 | Poems on several occasions |  |
619
IV.—THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF THE KNIGHT TO THE KING.
Since now from all sides you're address'd,
Permit me, Sir, among the rest,
An humble supplicant to stand,
And make my speech, and kiss your hand.
My business is to beg your Grace
Would not remove me from my place:
Which granted, in few words and plain
I mean to teach you how to reign.
Permit me, Sir, among the rest,
An humble supplicant to stand,
And make my speech, and kiss your hand.
My business is to beg your Grace
Would not remove me from my place:
Which granted, in few words and plain
I mean to teach you how to reign.
From cares and toils you shall be free,
Rule but as viceroy under me.
Things at my whistle shall be done,
For any reason, or for none.
Of which an instance take most curious:
Because the world is grown luxurious,
And 'cause the king should by his station
Set an example to the nation,
We shall enable you by Bill
To eat and drink and --- your fill;
That, if you list, you may afford
To spread again the Green-Cloth Board;
And make what duchesses you please
For public-private services.
Fear not your running up a score;
It shall not be accounted for.
The Funds shall to your pocket sink,
And yet the public debt shall shrink.
Rule but as viceroy under me.
Things at my whistle shall be done,
For any reason, or for none.
Of which an instance take most curious:
Because the world is grown luxurious,
And 'cause the king should by his station
Set an example to the nation,
We shall enable you by Bill
To eat and drink and --- your fill;
That, if you list, you may afford
To spread again the Green-Cloth Board;
And make what duchesses you please
For public-private services.
Fear not your running up a score;
It shall not be accounted for.
The Funds shall to your pocket sink,
And yet the public debt shall shrink.
620
Besides, no living mortal knows
Like me to' avenge you of your foes.
I mind not prating Jacks a straw:
If any title me “bashaw,”
I send with unresisted power
The free-born Briton to the Tower.
For, but to hint I do amiss,
The blackest of all treason is.
If you but cast an angry look
Upon a bishop or a duke,
Attainder sends him 'cross the seas,
Or Act for Pains and Penalties.
Impeach, imprison, try, and kill,—
It all shall be but Mercy still:
I'll hang the Jacobite by vote,
Who offers to affirm 'tis not.
What wonders may not acted be
By him that remedied South-Sea?
You shall not, under my command,
From regency excluded stand.
Nay, more: let me but gain my ends,
I'll give preferment to your friends,
And (if you beg to have it done)
Bestow a garter on your son.
Like me to' avenge you of your foes.
I mind not prating Jacks a straw:
If any title me “bashaw,”
I send with unresisted power
The free-born Briton to the Tower.
For, but to hint I do amiss,
The blackest of all treason is.
If you but cast an angry look
Upon a bishop or a duke,
Attainder sends him 'cross the seas,
Or Act for Pains and Penalties.
Impeach, imprison, try, and kill,—
It all shall be but Mercy still:
I'll hang the Jacobite by vote,
Who offers to affirm 'tis not.
What wonders may not acted be
By him that remedied South-Sea?
You shall not, under my command,
From regency excluded stand.
Nay, more: let me but gain my ends,
I'll give preferment to your friends,
And (if you beg to have it done)
Bestow a garter on your son.
O, be not from this glorious course
Seduced by evil counsellors!
No ear to wicked Tories yield,
To Pulteney or to Chesterfield.
If idle tales your heart should move
Of public good and people's love;
Should you not open, frank and free,
The flood-gates of the treasury;
Should your next parliament be new;
My knighthood then might look but blue:
For if you let their votes alone,
You are a king, and I am none.
Seduced by evil counsellors!
No ear to wicked Tories yield,
To Pulteney or to Chesterfield.
If idle tales your heart should move
Of public good and people's love;
621
The flood-gates of the treasury;
Should your next parliament be new;
My knighthood then might look but blue:
For if you let their votes alone,
You are a king, and I am none.
| Poems on several occasions | |