Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/114

104 ONG had the famed impostor found success, Long seen his damned fraternity's increase, In wealth, and power, mischief, guile improved, By popes, and pope-rid kings upheld, and loved; Laden with tears, and sins, and numerous scars, Got some i' the field, but most in other wars, Now finding life decay, and fate draw near, Grown ripe for hell, and Roman calendar, He thinks it worth his holy thoughts, and care, Some hidden rules, and secrets to impart, The proofs of long experience and deep art, Which to his successors may useful be In conduct of their future villany. Summoned together, all the officious band The orders of their bedrid chief attend; Doubtfuil, what legacy he will bequeath, And wait with greedy ears his dying breath: With such quick duty vassal fiends below To meet commands of their dread monarch go.
 * On pillow raised, he does their entrance greet,

And joys to see the wished assembly meet: They in glad murmurs tell their joy aloud, Then a deep silence stills the expecting crowd. Like Delphic hag of old, by fiend possessed, He swells; wild frenzy heaves his panting breast; His bristling hairs stick up, his eyeballs glow, And from his mouth long streaks of drivel flow: Thrice with due reverence he himself doth cross, Then thus his hellish oracles disclose.
 * ’Ye firm associates of my great design,

Whom the same vows, and oaths, and order join,