So high that he shall hector the
parliament^
And all wholesome laws for the public prevent,
IX.
IX.
Marvell - Poems
m.
I '11 have a council shall sit always still.
And give me a license to do what I will ;
And two secrer-aries shall piss through a quill.
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OF MARVELL. 297
IV.
Mj insolent brother shall bear all the sway ;
If parliaments murmur, I '11 send him away.
And call him again as soon as I may.
I *11 have a rare son, in marrying though marred,
Shall govern (if not my kingdom) my guard,
And shall be successor to me or Gerard.
VI.
I '11 have a new London instead of the old.
With wide streets and uniform to my old mould ;
But if they build too fast, I '11 bid 'em hold.
VII.
The ancient nobility I will lay by,
And new ones create their rooms to supply,
And they shall raise fortunes for my own fry.
VIII.
Some one I '11 advance from a common descent.
So high that he shall hector the parliament^ And all wholesome laws for the public prevent,
IX.
And I will assert him to such a degree
That all his foul treasons, though daring and high.
Under my hand and seal shall have indemnity.
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298 THE POEMS
X.
And, whftte'er it cost me, I'll have a French
wliore,
As bold as Alice Pierce, and as fair as Jane
Shore;
And when I am weary of her, I *11 have more.
XI.
Which if anj bold commoner dare to oppose,
I '11 order my bravos to cut off his nose,*
Tliough for 't I a branch of prerogative lose.
XII.
My pimp shall be my minister premier,
My bawds call ambassadors far and near,
And my wench shall dispose of Conge d'Elire.
XIII.
I 'II wholly abandon all public affairs,
And pass all my time with buffoons and players.
And saunter to Nelly when I should be at prayers.
XIV.
I '11 have a fine pond witli a pretty decoy,
Where many strange fowl shall feed and enjoy.
And still in their language quack Vive le Roy !
* Alluding to the barbarity acted on Sir John Ck>ventry.