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John Dryden - Absalom and Achitophel
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My Pious Subjects for my Safety pray, 
Which to Secure they take my Power away. 
From Plots and Treasons Heaven preserve my years, 
But Save me most from my Petitioners. 
Unsatiate as the barren Womb or Grave; 
God cannot Grant so much as they can Crave. 
What then is left but with a Jealous Eye 
To guard the Small remains of Royalty? 
The Law shall still direct my peacefull Sway, 
And the same Law teach Rebels to Obey: 
Votes shall no more Establish`d Pow`r controul, 
Such Votes as make a Part exceed the Whole; 
No groundlesss Clamours shall my Friends remove, 
Nor Crowds have power to Punish e`re they Prove: 
For Gods, and Godlike Kings their Care express, 
Still to Defend their Servants in distress. 
Oh that my Power to Saving were confin`d: 
Why am I forc`d, like Heaven, against my mind, 
To make Examples of another Kind? 
Must I at length the Sword of Justice draw? 
Oh curst Effects of necessary Law! 
How ill my Fear they by my Mercy scan, 
Beware the Fury of a Patient Man. 
Law they require, let Law then shew her Face; 
They coud not be content to look on Grace, 
Her hinder parts, but with a daring Eye 
To tempt the terror of her Front, and Dye. 
To their own arts `tis Righteously decreed 
Those dire Artificers of Death shall bleed. 
Against themselves their Witnesses will Swear, 
Till Viper-like their Mother Plot they tear: 
And suck for Nutriment that bloody gore 
Which was their Principle of Life before. 
Their Belial with their Belzebub will fight; 
Thus on my Foes, my Foes shall do me Right: 
Nor doubt th` event; for Factious crowds engage 
In their first Onset, all their Brutal Rage; 
Then, let `em take an unresisted Course, 
Retire and Traverse, and Delude their Force: 
But when they stand all Breathless, urge the fight, 
And rise upon `em with redoubled might: 
For Lawfull Pow`r is still Superiour found, 
When long driven back, at length it stands the ground."

He said. Th` Almighty, nodding, gave Consent; 
And Peals of Thunder shook the Firmament. 
Henceforth a Series of new time began, 
The mighty Years in long Procession ran: 
Once more the God-like David was Restor`d, 
And willing Nations knew their Lawfull Lord.
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