Some for the Gospel, and massacres Of spiritual Affidavit-makers, Oaths of supremacy and allegiance, Yea, though the ablest swearing Saint 275 280 And some against th' Egyptian bondage 285 Some for the cutting down of Groves, Against the slav'ry of Obedience : 290 Some were for Gospel-ministers, And some for Red-coat Seculars, As men most fit t' hold forth the Word, Some were for carrying on the Work 295 Some for engaging to suppress The camisado of Surplices, That Gifts and dispensations hinder'd, And turn'd to th' outward man the inward; 300 More proper for the cloudy night Of Popery than Gospel-light: Others were for abolishing That tool of matrimony, a Ring, With which th' unsanctify'd bridegroom 305 Is marry'd only to a thumb (As wise as ringing of a pig, That us'd to break up ground, and dig), The bride to nothing but her will, That nulls the after-marriage still : 310 Some were for the utter extirpation Of Linsey-woolsey in the nation; The Cross in shop-books, or Baptising: Others, to make all things recant The Christian or Surname of Saint, And force all churches, streets, and towns, The holy title to renounce : Some 'gainst a third estate of Souls, 315 And bringing down the price of Coals: 320 + Some for abolishing Black-pudding, And eating nothing with the blood in ; The quacks of government (who sate At th' unregarded helm of State, And understood this wild confusion Of fatal madness and delusion, Must, sooner than a prodigy, 325 330 335 Portend destruction to be nigh) Consider'd timely how t' withdraw, And save their windpipes from the law; 340 For one rencounter at the bar Was worse than all they'ad 'scap'd in war; And therefore met in consultation To cant and quack upon the nation ; Not for the sickly patient's sake, Nor what to give, but what to take ; And more intrigues in ev'ry one So politic as if one eye Upon the other were a spy, 345 350 anfory ache Earl of Shaftsbury 355 For by trepanning th' old to ruin, He made his int'rest with the new one; 365 Could turn his word, and oath, and faith, 375 As many ways as in a lath; By turning, wriggle, like a screw, Int' highest trust, and out, for new : For when h' had happily incurr'd, Instead of hemp, to be preferr'd, 380 And pass'd upon a government, He play'd his trick, and out he went: But being out, and out of hopes To mount his ladder (more) of ropes, Would strive to raise himself upon 385 The public ruin and his own; So little did he understand The desp'rate feats he took in hand; For when h' had got himself a name For frauds and tricks, he spoil'd his game, 390 Had forc'd his neck into a noose, To shew his play at fast and loose; VOL. II. |