University of Virginia Library

On the Bishops Confinement.

Where is there Faith and Justice to be found?
Sure the VVorld trembles, Nature's in a swound;
To see her pious Sons design'd to fall
A victim to Religion; Truth, and all
The charms of Piety are no defence
Against the new-found power, that can dispence
VVith Laws to murder sacred Innocence:
Surely, unless some pitying God look down,
And stem this torrent, it will down
Divinity it self.—
The Bishops Prisoners! Can we tamely see
Those Reverend Prelates bow the knee
To Antichrist? No, mighty Monarch, no,
Though we must pay to Cæsar what we owe,
There is a power supream, by which you live;
VVhose Arm is longer, and Prerogative
Larger by far than yours; whose very word
Can blast your hopes, and turn your two-edg'd sword;
Can make his Secular Vice-gerent know,
Virtue, like Palms deprest, do higher grow.
Though Rob'd in all the Grandeur of your State,
Courtiers, like radiant Stars, about you wait:
'Midst of your glorious joys, when you put on
That awful presence which becomes a Throne;
Belshazzar like, three Words upon the Wall
Shall blast your Joys, and make your Glories fall.
His Holiness, that Patriot of strife,
Though he can grant you Pardons, cannot Life.
Arise then, Mighty Sir, in God-like mien,
As of thy Valour, let thy Truth be seen;
Free from mistrust, let all your words be clear;
By actions, let your promises appear:
Protect that Church which brought you to the Crown;
You know 'tis great and honourable to own
A kindness done; but to reward with death
That happy instrument that gave you breath,
Is mean, and might a Cath'licks Conscience sting,
To cut the hand off that Anoints you King.