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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE KING'S HEALTH by THOMAS D'URFEY

First Line: JOY TO GREAT CAESAR
Last Line: FOR NONE E'ER CAN LOVE, OR BE WISE AND REBEL.
Subject(s): CHARLES II, KING OF ENGLAND (1630-1685); PATRIOTISM;
@3The First Strain.@1

Joy to Great @3Casar@1,
Long Life, Love and Pleasure;
'Tis a Health that Divine is,
Fill the Bowl high as mine is:
Let none fear a Feaver,
But take it off thus Boys;
Let the King Live for ever,
'Tis no matter for us Boys.

@3The Second Strain.@1

Try all the Loyal,
Defy all,
Give denyall;
Sure none thinks his Glass too big here,
Nor any @3Prig@1 here,
Or Sneaking @3Whig@1 here,
Of Cripple @3Tony's@1 Crew,
That now looks blue,
His Heart akes too,
The @3Tap@1 won't do,
His Zeal so true,
And Projects new,
Ill Fate does now pursue.

@3The Third Strain.@1

Let @3TORIES@1 Guard the King,
Let @3Whigs@1 in Halters swing;
Let @3Pilk@1 and @3Shute@1 be sham'd,
Let Bugg'ring @3Player@1 be Nick'd,
Let Cheating @3Player@1 be Nick'd,
The turn-coat Scribe be Kick'd;
Let Rebel City Dons,
Ne'er beget their Sons:
Let ev'ry @3Wiggish@1 Peer,
That Rapes a Lady fair,
And leaves his only Dear,
The Sheets to gnaw and tear,
Be punish'd out of hand,
And forc'd to pawn his Land
T'attone the grand Affair.

@3The Fourth Strain.@1

Great @3CHARLES@1, like @3Jehovah@1,
Spares those would Un-King Him;
And warms with his Graces,
The Vipers that sting Him:
Till Crown'd with just Anger,
The Rebel he Seizes;
Thus Heaven can Thunder,
When ever it pleases.

@3Jigg.@1

Then to the @3Duke@1 fill, fill up the Glass,
The Son of our @3Martyr@1, belov'd of the King;
Envy'd and Lov'd,
Yet blest from above,
Secur'd by an Angel safe under his Wing.

@3The Sixth Strain.@1

Faction and Folly,
And State Melancholy,
With @3Tony@1 in @3Whigland@1 for ever shall dwell;
Let Wit, Wine, and Beauty,
Then teach us our Duty,
For none e'er can Love, or be Wise and Rebel.



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