So, Clowns on Scholars as on Wizards look, Shad the Sin of Wit no venial Crime; Nay, 'twas affirm'd, he fometimes dealt in Rhime: Humour, and Mirth, had Place in all he writ: He reconcil'd Divinity and Wit. He mov'd, and bow'd, and talk't with too much Nor fhew'd the Parfon in his Gait or Face; And deal in Vices of the graver Sort, BUT, after fage Monitions from his Friends, He turns to Policks his dang'rous Wit, AND † A Coffee-boufe and Tavern near St. Paul's, much frequented by the Clergy. AND now, the publick Int'reft to support, By Harley SENTE invited comes to Court. with Minifters of State; In Favour grows Admitted private, when Superiors wait : And, Harley, not asham'd his Choice to own, Takes him to Windsor in his Coach, alone. At Windfor S no fooner can appear, But, * St. John comes and whispers in his Ear; The Waiters ftand in Ranks; the Yeomen cry, Make Room; as if a Duke were paffing by. Now † Finch alarms the Lords; he hears for This dang'rous Prieft is got behind the Curtain: Inform the Commons, that the Secret's out: "A certain Doctor is obferv'd of late, "To haunt a certain Minifter of State: "From * Then Secretary of State, now Lord Bolingbroke, the moft univerfal Genius in Europe. + Late Earl of Nottingham, who made a Speech in the Houfe of Lords against the Author. Thofe two made Speeches in the Houfe of Commons against the Author, although the latter profeffed much Frienafbip for bim. "From whence, with half an Eye we may discover, The Peace is made, and Perkin must come over. York is from Lambeth fent, to fhew the Queen A dang'rous Treatise writ against the Spleen; Which by the Style, the Matter, and the Drift, "Tis thought could be the Work of none but S→→ Poor York! the harmless Tool of others Hate; * He fues for Pardon, and repents too late. Now, VOWS her Vengeance On S's Reproaches for her From her red Locks her Mouth with Venom fills; And thence into the Royal Ear inftills. The Quincens'd, his Services forgot, † Leaves him a Victim to the vengeful Scot; Now, through the Realm a Proclamation spread, To fix a Price on his devoted Head. While * It is known that his Grace fent a Meffage to the Author, to defire his Pardon, and that he was very forry for what he had faid And done. The Proclamation was against the Author of a Pamphlet, called, The publick Spirit of the Whigs, against which the Scoth Lords complained. While innocent, he scorns ignoble Flight; His watchful Friends preserve him by a Sleight, BY Harley's Favour once again he shines; Is now carefs't by Candidate Divines; Who change Opinions with the changing Scene: Lord! how were they mistaken in the Dean! Now, * Delawere again familiar grows; And, in S--t's Ear thrufts half his powder'd Nofe. + The Scottish Nation, whom he durft offend, Again apply that S would be their Friend. By Faction tir'd, with Grief he waits a while, His great contending Friends to reconcile. Performs what Friendship, Justice, Truth require: What could he more, but decently retire? * Lord Delawere, then Treasurer of the Houfbold, always careffing the Author at Court. But during the Tryal of the Printers before the House of Lords, and while the Proclamation bung over the Author, bis Lordship would not seem to know him, till the Danger was paft. + The Scotch Lords treated and vifited the Author more after the Proclamation than before, except the D. of Ar who would never be reconciled. The Author retired to a Friend in Berkshire, ten Weeks before the Qudied; and never faw the Miniftry after, ΤΟ ΤΟ The Earl of OXFORD, late Lord Treasurer. Sent to him when he was in the Tower, before his Tryal, Out of HORACE. Written in the Year 1716. W bleft is he, who for his Country dies; Since Death pursues the Coward as he flies. The Youth, in vain, would fly from Fate's Attack, With trembling Knees, and Terror at his Back; Though Fear fhould lend him Pinions like the Wind, Yet fwifter Fate will feize him from behind. VIRTUE repuls't, yet knows not to repine; |