CANTO II.]
HUDIBRAS.
357
Before their eyes might reconcileTheir animosities a while?At least until they 'd a clear stage,And equal Freedom to engage, 720Without the danger of surpriseBy both our common enemies?This none but we alone could doubt,[1]Who understood their Workings-out, And know 'em both in soul and conscience, 725Giv'n up t' as reprobate a nonsense[2] As spiritual out-laws, whom the pow'r; Of miracle can ne'er restore.We, whom at first they set up under,In revelation only 'f plunder, 730Who since have had so many trialsOf their encroaching Self-denials,[3]That rook'd upon us with design[4]To out-reform and undermine;Took all our int'rests and commands 735Perfidiously out of our hands;Involv'd us in the Guilt of Blood,Without the motive gains allow'd,[5]And made us serve as ministerial,Like younger sons of father Belial. 740And yet, for all th' inhuman wrongThey 'd done us and the Cause so long,We never fail'd to carry onThe work still, as we had begun:But true and faithfully obey'd, 745And neither preach'd them hurt, nor pray'd;Nor troubled them to crop our ears,Nor hang us, like the Cavaliers;
- ↑ We alone could doubt that the fear of the gallows might reconcile their animosities, &c.
- ↑ Given up to such a state of reprobation and the guidance of their own folly, that nothing, not even miraculous power, can restore them.
- ↑ The Independents got rid of the Presbyterian leaders by the Self-denying Ordinance.
- ↑ That played the cheat.
- ↑ That is, without allowing us the gains which were the motives to such actions.
