THE LEVELLERS.
THE LEVELLERS; OR, Satan's Privy-Council.
A PASQUINADE, IN THREE CANTOS.
"By the pricking of my Thumbs,
Something
Wicked—this Way comes."
THE AUTHOR, HUGH HUDIBRAS, ESQ.
PRINTED BY W. BROWNE (FOR THE AUTHOR), AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS.
1793.
[PRICE ONE SHILLING.]
DEDICATION.
TO (THEIR COUNTRY's PRAISE DESERVING,) The Worthy MEMBERS of the ASSOCIATION for preserving Liberty and Property, AGAINST Republicans and Levellers, THIS PASQUINADE IS DEDICATED, In hope (that, like the Widow's Mite) it may, in some small degree, tend to perpetuate that abhorrence All good Men possess, against such Characters as therein are faithfully Characterized,
By the ASSOCIATION'S respectful Admirer, And Fellow-Thinker, HUGH HUDIBRAS.
Hatton-Garden,
January 1, 1793. And the First Year of Detection.
THE LEVELLERS.
CANTO I.
THE ARGUMENT:
Satan, hearing of the happiness of B [...], is resolved, on a second attempt, to provoke Celestial Anger, by disturbing its tranquility—Sets out—Arrives at Rennardos— His welcome there—Conversation and determination to try their powers, 'ere they attempt Commotion—Introduced to Absteemia—Rennardos Mistress—Evening concludes the Canto.
THE Prince of Darkness—being told,
That Paradise, renown'd of old,
Was far inferior to that Land,
Where
[...] bears sovereign command,
Swore—"
by the Styx,"—hell's pow'r to move,
Offensive, to Celestial Love,
Bound by the oath—He wing'd his flight,
Thro' all the regions of Old Night,
[Page 6] Nor rested, or in Moon, or Star,
(Intent to wage infernal War,)
'Till He had made, such was his skill,
That tainted summit,—S
[...]A
[...]s H
[...]
Rennardo's Bower, he instant sought,
Who hail'd him, as a Brother ought,
"
Welcome, Congenial to my heart?
"Expected long, no more we'll part,
"My dreams thy coming did presage,
"Oh help me—to disturb the Age.
"Teach to complete, what I've begun,
"Then shall
thy will, on Earth be done."
"
For that, I came," (The Daemon said),
"So lead me, to those Friends, whose aid,
"Is well directed to the Cause,
"Subversive of all K
[...]s, all L
[...]s."
Rennardo paus'd—"Dispers'd, they roam,
"For scarcely One can boast a Home."
"The
Daemon sigh'd—"But soon each shall,
"And revel, in his
force-gain'd Hall,
"However, I'll exert my pow'r,
"And summon them within an hour,
"At least, their Spiritual Parts,
"For well we know they have not hearts,
"We'll search, what crimes Their minds will bear,
"Which,—
Ravage,—
Massacre,—
Forswear,
"Instructions add—if such requir'd,
"(Tho'
Who can want—by
Thee inspir'd,)
[Page 7] "Then Each direct to 's sev'ral station,
"To fan Sedition thro' the
[...]."
He rais'd his arm—the thunder roll'd,
Rennardo, begg'd him—"To with-hold,
"And try the softer pow'r of gold,
"For such a noise and sulph'rous vapor,
"Wou'd make all St
[...]nes, and Eg
[...]m caper,
"And he must know,
that Savage Wy
[...]tt,
"Wou'd not leave Rogue, or Rebel quiet,—
"That many of their Friends,—too true,
At present fled the
Sheriffs view,
"Therefore, with leave, he'd send a servant,
"Of whose known beck they'd be observant.
"Adding,
to All
[...] in need, a Note,
"With Cash enclos'd t' unpawn Their Coat,
"That Coat which shew'd their tenets true,
"With facings B
[...] and body B
[...]."
"So be it"—said the Cloven Sprite,
(Satan was always held polite),
"Meanwhile to pass the hours away,
"Since I must wait, Your garish day,
"I'll teach You tricks on cards and dice
"By which, to beggar in a trice,
"The foolish-furnish'd Sons of Vice.
"Such tricks!—as You, with all Your Crooks,
"Ne'er thought of—or play'd off at
[...]."
"
And I—" return'd Earth's grateful weight,
"Will shew my noble Guest a sight
[Page 8] "Such as
he never saw before,
"A
non-descript, tho' ancient
[...],
"
Who palid, as the chastest Star
"Is
shagged, as the Russian Bear,
"
Who—tho' grey-grown in vicious courses,
"Has vigour suff
[...] for twenty h
[...]ses,
"
Who having danc'd and sung her day,
"And seem'd to throw her youth away,
"Near lost by foolish whim
her prey,
"But
Jointures—
Bonds—and
Gifts—and
Gold,
"Whatever came was sure to hold,
"Her shall you see, that Leman-mine,
"Dear Mate of—
B
[...]'s Cataline—"
"Lead then, to Jollity and Jests,
"I'll learn how Mortals treat their Guests,
"Yet,—As my Friendship you'd retain,
"Let me not waste
my Hours, in vain,
"Be! every Soul of Anarchy,
"Soon as the Morning gilds the Sky,
"Roof'd in thy Hall"—"They shall"—"Away,"
"So prosp'rous seems Confusions sway,—
"Ev'n
Hell shall have a Holiday—
END OF THE FIRST CANTO.
THE LEVELLERS.
CANTO II.
THE ARGUMENT:
Rennardo and Satan, sit to receive their Friends—The first that arrives is— Volunterus Mitredos—His reception and pretensions told—Then, A Man of War—The next A Politician—An Editor— An Apostate—The Man of Words, or, Great Allsides— and Pleaderus—The Herald's Advice concludes this Canto.
IN its due time—the Morning came,
Uprose the
Guest—the
Host—and
Dame,
Worthys of
equal rank and
fame—
A messenger proclaim'd th' approach
Of Horse and Foot, and Cart, and Coach—
"Announce their names" (old Satan cry'd)
"And be their merits singly tried,
"May know,
why, We have made this call,
"
Make Them, before they enter, read,
"
This Scrowl, which
We pronounce,
our Creed."
"THE CREED.
"
Kings, Lords, and Commons
We abhor,
"And 'gainst all moral tyes—Wage War—
"
Religion useless is—Equality,
"
Of Vice We'll seek—and
thus—be
free."
The Messenger, was scarce withdrawn,
When lo!—A
Rev'rend Rogue in Lawn,
Burst in, and thus attention won,—
"An E
[...]h Priest, in days of yore,
"Translated to a neighb'ring
[...]
"
All that I cou'd, from youth I've done,
"To prove myself—Rebellion's Son,
"The Church I value not a Straw,
"
My Will, has ever been
my Law;
"When Drums beat loud—and Tumults rose.
"I doff'd my
Sacerdotal Cloaths,
"
Dash'd down
my Crozier, seiz'd the
Spear,
"And with my railings fill'd the air;
"I've persever'd from earliest age,
"'Gainst
Order, in its ev'ry stage;
"
Your p
[...]rless Mit
[...]d Volunteer."
He ceas'd—
The Two 'rose up t' embrace,
And near
Rennardo—gave him place.
"
A Man of War"—The Herald said,
Strait in
he rush'd—with broken head,
Got—as
He from the
Bailiffs fled.
"What—Ho! my Hearties,
shall we do it?
"What, shall we make the noodles rue it?
"Shall
[...] go Out and—And
[...] come in,
"A placeman I, with Cash to sin,
"Damme I'm yours—By this long Nose,
"This fierce cock'd Hat—and tight drawn Hose—
"Old Belzebub—I'm ever thine,
"Give me but
Women, Dice and
Wine."
A nod of Approbation did;
And
He, behind Mitredos slid.
"A
Politician's next, dread Sir,
"And seems to make a woundy stir,"
(
The Herald said)—"
Let him approach."
So said—so done—
"I'll not encroach!
"I'll not encroach!
"And take up time so precious
now,
"But barely make my duteous vow—
"
Time—Its impossible to rate
"Such various subjects on debate,
[Page 12] "And
I, conspicuous in each Storm—
"On
Prisons—Taxes—Poor—Reform,
"Trust
me will stir the blessed pother,
"And act as
Brother, shou'd by
Brother,
Sessions my first—Yet as
we've cast,
"I'll strive my best to make't the
last,
"But I must hence
wild Bills to draw,
"Which reason cannot pass as Law,
"They'll be objected to, no doubt,
"At which I'll make accustom'd rout,
"Rave for my Country seem its Friend,
"To serve our Equalizing end,
"Farewell?—depend—tho' Young—I'm—
"In Wisdom's
self-providing way."
He pass'd—The Herald—nam'd aloud,
An Editor—Who ent'ring—bow'd—
Then,
Thus—
"True to Confusions Cause,
"True to Confusions Cause,
"Sworn Foe, to Morals, spurning Laws,
"I've
fall'n Your sacrifice, but trust,
"You'll raise
Your Vot'rist from the dust
"Oh!—If you mean to dip in Ink—
"
Wealths—Worths—and
Virtues, cause to sink—
"
Let me be Utt'rer of the Filth,
"I'll force from purest soil
such Tilth,
"As shall surprize Your wond'ring eyes,
"
Another Argus—shall arise,
[Page 13] "To blast the Innocent—The Great confound,
"And ev'ry gen'rous feeling wound."
"
Such Services deserve
no less,
"Whene'er
We print
We'll use thy Press."
"
A Wretch without a Coat is
here,"
(The
Herald utter'd with a Sneer,)
With forc'd Assurance in his Gait,
And seeming half-sham'd, fallen State,
The
Traitor stepp'd—Then low-voic'd, said—
"
I'm Noble born—And
Soldier bred—
"But from my
Standard basely fled,
"For which I hope reward from you,
"I own 'twas
Simple—Having Grace,
"Not only to have kept my Place
"But should have risen to Command,
"Then Treach'ry would have wrapt the Land;
"But now 'tis past—Enrol me Here,
"None Else will trust—
You've nought to fear."
"Dear to Our Loves"—(Th' Old Angel said)
"Look Up—Nor longer be dismay'd;
"Worthy to be Chief Engineer,
"
For Soldiers seldom reach Our Ear,
"No!—There's not one, now pent in Hell,
"Who for Our Cause, so greatly fell,
"What?—give up
Honor—Rank—and
Birth,
"The
All—which Man esteems on Earth,
"To Class with
Us—Oh Nobly done!
"And Nobly I'll reward my Son.
[Page 14] "Promote Thee—As
such Merit should—
"
Command our Corps—Ingratitude."
He blush'd—Retir'd—The Crier now,
THE MAN OF WORDS—proclaim'd in view—
"
My Lud—And Gemmen of
this Jury,
"I come for
Freemen—Freedom's fury,
"I'm yours confest—Bold S
[...]land's Son,
"
All trades have try'd—at last have
won:
"The
[...] did not suit my mind,
"To Sword and Musket disinclin'd:
"The N
[...] was a poor regard,
"
There Merit only—meets reward,
"Lastly the
[...] I try'd—and now—
"(As nastiest food—makes fat, the Sow,)
"
My Gab, my Go, my Silver Tongue,
"Has
Traitors sav'd—And
Guiltless, hung—
"
Black I've made
White—White turn'd to
Black,
"In truth,
my Conscience is a Hack,
"
No Vice, but
I can
Virtue prove,
"Say, If I'm worthy of your Love?
"If
God shou'd offer
Me a
Brief,
"And if a
larger Fee—a
Thief—
"Ev'n
God might plead, or lose his Cause,
"With
Me—
The Fee supports the Laws—
"Rais'd
thus by Chance, I aim'd to shew,
"What
I, in higher Life cou'd do,
[Page 15] "But
There—Our Friend's, (Rennardo's) Tool,
"Alas!—I prov'd myself a Fool!
"That
There I fail'd, was not my fault,
"I hop'd the C
[...]s wou'd be caught,
"Like
Those—where I was
wont to bawl,
"To
You—I need not name the
[...],
"If more there needs, to shew my zeal
"As fav'rer of a Common—,
"
My last Essay—must
All convince,
"Tho'
[...] to The
[...]."
"Next to Our lov'd
Rennardo stand,"
"Satan exclaim'd—and seiz'd his hand.
Another Man of Words drew near,
Who whispering in the Old Fiends Ear,
Was lowly heard—t' articulate—
"
I've—'Nuities—and
Stocks—and
Plate—
"To part with
them—shou'd sadly hate—
"
Rennardos Else in every joint,
"In
all, except this
Money point—
"
Now do but shew—how,
I can serve,
"And yet my precious Land preserve,
"Which by
Half Guineas, I have gain'd,
"And
Interest, a little strain'd—
"Let but my wealth continue mine,
"With
You—I ever will opine."
"
It shall, Our worthy good compeer,"
"(
Rennardo cry'd)—"You know 'tis clear,
[Page 16] "From
others sacks—We mean to steal,
"A Place We have will suit Your
zeal,
"Be
Treas'rer of Our Common
Weal."
And now—The
Herald—notice gave—
Their Lordships ought, some respite have,
To eat a bit—and dress—and shave,
For such a Cavalcade drew nigh,
As would their passions gratify.
Ladies—and
Lords—and
Squires—and
Dukes—
(At least they seem'd so by their looks)
Excepting—
One sad, ragged Wretch—
Who'd neither
Hat—nor
Coat—nor
Breech—
Such numbers!!—That th' whole day 'd not do!
Tho' each spake but a word or two—
Therefore, They'd best take his advice,
And have refreshment, in a trice,
Then go—to business again,—
Such good advice—was not in vain—
They 'rose—withdrew—to breakfast went,
Precedence sans—Sans Compliment
END OF THE SECOND CANTO.
THE LEVELLERS.
CANTO III.
THE ARGUMENT:
Noon—Council continued—Arrival of Volunterus Maximus—His Merits and Reception— Of Catolicus—Of the Shade of Vigginus Primus—Of Dramaticus—Of the Nobilissimi Ruinati—Of Nequissimus, whose Explanation produces a Storm, raised by Heaven in defence of injured B [...]—Satan sinks to Hell again, leaving his proselytes in the lurch—They separately disperse—And Order proclaim the Death of REBELLION.
AND now, refresh'd, and nicely quipp'd,
Again, into the Hall, They tripp'd—
The Devil had on, the
very Suit,
In which
Rennardo look'd so 'cute—
The day he made his famous M
[...]
T' acknowledge Authors of Commotion,
[Page 18] And nicely hid his Cloven Foot,
Just as
Rennardo us'd to do't,
Seated once more—Largess was cny'd—
In stalk'd, with stiff mock-martial pride,
A self-conceited Veteran—
Who scoul'd around—Then thus began—
"
My State—(not lessening)—I report
"The happy meeting of this Court,
"I've long desir'd—Done,
All I cou'd,
"Done ev'ry thing—But what was good—
"T'effect Reform—Alas! in vain—
"We cou'd not virtually complain;
"Loudly I rail'd 'gainst Absentees,
"And Pensioners of all Degrees—
"
Then, Arms I seiz'd—a sole pretence,
"And
Tailors taught, to Fire and Fence;
"Made
Haberdashers, Muskets use,
"And furnish'd
Col'nels, from the Stews,
"
Made myself General—Then swagger'd—
"A foaming Pseudo-Patriot Braggard,
"It wou'd not do—I must be candid,
"The useless Lumber was dis
[...].
"But Hope assures this brilliant day,
"May,
somehow, work a lasting fray,
"If so—Behold—To help the fuss—
Great
Volunterus Maximus—
"If"—said the D
[...]l—"
We cou'd aspire,
"
Such Talents—and such
Worth to
Hire,
"Which You (expecting) cou'd not brook,
"Yet
We—if not below Your care,
"Wou'd name You—
Secretar' at War"—
A courtly bow, th' acceptance shew'd,
He join'd the gath'ring chosen Croud.
"
Largess"—again, was echo'd round,
"
Largess"—"
Largess"—the walls resound—
"Th' annunciation caus'd belief,
The coming personage some Chief,
And so it prov'd, (by lines foretold
Of
him—whose lines are sterling gold)
"A
K
[...]e ennobled—S
[...]t—and
C
[...]d."
Base representation of
[...]
"Sir, (tho' not first)—Thus spake the
[...]
"I trust You'll mitigate rebuke,
"I've ever try'd to win Your favor,
"Witness my uniform behavior!
"For
You I fled my Father's C
[...]!
"And left connections in the lurch,
"Mix'd with the dregs, and scum of earth,
"To shew the vanity of Birth,
"That
Title—Pedigree—and
Crest,
"And
Trophied Halls—are but a Jest!
"
A Farce—not worth the wise Man's care,
"Who knows,
the Goods of life to share,
"With
W
[...]s—Buffoons—and
Parasites,
"Devote to Priapaean Rites—
[Page 20] "In short, I strive to make it clear,
"That Nature forming me a
[...]
"Became Confusions, and Debauch'ries Friend,
"And
thus acknowledged,
Orders end,
"Yours
thus—unalterably Yours—
"A
Smile—my future aid secures!
"Example from so great a name,"—
"(
Rennardo said) "will raise
Our fame,
"Will shew, The yet outstanding few,
"How little to descent is due,
"In token, how, We 'steem Your
[...]
"Deign to accept this proffer'd place!
"The
Rights of Man—approves Your call
"
Equality's High Marichal."
Pleas'd with the gift, a glove he tore,
Knighthoods proud Vaunt, in days of Yore.—
His
long-borne Banner, then defac'd,
And
Anarchy's black Standard, rais'd—
A Noble Shade—Now pass'd in view,
Which halted—
Sigh'd—And quick withdrew,
Just as
its Form was lost in Air,
These Murmurs seem'd to breathe despair!
"
Why! Why Rennardo!—Wou'd you force
"My gen'rous Spirit from its Course,
"
I worship
God, and love my
King,
"I will not be, that
Rascal thing,
"Thy Politics compel—Forbear!
"Or by Heav'n's sacred truth I swear,
[Page 21] "I'll be, what Nature meant I shou'd,
"
Protector only, of the Good—
"'Tis past—
We can no more agree—
"Who parts from Virtue—Parts from Me!"—
Th' Assembly on each other gaze,
Rennardo stood in fix'd amaze,
Downcast his eye—
Now first ('tis said)
A blush his Sable Cheek o'erspread,
Confus'd—He cou'd not raise his head!
Th' Arch-Fiend
observ'd—'Twas
Conscience-struck,
Which to divert—He gently took
His Hand—Then slyly, smoothly spake,
"
Why shou'd that
Silly Shadow, make
"This change my Friend,—Wherefore, this Gloom?
"
Such Checks—We must expect to come—
"
And (
'ere complete, our Grand Attempt),
"Unnumber'd phantoms of Contempt,
"Virtue's cold Vot'rists)
will arise,
"Obtrusive on our Ears, our Eyes—
"
Thou!—Heed them not!—Tho' they appear!
"They are but unembodied Air,
"Know!—
Substance cou'd
not enter here,
"
Inimical to our Career,
"
The noxious Vapours round Us spread,
"
Wou'd strike Corporeal Virtue dead."
Rennardo—(willingly beguil'd)
Shook Friendship off—and Blacker smil'd—
[Page 22]
Substance—again arriv'd—A Form,
(That seem'd the leavings of a Storm,)
With deep-sunk eye, and rubied face,
(A Badge, to Temperance, disgrace,)
Drew near, and to the Sable Chief,
Thus gave his phrenzied mind relief,
"
Before this Court—I humbly bend—
"
Disorder's staunchest, loudest Friend—
"
Rennardo, Thou! Thou know'st full well,
"My wily Match, is not in Hell;
"Ignobly born—I've dar'd to soar,
"Where Knaves like me ne'er sail'd before—
"No Heighth—I've not aspir'd to climb,
"By aid of Prose, or aid of Rhime,
"My Eloquential Powers fram'd,
"'Gainst whatsoe'er is Virtue nam'd—
"Myself Confusion's eldest born,
"True to my Sire have ever worn
"These maxims graven on my mind—
"With
nought thine own,
be Aye inclin'd,
"To raise Rebellion's blust'ring Wind.
"And think!
Another's loss may give,
"Thy shatter'd Frame wherewith to live,
"Beyond the reach of Justice pow'r,
"Who blasts as
yet—Thine ev'ry hour,
"Be
Grave—be
Gay—all
Sins partake,
"
Be
[...] St
[...]sm
[...]n
[...]pl
[...]r
[...] Rake"
[Page 23] "That
hitherto, I so have striv'n,
"Behold! Who comes—
The fall'n, from Heav'n!
"Behold!—And own—conjunct with
Thine,
"
My Acts—illustrious Cataline"
The Portals op'ning wide, display'd—
Two noble Forms—in black array'd—
Conviction, sat in either eye,
And either bosom, heav'd a sigh,
Each wou'd have spake, when Satan,
thus—
Ladies—
precedence, claim with
Us,"
A word suffic'd, she curtsied low,
His
[...] retiring, made his bow—
"
High born—and bred, with all the care,
"That fondness cou'd invent—to rear
"A mind might suit, this once fair frame,
"No art was left untried—The flame
"Of Conquest struggling, I represt,
"But all in vain! It fir'd my breast!
"This my wise Sire perceiv'd—and dread,
"Lest Shame shou'd wrap his ancient head,
"
He chose a mate and bade me wed—
"
Rank—Splendor—Wealth—I now enjoy'd,
"Of
Splendor—Rank—and
Wealth, was cloy'd
"Insensible of honor grew,
"And dissipation only knew,
"Which to support,
I play'd, was cross'd,
"And Pin-money—and Jewels lost,
[Page 24] "
Nor Them alone—Rennardo saw
"My Spirit spurn'd, at Wedded Law,
"He introduc'd a blooming
[...]
"And
Modesty has fled me since,
"
Their Cause was
mine—as such receive—
"And view in me
another eve."
She ceas'd—Her mate approach'd—And said,
"
Confusion's Cause—has turn'd my head,
"Of
[...] Thousand Pounds a Year,
"I have not
now a Guinea clear,
"My Wife, the fairest of the fair,
"Is lost to ev'ry social care,
"Trammell'd by You, has
past the goal,
"
You've had Her Body—
take Her Soul!"
"
Too spiritless!—And
mean, to sin!
"Hence"—(Satan said) rejoin your Kin,
"Who in days past my pow'r defied,
"And J-mes expell'd—and
me belied."
Backward He trod, his dreary way,
To
Widow'rd—Ruin'd—Chearless day.
NOW—
Cursings—Ravings, Noise
and Gabble—
Exceeding all We've heard of Babel,
Reach'd the
High Bench—
Now, louder grew,
In rush'd the Croud—And first, to view,
Head of the Democratic Mob,
And panting for a Sanguine Job,
[Page 25] The
Wretch, Nequissimus, was seen,
A Book-uplifting—(
Rights of Men)
"Primaeval Rights—
I claim"—(He cry'd)
"Each passion shall be gratified—
"
What Claim has any to with-hold,
"
From me—His Lands, or hoarded Gold?
"
What Claim has any to refuse,
"
That I, His Wife, or Daughter use?
"
What Claim has any to a Home
"Where I, and mine, mayn't freely come,
"
What Claim has any King or Judge
"To hang a murderer—thief make budge?
"
None, I proclaim.—
This Pamphlet read—
"You there will find it is decreed,
"The
World from fett'ring Law is free,
"And man controuls his destiny—
"Earth thus disburthen'd of its load.
"We'll storm the skies, and unthrone G
[...]"
Instant—A Total Darkness grew,
Hail, Thunders, Lightning—Scar'd the Crew,
Satan before, had felt it's Force,
Arrest his curs'd Blasphemous Course,
So sunk to Hell from
King and
Church,
And left his Pros'lytes in the lurch,
Fall'n on their Faces, fearing day—
They knew not,
Wrath was pass'd away,
Until they heard—
A Loyal Choir,
With
Voice—and
Harp, and Stringed Lyre,
[Page 26] The Praise of
Albion celebrate,
(Whose THREE, like HEAV'NS,
compose the State)
By
That, they found,
Her Genius 'rose,
Triumphant, o'er
Malignant Foes:
Asham'd—Afraid—They
sep'rate fled—
And
Order sang—"
Rebellion dead!
FINIS.