Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 8.djvu/164

154 Old nurse-keepers would never hire, To recommend him to the squire; Which others, whom he will not name, Have often practis'd to their shame. The Statesman tells you, with a sneer, His fault is to be too sincere; And having no sinister ends, Is apt to disoblige his friends. The nation's good, his master's glory, Without regard to whig or tory, Were all the schemes he had in view; Yet he was seconded by few: Though some had spread a thousand lies, 'Twas he defeated the excise. 'Twas known, though he had born aspersion, That standing troops were his aversion: His practice was, in every station, To serve the king, and please the nation. Though hard to find in every case The fittest man to fill a place: His promises he ne'er forgot, But took memorials on the spot; His enemies, for want of charity, Said, he affected popularity: 'Tis true, the people understood, That all he did was for their good; Their kind affections he has tried; No love is lost on either side. He came to court with fortune clear, Which now he runs out every year: Must, at the rate that he goes on, Inevitably be undone: O! if his majesty would please To give him but a writ of ease, Would