The Rambling
Roman Catholick:
OR, THE
Surpriz'd PAPIST Turn'd PROTESTANT.
To the Tune of A Begging we will go. Licensed according to Order.
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I Am a Roman Catholick,
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whom Protestants doth scorn,
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And I was sent from hence to Rome,
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when pretty Prince was Born,
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Indeed to tell his Holiness the News,
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and how the whole Plot was laid.
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I was one of the Nuntio's Men,
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therefore most fit to goe;
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I had a great desire then,
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to kiss the Pope's great Toe,
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Likewise to tell his Holiness the News,
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and how the Intreague went on.
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I told him Father Peters,
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that Precious Saint indeed,
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With all his other Creatures
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did gallantly proceed,
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And now the Romish Work goes fairly on,
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the Game will be soon our own.
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The Pope he turned his head and smil'd,
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then blest the Tenth of June;
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Likewise by me he sent the Child
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a Consecrated Spoon,
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With many other pretty little Toys
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and Coral to rub his Gums.
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I took the Benediction
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of the great Pope of Rome:
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But coming to Great Britain,
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most dismall was our Doom;
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For why, his Highness he was fled away,
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and good Father Peters too.
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My heart was fill'd with fear and dread,
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when coming to White-Hall;
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Therefore without delay I did
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for Father Peters call,
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But strait they told me he was run away,
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I, and all the Friars too.
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Then being very zealous
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I search'd the Court all round,
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Expecting to have gone to Mass,
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but the Dee'l a Mass I found;
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The Doors I see was lock'd and barr'd up strong,
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at which I stood amaz'd.
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I straitways did retire
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unto St. James's, where
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I could not find a Friar
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to Thatch a Gallows there,
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No, no, I found they all was fled away,
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and others in their Room.
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I asked for the Nuncio,
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some said, I was too bold:
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Said I, There's no more hurt in him
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than a Dee'l of Two year old;
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For a precious Saint I'm sure he was indeed,
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well fed and bred at Rome.
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I found the Doors all lock'd up fast,
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when to Lime-street I went,
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Quoth I, What are they run away
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'cause they could not pay their Rent?
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I wondred in my Heart what was the Cause.
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that all the Crew was gone.
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A Young-man standing by me,
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in friendly sort he said,
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In Newgate the poor Jesuites
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were forc'd to hide their head,
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And same likewise are run away to France,
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they have no Trading here.
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I hearing then what he did say,
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and e'ery Word did note;
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Thought I, there is no other way,
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but strait to Turn my Coat,
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I'll throw my Beads and Crucifix away,
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and be a Protestant.
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For why, I was the same before,
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yet turn'd for private Gain,
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And did Rome's Priests and Mass adore,
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while Jemmico did Reign,
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But now good Faith I do defie them all,
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the Cause goes clearly down.
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