Classic Poem

When lately King James, whom our sovereign we call,
For reasons of state and the good of the nation,
By advice of his council commanded that all
Should read in their churches his last declaration;
As soon as it was to the clergy reported,
To a place in the City they in private resorted
To advise on the matter and gravely debate
Whether conscience should truckle to reasons of state;
Which though we must own was most prudently done
Yet some think they'd better have let it alone,
Since 'twill no small suspicion to schismatics give
That they're not quite so loyal as they'd make us believe;
For if conscience be thought a sufficient pretense,
Why should it not salve the Dissenters' offense,
When refusing to bow to their Common Prayer idol,
They were forced to take quarters in Newgate and Bridewell?

But the case is now altered, th'ecclesiastical club
Met with countenance solid and wond'rous meek,
Consulting like coopers to mend an old tub,
Which for want of good hooping does now spring a leak.
Each man in his order began to dispute:
Some few would submit, but the rest would not do't;
Some boldly alleged that the Tests were the thing
That secured them now from the lash of the king,
" And should we comply, the gentry would say
We had virtually given our safeguard away.
And if we displease them, whom can we expect
Should hereafter our cause and our persons protect?
Besides the great loss of our princely dominion
Might serve one would think t'enforce this opinion,
That should we submit to His Majesty's order,
The world would regard our church thunder no further. "

" That's true, " says another, " and when the king's dead
You know that the princess of Orange comes in,
And then this denial may stand us instead
To purchase her favor and fix us again.
Though of Passive Obedience we talk like the best,
'Tis prudence, when interest sways, to resist.
What though Jupiter thunder, and Juno do scold,
We'll still our true int'rest and principles hold.
Our livings alone supply us with treasure,
When those are once gone, we may starve at our leisure.
No argument better than this can convince us
How much 'tis our duty to please the Dutch princess;
But some will now say, since the queen is with child,
If a male should be born, our project is spoil'd:
We've a salvo for that, too, if he lives to be man,
Like true vicars of Bray we'll retract all again. "

Their ponderous reasons when put in the scale,
With duty and manners did quickly prevail,
For a churchman's civility never is seen
Till preferment appears as a medium between.

Straight orders are issued t'enjoin the young fry
That on pain of ejectment they should not comply,
Which were strictly observed, such respect do they bear
To the wretched allowance of ten pounds a year
That for fear of displeasing a stingless old drone
They disgrace their religion and incur the king's frown.

What they get by the bargain will soon be made plain,
'Twill be well if their godliness turns to their gain.