* The Duke of York was thought to have an
intrigue
with
Sir John Denham^s lady.
Sir John Denham^s lady.
Marvell - Poems
Charming my grief, stopping my flood of tears.
His busy circling orbs, two restless spies.
Glanced to and fro, outranging Argos' eyes ;
Like fleeting Time, on*s front one lock did grow,
From his glib tongue torrents of words did flow ;
Propose, resolve, Agrarian, forty-one,
Lycurgus, Brutus, Solon, Harrington.
He said he knew me in my swaddling bands,
Had often danced me in his careful hands.
He knew Lord Archon too, then wept, and swore,
Enshrined in me, his fame he did adore.
His name I asked ; he said, Politico,
Descended from the divine Nicolo.
My state he knew, my danger seemed to dread,
And to my safety vowed hand, heart, and head.
Grateful returns I up to heaven send.
That in distress Iiad sent me such a friend.
I asked him where I was ? Pointing he showed
Oxford's old towers, once the learned arts'
abode ;
Once great in fame, now a piratic port.
Where Romish priests, and elvish monks
resort.
He added ; near a new-built college stood.
Endowed by Plato, for the public good ;
Thither allured by learned honest men,
Plato vouchsafed once more to live njxaiii.
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OP MARVELL. 195
Securely there I might myself repose,
From ray fierce griefs, and my more cruel foes.
Tired with long flights, e'en hunted down with
fear,
The welcome news my drooping soul did cheer.
His pleasing words shortened the time and way.
And me beguiled at Plato's house to stay.
When we came in, he told me after rest,
He'd show me Plato, and's Venetian guest :
I scarce replied, with weariness oppressed ;
To my desired apartment I repaired,
Invoking sleep, and heaven's almighty guard.
My waking cares, and stabbing frights recede,
And nodding sleep dropped on my drowsy head.
At last the summons of a busy bell.
And glimmering lights did sleep's kind mists
dispel.
From bed I stole, and creeping by the wall.
Through a small chink I spied a spacious hall ;
Tapers, as thick as stai*s, did shed their light
Around the place, and made a day of night.
The curious art of some great master's hand
Adorned the room : Hyde, CliiFord, Danby, stand
In one large piece ; next them, the two Dutch
wars
In bloody colours paint our fatal jars ;
Here London flames in clouds of smoke aspire,
Done to tlie life, I'd almost cried out fire !
But living figures did my eyes divert
From these, and many more of wond'rous art.
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196 THE rOEMS
There entered in three mercenary bands :
The different captains had distinct commands.
The beggar's desperate troop did first appear,
Littleton led, proud S re had the rear.
The disguised papists under Garroway,
Talbot lieutenant, none had better pay.
Next greedy Lee led party-coloured slaves ;
Deaf fools i' the right, i* the wrong sagacious
knaves,
Brought up by M : then a nobler train,
In malice mighty, impotent in brain,
The Pope's solicitors brought into the hall,
Not guilty lay, much guilty spiritual.
I also spied behind a private screen,
Colbert and Portsmouth, York and Mazarine.
Immediately in close cabal they join,
And all applaud the glorious design.
'Gainst me, and my loved senate's free-bom
breath.
Dire threats I heard, the hall did echo death.
A curtain drawn, another scene appeared,
A tinkling bell, a mumbling priest I heard.
At elevation every knee adored
The baker's craft, infallible*s vain lord.
When Catiline with vipers did conspire
To murder Rome, and bury it in fire,
A sacramental bowl of human gore.
Each villain took, and as he drank he swore.
The cup denied, to make their plot complete.
These Catilines their conjured gods did eat.
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OP MARVELL. 197
Whilst to their breaden whimseys they did
kneel,
I crept away, and to the door did steaL
As I got out by providence, I flew
To this close wood ; too late they did pursue :
That dreadful night my childbed throes
brought on.
My cries moved your, and heaven's compassion.
BRITANNIA.
O happy day I a jubilee proclaim ;
Daughter adore the unutterable name I
With grateful heart breathe out thyself in
prayer ;
In the mean time the babe shall be my care.
There is a man, my island's hope and grace,
The chief delight, and joy, of human race,
Exposed himself to war in tender age,
To free his country from the Gallic rage ;
With all the graces blessed his riper years,
And full-blown virtue waked the tyrant's fears :
By *s sii*e rejected, but by heaven he*s called
To break my yoke, and rescue the enthralled.
This, this is he, who, with a stretched out hand,
And matchless might, shall free my groaning
land.
On earth's proud basilisks he'll justly fall,
Like Moses' rod, and prey upon them all.
He'll guide my people through the raging seas.
To holy wars, and certain victories ;
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198 THE POEMS
His spotless fame, and his immense desert,
Shall plead love's cause, and storm this virgin's
heart;
She, like JBgeria, shall his breast inspire
With justice, wisdom, and celestial fire ;
Like Numa, he her dictates shall obey.
And by her oracles the world shall sway.
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OP MARVELL. 199
BRITANNIA AND RALEIGH.
BRITANNIA.
Ah ! Raleighy when thou didst thy breath resign
To trembling James, would I had quitted mine.
Cubs didst thou call them ? Hadst thou seen
this brood
Of earls, and dukes, and princes of the blood,
No more of Scottish race thou would'st complain,
Those would be blessings in this spurious reign.
Awake, arise from thy long blessed repose,
Once more with me partake of mortal woes 1
RALEIGH.
What mighty power has forced me from my rest ?
Oh ! mighty queen, why so untimely dressed ?
BRITANNIA.
Favoured by night, concealed in this disguise,.
Whilst the lewd court in drunken slumber lies,
I stole away, and never will return,
Till England knows who did her city burn ;
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200 THE POEMS
Till cavaliers shall favourites be deemed,
And loj'al sufferers by the court esteemed ;
Till * Leigh and Galloway shall bribes nject ;
Thus O n's golden cheat I shall detect ;
Till atheist Lauderdale shall leave this land,
And Commons' votes shall cut-nose guards
disband :
Till Kate a happy mother shall become,
Till Charles loves parliaments, and James hates
Rome.
RALEIGH.
What fatal crimes make you for ever fly
Your once loved court, and martyr's progeny ?
BRITANNIA.
A colony of French possess the court ;
Pimps, priests, buffoons, in privy-chamber sport.
Such slimy monsters ne*er approached a tluone,
Since Pharaoh's days, nor so defiled a crown.
In sacred ear tyrannic arts they croak,
Pi^rvert his mind, and good intentions choke,
Tell him of golden Indias, fairy lands,
Leviathan, and absolute commands.
Tims fairy-like, they steal the king away,
And in his room a changeling Lewis lay.
* L'. 'igh and Galloway were suspected to be hrlUed by
Lor. I Danby, to side with the court.
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OP MABVELL. 201
How oft have I him to himself restored,
In 's lefl the scale, in 's right hand placed the
sword?
Taught him their use, what dangers would ensue
To them who strive to separate these two ?
The bloody Scottish chronicle read o'er,
Showed him how manj kings, in purple
Were hurled to hell, by cruel tyrant lort
1
>\e gore, >
are ? J
The other day famed Spenser I did bring,
In lofty notes Tudor's blessed race to sing ;
How Spain's proud powers her virgin arms con-
trolled,
And golden days in peaceful order rolled ;
How like ripe fruit she dropped from off her
throne.
Full of gray hairs, good deeds, and great renown.
As the Jessean hero did appease
Saul's stormy rage, and stopped his black disease.
So the learned bard, with artful song, suppressed
The swelling passion of his cankered breast.
And in his heart kind influences shed
Of country's love, by truth and justice bred.
Then to perform the cure so well begun,
To him I showed this glonous setting sun ;
How, by her people's looks pursued from far,
She mounted on a bright celestial car, .
Outshining Virgo, or the Julian star.
Whilst in truth's mirror this good scene he spied.
Entered a dame, bedecked with spotted pride.
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202 THE POEMS
Fair flower-de-luce within an azure field,
Her left hand bears the ancient Gallic shield,
By her usurped ; her right a bloody sword,
Inscribed Leviathan, our sovereign Lord ;
Her towery front a fiery meteor bears,
An exhalation bred of blood and tears ;
Around her Jove's lewd ravenous curs com-
plain.
Pale death, lust, tortures, fill her pompous
train;
She from the easy king Truth's mirror took.
And on the ground in spiteful fall it broke ;
Then frowning thus, with proud disdain she
spoke:
f
"Are thread-bare virtues ornaments for kings ?
Such poor pedantic toys teach underlings.
Do monarchs rise by virtue, or by sword ?
Who e'er grew great by keeping of his word ?
Virtue's a faint green-sickness to brave souls,
Dastards their hearts, their active heat controls.
The rival gods, monarchs of t'other world,
This mortal poison among princes hurled,
Fearing the mighty projects of the great %
Should drive them from their proud celestial I
seat, [
If not o'erawed by this new holy cheat. ^
Those pious frauds, too slight to ensnare the
brave.
Are proper arts the long-eared rout to ( us lave.
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OP MARVELL. 203
Bribe hungry priests to deify your might, ^
To teach your will's your only rule to right, V
And sound damnation to all dare deny 't. J
Thus heaven's designs 'gainst heaven you shall
turn,
And make them feel those powers they once did
scorn.
When all the gobbling interest of mankind,
By hirelings sold to you, shall be resigned.
And by impostures, God and man betrayed.
The church and state you safely may invade ;
So boundless Lewis in full glory shines,
Whilst your starved power in legal fetters pines.
Shake off those baby-bands from your strong
armSy
Henceforth be deaf to that old witch's charms ;
Taste the delicious sweets of sovereign power,
'TIS royal game whole kingdoms to deflower.
Three spotless virgins to your bed I'll bring,
A sacrifice to you, their God and king.
As these grow stale, we'll harass human kind.
Rack nature, till new pleasures you shall find,
Strong as your reign, and beauteous as
mind. "
find, I
your J
When she had spoke, a confused murmur
rose.
Of French, Scotch, Irish, all my mortal foes ;
Some English too, O shame ! disguised I spied.
Led all by the wise son-in-law of Hyde.
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204 THE POEMS
With fury drunk, like bacchanals, they roar,
Down with that common Magna Ciiarta whore !
With joint consent on helpless me they flew.
And fi*om my Charles to a base gaol me drew ;
My reverend age exposed to scorn and shame,
To pngs, bawds, whores, was made the public
game.
Frequent addresses to my Charles I send,
And my sad state did to his care commend ;
But his fair soul, transformed by that French
dame.
Had lost all sense of honour, justice, fame,
lie in *s seraglio like a spinster sits.
Besieged by whores, buffoons, and bastard
chits;
Lulled in security, rolling in lust.
Resigns his crown to angel Carwell's trust ;
Her creature O n the revenue steals ;
False F — h, knave Ang — sey misguide the
seals.
Mac-James the Irish bigots does adore.
His French and Teague command on sea and
shore.
The Scotch-scalado of our court two isles,
False Lauderdale, with ordure, all defiles.
Thus the state's nightmared by this hellish rout,
And no one left these furies to cast out.
Ah! Vindex come, and purge the poisoned
state ;
Descend, descend, ere the cure's desperate.
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OP MARVELL. 205
RALEIGH.
Once more, great queen, thy darling strive to
save,
Snatch him again from scandal and the grave ;
Present to's thoughts his long-scorned parlia-
ment,
The basis of his throne and government
In his deaf ears sound his dead father's name :
Perhaps that spell may 's erring soul reclaim :
Who knows what good effects from thence may
spring ?
Tis godlike good to save a falling king.
BRITANNIA.
Raleigh, no more, for long in vain I've tried
The Stuart from the tyrant to divide ;
As easily learned virtuosos may
With the dog's blood his gentle kind convey
Into the wolf^ and make him guardian turn
To the bleating flock, by him so lately torn :
If this imperial juice once taint )ii$ blood,
*Tis by no potent antidote withstood.
Tyrants, like lep'rous kings, for public weal
Should be immured, lest the contagion steal
Over the whole. The elect of* the Jessean
line
To this firm law their sceptre did resign ;
And shall this base tyrannic brood invade
Eternal laws, by God for mankind made?
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206 THE POEMS
To the serene Venetian state I'll go,
From her sage mouth famed principles to know ;
With her the prudence of the ancients read,
To teach my people in their steps to tread ;
By their great pattern such a state I'll frame,
Shall eternize a glorious lasting name.
Till then, my Raleigh, teach our noble youth
To love sobriety, and holy truth ;
Watch and preside over their tender age.
Lest court corruption should their souls engage ;
Teach them how arts, and arms, in thy young
days.
Employed our youth, — ^not taverns, stews, and
plays ;
Tell them the generous scorn their race does owe
To flattery, pimping, and a gaudy show ;
Teach them to scorn the Carwells, Portsmouths,
Nells,
The Clevelands, O ns, Berties, Lauderdales :
Poppasa, Tigelline, and Arteria's name.
All yield to these in lewdness, lust, and fame.
Make them admire the Talbots, Sydneys, Veres,
Drake, Cavendish, Blake, men void of slavish
fears.
True sons of glory, pillars of the state,
On whose famed deeds all tongues and writers
wait
When with fierce ardour their bright souls do
bum,
Back to my dearest country I'll return.
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OF MARVELL. 207
Tarquin's just judge, and Caesar's equal peers,
With them Til bring to dry my people's tears ;
Publicola with healing hands shall pour
Balm in their wounds, and shall their life restore ;
Greek arts, and Roman arms, in her conjoined,
Shall England raise, relieve oppressed mankind.
As Jove's great son the infested globe did free
From noxious monsters, hell-born tyranny, . .
So shall my England, in a holy war.
In triumph lead chained tyrants from afar ;
Her true Crusada shall at last pull down
The Turkish crescent, and the Persian sun.
Freed by thy labours, fortunate, blest isle,
The earth shall rest, the heaven shall on thee
smile ;
And this kind secret for reward shall give.
No poisoned tyrants on thy earth shall live.
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208 THE POEMS
INSTRUCTIONS TO A PAINTER, ABOUT
THE DUTCH WARS, 16C7.
After two sittings,* now our Lady State,
To end her picture, does the third time wait ;
But ere thou fallest to work, first, Painter, see,
Is it too slight grown or too hard for thee ?
Canst thou paint without colours ? Then 'tis right :
For so we too without a fleet can fight.
Or canst thou daub a sign -post, and that ill ?
'Twill suit our great debauch, and little skill.
Or hast thou marked how antic masters limn
The alley-roof with snuff of candle dim.
Sketching in shady smoke prodigious tools ?
'Twill serve this race of drunkards, pimps, and
fools.
But if to match our crimes thy skill presumes,
As the Indians draw our luxury in plumes.
Or if to score out our compendious fame.
With Hooke then through your microscope take
aim,
♦ See Waller's, and Denham*? , poems.
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OP MARVELL. 209
Where like the new comptroller all men laugh^
To see a tall louse brandish a white staff,
Else shall thou ofl thy guiltless pencil curse,
Stamp on thy pallet, not perhaps the worse.
The painter having so long vexed his cloth,
Of his hound's mouth to feign the raging froth,
His desperate pencil at the work did dart ;
His anger reached that rage which passed-
his art ;
Chance finished that, which art could not begin,.
And he sat smiting as his dog did grin.
So mayest thou perfect by a lucky blow,
What all thy soflest touches cannot do.
Paint then St. Alban's full of soup and gold,.
The new court's pattern, stallion of the old,
Him neither wit nor courage did exalt,
But Fortune chose him for her pleasure's salt.
Paint him with drayman's shoulders, butcher's
mien,
Membered like mule, with elephantine chin.
Well he the title of St. Alban's bore.
For never Bacon studied nature more ;
But age, allaying now that youthful heat,
Fits him in France to play at cards, and cheat;
Draw no commission, lest the court should lie.
And, disavowing treaty, ask supply.
He needs no seal but to St. James's lease.
Whose breeches were the instruments of peace ;
14
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^0 THE POEMS
Who, if the French dispute his power, from
thence
Can straight produce them a plenipotence.
Nor fears he the Most Christian should trepan
Two saints at once, St German and Alban ;
But thought the golden age was now restored.
When men and women took each other's word.
Paint then again her highness to the life,
Philosopher beyond Newcastle's wife.
She naked can Archimedes' self put down.
For an experiment upon the crown.
She perfected that engine oft essayed,
How after child-birth to renew a maid ;
And found how royal heirs might be matured
In fewer months than mothers once endured.
Hence Crowder made the rare inventress free
Of *s Highness's Royal Society.
Happiest of women if she were but able
To make her glassen Duke once malleable !
Paint her with oyster-lip, and breath of fame,
Wide mouth, that sparagus may well proclaim ;
With chancellor's belly, and so large a rump.
Where (not behind the coach) h(-r pages jump.
Express her studying now, if Clnna clay
Can, without breaking, venomed juice convey :
Or how a mortal poison she may draw
Out of the cordial meal of the cocoa.
Witness ye stars oi' night, and thou the pale
Moon, thato'ercome with the su k steam, didst fail:
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OF MARVELL. 211
Ye neighbVing elms, which your green leaves
did slied,
And fawns which from the womb abortive fled.
Not unprovoked she tries forbidden arts,
But in her soft- breast love's hid cancer smarts,
While she resolves at once Sydney's disgrace.
And herself scorned for emulous Denham's
face ; *
And nightly hears the hated guard, away
Galloping with the Duke to other prey.
Paint Castlemain in colours which will hold
Her, not her picture, for she now grows old.
She through her lackey's drawers, as he ran,
Discerned love's cause, and a new flame began.
Her wonted joys thenceforth, and court, she
shuns,
And still within her mind the footman runs ;
His brazen calves, his brawny thighs, (the face
She slights) his feet shaped for a smoother race !
Then, poring with her glass, she re-adjusts ;
Her locks, and oft-tried beauty now distrusts ;
Feai*s lest he scorned a woman once assayed,
And now fii-st wished she e'er had been a maid.
Great love ! how dost thou triumph, and how
reign.
That to a groom couldst humble her disdain !
* The Duke of York was thought to have an intrigue with
Sir John Denham^s lady.
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212 THE POEMS
Stripped to her skin, see how she stooping
stands,
Nor scorns to rub him down with those fair
hands,
And washing (lest the scent her crime disclose)
His sweaty hoofs, tickles him betwixt the toes.
But envious fame too soon began to note
More gold in 's fob, more lace upon his coat ;
And he unweary, and of tongue too fleet*
No longer could conceal his fortune sweet.
Justly the rogue was whipped in Porter's den,
And Jei*main straight has leave to come again.
Ah Painter ! now could Alexander live.
And this Campaspe the Apelles give ! *
Draw next a pair of tables opening, then
The House of Commons clattering like the men.
Describe the court and country both set right
On opposite points, the black against the white.
Those having lost the nation at tick-tack,
These now adventuring how to win it back.
The dice betwixt them must the fate divide,
As chance does still in multitudes decide.
But here the court doth its advantage know.
For the cheat, Turner, for them both mui^t
throw ;
♦ Campfispe was Alexander's mistress, whom ApelN^s, by
Alexander's command, painted naked, and fell violently in
love with her. Alexander perceived it, and, for fear of any
fatal consequence to ApoUes, gave her to him.
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OF MARVELL. 213
As some from boxes, he so from the chair
Can strike the dice, and still with them have share.
Here, Painter, rest a little and survey
Witii what small ai*ts the public game they play :
For so too, Rubens, with afikirs of state.
His labouring pencil ofl would recreate.
The close Cabal marked how the navy eats,
And thought all lost that goes not to the cheats :
So therefore secretly for peace decrees.
Yet for a wai- the parliament would squeeze ;
And fix to the revenue such a sum
Should Goodrick silence, and make Paston dumb,
Should pay land armies, should dissolve the vain
Commons, and ever such a court maintain,
Hyde's avarice, Bennet's luxury, should suffice,
And what can these defray but the excise,
Excise, a monster worse than e'er before
Frighted tiie midwife, and the mother tore ?
A thousand hands she has, a thousand eyes,
Breaks into shops, and into cellars pries ;
With iiundred rows of teeth the shark exceeds,
And on ail trades, like Casawar, she feeds ;
Chops off the piece where'er she close the jaw,
Else swallows all down her indented maw.
She stalks all day in streets, concealed from sight,
And flies like bats with leathern wings by night ;
She wav^ii^s the country, and on cities preys.
Her, ot a female harpy in dog-days,
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214 THE POEMS
Black Birch, of all the earth-born race most hot,
And most rapacious, like himself begot ;
And of his brat enamoured, as she increased.
Buggered in inc<»st with the mongrel beast.
Say Muse, for nothing can escape thy sight.
And Painter, wanting other, draw this fight.
Who in an English senate fierce debate
Could raise so long, for this new whore of state.
Of early wittols first the troop marched in,
For diligence renowned, and discipline ;
In loyal haste they left your wives in bed.
And Denham these with one consent did head.
Of the old courtiers next a squadron came,
Who sold their master, led by Ashburnham.
To them succeeds a despicable rout,
But knew the word, and well could face about ;
Expectants pale, with hopes of spoil allured.
Though yet but pioneers, and led by Steward.
Then damning cowards ranged the vocal plain ;
Wood these commands, knight of the horn and
cane :
Still his hook-shoulder seems the blow to dread,
And under 's arm -pit he defends his head.
The posture strange men laugh at, of his poll
Hid with his elbow like the spice he stole :
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OF MARVKLL. 215
Headless St. Dennis so his head does bear,
And both of them alike French martyrs were.
Court officers, as used, the next place took,
And followed F x, but with disdainful
look:
His birth, his youth, his brokage all dispraise
In vain ; for always he commands that pays.
Then the procurers under Progers filed.
Gentlest of men, and his lieutenant mild ;
Bronkard, love's squire, through all the field
arrayed,
No troop was better clad, nor so well paid.
Then marched the troop of Clarendon, all full,
Haters of fowl, to teal preferring bull ;
Gross bodies, grosser minds, and grosser cheats,
And bloated Wren conducts them to their seats.
Charlton advances next (whose wife does awe
The mitred troop) and with his looks gives law.
He marched with beaver cocked of bishop's brim.
And hid much fraud under an aspect grim.
Next do the lawyers, sordid band, appear.
Finch in the front, and Thurland in the rear. .
The troop of privilege, a rabble bare
Of debtors deep, fell to Trelawney's care ;
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21 G THE POEMS
Their fortune's error thej supplied in rage,
Nor any farther would than these engage.
Then inarched the troop, whose valiant acts
before
Their public acts, obliged them to do more,
For chimney's sake they all Sir Pool obeyed.
Or, in his absence, him that first it laid.
Then came the thrifty troop of privateers.
Whose horses each with other interferes :
Before them Higgins rides with brow compact,
Mourning his countess, anxious for his act
Sir Frederick and Sir Solomon draw lots.
For the command of politics and Scots ;
Thence fell to words ; but quarrels to adjourn,
Their friends agreed they should command by turn.
Carteret the rich did the accountants guide.
And in ill English all the world defied.
The papists (but of those the house had none,
Else) Talbot offered to have led them on.
Bold Duncotob next, of the projectors chief,
And old Fitz Harding of tlie eaters beef.
Late and disordered out tlie drunkards drew,
Scarce them their leaders, \\wy their leaders knew.
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OF MARVELL. 2l7
Before them entered, equal in command,
Apslej and Brotherick marching hand in hand.
Last then but one, Powel, that could not ride
Left the French standard weltering in his stride ;
He, to excuse his slowness, truth confessed,
That 'twas so long before he could be dressed.
The lords' sons last all these did reenforcc,
Cornburj before them managed hobby-horse.
Never before nor since an host so steeled
Trooped on to muster in the Tuttle-field.
Not the first cock-horse that with cork was
shod
To rescue Albemarle from the sea-cod :
Nor the late feather-man, whom Tomkins fierce
Shall with one breath like thistle down disperse.
All the two Coventrys their generals chose.
For one had much, the other nought to lose.
Not better choice all accidents could hit.
While hector Harry steere by Will the wit.
They both accept the charge with merry glee.
To fight a battle from all gunshot free.
Pleased with their numbers, yet in valour wise.
They feigned a parley, better to surprise,
They who ere long shall the rude Dutch
upbraid,
Who in a time of treaty dare invade.
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218 THE POEMS
Thick was the morning, and the house was
thin,
The speaker early, when they all fell in.
Propitious heavens I had not you them crossed,
Excise had got the day, and all been lost :
For t'other side all in close quarters lay
Without intelligence, command or pay ;
A scattered body, which the foe ne'er tried,
But often did among themselves divide.
And some run o'er each night, while others
sleep.
And undescried returned 'fore morning peep.
But Strangeways, who all night still walked the
round.
For vigilance and courage both renowned,
First spied the enemy, and gave the alarm,
Fighting it single till the rest might arm ;
Such Roman Cocles stood before the foe,
The falling bridge behind, the streams below. *
Each ran as chance him guides to several i)ost.
And all to pattern his example, boast ;
Their former trophies they recall to mind,
And now, to edge their anger, courage grind.
First entered forward Temple, conqueror
Of Irish cattle, and solicitor.
* Codes, a noble Romaiif maintained a pass alone, and
kcpl back a whole army, till the bridge behind Jiim was
broke down, and then throw himself into the Tihci, ;uid
swam to laud.
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• OP MARVELL. . 219
Then daring S — ^r, that with spear and shield
Had stretched the monster patent on the field.
Keen Whoorwood next in aid of damsel frail,
That pierced the giant Mordaunt through his
mail:
And surly Williams the accountant's bane,
And Lovelace young of chimney-men the cane.
Old Waller, trumpet general, swore he'd write
This combat truer than the naval fight.
Of birth, state, wit, strength, courage, Howaitl
presumes,
And in his breast wears many Montezumes. *
These, with some more, with single valour stay
The adverse troops, and hold them all at bay.
Each thinks his person represents the whole,
And with that thought does multiply his soul ;
Believes himself an army ; there's one man,
As easily conquered ; and believing, can
With heart of bees so full and head of mites,
That each, though duelling, a battle fights.
So once Orlando, famous in romance.
Broached whole brigades like larks upon liis
lance.
But strength at last still under number bows,
And the faint sweat trickling down Temple's
brows;
* Montezuma is the hero of the Indian Queen, n tr:i<;cMiy
written by Mr. Dryden and Sir Robert Howard.
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220 THE P0EM3
Even iron Strange way chasing yet gave back,
Spent with fatigue to breathe a while tobac.
When marching in; a seasonable recruit
Of citizens and merchants held dispute,
And charging all their pipes, a sullen band
Of Presbyterian Switzers made a stand.
Nor could all these the field have long main*
tained.
But for the unknown reserve that still re-
mained ;
A gross of English gentry, nobly bom,
Of clear estiUes, and to no faction sworn.
Dear lovers of their king, and death to meet
For country's cause, that glorious thing and
sweet ;
To speak not forward, but in action brave,
In giving generous, but in council grave;
Candidly credulous for once, nay twice ;
But sure the devil ciinnot cheat them thrice.
The van in battle, though retiring, falls
Without disorder in their intervals.
Then closing all, in equal front, fall on.
Led by great Garraway, and great Littleton.
Lee equal to obey, or to command,
Adjutant-general was still at hand.
The marshal standard, Sands displaying, shows
St. Dunstan in it tweaking Satan's nose.
See sudden chance of war, to paint or write.
Is longer work, and liarder than to fight:
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OP MARVELL. 221
At the first charge the enemy give out,
And the excise receives a total rout.
Broken in courage, yet the men the same,
Resolve henceforth upon their other game :
Where force had failed, with stratagem to play,
And what haste lost, recover by delay.
St. Albans straight is sent to, to forbear.
Lest the sure peace (forsooth) too soon appear.
The seamen's clamours to three ends they use.
To cheat their pay, feign want, and the house
accuse.
Each day they bring the tale and that too true.
How strong the Dutch their equipage renew ;
Meantime through all the yards their orders run.
To lay the ships up, cease tlie keels begun.
The timber rots, the useless axe does rust ;
The unpractised saw lies buried in its dust ;
The busy hammer sleeps, the ropes untwine ;
The store and wages all are mine and thine ;
Along the coasts and harbours they take care
That money lacks, nor forts be in repair.
Long thus they could against the house con-
spire.
Load them with envy, and with sitting tire ;
And the loved king, that's never yet denied.
Is brought to beg in public, and to chide :
But when this failed, and months enough were
spent.
They with the first day's proffer seem content ;
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222 THE rOEMS
And to land-tax from the excise turn round,
Bought off with eighteen hundred thousand
pound.
Thus like fair thieves, the Ck>mmons' purse thej
share.
But all the members' lives consulting spare.
Blither than hare that hath escaped the
hounds,
The house prorogued, the chancellor rebounds.
Not so decrepid . ^on, hashed and stewed
With magic herbs, rose from the pot renewed,
And with fresh age felt his glad limbs unite,
His gout (yet still he cursed) had left him
quite.
What frosts to fruits, what arsenic to the raty.
What to fair Denham mortal chocolate.
What an account to Carteret, that and more,
A parliament is to the chancellor.
So the sad tree shrinks from the morning's eye.
But blooms all night and shoots its -branches
high;
So at the sun's recess, again returns
The comet dread, and earth and heaven bums.
Now Mordaunt may within his castle tower
Imprison parents, and their child deflower.
The Irish herd is now let loose, and comes
By millions over, not by hecatombs ;
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OP MARVELL. 223
And now, now the Canary patent may
Be broached again for the great Holy-day.
See how he reigns in his new palace culminant,
And sits in state divine like Jove the fulminant.
First Buckingham that durst 'gainst him rebel,
Blasted with liglitning, struck with thunder fell.
Next the twelve commons are condemned to
groan,
And roll in vain at Sisyphus's stone.
But still he cared, whilst in revenge he braved,
That peace secured, and money might be saved.
Gain and revenge, revenge and gain, are
sweet ;
United most, when most by turns they meet
France had St. Albans promised, (so they sing)
St. Albans promised him, and he the king.
The court forthwith is ordered all to close.
To play for Flanders, and the stake to lose.
While chained together, two ambassadors
Like slaves shall beg for peace at Holland's
doors.
This done, among his Cyclops he retires
To forge new thunder, and inspect their fires.
The court, as once of war, now fond of peace.
All to new sports their wonted fears release.
From Greenwich (where intelligence they hold)
Comes news of pastime martial and old.
A punishment invented first to awe
]Masculine wives transgressing nature's law ;
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224 THE POEMS
Where when the brawny female disobeys,
And beats the husband, till for peace he prays.
No concerned jury damage for him finds,
Nor partial justice her behaviour binds ;
But the just street does the next house invade.
Mounting the neighbour couple on lean jade.
The distaff knocks, the grains from kettle fly.
And boys and girls in troops run hooting by.
Prudent antiquity ! that knew by shame.
Better than law, domestic broils to tame ;
And taught the youth by spectacle innocent :
So thou and I, dear Painter, represent
In quick cffisyi others' faults ; and feign.
By making them ridiculous, to restrain ;
With homely sight they chose thus to relax
The joys of state for the new peace and tax.
So Holland with us had the mastery tried,
And our next neighbours, France and Flanders,
ride.
But a fresh news the great designment nips
Off, at the isle of Candy ; Dutch and ships
Bab May and Arlington did wisely scoff.
And tliought all safe if they were so far off.
Modern geographers I 'twas there they thought,
Where Venice twenty years the Turks had fought,
(While the first year the navy is but shown,
The next divided, and the third we've none.
They by the name mistook it for that isle,
Wliere pilgrim Palmer travelled in exile,
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OP MARVELL. 225
With the bull's horn to measure his own head,
And on Pasiphae's tomb to drop a bead.
But Morrice learned demonstrates by the post.
This isle o£ Candy was on Essex coast.
Fresh messengers still the sad news assure.
More timorous now we are than first secure.
False terrors our believing fears devise,
And the French army one from Calais spies.
Bennet and May, and those of shorter reach,
Change all for guineas, and a crown for each ;
But wiser men, and men foreseen in chance.
In Holland theirs had lodged before, and
Friftice ;
Whitehall 's unsafe, the court all meditates
To fly to Windsor, and mure up the gates.
Each doth the other blame and all distrust,
But Mordaunt new obliged would sure be just.
Not such a fatal stupefaction reigned
At London flames, nor so the court complained.
The Blood worth Chancellor gives (then does
recall)
Orders, amazed, at last gives none at all.
St. Albans writ too, that he may bewail
To Monsieur Lewis, and tell coward tale,
How that the Hollanders do make a noise.
Threaten to beat us and are naughty boys.
Now Doleman 's disobedient, and they still
Uncivil, his uii kindness would us kill :
15
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226 THE POEMS
Tell him our ships unrigged, our forts unmanned,
Our money spent, else *t\vere at his command ;
Summon him tlierefore of his word, and prove
To move him out of pity, if not love ;
Pray him to make De Wit and Ruyter cease,
And whip the Dutch unless they hold their
peace.
But Lewis was of memory but dull,
And to St. Albans too undutiful ;
Nor word nor near relation did revere,
But asked him bluntly for his character.
The gravelled count did with this answer faint,
(His character was that which thou didst paint)
And so enforced like eriemy or spy,
Tinisses his baggage, and the camp does fly :
Yet Lewis writes, and lest our heart should break.
Condoles us morally out of Senec.
Two letters next unto Breda are sent,
In cipher one to Harry Excellent.
The first intrusts (our verse that name abhors)
Plenipotentiary embassadors
To prove by Scripture, treaty does imply
Cessation, as the look adultery ;
And that by law of arms, in martial strife,
Who yields his sword, has title to his life.
Presbyter Hollis the first point should clear,
The second Coventry the cavalier :
But, would they not be argued back from sea,
Then to return home straight xnfectd re.
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OF MARVKLL. 227
But Harry 's ordered, if they won't recall
Their fleet, to threaten, — we will give them all.
The Dutch are then in proclamation shent.
For sin against the eleventh commandment.
Hyde's flippant style there pleasantly curvets,
Still his sharp wit on states and princes whets :
So Spain could not escape his laughter's spleen,
None but himself must choose the king and queen.
But when he came the odious clause to pen,
That summons up the parliament agen,
His writing-master many times he banned,
And wished himself the gout to seize his hand.
Never old lecher more repugnant felt,
Consenting for his rupture to be gelt.
But still in hope he solaced, ere they come
To work the peace, and so to send them home ;
Or in their hasty call to find a flaw.
Their acts to vitiate, and them overawe :
But more relied upon tin's Dutch pretence,
To raise a two-edged army for *s defence.
First then he marched our whole militia's force,
(As if, alas ! we ships, or Dutch had horse ;)
Then from the usual commonplace he blames
These, and in standing armies' praise declaims ;
And the wise court, that always loved it dear.
Now thinks all but too little for their fe^ir.
Hyde stamps, and straight upon the ground the
swarms
Of current myrmidons appear in arms :
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228 THE POEMS
And for their pay ho writes as from the king,
With that cursed quill plucked from a vulture's
wing,
Of the whole nation now to ask a loan ;
The eighteen hundred thousand pounds are gone.
This done, he pens a proclamation stout
In rescue of the bankers banquerout,
Ui. s minion imps, which in his secret part
Lie nuzzling at the sacramental wart,
Horse-leeches sucking at the hemorrhoid vein ;
lie sucks the king, they him, he them again.
Ti\e kingdom's farm he lets to them bid least,
(Greater the bribe) and cheats at interest.
Here men induced by safety, gain, and ease,
Tlieir money lodge, confiscate when he please ;
These can at need, at instant with a scrip,
(This hked him best) his cash beyond sea whip.
