Anti-Achitophel (1682) - Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Elkanah Settle;Samuel Pordage
page 46 of 140 (32%)
page 46 of 140 (32%)
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Onely his Law was Brittle i'th' wrong place:
For had our _Corah_ been in _Moses_ Case, The Fury of his Zeal had been employ'd To build that Calf which th'others Rage destroy'd. Thus _Corah, Baals_ true Fayry Changeling made, He Bleated onely as the _Pharisees_ pray'd, All to advance that future Tyrant pow'r, Should Widows Houses gorge, and Orphans Tears devour. Nor are these all their Instruments; to prop Their Mighty Cause, and _Israels_ Murmurs stop; They find a sort of Academick Tools; Who by the Politick Doctrine of their Schools, Betwixt Reward, Pride, Avarice, Hope and Fear, Prizing their Heav'n too cheap, the World too dear, Stand bold and strong for _Absolons_ Defence: Interest the Thing, but Conscience the Pretence. These to ensure him for their _Sions_ King, A Right Divine quite down from _Adam_ bring, That old Levitick Engine of Renown, That makes no Taint of Souls a bar t'a Crown. 'Tis true, Religions constant Champion vow'd, Each open-mouth'd, with Pulpit-Thunder lowd, Against false Gods, and Idol Temples bawls; Yet lays the very Stones that raise their Walls. They preach up Hell to those that _Baal_ adore, Yet make't Damnation to oppose his pow'r. So far this Paradox of Conscience run, Till _Israels_ Faith pulls _Israels_ Altars down. Grant Heav'n they don't to _Baal_ so far make way, |
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