CATHOLIC HYMN ON THE BIRTH OF THE PRINCE OF WALES  

WHen enraged Southask  
In his Female's Womb cast,  
A Clap which cost twenty Guinny's  
A project he had  
Of Revenge on the Dad,  
And to blow up the Race of the Ninnys.   

(2)  
The Poison soon wrought  
Which his Highness had caught,  
And Nancy was tainted soon after;  
So the Infection prevailed  
That the Pox was entailed  
Sans distinction on Son and on Daughter.   

(3)  
The Vaults in the Abbey  
Received many a Baby,  
Brought forth in a Stinking condition  
And if ye have not forgot it  
The Duchess too Rotten,  
Soon after in spite of Physician.   

(4)  
Tho' a Convert she died  
If she be not belied,  
'Twas resolved in cabal soon after  
To raise up a breed  
Of true Catholic seed,  
To Supplant the two Heretic Daughters.   

(5)  
Then from Lambardy came  
A Duchess of Fame,  
Instructed in arts Italian  
Who rather than Church  
Should be left in the lurch,  
Might be'indulged the use of a Stallion.   

(6)  
At first She' had ill success  
With his Royal Highness,  
For no sooner was She a Mother  
But Her Children all Died,  
Like those of Nan Hyde,  
'Twas said of something or other.   

(7)  
The Poison entailed  
So far had prevailed,  
'Twas high time to seek out for a wonder  
Our case must be sad  
If a Boy can't be had,  
To keep the Heretics under.   

(8)  
Then straight we repair  
To the Infallible Chair,  
Who advise we must not forget o  
To present at the Shrine  
Of the Lady Divine,  
That Miracles works at Loretto.   

(9)  
The Present was sent  
And Mother Duchess went,  
On a Voyage from this World to th' other  
Where She made a Prayer  
For a Catholic Heir,  
That the Queen might once more be a Mother.   

(10)  
The Request was soon granted  
And Modenae Sainted,  
And straight the glad tidings came down here  
Which at Court was full hot  
Before the Child was begot,  
That we must have an Heir to the Crown here.   

(11)  
The Fathers kept Reckoning  
Some of them were speaking,  
O' th' other side of the Water  
That Trinity Sunday  
would bring forth a young Boy,  
Should convert the Nation hereafter.   

(12)  
Much of this may be done  
By way of Dragoon,  
As France hath taught us the fashion  
Religion to Plant  
By true Church Militant,  
Far better than Convocation.   

(13)  
The Church has still took care  
To provide for an Heir,  
When Crowns are in dispute Sir  
This made the French Queen  
To take Mararine  
For Cardinal Coadjutar.   

(14)  
From hence Sprang the Man  
 
And who knows but it may be  
Given in Commission  
T' answer Duches' Petition,  
To his Eminence Nuncio Data.   

(15)  
Some think 'twas an Omen  
Of no good to some Men,  
That before the Critical hour  
When the Queen was to lie Down  
Are the Prince came to Town,  
The Bishops were clapped in the Towner.   

(16)  
And now he's come out  
A Blessing no doubt,  
And an Hero as sure as may be  
As big and as Bold  
As a Boy a Month Old,  
More like than a new Born Baby.   

(17)  
Let no Woman despair  
Of having an Heir,  
Although She be never so Barren  
So long as there are Fathers  
There'l not fail to be Mothers,  
Without any fear of Miscarrying.   

(18)  
May all Catholics Pray  
All Night and all Day,  
(Or else our Projects come short all)  
That the Goddess which sent him  
Would Graciously grant them,  
That the Boy may be Immortal.   

(19)  
Then we will not forget ho  
To sing Praise to Lorreto,  
And set up great Winnifreds' Fame  
And let all Men be willing  
That new Paul's which is Building,  
Henceforth be called Nostre Dame.    

White-Hall, St. Barnabas 's Festival: June the 11th. 1688.