A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects By Sir Richard Blackmore |
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THE KIT-CATS. A POEM.
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 | A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects |  |
101
THE KIT-CATS. A POEM.
Tantæ molis erat------
102
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This
Poem was writ some Years ago,
as the Reader will perceive, and not
design'd for the Press. But the Author having
unwarily let a Copy of it go out of his Hands,
which he has not been able to recover, has at
length thought fit to make it publick, having Reason
to believe it will otherwise come Abroad, by
Means of the Copy before-mention'd.
103
I sing th' Assembly's Rise, Encrease and Fame,
That condescends to honour Kit-Cats Name,
Whose Pride, like thine, O Rome, from small Beginnings came.
Oh, Thou, who Chief art to the Muses dear,
Whom Poets court, and Statesmen love or fear;
Who with an uncontroul'd despotick Sway,
Do'st still new Burdens on thy Subjects lay;
That tax'd by Thee, with less Reluctance bear
The Charge of Cæsar's, than of Anna's War,
And reeking in thy own and Roman Sweat
Dost ancient Conquests o'er the French Repeat;
Do Thou, great Bocai, smooth thy spacious Brow,
And one kind Smile on my Attempt bestow.
For Thou, whose fertile Genius do's abound
With noble Projects, did'st this Order found,
And still do'st cherish, cultivate and guide
Thy humble Creature, and with decent Pride
Do'st, like the God of Wine, the Kit-Cat State bestride.
Gracious appear, as when thou mount'st thy Seat
High in the great Assembly to create
Some Peer a Member of the Kit-Cat State.
Or when, Apollo like, thou'rt pleas'd to lead
Thy Sons to Feast on Hampstead's airy Head;
Hampstead, that tow'ring in superior Sky
Now with Parnassus do's in Honour vie.
That condescends to honour Kit-Cats Name,
Whose Pride, like thine, O Rome, from small Beginnings came.
Oh, Thou, who Chief art to the Muses dear,
Whom Poets court, and Statesmen love or fear;
Who with an uncontroul'd despotick Sway,
Do'st still new Burdens on thy Subjects lay;
104
The Charge of Cæsar's, than of Anna's War,
And reeking in thy own and Roman Sweat
Dost ancient Conquests o'er the French Repeat;
Do Thou, great Bocai, smooth thy spacious Brow,
And one kind Smile on my Attempt bestow.
For Thou, whose fertile Genius do's abound
With noble Projects, did'st this Order found,
And still do'st cherish, cultivate and guide
Thy humble Creature, and with decent Pride
Do'st, like the God of Wine, the Kit-Cat State bestride.
Gracious appear, as when thou mount'st thy Seat
High in the great Assembly to create
Some Peer a Member of the Kit-Cat State.
Or when, Apollo like, thou'rt pleas'd to lead
Thy Sons to Feast on Hampstead's airy Head;
Hampstead, that tow'ring in superior Sky
Now with Parnassus do's in Honour vie.
105
When warlike William, Albion's Scepter sway'd,
Succour'd th' Opprest, th' Oppressor's Progress staid,
And of Europa's Peace the blest Foundations laid,
Illustrious Deeds were still the Hero's Aim,
He follow'd Danger, as he flew from Fame;
A Thousand Ills he bore in Albion's Cause,
Patient of every Suff'ring, but Applause.
Reverse of Lewis, he (Example rare!)
Lov'd to deserve the Praise, he could not bear;
He shun'd the Acclamations of the Throng,
And always coldly heard the Poet's Song.
Hence the great King the Muses did neglect,
And the meer Poet met with small Respect.
But tho' the Muses and their tuneful Train,
In this fam'd Monarch's Military Reign,
Had of the Royal Favour little Share,
Still they were kinder Bocai's tender Care.
He still caress'd the unregarded Tribe,
And did to all their various Tasks prescribe;
From whence to Both great Acquisitions came,
To him the Profit, and to them the Fame.
Succour'd th' Opprest, th' Oppressor's Progress staid,
And of Europa's Peace the blest Foundations laid,
Illustrious Deeds were still the Hero's Aim,
He follow'd Danger, as he flew from Fame;
A Thousand Ills he bore in Albion's Cause,
Patient of every Suff'ring, but Applause.
Reverse of Lewis, he (Example rare!)
Lov'd to deserve the Praise, he could not bear;
He shun'd the Acclamations of the Throng,
And always coldly heard the Poet's Song.
Hence the great King the Muses did neglect,
And the meer Poet met with small Respect.
But tho' the Muses and their tuneful Train,
In this fam'd Monarch's Military Reign,
Had of the Royal Favour little Share,
Still they were kinder Bocai's tender Care.
He still caress'd the unregarded Tribe,
And did to all their various Tasks prescribe;
106
To him the Profit, and to them the Fame.
On the fair Strand, by which with graceful Pride
Unrival'd Thames rolls his alternate Tide.
Between the Courts, which most the People awe
(In One the Monarch reigns, in One the Law)
A stately Building reer'd its lofty Head,
Which both the Thames and Town around survey'd;
Here crown'd with Clusters, Bacchus kept his Court,
Where mighty Vats his chearful Throne support;
High o'er the Gate he hung his waving Sign,
A Fountain red with ever-flowing Wine.
Here Politicians use to recreate
Their Lungs exhausted with their long Debate
In sett'ling or perplexing Points of State.
In Pleasure here they pass the waning Night,
And the hard Labours of the Day recite:
They tell how bravely Artop Silence broke,
And how much like an Angel Oran spoke.
How some Young Orators new come from School
Mounted the Rope, and danc'd without a Pole:
What wretched Speeches t'other Party made,
How weak and how insipid Things were said
By all their Leading Men; but by their own
What Miracles of Eloquence were shown,
What Flames of Fire, what Thunderbolts were thrown.
How all their Speakers but of middle Name,
Surpass'd the Grecian and the Roman Fame.
They tell with how much Negligence of Art,
With how sincere an Air and open Heart,
The prudent Prolocutor plaid his Part.
Th' elated Victors of their Conquest boast,
And triumph at the vanquish'd Party's Cost,
And tell how down they look'd, the Question lost.
Unrival'd Thames rolls his alternate Tide.
Between the Courts, which most the People awe
(In One the Monarch reigns, in One the Law)
A stately Building reer'd its lofty Head,
Which both the Thames and Town around survey'd;
Here crown'd with Clusters, Bacchus kept his Court,
Where mighty Vats his chearful Throne support;
High o'er the Gate he hung his waving Sign,
A Fountain red with ever-flowing Wine.
Here Politicians use to recreate
Their Lungs exhausted with their long Debate
In sett'ling or perplexing Points of State.
In Pleasure here they pass the waning Night,
And the hard Labours of the Day recite:
They tell how bravely Artop Silence broke,
And how much like an Angel Oran spoke.
107
Mounted the Rope, and danc'd without a Pole:
What wretched Speeches t'other Party made,
How weak and how insipid Things were said
By all their Leading Men; but by their own
What Miracles of Eloquence were shown,
What Flames of Fire, what Thunderbolts were thrown.
How all their Speakers but of middle Name,
Surpass'd the Grecian and the Roman Fame.
They tell with how much Negligence of Art,
With how sincere an Air and open Heart,
The prudent Prolocutor plaid his Part.
Th' elated Victors of their Conquest boast,
And triumph at the vanquish'd Party's Cost,
And tell how down they look'd, the Question lost.
One Night in Sev'n, at this convenient Seat,
Indulgent Bocai did the Muses treat,
Their Drink was gen'rous Wine, and Kit-Cat's Pies their Meat.
Here he assembled his Poetick Tribe,
Past Labours to reward, and new prescribe:
Hence did the Assembly's Title first arise,
And Kit-Cat Wits sprung first from Kit-Cat's Pies.
Bocai, the mighty Founder of the State,
Led by his Wisdom, or his happy Fate,
Chose proper Pillars to support its Weight.
All the first Members for their Place were fit,
Tho' not of Title, Men of Sense and Wit:
While Kit-Cats by their Discipline secure
Preserv'd their well-fram'd Constitution pure,
Soon from this warm well-cultivated Bed,
Letters came forward, Sense began to spread,
And Wit shot up apace its thriving Head.
The languid Muses now new Life acquire,
And every Genius feels its Native Fire:
The cheerful Bards their weekly Works rehearse,
And noble Subjects sing in noble Verse.
No sweeter Lays, nor more exalted Strains
E'er blest Parnassus, or th' Arcadian Plains;
The tuneful Tribe with Praise each other crown,
And Bocai with a Nod approves Apollo's Son.
Old Thames, while list'ning to the Poet's Song,
In ling'ring Volumes slowly crept along;
But soon the Flood, that with Reluctance past,
To hear the charming Lays return'd in haste.
Their Conversation fed their mutual Fame,
And made the Bards at Flights much higher Aim:
For Men of Wit, do Men of Wit inspire,
And Emulation strikes out nobler Fire.
Indulgent Bocai did the Muses treat,
Their Drink was gen'rous Wine, and Kit-Cat's Pies their Meat.
108
Past Labours to reward, and new prescribe:
Hence did the Assembly's Title first arise,
And Kit-Cat Wits sprung first from Kit-Cat's Pies.
Bocai, the mighty Founder of the State,
Led by his Wisdom, or his happy Fate,
Chose proper Pillars to support its Weight.
All the first Members for their Place were fit,
Tho' not of Title, Men of Sense and Wit:
While Kit-Cats by their Discipline secure
Preserv'd their well-fram'd Constitution pure,
Soon from this warm well-cultivated Bed,
Letters came forward, Sense began to spread,
And Wit shot up apace its thriving Head.
The languid Muses now new Life acquire,
And every Genius feels its Native Fire:
The cheerful Bards their weekly Works rehearse,
And noble Subjects sing in noble Verse.
No sweeter Lays, nor more exalted Strains
E'er blest Parnassus, or th' Arcadian Plains;
109
And Bocai with a Nod approves Apollo's Son.
Old Thames, while list'ning to the Poet's Song,
In ling'ring Volumes slowly crept along;
But soon the Flood, that with Reluctance past,
To hear the charming Lays return'd in haste.
Their Conversation fed their mutual Fame,
And made the Bards at Flights much higher Aim:
For Men of Wit, do Men of Wit inspire,
And Emulation strikes out nobler Fire.
Mean Time, these Sons of Wit advanc'd their Name,
And fair Augusta rang with Kit-Cat Fame.
Their brighter Beams eclips'd the fading Toast,
That long before unrivall'd rul'd the Roast.
Now Crowds to Founder Bocai did resort,
And for his Favour humbly made their Court.
The little Wits attended at his Gate,
And Men of Title did his Levee wait;
For he, as Soveraign by Prerogative,
Old Members did exclude, and new receive.
He judg'd who most were for the Order fit,
And Chapters held to make new Knights of Wit.
And fair Augusta rang with Kit-Cat Fame.
Their brighter Beams eclips'd the fading Toast,
That long before unrivall'd rul'd the Roast.
Now Crowds to Founder Bocai did resort,
And for his Favour humbly made their Court.
The little Wits attended at his Gate,
And Men of Title did his Levee wait;
110
Old Members did exclude, and new receive.
He judg'd who most were for the Order fit,
And Chapters held to make new Knights of Wit.
While Kit-Cats thus to their first Maxims true,
Not of high Station, and in Number few,
Did Wit's just Rights and Interests pursue,
They were by All esteem'd, by All carest,
The Town's Delight, the Life of ev'ry Feast;
If not a Kit-Cat Wit or Two were there,
Flat was the Wine, and tastless was the Cheer;
To such a Height so soon their Credit rose,
And such great Men their Order did compose;
But who can flourish long and raise no envious Foes?
As when new States industrious, frugal, wise,
Advancing swift to Strength and Wealth arise,
The Realms around are jealous of their Pow'r,
Suspect and fear those they despis'd before:
Great Potentates each other's Court alarm,
And to suppress the growing Neighbour arm.
So here the Foes of Wit soon Umbrage took,
And did with Envy on the Kit-Cat look.
The numerous Species of the Blockhead Race,
Which the Long Robe, Camp, Gown and Court disgrace,
With all the vast Variety of Fools
Of Mother-Nonsence, or improv'd in Schools,
The Noisy and Impertinent, and all
The Fops and Pedants, all the whimsical,
Half-craz'd, half-witted, of the R---ff Kind,
Against the rising Kit-Cat State combin'd.
O, Bocai! all these mighty Clans rebell'd
Against thy Throne, by Sense and Wit upheld.
Their envious Tongues thy Government defam'd,
And loud against thy spreading Fame exclaim'd.
For they assert the Privilege to play
The Fool or Madman in their proper Way;
These Sons of Liberty will ne'er endure
The Tyranny of Sense, or Vertue's Foreign Pow'r.
Not of high Station, and in Number few,
Did Wit's just Rights and Interests pursue,
They were by All esteem'd, by All carest,
The Town's Delight, the Life of ev'ry Feast;
If not a Kit-Cat Wit or Two were there,
Flat was the Wine, and tastless was the Cheer;
To such a Height so soon their Credit rose,
And such great Men their Order did compose;
But who can flourish long and raise no envious Foes?
As when new States industrious, frugal, wise,
Advancing swift to Strength and Wealth arise,
The Realms around are jealous of their Pow'r,
Suspect and fear those they despis'd before:
111
And to suppress the growing Neighbour arm.
So here the Foes of Wit soon Umbrage took,
And did with Envy on the Kit-Cat look.
The numerous Species of the Blockhead Race,
Which the Long Robe, Camp, Gown and Court disgrace,
With all the vast Variety of Fools
Of Mother-Nonsence, or improv'd in Schools,
The Noisy and Impertinent, and all
The Fops and Pedants, all the whimsical,
Half-craz'd, half-witted, of the R---ff Kind,
Against the rising Kit-Cat State combin'd.
O, Bocai! all these mighty Clans rebell'd
Against thy Throne, by Sense and Wit upheld.
Their envious Tongues thy Government defam'd,
And loud against thy spreading Fame exclaim'd.
For they assert the Privilege to play
The Fool or Madman in their proper Way;
These Sons of Liberty will ne'er endure
The Tyranny of Sense, or Vertue's Foreign Pow'r.
112
But they in vain the Kit-Cat State assail'd,
Their ill-laid Plots and bung'ling Malice fail'd.
Fix'd on a Rock, great Bocai's Throne withstood
Confed'rate Fops, and Folly's confluent Flood.
Resisted thus, his Reputation rose;
For all wise Men esteem, what Fools oppose:
Their Leaders raving, that from each Attack
With mighty Loss their Troops were beaten back,
Resolv'd in Council on a wise Design,
What all their Force repell'd to undermine.
Their ill-laid Plots and bung'ling Malice fail'd.
Fix'd on a Rock, great Bocai's Throne withstood
Confed'rate Fops, and Folly's confluent Flood.
Resisted thus, his Reputation rose;
For all wise Men esteem, what Fools oppose:
Their Leaders raving, that from each Attack
With mighty Loss their Troops were beaten back,
Resolv'd in Council on a wise Design,
What all their Force repell'd to undermine.
In fam'd Hibernia on the Northern Main,
Where Wit's unknown, and Schools are built in vain,
Between Two Hills, that rise with equal Pride,
And with their Tops the floating Clouds divide,
A lazy Lake, as Lothe black and deep,
Secure from Storms, extended lies asleep.
Young vig'rous Winds, which heavy Tempests bear,
With fruitless Toil shove at the stagnant Air;
Their Breath all spent, they from their Labour cease,
And leave th' unweildy Fogs to rest in Peace.
The Beasts, that come for Water, at the Brink
Benumb'd, stand Nodding and forget to drink:
The Birds by luckless Fortune hither brought,
Fall down, and sleeping on the Water, float:
The thoughtless Boat-Men scarcely half awake,
Do never one successful Voyage make,
But yawn, and drop their Oars into the Lake.
These Shores, that with this quiet Breed abound,
Kindly supply the Neighb'ring Nations round
With calm Commanders, who enjoy their Ease,
And rule in Time of War a harmless Fleet in Peace.
Where Wit's unknown, and Schools are built in vain,
Between Two Hills, that rise with equal Pride,
And with their Tops the floating Clouds divide,
A lazy Lake, as Lothe black and deep,
Secure from Storms, extended lies asleep.
Young vig'rous Winds, which heavy Tempests bear,
With fruitless Toil shove at the stagnant Air;
113
And leave th' unweildy Fogs to rest in Peace.
The Beasts, that come for Water, at the Brink
Benumb'd, stand Nodding and forget to drink:
The Birds by luckless Fortune hither brought,
Fall down, and sleeping on the Water, float:
The thoughtless Boat-Men scarcely half awake,
Do never one successful Voyage make,
But yawn, and drop their Oars into the Lake.
These Shores, that with this quiet Breed abound,
Kindly supply the Neighb'ring Nations round
With calm Commanders, who enjoy their Ease,
And rule in Time of War a harmless Fleet in Peace.
On the dark Margin of the stagnant Flood,
The Temple of the God of Dullness stood,
With rude Magnificence sublime in Air,
Thick Walls of Mud the pond'rous Roof did bear.
Of Birds the formal Owl, of Beasts the Ass,
Dear to the God, did the dark Niches grace;
And on the Dome's high Front, ill cut in Wood,
Sottish Silenus and dull Morpheus stood.
Irregular it seem'd in every Part,
Which, as in China, here is perfect Art.
In gouty Pillars, thick unlightsome Walls,
With Windows at the Top, like Pidgeon-Holes,
It imitates our hideous Church of Paul's.
Such is the Skill, that all the Parts appear
Contriv'd for cold and blind Devotion here.
Sleek pamper'd Priests beneath the Altar snore,
And stretch'd at Ease, their stupid God adore.
The Vot'ries here eternal Silence keep,
And unreproach'd their Worship pay asleep.
The Idol is compos'd of Massy Lead,
And Wreaths of Poppy-Flowers adorn his Head:
Lolling and Yawning in his Chair of State,
His Head reclin'd, the drouzy Figure sate.
For Incense here, instead of Indian Gums,
Kindled Nicotian spreads more grateful Fumes,
Which lull the Senses vex'd with Care and Pain,
Blunt the sharp Edge of Thought, and kindly cloud the Brain.
The Temple of the God of Dullness stood,
With rude Magnificence sublime in Air,
Thick Walls of Mud the pond'rous Roof did bear.
Of Birds the formal Owl, of Beasts the Ass,
Dear to the God, did the dark Niches grace;
114
Sottish Silenus and dull Morpheus stood.
Irregular it seem'd in every Part,
Which, as in China, here is perfect Art.
In gouty Pillars, thick unlightsome Walls,
With Windows at the Top, like Pidgeon-Holes,
It imitates our hideous Church of Paul's.
Such is the Skill, that all the Parts appear
Contriv'd for cold and blind Devotion here.
Sleek pamper'd Priests beneath the Altar snore,
And stretch'd at Ease, their stupid God adore.
The Vot'ries here eternal Silence keep,
And unreproach'd their Worship pay asleep.
The Idol is compos'd of Massy Lead,
And Wreaths of Poppy-Flowers adorn his Head:
Lolling and Yawning in his Chair of State,
His Head reclin'd, the drouzy Figure sate.
For Incense here, instead of Indian Gums,
Kindled Nicotian spreads more grateful Fumes,
115
Blunt the sharp Edge of Thought, and kindly cloud the Brain.
Hither the various complicated Foes
That all enrag'd against the Kit-Cats rose,
Sworn Enemies to Bocai and to Wit,
Sent Deputies for their Employment fit.
The Coxcomb Clan Sir Thomas Trifle chose,
Prince of the civil Fops and grey-hair'd Beaus:
The grave and bookish Blockheads of our Isle
Sent a fam'd Native of Hibernia's Soil,
Dodwell, of undigested Fathers full,
Opprest with Learning, and profoundly dull.
The Vertuoso Tribe deputed S---,
Who got the Poll from L---st---r but by One.
The Mountebanks were first inclin'd to Read,
But Twinkler nam'd, in Twinkler all agreed.
The Politicians did their Mac---h send,
Of all the Foes of Sense a faithful Friend;
He with him took his Books, a pond'rous Load,
Design'd an Off'ring to the sleepy God.
The Pedant Tribe, who Wit and Sense oppose,
And the false Criticks, Learning's mortal Foes,
Ch---d, a wond'rous shining Genius, chose.
Strong B---ks was chosen by the lower Gown,
The scribling Rakes sent the poor Devil Brown,
Who doom'd to starve, yet fated to believe
He shall in eating Circumstances live,
Do's with a Stomach empty as his Head,
Write in a Garret to the Shops for Bread.
The Lawyers, once of one Opinion, chose
The great Aurato with a loud Applause.
These by Aurato led, did soon proceed
To the fam'd Temple with industrious Speed,
When their grave Speaker slowly Silence broke,
And thus the God of Dullness did invoke;
But hem'd and paus'd, and on his Notes did pore.
Repeating often what he said before.
That all enrag'd against the Kit-Cats rose,
Sworn Enemies to Bocai and to Wit,
Sent Deputies for their Employment fit.
The Coxcomb Clan Sir Thomas Trifle chose,
Prince of the civil Fops and grey-hair'd Beaus:
The grave and bookish Blockheads of our Isle
Sent a fam'd Native of Hibernia's Soil,
Dodwell, of undigested Fathers full,
Opprest with Learning, and profoundly dull.
The Vertuoso Tribe deputed S---,
Who got the Poll from L---st---r but by One.
The Mountebanks were first inclin'd to Read,
But Twinkler nam'd, in Twinkler all agreed.
The Politicians did their Mac---h send,
Of all the Foes of Sense a faithful Friend;
116
Design'd an Off'ring to the sleepy God.
The Pedant Tribe, who Wit and Sense oppose,
And the false Criticks, Learning's mortal Foes,
Ch---d, a wond'rous shining Genius, chose.
Strong B---ks was chosen by the lower Gown,
The scribling Rakes sent the poor Devil Brown,
Who doom'd to starve, yet fated to believe
He shall in eating Circumstances live,
Do's with a Stomach empty as his Head,
Write in a Garret to the Shops for Bread.
The Lawyers, once of one Opinion, chose
The great Aurato with a loud Applause.
These by Aurato led, did soon proceed
To the fam'd Temple with industrious Speed,
When their grave Speaker slowly Silence broke,
And thus the God of Dullness did invoke;
But hem'd and paus'd, and on his Notes did pore.
Repeating often what he said before.
117
Great drousy Pow'r, whose wide extended Sway,
All the cold Kingdoms of the North obey;
Who gently rul'st the whole Hibernian Isle,
And a large Part of Albion's Neighb'ring Soil,
We in the Name of all thy Vot'ries there,
Address thy Altars with our humble Pray'r;
An upstart Sect, one Bocai at their Head,
Have great Commotions in Britannia bred;
Who would with Arts the British Youth refine,
And the Subversion of thy Throne design.
The Kingdom into Parties they have split,
Rebels to Sense, and Schismaticks in Wit.
In Strength the restless Sectaries encrease,
And interrupt thy quiet Subjects Peace.
Still with fresh Conquests they extend their Fame,
And now at universal Empire aim.
Those, who to Thee have firm Affection shown,
And always labour'd to support thy Throne,
Who ne'er suspected were of such as Sin,
To speak in Favour of the Sect begin.
T---r himself affects to be Discreet
And wav'ring W---d inclines to be a Wit.
Ev'n T--- and D---y disaffected grow,
And underhand are treating with the Foe.
Ambiguous D--- who to no Side adher'd,
Strangely drawn in, has for the Sect declar'd.
Lugo, whom still we did with Honour name,
That Men of Brains despis'd, and laugh'd at Fame,
Assumes judicious Airs, and in the Pit,
Grows hot for Sense, and violent for Wit.
Robell, who Schools and Colleges did mock,
Solid, unchang'd and steady as a Rock,
In these revolting Times begins to shake,
And do's Discoveries of Infection make.
Young Ollan, so well-principl'd, and free
From the wild Notions of fine Company,
Ah, much lamented Youth! is from us lost,
The gravest Genius which our Cause could boast;
Had he escap'd his late unhappy Stain,
And not with Wit forc'd his reluctant Brain,
I had enroll'd him my adopted Son,
To him I had bequeath'd my awful Gown.
C---s and S---l, and a Thousand more,
For whom, as for my self, I would have swore,
Who stood unshaken, now begin to start,
Leave their old Friends, and take the Faction's Part.
All the cold Kingdoms of the North obey;
Who gently rul'st the whole Hibernian Isle,
And a large Part of Albion's Neighb'ring Soil,
We in the Name of all thy Vot'ries there,
Address thy Altars with our humble Pray'r;
An upstart Sect, one Bocai at their Head,
Have great Commotions in Britannia bred;
Who would with Arts the British Youth refine,
And the Subversion of thy Throne design.
The Kingdom into Parties they have split,
Rebels to Sense, and Schismaticks in Wit.
In Strength the restless Sectaries encrease,
And interrupt thy quiet Subjects Peace.
Still with fresh Conquests they extend their Fame,
And now at universal Empire aim.
Those, who to Thee have firm Affection shown,
And always labour'd to support thy Throne,
118
To speak in Favour of the Sect begin.
T---r himself affects to be Discreet
And wav'ring W---d inclines to be a Wit.
Ev'n T--- and D---y disaffected grow,
And underhand are treating with the Foe.
Ambiguous D--- who to no Side adher'd,
Strangely drawn in, has for the Sect declar'd.
Lugo, whom still we did with Honour name,
That Men of Brains despis'd, and laugh'd at Fame,
Assumes judicious Airs, and in the Pit,
Grows hot for Sense, and violent for Wit.
Robell, who Schools and Colleges did mock,
Solid, unchang'd and steady as a Rock,
In these revolting Times begins to shake,
And do's Discoveries of Infection make.
Young Ollan, so well-principl'd, and free
From the wild Notions of fine Company,
Ah, much lamented Youth! is from us lost,
The gravest Genius which our Cause could boast;
119
And not with Wit forc'd his reluctant Brain,
I had enroll'd him my adopted Son,
To him I had bequeath'd my awful Gown.
C---s and S---l, and a Thousand more,
For whom, as for my self, I would have swore,
Who stood unshaken, now begin to start,
Leave their old Friends, and take the Faction's Part.
If thou, great Pow'r, do'st not with Speed apply
To this Disease some Soveraign Remedy,
Soon from thy Empire Albion will be won,
By Bocai's Kit-Cat Squadrons over-run;
Squadrons, for this great Undertaking fit,
All clad in solid Sense and treble polish'd Wit.
Proud Kit-Cats soon will Triumph at thy Cost,
Nor wilt thou more of Britain's Vot'ries boast;
A Revolution, which was never fear'd,
Where thou hast been so lov'd and so rever'd.
H---n no longer will thy Shrines adore,
Nor will Tr---m e'er obey Thee more.
Great B---k's Gownmen, who have still withstood
All Light and Sense, and made their Party good,
A num'rous Clan, will All thy Cause disown,
Declare for Wit, and worship Bocai's Throne.
A Thousand Politicians will desert
Their ancient Side, and take the Rebels Part—
More had he said—But strove in vain to keep
His Eyelids ope, then fell down fast asleep.
To this Disease some Soveraign Remedy,
Soon from thy Empire Albion will be won,
By Bocai's Kit-Cat Squadrons over-run;
Squadrons, for this great Undertaking fit,
All clad in solid Sense and treble polish'd Wit.
Proud Kit-Cats soon will Triumph at thy Cost,
Nor wilt thou more of Britain's Vot'ries boast;
A Revolution, which was never fear'd,
Where thou hast been so lov'd and so rever'd.
120
Nor will Tr---m e'er obey Thee more.
Great B---k's Gownmen, who have still withstood
All Light and Sense, and made their Party good,
A num'rous Clan, will All thy Cause disown,
Declare for Wit, and worship Bocai's Throne.
A Thousand Politicians will desert
Their ancient Side, and take the Rebels Part—
More had he said—But strove in vain to keep
His Eyelids ope, then fell down fast asleep.
This Pray'r disturb'd the drozy God's Repose,
Who with Reluctance from his Seat arose:
He stretcht awhile, and did half-waken'd stand
Rubbing his heavy Eyelids with his Hand;
But rous'd at length, he to Aurato came,
And gave him this kind Answer in a Dream.
Who with Reluctance from his Seat arose:
He stretcht awhile, and did half-waken'd stand
Rubbing his heavy Eyelids with his Hand;
But rous'd at length, he to Aurato came,
And gave him this kind Answer in a Dream.
Thou, who so well dost thy high Post adorn,
For fair Britannia's and my Service born,
Know, faithful Servant, I shall still protect
My British Vot'ries from this hated Sect.
The haughty Kit-Cats, who my Pow'r defy'd,
Shall find me able to correct their Pride.
Let not my Friends despond, for certain Fate
Decrees the Ruin of the Kit-Cat State.
Let Kit-Cats cease to boast, cease ye to fear,
The Fall, O Bocai, of thy Throne is near.
Infernal Pow'rs will send at my Request
Faction from Hell, thy Empire to infest;
She'll with the Poison of her vip'rous Brood
Infect their Veins and agitate their Blood;
Will with malignant Heat their Breasts inspire,
And with their Breath blow up Sedition's Fire.
For fair Britannia's and my Service born,
121
My British Vot'ries from this hated Sect.
The haughty Kit-Cats, who my Pow'r defy'd,
Shall find me able to correct their Pride.
Let not my Friends despond, for certain Fate
Decrees the Ruin of the Kit-Cat State.
Let Kit-Cats cease to boast, cease ye to fear,
The Fall, O Bocai, of thy Throne is near.
Infernal Pow'rs will send at my Request
Faction from Hell, thy Empire to infest;
She'll with the Poison of her vip'rous Brood
Infect their Veins and agitate their Blood;
Will with malignant Heat their Breasts inspire,
And with their Breath blow up Sedition's Fire.
Now angry Kit-Cats feel the Fury's Flame,
Talk big and Bocai with Dishonour name.
Against his Ministration they inveigh,
His haughty Airs, and arbitrary Sway:
They cry he sep'rate Int'rest carries on,
Pretends their Profit, but designs his own.
Such Defamation shall they spread Abroad,
And with collected Scandal Bocai load,
Till in the troubled State Things desperate grown,
Outrageous Kit-Cats shall assault his Throne.
Now by Defection universal, they
Shall from their Court Rebellion's Flag display,
And swear they will no more the Tyrant's Will obey.
They'll then dethrone their Leader, and declare
An Interregnum and a vacant Chair.
This crowns my Wish, with Bocai sinks their State,
Who else has Shoulders equal to its Weight?
Bocai depos'd, the Sect with Faction rent,
Embroil'd in Feuds, and sow'r with Discontent,
Shall into various warring Parties split,
Which bring the Downfal of Imperious Wit.
This Doom attends the upstart Kit-Cat State,
This shall be Wit's, this shall be Bocai's Fate.
Go back in Peace, my faithful Vot'ries, go,
Let high Augusta my Prediction know;
Let all the Clans and Sects you represent,
Rest in the Prospect of the great Event.
Talk big and Bocai with Dishonour name.
Against his Ministration they inveigh,
His haughty Airs, and arbitrary Sway:
122
Pretends their Profit, but designs his own.
Such Defamation shall they spread Abroad,
And with collected Scandal Bocai load,
Till in the troubled State Things desperate grown,
Outrageous Kit-Cats shall assault his Throne.
Now by Defection universal, they
Shall from their Court Rebellion's Flag display,
And swear they will no more the Tyrant's Will obey.
They'll then dethrone their Leader, and declare
An Interregnum and a vacant Chair.
This crowns my Wish, with Bocai sinks their State,
Who else has Shoulders equal to its Weight?
Bocai depos'd, the Sect with Faction rent,
Embroil'd in Feuds, and sow'r with Discontent,
Shall into various warring Parties split,
Which bring the Downfal of Imperious Wit.
This Doom attends the upstart Kit-Cat State,
This shall be Wit's, this shall be Bocai's Fate.
123
Let high Augusta my Prediction know;
Let all the Clans and Sects you represent,
Rest in the Prospect of the great Event.
| A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects | |