And then we fear’d not wicked plots,-- The Godly serv’d to cut our throats, Though agents for the Pope, as Oates And Prance[16] said. Those reasons did so much prevail, That they petition’d tooth and nail, To have the Sovereign strike sail, And stand by: While th’ Parliament had sate some years, To drive out Pope with Presbyteers, And try the Babylonish Peers And Danby.”[17] The grievances of the petitioning constituencies are farcically rehearsed, the king is prayed that he will not “quite forget the Senate,” and the writer goes on to describe the signatories of this “Anti-Popish Bull.” When all hands had been set to the roll, it was found that-- “Several yards of fist, Were wanting to complete the list _Sans scruple_. Those scholars that could write, they bribe To prompt and proxy every side; And these did personally subscribe _Centuple_. But now the time draws on apace, And member itches for his place, The knights and gentlemen five brace Assemble; And brought the muster-roll to Court Tho’ Charles did hardly thank ’em for’t; But made ’em with a sharp retort To tremble. Now God preserve our King and Queen From Pyebald Coats and ribbons green, Let neither knave nor fool be seen About ’em. And those that will not say _Amen_, Let ’em petition once again, For every one, the Shire has ten To rout ’em.” “Ribbons green,” were the badges of the Protestant Association, at the head of which was Shaftesbury, “the popular favourite,” or “Sejanus,” as his enemies designated him. _Vide_ “A Litany from Geneva:”-- “From Saucy Petitions that serve to inflame us, From all who for th’ Association are famous, From the _Devil_, the _Doctor_, and the d----d _Ignoramus_, _Libera nos Domine_.” The obstinate and infatuated zealots, who would insist on keeping up the pretence that parliaments were essential to the constitutional government of the kingdom, were, with the suspected association, treated to all the witticisms Cavalier balladists could bring to bear against preposterous attempts to assail the royal prerogative, and enforce the just balance of the State:-- “’Tis to preserve his Majesty, That we against him rise, The righteous cause can never die That’s manag’d by the wise. Th’ _Association’s_ a just thing, And that does seem to say, Who fights for us, fights for the King, _The clean contrary way_.” (“_A Hymn exalting the Mobile to Loyalty._”)