 | Poems on several occasions |  |
525
I.—WHIGGORUM PIETAS ET CONGRATULATIO.
Though sordid slaves their base obedience teach,
And passive fools their non-resistance preach;
Yet in each age some generous souls we see,
Bold to' assert the cause of liberty.
And passive fools their non-resistance preach;
Yet in each age some generous souls we see,
Bold to' assert the cause of liberty.
In Charles's reign Prynne, Burton, Bastwick, rose,
Who dared “malignant counsellors” oppose.
Then Milton, Marvel, Ayloff, Phœbus sent,—
The scourges dire of guilty government.
Next Molesworth, Pulteney, Saint John, Wesley came:
Alike their labour, and their drift the same,—
To lash corruption, to expose to hate
Courtiers and pimps and ministers of state.
Nor fear we now the' encroachments of the crown,
Since Wesley's pointed satire is our own.
Who dared “malignant counsellors” oppose.
Then Milton, Marvel, Ayloff, Phœbus sent,—
The scourges dire of guilty government.
Next Molesworth, Pulteney, Saint John, Wesley came:
Alike their labour, and their drift the same,—
To lash corruption, to expose to hate
Courtiers and pimps and ministers of state.
Nor fear we now the' encroachments of the crown,
Since Wesley's pointed satire is our own.
Should our foes boast the numerous spawn of hell,—
Manwaring, Hobbes, L' Estrange, Sacheverell;
Should some their sacred characters display,
Wesley and Prynne are priests, as well as they.
Should some their wit and poetry oppose,
Wesley and Marvel are as arch as those.
Should cringing Tories court a rising lord,
From the green ribbon to the red preferr'd;
These merry wags would wish the knave a third.
Should awful blockheads, void of flouts and fleers,
Reverence the image which the metal bears;
These wits would show what did the gold debase,—
Cæsar's inscription, Cæsar's cuckold-face.
Slaves homage much the' insignia of the great,
The tools of power, the mere machines of state:
But Wesley 'stalments, 'crownments, turns to farce, [OMITTED]
Manwaring, Hobbes, L' Estrange, Sacheverell;
Should some their sacred characters display,
Wesley and Prynne are priests, as well as they.
526
Wesley and Marvel are as arch as those.
Should cringing Tories court a rising lord,
From the green ribbon to the red preferr'd;
These merry wags would wish the knave a third.
Should awful blockheads, void of flouts and fleers,
Reverence the image which the metal bears;
These wits would show what did the gold debase,—
Cæsar's inscription, Cæsar's cuckold-face.
Slaves homage much the' insignia of the great,
The tools of power, the mere machines of state:
But Wesley 'stalments, 'crownments, turns to farce, [OMITTED]
Thus, nor cajoled, nor by nicknames misled,
Thou dost the paths of thy forefathers tread.
Go on, brave Whig! bad ministers defy:
Still dart thy keen invectives boldly high,
To the old tune, “Which no one can deny.”
Thou dost the paths of thy forefathers tread.
Go on, brave Whig! bad ministers defy:
Still dart thy keen invectives boldly high,
To the old tune, “Which no one can deny.”
January 30th, 1727. From the Calves'-Head Club.
| Poems on several occasions | |