Politics & government

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Wilkes & Liberty forever

YOU hearty Britons pray attend,
We hope no o ts ſhall usſurvive,
While we maintain brave forty five.
O rare Wilkes for ever, O rare liberty.

When Mr. W-s did firſt contrive,
To write the number forty five,
It touch'd ſome people to the gall,
But Wilkes defiance bid to all.

Another thing appear'ſt quite ſtrange,
This pamphlet burnt all the Change,
But one a friend we'll not dispute,
He in the fire chuck'd a boot.

The Printer then immediately,
Was ordered to the pillory,
Butthere ſome friends did him ſurround
Colleccted for him many a pound.

Then Mr. Wilkes he did advance,
And took a journey into France,
But by his friends was ſentfor o'er,
To v x them as he did before.

The city we muſt not degrade,
We know their votes depend on trade,
But yet a joke we are free to paſs,
They ſay the mare's become an aſs.

The country then immediately,
Promoted Wilkes to high degree,
And of him they did make no ſcoff,
Like the pyeman now he'll take them off

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