The Banish'd DUKE:
OR,
The Noble Polander's Wrongs redrest by the Death
of his false Friend, who was the real Cause of his Exile.
To the Tune of, The Ruined Virgin, etc.
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PIty a noble Peer, fam'd for renown,
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Till Fortune prov'd severe, and run me down,
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In Poland was I born,
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And did that Court adorn,
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Till I became their scorn, thro private speen.
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While Fortune favour'd me, it is well known,
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My seat was next degree beneath the Throne,
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And was in e'ry thing,
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Next to my royal King,
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While thus my fame did ring, ruin appear'd.
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I was in danger then, being so great,
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The eyes of envious Men, on me did wait,
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And labour'd night and day,
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My fortune to betray,
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Being advanc'd, I lay fair for a strom.
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High Mountains often are by Thunder tore,
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And lofty Cedars fair those claps will lower,
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Though innocent and pure,
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Sharp storms they must indure,
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While Vallies are secure, because they'r low.
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I never wronged Man, Woman, nor Child,
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As Poland witness can, tho I'm exil'd,
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Where I in tears alone,
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To Hills and Rocks of Stone,
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Make my lamenting moan both night and day.
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The truth I do report, Heavens be prais'd,
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While I remain'd in Court, many I rais'd,
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One whom I honour'd so,
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Did prove my private Foe,
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And wrought my overthrow, for my Good-will.
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The King's displeasure grew sharp and severe,
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When I the reason knew, I strove to clear
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Myself, but all in vain,
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No favour could I gain,
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My very heart in twain, I thought would break.
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Standing before the King and Nobles too,
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They charg'd me with a thing I never knew;
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He whom I mention'd told,
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That I the Jewels sold,
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And had convey'd the Gold, the Lord knows where.
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This did astonish me, I stood amaz'd,
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At length with bended knee, my voice I rais'd,
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Saying, Most gracious King,
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If he full proof can brin,
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That I have done this thing, then let me dye.
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Tho' I had much to say, myself to clear,
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Friendship I found decay, for they'd not hear
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How I was innocent,
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No, nor the least relent,
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But straight for banishment I was ordain'd.
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From my sweet Lady gay, and Children small,
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I was compell'd away, tho' tears did fall
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Like melting showers of Rain,
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Weeping was all in vain,
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They could no favour gain but I must go.
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Here in a barren Land, now I reside,
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Where nothing comes to hand, but what the tide
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Brings floating to the shore,
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When hunger grieves me sore,
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Never was Duke before ruin'd like me.
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Once was my Table spread with sumptuous Meat,
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Where I in pleasure fed, but now I eat
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Raw Fishes black and foul,
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My sorrows I condole;
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Did ever noble soul suffer like me.
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Lady thou little know'st my grief and care,
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Which is arriv'd almost to sad despair,
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Having no Bread to carve,
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But ready am to starve,
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This I did ne'er deserve, tho' 'tis my doom.
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While he did thus lament and weep amain,
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The King, his Master, sent for him again,
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Because that private Foe,
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Which wrought his overthrow,
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Declar'd it was not so as he had said.
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Him to his Dignity he did restore,
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While the false Enemy suffer'd therefore:
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Let this forewarn them all,
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Who seeks anothers fall,
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It is well known they shall, meet with their doom.
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His Lady fair and bright, and Children sweet,
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Were crown'd with new delight, when they did meet;
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All tears was dry'd away,
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'Twas a triumphant day,
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Both Lords and Ladies gay, said, Welcome home.
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