University of Virginia Library

Since there are some that with me see the state
Of this declining Isle and mourn its fate,
French Councellors and Whores, French Education,
Have chang'd our Natures and enslav'd our Nation;
There was a time when Barons boldly stood,
And spent their Lives for their dear Countries good,
Confirm'd our Charter, with a Curse to light
On those that shou'd destroy that sacred Right,
Which Power with Freedom can so well unite,
The hated name of Rebel is not due
To him that is to Law and Justice true.
Brutus bold part may justly claim Renown,
Preferring Right to Friendship and a Crown;
For 'twas not Treason then to keep our own.
But now the Nation with unusual need
Cries help, where is our bold, our English Breed?
Popery and Slavery are just at hand,
And every Patriot is a S---d.
Shaftsbury's gone another Change to try,
He hates his Word, yet more the Monarchy.
No Head remains our Loyal Cause to grace,
For Monmouth is too weak for that high Place:
More proper for the Court where he was rais'd,
His Dancing envy'd, and his Dressing prais'd;
Where still such Folly is so well protected,
Those few that han't it are oblig'd t'affect it;
For Statesmen, King and Whore, and all have sworn
T'advance such Wit and Virtue as their own:
Degenerate Rome and Spain deserves to out-brave us,
If H---e or H---x can e'er enslave us;
Or he that kennels 'twixt his Dogs and Whore,
Rul'd by a Woman, he can use no more,
Whispers with Knaves, and Jests all day with Fools;
Is chid to Counsel like a Boy to School.
False to Mankind, and true to him alone
Whose Treason still attempts his Life and Crown.
Rouse up and cry, no Slavery, no York,
And free your King from that devouring Stork;
Tho' lull'd with Ease and Safety he appear,
And trusts the Reins to him he ought to fear.
'Tis Loyalty indeed to keep the Crown
Upon a head that would it self dethrone.
This is the case of our unthinking Prince,
Wheedled by Knaves, to rule 'gainst common Sense,
That we provok'd our Wrongs to justifie,
Might in his Reign his Brother's Title try.
Live long then Charles secure of those you dread,
There's not five Whigs that ever wish'd you dead;
For as old Men rarely of Gout complain,
That Life prolongs but sooths its wholsome pain.
So we with as small cause (God knows) to boast.
Bear much with you, rather than with him roast;
For if a Subject he such Terror bring,
What may we hope from a revengefull King?
Both lewd and zealous, stubborn in his Nonsense,
He'll sacrifice Mankind to ease his Conscience.

O happy Venice, whose good Laws are such,
No private Crime the publick Peace can touch.
But we most wretched, while two Fools dispute,
If Leg or Armstrong shall be absolute.