University of Virginia Library

It happen'd in the Twy-light of the Day,
As England's Monarch in his Closet lay,
And Chiffinch step'd to fetch the Female Prey;
The bloody shape of Godfrey did appear,
And in sad Vocal sounds these things declare:
“Behold, Great Sir, I from the Shades am sent,
“To shew these Wounds that did your Fall prevent.
“My panting Ghost, as Envoy, comes to call,
“And warn you, lest, like me, y' untimely fall;
“Who against Law your Subjects Lives pursue,
“By the same rute may dare to Murther you.
“I, for Religion, Laws, and Liberties,
“Am mangled thus, and made a Sacrifice.

“Think what befel Great Egypt's hardned King,
“Who scorn'd the Prophet's oft admonishing.
“Shake off your brandy slumbers; for my Words
“More Truth than all your close Cabal affords:
“A Court you have with Luxury o'er-grown,
“And all the Vices e're in Nature known;
“Where Pimps and Panders in their Coaches ride,
“And in Lampoons and Songs your Lust deride.
“Old Bawds and slighted Whores, there tell with shame,
“The dull Romance of your Lascivious Flame.
“Players and Scaramouches are your Joy;
“Priests and French Apes do all your Land annoy:
“Still so profuse, you are insolvent grown,
“A mighty Bankrupt on a Golden Throne.
“Your nauseous Palate the worst Food doth crave;
“No wholsom Viands can an entrance have:
“Each Night you lodge in that French Syren's Arms,
“She strait betrays you with her wanton Charms;
“Works on your Heart, softned with Love and Wine,
“And then betrays you to some Philistine.
“Imperial Lust does o're your Scepter sway;
“And though a Soveraign, makes you to obey.
“She that from Lisbon came with such Renown,
“And to inrich you with the Africk Town.
“In nature mild, and gentle as a Dove;
“Yet for Religion can a Serpent prove:
“Priest-rid with Zeal, she Plots and did design
“To cut your thred of Life, as well as mine:
“Yet Thoughts so stupid have your Soul possest,
“As if Inchanted by some Magick Priest:
“There's no example urge you to relent,
“You Pardon Guilty, punish Innocent.
“Next he who 'gainst the Senate's Vote did Wed,
“Took defil'd H. and Este to his Bed.
“Fiend in his Face, Apostate in his Name,
“Contriv'd to Wars to your eternal shame.
“He ancient Laws and Liberties defies;
“On standing Guards and new rais'd Force relies:
“The Teagues he Courts, and doth the French admire,
“And fain he would be mounted one Step higher.
“All this by you must needs be plainly seen,
“And yet he awes you with his daring Spleen.
“Th'unhappy Kingdom suffered much of Old,
“When Spencer and loose Gaveston controull'd;
“Yet they by just Decrees were timely sent,
“To suffer a perpetual Banishment.
“But your bold States-men nothing can restrain,
“Their most enormous Courses you maintain.
“They like those Head-strong Horses of the Sun,
“Guided by the unskilful Phaeton:
“Your tott'ring Charriot bears through uncouth ways.
“Till the next World's inflamed with your Rays.
“Witness that Man, who had for divers years
“Pay'd the Brib'd Commons, Pensions and Arrears;
“Though your Exchequer was at his Command,
“Durst not before his just Accusers stand:
“His Crimes and Treasons of so black a hue,
“None dare to prove his Advocate but you.
“Who e're within your Palace Walls remain,
“Abhor your actions, serve you but for Gain.

“The Assyrians (as Histories relate)
“Had once a King grown so Effeminate;
“All State-affairs seem'd Irksome in his sight,
“In Spinning Wheels he placed his whole delight.
“With his lew'd Strumpet Crew he did retire,
“Condemned, and Loath'd, he set himself on Fire;
“And only in this Act the World did own,
“The greatest Man hood of his Life was shewn.
“Rome ne're to such a glorious State had grown,
“Had not luxurious Tarquin there been known;
“A single Rape was deem'd such a disgrace,
“They extirpate his odious Name and Race;
“Though he from Tuskian Kings did succour crave,
“Yet they with Arms pursued him to the Grave:
“Ingenious People always have withstood,
“What stains their Honour or the publick good:
“Trust not in Prelates false Divinity,
“Who wrong their Prince, and shame their Deity,
“Making their God so partial in their Cause,
“Exempting Kings alone from humane Laws.
“These lying Oracles they did infuse
“Of old, and did your Martyr'd Sire abuse.
“Their strong delusions did him so enthral,
“No Cautions would anticipate his Fall.
“Repent in time, and banish from your sight
“The Pimp, the Whore, Buffoon, Church-parasite;
“Let Innocence deck your remaining days,
“That After-ages may unfold your Praise.
“So may Historians in new Methods write,
“And draw a Curtain 'twixt your black and white.
“The Ghost spake thus, groan'd thrice, and said no more;
“Stright in came Chaffinch, Hand and Hand, with Whore;
“The King tho' much concern'd 'twixt Joy and Fear,
“Starts from the Couch, and bid the Dame draw near.