University of Virginia Library

As the late Character of Godlike Men,
(Given, as it ought, by a Diviner Pen)
Will make the Race of those I write appear
Low as to Glorious Valour, wretched Fear;
So the smooth Lines in which those Truths are told,
(Lines justly happy as they're Nobly bold)
VVith right from humble Muses bold Esteem,
And show my Verse as distant as my Theam.

Forgive me, you Betrayers of your Land,
If I do scourge you with a wanting Hand;
My Will is good to give you all your due,
The Pope will pardon want of Power in you.

Your Aid, my Muse, this once I humbly ask,
Exposing Villany's a Noble task;
Assist my story with such ample Phrase,
It may find leave to live and see good Days:
Stamp an Eternal Value on the Brave,
By drawing to the Life a sneaking Knave;
Show him how justly he's expos'd by all,
And show him time may come when he may fall;
Show him on what Foundation now he stands,
Show him, instead of Rocks, mistaken Lands;
Show him it lately fail'd believing man,
And will do so when time shall serve again.

When Oxford Prophesies were come to pass,
And many a squeamish Church-man prov'd an Ass,
Then blockish Honesty was made give ground,
And foolish Knaves were much more useful found;
A search throughout the Senate pass'd for such,
(Since Fools would do to find no more 'twas much)
Vile Interest was oppos'd to Men of sense,
And many from that hour did Rogues commence.
Besides, with Gold the despicable Slaves,
Were willingly thought Fools, they might be Knaves.
Of these the Chief a Consultation call,
Where they shall stop, or whether stop at all.
Some faint Resistance Conscience wou'd have made,
And Honour wou'd have spoke, but was forbad;
Interest with Impudence assum'd the Chair,
And thus address'd to each Plebeian Fool was there:

Of all Philosophers that plagu'd the World,
And curious Brains in various Labyrinths hurl'd,
None far'd so ill, and yet so justly far'd,
As those Preach'd Vertue for its own Reward;
More useful Doctrines sprung from wiser Schools,
They heard their Morals, and resolv'd them Fools.
Mark those who strive the multitude to please,
Nice of their Honour, lavish of their Ease:
How in the gazing crowd they humbly stand,
With their perplexing Honesty at hand,
They dare not use the strength they may command.
They prove their Grandeur from their humble Soul,
But he is great who can and dare controul;
You'll soar above, exhal'd by Princely Rays,
And with contempt look down on rotten Praise;
Laugh at dull Notions of a Glorious Name,
When Beggery's the Basis of its Frame.
More useful Honour shall attend your Fate,
You serve a Power can make you Rich and Great,
VVho scorns the Nations Love shall live above their Hate.
Permit no Bugbear thoughts against your Cause,
The loss of your Religion and the Laws,
Trifles to those who dare their God defy,
And can with copious Consciences comply.
Contemn ye foolish Threats of distant Time,
'Tis plain that Honesty is yet a Crime;
If things hereafter turn another way,
You'll still be right, for still you can obey:
Ne'r fear the Brand of Knave will hurt you much,
The best of Courts will stand in need of such;
Fools oft grow useless, and are laid aside,
But Knaves of Conduct always will abide:
Old honesty some poor Employ may get,
But he that sticks at nothing shall be great,
The Villain wisely thrives in every State.

Thus Interest spoke, and merits just Applause,
The Judges first declar'd against the Laws;
Of Levi's Tribe not many went astray,
(Much wonder'd at, since they procur'd this Day)
But men of Conscience oft in Judgment fail,
Mistaken Loyalty did once prevail,
But such Diseases now no more they ail.
Become good Christians by Afflictons Rod,
Their King they Honour, but they fear their God.

Of those that brand their Country with Disgrace,
Noble in Title as in Practice base,
Give underhand Pre-eminence of place,
The sniveling Representer of the rest,
VVho in their Names the Monarch thus addrest:

Most Glorious Prince, in whom all Vertues shine,
VVhere every worth in one great Soul combine;
You for your Gracious Deeds we come to bless,
But most of all your constancy confess;
Safe by your VVord, in Peace your people sleep,
Your sacred VVord which you so nicely keep;
That word so much throughout your Land Renown'd,
In which Equivocation ne'r was found.
On this it is so firmly we rely,
You cannot ask the thing we can deny;
As Heaven has taught the Soul of men to know,
VVhat e're it pleaseth to dispence below,
Shall to advantage of believers tend,
And bless their blind Obedience in the end;
So we such awful Thoughts of you receive,
What e're you'll do we for our good believe;
Our grand Ambition is our King to please,
We ne'r can want Repose while he's at Ease.
When by Obedience we have giv'n you rest,
And blasted ev'n the frightful Name of Test,
But smile upon us, and your Slaves are blest.

Thus spake the fawning Minister of State,
Poor in Esteem, and despicably Great;
The Monarch blest the Priesthood skill,
Forsakes his Reason to perform his Will,
Deserts his Noble Friends for flattering Knaves,
Neglects his Subjects whilst he favours Slaves.

Rise up, brave Prince, attend your Natures Course,
We know that's Noble, when exempt from force;
Spread your relenting Arms, imbrace your Friends,
They'll help you to attain more Noble Ends;
You know their Love, the Rebels know their Force,
Serve God with speed, annul th'unjust Divorce,
Then shall you stand great in your Peoples Love,
A lively Emblem of the Mighty Jove.
Then shall your haughty Rival cease to soar,
And tremble at the Neighb'ring Brittish shore;
The Senates Bounty shall preserve you still,
VVith cheerful Tribute all your Coffers fill.
All Kings shall gaze with Envy on your Throne,
Then with Contempt look down upon their own;
To gain your smiles shall be their utmost Pride,
And happy he who nearest is ally'd.
Belov'd by God and Men you shall remain,
Great without VVar, and undisturb'd your Reign.
Then when the Remnant of your days are done,
The Thred of Glorious Life at length is spun,
Sincere in Grief your people all shall mourn,
Some goodly Fabrick shall your Grave adorn
VVith this Inscription, for Eternal Praise,
Here lyes the only Prince who left all Evil Ways.