Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/111

Rh For that no lives of heretics I'll spare, But reap 'em down with less remorse and care Than Tarquin did the poppy-heads of old, Or we drop beads, by which our prayers are told.'
 * Bravely resolved! and 'twas as bravely dared:

But, lo! the recompense, and great reward The wight is to the almanac preferred. Bare motives to be damned for holy cause, A few red letters, and some painted straws! Fools! who thus truck with hell by Mohatra, And play their souls against no stakes away.
 * 'Tis strange with what an holy impudence

The villain caught, his innocence maintains; Denies with oaths the fact, until it be Less guilt to own it than the perjury; By the mass and blessed sacraments he swears, This Mary's milk, and the other Mary's tears, And the whole muster-roll in calendars. Not yet swallow the falsehood? if all this Wont gain a resty faith, he will on his knees The evangelists, and lady's psalter kiss, To vouch the lie; nay, more, to make it good, Mortgage his soul upon't, his heaven, and God. Damned faithless heretics! hard to convince, Who trust no verdict but dull obvious sense. Unconscionable courts! who priests deny Their benefit of the clergy, perjury.
 * Room for the martyred saints! behold they come!

With what a noble scorn they meet their doom! Not knights o' the post, nor often carted whores Show more of impudence, or less remorse.