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William Hogarth

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James Gillray

W

HEN Charles the seconds jocund reign began,
   All thought strict justice must lead up the van :

His friends rejoic'd ; — fanatics drown'd in sorrow,
Did hide themselves like rabbits in a burrow.
These never thought to find one spark of grace,
Or saint-like virtue in the Stuart's race ;
Knives, — ropes, — and gallows, conscience kept in sight,
And butcher's cleavers broke their sleep at night.

The royalists, whose treasures paid the cost,
Who friends — blood — parents — all — had for him lost,
Expected justice, and to be employ'd.
And seiz'd of lands their ancestors enjoyed.
But mark a Stuart : — he forsook his friends;
Cherish'd his foes? and all for courtier's ends
Rewarded Rebels ! — pension'd babes of grace !
Kept old friends out — and hypocrites in place !

So I have seen in these our modern times,
Some men rewarded for rebellions crimes ;
Plaids and blue bonnets smil'd upon with grace,
Enrich'd with pensions, and adorn'd with place,
Whilst every patriot's frown'd upon with scorn,
Oppress'd with taxes, grievous to be born !
Poor England's loaden till his sinews crack,
And quite broke down with weights upon his back ;
Wrinkl'd and bald, o'ercome with care and pain,
But ease expects not whilst a R——mp doth reign.

You half French-Britons can you loll at ease,
As under vines, rul'd y such ——ngs as these ;
Who when they're smitten on the dexter jaw,
Can turn the other, and fulfil the law?