The Independent Statesmen, and Liberal Landlord: or a respectful tribute to T. W. Coke, M.P. for the County of Norfolk — John Shaqi
The Independent Statesmen, and Liberal Landlord: or a respectful tribute to T. W. Coke, M.P. for the County of NorfolkParkerson, James
History
The Independent Statesmen, and Liberal Landlord: or a respectful tribute to T. W. Coke, M.P. for the County of Norfolk
Parkerson, James
Coke, Thomas William, Earl of Leicester, 1752-1842 -- Poetry
Oh, how I should like to be at their dole days.
Suppose I’d a right sir, at such times to be there,
I dare say a large sum would come to my share;
Enough in one day to end care and strife,
Or plenty to last me all days of my life.
When one takes ten thousand another takes more,
No wonder Great Britain is now become poor.
About a year since, to New Holkham I went,
To view that sweet spot was my only intent;
Each garden look’d lively, and in them I found
Vegetation encouraged as I pass’d my round.
Taste and simplicity marked every spot;
There were flowrets apparent and greens for the pot.
When you give them a call sir, it adds to their pleasure,
Which sometimes you do I am told at your leisure.
To see a good Landlord fresh pleasure must give;
All well know your motto is “Live and let live.”
Like other good landlords you did not refrain,
A reduction to make for low prices of grain;
Which compels the good farmer to sigh at his fate,
He knows all his troubles arise from the State.
If a farmer a large sum of money expand,
To give all improvement he can to the land;
It’s heart breaking to know that taxation will crave,
Near half of his income he ought for to save;
And to add to fresh troubles and harrass his mind,
Our immaculate ministers seem not inclin’d,
To lessen those burthens he never would know,
If corruption had met sir its fatal death blow,
E’er the war had begun, a war to their shame;
Those who think on past times can only them blame.
Disgrace on disgrace did their conduct attend,
Can any one say they were Old England’s friend;
From what I observed I cou’d only suppose,
Their actions bespoke them the worst of her foes:
A foe if subdu’d will most gladly resign,
And to harrass us longer he’ll instant decline.
Our great ones are determined their places to keep,
Well knowing they plung’d us in trouble so deep
In adversity’s pit, we cou’d not rise again,
What matters to them if advantage they gain,
Advantage I mean in possession of place,
If it adds to their wealth tho’ it brings on disgrace.
A parson will sometimes encourage a brief,
By reading it o’er tho’ he with-hold relief.
He’ll send it to others tho’ half-a-crown grutch,
Except he is sure it is good for the church,
There are many divines I can see very plain,
Feel for the farmer and do not refrain;
To render relief in a liberal way
By reducing his tithes so the farmer less pay,
Such conduct will always obtain him applause,
And adds to the honour of clerical laws.
Charity sermons I think they weekly should preach,
In language most pure lord L--- to teach
To do unto others as he wou’d be done by,
Such a gospel I fear he wou’d boldly deny;
Lay a tax on his income and what would it bring,
Add one or two more, quite enough for a King.
The next time his Majesty wish for to roam,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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