I not dispute, the royal youth replies, The known perfection of your policies; Nor in Achitophel yet grudge or blame The privilege that statesmen ever claim; Who private interest never yet pursued, But still pretended 'twas for others good: What politician yet e'er 'scaped his fate, 210 Who, saving his own neck, not saved the state? From hence, on every humorous wind that veer'd, With shifted sails a several course you steer'd. What form of sway did David e'er pursue, That seem'd like absolute, but sprung from you? Who at your instance quash'd each penal law, That kept dissenting factious Jews in awe; And who suspends fix'd laws, may abrogate, That done, form new, and so enslave the state. Even property whose champion now you stand, 220 And seem for this the idol of the land, Did ne'er sustain such violence before, As when your counsel shut the royal store; Advice, that ruin to whole tribes procured, But secret kept till your own banks secured. Recount with this the triple covenant broke, And Israel fitted for a foreign yoke; Nor here your counsel's fatal progress stay'd, But sent our levied powers to Pharaoh's aid. Hence Tyre and Israel, low in ruins laid, 230 And Egypt, once their scorn, their common terror made. Even yet of such a season can we dream, When royal rights you made your darling theme. For power unlimited could reasons draw, And place prerogative above the law; Which, on your fall from office, grew unjust, The laws made king, the king a slave in trust: Whom with state-craft, to interest only true, You now accuse of ills contrived by you.