The COURTIER  
A Milk-white Rogue Immortal and unhanged,  
By fate and Parliaments severely banged,  
Without, a Saint, a Devil was within,  
He sought all dangers for he knew all sin,  
Resolved for Grandeur, and t'acquire Wealth,  
Robbed some by force; and others tricked by stealth;  
A Wheedling fawning, parsimonious knave,  
The Prince's favour he resolved to have,  
The only means by which he thought to rise,  
He shoved Cards and slily coged his Dice.  
A True state juggler could make things appear,  
Such, as would please his Prince's Eyes or Ear;  
Produced false lights his Monarch to misled,  
Which made him from his paths of Interest trade,  
He screened all Villains from due course of Laws,  
And from his Prince, his truest subjects draws,  
Till angry Senates the Vile monster took,  
And from the root the upstart Cedar shook,  
Squeezed the Cursed sponge had suckd the Nations Coin,  
And made him Cast up what he did purloin.  
Then on a Gibbet did the monster die,  
A just example to posterity.  
Let favourites beware how they abuse  
Their Prince's Goodness or the people's laws,  
How they Clandestine methods ever use,  
To propagate a base unrighteous Cause,  
The prince's favour like a horse untamed,  
Does often break the giddy rider's neck;  
On him who for preferments so much famed,  
The People oft their bloody vengeance wreak,  
Let these beware how they misled their Prince,  
Or robe the treasure of a potent Nation▪  
Or multiply enormous crimes for hence,  
Comes hanging oft or noble decollation.