Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume)

286
A SCOTTISH JOURNIE
His Majesty thinkes nothing rightly done
That’s not directed by his Hambleton,
A tender conscienc’t man, that sekes the health
And wellfare also of the common wealth.
How happy are those Princes that rely
On such a favourite as can supply
All the defects of busie government.
Yet when he sees the giddy people bent
To ruine both prerogative and crowne
He lends his helping hand to pull all downe,
And seekes out a deceitfull way to putt
Truth in opinion only, and to shutt
Reason quite out, as if he were resolvd
To leave the world in miseries involvd.
He sets the voyces of the tumult high,
Bids them for lawes and liberties to cry,
And as poore hooded hawkes breake loose and fly,
So they seeke out a hudwinckt meanes to dye.
This craft of state may get an honest name
But in the meane time sure it is a shame
To see i’ th’ court and countrey what a stroke
Falshood hath gott, under religions cloake.
But Kings that in their government want skill,
And cannot well distinguish good from ill,
Surrender up their eyes and yeares to those
That flatter and betray them in the close.
But this mischance to kings is incident.
For when our Saviour was to Pilate sent
They crown’d his sacred head with thornes, and gave
Him robe and scepter as a king should have.
Yet till they stopt his eares and his blest eyes
Were shut, his kingly title silent lyes,
But that once done the people on him call,
Hayle to our king, and on their knees they fall.
And this example makes it plaine appeare
That mortall princes must not see nor heare.
But stay what is’t to me how monarchs rule.
If they mistake, must I needes bee a foole ?
And meddle with a Soveraigne’s knowing way
That teaches subjects how they should obey
The just prerogatives: but want of sleepe
Doth like a subtle theife i’ th’ candle creepe