 | The School of Politicks
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XII.
[In close Cabal were in a Corner met]
In close Cabal were in a Corner met;
A Knot of Men, whose Faces wore
The Livery of Discontent,
Sighs from their Breasts incessantly were sent,
One by their Looks might see their Hearts did fret,
Like murmur'ing Israelites of yore,
They frown'd, they stamp'd, they bit their Thumbs,
They wink'd, they nodded, nay, would sometimes smile,
When something did their airy hopes beguile,
Yet not a Word between their Lips there comes.
What this dumb Scene did represent,
Or what by Signs and Nods was meant,
Conjecture only gives us leave to guess:
They were no Friends to th'Government,
But there they met their Thoughts to ease,
Which Thoughts by Words if they should dare t'express,
Their Necks, or Purses at the least,
Might pay for th'Tongue's untimely Jest.
Self Preservation's first of Nature's Laws:
To be Well-wishers they're content,
But care not to be Martyrs for the Cause.
| The School of Politicks
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