Book 12 — ON THE YOUNG STATESMEN.
Reading edition
The following verses have been ascribed to Dryden upon slight authority, and contrary to internal evidence. They display a good deal of the turn of wit, and structure of verse, which may be observed in similar jeux d'esprit of Dorset, to whom I am tempted to ascribe them, though the name of Dryden may have been borrowed, to give them publicity.
They ought to have preceded, in point of time, those entitled "Tarquin and Tullia," but were accidentally misplaced.
As nicknames are easily perpetuated, I observe, that these verses entailed upon the young statesmen, the names of Chit Sunderland, Chit Lory, &c. in the satires of the day. This administration came into office in the latter years of Charles II.'s reign. The satire turns on a comparison between them and their predecessors of what was called the Cabal. There is a parody on these lines in the "State Poems," in which they are applied to Stillingfleet.
ON
THE YOUNG STATESMEN.
Clarendon[86] had law and sense, Clifford[87] was fierce and brave; Bennet's[88] grave look was a pretence, And Danby's[89] matchless impudence Helped to support the knave. But Sunderland, Godolphin, Lory,[90] These will appear such chits in story, 'Twill turn all politics to jests, To be repeated like John Dory, When fidlers sing at feasts. Protect us, mighty Providence! What would these madmen have? First, they would bribe us without pence, Deceive us without common sense, And without power enslave. Shall free-born men, in humble awe, Submit to servile shame, Who from consent and custom draw The same right to be ruled by law, Which kings pretend, to reign? The Duke shall wield his conquering sword, The chancellor make a speech, The king shall pledge his honest word, The pawned revenue sums afford, And then, come kiss my breech. So have I seen a king in chess, (His rooks and knights withdrawn, His queen and bishops in distress,) Shifting about grow less and less, With here and there a pawn.