The anthem for 1697 consists of ten verses. The following are the eighth and ninth:—
“They and we this day observing,
Differ only in one thing,
They are canting, whining, starving,
We, rejoicing, drink and sing.
“Advance the emblem of the action!
Fill the calf’s skull full of wine;
Drinking ne’er was counted faction,
Men and gods adore the vine.”
It is said that the author of these scurrilous productions was Benjamin Bridgewater, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, “whose genius,” says Dunton, “was very rich, and ran much upon poetry; but, alas! wine and love were his ruin.” He was largely rewarded by the Calves-head Club for his profane and lewd effusions.