But when the imperial owner did espy, That thus they turn'd his grace to villany, 1230 Not suffering wrath to discompose his mind, He strove a temper for the extremes to find, So to be just, as he might still be kind; Then, all maturely weigh'd, pronounced a doom Of sacred strength for every age to come. By this the Doves their wealth and state possess, No rights infringed, but licence to oppress: Such power have they as factious lawyers long To crowns ascribed, that Kings can do no wrong. But since his own domestic birds have tried 1240 The dire effects of their destructive pride, He deems that proof a measure to the rest, Concluding well within his kingly breast, His fowls of nature too unjustly were oppress'd. He therefore makes all birds of every sect Free of his farm, with promise to respect Their several kinds alike, and equally protect. His gracious edict the same franchise yields To all the wild increase of woods and fields, And who in rocks aloof, and who in steeples builds: 1250 To Crows the like impartial grace affords, And Choughs and Daws, and such republic birds: Secured with ample privilege to feed, Each has his district, and his bounds decreed; Combined in common interest with his own, But not to pass the Pigeon's Rubicon. Here ends the reign of this pretended Dove; All prophecies accomplish'd from above, From Shiloh comes the sceptre to remove. Reduced from her imperial high abode, 1260 Like Dionysius to a private rod, The Passive Church, that with pretended grace Did her distinctive mark in duty place, Now touch'd, reviles her Maker to his face. What after happen'd is not hard to guess: The small beginnings had a large increase, And arts and wealth succeed, the secret spoils of peace. 'Tis said, the Doves repented, though too late, Become the smiths of their own foolish fate: Nor did their owner hasten their ill hour; 1270 But, sunk in credit, they decreased in power: Like snows in warmth that mildly pass away, Dissolving in the silence of decay.