Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden — John Shaqi
Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John DrydenPordage, Samuel
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Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden
Pordage, Samuel
Dryden, John, 1631-1700. Absalom and Achitophel
All things thus safe; and now for one last blow,
To give his Foes a total Overthrow;
A Blow not in Hells Legends match'd before,
The remov'd Plot's laid at the Enemies door.
The old Plot forg'd against the Saints of _Baal_,
Cheat, Perjury, and Subornation all,
Whilst with a more damn'd Treason of their own,
Like working Moles they're digging round the Throne;
_Baal_, _Baal_, the cry, and _Absolom_ the Name,
But _Davids_ glory, Life and Crown the Aim.
Nay, if but a Petition peep abroad,
Though for the Glory both of Church and God,
And to preserve even their yet unborn Heirs;
There's Blood and Treason in their very Prayers.
This unexampled Impudence upheld;
The Governments best Friends, the Crowns best Sheild,
The Great and Brave with equal Treason brands.
Faith, Honour, and Allegiance strongest Bands
All broken like the Cords of _Sampson_ fall,
Whilst th'universal Leprosie taints all.
These poysonous shafts with greater spleen they draw,
Than the Outragious Wife of _Potypha_.
So the chast _Joseph_ unseduc'd to her
Adult'ries, was pronounc'd a Ravisher.
This hellish Ethnick Plot the Court alarms;
The Traytors seventy thousand strong in Arms,
Near _Endor_ Town lay ready at a Call,
And garrison'd in Airy Castles all.
These Warriours on a sort of Coursers rid,
Ne'r log'd in Stables, or by Man bestrid.
What though the steele with which the Rebels fought,
No Forge e're felt, or Anvile ever wrought?
Yet this Magnetick Plot, for black Designs,
Can raise cold Iron from the very Mines.
To this were twenty Under-plots, contriv'd
By Malice, and by Ignorance believ'd,
Till Shamms met Shamms, and Plots with Plots so crost,
That the True Plot amongst the False was lost.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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