Classic Poem

He Being Condemned for High Treason, and Conspiring the

Death of the King and the Duke, and Subverting the

Government of These Three Kingdoms.

A Song. To the Tune " State and Ambition "

1.

Adieu to the pleasure of murder and whoring,
Of plotting, conspiring the death of a king:
Confound the temptation of bastard-adoring,
For which I confess I deserve for to swing.
Poor Monmouth may curse me, 'twas I overruled
In all his intrigues by Tony's black spell;
His timorous contrivance I constantly schooled,
And told him how safe it was then to rebel.

2.

I showed him the glimpse of a crown and a scepter,
The strength of the crowd, and applause of the town,
Till glory did dazzle his soul in a rapture,
That all things inferior appeared but a crown.
Then I was in hopes to be second assistant;
Therefore to un-king him our party would bring:
But now as the devil would have it I missed on't,
For which I before the damned doctor must swing.

3.

The doctor confused three parts of the nation:
He murdered thirty, I murdered but two.
With long sword and codpiece, I made it the fashion
Rogues, whores to advance, and the kingdom subdue.
Brave Monmouth I showed him all ways of debauching,
And ne'er let him want procurer nor whore.
Some aldermen's wives they were proud to approach him;
I often as Grey have stood pimp at the door.

4.

Nay, many were sure that their souls would be sainted
Had they but one hour his sweet grace to enjoy;
How oft in my arms they have sighed and panted,
Until I conveyed 'em to their princely boy.
But now all those pleasures are faded with glory,
His Grace in disgrace and Tom is condemned;
Jack Ketch now looks sharp for to shorten my story,
And leaves me no time to murder or mend.

5.

Yet I must confess, I was oft Monmouth's taster,
For fear lest some fire-ship might blow up her prince,
Which caused our party to flock in much faster,
All officers from the plot office advance.
Old Tony took care, too, that nothing was wanting,
In Wapping, the Square, and Aldersgate Street;
I brought in Bess Mack'rel, to help out the tapping,
And Tony swore damn him, there's nothing so sweet.

6.

Sweet Betty, farewell: 'twas for thee I abjured
My lady and children this fourteen long years;
They always were kind, but I still was obdured,
Seeking the destruction of king, church, and peers.
Had I Grey and Mellvin now here to condole with,
And their recommendations to th' cabal below,
I might have commissions in Hell to control with,
But sure I shall find some friends where I go.