A LOYAL PAPER OF VERSES, UPON HIS MAJESTIES GRACIOUS DECLARATION.  

INgenious Poets! can your Pens lie 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.  
rejoice all England, that the Heavens did bring  
blessed JAMES, the Wise, to be our Gracious King.  
You need not of His Gracious Mercy doubt,  
Nor sand Petitions when it comes without.  
What would you have? You now can ask no more,  
Here's Mercy strewed at every Subjects Door.  
You have free Liberty, not led, nor driven,  
May take the farest, safest way to Heaven.  
My Pen is too inferior, I confess,  
To circulate this Wisdom; the Excess  
Cannot be bounded by Illiterate Lines;  
But ought to be enlarged by Divines.  
However, what I here have boldly penned,  
My Sword shall be as ready to Defend.  
If any controversy 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 requited.  
Let Loyalty then flourish every where,  
Having more reason now to Love than Fear.  
And may the King with Glory now be crowned,  
His Royal Queen likewise with famed renowned;  
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.