No More Learning

Two letters next unto Breda are sent,
In cipher one to Harry Excellent.
The first intrusts (our verse that name abhors)
Plenipotentiary embassadors
To prove by Scripture, treaty does imply
Cessation, as the look adultery ;
And that by law of arms, in martial strife,
Who yields his sword, has title to his life.
Presbyter Hollis the first point should clear,
The second Coventry the cavalier :
But, would they not be argued back from sea,
Then to return home straight xnfectd re.



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OF MARVKLL. 227

But Harry 's ordered, if they won't recall
Their fleet, to threaten, — we will give them all.
The Dutch are then in proclamation shent.
For sin against the eleventh commandment.
Hyde's flippant style there pleasantly curvets,
Still his sharp wit on states and princes whets :
So Spain could not escape his laughter's spleen,
None but himself must choose the king and queen.
But when he came the odious clause to pen,
That summons up the parliament agen,
His writing-master many times he banned,
And wished himself the gout to seize his hand.
Never old lecher more repugnant felt,
Consenting for his rupture to be gelt.
But still in hope he solaced, ere they come
To work the peace, and so to send them home ;
Or in their hasty call to find a flaw.
Their acts to vitiate, and them overawe :
But more relied upon tin's Dutch pretence,
To raise a two-edged army for *s defence.

First then he marched our whole militia's force,
(As if, alas ! we ships, or Dutch had horse ;)
Then from the usual commonplace he blames
These, and in standing armies' praise declaims ;
And the wise court, that always loved it dear.
Now thinks all but too little for their fe^ir.
Hyde stamps, and straight upon the ground the

swarms
Of current myrmidons appear in arms :



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228 THE POEMS

And for their pay ho writes as from the king,
With that cursed quill plucked from a vulture's

wing,
Of the whole nation now to ask a loan ;
The eighteen hundred thousand pounds are gone.
This done, he pens a proclamation stout
In rescue of the bankers banquerout,
Ui. s minion imps, which in his secret part
Lie nuzzling at the sacramental wart,
Horse-leeches sucking at the hemorrhoid vein ;
lie sucks the king, they him, he them again.
Ti\e kingdom's farm he lets to them bid least,
(Greater the bribe) and cheats at interest.
Here men induced by safety, gain, and ease,
Tlieir money lodge, confiscate when he please ;
These can at need, at instant with a scrip,
(This hked him best) his cash beyond sea whip.
When Dutch invade, and parliament prepare ;
How can he engines so convenient spare ?
Let no man touch them, or demand his own.
Pain of displeasure of great Clarendon.

The state-afifairs thus marshalled, for the rest,
Monk in his shirt against the Duteli is pressed.
Often, dear Painter, have I sat and nuiscd
Why he should be on all adventures used ;
Do they for nothing ill, like ashen wood,
Oi* think him, like Herb-John, for nothing good ?
Whether his valour they so much admire,
Or that for cowardice they all retiie,



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OF MARVELL. 229

As heaven in storms, they call, in gusts of state,
On Monk and Parliament, — yet both do hate.
All causes sure concur, but most they think
Under Herculean labours he may sink.
Soon then the independent troops would close,
And Hyde's last project of his place dispose.

Ruyter, the while,* that had our ocean curbed,
Sailed now amongst our rivers undisturbed ;
Surveyed their crystal streams and banks so

green.
And beauties ere this never naked seen :
Through the vain sedge the bashful nymphs he

eyed.