LUCIFER FALN, OR, Some Reflections on the Present Estate of the LOW-COƲNTRIES.
OH I could break my Spleen, to see them bow
And make Grimaces like Jack-Puddings now:
To see their swelling High, and trebly Great,
Dwindle into a poor Distressed State:
Their Pageantry discover'd, and they be
In a true sence called Low Germany.
As High before as could Ambition rear
We'll have them now as low as is Despair.
This State was Dropsical sunk with its weight
And with ill Humours swell'd too big and great.
It had too much Sea-Water in't, yet we
Tap'd the Disease, and brought recovery.
They were grown great, the wondring World surmis'd
There some strange birth was in that bulk compris'd
We shew'd the World the Cheat, and made them see
All their great Hopes was but a Tympany.
Brave English Doctors! now 'tis understood
For th [...]ir Disease Phlebotomy is good.
Our Guns prove Soveraign Remedies, and do
Both send them Pills and Physick-Powder too.
But they have lost so much Blood, are grown so weak,
They've got Convulsions, and begin to quake.
They from their boggy Land the custom get,
VVhich never had its former soundness yet,
Since D'Alva struck it with a Palsy-fit.
Bold VVretches were they that had no defence,
Nothing to guard them, but their Confidence.
That have no Spirits, but only those of VVine,
And when those once are spent, then theirs decline.
The Podex of the VVorld; and yet they dare
Against the Head their lofty Treasons bear.
VVe sent them packing; and a man may tell,
They've the least Journey in the VVorld to Hell.
Extreams are violent; what though they be
From little Sprats turn'd the great Sharks of th'Sea.
VVhat though they quickly like a Mush'room grow
As Natures meanest Products always do.
Yet must they needs the spatious VVorld excel?
Or VVhat is more, our English parellel?
Poor Fools! How they mistake, alas we know
Those that are quick of growth, are short-liv'd too.
Th' Oak lives some hundred years before its prime;
The boggy Willow dies oft in that time.
Stars fall, and have their hidden fates:
Kingdoms and Empires have their certain dates.
All things have Periods, and must these be
The only men that laugh at Destiny.
My Augury mistakes then, 'tis no Land,
Where a perpetual endless State may stand;
No everlasting Rocks to build upon,
But an uncertain soft Foundation.
The Giants once struck at the Heavenly Powers,
They fell by Jove's great Thunder, These by Ours.
Couch, and be humble, your own weakness know;
Bubbles if touch'd, like you, prove nothing too.
Pull down your Crests, your Lions Couchant now.
Our English Cocks can crow, and fright him too.
You've King'd it long enough, the Play is o're,
Leave your disguise, turn Fishermen once more
'Tis but in vain to strive, it is your fate
To sit at th' Helm of Ships, not Helm of State.
Lower and lower still; O we know how
To make your haughty Hogen Mogen bow.
Kneel and be humble, we must have your fall.
We've us'd your Hands, now must have Knees and all.
Come know your selves; a Maxim old and good,
Though by your proud ones 'tis not understood.
We'll learn you Morrals, and your Ethicks show,
And to Superiors better manners too.
Come vail your Topsails, those that are ill bred,
And will not daugh their Hats, we'll daugh their Head.
Shrink in your heads, a Tempest is here, th'High
Are the object of the Tempests Tyranny:
The Cedars torn, the gentle Reeds escape
By their submission from the furious Rape.
Be wise and humble, and t' avoid the stroke
Fly for your shelter to the English Oak.