Vast quantities of stores did he
Embezzle and purloin;

Of the king's stores he kept a key,
Converting them to coin.

The forfeited estates also,
Both real and personal,

Did with the stores together go,

Fierce Cerberus swallow'd all.

Meanwhile the soldiers sigh'd and sobb'd,
For not one sous had they;

His excellence had each man fobb'd,
For he had sunk their pay.

Nero, without the least disguise,
The papists at all times
Still favour'd, and their robberies
Look'd on as trivial crimes.

The protestants whom they did rob
During his government,

Were forc'd with patience, like good Job,

To rest themselves content.

For he did basely them refuse

All legal remedy;

The Romans still he well did use,
Still screen'd their roguery.

Succinctly thus to you I've told,

How this Viceroy did reign;

And other truths I shall unfold,
For truth is always plain.

The best of queens he hath revil'd,
Before and since her death,
He, cruel and ungrateful, smil'd
When she resign'd her breath.

Forgetful of the favours kind
She had on him bestow'd,
Like Lucifer his rancorous mind,
He lov'd not her nor God.

But listen, Nero, lend thine ears,
As still thou hast them on;
Hear what Britannia says with tears,
Of Anna dead and gone.

"Oh! sacred be her memory,
For ever dear her name!
There never was, nor e'er can be,
A brighter, juster dame.

"Blest be my sons, and eke all those
Who on her praises dwell!
She conquer'd Britain's fiercest foes,
She did all queens excel.

"All princes, kings, and potentates,
Ambassadors did send:

All nations, provinces, and states,
Sought Anna for their friend.

"In Anna they did all confide,

For Anna they could trust: Her royal faith they all had tried, For Anna still was just.

"Truth, mercy, justice, did surround
Her awful judgment-seat,

In her the Graces all were found,
In Anna all complete.

"She held the sword and balance right, And sought her people's good: In clemency she did delight,

Her reign not stain'd with blood.

"Her gracious goodness, piety,
In all her deeds did shine,
And bounteous was her charity;
All attributes divine.

"Consummate wisdom, meekness all, Adorn'd the words she spoke, When they from her fair lips did fall; And sweet her lovely look.

"Ten thousand glorious deeds to crown,
She caus'd dire war to cease:
A greater empress ne'er was known,
She fix'd the world in peace.

"This last and godlike act achiev❜d, To heaven she wing'd her flight:

Her loss with tears all Europe griev'd;
Their strength, and dear delight.

"Leave we in bliss this heavenly saint,

Revere, ye just, her urn;

Her virtues high and excellent,
Astrea gone we mourn.

"Commemorate, my sons, the day
Which gave great Anna birth:

Keep it for ever and for aye,
And annual be your mirth!"

Illustrious George now fills the throne,
Our wise benign good king:

Who can his wondrous deeds make known,
Or his bright actions sing?

Thee, favourite Nero, he has deign'd

To raise to high degree!

Well thou thy honours hast sustain'd,
Well vouch'd thy ancestry.

But pass-These honours on thee laid,
Can they e'er make thee white?

Don't Gaphny's blood, which thou hast shed,

Thy guilty soul affright?

Oh! is there not, grim mortal, tell,

Places of bliss and woe?

Oh! is there not a heaven, a hell?

But whither wilt thou go ?

Can nought change thy obdurate mind?

Wilt thou for ever rail?

The prophet on thee well refin❜d,
And set thy wit to sale.

How thou art lost to sense and shame,
Three countries witness be:
Thy conduct all just men do blame,
Libera nos, Domine!

Dame Justice waits thee, well I ween,
Her sword is brandish'd high:

Nought can thee from her vengeance screen,
Nor canst thou from her fly.

Heavy her ire will fall on thee,
The glittering steel is sure:
Sooner or later, all agree,

She cuts off the impure.

To her I leave thee, gloomy peer!
Think on thy crimes committed:
Repent, and be for once sincere,

Thou ne'er wilt be De-Witted.