 | The secret history of the Calves-Head Club |  |
41
Anniversary Anthem, 1695, 1698, and 1699.
I
What the Devil means all this PotherOn this Day, more than another?
See! the Sot to Church reels out,
See! the Leacher leaves his Whore;
The Rogues, that never pray'd before,
Are grown most plaguily Devout.
II
Prethee, Parson, why those Faces,Pious Frowns, and damn'd Grimaces?
Why so many Creeds and Masses,
Collects, Lessons, and the rest
Of the Holy Garbidge drest,
Proper Food for mumbling Asses?
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III
Oh! Sir, it's a Debt, they say,Mother Church must yearly pay
To her Saints Canonization:
It was the Day in which he fell
A Martyr to the Cause of Hell,
Justly crown'd with Decollation.
IV
Mirth for us and generous Wine;Let the Clergy cant and whine,
Preach and prate about Rebellion;
No more Beasts of K---s, good Heaven!
Such as late in Wrath were given,
Two curss'd Tyrants, and a Stallion.
V
Now prepare, my Lads, and standEach his Bumper in his Hand
Brutus! 'tis a Health to thee,
Thou whose generous Arm and Sword,
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Rome's expiring Liberty.
VI
Fill the Glass with sparkling Red,Look, 'twas the Tyrant bled.
Thus our Fathers let us see
What before had Sacred stood,
Fawn'd and worshipp'd as a God,
Was Flesh and Blood, as well as we.
| The secret history of the Calves-Head Club | |