THE
Lancashire Sham-Plot.
To the Tune of, A. SMITH.
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PRojecting and Plotting for the Publick Good,
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Is now a good Trade if well understood,
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As appears in a late Inquisition for Blood,
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Which nobody can deny. Which, etc.
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I have read of a Brewer a great Undertaker,
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And of Perjur'd T.O. that famous Plot-maker,
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But he and the Brewer's out-done by a Baker,
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Which, etc.
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This Baker by some is call'd honest Harry,
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Yet in London some think he will not long tarry,
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'Cause something of late in his hands did miscarry,
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Which, etc.
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His Friend Aaron Smith the Story can tell,
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And what bad Misfortune to them both befell
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In Manchester Town, which is known very well,
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Which, etc.
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You can't but have heard of a damn'd Horrid Plot,
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To bring in the King and the Lord God knows what,
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Lately Bak'd in an Oven, and came out piping hot,
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Which, etc.
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This Plot was well guarded by Men of Renown,
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And safely brought up to be try'd here in Town;
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But by Judge H------ts Advice 'twas again carry'd down,
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Which, etc.
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For something was whisper'd to him in his Ear,
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That he plainly refus'd in the Cause to appear,
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And that was the Reason it was not try'd hear,
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Which, etc.
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But yet try'd it was, and that for good Reason,
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Thirty Thousand a Year may be guilty of Treason,
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And Plots in this Reign are always in Season,
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Which, etc.
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To prove this damn'd Sham one, there's some did Swear purely,
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That had it not been for a good honest Jury,
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No Man of Estate had been safe I'll assure ye,
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Which, etc.
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For Honest Mens Fears did daily increase,
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Cause the Witnesses they were all of a Piece,
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Who, like Thieves, wou'd kill the poor Sheep for the Fleece,
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Which, etc.
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But the Innocent Prisoners in their own defence,
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Foul horrid Things prov'd 'gainst the King's Evidence,
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Which some was committed to Prison for since,
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Which, etc.
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Such a black piece of Villany ne'er was detected
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Since his Highness P.O. our King was Elected,
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But Providence brought both to pass unexpected,
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Which, etc.
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In short, when the Matter on both sides were heard,
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Against Aaron's Tribe such damn'd things appear'd,
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That with loud Acclamations the Prisoners were Clear'd,
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Which, etc.
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Yet it won't be amiss to give you a Hint
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Of this Cursed Sham-Plot, and what by it was meant,
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And of those of great Note that had a hand in't,
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Which, etc.
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This Serpentine Monster was first hatch'd in Hell,
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And nourish'd by some that I know very well;
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But I dare not speak out, nor all the Truth tell,
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Which, etc.
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But this I'll affirm, and if need I can Swear
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We've had a Sham-Plot at the least once a Year,
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And tell one does take, they'll go on still I fear,
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Which, etc.
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Yet no Man can say but the last was well laid,
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And Breerton, Wilson, and Lunt were well paid,
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And encourag'd with Gold to set up their Trade,
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Which, etc.
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Whose Trade was to Swear, Cheat, Lie, and Deceive,
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All Honest Men Hang, and others Inslave,
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And God, Truth and Justice, defy and out-brave,
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Which, etc.
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And being all Artests of their Profession,
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In spite to Religion they made this Confession,
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That all Men has Right that gets into Possession,
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Which, etc.
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In order to that the Estates of some Men
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Were design'd to be Seiz'd, but failing, they then
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Swore Treason against 'em, the place where and when,
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Which, etc.
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But before that was done they met and agreed
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To make all the Rank Rich Jacobites bleed,
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And Warrants were sign'd to that purpose with speed,
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Which, etc.
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Those that were to Act in this mad Bloody Freek,
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That they might be perfect and not be to seek,
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Did practise their Parts and Rehearse twice a Week,
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Which, etc.
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At the Sign of the Trencher in Plot Office-Court,
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Where Blackhead, Young, Fuller, and Lunt did resort,
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A Plot was Trumpt up to make 'em some Sport,
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Which, etc.
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And then like a Hare, by a Pack of Blood-Hounds,
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She was hunted and chass'd thro' Cities and Towns,
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Yet she did get off clear without Blood or wounds,
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which, etc.
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Give the Devil his due they did give her Law,
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Not doubting she cou'd e'er escape the Tykes Paw;
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But they were all dull whelps, not one worth a straw,
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which, etc.
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The Curs having lost both the Sight and the Scent
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Of the Game they pursu'd, and being quite spent,
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They hung down their Ears all along as they went,
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which, etc.
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Being quite disappointed of seizing their Prey,
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The Hunts-men and Hounds, as I have heard say,
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Like the Dutch-men at Landen, did all run away,
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which, etc.
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Thus happily ended that Bloody Contest,
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And by what is hear said you may guess at the rest,
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For a Word to the Wise was always thought best,
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Which nobody can deny. Which, etc.
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