Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LITANY, by CHARLES COTTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LITANY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: From a ruler that's a curse
Last Line: Libera nos, etc.


I

FROM a Ruler that's a curse,
And a Government that's worse;
From a Prince that rules by awe,
Whose tyrannic will 's his Law;
From an armed Council board,
And a sceptre that's a sword,
Libera nos, etc.

II

From a Kingdom, that from health
Sickens to a Commonwealth;
From such Peers as stain their blood,
And are neither wise; nor good;
From a Gentry steept in pots,
From unkennellers of plots,
Libera nos, etc.

III

From a Church without Divines,
And a Presbyter that whines;
From John Calvin, and his pupils,
From a sentence without scruples,
From a Clergy without letters,
And a Free-State bound in fetters,
Libera nos, etc.

IV

From the bustle of the Town,
And the knavish tribe o' th' Gown,
From long bills where we are debtors,
From Bum-Bailiffs, and their Setters,
From the tedious City lectures,
And Thanksgivings for Protectors,
Libera nos, etc.

V

From ill victuals when we dine,
And a tavern with ill wine;
From vile smoke in a short pipe,
And a Landlord that will gripe,
From long reck'nings, and a wench
That claps in English; or in French,
Libera nos, etc.

VI

From demesnes whose barren soil
Ne'er produc'd the barley oil;
From a friend for nothing fit,
That nor courage has, nor wit;
From all liars, and from those
Who write nonsense Verse; or Prose,
Libera nos, etc.

VII

From a virgin that's no maid,
From a kicking, stumbling jade,
From false servants, and a scold,
From all women that are old,
From loud tongues that never lie,
And from a domestic spy;
Libera nos, etc.

VIII

From a domineering Spouse,
From a smoky, dirty house,
From foul linen, and the noise
Of young children, girls or boys,
From ill beds, and full of fleas,
From a wife with essences;
Libera nos, etc.

IX

From trepans of wicked men,
From the Interest of Ten,
From Rebellion, and the sense
Of a wounded conscience;
Lastly, from the Poet's evil,
From His highness, and the Devil,
Libera nos, etc.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net