He held it now no longer safe,
To tarry the return of Ralph, 1150
But rather leave him in the lurch:[1]
Thought he, he has abus'd our church,[2]
Refused to give himself one firk,
To carry on the Public work;
Despis'd our Synod-men like dirt, 1115
And made their Discipline his sport;
Divulg'd the secrets of their Classes,
And their Conventions prov'd high places;[3]
Disparag'd their tithe-pigs, as pagan,
And set at nought their cheese and bacon; 1160
Rail'd at their Covenant,[4] and jeer'd
Their rev'rend parsons, to my beard;
For all which scandals, to be quit
At once, this juncture falls out fit.
I'll make him henceforth to beware, 1165
And tempt my fury, if he dare:
He must, at least, hold up his hand,[5]
By twelve freeholders to be scann'd;
Who by their skill in palmistry,[6]
Will quickly read his destiny, 1170
And make him glad to read his lesson,
Or take a turn for't at the session:[7]
Unless his Light and Gifts prove truer
Than ever yet they did, I'm sure;
For if he 'scape with whipping now, 1175
'Tis more than he can hope to do:
- ↑ The different sects of dissenters left each other in the lurch whenever an opportunity offered of promoting their own separate interest. In this instance they made a separate peace with the King, as soon as they found that the Independents were playing their own game.
- ↑ This and the following lines show that Hudibras represents the Presbyterians, and Ralpho the Independents, all the principal words being party catchwords.
- ↑ That is, corruptions in discipline. "When the devil tempted Christ he set him upon the highest pinnacle of the temple. Great preferments are great temptations." Butler's Remains.
- ↑ The Independents called the Covenant an almanack out of date.
- ↑ Culprits, when they are tried, hold up their hands at the bar.
- ↑ Cheiromancy, or telling fortunes by inspection of lines in the palm of the hand.
- ↑ That is, claim the benefit of clergy, or be hanged.
