Note 212 — ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL.
Reading edition
Of this it would be endless to quote proofs: The following four extracts from the libels of the time are more than sufficient.
"A Congratulatory Poem upon the Happy Arrival of his Royal Highness James Duke of York, at London, April 8th, 1682:"
And Absalom, thou piece of ill-placed beauty, As happy be as fair, and know thy duty; For somewhat in that noble frame I saw, Which, or a father, or a king can awe.
"The Norwich Loyal Litany:"
But may the beauteous youth come home, And do the thing that's fit, Or I must tell that Absalom, He has more hair than wit. May he be wise, and soon expell The old fox, th' old fawning elf; The time draws near, Achitophel Shan't need to hang himself.
"His Royal Highness the Duke of York's Welcome to London, a congratulatory Poem:"
So let it mourn, and Ignoramus find How unsuccessfully it spared its kind, When sneaking, trembling, false Achitophel Hath refuge to the cunning Hangman's spell; And by one fatal tie, those numerous knots Dissolves, of all his rogueries, shams, and plots.
"Good News in Bad Times; or Absalom's Return to David's Bosom. 30th Nov. 1683."