Page:Lag's elegy, or, The prince of darkness (1).pdf/23

( 23 ) Thus Lag did conquer in the field, Such as to me would no ways yield. When Perſecuting did delay, He ſerv'd me well another way. He ever loyal was and true, And his allegiance did renew; And for my ſake did hatred bear To many a perſon far and near. The Kirk by excommunication, Did baniſh him out of their region, Becauſe he would not ſatisfy Them for his vile adultery: Of this ſentence he was content, He never play'd the penitent; For he no ill in it could ſee, Since they deliver'd him to me;<br /d> For he knew well that I could thole<br /d> His vices all, without controul;<br /d> That he ſhould have both peace and ease,<br /d> In doing things that I do please.<br /d> Altho' they frighted him with terror,<br /d> He was not brought to ſuch an error,<br /d> As to forſake his former way,<br /d> Or in the leaſt from me to ſtray.<br /d> He clave as cloſe unto my law<br /d> As any man I ever ſaw:<br /d> In atheism his days did ſpend,<br /d> Until his time drew near an end;<br /d> Then, for the faſhion he did ſay,<br /d> That he was of the Popiſh way,<br /d> Becauſe a Prieſt made him believe,<br /d> That he to him would pardon give,<br /d> And would from Purgatory bring<br /d> Him to a place where he would ſing: