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 (Where Behemoth, the Babylonish whale,

Keeps all his bloody and imperious plea)

Was swoln with rage, for fear he'd stop the tide

Of her o'er-daring and insulting pride.

I not know a great man's power and might

In spite of innocence can smother right,

Colour his villainies to get esteem,

And make the honest man the villain seem?

I know it, and the world doth know 'tis true.

Yet I protest if such a man I knew,

That might my country prejudice or thee

Were he the greatest or the proudest he,

That breathes this day; if so it might be found

That any good to either might redound,

I unappalled, dare in such a case

Rip up his foulest crimes before his face,

Though for my labour I were sure to drop

Into the mouth of ruin without hope.