A Letter to A Right Honourable Person And the Answer to it, Translated into Verse, as nearly as the different Idioms of Prose and Poetry will allow, With Notes Historical, Critical, Political, &c. [by Philip Francis] |
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 | A Letter to A Right Honourable Person |  |
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A LETTER from a Right Honourable Person to ------ in the City, faithfully done into Verse &c.
Dear Sir,
Having found with Surprise, that my late Resignation,
Both in Manner and Cause, by Misrepresentation
Hath been grossly abus'd: that his majesty's Grace,
Which follow'd, spontaneous, my quitting my Place,
Hath been slander'd most basely, and vilely perverted
To a Bargain, for having the Publick deserted,
The Truth of these Facts I am forc'd to proclaim,
And the Manner, no Gentleman surely will blame.
Both in Manner and Cause, by Misrepresentation
Hath been grossly abus'd: that his majesty's Grace,
Which follow'd, spontaneous, my quitting my Place,
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To a Bargain, for having the Publick deserted,
The Truth of these Facts I am forc'd to proclaim,
And the Manner, no Gentleman surely will blame.
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That I, and the Council were of different Opinions
Of Importance to Britain, her Crown and Dominions,
Regarding the Measures we should take against Spain
(Yet pray, my dear Sir, understand what I mean)
Not founded on what she may now be designing,
But what she has done, was my cause for resigning.
Of Importance to Britain, her Crown and Dominions,
Regarding the Measures we should take against Spain
(Yet pray, my dear Sir, understand what I mean)
Not founded on what she may now be designing,
But what she has done, was my cause for resigning.
Lord Temple and I submitted in writing,
And sign'd by us both, our Project for fighting,
But as the whole Council against us combin'd,
On the fifth of this Instant the Seals I resign'd,
That I might not hereafter for measures be try'd,
Which I was not allow'd any longer to guide.
Most gracious the Marks of the King's Approbation,
That follow'd, not went before, my Resignation,
No Merit I boasted, no Pension I crav'd,
Yet with Pride, from the best of all Sovereigns, receiv'd.
And sign'd by us both, our Project for fighting,
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On the fifth of this Instant the Seals I resign'd,
That I might not hereafter for measures be try'd,
Which I was not allow'd any longer to guide.
Most gracious the Marks of the King's Approbation,
That follow'd, not went before, my Resignation,
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Yet with Pride, from the best of all Sovereigns, receiv'd.
For the Honour of Truth I these Matters explain,
Nor any Man's Confidence wish to regain,
Who with a Credulity, weak as unjust,
Can suspect one of basely betraying his Trust,
Who long serv'd his Country with Zeal and Success,
And rais'd her to glory from Shame and Distress;
Who justly the candid and upright reveres,
But the base and capricious nor values, nor fears.
I beg, my dear Sir, my best Thanks you'll receive
For all your kind Friendship, and will always believe,
Nor any Man's Confidence wish to regain,
Who with a Credulity, weak as unjust,
Can suspect one of basely betraying his Trust,
Who long serv'd his Country with Zeal and Success,
And rais'd her to glory from Shame and Distress;
Who justly the candid and upright reveres,
But the base and capricious nor values, nor fears.
I beg, my dear Sir, my best Thanks you'll receive
For all your kind Friendship, and will always believe,
That I am &c. &c. &c.
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END of the first LETTER.
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The following Letter was generously communicated to us by the Writer himself.
Dear Sir,
The City of London must for ever forget,
Or always remember, They are much in Your Debt,
And that You accepted the Seals, when the Nation—
Sure never was Country in such Tribulation;
That our Armies were beaten, our Navy was laid
Inactive in Port, and expos'd was our Trade;
That our Credit was bankrupt with all Correspondents,
Abroad was Contempt, and at home was Despondence.
The City must also remember for ever,
That when you resign'd, our Affairs were quite clever;
Our Armies triumphant, our Navies victorious,
And our Trade in a State, which it ne'er knew before us;
Our Credit restor'd, and the People more willing
To lend you a Million, than borrow a Shilling;
Our Foes in Despair at our high Exultation,
And the Neutrals amaz'd in profound Veneration.
That the French were reduc'd to so low a Condition,
As to sue for a Peace, and we heard their Petition;
But they were too haughty, and we were too great,
Our successes too many, to know how to treat.
Or always remember, They are much in Your Debt,
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Sure never was Country in such Tribulation;
That our Armies were beaten, our Navy was laid
Inactive in Port, and expos'd was our Trade;
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Abroad was Contempt, and at home was Despondence.
The City must also remember for ever,
That when you resign'd, our Affairs were quite clever;
Our Armies triumphant, our Navies victorious,
And our Trade in a State, which it ne'er knew before us;
Our Credit restor'd, and the People more willing
To lend you a Million, than borrow a Shilling;
Our Foes in Despair at our high Exultation,
And the Neutrals amaz'd in profound Veneration.
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As to sue for a Peace, and we heard their Petition;
But they were too haughty, and we were too great,
Our successes too many, to know how to treat.
But if Knaves have taught Fools to call your Resignation
Betraying your Trust, and deserting your Station,
(When you are prevented, alas! from pursuing
The Measures, that still might preserve us from Ruin)
If they in the Light of a Pension regard
A Reward, that scarce merits the Name of Reward,
Yet the City of London, from one End to t'other,
Hope ne'er to be rank'd among one, or the other.
They are sensible, all for the Good of the Realm,
That You still are on Board, tho' you've quitted the Helm;
That you still will be ready, spite of Pensions and Peerage,
Over Rocks, and through Quicksands to manage the Steerage,
The Crew to advise, and the Pilot to guide,
Till safe in her Port the good Vessel shall ride.
Those, Sir, are the Sentiments, zealous and fervent,
I believe of the City, I am sure of your Servant,
Betraying your Trust, and deserting your Station,
(When you are prevented, alas! from pursuing
The Measures, that still might preserve us from Ruin)
If they in the Light of a Pension regard
A Reward, that scarce merits the Name of Reward,
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Hope ne'er to be rank'd among one, or the other.
They are sensible, all for the Good of the Realm,
That You still are on Board, tho' you've quitted the Helm;
That you still will be ready, spite of Pensions and Peerage,
Over Rocks, and through Quicksands to manage the Steerage,
The Crew to advise, and the Pilot to guide,
Till safe in her Port the good Vessel shall ride.
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I believe of the City, I am sure of your Servant,
and most obedient &c.
END of the Second LETTER.
| A Letter to A Right Honourable Person | |