Oxford Historical and Literary Studies Issued under the direction of C. H. Firth and Walter Raleigh: Professors of Modern History and English Literature in the University of Oxford: Volume 5: Henry Tubbe by G. C. Moore Smith |
 |
SATYR. A DEBATE CONCERNING THE ENGAGEMENT |
 | Oxford Historical and Literary Studies |  |
SATYR. A DEBATE CONCERNING THE ENGAGEMENT
The ranting Frie of our New AmsterdamExalted to the Pitch of Mighty Cham,
Contending with our Dam-mee-Cavaliers,
Were in Dispute together by the Eares.
Amongst the rest S. Harry Whimsey comes
With a Retinue of loud talking Drums,
Thus charging in the Front. 'Confound mee then,
Th' Engagement is the very Soule of Men!
The Quintessence of Heav'n! It is decreed,
There's No Salvation Sir (on this side Tweed)
Without it. 'T is th' Elixar of our Creed:
And they who take it, are blest Saints indeed;
Double-refin'd-Sugar-Loaves of Pietie,
Sweet Gracious Babes, Cream of Divinitie,
Gods at the first Remove, and at the next
No lesse than Angells sure. (So sayes my Text.)
78
On my Fidelitie-now-law, You lie!
This is Damnation verily! for why?
The Grace of God is pure Presbyterie!
At this a Gentle Weaver wondring stands
With white engaging Eyes, & lofty Hands,
Riming them into Peace, with, By my Fay,
Stay (I beseech you) stay, By Yea and Nay,
(As I may sing & say) Y' are out o' th' Way.
A doughty Champion of the State then rises,
Subdues these Curates of the lesser Sises,
And with his Morglay-Elbowes quite confutes
The crazy Shreds of their disputing Sutes,
Slighting weake Arguments with valiant Noise,
And the high Impudence of his Brasse-Voice.
After this Hercules, runs limping in
A little Shrimp, that serves but for a Pin
To hold the Woemens Charitie together,
Though by his shrill Throat He might be Bel-weather
To the whole flock: Both He and She delight
To heare the Reasons of this tinckling Sprite.
At last the Beast growes dumb, for ever whist,
Choak'd with the Breathings of a Female Mist:
The zealous Fog hath spoil'd our tinie Page;
And He can only gaspe, Engage, Engage!
But see! a brave Virago of Devotion
Is mounted next, swell'd wth the Spirit's Motion,
Like mad Bes Broughton in a learned Vaine,
Or Madam Shipton with prophetique Straine;
She tells her huge, wide-gaping Auditorie,
That She is greivous sick, and fearfull sorry
To see the Power Rampant of the States
So much declin'd for want of Feminine Pates.
A dire Mistake! Bee it enacted then
Against th' insulting Pride of willfull Men,
Truth & Fidelitie be sworne to None,
But the fine Common-wealth of Gill & Joane.
They all subscribe & yeeld! Since Man is grown
79
And then to satisfie such deare Temptation,
Wee'll damn our Selves by Oath of Adjuration.
| Oxford Historical and Literary Studies | |