The Works of Mr. Robert Gould In Two Volumes. Consisting of those Poems [and] Satyrs Which were formerly Printed, and Corrected since by the Author; As also of the many more which He Design'd for the Press. Publish'd from his Own Original Copies [by Robert Gould] |
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| 5. | The Fifth Part. |
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 | The Works of Mr. Robert Gould |  |
5. The Fifth Part.
Hail Sacred Mother, Guardian of the Land!
Thou stand'st, and may'st thou yet for ever stand:
A Nursing Mother Heav'n has rais'd, to be,
As thou to us, the same Defence to Thee:
What Blessings art thou likely now to Gain
From Anna's Gentle, and Auspicious Reign!
In her the State and You are doubly best
At once the Greatest of her Sex, and best:
By all belov'd, by all with Rapture seen!
Nor know we which excels the most, the Christian or the Queen.
Early thy Sacred Doctrine she Embrac'd,
And ever since has held the Blessing fast.
What ever Plots against thy Frame combine,
They first must reach her Peace to Ruin thine.
Ev'n to her own she thy Repose preferrs,
As knowing well thy deadliest Foes are hers.
A Subject she, thy Rules subjected lay,
The Scoff of Atheists and the Secta'ries Prey,
Who watch'd thy low Estate, and Justl'd for the Sway;
But when her Fortune did, Auspicious, rise
(The Care of Heav'n, and Darling of our Eyes!
She fill'd the Gap, and stood in our Defence;
As great her Pow'r as late her Innocence.
And now, securely Seated on the Throne,
She Cultivates our Vertues with her own.
Forward she Swift to Reformation drives;
And, that the Fair may shew it in their Lives
She makes her self the Pattern for the Wives;
And Copies at one Draught the Lamb and Dove;
Like this her Purity and that her Love,
Of all the Human Joys we stand Possess'd,
The kind the chast Domestick Life is best,
And gives the Softest Toils and Sweetest Rest!
For where two Hearts meet, just like Tallies, ev'n,
'Tis there we find below a Tast of Heav'n!
Such is the Life, and such the happy State
Of our Illustrious Princess and her Mate:
To Unmolested, Mutual Joys they go,
Tho' little Copy'd in their Train below.
Not that the Blessings of the Marriage Life
Makes her decline the Hero's Martial strife,
When a Just Cause, where she has pass'd her Word,
Or there where Peace must be by War Restor'd,
Bids her Unsheath her slow, unwilling Sword;
But ground as keen and as undaunted born,
As that by Cyrus, or by Cæsar worn:
Nor is her General, for his time, behind
Those Hero's in Success and Presence of the Mind:
Nor e'er did they, to such a Num'rous Foe,
Strike at one Heat a more Decisive Blow.
In the Late Reign his Fate refus'd to Rise,
Nor had he yet attain'd the Glorious Prize,
But for the Influence of a Woman's Eyes!
No less Success cou'd he Expect to Meet
From so much Worth, and from a Mind so Great!
Anew she, thus our Nerves for Conquests strings,
As when our Great Plantiagnets were Kings.
O Glorious Reign! that ev'ry way Succeeds,
And neither Counsel, Men, or Mony needs;
But all, officious round about her wait,
As truely Good, to make her Truely Great.
At home she wou'd our Sons of Strife compose,
Abroad she Guards the Nation from our Foes,
And still shall Guard, till, with Eliza's Fate,
The Gallick falls, as then the Spanish State:
A Work Reserv'd by Heav'n for Her alone,
To drag th'Audacious Monster from a Throne,
Confound their Salique Law, and make the Rule her own.
O may that famous Institution there
Have now it's just Reverse Establish'd here;
That on the British Throne may still be seen
A Female Race,—and long the Present Queen;
That all w'ave lost her Conduct may Regain,
And only Woman! Glorious Woman Reign!
Thou stand'st, and may'st thou yet for ever stand:
A Nursing Mother Heav'n has rais'd, to be,
As thou to us, the same Defence to Thee:
What Blessings art thou likely now to Gain
From Anna's Gentle, and Auspicious Reign!
In her the State and You are doubly best
At once the Greatest of her Sex, and best:
By all belov'd, by all with Rapture seen!
Nor know we which excels the most, the Christian or the Queen.
208
And ever since has held the Blessing fast.
What ever Plots against thy Frame combine,
They first must reach her Peace to Ruin thine.
Ev'n to her own she thy Repose preferrs,
As knowing well thy deadliest Foes are hers.
A Subject she, thy Rules subjected lay,
The Scoff of Atheists and the Secta'ries Prey,
Who watch'd thy low Estate, and Justl'd for the Sway;
But when her Fortune did, Auspicious, rise
(The Care of Heav'n, and Darling of our Eyes!
She fill'd the Gap, and stood in our Defence;
As great her Pow'r as late her Innocence.
And now, securely Seated on the Throne,
She Cultivates our Vertues with her own.
Forward she Swift to Reformation drives;
And, that the Fair may shew it in their Lives
She makes her self the Pattern for the Wives;
And Copies at one Draught the Lamb and Dove;
Like this her Purity and that her Love,
Of all the Human Joys we stand Possess'd,
The kind the chast Domestick Life is best,
And gives the Softest Toils and Sweetest Rest!
For where two Hearts meet, just like Tallies, ev'n,
'Tis there we find below a Tast of Heav'n!
Such is the Life, and such the happy State
Of our Illustrious Princess and her Mate:
To Unmolested, Mutual Joys they go,
Tho' little Copy'd in their Train below.
Not that the Blessings of the Marriage Life
Makes her decline the Hero's Martial strife,
When a Just Cause, where she has pass'd her Word,
Or there where Peace must be by War Restor'd,
Bids her Unsheath her slow, unwilling Sword;
But ground as keen and as undaunted born,
As that by Cyrus, or by Cæsar worn:
209
Those Hero's in Success and Presence of the Mind:
Nor e'er did they, to such a Num'rous Foe,
Strike at one Heat a more Decisive Blow.
In the Late Reign his Fate refus'd to Rise,
Nor had he yet attain'd the Glorious Prize,
But for the Influence of a Woman's Eyes!
No less Success cou'd he Expect to Meet
From so much Worth, and from a Mind so Great!
Anew she, thus our Nerves for Conquests strings,
As when our Great Plantiagnets were Kings.
O Glorious Reign! that ev'ry way Succeeds,
And neither Counsel, Men, or Mony needs;
But all, officious round about her wait,
As truely Good, to make her Truely Great.
At home she wou'd our Sons of Strife compose,
Abroad she Guards the Nation from our Foes,
And still shall Guard, till, with Eliza's Fate,
The Gallick falls, as then the Spanish State:
A Work Reserv'd by Heav'n for Her alone,
To drag th'Audacious Monster from a Throne,
Confound their Salique Law, and make the Rule her own.
O may that famous Institution there
Have now it's just Reverse Establish'd here;
That on the British Throne may still be seen
A Female Race,—and long the Present Queen;
That all w'ave lost her Conduct may Regain,
And only Woman! Glorious Woman Reign!
Secur'd and blest by such a Sacred Head,
What, O Eusebia! can'st thou further dread?
I form'd, indeed, but now a Gloomy Scene
Of Clouds and Storms; but all is now Serene.
By her Example taught their Rage and Spite
The Sectaries lose, and in Her Praise unite:
Or granting (as we doubt) their Love they feign,
You yet are safe in this Auspicious Reign:
Not but perhaps (tho' now the View is Rest)
It may a Blessing prove to be Oppress'd:
Whom Heav'n does love it does with Stripes Chastise;
'Tis hard without Affliction to be Wise.
Thus God, perhaps, permits these Knaves and Fools,
And long may do, so that the Humbler Souls
May cleave, with Thee, the stricter to his Rules,
To Conquer all ev'n Isra'el was debarr'd,
Their Dang'erous Inmates had some Cities spar'd;
Left of set purpose, shou'd they prove Unwise,
To goar their Sides, and Prickle in their Eyes:
For when that stubborn Nation did offend,
'Twas nothing but Affliction made 'em mend.
What, O Eusebia! can'st thou further dread?
I form'd, indeed, but now a Gloomy Scene
Of Clouds and Storms; but all is now Serene.
By her Example taught their Rage and Spite
The Sectaries lose, and in Her Praise unite:
210
You yet are safe in this Auspicious Reign:
Not but perhaps (tho' now the View is Rest)
It may a Blessing prove to be Oppress'd:
Whom Heav'n does love it does with Stripes Chastise;
'Tis hard without Affliction to be Wise.
Thus God, perhaps, permits these Knaves and Fools,
And long may do, so that the Humbler Souls
May cleave, with Thee, the stricter to his Rules,
To Conquer all ev'n Isra'el was debarr'd,
Their Dang'erous Inmates had some Cities spar'd;
Left of set purpose, shou'd they prove Unwise,
To goar their Sides, and Prickle in their Eyes:
For when that stubborn Nation did offend,
'Twas nothing but Affliction made 'em mend.
But as to what thy Faithless Friends impose,
What shall we say? or what Defence from those
Who at thy very Vitals lie unseen,
And darkly Act their treach'rous Parts within?
Are they thy Sons who at this Time unite
With the High-flying foolish Perkinite?
How can a set of Men thy Peace intend
Whose Counsels Ruin what thy own Defend?
For where is the Religion, or the Sense,
Of bringing in a Spurious, Popish Prince,
When all the Three Estates (the Legal Sway)
Had turn'd the Current quite another Way?
Which certainly they never wou'd have done
But that they saw the Rocks we ought to shun,
Tho' to the Men of shallow reach unknown:
Let Fools be to their own Conceits inclin'd;
'Tis God himself that tunes a Nations Mind.
What have we then to do but to comply
For Conscience sake, with Pow'r and Equity?
And fix our future Hope, as late decreed,
On that Illustrious House that must Succeed.
But first, O let our Interest first be weigh'd!
To Anna all our Loves and Vows be paid,
And that Succession Ages yet delay'd.
In the mean time we see by the Design
Of such as wou'd thy safety undermine,
That they're Ungrateful Sons;—if they are Sons of Thine.
What shall we say? or what Defence from those
Who at thy very Vitals lie unseen,
And darkly Act their treach'rous Parts within?
Are they thy Sons who at this Time unite
With the High-flying foolish Perkinite?
How can a set of Men thy Peace intend
Whose Counsels Ruin what thy own Defend?
For where is the Religion, or the Sense,
Of bringing in a Spurious, Popish Prince,
When all the Three Estates (the Legal Sway)
Had turn'd the Current quite another Way?
Which certainly they never wou'd have done
But that they saw the Rocks we ought to shun,
Tho' to the Men of shallow reach unknown:
Let Fools be to their own Conceits inclin'd;
'Tis God himself that tunes a Nations Mind.
What have we then to do but to comply
For Conscience sake, with Pow'r and Equity?
211
On that Illustrious House that must Succeed.
But first, O let our Interest first be weigh'd!
To Anna all our Loves and Vows be paid,
And that Succession Ages yet delay'd.
In the mean time we see by the Design
Of such as wou'd thy safety undermine,
That they're Ungrateful Sons;—if they are Sons of Thine.
But if so high some of thy Children go
There yet are others that descend as low.
So hard their Privilege the former Strain,
That, if it break not, yet 'tis render'd vain;
And these are always for a slacken'd Rein:
What ever turn of Government befall,
They scarcely ever look, but leap at all.
Those think that Oaths beyond their Nature bind,
Beyond the Sense for which they were design'd;
And these believe they're things beneath a Man to mind.
Those to that height advance Monarchal Sway,
That, notwithstanding all the Scripture say,
It is Damnation yet to disobey.
But on this Side there are a sort of Elves
So cool, they'd dash their Princess on the Shelves,
So in her Ruin they cou'd raise themselves.
So odd their Sentiments of Regal Sway,
Cou'd they but easy live, and little Pay,
Were Noll again to Rule, they'd readily obey.
In short the two Contenders (now our Themes)
Were still, and will be ever in Extremes.
The first to Papal Counsels seems inclin'd
And tother's Calvin half, with Luther join'd.
Thy Moderation Vehemently they blame,
But that's no Christian Truth, that is not still the same.
Mean while we see, tho' they will never joyn
In ought beside, they in thy Fall combine;
So are but Treach'rous Sons,—if Sons at all of thine.
There yet are others that descend as low.
So hard their Privilege the former Strain,
That, if it break not, yet 'tis render'd vain;
And these are always for a slacken'd Rein:
What ever turn of Government befall,
They scarcely ever look, but leap at all.
Those think that Oaths beyond their Nature bind,
Beyond the Sense for which they were design'd;
And these believe they're things beneath a Man to mind.
Those to that height advance Monarchal Sway,
That, notwithstanding all the Scripture say,
It is Damnation yet to disobey.
But on this Side there are a sort of Elves
So cool, they'd dash their Princess on the Shelves,
So in her Ruin they cou'd raise themselves.
So odd their Sentiments of Regal Sway,
Cou'd they but easy live, and little Pay,
Were Noll again to Rule, they'd readily obey.
In short the two Contenders (now our Themes)
Were still, and will be ever in Extremes.
The first to Papal Counsels seems inclin'd
And tother's Calvin half, with Luther join'd.
Thy Moderation Vehemently they blame,
But that's no Christian Truth, that is not still the same.
212
In ought beside, they in thy Fall combine;
So are but Treach'rous Sons,—if Sons at all of thine.
Others among thy Prelates may be found
That nothing else but Comprehension sound;
And to that end Destructive Tracts prepare,
That give thy Sanctions quite another Air:
Thy very Articles themselves they seize,
And make 'em speak whatever Sense they please;
Such as in Scripture can't be found, if sought,
And what their first Compilers never thought.
With Schemes of Latitude they court the Rout,
Which follow'd, soon wou'd bring this Change about,
To let the Sectaries in, and drive thy Vot'ries out.
Thou that the best of Churches now we own,
Wou'dst then be found the very worst,—or None.
'Tis to be wish'd, indeed, that all Mankind
In matters of Belief were always of one Mind:
But since below w'are never like to see
A Perfect, Universal Unitie;
A Bliss reserv'd for the bright Realms above,
Where all is Rapture, Purity and Love,
Or for the bless'd Milennium; (if so be
Our Hope of that is not a Fallacie;)
What can we think of those, but that they err,
Who wou'd by Anarchy erect it here?
And quite dissolve thy Principles and Rules,
To flatter Villains and encourage Fools?
Denying Entrance is, they cry, a Sin,
Pull down, and let at once the Sectaries in;
Why is your Stubborn Will the Cruel Cause
So many Brethren break the Sacred Laws?
Remove the Fence, that Justice may prevail;
Nor keep so many Souls without the Pale.
Forbid it God, 'tis answer'd, we shou'd be
Justly accus'd of such Barbarity;
Let 'em Retract their Errors; when 'tis done,
Both they and we will be for ever one.
But here they Answer:—What You bid them do
Is a most Glorious Work reserv'd for You:
The Points they argue are of Highest Weight,
You only for Indiffe'rent Things debate;
There all your Arguments and Stress You lay;
By Rigidness You move, by Conscience they;
The things they'd have you grant 'em are but small,
And lay those by, You have 'em at a Call;
Your Duty's, then, to make Concessions to 'em all.
That ever Men so Positive shou'd be
Their Cause is Truth, when 'tis Conspiracy!
But that at once, we may the Point discuss,
Are we gone out from them, or they from us?
If they from us, then thence this Answer springs,
'Tis they that break about Indifferent things.
As to the Points that we with them debate,
We'll prove 'em of the highest Force and Weight;
And that if those Concessions they desire
Our Church shou'd grant, she must of Course expire;
Or if she did exist, she cou'd but be
A Complication of Absurdity,
Made up at once of Christian, Turk and Jew;
A Thousand Tenets false, for one that's true.
For Proof, to please the bold Socinian,
We first must own our Saviour meerly Man.
With the Perverse Fanatick to comply,
We must abolish next, our Liturgy.
To joyn the Quakers, e'er it can be done
We must at once both Sacraments disown;
Make Truth an Unintelligible Din,
And call abusive Nonsense Light within.
To come up to the Baptist, Women, Men,
Must all Consent to be Baptiz'd again,
Or pass, at best, but for a Heathen Race,
Till by Immersion they have div'd for Grace.
In short to please 'em all of ev'ry Station,
We must Renounce our Pow'r of Ordination;
Leave ev'ry Man his Errors to Instill,
To Hear, Believe, and Worship what he will,
Till Truth and Purity are Banish'd quite,
And all to salve that specious Word,—Unite.
Well did the Graver (waving the abuse)
Picture the Church of England like a Goose;
The Sectaries all around with Haggard Hair,
Pulling the Feathers off to make her bare;
And on her Head the Jesuits and their Train
With Bills like Woodcocks, pecking at her Brain:
For such, O British Church! thou surely art,
If from thy Needful Barriers thou dost part,
Set up to Guard thee from a Lawless Rout,
Who wou'd get in but just to drive thee out.
In short a Comprehension to Design,
Be who they will that in the Project joyn,
Does prove 'em Treach'rous Sons,—if Sons at all of Thine.
That nothing else but Comprehension sound;
And to that end Destructive Tracts prepare,
That give thy Sanctions quite another Air:
Thy very Articles themselves they seize,
And make 'em speak whatever Sense they please;
Such as in Scripture can't be found, if sought,
And what their first Compilers never thought.
With Schemes of Latitude they court the Rout,
Which follow'd, soon wou'd bring this Change about,
To let the Sectaries in, and drive thy Vot'ries out.
Thou that the best of Churches now we own,
Wou'dst then be found the very worst,—or None.
'Tis to be wish'd, indeed, that all Mankind
In matters of Belief were always of one Mind:
But since below w'are never like to see
A Perfect, Universal Unitie;
A Bliss reserv'd for the bright Realms above,
Where all is Rapture, Purity and Love,
Or for the bless'd Milennium; (if so be
Our Hope of that is not a Fallacie;)
What can we think of those, but that they err,
Who wou'd by Anarchy erect it here?
And quite dissolve thy Principles and Rules,
To flatter Villains and encourage Fools?
Denying Entrance is, they cry, a Sin,
Pull down, and let at once the Sectaries in;
Why is your Stubborn Will the Cruel Cause
So many Brethren break the Sacred Laws?
Remove the Fence, that Justice may prevail;
Nor keep so many Souls without the Pale.
213
Justly accus'd of such Barbarity;
Let 'em Retract their Errors; when 'tis done,
Both they and we will be for ever one.
But here they Answer:—What You bid them do
Is a most Glorious Work reserv'd for You:
The Points they argue are of Highest Weight,
You only for Indiffe'rent Things debate;
There all your Arguments and Stress You lay;
By Rigidness You move, by Conscience they;
The things they'd have you grant 'em are but small,
And lay those by, You have 'em at a Call;
Your Duty's, then, to make Concessions to 'em all.
That ever Men so Positive shou'd be
Their Cause is Truth, when 'tis Conspiracy!
But that at once, we may the Point discuss,
Are we gone out from them, or they from us?
If they from us, then thence this Answer springs,
'Tis they that break about Indifferent things.
As to the Points that we with them debate,
We'll prove 'em of the highest Force and Weight;
And that if those Concessions they desire
Our Church shou'd grant, she must of Course expire;
Or if she did exist, she cou'd but be
A Complication of Absurdity,
Made up at once of Christian, Turk and Jew;
A Thousand Tenets false, for one that's true.
For Proof, to please the bold Socinian,
We first must own our Saviour meerly Man.
With the Perverse Fanatick to comply,
We must abolish next, our Liturgy.
To joyn the Quakers, e'er it can be done
We must at once both Sacraments disown;
Make Truth an Unintelligible Din,
And call abusive Nonsense Light within.
214
Must all Consent to be Baptiz'd again,
Or pass, at best, but for a Heathen Race,
Till by Immersion they have div'd for Grace.
In short to please 'em all of ev'ry Station,
We must Renounce our Pow'r of Ordination;
Leave ev'ry Man his Errors to Instill,
To Hear, Believe, and Worship what he will,
Till Truth and Purity are Banish'd quite,
And all to salve that specious Word,—Unite.
Well did the Graver (waving the abuse)
Picture the Church of England like a Goose;
The Sectaries all around with Haggard Hair,
Pulling the Feathers off to make her bare;
And on her Head the Jesuits and their Train
With Bills like Woodcocks, pecking at her Brain:
For such, O British Church! thou surely art,
If from thy Needful Barriers thou dost part,
Set up to Guard thee from a Lawless Rout,
Who wou'd get in but just to drive thee out.
In short a Comprehension to Design,
Be who they will that in the Project joyn,
Does prove 'em Treach'rous Sons,—if Sons at all of Thine.
Others there are in Sacerdotal Wear,
That quite Disgrace their Sacred Character;
In Sports and Revels they their Time employ,
As they were made for Laughter, Love and Joy.
But slenderly those Sons observe thy Rules
That only herd with Women and with Fools,
And totally forgets—his Cure of Souls.
Another does his Scripture Theme disgrace,
And makes a Pulpit War with Hudibrass:
(Poor Hudibrass! to whom they grudg'd his Bread,
Neglected Living, and revile him dead:)
A Third in Taverns passes half his Days,
Or runs disguis'd to Brothels and to Plays.
How oft, O London! in thy Streets is found
(Thy Streets which so with Pimps and Punks abound!)
The Youthful Teacher picking up the Trull,
Regardless of his Coat—and more than Fool!
Others thy Coffee Conventicles Use,
And run distracted after Lyes and News,
When any needy Hawker if they please,
Wou'd ev'ry Day, and for a Penny fees,
Bring to their House the cure of that Disease.
They'll urge, perhaps, they may Diversion use;
And any just Diversion we excuse:
To Walk, to Ride, to visit Learned Friends,
Is what the Muse not blames, but Recommends.
But what in their Defence can any say,
Who, Farmer like, clad in a Coat of Grey,
And long Cravat, ne'er miss a Market Day?
That Corn and Beeves, and Managing their Ground
Make their Employment all the Year around;
As if there were no laymen in the Way
To rent their Glebe, and make 'em Honest Pay?
Mean while their Books (where safely they reside)
The Dust does cover and the Cobwebs hide;
Their Unfrequented Studies Silence Rules,
And leaves to their Pursuit the Muck of Fools.
What e'er they to their Families design,
With those we nam'd before we these may join;
All very shameless Sons,—at least if Sons of Thine.
That quite Disgrace their Sacred Character;
In Sports and Revels they their Time employ,
As they were made for Laughter, Love and Joy.
But slenderly those Sons observe thy Rules
That only herd with Women and with Fools,
And totally forgets—his Cure of Souls.
Another does his Scripture Theme disgrace,
And makes a Pulpit War with Hudibrass:
(Poor Hudibrass! to whom they grudg'd his Bread,
Neglected Living, and revile him dead:)
215
Or runs disguis'd to Brothels and to Plays.
How oft, O London! in thy Streets is found
(Thy Streets which so with Pimps and Punks abound!)
The Youthful Teacher picking up the Trull,
Regardless of his Coat—and more than Fool!
Others thy Coffee Conventicles Use,
And run distracted after Lyes and News,
When any needy Hawker if they please,
Wou'd ev'ry Day, and for a Penny fees,
Bring to their House the cure of that Disease.
They'll urge, perhaps, they may Diversion use;
And any just Diversion we excuse:
To Walk, to Ride, to visit Learned Friends,
Is what the Muse not blames, but Recommends.
But what in their Defence can any say,
Who, Farmer like, clad in a Coat of Grey,
And long Cravat, ne'er miss a Market Day?
That Corn and Beeves, and Managing their Ground
Make their Employment all the Year around;
As if there were no laymen in the Way
To rent their Glebe, and make 'em Honest Pay?
Mean while their Books (where safely they reside)
The Dust does cover and the Cobwebs hide;
Their Unfrequented Studies Silence Rules,
And leaves to their Pursuit the Muck of Fools.
What e'er they to their Families design,
With those we nam'd before we these may join;
All very shameless Sons,—at least if Sons of Thine.
As these the Church now under our debate,
Some Laicks are as fatal to the State;
And may be, secularly, understood
Always Dissenting from the Publick Good:
That from the Crown Prerogative wou'd tear,
The Oldest and the Brightest Jewel there.
Not that the Muse the English does deny
To be Tenacious of their Liberty:
Far be our Conduct from those slavish Souls
Whom Lewis by his Lawless Pow'r controuls:
Licking the Dust, they tremble to the spurn,
As only made to serve a Tyrant's turn.
So little they of Human Comforts share,
What we call Property is Treason there:
Nor yet the Subject his Condition rues,
Tho' nothing's left but want and Wooden Shooes.
Fertile their Land, yet on Brown George they Dine,
And Drink but Water tho' they Swim in Wine.
A tedious Slav'ery thus, by Proof, we find
Conveys its base Effects into the Mind,
Till it at last forgets, or will not see
The Gain of Trade, and Sweets of Liberty:
Or that when e'er a Nation has the Will
To shake a Tyrant off that Governs ill,
That wou'd their Laws Subvert, and Rights devour,
That Will can never be without the Pow'r:
How can the Art or Strength of One Prevail
Against whole Millions in the other Scale?
Unhappy People! that of Conquest boast,
When all they get is to their Tyrant lost!
Never before did Gallia know a Reign,
That bled 'em ev'ry Purse and ev'ry Vein:
But Patient, and for Asses only meant,
Implicit they obey; alike Content
With Cheats of Faith, and Cheats of Government.
Some Laicks are as fatal to the State;
And may be, secularly, understood
Always Dissenting from the Publick Good:
That from the Crown Prerogative wou'd tear,
The Oldest and the Brightest Jewel there.
216
To be Tenacious of their Liberty:
Far be our Conduct from those slavish Souls
Whom Lewis by his Lawless Pow'r controuls:
Licking the Dust, they tremble to the spurn,
As only made to serve a Tyrant's turn.
So little they of Human Comforts share,
What we call Property is Treason there:
Nor yet the Subject his Condition rues,
Tho' nothing's left but want and Wooden Shooes.
Fertile their Land, yet on Brown George they Dine,
And Drink but Water tho' they Swim in Wine.
A tedious Slav'ery thus, by Proof, we find
Conveys its base Effects into the Mind,
Till it at last forgets, or will not see
The Gain of Trade, and Sweets of Liberty:
Or that when e'er a Nation has the Will
To shake a Tyrant off that Governs ill,
That wou'd their Laws Subvert, and Rights devour,
That Will can never be without the Pow'r:
How can the Art or Strength of One Prevail
Against whole Millions in the other Scale?
Unhappy People! that of Conquest boast,
When all they get is to their Tyrant lost!
Never before did Gallia know a Reign,
That bled 'em ev'ry Purse and ev'ry Vein:
But Patient, and for Asses only meant,
Implicit they obey; alike Content
With Cheats of Faith, and Cheats of Government.
More madly yet the Briton plays his Game;
Much better us'd and so the more to blame.
A Restless Mind amid'st our S---te reigns,
Either still Fearing, or Imposing Chains;
And Chains, perhaps, we all might quickly wear,
Were not our Rights become a Wiser Care;
For 'tis the L---ds who, hating to Enslave,
Preserve our Liberties to keep us Brave;
While standing as a Barrier, or a Tow'r,
Between our Tribunes and the Kingly Pow'r,
They from the Insults of either keep us free,
When these wou'd clip Prerogative, or that our Property:
For King and Commons, in their first Intent,
Are the two Scales of British Government;
But Scales that soon wou'd err to an extreme,
Did not the Nobles fix and pin the Beam:
A Counterpoize, when e'er the Storm is Great,
To trim the Vessel, and to save the State:
Not that this Character of all is meant;
For some there are that never were Content
With any Prince, or any Government.
Much better us'd and so the more to blame.
A Restless Mind amid'st our S---te reigns,
Either still Fearing, or Imposing Chains;
And Chains, perhaps, we all might quickly wear,
Were not our Rights become a Wiser Care;
217
Preserve our Liberties to keep us Brave;
While standing as a Barrier, or a Tow'r,
Between our Tribunes and the Kingly Pow'r,
They from the Insults of either keep us free,
When these wou'd clip Prerogative, or that our Property:
For King and Commons, in their first Intent,
Are the two Scales of British Government;
But Scales that soon wou'd err to an extreme,
Did not the Nobles fix and pin the Beam:
A Counterpoize, when e'er the Storm is Great,
To trim the Vessel, and to save the State:
Not that this Character of all is meant;
For some there are that never were Content
With any Prince, or any Government.
O happy Constitution! on a Frame
Establish'd that wou'd Ages last the same,
But for the Pride and Rancour of a few
Who wou'd dissolve, and cast it all anew.
To Wicked Men all things alike are just,
If this Promote their Spite, or that their Lust:
Perish the Nation, let the French Succeed,
So but the Beau can Whore and Glutton feed;
Or Bumkin Members, at the Vine or Rose,
Can Tost at once their Mistress, and their Nose;
Then home returning raise their Tenants rent
To make amends for Sums profusely spent.
Where yet much worse their Senses they expose
To tell the Reasons of their Ay's and No's,
Which tho' but Speeches short, have yet the Weight,
If Misapply'd, to Ruin Church and State.
Men so Entrusted shou'd to Truth be bent,
And have clear Thoughts to Judge of the Event.
But these are a Morose and sensual Rout,
All Mute within, and endless, Chat without:
Their Wit, Detraction; Honesty, Disguise;
As Bessus, Brave; and their Electors, Wise:
Thoughtless of Right, or Wrong; and not Content
With Law, Religion, Prince, or Government.
Establish'd that wou'd Ages last the same,
But for the Pride and Rancour of a few
Who wou'd dissolve, and cast it all anew.
To Wicked Men all things alike are just,
If this Promote their Spite, or that their Lust:
Perish the Nation, let the French Succeed,
So but the Beau can Whore and Glutton feed;
Or Bumkin Members, at the Vine or Rose,
Can Tost at once their Mistress, and their Nose;
Then home returning raise their Tenants rent
To make amends for Sums profusely spent.
Where yet much worse their Senses they expose
To tell the Reasons of their Ay's and No's,
Which tho' but Speeches short, have yet the Weight,
If Misapply'd, to Ruin Church and State.
Men so Entrusted shou'd to Truth be bent,
And have clear Thoughts to Judge of the Event.
But these are a Morose and sensual Rout,
All Mute within, and endless, Chat without:
218
As Bessus, Brave; and their Electors, Wise:
Thoughtless of Right, or Wrong; and not Content
With Law, Religion, Prince, or Government.
But as these six on Methods Lewd and Vain,
Another Class are all for Pow'r and Gain:
These are the Men the Nation most shou'd doubt
That thrive within, and starve the Fools without;
Their Master, Herd; whose Fleece they ev'ry Year
Take off, and in the Publick Pocket share
What we ev'n Groan to see, and they shou'd blush to hear.
What Care can of the Common Good be shown,
Where most have separate Interests of their Own?
He that on self Advancement does depend
Directs his Counsels only to that End.
If Father S---r (who abounds with Gall,
At once disdaining, and disdain'd by all,)
At any time a Party-Friend can serve,
He cares not if a Thousand Worthier starve;
Oblig'd so far, they'll any Dangers face;
And Vote to keep themselves and Him in Place:
While the Gull'd Country part with all their store
To pay them Pensions but to Tax it more.
And yet ev'n these, if once got out of Grace,
(Loyal no longer than they keep in Place,
And H--- himself's an Instance of the Case,)
They Rave! they! Rail and will not be Content
With Law, Religion, Prince, or Government.
Another Class are all for Pow'r and Gain:
These are the Men the Nation most shou'd doubt
That thrive within, and starve the Fools without;
Their Master, Herd; whose Fleece they ev'ry Year
Take off, and in the Publick Pocket share
What we ev'n Groan to see, and they shou'd blush to hear.
What Care can of the Common Good be shown,
Where most have separate Interests of their Own?
He that on self Advancement does depend
Directs his Counsels only to that End.
If Father S---r (who abounds with Gall,
At once disdaining, and disdain'd by all,)
At any time a Party-Friend can serve,
He cares not if a Thousand Worthier starve;
Oblig'd so far, they'll any Dangers face;
And Vote to keep themselves and Him in Place:
While the Gull'd Country part with all their store
To pay them Pensions but to Tax it more.
And yet ev'n these, if once got out of Grace,
(Loyal no longer than they keep in Place,
And H--- himself's an Instance of the Case,)
They Rave! they! Rail and will not be Content
With Law, Religion, Prince, or Government.
We grant indeed that, mixt with these, there are
Some Worthy Men, who all self-interest bar:
So Wealthy, that they'll Nothing base advance,
So Honest, as to Curse the Bribes of France.
At once both to their King and Country true,
The Mutual Good of either they pursue,
And Lives and Fortunes cheerfully wou'd set
To make one Prospe'rous and the other Great.
Their Counsels always to our Glory tend
Sharp to discern, and ready to defend.
And yet, Alas! what Common Good can rise
From those that are Sagacious, Just and Wise,
When the dead Weight of Number shall prevail,
Tho' Law and Gospel lie in 'tother Scale?
In vain the Poor on Innocence depends;
Justice is there Majority of Friends.
What can we from the Martyr's Fate infer
But a sad Instance that the most may Err?
In ev'ry Age we find that Men are Men;
And some are now as bad as others then.
Wou'd it not grieve the Heart and shock the Ear
That Feuds and Factions shou'd be cherish'd there
Where they are sent but only to agree,
And keep the Land as Friendly, as 'tis Free?
Which way can Heats, that ev'ry Year encrease,
Be argu'd to promote the Publick Peace?
If Parties strive, tho' this, or that Succeed,
It is the People that both Pay, and Bleed.
In the late Times the Royalists Pretence
For cutting Throats was to defend their Prince;
The Godly Army, Thirsting after Blood,
Plunder'd and Murder'd for their Countries Good.
The Knaves of either Party play'd the Game,
While their trim Speakers (and w'ave yet the same)
In S---te were the Breath that fann'd the Flame.
Can true and false be one? or Love and Hate?
No less can Peace and Factions in a State.
Accurs'd be they that sit in safety there
And thence eject the Seeds of Strife and War,
Which falling on the People, up there Springs
Two Parties, this, their Countries: that their Kings:
But were the Cause by Justice to be try'd,
And the true Means for Publick Peace apply'd,
The Hot-heads shou'd be Hang'd on either Side,
That others may be warn'd to rest Content
With the true Line, and Legal Government.
Some Worthy Men, who all self-interest bar:
So Wealthy, that they'll Nothing base advance,
So Honest, as to Curse the Bribes of France.
At once both to their King and Country true,
The Mutual Good of either they pursue,
219
To make one Prospe'rous and the other Great.
Their Counsels always to our Glory tend
Sharp to discern, and ready to defend.
And yet, Alas! what Common Good can rise
From those that are Sagacious, Just and Wise,
When the dead Weight of Number shall prevail,
Tho' Law and Gospel lie in 'tother Scale?
In vain the Poor on Innocence depends;
Justice is there Majority of Friends.
What can we from the Martyr's Fate infer
But a sad Instance that the most may Err?
In ev'ry Age we find that Men are Men;
And some are now as bad as others then.
Wou'd it not grieve the Heart and shock the Ear
That Feuds and Factions shou'd be cherish'd there
Where they are sent but only to agree,
And keep the Land as Friendly, as 'tis Free?
Which way can Heats, that ev'ry Year encrease,
Be argu'd to promote the Publick Peace?
If Parties strive, tho' this, or that Succeed,
It is the People that both Pay, and Bleed.
In the late Times the Royalists Pretence
For cutting Throats was to defend their Prince;
The Godly Army, Thirsting after Blood,
Plunder'd and Murder'd for their Countries Good.
The Knaves of either Party play'd the Game,
While their trim Speakers (and w'ave yet the same)
In S---te were the Breath that fann'd the Flame.
Can true and false be one? or Love and Hate?
No less can Peace and Factions in a State.
Accurs'd be they that sit in safety there
And thence eject the Seeds of Strife and War,
Which falling on the People, up there Springs
Two Parties, this, their Countries: that their Kings:
220
And the true Means for Publick Peace apply'd,
The Hot-heads shou'd be Hang'd on either Side,
That others may be warn'd to rest Content
With the true Line, and Legal Government.
Where can the Good of Separate Interest be?
Can it be fatal not to disagree?
Or do they think (because it is agreed
That, now and then, a Vein may Breathing need)
The Body Politick for Health must Bleed?
As sure it will, unless some speedy Care
Is took, such Jehu's may not drive too far:
W'are to the utmost Verge of Danger run,
And must be now United or Undone.
For some there are, like Junius Brutus sour,
That wou'd at once all Regal Right devour,
And some, again, are for Unbounded Pow'r.
Some wou'd a Scheme of Rule from Holland draw,
And some wou'd have the Sword of Lewis, Law.
Others to Tracts of Rome and Greece repair
For some old Forms, and wou'd new vamp 'em here.
Some wou'd as useless have the L---ds laid by,
The Gloomy Politicks of Anarchy!
Others from Faction do this Inference draw,
That 'tis a Balance to keep Kings in awe,
Confin'd by that within the Bounds of Law;
So raise a Danger nothing can suppress
Only to make their fear of Danger less;
The very last Extreme of Sottishness!
Thus while all Parties each with each contend,
They do but widen what they're call'd to mend.
Ev'n in Debate they can't forbear to bite,
On this side Rancour and on that 'tis Spite,
And all have Friends to say they Voted Right.
From this Spring-head of Interest and Ill-will,
Does all their Venom on the Mob distill,
Till we, at once, can rife amongst 'em see
Revenge, and Guile, and Fear, and Jealousie:
Nor less does Pride, Hypocrisy and Hate
Inflame the Gentry, and disturb the State:
Inward Convulsions in her Breast she feels,
And tho' she does not Fall, she often Reels.
All sorts of Rabble, Mouth to fill the Cry,
And Roar, and Thrust, and Swell, and Mutiny,
If any Publick News but go awry.
The very Sweepers of the Jayls and Halls,
The Inhabitants of Cellars, Bulks and Stalls,
Carmen and Coblers, Scavengers, a Rout
That will but look in Hell as now without;
All, Copying from their Patrons, vent aloud
The base dislike of an Ungrateful Crowd;
And not of Thousands scarce is one Content
With any Prince, or any Government.
Can it be fatal not to disagree?
Or do they think (because it is agreed
That, now and then, a Vein may Breathing need)
The Body Politick for Health must Bleed?
As sure it will, unless some speedy Care
Is took, such Jehu's may not drive too far:
W'are to the utmost Verge of Danger run,
And must be now United or Undone.
For some there are, like Junius Brutus sour,
That wou'd at once all Regal Right devour,
And some, again, are for Unbounded Pow'r.
Some wou'd a Scheme of Rule from Holland draw,
And some wou'd have the Sword of Lewis, Law.
Others to Tracts of Rome and Greece repair
For some old Forms, and wou'd new vamp 'em here.
Some wou'd as useless have the L---ds laid by,
The Gloomy Politicks of Anarchy!
Others from Faction do this Inference draw,
That 'tis a Balance to keep Kings in awe,
Confin'd by that within the Bounds of Law;
So raise a Danger nothing can suppress
Only to make their fear of Danger less;
The very last Extreme of Sottishness!
Thus while all Parties each with each contend,
They do but widen what they're call'd to mend.
Ev'n in Debate they can't forbear to bite,
On this side Rancour and on that 'tis Spite,
And all have Friends to say they Voted Right.
221
Does all their Venom on the Mob distill,
Till we, at once, can rife amongst 'em see
Revenge, and Guile, and Fear, and Jealousie:
Nor less does Pride, Hypocrisy and Hate
Inflame the Gentry, and disturb the State:
Inward Convulsions in her Breast she feels,
And tho' she does not Fall, she often Reels.
All sorts of Rabble, Mouth to fill the Cry,
And Roar, and Thrust, and Swell, and Mutiny,
If any Publick News but go awry.
The very Sweepers of the Jayls and Halls,
The Inhabitants of Cellars, Bulks and Stalls,
Carmen and Coblers, Scavengers, a Rout
That will but look in Hell as now without;
All, Copying from their Patrons, vent aloud
The base dislike of an Ungrateful Crowd;
And not of Thousands scarce is one Content
With any Prince, or any Government.
But throw, my Muse, a Veil upon our Fau'ts,
And throw, beside another on thy Thoughts;
Shou'd you speak more it might be dang'rous here;—
So pass on now to Rascals less our Fear.
And throw, beside another on thy Thoughts;
Shou'd you speak more it might be dang'rous here;—
So pass on now to Rascals less our Fear.
| The Works of Mr. Robert Gould | |