Besides, for the same feet, we've often known
One mount the cart, another mount the throne;
And foulest deeds, attended with success,
No longer are reputed wickedness,
Disguised with virtue's livery and dress.'
With these weak arguments they fortify,
And harden up themselves in villany;
The rascal now dares call you to account,
And in what court you please, join issue on't;
Next term he'll bring the action to be tried,
And twenty witnesses to swear on 's side;
And if that justice to his cause be found,
Expects a verdict of five hundred pound.
Thus he, who boldly dares the guilt out-face,
For innocent shall with the rabble pass;
While you, with impudence and sham run down,
Are only thought the knave by all the town.
Meantime, poor you at heaven exclaim, and rail,
Louder than Jeffreys[1] at the bar does bawl:
'Is there a power above? and does he hear?
And can he tamely thunderbolts forbear?
To what vain end do we with prayers adore,
And on our bended knees his aid implore?
Where is his rule, if no respect be had,
Of innocence, or guilt, of good, or bad?
And who henceforth will any credit show
To what his lying priests teach here below?
If this be providence, for aught I see,
Blessed Saint Vaninus![2] I shall follow thee:
- ↑ Judge Jeffreys.—See p. 214, note.
- ↑ Lucilio Vanini, born at Tourosano, in the kingdom of Naples, in 1585. He appears to have been a physician by profession, but to have devoted his life to the active diffusion of the doctrines of atheism. He was an indefatigable propagandist, and travelled into Germany and the Low Countries, Geneva, and France, for the purpose of disseminating his opinions. In 1614 he was in London, where he was imprisoned for forty-nine days, and he was banished from Genoa, where he set up as a teacher. After this he attempted to reconcile himself to the church, by pretending to undertake a refutation of the atheistical writers, contriving insidiously to make his arguments in defence of
