Classic Poem

Would you be famous and renowned in story,
And, after having run a stage of glory,
Go straight to Heav'n, and not to purgatory?
This is the time.
Would you surrender your dispensing power,
And send the western hangman to the Tower,
From whence he'll find it difficult to scour?
This is the time.
Would you send Father Penn and Father Lobb,
Assisted by the Poet Laureate Squab,
To teach obedience passive to the mob?
This is the time.
Would you let Reverend Father Peters know
What thanks the Church of England to him owe
For favors past, he did on them bestow?
This is the time.
Would you with expedition send away
Those four dim lights made bishops t'other day,
To convert Indians in America?
This is the time.
Would you the rest of that bald-pated train
No longer flatter with thin hopes of gain,
But send them to Saint Omer's back again?
This is the time.
Would you (instead of holding birchen tool)
Send Pulton to be lashed at Busby's school,
That he in print no longer play the fool?
This is the time.
Would you that jack-of-all-religions scare,
Bid him for hanging speedily prepare,
That Harry Hills may visit Harry Care?
This is the time.
Would you let Ireland no more fear Macdonnell,
And all the rabble under Philem O'Neill,
And Clarendon again succeed Tyrconnel?
This is the time.
Would you court-earwigs banish from your ears,
Those carpet knights and interested peers,
And rid the kingdoms from impending fears?
This is the time.
Would you at once make all the Hogen Mogens yield,
And be at once their terror and our shield,
And not appear by proxy in the field?
This is the time.
Would you no more a woman's counsel take,
But love your kingdoms for your kingdoms' sake,
Make subjects love, and enemies to quake?
This is the time.