The Year of Wonders Being a literal and poetical translation of an old Latin prophecy, found near Merlin's cave, By S---n D---k [i.e. Stephen Duck] |
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 | The Year of Wonders |  |
Tho' Merit does some few to P--- advance,
Merit! how rarely an Inheritance?
Their Sons how often such a spurious Race,
The Medley of a various lewd Embrace.
Shall Foes to Honour Honour's Titles bear,
Quite chang'd from what the first Ennobled were?
Shall the Brib'd B---, and the Pension'd D---,
Debase their Species, and without Rebuke?
Tools to a Premier, Spaniels to a Throne,
Serve ev'ry Country's Purpose but their own?
Shall B---s, Slaves to Mammon, Temporize?
The Golden Calf set up, and Idolize?
On all Occasions, at a Subject's Nod,
Betray their Country, and deny their God?
Canvass, debate, and vote it by Command,
Of Rev'rend Pensioners a Pious Band!
Are Frauds discuss'd? They put their Negative,
From Fraud they have their Being, move and live:
True Children of this World, wise Ways they take,
Above all Morals, for Religion's sake.
Are these known Truths from any Briton hid,
And shall the Muse be silent? ------ Heav'n forbid!
Merit! how rarely an Inheritance?
Their Sons how often such a spurious Race,
The Medley of a various lewd Embrace.
Shall Foes to Honour Honour's Titles bear,
Quite chang'd from what the first Ennobled were?
Shall the Brib'd B---, and the Pension'd D---,
Debase their Species, and without Rebuke?
Tools to a Premier, Spaniels to a Throne,
Serve ev'ry Country's Purpose but their own?
Shall B---s, Slaves to Mammon, Temporize?
The Golden Calf set up, and Idolize?
On all Occasions, at a Subject's Nod,
Betray their Country, and deny their God?
Canvass, debate, and vote it by Command,
Of Rev'rend Pensioners a Pious Band!
Are Frauds discuss'd? They put their Negative,
From Fraud they have their Being, move and live:
True Children of this World, wise Ways they take,
Above all Morals, for Religion's sake.
Are these known Truths from any Briton hid,
And shall the Muse be silent? ------ Heav'n forbid!
| The Year of Wonders | |