North, however, gives rather a different derivation. He says, that the loyalists, becoming anxious to retort some nickname in return for that of tories with which they had been branded, first called their "adversaries _true blues_; because such were not satisfied to be Protestants as the churchmen were, but must be true Protestants, implying the others to be false ones, just not Papists. Then they went on, and stiled the adversary _Birmingham_ Protestants, alluding to the false groats struck at that place. This held a considerable time; but the word was not fluent enough for hasty repartee, and after divers changes, the lot fell on the word whig, which was very significative, as well as ready, being vernacular in Scotland, whence it was borrowed, for sour and corrupted whey. Immediately the train took, and, upon the first touch of the experiment, it ran like wild fire, and became general." _Examen. p. 321_. By the phrase of Anti-Brominghams, used in the text, Dryden therefore means those who opposed the duke of Monmouth's pretensions, and were execrated for doing so by his fanatical followers.] [Footnote 219: _Reasons for Mr Bayes' changing his Religion_, p. 14.] [Footnote 220: A character in sir John Denham's Sophy.] ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin, Before polygamy was made a sin; When man on many multiplied his kind, Ere one to one was cursedly confined; When nature prompted, and no law denied, Promiscuous use of concubine and bride; Then Israel's monarch[221] after heaven's own heart, His vigorous warmth did variously impart To wives and slaves; and, wide as his command, Scattered his Maker's image through the land. Michal, of royal blood, the crown did wear,[222] A soil ungrateful to the tiller's care. Not so the rest; for several mothers bore To god-like David several sons before. But since like slaves his bed they did ascend, No true succession could their seed attend. Of all the[223] numerous progeny was none So beautiful, so brave, as Absalon;[224] Whether inspired by[225] by some diviner lust, His father got him with a greater gust; Or that his conscious destiny made way, By manly beauty, to imperial sway. Early in foreign fields he won renown, With kings and states, allied to Israel's crown; In peace the thoughts of war he could remove, And seemed as he were only born for love. Whate'er he did, was done with so much ease, In him alone twas natural to please; His motions all accompanied with grace, And paradise was opened in his face. With secret joy indulgent David viewed His youthful image in his son renewed; To all his wishes nothing he denied, And made the charming Annabel his bride.[226] What faults he had,--for who from faults is free? His father could not, or he would not see. Some warm excesses, which the law forbore,