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In the mean time you wou'd fain be nibbling at a parallel betwixt this Affociation, and that in the time of Queen Elizabeth. But there is this fmall difference betwixt them, that the ends of the one are directly oppofite to the other: One with the Queen's approbation, and conjunction, as head of it; the other without either the confent, or knowledge of the King, against whofe Authority it is manifeftly defign'd. Therefore you do well to have recourse to your last Evasion, that it was contriv'd by your Enemies and fhuffled into the Papers that were feiz'd, which yet you fee the Nation is not fo eafie to believe, as your own Fury; But the matter is not dif ficult, to find twelve men in Newgate, who wou'd acquit a Malefactor.

I have one only favour to defire of you at parting, that when you think of answering this Poem, you wou'd employ the fame Pens against it, who have combated with fo much fuccefs against Ablalom and Achitophel: For then you may affure your felves of a clear Victory, without the leaft Reply. Rail at me abundantly; and, not to break a Cuftom, do it without wit: By this method you will gain a confiderable point, which is, wholly to wavethe answer of my Arguments. Never own the bottom of your Principles, for fear they shou'd be Treafon Fall feverely on the miscarriages of Government; for if Scandal be not allow'd, you are no freeborn Subjects. If God has not bless'd you with the Talent of Rhiming, make use of my poor Stock and welcome: let your Verfes run upon my feet: And for the utmost refuge of notorious Block heads, reduc'd to the last extremity of fenfe, turn my own lines upon me, and in utter despair of your own Satyr, make ›

me Satyrize my felf. Some of you have been driven to this Bay already; but above all the rest commend me to the Non-conformist Parfon, who writ the Whip and Key. I am afraid it is not read fo much as the Piece deferves, because the Bookfeller is every week crying help at the end of his Gazette, to get it off. You fee I am charitable enough to do him a kindness, that it may be publish'd as well as printed; and that fo much skill in Hebrew Derivations, may not lie for Waste-paper in the Shop. Yet I half fufpect he went no farther for his learning, than the Index of Hebrew Names and Etymologies, which is printed at the end of fome Englifh Bibles. If Achitophel fignifie the Brother of a Fool, the Author of that Poem will pass with his Readers for the next of kin. And perhaps 'tis the Relation that makes the kindness. Whatever the Verfes are; buy 'em up I beseech you out of pity; for I hear the Conventicle is fhut up, and the Brother of Achitophel out of fervice.

Now Footmen you know, have the generosity to make a Purfe, for a Member of their Society, who has had his Livery pull'd over his Ears: And even Proteftant Socks are bought up among you out of veneration to the name. A Diffenter in Poetry from Senfe and English, will make as good a Proteftant Rhimer as a Diffenter from the Church of England a Proteftant Parfon. Befides, if you encourage a Joung Beginner, who knows but he may elevate his ftile a little, above the vulgar Epithets of prophane, and fawy Jack, and Atheistick Scribler, with which he treats me, when the fit of Enthusiasm is strong apon him? by which well-manner'd and charitable Expreffions, I was certain of his Sect, before I knew

his Name. What wou'd you have more of a man? He has damn'd me in your Caufe from Genelis to the Revelations: And has half the Texts of both the Teftaments against me, if you will be fo civil to your felves as to take him for your Interpreter; and not to take them for Trith Witneffes. After all, perhaps you will tell me, that you retain'd him only for the opening of your Caufe, and that your main Lawyer is yet behind. Now if it fo happen he meet with no more reply than his Predeceffors, you may either conclude, that I trust to the goodness of my Caufe, or fear my Adverfary, or disdain him, or what you please, for the fhort on't is, 'tis indifferent to your humble Servant, whatever your Party fays or thinks of him.

Upon the AUTHOR of the following POEM.

NCE more our awful Poet Arms, t'engage
threatning Hydra-Faction

Once more prepares his dreadful Pen to wield,
And ev'ry Mufe attends him to the Field:
By Art and Nature for this Task design'd,
Yet modeftly the Fight he long declin'd;
Forbore the Torrent of his Verfe to pour,
Nor loos'd his Satyr 'till the needful Hour:
His Sov'raign's Right by Patience half betray'd,
Wak'd his avenging Genius to its Aid.

Bleft Mufe, whofe Wit with such a Cause was Crown'd,
And bleft the Cause that fuch a Champion found.
With chofen Verse upon the Foe he falls,
And black Seaition in each Quarter galls;
Yet, like a Prince with. Subjects forc'd t' engage,
Secure of Conqueft he rebates his Rage;
His Fury not without Diftinction fheds,
Hurls mortal Bolts but on devoted Heads:
To lefs infected Members gentle found,
Or fpares, or elfe pours Balm into the Wound.
Such gen'rous Grace th' ingrateful Tribe abuse,
And trefpafs on the Mercy of his Muse;
Their wretched dogrel Rhymers forth they bring
To Snarl and Bark against the Poet's King ;-
A Crew, that fcandalize the Nation more
Than all their Treason-canting Priests before!
On these he scarce vouchfafes a fcornful smile,
But on their pow'rful Patrons turns his Stile.
A Stile fo keen, as ev'n from Faction draws
The vital Poison, ftabs to th' Heart their Caufe.
Take then, great Bard, what Tribute we can raife;
Accept our Thanks, for you transcend our Praise.

N. TATE

To the Unknown Author of the following Poem, and that of Abfalom and Achitophel.

HUS pious ignorance, with dubious praise,

with

They knew not the lov'd Deity, they knew
Divine effects a cause Divine did fhew;
Nor can we doubt, when fuch thefe Numbers are,
Such is their caufe, tho' the worft Mufe fhall dare
Their facred worth in humble Verfe declare.

As gentle Thames charm'd with thy tuneful Song
Glides in a peaceful Majefty along;
No rebel Stone, no lofty Bank does brave
The eafie paffage of his filent wave;
So facred Poet, fo thy Numbers flow,
Sinewy, yet mild as happy Lovers wooe;
Strong, yet harmonious too as Planets move,
Yet foft as Down upon the Wings of Love:
How sweet do's Virtue in your dress appear?
How much more charming, when much less fevere
Whilft you our fenfes harmlèfly beguile,
With all th' allurements of your happy Stile;
Y' infinuate Loyalty with kind deceit,
And into sense th' unthinking many cheat:
So the sweet Thracian with his charming lyre
Into rude Nature virtue did infpire;
So he the favage herd to reafon drew,
Yet fcarce fo fweet, fo charmingly as you;

O that you would with fome fuch powerful Charm,
Enervate Albion to juft valour warm!

Whether much fuffering Charles fhall Theam afford,
Or the great Deeds of God-like James's Sword;
Again fair Gallia might be ours, again
Another Fleet might pass the subject main,
Another Edward lead the Britains on,

Or fuch an Offery as you did moan;