* Alluding to the
barbarity
acted on Sir John Ck>ventry.
Marvell - Poems
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.
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OF MARVKLL. 299
A HISTORICAL POEM.
Of a tall statuiHJ, and of sable hue,
Much like the son of Kish, that lofly Jew,
Twelve years complete he suffered in exile,
And kept his father's asses all the while ;
At length, by wondeiful impulse of fate.
The people call him home to help the state,
And, what is more, they send him money too,
And clothe him all, from head to foot, anew.
Nor did he such small favours then disdain.
Who in his thirteenth year began his reign :
In a slashed doublet then he came ashore,
And dubbed poor Palmer's* wife his royal whore.
Bishops, and deans, peers, pimps, and knights, he
made ;
Things highly fitting for a monarch's trade !
With women, wine, and viands of delight,
His jolly vassals feast him day and night.
* Mrs. Palmer, aftervrnrds Duchess of Cleveland, whom
the king took from her husband.
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300 TIIK POEMS
But the best times have ever some allay,
His* younger brother died by treachery.
Bold James survives, no dangers make him
flinch,
He marries signor Fal h's pregnant wench.
The pious mother queen, hearing her son
Was thus enamoured with a buttered bun.
And that the fleet was gone, in pomp and state,
To fetch, for Charles, the flowery Lisbon Kate,
She chants Te Deum^ and so comes away,
To wish her hopeful issue timely joy.
Her most uxorious mate she ruled of old,
Why not with easy youngsters make as bold ?
