I.
You Catholick States-men and Church-men, rejoyce,
And praise Heaven's Goodness with Heart and with Voice;
None greater on Earth or in Heaven than She,
Some say she's as good as the best of the Three.
Her miracles bold
Were famous of old,
But a Braver than this was never yet told;
'Tis pity that every good Catholick living
Had not heard on't before the last Day of Thanksgiving.
II.
In Lombardy-Land great Modena's Duchess [3]
Was snatched from her Empire by Death's cruel clutches;
When to Heaven she came (for thither she went)
Each Angel received her with Joy and Content.
On her knees she fell down,
Before the bright Throne,
And begged that God's Mother would grant her one Boon:
Give England a Son (at this Critical Point)
To put little Orange's Nose out of Joynt.
III.
As soon as our Lady had heard her Petition,
To Gabriel, the Angel, she strait gave Commission;
She pluck'd off her Smock from her Shoulders Divine,
And charg'd him to hasten to England's fair Queen.
"Go to the Royal Dame,
To give her the same,
And bid her for ever to praise my Great Name,
For I, in her favour, will work such a Wonder,
Shall keep the most Insolent Hereticks under.
IV.
"Tell James (my best son) his part of the matter
Must be with this only to cover my daughter;
Let him put it upon her with's own Royal Hand,
Then let him go travel to visit the Land;
And the Spirit of Love
Shall come from above,
Though not as before, in form of a Dove;
Yet down He shall come in some likeness or other
(Perhaps like Count Dada), and make her a Mother."
V.
The Message with Hearts full of Faith was receiv'd,
And the next news we heard was Q. M. conceiv'd;
You great ones Converted, poor cheated Dissenters,
Grave Judges, Lords, Bishops, and Commons Consenters,
You Commissioners all
Ecclesiastical,
From M…[4] the Dutiful to C…[5] the Tall,
Pray Heav'n to strengthen Her Majesties Placket,
For if this Trick fail, beware of your Jacket.
[Footnote 3: Maria Laura d'Este.]
[Footnote 4: John, Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Chamberlain of the
Household.]
[Footnote 5: William, Earl of Craven.]