 | Poems on Affairs of State |  |
On the Lord Mayor and Court of Alderman, presenting the late King and Duke of York each with a Copy of their Freedoms,
Anno Dom. 1674.
By A. Marvell. Esq;.
I
The Londoners Gent to the King do presentIn a Box the City Maggot;
'Tis a thing full of weight, that requires the Might,
Of whole Guild Hall Team to drag it.
II
Whilst their Church's unbuilt, and their Houses undwelt,And their Orphans want Bread to feed 'em;
Themselves they've bereft of the little Wealth they had left,
To make an Offering of their Freedom.
III
O'ye Addle-brain'd Cits! who henceforth in their WitsWould intrust their Youth to your heading;
When in Diamonds and Gold you have him thus enroll'd,
You know both his Friends and his Breeding?
121
IV
Beyond Sea he began, where such a Riot he ran,That every one there did leave him;
And now he's come o'er ten times worse than before,
When none but such Fools would receive him.
V
He ne'er knew, not he, how to serve or be free,Though he has past through so many Adventures;
But e'er since he was bound, (that is he was crown'd)
He has every Day broke his Indentures.
VI
He spends all his Days in running to Plays,When he should in the Shop be poring:
And he wasts all his Nights in his constant Delights,
Of Revelling, Drinking and Whoring.
VII
Thro out Lumbard street each Man he did meet,He would run on the Score and borrow,
When they'd ask'd for their own, he was broke and gone,
And his Creditors left to Sorrow.
VIII
Though oft bound to the Peace, yet he never would cease,To vex his poor Neighbours with Quarrels,
And when he was beat, he still made his Retreat,
To his Cleavelands, his Nels, and his Carwels.
IX
Nay, his Company lewd, were twice grown so rude,That had not Fear taught him Sobriety,
And the House been well barr'd with Guard upon Guard,
They'd robb'd us of all our Propriety.
X
Such a Plot was laid, had not' Ashley betray'd,As had cancell'd all former Disasters;
And your Wives had been Strumpers to his Highnesses Trumpets,
And Foot Boys had all been your Masters.
122
XI
So many are the Debts, and the Bastards he gets,Which must all be defray'd by London,
That notwithstanding the Care of Sir Thomas Player,
The Chamber must needs be undone.
XII
His Word nor his Oath cannot bind him to Troth,And he values not Credit or History;
And though he has serv'd through two Prentiships now,
He knows not his Trade nor his Mystery.
XIII
Then London rejoyce in thy fortunate Choice,To have made him free of thy Spices;
And do not mistrust he may once grow more just,
When he's worn of his Follies and Vices.
XIV
And what little thing is that which you bringTo the Duke, the Kingdom's Darling;
Ye hug it and draw like Ants at a Straw,
Tho' too small for the Gristle of Starling.
XV
Is it a Box of Pills to cure the Duke's Ills?(He is too far gone to begin it)
Or that your fine Show in Processioning go,
With the Pix and the Host within it.
XVI
The very first Head of the Oath you him read,Shews you all how fit he's to Govern,
When in Heart (you all knew) he ne'er was nor will be true
To his Country or to his Soveraign.
XVII
And who could swear, that he would forbearTo cull out the good of an Alien,
123
With a VVife and Religion Italian?
XVIII
And now, Worshipfull Sirs, go fold up your Furrs,And Vyner turn again, turn again;
I see who e'ers freed you for Slaves are decreed
Until you burn again, burn again.
| Poems on Affairs of State | |