"And if the season be well observed when this adulterate poem was spread, it will be found purposely divulged near the time when this lord, with his other noble partner, were to be brought to their trial; and, I suppose this poet thought himself enough assured of their condemnation, at least that his genius had not otherwise ventured to have trampled on persons of such eminent abilities and interest in the nation; a consideration, I confess, incited my pen, its preceding respect being paid to the duke of Monmouth, to vindicate their reputations where I thought it due. When late Protector-ship was cannon proof, And, cap-a-pe, had seized on Whitehall roof; And next on Israelites durst look so big, That, Tory-like, it loved not much the Whig; A poet there starts up of wondrous fame, Whether Scribe, or Pharisee, his race doth name, Or more to intrigue the metaphor of man, Got on a muse by father Publican;[317] For 'tis not harder much if we tax nature, That lines should give a poet such a feature, Than that his verse a hero should us show,[318] Produced by such a feat, as famous too; His mingle such, what man presumes to think, But he can figures daub with pen and ink. A grace our mighty Nimrod late beheld, When he within the royal palace dwelled; And saw 'twas of import, if lines could bring His greatness from usurper to be king;[319] Or varnish so his praise, that little odds Should seem 'twixt him and such called earthly gods; And though no wit can royal blood infuse, No more than melt a mother to a muse, Yet much a certain poet undertook, That men and manners deals in without book, And might not more to gospel truth belong, Than he if christened does by name of John. * * * * * Fame's impious hireling, and mean reward, The knave that in his lines turns up his card; Who, though no Raby thought in Hebrew writ, He forced allusions that can closely fit; To Jews, or English, much unknown before, He made a talmud on his muses score; Though hoped few critics will its genius carp, So purely metaphors king David's harp; And, by a soft encomium, near at hand, Shews Bathsheba embraced throughout the land. After much unintelligible panegyric on Shaftesbury, his Grace comes to Seymour:[320]