Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/96

86 Tame dastard slaves! who your profession shame, And fix disgrace on our great founder's name.
 * Think what late sectaries (an ignoble crew,

Not worthy to be ranked in sin with you) Inspired with lofty wickedness, durst do: How from his throne they hurled a monarch down, And doubly eased him of both life and crown: They scorned in covert their bold act to hide, In open face of heaven the work they did, And braved its vengeance, and its powers defied. This is his son, and mortal too like him; Durst you usurp the glory of the crime, And dare ye not? I know, you scorn to be By such as they outdone in villany, Your proper province; true, you urged them on, Were engines in the fact, but they alone Shared all the open credit and renown.
 * But hold! I wrong our church and cause, which need

No foreign instance, nor what others did. Think on that matchless assassin, whose name We with just pride can make our happy claim; He, who at killing of an emperor, To. give his poison stronger force and power Mixed a god with't, and made it work more sure: Blessed memory! which shall through age to come Stand sacred in the lists of hell and Rome.
 * Let our great Clement and Ravaillac's name,

Your spirits to like heights of sin inflame;