The Turn-Coat

by Samuel Butler

I loved no King since forty-one,
  When Prelacy went down;
A cloak and band I then put on
  And preach'd against the crown.

Chorus:
A turn-coat is a cunning man
  That cants to admiration,
And prays for any king to gain
  The people's approbation.

I show’d the paths to heaven untrod,
  From Popery to refine ’em,
And taught the people to serve God,
  As if the Devil were in ’em.

Chorus

When Charles return’d into our land,
  The English Church supporter,
I shifted off my cloak and band,
  And so became a courtier.

Chorus

The King’s religion I profest,
  And found there was no harm in ’t;
I cogg’d and flatter’d like the rest,
  Till I had got preferment.

Chorus

I taught my conscience how to cope
  With honesty or evil;
And when I rail’d against the Pope
  I sided with the Devil.

Chorus