“Tell to _Augusta’s_ sons, the worth disclose Of those good patriots whom they lately chose. In front of these the aged Clito place, A better man did ne’er the City grace: Generous and brave, and true in former time, When Honesty was thought the highest crime. He in the _Oxford_ Senate bravely stood, Like some tall tree, the Giant of the Wood, O’ertopping all in courage and address, Invaded-Rights and Freedoms to redress; Brought in a Bill t’ exclude a Popish prince, The want of which we have lamented since. And when the Chair he did most justly fill, And tempted was to serve a Tyrant’s will, Would not his fellow-citizens disarm, But boldly did withstand th’ impending storm. * * * * * He in the Senate sits unbrib’d, and knows No cause--but where the common interest goes. He, unconcern’d, the dangerous path doth tread, Where Faction shakes its dire envenom’d head.” Another favourite and patriotic candidate is “Asto,” who-- “early did his country’s cause embrace And opposed villains even to their face. The Charter he would not consent to yield, But did defend it in th’ open field. Gold never could his interest engage, The common vice of this polluted age; Whereby they villains into office vote, Such as would cut their King’s and country’s throat.” The other candidates--“friends to their country all,” according to the bard--are christened “Witho,” “Hethban,” and “Pastor.” With the death of William III. the Tory prospects revived, and their attacks became bolder. In alluding to the accident which caused the king’s end, the party lyrists showed no compassion for “a fallen foe.” “Let’s ’em mourn on, ’twould lessen much our woe Had _Sorrel_ stumbled thirteen years ago.” (B. HIGGONS, 1702: _The Mourners_.) One of the ballads in the Bagford collection applies to the elections which took place in Queen Anne’s reign (the first parliament dissolved April 5, 1705); this High Tantivy effusion of the Tory Alma-Mater is rather long-winded, and we must be content with a brief extract:-- “THE UNIVERSITY BALLAD; OR THE CHURCH’S ADVICE TO HER TWO DAUGHTERS, OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. “I have heard, my dear daughters, a story of late, Told for truth to the Commons, by a Minister of State, That the ‘Scotch Act’ was extorted; O England’s hard fate! “If Whigs at this distance so terrible are, Such men in our bosom may make us all stare, And extort what they please, if we do not take care. * * * * * “If this be the case, pray what can you think? But that Church and State are now at the brink Of ruin, destruction, and ready to sink. “But we have yet a time to save this poor nation, From fire and sword, and all desolation, By choosing such members as hate Decollation!