Classic Poem

Against the Opposing the Duke in Parliament, 1628

The wisest King did wonder when hee spy'd
The Nobles march on foot, their Vassalls ride;
His Majestie may wonder more to see
Some that will neede bee Kinge as well as hee.
A sad presage of dainger to this land,
When lower strive to gett the upper hand:
When Prince and Peeres to Peysants must obey,
When Lay-men must their Teachers teach the way:
When Pym and Prinn and Jourdan must define
What Lords are het'rodox and what divine.
Good brother Brough, Elder of Amsterdam,
Shutt up at home your wilde Arminian Ram.
If heere he comes, these Men will cutt his throat;
Blest Buchanan sings them a sweeter note.
Hee teacheth how to curbe the power of Kings,
And shews us how to clipp the Eagles Winges.
It is a Paritie must sett all right:
Then shall the Gospell shine like Phaebus bright.
Our Consistorian Fabrick is the thing
We must reare up in spight of Church and King.
Against the Papists we have gott the day:
Blinde Bishops onely now stand in our way.
But wee will have a trick to tame their pride, —
Tonnage and poundage ells shall bee deny'd.