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 | Poems on Affairs of State |  |
On the Young Statesmen.
By J. Dryden, 1680.
1
Clarendon had Law and Sense,Clifford was Fierce and Brave,
Brennet's grave look was a pretence,
And D---y's matchless Impudence
Help'd to support the Knave.
2
But Sun---d, God---n, L---y,These will appear such Chits in story,
'Twill turn all Politicks to Jests,
To be repeated like John Dory,
When Fidlers sing at Feasts.
3
Protect us, mighty Providence,What wou'd these Mad-men have?
First, they wou'd bribe us without Pence,
Deceive us without common Sense,
And without Power enslave.
4
Shall free-born Men in humble awe,Submit to servile shame;
Who from consent and custom, draw
The same Right to be rul'd by Law
Which Kings pretend to reign?
5
The Duke shall wield his conq'ring Sword,The Chancellor make a Speech,
174
The pawn'd Revenue Summs afford;
And then, come kiss my Breech.
VI
So have I seen a King on Chess,(His Rooks and Knights withdrawn,
His Queen and Bishops in distress)
Shifting about, grow less and less,
With here and there a Pawn.
| Poems on Affairs of State | |