Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/117

Rh None be admitted there, but whom he please, Who buys from him the patent for the place. Hold those amongst the highest rank of saints, Whomever he to that honour shall advance, Though here the refuse of the jail, and stews, Which hell itself would scarce for lumber choose. But count all reprobate, and damned, and worse, Whom he, when gout, or phthisic rage, shall curse; Whom he in anger excommunicates, For Friday meals, and abrogating sprats; Or in just indignation spurns to hell For jeering holy toe, and pantofle. ’Whate'er he says, esteem for holy writ, And text apocryphal, if he think fit; Let arrant legends, worst of tales and lies, Falser than Capgraves, and Voragines, Than Quixote, Rabelais, Amadis de Gaul, If signed with sacred lead, and fisher's seal. Be thought authentic and canonical. Again, if he ordain 't in his decrees, Let every gospel for mere fable pass; Let right be wrong, black white, and virtue vice, No sun, no moon, nor no antipodes; Forswear your reason, conscience, and your creed, Your very sense, and Euclid, if he bid. ’Let it be held less heinous, less amiss, To break all Grod's commands, than one of his. When his great missions call, without delay, Without reluctance readily obey, Nor let your inmost wishes dare gainsay. Should he to Bantam, or Japan command, Or farthest bounds of southern unknown land, Farther than avarice its vassals drives, Through rocks, and dangers, loss of blood, and lives, Like great Xavier's be your obedience shown; Outstrip his courage, glory, and renown,