(Law and religion overthrown.) When, to a height their fury grown, BALLAD. To the Tune of "Commons and Peers.” [This hitherto unpublished poem seems to have been one of the frequent squibs levelled by Swift against the Whigs, during the administration of Oxford: it is taken from an original MS. in the Dean's hand-writing, found among Mr Steele's papers.] sut. Alluding to the year 1641, when the great rebellion broke II. The kirk with applause Is established by laws As the orthodox church of the nation. It's as good as their own. It's no riddle now To let you see how III. A church by oppression may speed; That the kirk faith is best On the other side of the Tweed. For no soil can suit With every fruit, IV. Even so, Sir, it is with religion: The best church by far Is what grows where you are, Were it Mahomet's ass or his pigeon. V. Another strange story That vexes the Tory, But sure there's no mystery in it, That a pension and place, Give communicants grace, VI. For if it be not strange, That religion should change, As often as climates and fashions; Then sure there's no harm, VII.! Another new dance, Which of late they advance, Is to cry up the birth of Pretender, heir to the crown, Are traitors, not fit to defend her. VIII. That subject's most loyal That hates the blood royal, And they for employments have merit, Who swear queen and steeple, Were made by the people, And neither have right to inherit. IX.. The monarchy's fixt, And by non-resistance o'erthrown; Destroys our allegiance, And thus the Whigs prop up the throne. X. That viceroy is best, That would take off the test, And made a sham speech to attempt it; * Lord Wharton. But being true blue, When he found 'twould not do, Swore, damn him, if ever he meant it. XI. 'Tis no news that Tom Double, Should play hop, step, and jump, XII. But now, sir, they tell, How Sacheverell, By bringing old doctrines in fashion, XIII. Then let's pray without spleen, Whilst I am alive, And so may the church with the steeple. A TALE OF A NETTLE. [These verses occur on the same paper which contains the foregoing ballad, and are also in the Dean's hand-writing. They relate to the proposed repeal of the Test-act, and may be compared with the "Fable of the Bitches," p. 417.] A MAN with expence and infinite toil, The gard'ner would wisely have rooted him up, * In allusion to the supremacy of Rome. |