: The Works of John Dryden now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05 by Dryden John Scott Walter Editor - English literature

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As needy gallants in the scriveners' hands, Court the rich knave that gripes 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 him who does the feat: What injuries soe'er upon us fall, Yet, still, The same religion, answers all: Religion wheedled you 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 you, 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. How they love England, you shall see this day; No map shews Holland truer than our play: Their pictures and inscriptions well we know; We may be bold one medal sure to show. View then their falsehoods, rapine, cruelty; And think what once they were, they still would be: But hope not either language, plot, or art; 'Twas writ in haste, but with an English heart: And least hope wit; in Dutchmen that would be As much improper, as would honesty.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

AMBOYNA.

You are not ignorant of our business with you: the cries of your accomplices have already reached your ears; and your own consciences, above a thousand summons, a thousand tortures, instruct you what to do. No farther juggling, nothing but plain sincerity and truth to be delivered now; a free confession will first atone for all your sins above, and may do much below to gain your pardons. Let me exhort you, therefore, be you merciful, first to yourselves and make acknowledgment of your conspiracy.

Footnotes: 1. The situation of Venice renders it impossible to bring horses into the town; accordingly, the Venetians are proverbially bad riders.

THE

STATE OF INNOCENCE,

AND

FALL OF MAN.

AN

OPERA.

THE STATE OF INNOCENCE, &c.

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