A LOYAL PAPER OF VERSES, UPON HIS MAJESTIES GRACIOUS DECLARATION.
INgenious Poets! can your Pens lye still
On such a Subject, as might Volumes fill:
Hark! how the Declaration sounds our Joys,
None but great JAMES could chime such Heavenly Noise.
Envy, Rebellion, or some Self-interest,
Not true Religion, lodgeth in the Breast;
Divided now from our dread Sovereign,
Ever once to disturb his Peaceful Reign.
Rejoyce all England, that the Heavens did bring
Bless'd JAMES, the Wise, to be our Gracious King.
You need not of His Gracious Mercy doubt,
Nor send Petitions when it comes without.
What wou'd you have? You now can ask no more,
Here's Mercy strew'd at every Subjects Door.
You have free Liberty, not lead, nor driven,
May take the farest, safest way to Heaven.
My Pen is too Inferiour, I confess,
To circulate this Wisdom; the Excess
Cannot be bounded by Illiterate Lines;
But ought to be enlarg'd by Divines.
However, what I here have boldly Pen'd,
My Sword shall be as ready to Defend.
If any Controversie should arise,
Against a Prince so Merciful and Wise,
Although the Protestant Religion I
Profess, and hope I shall do, till I Die;
I wish Great JAMES a Long and Glorious Reign.
And he that will not all His Rights maintain:
But basely would Exclude the Lawful Heir,
Let him of all His Mercies have no share.
He that lets every Man enjoy his Own,
Why should not he, Religion, Life and Crown?
Then let us Pay our King His just reward,
And every Subject be to him a Guard.
All Men, that are Religious, do approve,
That 'tis Commanded to unite in Love.
There's no Religion, neither mine nor yours,
But must be subject to the higher Powers.
And he that hath done all Religions right,
You cannot less then with your Love requite.
Let Loyalty then Florish every where,
Having more reason now to Love than Fear.
And may the King with Glory now be Crown'd,
His Royal Queen likewise with fame renown'd;
And every Subject to the highest degree,
Be true to Him, and all the Progeny.
This may be Printed,
April 8. 1687.
R. P.
London, Printed for Francis Ellis. 1687.