Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/277

CANTO II.] Did they not swear, at first, to fight For the king's safety and his right? And after march'd to find him out, And charg'd him home with horse and foot? And yet still had the confidence To swear it was in his defence? Did they not swear to live and die With Essex, and straight laid him by? If that were all, for some have swore As false as they, if th' did no more. Did they not swear to maintain law, In which that swearing made a flaw? For Protestant religion vow, That did that vowing disallow? For privilege of Parliament. In which that swearing made a rent? And since, of all the three, not one Is left in being, 'tis well known. Did they not swear, in express words, To prop and back the House of Lords? And after turn'd out the whole house-full Of peers, as dang'rous and unuseful. So Cromwell, with deep oaths and vows, Swore all the Commons out o' th' House;