EBBA 33058

National Library of Scotland - Crawford

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AN
ELEGY
ON
Mrs. ALICIA LISLE.
Which for High-Treason was Beheaded at Winchester September the 2d. 1685.

LEt Rebels both and Loyalists draw nigh,

And view this Object of Disloyalty,

A Lady which by a Rebellious Crew,

Was forc'd in hast to bid the World adieu:

And pay her Head to Justice for her Crime,

Committed now when she had past her Prime.

Not Zeal blindfolded, nor the Cause the Cause,

Can over turn Religion, and the Laws;

Not Mighty May-bees of a shallow brain

Can cut the Church, and rend the State in twain.

There is a Power above all humane things,

That rules below, and guides the Fa[t]e of KINGS.

Men may design, and Mortals may intend,

But GOD alone brings to an happy end

The Revolutions of this by-past time

That have of late o'respread our Kingdoms Clime;

And all the tempests that o're cast our Skye,

(Threatning true Subjects, and his MAJESTY)

Did but confuse our state, and only send

Ensnared Subjects to a Fatal End.

Then Plotters, and Conspirators in Treason,

That Soar aloft, above the Sphere of Reason,

Throw by your Vizards, and wash off your Paint,

Which makes a Devil sometimes appear a Saint.

Submit to Fate, turn Loyal now (for shame)

And strive no more to swim against the stream.

Incensed Vapours (tho they be but air)

Leap from Earths bowels to a higher Sphere;

And turn to Comets, where they do remain,

Threatning a while, and vanish quite again;

Even so these Spirits that would still aspire,

Transgress their Bounds, and perish in desire,

That ship that hath not ballence to her sail,

Is allways tost, and never 'bides the Gale;

Then moderate the motions of your mind

With Wisdom, not with Hurricanes of wind;

Survey your ground first, least your great Design

End in a Quag-mire, or a hollow Mine;

Shrubs by the wind are not so quickly broke,

As is the proud, the high, and Lofty Oake;

That Bottle bursts and breaks first that is fil'd

With Spirits, which the Alchymists have Still'd.

EPITAPH.

HERE Lies Madam Lisle Dead,

Which for Treason lost her Head,

She Patronizd the Cause, the Cause,

Against the Church, and stablish'd Laws,

Let all her sex both Great and small,

Take here Example by her Fall,

And henceforth ever shun to be

Entangled by Presbi[t]ery,

Which Changeth into several shapes,

And hath brought forth Gomorrah's Grapes;

Which have set Englands teeth on Edge,

But now she is gone off the Stage,

Then here she is, and let her lie,

A Beacon unto LOYALTY.

FINIS.
This may be Printed, R.L.S.
LONDON,
Printed for J.M. and are to be Sold by Randal Taylor.

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EBBA 33058