Tixall Poetry.
231
My gratitude and conscience both must dry,
Ere I my utmost service do deny.
Trust me, or trust me not, I'me firmly fixt,
And mine from yours can never be unmixt.
I must feele all you suffer, and bemoane
Every defeature far above my owne.
For, monarch-like, you rule without dispute,
Your duty is to will, and mine to do't.
Of this hard measure I alone complayne,
Your yoke's too easy, and too loose your ray ne.
All taxes, impositions, you forbeare,
In acts of grace too (to yourselfe) severe;
That we at our owne libertys repine,
Since by our freedomes, you your owne confine.
Humility, and goodness, in excess,
Are all the impietyes which you express,
And (if you'le take my counsel!) ought repress.
Justice with Mercy, Truth and Peace must kiss;
They're not so perfect where we either miss.
And your calme heart so sweetly overflowes,
That its owne interest it seldom knowes:
And when it doth, the civill war mayntaynes
Rather then succour by another's paynes.
Ere I my utmost service do deny.
Trust me, or trust me not, I'me firmly fixt,
And mine from yours can never be unmixt.
I must feele all you suffer, and bemoane
Every defeature far above my owne.
For, monarch-like, you rule without dispute,
Your duty is to will, and mine to do't.
Of this hard measure I alone complayne,
Your yoke's too easy, and too loose your ray ne.
All taxes, impositions, you forbeare,
In acts of grace too (to yourselfe) severe;
That we at our owne libertys repine,
Since by our freedomes, you your owne confine.
Humility, and goodness, in excess,
Are all the impietyes which you express,
And (if you'le take my counsel!) ought repress.
Justice with Mercy, Truth and Peace must kiss;
They're not so perfect where we either miss.
And your calme heart so sweetly overflowes,
That its owne interest it seldom knowes:
And when it doth, the civill war mayntaynes
Rather then succour by another's paynes.
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