Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/119

Those, whom great learning, parts, or wit renowns,
Cajole with hopes of honours, scarlet gowns,
Provincialships, and palls, and triple crowns.
This must a rector, that a provost be,
A third succeed to the next abbacy;
Some, princes' tutors, others, confessors
To dukes, and kings, and queens, and emperors:
These are strong arguments, which seldom fail,
Which more than all your weak disputes prevail.
'Exclude not those of less desert; decree
To all revolters your foundation free;
To all, whom gaming, drunkenness, or lust,
To need, and popery shall have reduced:
To all, whom slighted love, ambition crossed,
Hopes often bilked, and sought preferment lost,
Whom pride, or discontent, revenge, or spite,
Fear, frenzy, or despair shall proselyte:
Those powerful motives, which the most bring in,
Most converts to our church, and order win.
Reject not those, whom guilt, and crimes at home
Have made to us for sanctuary come;
Let sinners of each hue, and size, and kind,
Here quick admittance, and safe. refuge find;
Be they from justice of their country fled,
With blood of murders, rapes, and treasons dyed,
No varlet, rogue, or miscreant refuse,
From galleys, jails, or hell itself broke loose.
By this you shall in strength, and numbers grow,
And shoals each day to your thronged cloisters slow:
So Rome's and Mecca's first great founders did
By such wise methods made their churches spread.
'When shaven crown and hallowed girdle's power
Has dubbed him saint, that villain was before,
Entered, let it his first endeavour be
To shake off all remains of modesty,
Doll sneaking modesty, not more unfit
For needy flattering poets, when they write,
Or trading punks, than for a Jesuit.
If any novice feel at first a blush,