EBBA 36922

British Library - 82.l.8

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A Congratulatory POEM Presented
To the Right Honourable
Sr. JOSEPH SHELDON
Knight and Baronet.
LORD MAIOR
Of the City of London.
Composed by the Author of the Geneva ballad.

BRave Walworths Dagger, Worthy Lord,

Rebuds and blossoms in your Sword:

Lop the first Letter in his Name,

Yourself and he will be the same:

Nature and Grace to You impart,

An Aspect grave, a Loyal Heart;

A Spring-tide-Purse, an Ebbing passion;

Rigour allay'd with Moderation;

A Still Voyce in a Thunder-clap,

Where Mercy sits in Justice Lap:

With all ingredients that compleat

A Perfect Christian Magistrate.

The more's the Pitty! some have made

Their Pow'r a Pander to their Trade:

And when the people would be heard,

Have measur'd causes by the Yard:

For Equity but blundr'ing at it,

More by the Shop-book then the Statute:

These Animals if you would know,

They now and then i'th Country grow:

And may be Pickt up here and there,

In half the Towns of ev'ry Shire.

But never did so Vile Disgrace

Bespot Fitz-Allens Nobler Race;

Whose Antient Honours here we View,

By Providence, transfer'd to You,

Whose Port, and presence well may show,

Whom You do Represent below:

That Auful Mildness Writ upon it,

Might make the Quaker Vail his Bonnet:

And him that hopeth a Reprieve,

Not onely Tremble but Believe;

Considering how your Smile or Frown

Can raise him up, or cast him down.

Here we may see (to Londons pride)

Lambeth and Pauls afresh ally'd;

The Church and City joyntly share

A Metropolitan, and Mayor

Of the same stock; whose Name shall last

Till deep-lung'd fame hath spent her blast,

Great Joseph! with thy Brethrens leaves

Accept due homage from their Sheaves;

And be to us as much or more

Then that blest Patriarch was before

Amongst the old Egyptians, who

Endear'd the Prince and people too:

So our wise FORD, with Prudence sweet,

Made both ends of the Town to meet:

So noble VINER hath likewise

Caus'd Conduits run, and Churches rise;

And in his Soveraigns statue shown

A lasting Monument of his own.

Oh pious pomp! of all the rest,

These Following pageants are the best,

Which Triumph over Death, and save

Th' Embalmed memory from the grave.

Whose Aqueduct's, when e're he dye,

Will Weep forth his best Elegy.

Pardon, my Lord, although to you

Our pray'rs, not our Advice is Due;

Let your Heav'n-granted power pursue,

The Hect'ring, and the Damning crew,

Blasphemous Tongue, and Bloudy Hand

Cuts out new mourning for the Land:

Superfluous Trees, by pruning, thrive,

And Laws by Execution live:

We'r subject unto your commanding,

Like Phinehas do Justice Standing:

For if this be your Honours Way,

Factions will of themselves Decay.

My Lord,
Your Honours Most Humble Servant.
Printed in the Year, 1675.

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EBBA 36922