Anti-Achitophel (1682) - Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Elkanah Settle;Samuel Pordage
page 79 of 140 (56%)
page 79 of 140 (56%)
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Which late discover'd its _Judaick_ Trance:
Where _Absalon_'s in _English_ Colours di'd, That in a Duke, a Traitor might be spi'd. Or Heaven on him did Graces so bestow, As only could confer their Pageant Show; Giving his Glories no more fast Renown, Than with more Honour to be taken down: Like Victimes by some Sacrificers drest, Must fall adorn'd, which then they pity least. But fear not _Monmouth_, if a Libel's quill, Would dregs of Venom on thy Vertue spill; Since no desert so smoothly is convey'd, As next it's Fame, no canker'd Patch is laid; Thou didst no Honour seek, but what's thy due, And such Heaven bids thee not relinquish too. Whilst it's Impressions so oblig'd thy Task, As leave from Earth thy Soul declin'd to ask. If this thy Error were, what Influ'nce can Excuse the Duty of more wilfull Man; With such whose Figures shew that squinting Paint, Whence peeps a Mungril _Babylonish Saint_. Thy Soul's Religion's Prop, and Native Grace, _Rome_, (fears its onsets) looking on the place; What Altitude can more exalt thy Praise, Tho best Devotion should thy Trophies raise, And 'tis perhaps from thy Diviner Bliss, That some may fear their Souls are seen amiss. As what so high does Emulation mount, As Greatness when surpass'd on Heaven's Account; And if th' Ambition would in this excel, |
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