The Whigs make their moan: O hone! O hone! 533 sufficient exactitude.' It was directed either to the Earl of Argyle (whom Monmouth met at Rotterdam about the 4th of February), or to one of his emissaries, probably to Major Abraham Holmes or Rumbold; otherwise it was not likely to have come afterwards into the possession of James Spence, who assuredly knew the key to Argyle's cypher, which Holmes did not. The latter in May accompanied Argyle to Scotland, where Rumbold perished on the scaffold, after having been severely wounded, so that he might have died on the journey if sent to England. It is not likely that Spence was at liberty to move about and meet Monmouth in April. As to the trysting-spot, it was Rotterdam or another of the Dutch towns, near the Hague; the date of letter probably about April, 1685. Evidently, while thus irresolute, Monmouth assured William of Orange that he was meditating no insurrection. He wrote in his own name, or caused to be written for him by the Count de Waldeck, a Letter to King James the Second; apparently a Loyal Address, accepting the situation philosophically without a murmur, and professing allegiance to him. But this letter was never despatched to England. Either it was a subterfuge, to deceive William by the knowledge of it being concocted, so that time could thus be gained for the present unsuspectedly; or else vacillation caused a change of plan. This was near the end of February. Waldeck told Skelton, March 1st (N.S.), that Monmouth did not send the letter because of judging such a method not respectful enough; "and that he had thought it more proper to interpose the good offices of the Duchess of Monmouth or one of her friends." But D'Avaux shrewdly suspected that the Duke had other purposes in view, and a written submission might discourage his Revolutionary friends. A week later, 8th of March (N.S.), it was known that Monmouth was at Amsterdam, whence he made a tour in the neighbourhood of the Hague, and was believed to have had several secret interviews with William at a seat three miles distant. The condition of discomfited Whigs is shown in next ballad, 168%. 1 66 Vandervaye the minister [from the Prince of Nassau] has assured the person who went from me [D'Avaux] to discourse with him, that the Earl of Argyle came into this country not long before the death of the late king of England; and 'tis highly probable that he came to concert measures with the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Monmouth: and this day [March 9th, N.S. at least before the 15th] I heard that the Earl Argyle met the Duke of Monmouth at Rotterdam, when the latter went thither four days after the news of the King of England's death. The consequences of these interviews appeared soon after." -D'Avaux,iii. 164. This meeting would therefore be about our St. Valentine's day. 2 Of this Monmouth Letter to James we are told that "In the most respectful terms, it assured him of his perfect obedience and entire fidelity, and most humbly asked pardon for all his past offences. The Prince of Orange declared that he entirely approved of the letter, and that he advised the Duke of Monmouth to send it. It was drawn up by the Count de Waldeck."—D'Avaux, iii. 154. The Whigs' Lamentable Lamentation. W [TO THE TUNE OF, Sweet England's pride is gone, O hone! See p. 315.] Hat have the Whigs to say? O hone! O hone! Tories have got the day; O hone! O hone! Lord Shaftsbury is dead, and the Duke of Monmouth fled, Our gracious Sovereign too, O hone! O hone! Is taken from us now; O hone! O hone! [Feb., 168 8 Tho' he was the best of men, yet we try'd too, and agen, As we did Charles the First; O hone! O hone! But he's to Heaven gone, who[m] we did trample on; Many ways we did try, O hone! O hone! 16 But our late Sovereign dear, O hone! O hone! More and more we are vext, O hone! O hone! But if these damp'd Tories, O hone! O hone! In which he so much glories, O hone! O hone! 24 [April 23. We mean Church of England men, shou'd prove eleven to ten, Then we're quite undone, (Amen!) O hone! O hone! Then how like Rogues we sit, O hone! O hone! And look as if bes[m]it; O hone! O hone! Scratching our Plotting pates, forfeiting our dear Estates, 32 40 I The Tories' Triumph. May I live far from Tories and Whigs of ill nature, And write less and less as my wits wear away." -On Le Strange: to the Tune of" The Old Man's Wish." T was not to be expected that the Yorkists would place restraint on themselves in their joyful exultation favourite James having so far overcome his enemies as to have peacefully mounted the Throne. They certainly had never been taught moderation in prosperity or dignity in adversity by their foes the Whigs, and consequently they may be pardoned for indulgence in somewhat excessive laudation of themselves in the following loyal ditty. "It is a poor heart that never rejoices! " and if open confession be good for the soul, their state is the more gracious for making an honest confession that "If one Tory another doth see, they straight to the Tavern, and sing, There's none are so happy as we!" They were easily pleased. at their The Observator, Roger L'Estrange's periodical Dialogues betwixt Jest and Earnest, had made the Whigs bitter against him, and references to the serial have been frequent. Our motto gives complete the Epigram which is based on Dr. Walter Pope's "Old Man's Wish." The original, issued in 1684, will follow. Above, is our caricature portrait of Roger L'Estrange, as Press Licenser. The Tories' Triumph; Or, The Downfall of the Whigs. [Tune, probably one newly composed, None so happy as we!] YOme, let us be joyful and sing, Com Great-Britain will soon be at rest; Here's a Health to all those love the King, Then let us be merry, for we And drink till 'tis break of day. Then what cause have we to repine, Since our Nation is settled and strong? Whilst Rebels must hold their tongue. Foreign Nations amaz'd shall stand, Then let us be merry! fill Wine! [orig. "rest." [Dropt line. 8 16 Let's drink while our Money doth last; The Zealots have cause to repine, 24 Whilst we think not on Dangers past: Let each man discharge a full Bumper, [Confusion] then light on each Rumper, To see none so Happy as we! The D[umb-founded] Whigs they do grumble, But they dare not speak plain, but to mumble, While Tories quaff Bumpers a-main, For none are so Happy as we! Now Tories may walk in the Street, The Whig goes another way: But undoubtedly shall be now blest. If Domestic Tumults do cease, Brave Englishmen may then sing in Peace, Though he's a matchless brave Prince, While all did praise Perkin, that Bauble, A Puny in common sense: But now they are quel'd and do say And now the Whigs hang themselves may, Some Rebels were still left behind, Who fear'd neither Justice nor Laws, But strive themselves to entwine In the puшep pernicious Old Cause; But now they are all fled away, And they most Unhappy now be ; "There's none more Happy than we! Now, we have a most Gracious Prince, Then surely we'r all blest, since, There's none more Happy than we! [In White-letter. Date of first issue, 168.] |