XVI.
Some feign'd themselves lame, some feign'd themselves clapt,
At last finding all themselves by themselves trapt,
The King most unanimously they addrest,
And told him the Truth, 'twas all but a Jest.
XVII.
"A Jest," quoth the King, and with that the King smil'd,
"Come, it ne're shall be said such a Jest shall be spoil'd;
Therefore I dismiss you. in Peace all depart,
For it was more your Goodness than my Desert."
XVIII.
Thus happily freed from the dreadful Vexation
Of being Defenders of this, or that Nation,
They kist Royal Fist, and were drunk all for Joy,
And broke all their swords, and cry'd Vive le Roy.
[Footnote 11: The refrain of a celebrated political song.]
A BALLAD ON THE FLEET.
I.
A mighty great Fleet—the like was ne'er seen
Since the Reign of K. William and Mary the Q.—
Design'd the Destruction of France, to have been,
Which nobody can deny, etc.
II.
The Fleet was composed of English and Dutch;
For Men and for Guns there was never seen such,
Nor so little done when expected so much,
Which, etc.