But presently this game was past,
And for a second knaves were cast;
All new cards, not stain’d with spots,
As was the Rumpers and the Scots,—
Here good gamesters play’d their parts
And turn’d up the king of hearts.
After this game was done, I think
The standers-by had cause to drink,
And all loyal subjects sing,
Farewell knaves, and welcome King;
For, till we saw the King return’d,
We wish’d the cards had all been burn’d.
THE CAVALEERS LITANY.
(March 25th, 1660.)—From the King’s Pamphlets, British Museum.
From pardons which extend to woods,
Entitle thieves to keep our goods,
Forgive our rents as well as bloods,
God bless, etc.
From judges who award that none
Of our oppressours should attone
(The losses sure were not their own),
God bless, etc.
From Christians which can soon forget
Our injuries, but not one bit
Of self-concernment would remit,
God bless, etc.
From duresse, and their dolefull tale,
Who, famisht by a lawless sale,
Compounded it for cakes and ale,
God bless, etc.
From persons still to tread the stage,
Who did the drudgeries of our age
(Such counsells are, I fear, too sage),
God bless, etc.
From maximes which (to make all sure)
With great rewards the bad allure,
’Cause of the good they are secure,
God bless, etc.