Poems or, A Miscellany of Sonnets, Satyrs, Drollery, Panegyricks, Elegies, &c. At the Instance, and Request of Several Friends, Times, and Occasions, Composed; and now at their command Collected, and Committed to the Press. By the Author, M. Stevenson |
 |
To the Gentile Drapers in St. Paul's Church-Yard, retorting to the Play call'd, The Citizen turn'd Gentleman.
|
 | Poems |  |
To the Gentile Drapers in St. Paul's Church-Yard, retorting to the Play call'd, The Citizen turn'd Gentleman.
The
Citizan turn'd Gentleman? what then?
The Gentleman is here turn'd Citizen.
The Court, and City, like those silken wormes,
Meet in the vast vicissitude of Formes.
Me thinks, in your brave presences, I view
The City's Glory, and the Country's too.
In worst of times you have the best appear'd,
The Church's Champions, and S.Paul's Life-guard.
We can read Royalty on every brow;
'Tis therefore rightly styl'd the Royal Row.
Whom we, for this, the Churches Guardians call,
For you have built your Houses, as its wall.
And show'd, as well your duty, as your skill,
Though there no Temple be, ther's Templars still.
And when Phanaticks one another call
To Meetings, you are constant to Saint Paul.
Whom from the factions, giddy, rude, and vain,
Paul has distinguisht, even by St. Paul's Chain.
Or thus read the distinction, if you please?
The Christians from the Scribes and Pharisees.
The Gentleman is here turn'd Citizen.
The Court, and City, like those silken wormes,
Meet in the vast vicissitude of Formes.
Me thinks, in your brave presences, I view
The City's Glory, and the Country's too.
In worst of times you have the best appear'd,
The Church's Champions, and S.Paul's Life-guard.
We can read Royalty on every brow;
'Tis therefore rightly styl'd the Royal Row.
74
For you have built your Houses, as its wall.
And show'd, as well your duty, as your skill,
Though there no Temple be, ther's Templars still.
And when Phanaticks one another call
To Meetings, you are constant to Saint Paul.
Whom from the factions, giddy, rude, and vain,
Paul has distinguisht, even by St. Paul's Chain.
Or thus read the distinction, if you please?
The Christians from the Scribes and Pharisees.
These, these the honour'd Citizens, are all
Brave Fellow-commoners of the Kingdoms Hall.
These younger Brothers are, that Mony get,
And purchase primogeniture by wit.
Who failing Families rear up agen,
And prove themselves the better Gentlemen:
They prop the falling Houses, and restore
That lustre the dull Heir had dimm'd before.
Though they, as Sheriffs, spend at such a rate,
Wou'd shake the moy'tie of a good estate,
The swelling Thames, like that of seven mouth'd Nile.
Enriches round about her all the Soile.
This City sets in her Tryumphant Chair,
And all the Country, but her Tenants are.
Brave Fellow-commoners of the Kingdoms Hall.
These younger Brothers are, that Mony get,
And purchase primogeniture by wit.
Who failing Families rear up agen,
And prove themselves the better Gentlemen:
They prop the falling Houses, and restore
That lustre the dull Heir had dimm'd before.
Though they, as Sheriffs, spend at such a rate,
Wou'd shake the moy'tie of a good estate,
The swelling Thames, like that of seven mouth'd Nile.
Enriches round about her all the Soile.
This City sets in her Tryumphant Chair,
And all the Country, but her Tenants are.
| Poems | |