Classic Poem

Now call to mind Edom, remember well
Your cursed cries against God's Israel.
Now who's disloyal, where's the obstinate
And busy fops that talk of things of state?
" A plot, a plot! " Who is't that now looks blue?
Now where's sedition? Where's the factious crew?
Now mock no more, go consecrate the room
Where Essex died, and think on Russell's doom.
Now who are they that cried, " ram us " and " damn us? "
Who is't that now comes off with " ignoramus " ?
Now who's surmising fears and jealousies?
Now who's malicious, fomenting of lies?
Now whose nice conscience pleads religion?
Nay, rather they that once swore they had none!
Now let's " huzza, huzza, huzza, " examine
Now for the loyalty expressed by damning,
Roaring, and whoring — that — rotting and sinking:
" Hey boys! new healths with bumpers bravely drinking. "
But say these are the worst, whose words are wind;
But mark our doctrines, and the more refined.
Now where's the doctrine made the pulpits ring?
'Twas all divine to love and laud the king!
Where's loyal sermons now? Where are they gone?
Hark, hark a while, and you shall hear anon.
Where's Non-Resistance now? Now where's compliance?
Why here, in this, to bid the king defiance!
In what, an edict? No, his declaration
For conscience liberty, to free the nation
From those accursed penal laws and Test,
That tender conscience ever might have rest.
But now 'tis " Popery, Popery, " that's the song;
'Tis coming like a flood — But, pray, how long
Has fear of popery been this dreadful tone?
Just since you let the Protestants alone.
'Tis fear of Papists — good lack! — sad's the case,
Since they've excelled Episcopals in grace.
No sooner Clemency doth peace propose,
But Envy cries, " Take heed of popish foes. "
Was't not for fear of popery once ago
You writ and printed, preached and raged so?
" Down with Dissenters " — thus with storm and thunder;
" Magistrates, mind your duty, seize and plunder,
Fine and imprison, ruin — follow't hot! "
This was for fear of popery, was it not?
Thus persecution echoed from the pulpit;
But now look simply, say you cannot help it.
Law was not then so much as it is since,
But the king's pleasure, as you made pretense:
Yet though you've lost the spur, you'd hold the bridle —
With a straight rein, too. Oh! but that's as idle
As those that blame this Liberty of Conscience
And have the impudence to say 'tis nonsense.
Were they (which God forbid) but half so long
To feel the right that did Dissenters wrong,
They'd wiser be, kinder, and humbler, too,
Who're now so proud they know not what they do.
Now who are they that cannot be content
With regal right, but acts of Parliament
Of their own choosing? Yet this will not do;
But must have also Convocation, too.
Now who like toads spit venom, swell, and pant?
Now who are they that have the way to cant?
Now who's most busy to degrade the king?
And who knows what? With secret whispering,
And holding consults, who makes parties now?
For to rebel the malcontent knows how.
Fat benefits, and tithes, and bishoprics
Do not content you; O these little tricks!
For Mordecai stoops not: here's the dispute;
You want the power still to persecute.
Whence comes this rule to lord it o'er the rest?
From Tory-Gospel, penal laws, and Test —
Touch 'em in that, and they'll begin to wince,
And galled loyalty spurns at their prince.
But poor Dissenters, now, as heretofore,
Thankful for peace, rejoice, and seek no more.
But now, 'tis well, your cursed power's subdued;
Here's peace, which others like — but let's conclude:
Here's your own language and the work of late
You gloried in and still would vindicate.
Look in this glass and learn to blush for shame;
Be Christians once, and stain no more that name.