Classic Poem

It may be 'tis observ'd, I want Relations,
Guifts-qualifying, or those Commendations
That should advance my Suites; and, which do make
Those active, who, mens Causes undertake;
And I halfe think it so: For, e'er this day,
Some one or other had, els, gotten way
For my Petitions; or appeared able
To make my suites and me considerable;
Since, others who have neither lo[s]t, nor spent,
Nor for the Publike, hazzarded or lent
Life, Limb, or money; (yea, though they, before,
Had profitable places) meet with more
Successe than I; and, daily can be heard
With expedition, and with good regard.
But, (whatsoe're the other causes are
Why thus it comes to passe) this, doth appear,
That, they who now are my Competitors,
Have so o'rematched my Solicitors,
That, if I speed, your House, will prove, to me,
A better Friend then Individuals be.
I find, that, many who, a while agoe,
Appear'd for me, do now (Gradatim) grow
Elsewhere ingag'd. I find, that, they begin
To reckon, how the place hath valued been;
And, to expostulate, and to admire
How, I, to an Employment dar'd aspire
Of Trust or Worth; who, am dispoil'd of that,
Which (in their judgment) should secure the State:
As if, a known unblamed-Conversation
Were no Security; or, out of fashion:
As if, my portion, in the publike hand,
Might not, aswell, for good-assurance stand,
As if it were in mine: Or, as if he
Who, for his Country, prodigall could be
Of all he had, deserv'd to be thought
As trusty, as they are, who, never, ought
Adventur'd; nor had ought, but what they got
By gaining Trust, where they deserv'd it not . . .

They might admire, that I, who have not bin
A Servant, nor, am known to be, of kin
To Peer or Commoner; nor have the skill
To make a Partie; nor, thereto, a Will:
That, I who follow Suites, as if I thought,
That Justice, should be neither sold nor bought,
Or got by importunities; save, where
The Judge doth neither GOD, nor Mortal fear:
That, I, should ever hope to compasse that,
Which any other thinkes worth aiming at;
Since, cause, perhaps enough, is found, why none
Thus minded, should presume to think upon
A Place of profit; and, conceive to get
His hopes, by merit, honesty, or wit:
For, I do find that, in this undertaking
Great rubs are made (and many other making)
So troublesome to passe, that, I am tir'd:
And, had I but that competence acquir'd,
Which I have lost; this life, I would not live,
For all, the King and Parliament could give.