---

John Dryden - Satire On The Dutch
Work rating: Low

As needy gallants, in the scrivener`s hands, 
Court the rich knaves that gripe their mortgaged lands; 
The first fat buck of all the season`s sent, 
And keeper takes no fee in compliment; 
The dotage of some Englishmen is such, 
To fawn on those who ruin them,—the Dutch. 
They shall have all, rather than make a war 
With those who of the same religion are. 
The Straits, the Guinea trade, the herrings too; 
Nay, to keep friendship, they shall pickle you. 
Some are resolved not to find out the cheat, 
But, cuckold-like, love them that do the feat. 
What injuries soe`er upon us fall, 
Yet still the same religion answers all:— 
Religion wheedled us to civil war, 
Drew English blood, and Dutchmen`s now would spare. 
Be gulled no longer, for you`ll find it true, 
They have no more religion, faith! than you. 
Interest`s the god they worship in their state; 
And we, I take it, have not much of that. 
Well monarchies may own religion`s name; 
But states are atheists in their very frame. 
They share a sin; and such proportions fall, 
That, like a stink, `tis nothing to them all. 
Think on their rapine, falsehood, cruelty, 
And that, what once they were they still would be. 
To one well-born the affront is worse and more, 
When he`s abused and baffled by a boor, 
With an ill grace the Dutch their mischiefs do; 
They`ve both ill nature and ill manners too. 
Well may they boast themselves an ancient nation; 
For they were bred ere manners were in fashion: 
And their new commonwealth hath set them free 
Only from honour and civility. 
Venetians do not more uncouthly ride, 
Than did their lubber state mankind bestride; 
Their sway became them with as ill a mein, 
As their own paunches swell above their chin. 
Yet is their empire no true growth, but humour, 
And only two kings` touch can cure the tumour. 
As Cato fruits of Afric did display, 
Let us before our eyes their Indies lay: 
All loyal English will like him conclude,— 
Let Cæsar live, and Carthage be subdued.
Source
The script ran 0.001 seconds.