could implore,
But such who proudly thought a King
A servile, or a useless Thing.
Then looking with a just Contempt
On all the Libels that they sent,
Couch'd with the Titles of Petitions,
Advice, Remonstrance, Propositions,
And fifty Rebels Tricks beside,
To shew their Arrogance, and Pride,
The King resolv'd, when he had sound
Such Usage, now to stand his Ground,
And not dishonour God's Anointed
With such Concessions as they wanted;
For ev'ry Thing they gain'd upon him,
Was but in order to dethrone him.
And what good Prince, so wise as he,
That could their base Design foresee,
Would further his approaching Ruin,
And lend a Hand to's own Undoing.
That's giving Cudgel to a Foe,
Who means to tender you a Blow,
And then be forc'd, with naked Arm,
To bear off the approaching Harm.
Teaz'd with Rebellious Scoffs and Jears.
(For each Petition, or Address,
The Godly offer'd, seem'd no less)
At last, he having granted more
Than any Faction could implore,
10
A servile, or a useless Thing.
Then looking with a just Contempt
On all the Libels that they sent,
Couch'd with the Titles of Petitions,
Advice, Remonstrance, Propositions,
And fifty Rebels Tricks beside,
To shew their Arrogance, and Pride,
The King resolv'd, when he had sound
Such Usage, now to stand his Ground,
And not dishonour God's Anointed
With such Concessions as they wanted;
For ev'ry Thing they gain'd upon him,
Was but in order to dethrone him.
And what good Prince, so wise as he,
That could their base Design foresee,
Would further his approaching Ruin,
And lend a Hand to's own Undoing.
That's giving Cudgel to a Foe,
Who means to tender you a Blow,
11
To bear off the approaching Harm.
Therefore, since Rump, by Dint of sitting,
Reforming, coz'ning, and out-witting,
Had forc'd the King, thro' Pride and Malice,
To wander from his Royal Palace,
And in his Troubles, to depend
On those that did his Cause befriend,
Whilst Rump was dayly still ingrossing
That Sov'reign Pow'r the Throne was loosing;
The King, with a judicious Eye,
Beholding Danger very nigh,
Thought it high Time to be prepar'd
'Gainst Rebels with a better Guard,
That's Person might have Preservation
From Bondage, or Assassination;
Having, by what had pass'd, good Reasons
To be secure against their Treasons:
For pious Saints, that undertake
To pull down Kings for Jesus Sake,
Will do all Villanies beside,
To gratify their Holy Pride:
For all Rebellions in a Nation,
Built on Religious Reformation,
Can ne'er perform the Work o' th' Lord,
Without much Blood-shed by the Sword.
Reforming, coz'ning, and out-witting,
Had forc'd the King, thro' Pride and Malice,
To wander from his Royal Palace,
And in his Troubles, to depend
On those that did his Cause befriend,
Whilst Rump was dayly still ingrossing
That Sov'reign Pow'r the Throne was loosing;
The King, with a judicious Eye,
Beholding Danger very nigh,
Thought it high Time to be prepar'd
'Gainst Rebels with a better Guard,
That's Person might have Preservation
From Bondage, or Assassination;
Having, by what had pass'd, good Reasons
To be secure against their Treasons:
For pious Saints, that undertake
To pull down Kings for Jesus Sake,
12
To gratify their Holy Pride:
For all Rebellions in a Nation,
Built on Religious Reformation,
Can ne'er perform the Work o' th' Lord,
Without much Blood-shed by the Sword.
The busy Rump, displeas'd to see
The King in such Security
Amidst those Northern Troops, that stood
A Safeguard to his Royal Blood,
Voted, the King made War against
His Sov'reign Lords, the Parliament;
For so, by what they did, we see
They look'd upon themselves to be.
Great Comfort, sure, such Madness brings,
When Knaves turn Priests, and Rebels Kings,
In pious Times of Reformation,
When Villains triumph'd o'er the Nation,
And most Men ran in Quest of Freedom,
Arse foremost, as the Rump would lead 'em!
The common People, void of Thought,
Must be well govern'd, and well taught,
When Crowds of Tyrants made the Laws
Subservient to their wicked Cause,
And preaching Saints, with flippent Tongues,
Base Principles, and poys'nous Lungs,
Made Treachery and Treason glorious,
And black Rebellion meritorius.
The King in such Security
Amidst those Northern Troops, that stood
A Safeguard to his Royal Blood,
Voted, the King made War against
His Sov'reign Lords, the Parliament;
For so, by what they did, we see
They look'd upon themselves to be.
Great Comfort, sure, such Madness brings,
When Knaves turn Priests, and Rebels Kings,
In pious Times of Reformation,
When Villains triumph'd o'er the Nation,
And most Men ran in Quest of Freedom,
Arse foremost, as the Rump would lead 'em!
13
Must be well govern'd, and well taught,
When Crowds of Tyrants made the Laws
Subservient to their wicked Cause,
And preaching Saints, with flippent Tongues,
Base Principles, and poys'nous Lungs,
Made Treachery and Treason glorious,
And black Rebellion meritorius.
The jealous Rump, in woeful Pain
To hear of these new listed Men,
Began to stink, like fizling Tail,
For Fear the King should turn the Scale,
Who had, as I have said before,
Rais'd a few Men, which were no more
Than just a fitting Guard du Cor:
But well might the rebellious Herd,
At such a small Allarm, be scar'd,
Since Traytors always are afear'd,
Like trembling Rogues, who rob by Night,
That start at e'ery glim'ring Light;
Or hiding Knaves, that bolt from Alleys,
Who fancy all they meet, are Bayly's.
To hear of these new listed Men,
Began to stink, like fizling Tail,
For Fear the King should turn the Scale,
Who had, as I have said before,
Rais'd a few Men, which were no more
Than just a fitting Guard du Cor:
But well might the rebellious Herd,
At such a small Allarm, be scar'd,
Since Traytors always are afear'd,
Like trembling Rogues, who rob by Night,
That start at e'ery glim'ring Light;
14
Who fancy all they meet, are Bayly's.
The Rump thus frighted at a Feather,
Began to lay their Tails together,
And to debate in House of Office
The raising Sums for Men and Trophies,
Declaring, that the King's Intent
Was to attack the Parliament.
Suppose he had began the War,
It was no more than what was fair;
For if his Subjects do molest him,
And of his Government divest him,
It must be lawful then of Course,
Either by Stratagem, or Force,
To vanquish Rebels, that detain
The Throne, where he has Right to reign;
Or how shall be protect a Nation
From Innovation, and Oppression,
And from Disorder, and Confusion;
Preserve its ancient Constitution;
Support the Church, defend the Faith
Establish'd, from Fanatick Wrath;
Our Freedoms, and our Lives secure;
Distribute Justice to his Pow'r;
Uphold the Laws, and guide the Throne,
As other Kings before have done?
I say, how should a Prince make good
This sacred Compact as he shou'd,
That has no Right, by Arms, to quell
Revolted Subjects, that rebel,
And with a Trayterous Intent,
Controul him in his Government?
How shou'd a King discharge his Trust,
And to his solemn Oath be just,
That cannot lawfully defend
His Right of Pow'r to this great End?
And when requir'd, with Warlike Blows,
Chastize his refractory Foes,
Who, for base Ends, shall allienate
Their due Obedience from the State?
How shall a King bear Sov'reign Sway,
Unless the Subjects do obey?
And what can bind 'em, if they won't,
But Pow'r to force 'em, when they don't?
Began to lay their Tails together,
And to debate in House of Office
The raising Sums for Men and Trophies,
Declaring, that the King's Intent
Was to attack the Parliament.
Suppose he had began the War,
It was no more than what was fair;
For if his Subjects do molest him,
And of his Government divest him,
It must be lawful then of Course,
Either by Stratagem, or Force,
To vanquish Rebels, that detain
The Throne, where he has Right to reign;
Or how shall be protect a Nation
From Innovation, and Oppression,
And from Disorder, and Confusion;
Preserve its ancient Constitution;
15
Establish'd, from Fanatick Wrath;
Our Freedoms, and our Lives secure;
Distribute Justice to his Pow'r;
Uphold the Laws, and guide the Throne,
As other Kings before have done?
I say, how should a Prince make good
This sacred Compact as he shou'd,
That has no Right, by Arms, to quell
Revolted Subjects, that rebel,
And with a Trayterous Intent,
Controul him in his Government?
How shou'd a King discharge his Trust,
And to his solemn Oath be just,
That cannot lawfully defend
His Right of Pow'r to this great End?
And when requir'd, with Warlike Blows,
Chastize his refractory Foes,
Who, for base Ends, shall allienate
Their due Obedience from the State?
16
Unless the Subjects do obey?
And what can bind 'em, if they won't,
But Pow'r to force 'em, when they don't?
Yet, after all, I may aver,
The King did not begin the War;
The Rump alone incurr'd the Guilt
Of all the Blood in Battel spilt,
And by the Saints, those kind Abettors,
Those sanctify'd fool-hardy Traytors,
Were all those horrid Mischiefs done,
'Twixt fifty eight, and forty one.
Suppose a Gang of Rogues unite
To rob you of your lawful Right,
And, tho' unarm'd, they bid you stand,
And boldly do your Purse demand;
But you refuse to let 'em have it,
Because they have no Right to crave it;
And they dismount you from your Horse,
Next rob you, tho' by gentle Force;
And, for their Safety, turn a drift
Your Nag, and leave your self to shift:
I hope, if you the Country raise,
To seize 'em in their crooked Ways;
And when you meet, you fall upon 'em,
Attack 'em, kill 'em, over-run 'em,
Take 'em, that Justice may be done 'em.
You that are robb'd, are not in fault,
The Villains made the first Assault;
And all the Ills that happen in it,
Are due to them that did begin it.
The King did not begin the War;
The Rump alone incurr'd the Guilt
Of all the Blood in Battel spilt,
And by the Saints, those kind Abettors,
Those sanctify'd fool-hardy Traytors,
Were all those horrid Mischiefs done,
'Twixt fifty eight, and forty one.
Suppose a Gang of Rogues unite
To rob you of your lawful Right,
And, tho' unarm'd, they bid you stand,
And boldly do your Purse demand;
But you refuse to let 'em have it,
Because they have no Right to crave it;
And they dismount you from your Horse,
Next rob you, tho' by gentle Force;
17
Your Nag, and leave your self to shift:
I hope, if you the Country raise,
To seize 'em in their crooked Ways;
And when you meet, you fall upon 'em,
Attack 'em, kill 'em, over-run 'em,
Take 'em, that Justice may be done 'em.
You that are robb'd, are not in fault,
The Villains made the first Assault;
And all the Ills that happen in it,
Are due to them that did begin it.
Besides, if two Men chance to quarrel,
And fight 'till one receives his Farewel;
Since both were drawn, no matter who
Was the most nimble of the two:
He's the Aggressor in the Laws,
That gave the first provoking Cause:
For no Man can receive more Wrong,
And live, than from a spiteful Tongue.
Therefore, when War's in Agitation,
'Tis common Safety, no Transgression,
To make the earliest Preparation.
The first chief Causers of the same,
In Justice, ought to bear the Blame,
Because the primitive Offences
Produce the evil Consequences;
And that the Rump, by their Invasion
Of the King's Right, were the Occasion
Of all those sad intestine Jars,
Those Rapines, Spoils, and bloody Wars.
Their base Proceedings are enough
To give the World sufficient Proof;
But Truth and Reason, loose their Forces,
With Men more stubborn far than Horses.
No other cogent Arguments,
But Int'rest, will convince the Saints,
That darling Eccho, which they follow,
As one Owl does another's Hallow.
And fight 'till one receives his Farewel;
Since both were drawn, no matter who
Was the most nimble of the two:
He's the Aggressor in the Laws,
That gave the first provoking Cause:
For no Man can receive more Wrong,
And live, than from a spiteful Tongue.
18
'Tis common Safety, no Transgression,
To make the earliest Preparation.
The first chief Causers of the same,
In Justice, ought to bear the Blame,
Because the primitive Offences
Produce the evil Consequences;
And that the Rump, by their Invasion
Of the King's Right, were the Occasion
Of all those sad intestine Jars,
Those Rapines, Spoils, and bloody Wars.
Their base Proceedings are enough
To give the World sufficient Proof;
But Truth and Reason, loose their Forces,
With Men more stubborn far than Horses.
No other cogent Arguments,
But Int'rest, will convince the Saints,
That darling Eccho, which they follow,
As one Owl does another's Hallow.
19
The Rump, with pannick Fear confounded,
In e'ery Vote to Battel sounded,
Declaring, that the King's Intent
Was to make War with's Parliament;
And therefore order'd, that each Round-head,
Should be prepar'd against the Crown'd Head;
And that forthwith the Saints should run
To th' Exercise of Pike and Gun,
That when expert in Arms, they might
Exert their Malice, and their Spite,
Those puritanick Spurs, that make
Men fight like Devils, for God's Sake,
And are of greater Use by far
Than Courage in domestick War,
Because the latter Qual'fication
Gives Room for Mercy, and Compassion,
When Malice will no Pity show,
But stab a conquer'd, gen'rous Foe;
And when they've won the bloody Day,
Denying Quarter, cut and slay;
For stubborn Saints, inspir'd by Zeal
To draw Enthusiastick Steel,
Ne'er limit their victorious Swords
I th' Battel, which they call the Lord's;
But wicked to the worst Degree,
Crown all Success with Cruelty.
In e'ery Vote to Battel sounded,
Declaring, that the King's Intent
Was to make War with's Parliament;
And therefore order'd, that each Round-head,
Should be prepar'd against the Crown'd Head;
And that forthwith the Saints should run
To th' Exercise of Pike and Gun,
That when expert in Arms, they might
Exert their Malice, and their Spite,
Those puritanick Spurs, that make
Men fight like Devils, for God's Sake,
And are of greater Use by far
Than Courage in domestick War,
Because the latter Qual'fication
Gives Room for Mercy, and Compassion,
When Malice will no Pity show,
But stab a conquer'd, gen'rous Foe;
And when they've won the bloody Day,
Denying Quarter, cut and slay;
20
To draw Enthusiastick Steel,
Ne'er limit their victorious Swords
I th' Battel, which they call the Lord's;
But wicked to the worst Degree,
Crown all Success with Cruelty.
Their canting Teachers now take care
(Those holy Firebrands of the War)
To give the People strange Alarms,
And in their Pulpits groan to Arms,
Beating up Voluntiers on Cushions,
With double Fist, to shew their Passions;
Basely applying the Athalian
Murder, to justify Rebellion;
Inferring wickedly from thence,
That God's most chosen Lambs, the Saints,
Might dip their Hands in Royal Blood,
When e'er they thought 'twas for their Good.
Thus Treason never wants a Text
To back it, when the Saints are vext;
Example, tho' it's ne'er so bad,
Is a good License, when they're mad,
For them to act the worst of Evils
That e'er was done by Men or Devils:
It is enough for them to shew
A Precedent for what they do,
Especially, if 'tis but screw'd
From Scripture, then the Action's good:
Altho', perhaps, recited there
To shew how wicked some Men were,
And not to teach us how to run
Into those Evils we should shun:
As if the killing Amaziah,
Or David's Treach'ry to Uriah,
Jehoiada's Command to slay
Th' Apostate Queen Athaliah,
Were for the Saints a righteous Plea
For Murder, and Adultery,
Or good authentick holy Reasons
For them to copy the like Treasons.
'Tis true, such Doctrine often suits
Th' Atchievements of fanatick Brutes,
Who never are so much at Ease,
As when Rebellion flourishes,
And crafty Hypocrites bear Sway
O'er lawful Pow'rs, they should obey:
The Reason's plain, because Dominion,
In their wild frensical Opinion,
Alone, forsooth, in Grace is founded,
And Grace giv'n only to the Round-head;
A Mercy by the Saints ingross'd,
Pretended to by Knaves the most.
So Bawds, and Midwives, never want,
At publick Meetings, Scripture-Cant,
But always talk with large Pretence
To Grace, to hide their Impudence.
(Those holy Firebrands of the War)
To give the People strange Alarms,
And in their Pulpits groan to Arms,
Beating up Voluntiers on Cushions,
With double Fist, to shew their Passions;
Basely applying the Athalian
Murder, to justify Rebellion;
Inferring wickedly from thence,
That God's most chosen Lambs, the Saints,
Might dip their Hands in Royal Blood,
When e'er they thought 'twas for their Good.
Thus Treason never wants a Text
To back it, when the Saints are vext;
21
Is a good License, when they're mad,
For them to act the worst of Evils
That e'er was done by Men or Devils:
It is enough for them to shew
A Precedent for what they do,
Especially, if 'tis but screw'd
From Scripture, then the Action's good:
Altho', perhaps, recited there
To shew how wicked some Men were,
And not to teach us how to run
Into those Evils we should shun:
As if the killing Amaziah,
Or David's Treach'ry to Uriah,
Jehoiada's Command to slay
Th' Apostate Queen Athaliah,
Were for the Saints a righteous Plea
For Murder, and Adultery,
Or good authentick holy Reasons
For them to copy the like Treasons.
22
Th' Atchievements of fanatick Brutes,
Who never are so much at Ease,
As when Rebellion flourishes,
And crafty Hypocrites bear Sway
O'er lawful Pow'rs, they should obey:
The Reason's plain, because Dominion,
In their wild frensical Opinion,
Alone, forsooth, in Grace is founded,
And Grace giv'n only to the Round-head;
A Mercy by the Saints ingross'd,
Pretended to by Knaves the most.
So Bawds, and Midwives, never want,
At publick Meetings, Scripture-Cant,
But always talk with large Pretence
To Grace, to hide their Impudence.
The Saints now urg'd by preaching Tonies,
To bring in both their Plate, and Moneys,
And to extend their best Assistance,
To give tyrannick Pow'r Resistance,
Were soon prevail'd on to resign
Their Silver Beakers, and their Coin;
That such a just and holy Strife
Might want no Wealth to give it Life:
For who, but Papist, Jew, or Turk,
Would not assist the Godly Work,
And lend the Saints a helping Hand
To over-run the promis'd Land?
The needy Crowd flung in their Doits,
And pious Widows toss'd their Mites;
The Servant-Maids look'd up their odd Things,
And gave their Thimbles, and their Bodkins,
That the good Work might be effected,
And end in Glory, as expected.
Nay, Sums by holy Guides were given,
Who love their Mammon, more than Heaven;
That from each pious Knave's Example,
The Fools might make their Gifts more ample.
So Misers, who deny their Wealth,
To purchase wholesome Food for Health,
Unbind their Hoards, and feed the Laws,
To spur on a revengeful Cause.
To bring in both their Plate, and Moneys,
And to extend their best Assistance,
To give tyrannick Pow'r Resistance,
23
Their Silver Beakers, and their Coin;
That such a just and holy Strife
Might want no Wealth to give it Life:
For who, but Papist, Jew, or Turk,
Would not assist the Godly Work,
And lend the Saints a helping Hand
To over-run the promis'd Land?
The needy Crowd flung in their Doits,
And pious Widows toss'd their Mites;
The Servant-Maids look'd up their odd Things,
And gave their Thimbles, and their Bodkins,
That the good Work might be effected,
And end in Glory, as expected.
Nay, Sums by holy Guides were given,
Who love their Mammon, more than Heaven;
That from each pious Knave's Example,
The Fools might make their Gifts more ample.
So Misers, who deny their Wealth,
To purchase wholesome Food for Health,
24
To spur on a revengeful Cause.
The Rump now having serv'd their Wants,
By fleecing their fanatick Saints,
Who ne'er refuse a needful Sum,
When sweet Rebellion is in Bloom;
Had quickly rais'd a powerful Force
Of spiteful Men, and able Horse,
To fight, O wretched, cursed Cant!
For th' King, and eke the Parliament;
Meaning by King, the Pow'r Supream,
Not vested now in him, but them:
So, that Altho' they did oppose
His Person, and his Friends, as Foes,
And labour'd Tooth and Nail, to beat 'em,
Where e'er they could o'ertake, or meet 'em;
Yet, in a Sense Enthusiastick,
Or else bifarious, and fantastick,
By Fools mistaken, for Scholastick;
Against the King it was no warring,
But fighting Vice versa for him.
Rare Logick! to support their Treason,
In case 'twould bear the Touch of Reason.
By the same Rule, when doing Evil,
They're serving God, and not the Devil;
Or that rebelling 'gainst the Lord,
Is fighting for his holy Word,
And mystically strugling still,
In due Obedience to his Will.
'Tis true, by all their wicked Crimes
Transacted in those pious Times,
False Logick, and falacious Quibling,
So us'd in Preaching, and in Scribling,
Were Arts on which the Saints rely'd,
Instead of Scripture, for their Guide.
For holy Writ was never us'd,
But when distorted and abus'd,
Because God's Word, in which we trust,
So exquisitely good and just,
Could never serve, unless 'twas maim'd,
That wicked End, at which they aim'd;
Therefore, when Evil they pursu'd,
To make it look as if 'twas good,
They stretch'd the holy Scriptures to't,
As Crispin does a Shoe or Boot.
So Witches, in their Invocations,
Turn Godly Pray'rs to Imprecations;
Apply 'em to Designs most evil,
And say 'em backwards to the Devil.
By fleecing their fanatick Saints,
Who ne'er refuse a needful Sum,
When sweet Rebellion is in Bloom;
Had quickly rais'd a powerful Force
Of spiteful Men, and able Horse,
To fight, O wretched, cursed Cant!
For th' King, and eke the Parliament;
Meaning by King, the Pow'r Supream,
Not vested now in him, but them:
So, that Altho' they did oppose
His Person, and his Friends, as Foes,
And labour'd Tooth and Nail, to beat 'em,
Where e'er they could o'ertake, or meet 'em;
Yet, in a Sense Enthusiastick,
Or else bifarious, and fantastick,
By Fools mistaken, for Scholastick;
25
But fighting Vice versa for him.
Rare Logick! to support their Treason,
In case 'twould bear the Touch of Reason.
By the same Rule, when doing Evil,
They're serving God, and not the Devil;
Or that rebelling 'gainst the Lord,
Is fighting for his holy Word,
And mystically strugling still,
In due Obedience to his Will.
'Tis true, by all their wicked Crimes
Transacted in those pious Times,
False Logick, and falacious Quibling,
So us'd in Preaching, and in Scribling,
Were Arts on which the Saints rely'd,
Instead of Scripture, for their Guide.
For holy Writ was never us'd,
But when distorted and abus'd,
Because God's Word, in which we trust,
So exquisitely good and just,
26
That wicked End, at which they aim'd;
Therefore, when Evil they pursu'd,
To make it look as if 'twas good,
They stretch'd the holy Scriptures to't,
As Crispin does a Shoe or Boot.
So Witches, in their Invocations,
Turn Godly Pray'rs to Imprecations;
Apply 'em to Designs most evil,
And say 'em backwards to the Devil.
Howe'er, the Rump, by Arts like these,
Still prosper'd in their Villanies,
And rais'd an Army fit to do
The worst of Mischiefs in their View,
Made ripe, by Diabolick Canting,
For all rebellious Parts of Sainting,
Theft, Murder, Treason, Rapine, Spoil,
And e'ery Crime that's capital,
Which Saints, by holy Teachers back'd,
May take the Priviledge to act;
For when their Oracle declares
His Will, it must be God's and theirs.
Still prosper'd in their Villanies,
And rais'd an Army fit to do
The worst of Mischiefs in their View,
Made ripe, by Diabolick Canting,
For all rebellious Parts of Sainting,
Theft, Murder, Treason, Rapine, Spoil,
And e'ery Crime that's capital,
Which Saints, by holy Teachers back'd,
May take the Priviledge to act;
27
His Will, it must be God's and theirs.
The injur'd King, in great Distress,
Beholding all their Forwardness,
His Army small, his Hopes no greater,
And little Coin to raise a better,
Had lost no Time to be prepar'd,
But found his Disappointments hard;
For Loyalty, when Kings decline,
Like handl'd Glow-worms, cease to shine;
And Money'd Friends, when Foes prevail,
Creep on but slowly, like a Snail:
Altho' the King had, Day by Day,
Sent out Commissions of Array,
Yet was the Royal Cause neglected
By many, whom the King expected.
But Kings, like other Men, we see
Are slighted in Adversity:
Court Flatt'rers seldom stand their Ground,
When Dangers do the Throne surround;
But when a threat'ning Storm appears,
Like sluggish Asses, hang their Ears;
Or, if they act, they're never hearty,
Except to the prevailing Party.
Beholding all their Forwardness,
His Army small, his Hopes no greater,
And little Coin to raise a better,
Had lost no Time to be prepar'd,
But found his Disappointments hard;
For Loyalty, when Kings decline,
Like handl'd Glow-worms, cease to shine;
And Money'd Friends, when Foes prevail,
Creep on but slowly, like a Snail:
Altho' the King had, Day by Day,
Sent out Commissions of Array,
Yet was the Royal Cause neglected
By many, whom the King expected.
But Kings, like other Men, we see
Are slighted in Adversity:
Court Flatt'rers seldom stand their Ground,
When Dangers do the Throne surround;
28
Like sluggish Asses, hang their Ears;
Or, if they act, they're never hearty,
Except to the prevailing Party.
FINIS.
| Hudibras Redivivus | |