THE HISTORY OF THE Babylonish Cabal; OR The

  • Intrigues,
  • Progression,
  • Opposition,
  • Defeat, and
  • Destruction

Of the Daniel-Catchers; In a POEM.

By Richard Steere.

—Nec Lex est justior ulla,
Quam Necis Artifices Arte perire suâ.
Ovid.

LONDON, Printed for Richard Baldwin in the Old Bayley. 1682.

TO THE Right Honourable ANTHONY Earl of Shaftesbury, &c.

My Lord,

THere is hardly a kind of Persecution more Irresistible than that of Dedications.—No Monarch can defend himself from it, since the Invention of Printing. By this kind of Visit, a Plebean (whether he Adorns or Disgraces the Press, 'tis no matter) can Vault into the view of the Most Exalted Wits, and Most Renowned of Men.

If Custom be any Excuse for such fashionable Presump­tions, I hope your Lordship will pardon the Boldness I have taken, to shelter this Product of some Retired hours, under the Prote­ction of your Honourable Name.

Some Sheets of the same nature were not long since presented to your Lordship in Prose, which Allarm'd a Silent Specta­tors Muse, to Revive that Ingenious Paraphrase in the Mo­dern [Page] Attire of Measure and Cadency; which though un­adorn'd with those Affected Flights of Fancy, those Heaven-daring Metaphors, that (by an Antiphrasis) becautifie the Raptures of the PERPETUAL STATE-POET [the Achitophel-maker;] yet (my Lord) you will find it plain and honest, and expressive of the Sympathy which some of a Lower Orb, bear to the Contriv'd Sufferings of so Illustrious an Innocent as DA­NIEL was.

But who can Fall when Heaven is the Protector? Or what Machinations can prosper, when countermin'd by the Di­vinity? If Men of Meer Wit will needs wantonly Allegorize SACRED HISTORY, and by Misapplied Parallels, throw Affronts upon our Great and Loyal States-Men, then (whether They will, or no,) Men of Loyalty will borrow Scrip­ture Artillery, and Allegorize it in a sober Attaque, to Batter down the Babels of such Daniel-Catchers.

That your Lordship may Live Long and Happy, to serve your King and Country, in spight of all your Enemies, is the Hearty Prayer of

My Lord,
Your Most Humble and Most Obedient Servant, R. S.

THE HISTORY Of the • Sham-Plot, , • Defeat, and , and • Destruction  Of the Daniel-Catchers, &c.

BEhold how Rich, how Glorious is the Soul,
Whose Faith is stedfast, and without controul?
Faith will the Temples with Great Glory Crown;
Faith is the Hand which Takes the Blessing down;
Faith's the Defensive, and Offensive Shield,
Saves the Possessor, Makes th'Opposer yield.
This Abel, Enoch, Noah, in their days
Made th'Infant Earth Illustrious with its Rays.
Abra'am was call'd the Father of this Grace,
Isaac and Jacob in his steps did trace;
Moses and Samuel have the same pursu'd,
Who as Bright Stars of the first Magnitude,
Dart down their sev'ral Bright Coelstial Rays
Upon the Church, in her more Modern days;
Who all a Glorious Constellation prove,
Patterns of Piety, of Faith and Love.
Can Daniel be forgot? or may he come,
And with his Fellow- Prophets take a Room,
Of Princes, and of Prophets, not the [...]east;
Whose Soul with this Eximious Faith possest,
To stop the Mouths of Lions, Faith is Crown'd
Because our Daniel Innocent was found.
His History shall be our present Theme,
And from that Fountain, we'l pursue the Stream,
To paraphrase upon the State of things
What Honours were conferr'd on him by Kings,
His Lise, Imprisonment, and Sufferings,
With that strong Faith which did his Soul Advance,
Working Miraculous Deliverance.
Take but a transient View of him, behold
How his own Book doth his own State unfold.
See how the Spirit hath display'd the Sence
Of his Original, his Eminence.
He is descended of Illustrious Blood,
His Pedigree was doubtless Great and Good.
The Seed of Princes he appears to be,
Or some Prime Branch of the Nobility;
His Conduct, and his Courage do proclaim
The Greatness of his uncontrouled [...]ame;
For his Great Soul so Manag'd all Affairs,
As he did Antitype those Characters;
Nor in the Series of his Lives whole Story,
Was Daniel found to be Derogatory,
But Ornamental to his Birth and Glory.
And as in Honour, so in Beauty he
Arrives unto an excellent Degree;
His Graceful Presence, Personage, and Face;
Perfection vie with his Interiour Grace,
Each representing him Lovely and Rare,
So fairly good, or else so goodly Fair,
By Royal Mandate he's a Chosen one,
Attaining perfect Education,
In all the Chaldean Learning; he is Taught
The Mysteries, and Policies of State,
That he might stand before the King, or be
A Privy Councellor to Monarchy,
A Pollisht Pillar, fixt for the support
Of Royalty, and Grandeur at the Court.
Yet he Religiously avoids Excess,
And frames his mind to be content with less;
The King's delicious Dainties he denies,
And all the Fulness of Court Luxuries;
For Pulse and Water are his only Fare,
Which to Great Men is an Example Rare.
His Humane parts, with Grace Divine are Crown'd,
True Wisdom, and Great Knowledge do abound
In him; for he by God was sanctifi'd
To be a Prophet, whereby he unty'd
The knotty and most intricate of Dreams.
By powerful Insluence of Coelestial Beams,
Puzling Enigma's, Visions of the Night,
He their Interpretation brings to Light.
He fitted was for Publick Government,
Well qualifi'd for what was Eminent;
All these concurring fitted him to be
Trusted with all Affairs of [...].
The King inspects his Wisdom and great Worth,
His favour then to Honour calls him forth,
Makes him his Lord LIEUTENANT next the Throne
Over the Province of Great Babylon.
More Honour yet the King on him confers,
Creates him Greatest of his Treasurers;
And as the King should say, I cannot see
One of more Worth in all my Monarchy,
Heaps Honour upon Honour, adding more
Over the Magi him Chief Governour.
To make his Royal Favour more complete,
Daniel at Court is fixt Chief Favourite,
And now involv'd in bus'ness for the King.
(Honours and Offices do Troubles bring,
Yet) Daniel won't neglect three times a day,
(As he did use) unto his God to pray.
And while his prayers mount the Throne of Grace,
All worldly Cares do to his Thoughts give place;
O happy Prince! more happy in this thing,
Whose Counsellors fear God, obey the King.
Daniel Exalted now to high Renown,
Studies the only Int'rest of the Crown,
He knew his Lord's great Interest would be,
To'ave Officers of spotless Loyalty;
Men [...] of an Equal Spirit with his own.
Were persons fittest to attend a Throne.
This Policy of his appears to be
An Act of unexampled Piety:
Next to his Prince his Loyal care extends,
And shews some signal Favour to his Friends,
Great Comfort to the Church in her Exile,
When Nursing Fathers on their Children smile:
At his Request 'twas done, th'effects were so.
For Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego,
Over th'Affairs of [...]abylon were sent,
To manage Grand Affairs of Government.
See the Effects of his Industrious Care,
When such Brave Men in publick Office are,
Whose publiek Spirits for the publick good,
Nebuchadnezzar's Idols have withstood;
To which his Princes, and his [...]ords of State,
Pay Homage, whilst yet Inconsiderate.
These Men alone with Faith and Courage fill'd,
Against their God and Conscience scorn to yield;
They give a check to th'uncontroul'd Decree,
Shewing to God and King Fidelity.
That Impious Law, which like a Torrent slows,
(In honour to their God) they dare oppose:
Though to the Face of Inrag'd Majesty,
Confiding in their God, they dare defy.
The Fulness of a gen'rous Confidence,
In the Great Power of a God Immense,
Lifts their Resigning Souls so much the higher,
Before Idolatry to chuse the sire.
This did the Glorious Miracle Increase,
Honour to God, and to Religion Peace,
Adds Credit here, and future Happiness.
So little disadvantage doth attend
On such, as on their God and Truth depend.
Such as stand fast to what they do profess,
Wrap themselves up in future Happiness;
Such honour their Profession, and their God,
Whose Faith on Kings unjust Commands have trod;
When in the face of Death, the King of Terrors,
By owning God, convince the World of Errors.
With Constancy and Courage such proclaim
Triumphant Conquests of Eternal Fame.
With what Assurance do such Souls convince?
There's none Infallible, no not the Prince.
And he in Capitals may Read at large,
Such Men will certainly their Trust discharge,
And well conclude, in such he may confide,
Who from their God refuse to turn aside.
What Service then did Daniel to the Crown?
By lifting such to Places of Renown,
Whose Noble Tempers, and Heroick Souls,
Their Princes Laws, when against God, controuls.
How happy is that Prince, whose Grand Affairs
Are lodged in such Noble Breasts as theirs.
Who rather yield their Lives to Death, than be
Actors of Treason against Soveraignty.
These are no Pimping Sycophants, that win
Court-Favour, by alluring Kings to sin,
No, their Brave Minds Debauches will explode,
And all leud Pleasures that affront their God.
They'l rather have their Lives before him laid,
Than yield his Interest should be betray'd,
Ere they'l dishonour God, or slatter Men,
Or stifle Conscience, they'l to Fire or Den,
Which Truth in time makes glorious agen,
Thus Richly cloath'd with Graces, Daniel lives,
Belov'd of all those State-Superlatives.
Th'Eternal Being often doth Recite,
Daniel the Prophet is a Favourite;
What greater Honour can on Mortals be,
Than be Beloved of the Deity?
His Prince that Mighty Monarch also loves him,
For he a holy, prudent States-man proves him,
In whose high Favour he securely dwells,
Wisdom and Piety in him excels.
In the whole Series of this Monarch's Reign,
What Great Esteem his Worthiness did gain,
Nebuchadnezzar's Honour did maintain:
Alas! what's this? what sweet Repose can be,
Within the Arms of Earthly Majesty?
When some at Princes Favours do arrive,
In their Esteem they no where else can live.
Those warm Embraces of a Prince's Love,
Chills their Devotion that it cannot move,
To seek Repose Eternally above.
Not walking in those paths which Daniel trod,
Who thought his greatest Good was nigh his God,
For he consults an Earthly Prince must die,
Therefore seeks Peace with Divine Majesty.
And Piety can no Assurance give,
He shall secure in Princes Favours Live:
The least Affront of Royalty destroys
All hope of comfort in Terrestrial Joys:
Or if by Death a Monarch be remov'd,
The next Successor hates the Man he lov'd.
Daniel Divinely may the World convince,
There's no fixation on an earthly Prince:
When that Great King Nebuchadnezzar's gone,
Daniel forbears Attendance on the Throne.
But for what cause our Prophet did retire,
Whether his God his Service did require;
Or whether King Belshazzar disapprov'd
Whom his Grandfather had in honour lov'd;
Or whether Time had Razed out the Fame
Of his Memorials, or obscur'd his Name;
Or whether by his distance from the Court,
The King had lost the Fame of his Report;
Or for what other cause to me unknown,
He seems a perfect stranger to the Throne,
Until a Hand without an Arm affords
Strange characters both to the King and Lords;
For they carouzing were in fluvious Bouls,
Till the Almighty's Hand their Mirth controuls,
Which did with Terrour such Amazement bring
To this so Potent, but now Trembling King.
He straightway did to his Magicians send,
Who instantly on his Commands attend;
But all in vain, for Mortals cannot see
Th'Interpretation of the Heav'ns Decree.
No other Spirit can the thing declare,
But his, whose Hand did write the Character.
The Aged Queen to the Young King doth tell,
Excelling Wisdom doth in Daniel dwell;
Send Messengers for him, in him alone
Is found Divine Interpretation:
He's come, Belshazzar highly doth adore him,
Honour and Dignity are laid before him,
Which of no worth he modestly refuses,
The King may give his Gifts to other uses.
Yet will he serve his God and King in this,
To let the King know what God's meaning is.
No Flattery from Daniel's Lips will flow,
But the King shall his Fatal Ruine know,
And who but Daniel dares to tell him so?
The clear Divine All seeing Eye behold,
That he the Scepter was unfit to weild,
When in the Heav'nly Ballance he was weigh'd
He was too light, the Scale turn'd Retrograde.
And though on Earth he was a Monarch Crown'd,
Fitter for Tomb than Empire he was found.
Esau his Birth right greedily devours,
So he prophanely drinks an Emperours.
No Cups so well could please his Impious mind,
As what for sacred uses were design'd:
Upbraiding Heaven, daring to desy
The Infinite All Ruling Deity;
Having forgot the Generation past,
When's Grandfather with Beasts had his Repast,
Became a grater Brute in brutish sort,
Turning into a Bachanale his Court,
Forgetting he was Mortal, and must dye,
And pass Account with Divine Majesty;
No wonder that the God Omnipotent,
This sudden Summons to Belshazzar sent;
No Variation in this firm Decree;
He who is all Immutability,
Signs with his Hand the King's Mortality.
Yet ere he goes to his Eternal Port,
He will Exalt Good Daniel in his Court,
Thereby to Bribe the Heavens to reprieve,
And to Revoke the Doom, that he may Live.
Daniel a Friend of God's, he did Esteem,
Was Policy to make God Friends with him;
Therefore proclaims him, by his Great Command,
To be the Third Chief Ruler in his Land.
But then alas! what sudden Change, how soon
Low, Earthly Glory is from Mortals gone?
Honour and Riches make them Wings, and fly,
As Streams do lessen when the Fountain's dry.
The King that night is summon'd to the dust,
Where his prophane Acts do his Glories Rust.
The Prophecy's fulfill'd, the King must come
Unto his Judgment, and Eternal Doom.
When next Darius (mounts the Losty Throne,)
The Mede is now King of Great Babylon.
Fame to his Ears Daniel's great worth makes known.
In whom was found so Excellent a Soul,
Whose temperate mind his passions could controul.
The Aged King by his Grave Wisdom knows,
This weighty Crown will be too ponderous
For his Gray Head, his Age consults his Ease,
And therefore chuseth sixscore Deputies:
And over them he constituteth three,
The Best Beloved of his Monarchy,
To whom all those accountable must be:
And of these Three, although Beloved all,
Daniel's Commission is for Principal.
The Prime and Greatest Minister of State,
And Next Immediate to the Potentate.
His Honours now with Greatest Lustre, we
May in the Zenith of his Glories see,
Now Lord High President of great Renown,
Over the Counsels that attend the Crown;
And o're the Treasures of Darius State,
His Government is next Immediate.
Nor did the King his Favours thus bestow,
Ere he had Reason for his doing so;
For his serene and well pois'd Judgment found
Faith, Prudence, Policy in him abound.
A Spirit of so Excellent a frame,
That his deserts laid to his Honours claim.
But he no sooner Mounted is above,
In full possession of his Prince's Love;
No sooner on the wing of Favour flyes,
To Lofty Honours vast Transcendencies,
Though ne're so justly merited, and due,
Black-Envious-Rankard-Spirits will pursue,
With eager mind [...] fill'd with Revengeful hate,
What may eclipse the Greatness of their State,
What between them and Honour (though Belov'd
By their Great Sov'raign) must be now remov'd.
What, shall an Alien Lord it over me?
One of the Children of Captivity?
Shall we that are the Natives of the Land,
In our own Country bend to his Command?
Shall he Monopolize our Princes Love,
While we like Clouds below his Glories move?
How can you bear your Princes, Lords & Peers?
Shall Babel's Honours be a Forreigners?
Let us Remove him, he once being gone,
Then our Access is nigher to the Throne.
While many strive for Honour here, how few
Do the Eternal Crown of Life pursue.
Immortal Honour such a Drug is grown,
They'l rather satisfie themselves with none;
For the same Eye which for the one doth strive,
Cannot the value of the other give.
Methinks I see their Cabal Counsel croud
Under the covert of a sooty Cloud,
Shaking their PLOT-CONTRIVING CASE OF BRAINS,
Taking all dext'rous and laborious pains,
Gaping for Breath, whilst others lend an Ear,
And each by turns commences Counseller.
This will not do, says one, th'other replies,
How shall we dress him for Our Sacrifice?
Then how they scratch their Heads, & bite their Nails,
When this, and that, and th'other Counsel fails.
Are his State Ministrations all so Just?
Can we not find him vary in his Trust?
Let's his Attendants bribe, for they may see
Something Defective in his Family.
Can it be possible he Err'd not? or
May not some words confound the Orator?
May we not artificially expound,
If but a doubtful syllable be found
Drop from his Lip? what e're th'occasion be,
Treason is meant against His Majesty.
Thus with malicious undermining Arts,
Their consultation at his Honour darts;
What shall we do? is there no hope to bring
Some guilty Accusation to the King?
Can we not find some colourable Story
Diminutive to Dignity and Glory?
Can we not dive into his Inmost part?
May not some Trait'rous Thought lodge in his heart?
Which we might squeez into a Treas'nous sense,
And publickly produce for Evidence;
But is his Soul too, Innocent and clear?
And no hope left for an Endictment here?
Curse of his Faith, his Loyalty, his Trust;
Would he were not, unless he were unjust.
Our Circumspection ought to be our care,
Which while unguarded, does invite a snare;
For with our Greatest Diligence we scarce
Repel those Darts that would our Honours pierce;
Great Personages cannot be too wise
For their Conspiring, Plotting Enemies;
Whose greedy Lusts, their Int 'rest to advance,
Dare swear Men Traitors by their Coumenance.
But to their Honour, let the World admire,
They without Evidence could not conspire;
Let it remain unto posterity,
As a Remarque of HEATHEN PIETY,
These Heathen Conspirators scorn to foul,
With Base Degen'rate Perjury, the Soul.
Though their Revenge so fiercely they engage,
Base Subornation must not help their Rage;
They will not Damn their Souls for those they hate,
Foul Perjury meer Heathen boggle at.
Rome doth from Hell such Impious Customs fetch,
Which consciencious Heathens scorn to teach,
Such Monstrous Births as these can never come,
But from that Hydra Triple Crown of Rome,
Who issues Dispensations and Commissions,
Grants to the Greatest Villanies Permissions,
Rapine, Rebellion, Treason, Fire and Blood,
Is the Religion of this vip'rous Brood.
Can EIGHTY EIGHT, th' accursed POWDER-PLOT,
And STROMBOLONIAN LONDON be forgot?
So many Living Monuments appear,
Proves Rome more Impious than the Heathens were.
May Heav'ns Dread Anger drive this Torrent home,
With all their Fry to Lucifer or Rome.
And may their Plots and Shams confounded be,
Ere they arrive to full Maturity.
Mean time, O Lord, protect the Innocent,
And all Rome's Cursed Black Designs prevent.
To their Cabal let us Return, and there
We find our Plotting Politicks despair
Of the Success, in all they have design'd,
Nothing defective in him they can finds;
For his Allegiance to his Prince is such,
They cannot Daniel's Reputation touch.
And this Despair makes them consult their Wits,
Since this, nor that, nor th'other project hits.
It is propos'd, and the Proposal finds
An universal One and All, their Minds
Concur, they at Religion will begin,
To find his holy Duty to be sin;
For his Exact Obedience to his God
Must be the Snare, the Trap, the Net, the Rod,
His dear Devotions, (which though he esteem)
Must be the Cord by which we'll strangle him.
Get the Decree but sign'd, (the work is done,)
Then let him pray, and End what we Begun,
Pray to the Grave, each Motion of his Breath
In prayer to his God, he prays to death.
Say, is't agreed, My Lords? is this the way?
Nemine Contradicente, bears the sway.
There needs no greater Judgment upon those,
Whose Consultations do the Heav'ns oppose.
They that 'gainst God their close Devices bend,
His Honour is engaged to defend;
They who conspire 'gainst Divine Majesty,
In their own Plots shall their own Ruine see;
For he that shoots at Piety and Grace,
Hits God himself directly in the Face;
That Malice which one single Soul doth wound,
Would, if it could, the Deity confound.
This new Contrivance hits so rarely well,
The humour of it doth so much Excel
All they have done, or thought upon before,
Th'Invention they are ready to adore.
O how they chuckle! how they bless their wits,
For being such Ingenious Counterfeits!
The Rare Intexture of this Plot shuts out
All kind of Room for Jealousie, or Doubt;
It cannot miss, it is so strongely laid,
He must deny his God, or be betray'd;
If he be Just to him, his Life is ours,
This Blest Invention makes us Conquerours.
Thus the Decree, with general Assent,
Passes the Peers, as Votes in Parliament,
Who with unanimous Results agree,
And for Assent, Address His Majesty.
They by a Law Enact him God on Earth,
And whoso owns another it is death:
The God of Heaven now must be deny'd,
And in his Room the King is Dein'd;
To him each Soul must his Devotions pay,
And to no other Deity must pray;
For all Petitions must be spread before him;
They as a God for thirty daies adore him,
Allowing God, as School boys for their Plays,
An undivided Month of holy days;
And whoso dares in thirty daies to pray
To any other God, his Life shall pay.
O King Darius, thou art mounted high.
Who says you're Gods? when God says you must die
Those Tributes due to Caesar I will pay,
But who makes man a God? doth man betray?
Those Honours and Prerogatives, which be
The proper Rights of Earthly Majesty;
I in obedience to my God will bring
And pay as due unto my Soveraign King.
But those that Kings Exalt to that degree,
As they did Herod by their Flattery,
Are none of Caesar's Friends, for God above
Now for his Honour is oblig'd to move,
And with his slaming Darts, and Arrows keen,
Lets Mortal Kings know that they are but Men.
Thus that Blasphemous Rout, the Papal Tribe,
My Ink's not black enough for to describe,
How have they Deifi'd their Idol Pope?
(Our Great Lord God) he'd more become a Rope.
Darius ne'r consults from whence might spring
The Branches of this new promoted thing,
Blinded with Honour and Ambition, he
Could not Inspect his Nobles Hattery;
The Treacherous Design was hid from him,
He did it perfect Loyalty Esteem,
Some Policy of State that might procure
A Grandeur of his Empire more secure,
That in his Glory he might brighter shine,
And therefore doth more easily incline;
Especially since he has but of late,
Mounted the Babylonian Throne of State;
Those proffer'd Honours he doth not withstand,
But the Decree signs with his Royal hand.
This Mortal Monarch, King of Babylon,
Justles th' Immortal Being from his Throne;
But his Ambitious, Daring, Rash Design,
Calls from an Angry God, Revenge Divine.
A Rash Result! such may repent too late,
Who answer first, ere they premeditate;
To do, and then consider, is it good,
T'answer a question ere 'tis understood?
Thus I this sensless fancy understand,
It shall be so; what was't you did demand?
Men may pretend great Politicks to be,
But such an Act is far from Policy,
To do, and then to say, what have I done?
Would I had let this Stratagem alone,
Looks like the Fool describ'd by Solomon.
A wise man's Tongue is in his Heart, for he
Ere he resolves, looks what th'effect will be
The Plot is laid, Sagacious Daniel sees
This an Intrigue laid by his Enemies,
His piercing Judgment soon informs his mind,
That his Destruction's by their Plots design'd,
In that Decree did Daniel plainly Read,
His Execution firmly was Decreed.
Yet 'tis below his Generous Soul to move
One step from God, his firm Devotions prove,
How little he doth dread their Stratagem;
He bids Defiance both to it and them.
He scorns to Live, Death he will rather chuse,
And will his Life before his Duty lose.
Ere he will want Communion with his God,
For thirty daies, he'l pass that Bloody Road
Which they provided for him, their Decree
Must be his way to Immortality:
If the True Ends of Life he cannot have,
'Tis not worth Living, better chuse the Grave.
Death is the only way to set him free,
The Port that lets in to Eternity,
Where he may commune with his God by prayer;
Daniel resolves to serve him here or there.
No sooner had that Royal Hand and Pen
Sign'd that Insnaring Law, but these Great Men
Turn all Informers, greedy of their prey,
How to Insnare, Trapan, Accuse, Betray
The Lord High President, for he alone
Their Object is, he sits too nigh the Throne;
How do they sneak about his house, and creep
Under the windows, and through crannies peep.
Methinks I see how covertly they stand,
Each a Dark Lanthorn in his trembling hand,
Their easie Footsteps, and their watchful Ears,
With their dumb signs, and silent charecters,
That nothing might impede, but that they may
Through their own silence hear the Prophet pray.
O how their hopes do swell, their blood doth rise!
When they behold the Casement open flies!
How their hearts leap for Joy, their Souls revive,
In hope this opportunity will thrive!
And he Brave Spirit, scorning to Retire,
Or to obscure the thing which they desire,
Doth that on purpose to confirm their Ears,
That they, nor yet their Impious Law he fears:
But his Devotions to his God will pay,
And in Despite of their Decree will pray.
The wings of Faith and Zeal, mount him above
Fear of Darius hate, or hope of Love.
Shall Daniel his Beloved God disown?
Or wear a Mask on his Religion?
No, 'tis below the Greatness of his Soul,
To stain Religion with an act so foul;
As not to do the thing he does profess,
He from his Principles will not digress;
His holy Resolutions bear the sway,
His God in spight of Mortals he'l obey.
No sooner have their piercing Eyes inspection
Of the least Motion towards Genuflection;
When they behold those sacred Joynts to bend,
How greedily their Eyes his Motions tend,
How his preparatory Sighs they mind?
What they have sought, now they expect to find.
They diligently hearken, not for zeal,
Their Itching Ears wait but for an Appeal,
That they might hear his voice, so as to prove
It was directed to a God above.
And though the Heavens, (as if the force they felt
At his pathetical Expressions) melt,
A different Effect in them it seals,
Their putrid hearts it hardens or congeals.
Illustrious Prophet, little do we know
What various Passions in thy mind doth flow;
Within thy sacred Breasts such thoughts may live,
Nature 'gainst Grace, Grace against Nature strive.
Or thou art Extasi'd beyond the cares
Of thy terrestrial, transient, low affairs.
Surely thy Soul slies upwards to its Rest,
Sweet Divine Raptures issue from thy Breast,
Methinks I hear thy heav'nly thoughts exprest.
And must I now forsake my God, or pay
My Life to Man, if I my God obey,
Must I on such unhappy terms as these
Forfeit my Life, or God of Life displease?
Shall the confederating Heathens say,
Die Daniel, die, or Heav'n disobey?
Must my Devotions hurl me to the Grave?
Must Prayer kill, which is a means to save?
'Tis worse than Death to live one day alone,
Without Access to the Coelestial Throne;
How then shall I with Thirty Daies dispence?
What's Life, when Means of Life is banish'd hence?
Must I upon my Lips these Fetters wear?
Must my Affections and my Tongue forbear
To call upon my God? my Hope, my Trust,
No, let me Die e're I do prove unjust.
Rather let Beasts a passage tear, and free
My Captive Soul from its Captivity;
That it may to Eternal Manfions sly,
And take possession of Eternity.
Now let them Rend me from Darius Love,
For that their Heav'n is, but mine's above.
My Body is the King's, at his Command,
But my dear Soul is in my Maker's hand;
To the fierce Lions I'll become a prey,
E're I my God's Commands will disobey.
The Heathens shall not glory over me,
Nor yet Rejoyce in my Apostacy.
Hold, pause a little Daniel, do'st not sly
Upon thy winged Zeal at pitch too high?
Are all the sweets of Life of no esteem?
Will not this Daring Act Self-murder seem?
If thou destroy thy Life, which thou may'st spare?
Will God-incourage a Self-murderer?
Why wilt thou vainly cast thy self away?
Is't not sufficient in thy thoughts to pray?
The Ceremony's but the outward shell,
Will not Ejaculation do as well?
God is a Spirit, if thy Spirit move,
He thy Devotion will as well approve;
What from thy Soul's most secret Altar flies,
Will be accepted as a Sacrifice;
God the Desires of the Humble meets,
And sighs to him from contrite hearts, are sweet;
Mental Devotion to thy Soul is free,
Which countermines their damn'd Conspiracy.
Ah! no, these weak Temptations cannot find
Admittance to Appal his Noble Mind:
Daniel to buy his Life, won't sell his God:
But in those paths which he before had trod,
He still will move; his Soul must still have vent;
His Lips must call on the Omnipotent;
He with his Speech his God still glorifies,
Though his Destruction in his Duty lies;
Though he should swiftly pray himself to Air,
He will approach his God in vocal prayer;
He'l rather to the Lions be a prey,
Than to neglect his Duty for a day;
And while his Enemies do strictly watch,
He to his God in prayer doth approach;
He ne're regards his Crafty OBSERVATOR,
But thus Exalts his Voice to his Creator.

The Prayer.

ALmighty and Omnipotent Jehove,
Thou Glorious and Eternal God above,
Whose Habitation is Eternal Light,
My God, in Thee Alone is my delight;
O thou, whose Fulness only doth possess
Immensity, and Everlastingness.
Lord, what is Man, the Son of Man, that thou
Thy Glorious Ear to such an one dost bow?
O how illustrious is thy Grace when we
Are made the Objects of thy Clemency!
To Thee, O Lord, to Thee Alone I bend,
O let my prayers to thy Throne ascend!
What is Darius, Lord? whom Men advance;
Can he as God, command Deliverance:
Such would Invade the Glory of thy Throne,
Who make their Deity a Mortal one;
A God they do adore, who cannot save
Either himself, or others from the Grave.
Pardon, O pardon their blasphemous Deed.
O let thy Mercies all their Guilt exceed;
Though their Design was principally laid,
My Divine Priviledges to Invade;
They would debar me from Access to Thee,
They would eclipse that glorious Liberty,
And draw a Curtain 'twixt my God and me.
Lord, what is life to me, unless I may
(Life of my Soul,) the God of Life obey?
Open the Door of Grace, O Lord, that I
May to the Bosom of thy Favour fly;
O let me praise thee, let my only Aim
Be in my day to glorifie thy Name.
Lord, I am in thy hand, grant me thy pow'r,
That over Death I may be Conquerer.
Give me a holy Courage, that I may
Triumph in Death, ere Heaven disobey;
And let my Sacrifice effectual prove,
To tell the world, God only dwells above.
Redeem thy Church,—
—But then O strange surprise,
With Vulgar Tumults, and exalted cryes.
The house with loud Allarms is begirt round,
The horrid Noise his pure Devotions drown'd;
The Conspirators with a full mouth'd cry,
Bawl, Treason, Treason, 'gainst His Majesty.
And with a Guard surprise his prostrate Soul,
Whose thoughts were mounted far above the Pole,
Bring him away, Darius cannot save
Him, from the paunches of a Living Grave;
They without Perjury could safely swear,
He to the God of Heaven made his prayer;
And now their Plot is to perfection brought,
They have obtain'd the only thing they sought,
For in the snare the Innocent is caught.
And now how briskly do they pass to Court!
Happy is he can give the first Report,
And to Darius Ears Evidence bring,
Of one that prays to God, and not the King.
But with what subtilty do they proceed!
To make more sure what lately was decreed;
They the Transgressor do at first obscure,
To make the Law stronger, or more secure.
For they well knew, the King so well did love him,
Nothing could from his Princely Favour move him.
He would dispence Prerogative, but he
Would set his Best Beloved Daniel free,
If he foresaw what they by Craft obscure.
His Royal Word they once again procure;
That whosoere denies what is Decreed,
The Rav'ning Beasts shall on his Body feed;
This once obtain'd, these Politicks proceed:
One who pretends to Loyalty and Trust,
Proves to your Sacred Majesty unjust.
Your Royal Law, which all ought to obey,
And as a Debt unto your Greatness pay,
Is disesteem'd, slighted, and countermanded,
As though, Dread Lord, you had it not commanded;
One whom to Honour, you have lifted high,
Scorns to obey your Sacred Majesty.
Ungrateful Rebel! Traitor to the Crown,
Which did Exalt him to so high Renown;
His high Disdain on your Decree hath trod,
And will not own Darius is a God,
But prayes to something which to us doth seem
To be at greater Distances from him:
For to the Heav'ns, and not unto your Throne,
He is Exalted in Devotion.
This vile pernicious Ill Example may,
Intice your Subjects in their minds astray,
After some other God, and so deprive
Darius of his Great Prerogative.
Shall he not Die? shall not the Law proceed?
Hath not our God Darius so Decreed?
I cannot change nor alter my Decree,
Bring forth the Traitor instantly to me,
And then produce your Witness; which is he?
This Daniel is the Man, this Captive Slave,
That dares your Great and Royal Law outbrave.
Daniel, dear Daniel, oh, what have I done!
I Issu'd out my Rash Resolves too soon;
Ah! you in this have Rent from me a Jem,
Of equal value with my Diadem.
My Soul is wounded for this Rash Decree,
Which puts a Period to all Loyalty;
For in his Breast such faithfulness did dwell,
His unexampl'd Love did all excel:
And must I lose him? must he be Remov'd?
Shall I be dispossest of what I Lov'd?
Ah! what Distraction wounds my troubled Breast?
Of what I most esteem'd, I'm dispossest.
Who could imagine that your snare was laid
Against your King, whose Int'rest is betray'd?
In this vile Act, by which is overthrown
The strongest Pillar that supports my Throne,
My Glorious State will totter when he's gone.
This is so far from Loyalty and Trust,
As it proclaims you hateful and unjust
To me, whom you in scorn a God have made,
By which my only Angel is betray'd.
What shall I say? you're Enemies of Peace,
Who hate what is your Sov'raigns Happiness;
For I in him alone was happy made,
But now too late I find we're both betray'd;
I was a King, would I had been content,
Without Invading the Omnipotent.
But I too late my Errours have survey'd,
Darius and his Daniel is betray'd.
Unhappy Daniel, thy unhappy State
Makes Thee an Object both of Love and Hate;
Thy King his singular Respects doth show,
The Nobles hate Thee to thy overthrow.
He, if he could, thy Honours would support.
But they design to Tear Thee from the Court,
And with a voice unanimous they cry,
Deliver Daniel to us, he must Die.
To satisfie the Law, why was it made?
If Kings their own Prerogatives Invade.
The King demurs, unwilling to proceed;
His hand would cancel what he has Decreed.
How willing would His Majesty Reprieve,
Although for once he strain'd Prerogative.
But since their Plot hath had so good success,
They will again impatiently address;
Nor will they be deny'd of their Demand.
The King himself shall not the Law withstand,
But void of manners sawcily proceed,
To tell the King the Law he once Decreed,
He cannot change, nay shall not, nor is able,
The Medes and Persians Law's unalterable.
And though the King the Kingdom's Laws would null,
We will be satisfied to the full;
Daniel must Die, why doth the King contrive
What by that Law is dead, to keep alive?
In vain Darius thy protecting hands
Strive to preserve, what thy own Law commands.
To Dire Destruction, thou in Honour must
Doom thy Indeared Fav [...]rite to Dust.
The King Commands; but O what Inward Care!
What Grief, what Soul-sick Trouble, what Despair
Approach his Royal Breast! he sighs, he grieves,
He weeps and sobs when he the Sentence gives.
Ah Da-Da- Daniel, whom I Lo-Lo-Love,
Thy De De-Death must th-th-Thee Remove,
The Se-Se-Sentence I cannot deny,
Dear Daniel, thou M-M-M-M-must Die.
And now farewel thou matchless Peer, adieu,
My Brightest Star I never more shall view.
Thou most Illustrious, True and Loyal one;
Thou Greatest Treasure of an Earthly Throne.
Never was King so happily possest,
Never was any Mortal Monarch Blest
With such a Faithful Servant, such a Flow'r,
The only Glory of an Emperour.
But thou art mounting to Eternal Joyes.
Beyond the Light, Low, Mean, and Trivial Toyes
Of Earthly Honours, where thou shalt be Blest
In Glorious Mansions of Eternal Rest;
Freely could I dis-robe my self of State,
And leave to be an Earthly Magistrate,
To change my self to Spirit, and to sly
With my Dear Daniel to Eternity.
But that I stay behind to sacrifice
Whole Hecatombs of th'Impious Enemies,
To thy unspotted, uncorrupted mind.
They my avow'd severe Revenge shall find.
Destruction as a Recompence I'll pay
To those who did thy Innocence betray.
But stay my thoughts, is not that God the same
Who met his Servants in the furious Flame?
My Faith persuades me to a firm belief,
Thy God will shew his Pow'r, and send Relief,
And lest thy Enemies the same should fear,
And so consult to send some Murderer,
More cruel than the Rav'nous Lions are.
I to prevent any such Black Design,
With my own Signet will the Prison sign;
I'll seal thee up to the protecting hand,
Of thy own God, the God of Sea and Land.
How stately to the Den doth Daniel move,
Laden with Trophies of his Prince's Love?
Cloath'd with the Graces of his God is he,
Armed in holy Armour, Cap a Pe.
He nothing leaves behind him that may seem.
Needful to take to Heav'n along with him.
Thoughts of Revenge he doth so much desie,
As he can wish his greatest Enemy
An equal share in Glory with his own,
Whose Malice sought his Dire Destruction:
Those who did causlesly his Life betray,
For their Eternal Happiness he'l pray.
How like an Isaac is our Daniel come?
Ready to pass from th' Altar to the Tomb;
Behold th'unspotted Sacrifice is drest.
On which the Priestly Lions are to feast;
But to his wonder and amazement finds,
Their Savage Nature vary from their kinds;
What Miracle is here, this fatal Den,
Presents more Favour than Inraged Men.
More Friendship in the Lions Den is shown,
Than in the Royal Court of Babylon.
A Glorious Spirit did his Soul invest,
True Righteousness was fixed in his Breast;
He was begirt with Truth and Innocence:
These were his Arms, or Armour of Defence;
His Adamantine Shield he held so fast,
As made him Lion-proof; they'l rather fast,
Nay starve, than tast, or touch such heav'nly Food,
And Die with Thirst, ere drink his sacred Blood:
Civil instead of savage they appear;
They crouch, submit, and fill'd with awe and fear,
They tremble e're attempt in Rage t'abuse,
Whom neither God, nor yet the King accuse.
Thus Daniel in his Duty stands before
His God, and God Demands of him no more;
He yields his Life, his Faith to testifie,
And rather than be false to God will Die;
Whose life the hand of providence protects,
He shall not Die that thus his life neglects,
But he shall freely keep, what freely he
Offer'd to give, it shall Restored be;
The heav'nly Power's ingag'd to set him free.
The Royal King in Mourning Robes is drest,
His Thoughts abandon any kind of Feast;
His Mourning Soul fasts for his Best Belov'd,
Which Envy from him had to Death Remov'd;
All kind of Mirth is banish'd from the Court,
No Jovial pastimes, no delightful sport,
Can have admittance there; the King's in tears,
Whose Grief creates Remorseness in his Peers;
No work for Fidlers, Interludes or Playes,
Mourning is hung upon the Poets Bayes.
No Singing, Dancing, no delightful Airs
Are heard in Court, but doleful sighs and tears.
The Harp, the Organ, Flagellet and Flute,
The Violin, the Dulcimer and Lute
In silence hang by, in the Musick Room,
As Rotten Ragged Scutcheons o're a Tomb.
The King now out of tune, nothing can bear,
That is Delightful to the Eye or Ear;
His thoughts present him Daniel's cryes and groans,
Whilst Lions Roar his Fun'ral o're his Bones.
But Daniel's Musick is to him more sweet,
While they lye crouching prostrate at his Feet;
They so melodiously do snore the Song
Of his Salvation, he can frame his Tongue
To sing with them, and lift his voice on high,
In Hallelujahs to the Deity.
His Joynts at ev'ry snort they breath can move,
And Dance Coranto's to the God above.
But all this while the King is discontent;
Alas! he cannot yet behold th'Event
Of this Dread Tragedy, he thinks at least,
Daniel's imbowel'd in those Savage Beasts;
Therefore his Princely Eyes can take no Rest;
Sleep is a perfect stranger to his Eyes,
Before their Glances Gastly Daniel lyes;
And since his Best Beloved Watchman's gone,
He cannot slumber, but will watch alone.
Ah! his Dear Daniel sleeps in Death, and shall
He who did love him, sleep at's Funeral?
But all this while Daniel securely lyes,
Watching amidst his sleeping Enemies,
And is become as a Life Guard of theirs,
Who were design'd his Executioners:
Their Gastly Eyes, and Yawning Mouths are clos'd,
They sleep secure, the Heav'ns hath them Repos'd.
Mean time his pure Ejaculations fly;
His faithful Prayers mount above the Sky.
Behold a Miracle is here exprest,
The Sacrifice doth pray, and not the Priest,
He prayes they may not make a Midnight Feast.
No sooner did Aurora ope the Day.
Driving the Black and Darksom Clouds away;
No sooner were the Sable Curtains drawn,
And Dawning Brightness mounts the Horizon.
But Great Darius Riseth from his Bed,
To visit Daniel, if Alive or Dead.
The first approaching Light his steps convey,
A Visit to the Lions Den to pay;
And by his hasty Motion it appears,
He'l satisfie at once his hopes and fears;
His hope that Daniel lives, fills him with Joys,
His fear that he is dead, the same destroys.
Darius's heart is in the Lions Den,
And new he moves to meet his heart agen;
How briskly I behold his Royal Feet,
With nimble motion hurry through the street!
His winged thoughts fly swifter than a Dove,
Yet cann't surpass the motion of his Love.
He values not the Complements of State,
Nor minds if his Retinue on him wait;
Nor for his Coach or Chariot will he stay,
Lest it should too much of his time delay;
If he can find his Daniel but alive,
'Tis satisfaction in superlative.
Might not Darius have a Faith which came
By its Original from Abraham?
Who against hope, firmly in hope believes,
And strongest Faith the most Assurance gives.
What though the Lions Beasts of Rapine are,
And though by hunger made the eagerer;
And what though human flesh and blood be sweet,
A novel Dish, and not their usual Meat:
'Tis possible that Life from Death may spring;
Sure some such Faith as this possess the King.
He cryes aloud, his voice the Air doth fill,
Ho! Daniel, Daniel, art thou living still?
Hold, hold Darius, cease thy hollow voice,
Lest thou awake the Lions with the noise▪
Thy loud Allarms, thy unexpected cryes,
May Rouse the savage Beasts to Sacrifice
Thy Dearest Daniel, who among them lyes.
If they have fasted all the night from Food,
May they not take their morning draught in blood?
And break their Fasts on that delicious Meat,
Which they last night set up and could not cat?
Brutes can no Reason give for their Delay,
Their savage Nature is for present prey;
They cannot trust, but Run at all that lyes
Within the prospect of their greedy Eyes.
Faith is a stranger to their Rav'nous Claws,
Sense only cloys, or tires their greedy Jaws;
They think not of hereafter, or before,
But gorge their Guts till they can eat no more,
The King well knew, if Daniel mist their Jaws,
'Twas Providence, not Project was the cause.
The King's unchangeable Affections prove
The greater Confirmation of his Love;
His Princely Favours pass beyond the Grave;
His Faith beyond his Sense, what's lost will save.
Through the Impenetrable Stones he calls,
His Soul wrapt up in sighs, doth pierce the walls,
And safely doth arrive at Daniel's Ears,
Whose Joy doth swell, when he his Master hears.
Daniel, what greater honour can be shown?
Was ever Mottal Man so waited on?
Was ever Pris'ner, when condemn'd by Fate,
Attended with such Majesty and State?
Thy God within, thy King without the Gate,
Waits in his Person, where he stayes till he
The happy Prospect of his Daniel see;
And to Return Thanks to those savage Beasts,
For their Accommodations to their Guests;
For they, contrary to their Nature now,
To the Beloved of their Master bow.
Now may you hear this worthy Porentate,
Express his Soul in Accents passionate.
O Daniel! servant to the Living God,
Whose Habitation, Dwelling and Abode,
Is in Eternal, Everlasting Light;
Whose Eyes can penetrate the sable Night,
Is thy God able by his Pow'r to free,
From Death, from Bondage, and Captivity,
Such as depend on his Ability?
Darius Queries, yet is far from doubt.
His Faith confirms what he is come about,
For he affirms, thy God will set thee free,
His Confidence was in the Deity.
Experience past confirms his Faith the more,
That God can do, what he has done before;
He the Effects of Faith doth now embrace,
For Living Daniel stands before his face;
Which through the Grates no sooner he esples,
The sudden Vision doth his Soul surprise;
As in an Extasie of Joy he stands,
And upwards elevates his Princely hands;
Being struck dumb with admiration, hears
His Daniels voice approach his Royal Ears,
In the same stile, in the same Loyal sound,
O King for ever live, live ever Crown'd
With the Celestial Diadem of Glory.
When thou hast perfected thy Earthly Story.
Praises ascend from me to God above,
That he the heart of my dread Lord did move,
Thus to bestow on me his princely Love.
From Prayer he to Preaching doth proceed,
Though from his Chappel yet he is not freed.
The King stands in the porch and doth not stir,
But is content to be his Auditer:
Into two Branches he his theam doth bring,
Leaving the Application to the King;
He first the goodness of his God declares,
Next his own innocency he avers:
And these two points doth he unite to prove,
The mighty God doth Innocency love,
His Duty he from hence doth justifie,
Both to Divine and Earthly Majesty.
Such cannot be unfaithful to their King,
Who to their God are just in ev'ry thing;
Darius ne're was satisfied more,
In any Sermon he e're heard before;
The Surly Lyons seem to understand,
And watch the motion of his Lip and Hand,
How mute, and how demure they sit and hear,
As if his voice were musick to the Ear.
And if his silence so much aw'd their sence,
How were they charmed with his Eloquence.
Experience worketh confidence, for he
Can the Beasts Love, and his own safety see,
Well may he trust whom he hath found his Friends,
One Mercy on another still depends,
The same deliv'rance which first set him free,
Makes him still trust in its security;
That which the Lyon and the Bear subdue,
Was the same Faith which the Philistine slew,
The Israelites on th'other shore that stood,
Were sureties for such as pass the flood:
So the same saith, as firmly doth ingage
Still to preserve, as first to stay the rage
Of the fierce Lyons till the Charm be past,
Which clearly quits the Innocent, and Chast,
Which by his faith is justifi'd at last:
The Sermon being done, the Seals are tore,
And open flies the stony Chappel door:
The Captive issues forth, where soon he spies
His Royal Prince wrapt up in extasies:
He's Heaven struck with Joy and admiration,
His Soul is rap't in Divine Contemplation,
He like a Statue stands, fixt and unmov'd,
His Royal Eyes gaze on his best belov'd,
His ravisht thoughts are glutted with excess
Of Heav'nly Raptures, which he can't express.
After some pause,—deliberately he
Doth reassume the thoughts of Majesty,
And thundering forth with terrour on his Brow,
Those dreadful mandates which must follow now;
Orders for Execution forth are sent,
In favour of his Lord High President:
Those who have his destruction thus design'd,
Must the revenge of great Darius find:
Those who his life have plotted to betray,
Shall their own lives, instead of Daniels pay,
What they would take from him, they down must lay.
This Day's Deliverance is of high Esteem,
When Heav'n Beloved Daniel did Redeem;
And now the King Resolves to keep a Feast,
In Memory of his Reprieved Guest;
But the first Course he to the Lions sends,
To make their fasting Appetites amends;
They could not tast the Dish that first was drest,
Therefore the King supplies 'em with a [...]east;
Varieties of Sexes, choice of Meat,
'Cause on a single Dish they cannot eat;
On which, when serv'd, their eager stomachs feed,
They have not patience till the Cloth be spread.
Daniel gave Thanks before, they scorn the fashion,
But fall on boldly without Invitation;
They're so impatient, that they cannot stay,
But meet each Course while in the middle way;
Ere the Meat comes to Table they devour,
And drink Carouzes to the Emperour,
In the hearts-blood of these Man catching Feinds,
Those vile Trappaners of the King's best Friends;
The crackling of whose Joynts their Musick is;
They find no sweeter Melody than this;
And having sup't, betake themselves to Rest,
Well satisfi'd with this Delicious Feast,
Till they awake, and Rouse themselves agen,
To overlook the Fragments in the Den;
They ready are for more, if more there be
Found acting Treason 'gainst his Majesty.
Thirsting with greedy Appetites for Blood,
As those Men did, who lately were their food.
And 'tis but Nat'ral, that the Flesh of those
Monsters of Nature, whose Designs oppose
Sov'regnity in Monarchs, and contrive
His Best of Subjects to Intomb alive;
'Tis natural I say, that such should be
Incorporate in Inhumanity.
To savage Nature they degenerate,
Savage they are, and in that savage state,
They justly are condemn'd to savage fate.
No need of Process, Summoning, or Juries;
He who Infallibly both Just and Pure is,
Sits Judge in Court, he who alone surveys
Dark obscure thoughts, untrodden crooked waies
Of sinful Mortals; he who sits on high
Condemns, and who shall dare to justifie?
'Twas he those Catifs to destruction hurld,
And by his Miracle convinc'd the world.
It is a Maxim Politick in State,
And the prime Lesson of a Potentate,
To fix the Crown on his own Temples sure,
And in his Royal Throne to sit secure;
Therefore at first remov's what may impede
The Diadems fixation on his head;
And if Conspiracy hereafter moves
So losty as to strike at what he loves,
Then Policy calls Majesty to rouse,
And his Beloved Subjects Cause espouse:
For such as venture at his Royal Breast,
To rend from thence what he doth value best,
Will the next onset ravenously fly
To strike the very Heart of Majesty;
That insolence which dares attempt the one,
Dares undermine, or overthrow the Throne.
The Great Darius will decree o [...] more,
But not against the Heavens, as before,
He will be God no longer, but lay down
His Divine Title for a mortal one.
[...]

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