Royal Resolutions.

When plate was at pawn, and fob at an ebb,
And spider might weave in bowels its web,
And stomach as empty as brain:

Then Charles without acre,
Did swear by his Maker,
If e'er I see England again,

I'll have a religion all of my own,
Whether Popish or Protestant shall not be known;
And if it prove troublesome, I will have none.

I'll have a long Parliament always to friend,
And furnish my treasure as fast as I spend,
And if they will not, they shall have an end.

I'll have a Council shall sit always still,
And give me a licence to do what I will
And two secretaries shall p through a quill.

My insolent brother shall bear all the sway;
If Parliament murmur, I'll send him away,
And call him again as soon as I may.

I'll have a rare son, in marrying though marred,
Shall govern (if not my kingdom) my guard,
And shall be successor to me or Gerard.

I'll have a new London instead of the old,
With wide streets and uniform to my own mould;
But if they build it too fast, I'll bid 'em hold.

The ancient nobility I will lay by,
And new ones create, their rooms to supply,
And they shall raise fortunes for my own fry.

Some one I'll advance from a common descent,
So high that he shall hector the Parliament,
And all wholesome laws for the public prevent,

And I will assert him to such a degree,
That all his foul treasons, though daring and high,
Under my hand and seal shall have indemnity.

And whate'er it costs me, I'll have a French whore,
As bold as Alice Pierce, and as fair as Jane Shore;
And when I am weary of her, I'll have more.

Which if any bold Commoner dare to oppose,
I'll order my bravos to cut off his nose,
Though for 't I a branch of prerogative lose.

My pimp shall be my Minister Premier,
My bawds call Ambassadors far and near,
And my wench shall dispose of congé d'élire.

I'll wholly abandon all public affairs,
And pass all my time with buffoons and players,
And saunter to Nelly when I should be at prayers.

I'll have a fine pond with a pretty decoy,
Where many strange fowl shall feed and enjoy,
And still in their language quack Vive le Roi!