Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/370

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THE VICAR OF BRAY.
The Church of Rome I found would fit Full well my constitution:And had become a Jesuit But for the Revolution,           And this is law, &c.
When William was our King declared, To ease the nation's grievance,With this new wind about I steered, And swore to him allegiance;Old principles I did revoke, Set conscience at a distance;Passive obedience was a joke, A jest was non-resistance.           And this is law, &c.
When gracious Anne became our queen, The Church of England's glory,Another face of things was seen, And I became a Tory:Occasional conformists base, I damned their moderation,Although the Church in danger was By such prevarication.           And this is law, &c.
When George in pudding-time came o'er, And moderate men looked big, sir,I turned a cat-in-pan once more, And so became a Whig, sir.And thus preferment I procured, From our new faith's defender;And almost every day abjured The Pope and the Pretender.           And this is law, &c.
Th' illustrious House of Hanover And Protestant succession,To these I do allegiance swear— While they can keep possession:For in my faith and loyalty I never more will falter,And George my lawful king shall be— Until the times do alter.           And this is law, &c.
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